Chybucca Sounds

Release Date: Out now.

Record Label: Bilocation Records.

Capturing the feather-cut swagger of the ‘70s; Exploding Rubber Band’s latest single is yet another celebration of classic rock values. In the grand tradition of dynamic R&B; ‘Magic Train’ coasts through lazy, heavy grooves with soulful intent; while vocalist Bård Sandemose acts out his FM rock fantasies: a throwback to simpler times.

Release Date: Out now.

Record Label: Self-Released.

The most noticeable aspect of Speedpig’s debut – apart from the cringe-worthy pork references – is the band’s appreciation of their elders; most noticeably the NWOBHM pack.

Combining quick-fire guitars with rough-and-ready vocals; the Welsh duo could have easily tagged on the coat tails of early Iron Maiden, and no one would have battered an eyelid; however, over 20 years later, Hog Roast in Hell with its D.I.Y production values and revved-up velocities, sounds incredibly fresh.

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Release Date: Out now.

Record Label: Self-Released.

The opening track on Major Large’s debut EP is the perfect introduction to this L.A. band, whose warm-hearted, free-spirited compositions are richer and purer, than your average indie-roots outfit.

‘In The Wind’ begins with the tambourine shaking, village green organ bounce of late ‘60s Surrey, before its soft harmonies and bluesy licks; effortlessly transports the listener to California’s West Coast. Although this track contains familiar sounds, the soft-rock five-piece make something new and exciting with them; merging timeless folk with whimsical psych, classic rock and Southern blues. Carefully crafted and high on confidence, Metamorphic is full of positives.

Release Date: Out now.

Record Label: Phratry Records.

Time to take a trip to your local DIY store: Palo Verde’s second EP in as many years, is simply relentless.

Increasing louder and far more intimidating than their debut; this raven-haired Portland duo, aren’t your average twenty-something’s playing sweet, bubblegum pop. In fact, it’s far more sinister than that. To accuse Palo Verde of ‘making it up as they go along’ may sound disrespectful; however, this is exactly what they are doing.

Best described as: improvised, psychedelic-sludge – although, apocalyptic-metal is probably more appropriate – Zero Hour bottles the oestrogen-fuelled intensity of their mesmerising live shows, with deadly consequences; each track exploding with all the delicacy of an atomic bomb. Failure to soundproof may prove fatal.

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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.

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.

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Release Date: Out now.

Record Label: Humble Recordings.

Unlike many of their contemporises, Greenhaven is a desert-rock band that – shock horror – actually has an affiliation with the desert.

Together since 2001, the Phoenix, Arizona four-piece – ok, so how many of you expected Greenhaven to reside in Riverside County? – Play a hard-hitting blend of snarling boogie and sleaze that is part-Clutch, part-Goatsnake. As is the case with the majority of stoner-rock – or in this case, desert-rock – releases in the last ten years, Greenhaven stay true to the genres widely accepted blueprint: gruff vocals, greasy licks and heady tales of booze and women.

Initially released as a downloadable single, this expanded edition of In Memory of Bull Angus acts as an introductory EP to a band that has been lying low in the Sonoran dunes for quite some time; featuring four songs from past releases, not to mention a good-time cover of Van Halen’s ‘Romeo Delight’; proving that there is more to this band, than just a fashionable location.

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Release Date: Out now.

Record Label: Self-Released.

Playing it straight: One-Eyed King stays true to their “thought-provoking” stoner-groove roots, with six tracks of: ballsy, no-frills rock.

The prelude to their soon-to-be-announced full-length, Santa Carla – the fictional setting of the horror-comedy flick, The Lost Boys; not to mention an indirect reference to their Bay Area roots – manages to maintain its gritty, diamond-edged charm, without losing focus on the job-in-hand: providing passionate, hook-laden tunes, to the whiskey-clutching masses.

Release Date: Out now.

Record Label: Phonosphera Records.

The Wisdom’s debut is all about simplicity and acceptance. Signed to Phonosphera Records in 2011, the Italian trio casually explore the groundwork left by their doom-ridden forebears with relative ease: slow, oppressive riffs, that wind and chug through lengthy compositions at maximum volume and minimum pace. Recommended for fans of: Earth and Sleep.