Filed under: Demo Reviews
For a demo to be recommended is a little unusual. Sure, a band can show potential, but that’s usually as far as it goes: potential, nothing more.
Enshrouded in mystery – to everyone apart from their niche, North London followers – Throne are, to coin an overused phase: “everything that this genre should be about.” With Electric Wizard, Orange Amplifiers and Jack Daniels whiskey listed as interests; the talented trio are the latest band to prove that ‘slow and heavy’ is still Britain’s raison d’être.
Filed under: Single/EP Reviews
Release Date: Out now.
Record Label: Self-Released.
Miriam in Siberia are in a bit of a spot. Since their 2005 debut, the Italian’s enthusiastic psych-rock worshipping, has fallen on deaf ears.
Remaining unsigned – how Go Down Records’ missed the opportunity to market these guys is a mystery – the Campania four-piece are living proof of just how difficult It is for a band with retro ideals, to be noticed and heard, without the right backing.
Venturing through a space-rock journey, that provides an engaging snapshot of early ‘70s AOR, the band’s Day-Glo fusion of: cosmic-metal and weightless, chemical highs, is a winning formula; however, like previous releases, the problem with Miriam in Siberia has never been the music itself; it’s always been more to do with the band’s lack of self-promotion. Here’s hoping that Vol. 2 will be their breakthrough, billboard ad.
Filed under: Single/EP Reviews
Release Date: Out now.
Record Label: Unsigned.
Here we go again: One Inch Giant, an unsigned Gothenburg four-piece plays – yes, you’ve guessed it – pummelling stoner-metal.
Typically reckless; the young Swedes wear their influences on their stone-washed sleeves; combining mammoth-fuzz and psychedelic grooves with timely, soulful howls. As debut’s go, there’re plenty of positives, however, there’re also plenty of negatives. For instance: One Inch Giant is in danger of suffering from the same fate as Demon Cleaner and Poland’s Palm Desert: Overindulgence.
Few bands can conjure up a groove as deep and dirty as Kyuss: anything close – and inevitably not as good – will instantly be regarded as shameless worshipping. In fact, let this be a message to all the talented young stoner’s out there: Imitation isn’t always the sincerest form of flattery.
Filed under: Album Reviews
Release Date: Out now.
Record Label: Fakto Records.
The tagline that accompanies Naughty Mouse is an interesting one: ‘We’re the 1%. We’re stoner-rock.’
Now, where the band got these figures from is a mystery, however, what is clear, is that stoner-rock certainly accounts for a lot more than just 1% of rock’s integral DNA – you only have to look at the likes of: Clutch, Down and Kyuss to dispel this offhand statement.
So, back to the job in hand: Naughty Mouse, a French-speaking five-piece from Belgium, rarely drifts away from the fuzzy, jam-band roots of their aforementioned heroes; as the combination of windswept slide-guitars and competent chugging, evokes a drowsy listening experience, that is almost a direct nod, to the spirit and warmth, of the Coachella Valley.
Despite doing nothing to dispel the critics, who take great pleasure in ripping apart the desert-stoner-rock genre, as nothing more than: “repetitive, half-assed Kyuss-worshipping,” Staring at the Sun is a symbolic release for Belgium – and the Netherlands’ – thriving-club scene; as you only have to look at the line-up for last summer’s ‘Stoner Rockfest’ in Brussels – where Naughty Mouse were third on the bill, behind Horses on Fire and Ramon Zarate – to see that “half-assed Kyuss-worshipping,” is more than just a passing fad.
Release Date: Out now.
Record Label: STM Records.
There’s something apt about the time and place of Zodiac N Black’s debut. With British-sounding retro-rock going through a late ‘00s revival; it’s about time that a London four-piece showed the rest of the world, exactly how it’s done.
Sure, there’s been the Black Spiders and Gentleman’s Pistols – to name but two – however, the frivolous, plug-in-and-play attitude of the ‘70s had, until now, fallen by the wayside. Limitless and free, The Aftermyth is all about merging rock’s timeless constellations, into an accessible notion, that can be regularly enjoyed by all. ‘Bastinado’ (for instance) captures the modern-day, Californian spirit of groove-orientated fuzz, while still sounding unashamedly British: the perfect airplay single.
What is apparent – and indeed surprising – is the amount of thrills on offer here: from the rousing, full-on assault of ‘Seems Like Better Times’, to the face-melting, chord cataclysms of ‘Lights on Blues’; a breathtaking feat for a band whose last series of gigs, included the legendary Dublin Castle, as well as Kensington’s not-so-glamorous, AAA Bar. Without getting carried away, Zodiac N Black is on the verge of becoming the breakthrough act of 2012; and with a sound that is so complete and well-rounded; it’s easy to see why.
Filed under: Album Reviews
Release Date: Out now.
Record Label: Independent.
With a cult following throughout Europe, and a ‘Heroes of Tomorrow’ nomination from Metal Hammer; Traveller on Midway has a lot to live up.
So, does the German’s debut live up to its billing? Well, sort of. The best way to describe this release is by directing quoting the band’s biography: “earthy stoner-rock-meets-powerful, melodic grunge.” Harkening back to a time when these closely-knit genres were bed-mates, the album’s distinctive ‘90s feel is unavoidable; as is its probable place on FM radio playlists.
Thus, Guideline isn’t revolutionary: drawing on a decade’s worth of rebellion, that isn’t their own; however, despite this, they’re no less potent for it; slicing-out head-nodding riffs and fist-pumping choruses with metallic accuracy. While a ‘Heroes of Tomorrow’ nomination is – no pun intended – a little previous to say the least, there is certainly the potential for worldwide acclaim: despite a lack of individuality.
Filed under: Album Reviews
Release Date: Out now.
Record Label: Sulatron Records.
There’s not much information out there about Seid: A mysterious ensemble, whose debut was so far overlooked; that only the select few were able to indulge in its cosmic delights.
In a recurring theme; it has been left to Sulatron Records supremo, Dave Schmidt, to rescue these talented misfits from the undergrowth. Having survived green-fingered obscurity, the band and their “fellow spacemen” – I kid you not – are preparing to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Among the Monster Flowers Again, next month.
Like their outlandish label mates, Seid has perfected the art of being wild and abstract in the confines of space, without sounding dated. Sure, there are plenty of airy synths and laser blasts, but there is also full-on ambience – that’s before you start floating to subtle sitar vibes. Elsewhere, Jørgen Kosmos is also convincing in his role of navigator; steering his crew through the turbulence of: anger, madness and sorrow with relative ease. The only thing monstrous about this release is its ambition.
Filed under: Album Reviews
Release Date: Out now.
Record Label: Red House Recordings.
The first thing that strikes you about Temple of Deimos is their incredible knack for mimicking the robot-rock guitar noodling of Josh Homme and Co.
In fact, the Genoa four-piece do it so well, that it is hard to listen to their debut, without the aforementioned desert torchbearers, seeping into your thought process. For instance: ‘It’s Beautiful When I Die’ is a unison slog, complete with multi-tracked vocal harmonies; while ‘Fields of Berries’ is the Italian cousin of ‘Misfit Love’.
Unfortunately – or, fortunately, depending on your love for Homme – the comparisons continue throughout the rest of the album; as ‘More Heavy For a Big Tornado’ is eerily similar to the gothic plodding of ‘Someone’s in the Wolf’, as guitarist Fabio Speranza immerses himself in ethereal guitar jerks and single-note jabs, to the delight of his freewheeling rhythm section.
Comparisons aside – and there’re many – this 12-track release does contain many positives; tight musicianship, radio-friendly singles; the proto-metal perkiness of ‘Super Transistor’ being one; as well as a solid foundation to build upon – even if it isn’t exactly their own.
Filed under: Demo Reviews
Gringo denotes like so: A four-piece from Raleigh, North Carolina, the band’s highly infectious thick, pedal-to-the-floor fuzz, is a pummeling combination of desert-doom; heavy as Gozu and as direct and fluid as Fu Manchu, it is only a matter of time before underground labels come knocking. Gringo is here to stay.
Filed under: Album Reviews
Release Date: Out now.
Record Label: Go Down Records.
Volcano Heat has lofty ambitions. Together since the summer of 2007, the Italian trio describes their live shows as the “real deal rock experience.”
So, with this in mind, Vive Le Rock! – The band’s full-length debut – should, in theory, contain all the high-voltage zest and vigour of rock‘n’roll’s glorious past in 11 bite size chunks: well, not quite. On first inspection, Volcano Heat does everything right: timeless, gritty artwork that speaks to fretwork lovers of all ages, while casually name-checking the likes of: Iggy and the Stooges as influences.
What this assortment of garage-punk nuggets lacks, however, is individually; each song acting as tribute to their idols, without inserting their own ideas into this melting pot of musical heritage – the band’s shambolic cover of ‘Come Together’ is living proof of this. All in all, Volcano Heat’s inflated ego is nothing more than hot air.
