500 FT OF PIPE - "THE ELECTRIFYING CHURCH OF THE NEW LIGHT"
[ CD - Beard of Stars ]
Originally released as a limited edition on High Clopse Music, 500 Ft of
Pipe's much acclaimed and hard-to-get debut album can now be heard outside
of the 300 lucky souls who found it the first time around.
With nods to early Monster Magnet, MC5, Deep Purple and The Stooges, the band
deliver nine tracks of seriously heavy psych with their own unique twist. In
addition to the original release, the re-issue sports new artwork by the
prestigious Malleus studio.
walter
ABACO - "S/T"
[ CD - Self Released ]
Abaco, from Amsterdam, have fused elements of Tool and Messugah to come up with a very interesting
take on stoner and math-rock that is completly infectious. This debut EP is the evidence that the
formula for riff rock is taking a more modern outlook. A full length is highly anticipated.
walter
ABDULLAH - "GRAVEYARD POETRY"
[ CD - MeteorCity ]
Abdullah just keeps getting better. Their latest combines classic metal and
doom with a vaguely Acid Bath flavor to the vocals. Pure quality through and
through, but for some reason I can never listen to the record in one
sitting. Too similar? Perhaps, but that amounts to a petty quibble at most.
The metal is definitely here.
drew
ACID MOTHERS TEMPLE FAMILY - "DO WHATEVER YOU WANT, DON'T DO WHATEVER YOU
DON'T WANT"
[ CD - Earworm Records ]
This three CD set is as good of an introduction to the Acid Mothers Temple
collective as an interested newcomer could ask for.
A three CD collection assembled by AMT leader Makoto Kawabata, the
twenty-five songs collected here is a wonderful overview of the band, its
offshoots and extended family.
Disc one is one track, but it's a doozy. "Pink Lady Lemonade'" is a staple
of the AMT live set and has been for sometime. Originally recorded for their
first album, the version offered here is the definitive one, clocking in at
an astounding sixty minutes.
The remaining two discs collect tracks from their various other releases,
from the acid-folk of Floating Flower to the more traditional Zoffy to the
Hawkwind-inspired space rock played by Kido Natsuki.
They have also included tracks on bands that have recorded for the AMT
label, such as San Diego psych rock band Maquiladora, the acid folk of
Philadelphia's Fusaxa and the folk balladry of French singer Frederic.
sean palmerston
ALABAMA THUNDERPUSSY - "CONSTELLATION"
[ CD - Relapse ]
Relapse has reissued ATP's much acclaimed "Constellation", including two bonus tracks. The live
version of "Ambition" was recorded at the Star Community Bar in Atlanta, Ga. while the band was on
tour with Mastodon.
The cover of Lynyrd Skynyrds' "All I Can Do Is Write About It" was recorded from the same session
as the original album [released on Man's Ruin records in 1999].
Alabama Thunderpussy continue to blaze ahead with "Constellation", their second full-length effort. Everything
I liked about "River City Revival" is here and turned up a few notches. Lying somewhere between
the melodies of C.O.C. and the vicious angst of EyeHateGod, with nods to such classics as Skynyrd
and Sabbath; and drawing from both sides with amazing taste, ATP have created a very powerful record.
A record dripping with Southern souland harmony ["Ambition", "Second Wind", "Negligence"] and sheer brutal
ROCK [opener "Crying Out Loud", "Middle Finger Salute", "Foul Play"]. The musicianship is top-shelf, with the
added elements of piano and acousticguitars only enforcing the band's strengths. ATP definitely explored
new musical spaces here and it works marvelously. --Mike Hubbard, Roadburn 2000
AUTOA - "S/T"
[ CD - Alone Records/The Stone Circle ]
Autoa's full-blown instrumental jams lurch from groove-laden doom to free spirited jazz and blues. Sounds
like Sleep meets Victim's Family or a weird mixture of King Crimson and Fugazi. They attempt to take
the listener on a hallucinatory wild ride down the Basque Country, but Autoa's musical approach
is less exciting than the aforementioned bands.
walter
THE AWESOME MACHINE vs. DUSTER 69 - "SO LOW"
[ CD - Daredevil Records ]
The Kyuss of Sweden in a cage match against the Kyuss of Germany. Who wins?
The country with the biggest desert of course!
drew
AYTOBACH KREISOR - "S/T"
[ CD - Rubric Records ]
Hailing from NYC, Aytobach Kreisor are sounding like a head on collision
between English psychedelica [by the likes of Sundial and Swervediver] and
American rock [think Blue Oyster Cult and Captian Beyond].
Produced by Wharton Tiers, Aytobach Kreisor's debut is loaded with jam-inspired riffs,
and the album sounds like it came out of the late 80's early 90's. Very
nice! Look out for the band's second release later this year.
walter
BEATEN BACK TO PURE - "THE LAST REFUGE OF THE SONS OF BITCHES"
[ CD - Retribute Records ]
Music-wise this slab of heaviness is a bit like an upbeat and speedy
Eyehategod with a nail gargling vocalist. They occasionally change up with
some 'clean' vocals, but the main gist of this record seems to be pissed off
southern/death/stonerrock.
Excellent production highlights the bands musical abilities and adds a furry sweetness to the guitar sound. There
is enough variety in tone and texture to keep this from becoming monotonous sludge
rock and the vocals are bizarre enough to keep it from being monotonous
southern riff rock. Good stuff all around.
drew
BELOW THE SOUND - "MORE LIKE A GUNSHOW THAN A CAR WRECK"
[ CD - Berserker Records ]
Below the Sound remind me of one of the greatest bands ever, The Minutemen. They have the
same penchant for minimalist, driving punk rock with vocals shouted in like manifestos. Below the Sound
also recall the Dead Kennedy's style but mix it with Gang of Four repetitiveness. Their style manages
to be consistently interesting and entertaining and especially great for driving 100 miles an hour to.
drew
BIG BABY SATAN - "S/T"
[ CD - Self Released ]
Thin and unconvincing heavy music that needs to see a lot more time in the practice room before being
presented to the public. Poor recording, forgettable songwriting, weak lyrics. Go buy a Crowbar record instead.
drew
BIG BLOCK HITCHCOCK - "THE WHISKEY EP"
[ CD - Honkey Stomp Records ]
Stomping redneck stoner rock. I'll just let the song titles tell you all you
need to know about this record: "Ocean of Whiskey", "Seven Day
Heartbreaker", "Moonshine Man", "Hellcat", "Ghostrider", "Strip Club."
Wash the Camaro, shine up yer tattoošs, squeeze into faded denim and lace up the
suede boots, we' re going buttrocking tonight!
drew
BONGZILLA - "GATEWAY"
[ CD- Relapse Records ]
"Gateway" is the latest full-length album from weed-powered sludgemeisters
Bongzilla. If the band name didn't give you a clue where this bunch are
coming from, song titles such as "666lb. Bongsession", "Weedeater",
"Keefmaster" and "Hashdealer" might.
The basic sound for Bongzilla is basically Matamps cranked to the max, a
wide, heavily overdriven sound with massive bottom-end. A sludgier High on
Fire or a slightly more loose Dragon Green are close analogies sound-wise.
Most tracks have samples at the beginning typically espousing home-growing
or humorous weed-related clips from films like "Reservoir Dogs".
The downside is that, for me, this is a colossally difficult album to listen
to repeatedly. The sound, perhaps like High on Fire's last album, is just
too dense. It bludgeons and makes me feel like I'm being beaten into
submission rather than undergoing an enjoyable experience.
However, individual tracks are pretty cool. "Stone a Pig" starts with a humungous
rumbling bassline and launches into a massive grooving riff which is pretty
good stuff.
Unfortunately, I really dislike the vocalist,
the "strangled cat" style not being a personal favorite of mine. On the
upside, the vocal sections are few and far between. The best part of the
record without a doubt is the drummer. Whoever it is absolutely rocks,
managing to play what can be described as swing underneath the pummeling
guitars and bass. It's a bizarre effect, but works really brilliantly.
The production on the album is excellent: it's clear and captures the
heaviness well. And, better yet, it's not bloody Billy Anderson. I'm going
to recommend this although it's not 100% to my taste. It's a lot better than
most of the "big, bottom-end" sludge that's coming out at the moment.
alligator descartes
BOOGIEMAN - "TRIPLE SIX BLUES"
[ CD - People Like You ]
Yet another average addition to the oversaturated riff rock scene. Instead of joyriding across
the [in]famous Swedish desert, Boogieman's soul machine sits wrecked at a junkyard.
walter
BRAIN POLICE - "MASTER BRAIN"
[ CD - Self Released ]
Kyuss-influenced riff rock from one of Iceland's most promissing bands. The
standout part of this band is the vocal delivery; it's really astonishing,
and sets Brain Police apart from the average stonerrock band. Definitely a
band to watch!
matthijs
CARDINAL SIN - "ROCK TIL DOOM DOOMED TO ROCK"
[ CD R - Carltonafl@hotmail.com ]
Cardinal Sin play in the Black Sabbath/Cathedral zone of doom-laden rock. But this four piece doesn't compete with
their elders, because there's more to songwriting than being influenced by Tony Iommi's guitars and
Lee Dorrian-style humorous lyrics. That doesn't bother these Aussies though. The band seems to exist
for two reasons and two reasons only: to play loud heavy metal and to have a good time while doing it.
walter
CEREAL - "TRANSPOSE"
[ CD - Self Released ]
Debut from Holland, Haarlem fourpiece Cereal. This is an infectious blend
of bludgeoning grooves, fuzzed out heaviness and high energy rock.
"Transpose" is the perfect snapshot of the band in a live setting and will
even have have some appeal for nu metallers.
walter
COCKNOOSE - "WHITE TRASH MESSIAH"
[ CD - Middle Class Pig Records ]
American punk rockers Cocknoose have been around for over 10 years now, alienating themselves from any
sort of scene by too much booze, too many bar fights. Things aren't gonna change with the re-release
of "White Trash Messiah. The band is sturdy as always and set to lift the bar, from the fucked
up "Everybody Needs A Gun" to the cover of Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues." Fans of The
Dwarves or GG Allin should investigate.
walter
CONVOY - "POSSIBILITIES"
[ CD - Self Released ]
Hungarian metal band Convoy has released their first full length, and it's
quite a nice surprise. Extremely well written and played with a definite
broad appeal, Convoy really don't lend themselves to comparison very easily
at all.
They have the catchiness of "Deliverance" COC and the quirkiness of
countrymates Mood, but they really come off as quite original. To call this
pop-metal is not to put it down, instead it describes the ability of the
band to write intensely catchy and interesting songs that almost anyone
would enjoy.
The only reservation I have is the vocals are a bit strange and
little too high in the mix. Otherwise, this is a fine and listenable record
with true originality.
drew
THE CRAYON THEATRICAL - "S/T"
[ CD - Scabby Brooks Records ]
Michael Homyk began to use the name Crayon Theatrical back in 1996 for a string of self produced home
recordings. Despite the lo-fi approach, the form and tension of Homyk's colorful dirges owe much
to The Strawberry Alarm Clock and Pete Townsend's emotive songwriting. It's not just a pale imitation
though. This album could actually be a long lost 60's gem, managing to capture the spirit of what was
happening in San Francisco late 1967.
walter
DAMNATION GULCH - "FIREWATER"
[ CD R - Self Released ]
Hmmm...heavy riff rock alternating with acoustic blues banjo music? Sounds strange to me, too. Yet, that's what
this is, and I like it for it's adventuresome approach and solid riffs. Musically, somewhat like Alabama
Thunderpussy at times, but with hoarsely sung instead of shouted vocals. Solid and interesting.
drew
THE DOES - "S/T"
[ CD - Self Released ]
Extremely enjoyable 3 song EP from ex-Bongwater666 member and current Nice
Cat member. Drony, rattly rock that calls on the ghosts of LA country
punkers Gun Club, Detroit art rockers Destroy All Monsters, and Japanese
psych legends Les Rallizes Denudes yet remains rooted in the right now. Very
good stuff. Extra bonus points for cool packaging. I would really like to
hear a full length!
drew
DOZER - "CALL IT CONSPIRACY"
[ CD - Molten Universe ]
Dozer's last release suffers from the exact same shortcomings as their
earlier albums; at first their music sounds very exciting and energetic,
but after a few spins that fresh twister turned out to be a cool breeze.
Playing massive riffs and singing dope choruses are one thing, but writing a
good tune is another. Personally I don't hear much musical progression
comparing all the band's albums --and better production with every album
just doesn't make the cut. "Call it Conspiracy" sounds pretty
one-dimensional and easy-way-out to me.
A while ago Dozer really impressed me on their current European tour but
I don't hear any of the quality and finesse that I saw on "Call it
Conspiracy". It feels like Dozer's identity is their lack of it
and they keep doing the same thing all over again.
We've heard this kind of stuff a thousand times before and the truth is that
Dozer is just really good at what they are doing; riding the stoner-wave
using elements others have invented, but -- so what?
xander77
DUST - "S/T"
[ CD R - Self Released ]
With a name like Dust you might expect some heavy 70's inspired hard rock.
Instead, this German band serves up a platter of uncompromising doom,
combining slow riffs with more aggressive parts and some odd bits of
psychedelica...think Saint Vitus meets Hawkwind, or Goatsnake meets Spine of
God-era Monster Magnet.
walter
ELEPHANTUM - "SEDIMENTATION"
[ CD -
Freebird Records ]
This comes as a bit of a surprise! Elephantum, formerly known as Sand, combine catchy, headbanging riffs and
equal parts of stoner and fuzz into a heavy rock mix that anyone can groove to. The songs are well written
and there's plenty of variety. Elephantum sounds quite like Beaver when it comes to moving back and
forth between crunchy guitar hooks, some odd time signatures and dynamic tension. I'd love to
hear a full-length.
walter
FU MANCHU - "GO FOR IT...LIVE!"
[ CD -
SPV ]
"Go For It...Live!" captures Fu Manchu in a perfect live setting. From opener "Hell On Wheels" to
"Saturn 3" the action is go... Good 'ol Fu Manchu at their best.
walter
GALLERY OF MITES - "BUGS OF THE BLUEFISH"
[ CD -
Meteorcity ]
Played by Monster Magnet's Jon Kleiman, Tim Cronin, Ed Mundell and a slew of
guest like Halfway's To Gone's Stu Gollin and Solace' Tommy Southard,
Gallery of Mites deliver snarlin', raw garage rock. It's a high octane mix
of The Stooges and Union Carbide Production fused with early Stones.
There's nothing stunningly new or groundbreaking here, but plenty of punchy riffs
and high energy songs make up for that. The album also features current
Hermano/Undia vocalist John Garcia on a track called "100 Days."
walter
THE GAZA STRIPPERS - "FROM THE DESK OF DR. FREEPILL"
[ CD -
Nictotine Records ]
>From the desk of Dr. Freepill come The Gaza Strippers, fronted by Rick Sims, formerly of the pioneering
and influential Chicago punk heroes the Didjits, and Supersuckers. Sims writes rip-roaring hard rock a
la Rose Tattoo straight from the heart and drivin' from the hip with his guitar slung low.
Interestingly, the album contains covers from Queen, ["Sheer Heart Attack"], Blue Oyster Cult ["ME262"] and
Love And Rockets ["Yin & Yang"]. The album also contains several live tracks, showcasing the
band's bratty rock attitude, and their high-energy approach. A very satisfying rock record.
walter
THE GODDAMNED - "PROMO SAMPLER"
[ CD R -
Self Released ]
Yet another Swedish fourpiece dealin' in heavy rock 'n roll, and influenced
by the likes of Black Sabbath, Motorhead and Led Zeppelin. File next to
"your average rock band."
walter
GONZALEZ - "S/T"
[ CD -
Buzzville/Suburban ]
Gonzalez, hailing from Atlanta, USA, owe a big debt to mid 70's riff rock by the likes of Black Sabbath, Captain
Beyond and Thin Lizzy. Other reference points for the band's contemporary monster-trucking stone groove
include Kiss and ZZ-Top.
With a couple solid tracks under their belt, Gonzalez are geared up for
a wild ride through the heavy rock underground. The band shows their best stuff on "Call Me To The Grave", which
is an astonishing hybrid of Sabbath's "Children of The Grave" and Blondie's "Call Me."
However, some of the dusty tracks could slow this mean machine down, coz' they are way too mundane to blow
your mind. A mini album consisting of the band's standout tracks ["Dusted", "New Motor Queen", "Mr Pilot" and
the aforementioned "Call Me To The Grave"] would have packed more punch than an entire debut full-length.
walter
GRIEF - "TURBULENT TIMES"
[ CD -
Southern Lord ]
"Turbulent Times" is a posthumous release from Boston MA's legendary doom
kings Grief. Forming out of the band Disrupt in the early nineties, the
band's objective from the outset was to make the slowest, most mournful doom
metal out there. The band definitely managed to do so on albums such as
1994's Come To Grief and 1998's "Torso", which are now classics in their
genre.
"Turbulent Times" is an eleven song album that collects out of print
material from the various split singles the band did during their career
along with some previously unreleased tracks. Especially noteworthy is the
inclusion of the ten-plus minute 'suicide version' of Depression, one of the
slowest, most intense tracks the band ever recorded, available here for the
first time.
You either love this stuff or you hate it, but if you like it this is a
must-have. Doom or be doomed.
sean palmerston
GRIFF'S EXEGESIS - "S/T"
[ CD -
Landosmiles Music Club ]
Griff's Exegesis' self-titled album expands a Chrome-like ambient space rock sound to include
acoustic interludes, moog-sounding synths, psychotic guitar parts and looped samples. Add to that an
eerie content and the album will keep your attention long enough to give you a
proper head fuck. Very cool!
walter
THE HELLFUELED - "THE RED ONE"
[ CD R -
Self Released ]
Brand new demo from this Swedish band, featuring five tracks of
metal-by-the-numbers -with shades of Judas Priest and Thin Lizzy. Including
the obligatory Black Sabbath-cover ["Childeren of The Sea"].
walter
HIGHLIGHT - "S/T"
[ CD R - highlightband@free.fr ]
Highlight, hailing from France, proffer a second demo and once again their uncannily
accurate Queens of The Stone Age reproduction is very well executed. The songs are tight, catchy and
the musicians know their chops. This is the demo to play when either your copy of "Songs For The Deaf" is
on loan or you can't simply get enough from all the similar sounding bands out there.
walter
THE HUMAN BEING LAWN MOWER - "S/T"
[ CD -
www.thehumanbeinglawnmower.net ]
I can't believe that these guys couldn't get www.thehumanbeinglawnmower.com!
That just doesn't make any sense to me. Can there be two
thehumanbeinglawnmowers?!?! That would be really weird, wouldn't it? Oh
yeah, the band sounds like a poorly recorded space rock Black Sabbath with
a bad vocalist. Ugh.
drew
HYPNOS69 - "TIME TRAVELLER"
[ CD -
RocknRollRadio ]
Taking cues from the likes of Pink Floyd, Allman Brothers, King Crimson,
John Coltrane and Grand Funk, Hypnos69's "Time Traveller" is a fine melding
of progressive rock, jazz and psychedelica. These Belgium cats recall the
heyday of the aforementioned bands by carving out impressive psyched-out
jams, and the use of Rhodes piano, Hammond organs and Korg-Delta
synthesizers besides the usual bass, drums, guitars. Superb!
walter
ICHABOD - "LET THE BAD TIMES ROLL"
[ CD -
Root Sucker Records / Black Locust Entertainment ]
Ichabod's latest album, "Let the Bad Times Roll", is a pretty interesting
and adventurous album with influences ranging from hardcore to doom metal to
spacerock to psychedelia and seemingly all else in between.
Though it's very difficult to confine this band to one genre, the overall feelin' of the
album is one of pervasive blackness and claustrophobic atmosphere. The empty
mills and industrial desolation of home town Lowell, MA provide the perfect
backdrop for Ichabod's moody tales of hope and despair. Not for the
faint-hearted.
walter
I DECLINE - "THE IDES OF RIFFDOM"
[ CD -
Self Released ]
Chi-town natives I Decline deliver testosterone-injected stoner rock with the emphasis put
on sonic riffing and the power of old school rock. The band succeeds when adding an indie
touch to their groove-laden anthems of hope, honesty and destruction. Unfortunately, not every song
is a winner and that's the let down.
walter
IMMORTAL LEE COUNTY KILLERS - "LOVE IS A CHARM OF POWERFUL TROUBLE"
[ CD -
Estrus Records ]
Opening with a Gun Club cover, the new ILCK record hits the ground running
and never stops. This blues/garage duo rip, stomp, snort, shuffle, cajole,
and shake you Otil they fall down dead. 100% pure honest effort. 100% pure
enjoyment. For fans of Jon Spencer, Gun Club, Dirtbombs and Zen Guerrilla.
Real rock and blues. No bullshit.
drew
IRONBOSS - "HUNG LIKE HORSES"
[ CD -
Underdogma Records ]
Ironboss checks in with it's best ever record, "Hung Like Horses." They play straight ahead hard rock that's an
amalgamation of hooks and styles from radio-friendly 70's rock bands. It's sort of a soft-core Turbonegro, tinged
with sophomoric southern humor. These fellas can definitely handle their instruments, but they
traverse safe terrain. Solid production and packaging present the band in its best light.
drew
JECANO - "MONUMENT III"
[ CD -
Self Released ]
Third demo from this British power trio. Their musical leanings range from
contemporary fuzzed-out stoner and 60/70's rock like Sabbath, Zeppelin etc
to some hints of trash, punk and funk -simular to Gorilla and Josiah.
Instinct says that touring with either one of these heavyweights will bring
out the best of Jecano.
walter
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