UNDERGROUND ROCK OVERVIEW - AUGUST 22
Here's an overview of all that's going on in the heavy and psyched out world of
underground rock, including updates on Electric Wizard, Halfway To Gone & Various demos and albums.
- ELECTRIC WIZARD
After several months of speculation and uncertainty, Rise Above Records can reveal
that Electric Wizard are now ready to 'officially' unveil a new line
up and announce news of their forthcoming fifth album.
Deciding to refrain media attention until a stable line up was in place, founder member Jus Oborn
decided to recruit the services of a second guitarist, Liz Buckingham, who had previously played
with legendary cult all girl New York Doom/Crust band 13 and more recently Sourvein.
Filling in the bass position is friend of the band Rob Al-Issa, alongside former Iron
Monkey drummer Justin Greaves to fill the position behind the kit.
The band recently re-entered Chuckalumba in Dorset to lay down Seven new earth shattering
tracks for the forthcoming album, "We Live" -quite an apt title, all things considered.
Leader Oborn is in the process of relocating to the States, where the album is scheduled
to be mixed with legendary noise meister Billy Anderson.
Some titles to be included are: "Living Dead at Manchester Morgue", "Saturns Children" and the
enigmatic "Eko Eko Azarak" amongst others.
"We Live" is scheduled for release through Rise Above Records in January 2004.
- HALFWAY TO GONE
Halway To Gone are about to finish mastering their forthcoming album, due out
on Small Stone Records
out of Detroit. Says guitarist Stu.
"We have been pretty close to finished for some time now, but we've had some
roblems getting a mix nailed that we liked.
"I'd say we're really close [about
two weeks] to mastering it. We worked with Danny Gollin on this one. He
played on High Five and I think he will be the permenant drummer."
"We recorded at Rustbelt Studios in Detroit with Dave Allison. We tried
mixing it there, but due to time limits, it was impossible to get a good
mix."
"The tracks,however are awesome, with tons of cool guitar sounds and
a couple of cameos from guys at the label. We've got Bobby Pantello mixing
it up here right now, as we speak. Bobby was actually one of the first of
many drummers for Raging Slab."
"I think the songs are way more mature on this one, and everyone will be
surprised at the mellowish shit. We still keep it real heavy, most of the
time, but we had alot to say.
"The mellow stuff is pretty deep.It's not intended to sell more Halfway records.It's just how
we felt at the time."
"Anyhow, that's the story. Look out for the self titled "Halfway to Gone"
in early November."
"I'm currently working on a new project called "A Thousand Knives of Fire." It's a little
more old school hardcore punk than Halfway, but in the same vein. If you liked HTG you'll love this. I'm singing
On this one and we'll be having a two guitar assault! and we should have something
out soon."
- VARIOUS DEMOS & ALBUMS
by drew
Here is a quick rundown on the latest demos and records to grace the Roadburn desk in the
last month:
I' am fairly impressed with the Mandragora demo I received about
a month ago. Really scary looking promo picture, but a very accomplished
band with interesting songs and really fine guitar sounds and
good singing. Nice mid-tempo psychedelic rock in the vein of WE, Celestial Season and Dead
Meadow, but definitely not a copy cat band.
The Pygmies submitted a very nice demo with catchy uptempo riffing, very
solid drumming and no vocals. Definitely reminds me of Karma to Burn's early
material on the 10" they released, but played with a touch of a punkier edge
to it. Excellent stuff, a band to check out for sure.
Centrifuge is another newcomer worth mentioning. Their new demo "Visions
Old, Feelings Cold" offers up something a little bit different in the modern
heavy riff rock field. Nice Use of Space. Vocals are a bit hit and miss though.
The Cooters -
"The Moon Will Rise Again" [CD - T-Bones Records]
Normally I'm not too into joke bands, but these mississippi maniacs are an actually funny
joke band that make pretty damn good music when they rear back and let fly. Album
opener, "Cootersaurus," is a great little vamp that rocks like no tomorrow. They have chops
galore and a variety of vocal flavors. think clutch with saxophones a judas priest fetish...
Carraig - "Haymaker"[CD - Vicegrip Records]
Hoist up a pint of guiness [or Beamish or Harp...] and celebrate the arrival of Ireland into
the world of stonerrock.
Carraig are not just a token entry either, they are supremely
solid with fantastic guitar tones, tight production, interesting and powerful vocals and an
extremely promising future.
The only drawback I can see is that they are very similar to Slo-Burn, in fact, they started
out as a Slo-Burn, Kyuss and Acrimony cover band. But hell, Slo-burn are no more so why not
dig Carraig?
I'm off to the packy for a four pack of guinness pub draught and I'm putting
this CD on repeat 'til I'm drunk and happy.
The Deed -
"Bull Run" [Demo CD-R]
Paint-by-numbers chord progressions and muddy sound don't do these guys any favors, but somehow
they manage to be pretty decent after all. Cool [if a bit monotonous] vocals and a thick, fuzzy
guitar tone work for them, and they obviously can play a bit. Certainly a solid entry
in the middle of the stonerrock pack with vocals and a psychedelic flavor that make them a
little interesting.
Hulk -
"Party Time" [CD - Progress Music]
This comes as a bit of a surprise!
Hulk, from Belgium, combine swaggering riffs and punk rock
anger with the power of old school rock [Motorhead, Rose Tattoo & AC/DC] to create some
wicked, testosterone driven rock 'n roll.
It's the kind of dirt rock that grabs you by the balls and which the strippers will soon
be dancing to. Fire up the barbecue, tap the keg coz' we're having a party.
walter
Presley -
"S/T" [CD - Self Released]
At first blush this is wanky alternative rock with off-key singing. After a while the
hypnotic, narcotic dark side appears and the singing goes away [for the most part] and the
record gets pretty damn interesting.
Production by Steve Austin [Today Is The Day] helps to emphasize the torment and bleakness here.
This threads together nicely into a narrative about losing your love. Bonus points for the
black and white artwork picturing an empty bench overlooking the ocean on the front and a
nuclear power plant on the back. Great for getting drunk to and hating life too.
The Sissies -
"The Juice" [CD - Daredevil Records ]
Long time German scenesters that went away for a couple of years and now are back and
bad ass. This is very possibly the best Daredevil release ever. Decent production [if they
reigned in that high end and it would be all good]. lets the hard rocking band hit you right
square in the kisser with relentless power rock.
This is somewhere in the same ballpark as Thulsa doom. powerful, energetic vocals from an
undoubtedly charismatic frontman are the reason to buy this. High octane rock with
attitude, swagger and a suggestively large bulge in their leather trousers. Congrats to
Jochen from Daredevil on this fine release.
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