Stomping out the riffs....

Okay, we shall return to our regularly scheduled stoner fare after this. I have been on a major blues kick lately, discovering lots of artists i could post thanks in large part to the Firewall Blues Archive that was posted here not too long ago. So, if you are not sick of these types of albums, let me know and i can get some more artists up. Or if you are sick of em, just leave a comment saying GET BACK TO THE STONER SB!!! Enjoy the blues for a little longer at least....

"This is the bluesy, funky guitar heavy rock that I had been craving, but thought was extinct. Think KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD minus all the BS songwriting aimed at FM rock radio airplay. Actually, the KWS equation isn’t entirely accurate. I scratched my head at all the comparisons I was making as the disc spun. CLUTCH? LIVING COLOUR? HENDRIX? LED ZEP? JAMES BROWN? PRINCE? It’s all in there, dude. “Day of Dreams” starts the disc out with an explosion of sound, as a fanfare of phased guitar/drum effects signal the beginning of what guarantees to be an enjoyable listening experience. It doesn’t take long for that bluesy vibe to set in. LL’s rhythm section is all pocket, supplying the perfect foot tappin’ back beat for Mr. Lopez’ six string heroics. Just listen to the title track, as the band wastes no time going for the jugular in the heaviest groove this side of Bonham. The front of your brain will be bruised from all the head-bobbin’ goin’ on. Lance’s talent doesn’t solely lie on the fretboard, either. I’m certain many strippers have been wooed back to the Lopez abode by his deep, laid-back, soulful vocal delivery. Whenever these cats delve into a different style, it makes sense. Tracks “Move,” “Shake Joint” and “Tricktafied” bring the funk in a major way, but every song still sounds like it’s coming from the same group of guys. Not so easy to do, as I’m sure any musician can tell ya. If you’re a fan of any of the artists mentioned, you should really give LL a shot. Put this one on, fire up the lava lamp as you enjoy your favorite alcoholic beverage and/or inhalant, and get ready to have your vision simplified! " (peacedog.com)

Band Site: http://www.myspace.com/lancelopez
Lance Lopez - Simplify Your Vision: http://lix.in/-4cef16

Southern stoner metal from France.....

This band has made a really good sounding heavy riff disc with their first album. Starting out with the first song, there are great chops and the vocalist pulling off some pretty good Phil Anselmo-like vocals. A band that should sit well with any BLS, Down, or Pantera fans.. Nothing groundbreaking, but I like this style of music. Dirty, chunky, and whiskey-ready......

Check em' out here: God Damn.

Feel the love:

(Thanx 2 Kjemiker)

Bludgeoned by psychedelics........

I'd like to thank this next band for sending in their EP for us to check out...

Khuda is a an instrumental two-piece from Leeds, UK. They play music in the vein of Russian Circles, Don Caballero, 5ive, etc. A massive post-metal/psychedelic/sludge explosion, I'd say. They have played along side some pretty big hitters like Bossk, Humanfly, Manatees, Electric Mud Generator, and even another another well known band around the Sludge Swamp, Naisian! I'm pretty sure you guys and gals will dig their sound, so check em' out, leave some comments and if you like what you hear, buy the EP, and show some support.....

Check em' out here: Khuda.

Khuda - Stratospherics (EP):

Italian underground........

Here's a request from our Facebook to post this collection...

"Clouds From The Earth is the second volume of the NeuroSounds compilation, a project started by the staff of NeuroPrison (Official Italian Neurosis Forum) with the purpose to promote and to show more attention for the Italian underground music scene.
Special thanks to all the bands involved in this project and to all the relative record labels for giving us their permission."

CD A:


The Orange Man Theory “On The Dartboard” (3:36)
Band Info
Incoming Cerebral Overdrive “Magic” (6:32)
Band Info
Bleed Someone Dry “Subject” (3:59)
Band Info
Beyond The Storm “Dark Sun Dawn” (4:39)
Band Info
Inferno “The Year Of The Dingo” (3:07)
Band Info
Slaiver “Lover Tell Me It’s Over” (4:34)
Band Info
Vibratacore “Behind This Rapture” (4:38)
Band Info
Cubre “Half Man” (4:07)
Band Info
Psychofagist “Nouvelle De Spasticitè & èpilepsie” (3:15)
Band Info
Tears|Before “Thousand Dog Days” (3:32)
Band Info
Hungry Like Rakovitz “Why?” (1:00)
Band Info
Slowdown “People’s Widespread Grief” (2:27)
Band Info
Bleeding Eyes “33 Papers Left” (2:41)
Band Info
Stalker “Pollyanna” (7:16)
Band Info
Last Minute To Jaffna “Chapter X” (12:07)
Band Info
Amia Venera Landscape “Nicholas” (8:45)
Band Info
A Cold Dead Body “Loss” (3:03)
Band Info

CD B:

Three Steps To The Ocean “Remember Lynne Cox” (8:57)
Band Info
One Starving Day “An Evil Light” (7:10)
Band Info
Marnero “Trebisonda” (6:59)
Band Info
Lucertulas “Roulette” (1:50)
Band Info
Putiferio “Aristocatastrophism” (2:08)
Band Info
Lleroy “Debbie Suicide” (3:02)
Band Info
Donkey Breeder “Five Quarter Collapse” (5:16)
Band Info
L’Alba di Morrigan “Snowstorm” (4:28)
Band Info
Zippo “Ask Yourself A Question” (5:31)
Band Info
At The Soundawn “Slight Variations” (4:46)
Band Info
Mondrian Oak “Monolith” (5:29)
Band Info
Dyskinesia “Dalla Nascita” (7:10)
Band Info
Up There: The Clouds “The Last Glimpse Of Hope In My Eyes" (6:00)
Band Info
A New Silent Corporation “Wotgg” (9:50)
Band Info

Various Artists - Neurosounds Vol.II: Clouds From The Earth:
CD A:

CD B:

CD Artwork:

(Thanx 2 Stones From The Sky)

Fireworks and dooooom....

"Acts like Trouble and Place of Skulls have proven you can play doom and not resort to the usual topics of war, death, and destruction. The latter's a good reference point, because this German traditional doom band is cut from the same cloth. Check out The Last Supper if you're looking to beef up your traditional doom collection. It's done with reverence, and it's done well." (review from StonerRock.com).

The Last Supper - Workingman's Doom:

(Thanx 2 Doomaniac)

Re-post request...........Mushroom trouble..

"Lid could be consider as some sort of supergroup, after all it features Danny Cavanagh of Anathema fave (Anathema fans, don't worry as Danny is still in the band) and no one else than Eric Wagner, the man with the voice better known as a lead vocalist of Trouble. After Eric left Trouble in April '96, he wasn't going to retire from music business even Trouble had been putting out albums labelled as classics ever since from early 80's. Every heavy metal fan should have heard at least one Trouble album no matter whatever it is one of the first and heaviest of Trouble "Psalm 9","The Skull" any of the last two more rocking albums "Manic Frustration" or "Plastic Green Head". Peaceville seems to concentrate now more on grooving instead of regular sinister doom as they have just released an excellent Acrimony album "Tumuli Shroomaroom" - the Welsh stoner kings playing hymns to the stone, Black Star's and Lid's debuts "In the Mushroom" is waiting to see the light of the sun at the end of August.
It is not just because of Eric's recognizable vocals but also the same vibes and sound - Lid does sound quite a bit like newer Trouble. The feeling and atmosphere is more relaxed, laid down, warm and less heavy leaning more towards the 60's rock or pop sound than Trouble. However, there are still enough honesty, heavyness, guitars and Eric's raspy heavy vocals to please metalheads as well. The whole overall feeling in "In the Mushroom" is like a hazy, warm summerday - feeling lazy, laying in a green grass watching the white clouds in a blue sky and letting your mind flow together with the music playing inside your head. There is also a slight psychedelic sound in Danny's guitarlines as well - most likely a result of consuming certain illegal mind blasting plant.
The opener "Lid" is the heaviest and saddest track on the whole album and one of my faves but it is almost impossible not to be influenced by the optimistic yet sad "longing for the old days" feeling of "The Dream Is Over" or the funny 20's riverboat vibe in "Randy Scouse Gift".

Lid - In The Mushroom (2002 Re-issue):

Re-post request.......

"The Gault was a short-lived doom metal band formed out of the ashes of San Francisco’s acclaimed Weakling, and Even As All Before Us was their sole, devastating release. This hard to find album is one of the most emotionally exhausting recordings I have come across, as it incorporates the gloomy atmosphere of early industrial rock and melds it with jangly post-punk instrumentation, producing a depressive, droning sound that insulates your senses.

While the throbbing bass lines, martial drumming and Gothic vocals place The Gault among doom metal peers Warning and the more experimental work of Earth and Sunn O))), their cacophonous guitar work also follows a shoegazing torrent akin to The Angelic Process . Naming off influences and contemporaries is a suitable way of describing The Gault’s sound, but conveying the crushing effect this music has on you is a much harder task. It’s swirling rhythms and shimmering guitars are dizzying in their intensity and will drown out any distractions from the outside world. Even As All Before Us moves like a relentless undertow, constantly drawing you into a violently spinning current. This is not to say that The Gault’s music isn’t beautiful or redemptive, as tracks like "Country Road, Six Miles In" and "The Shore Becomes the Enemy" also feature the serene, airy vocals of Lorraine Rath to balance out the deep and booming voice of Ed Kunakemakorn, who dominates most of the album.

For its almost militant energy, disturbing vocals, and natural imagery, Even As All Before Us is a unique contribution to the doom metal genre, capturing the feeling of an arduous journey to somewhere far removed from the comforting spaces of the everyday. This is music that sticks with you long after the tracks are over, pushing you into a difficult, if not tormented, state of mind. Despite their challenging demeanor, The Gault are undeniably masters of genuine emotional delivery, playing out a haunting musical drama that sears its way into your memory." (review from therockblogger.com).

(Members of this band went on to form Amber Asylum, and Asunder.)

The Gault - Even As All Before Us:

Some more of that NOLA sludge goodness.....

Special thanx to our friend Elefantom for sending in this hard to find platter....

"Fall From Grace was formed out of the ashes of Butt Ugly; a band formed by ex-Razor White members, Matt Thomas (guitars) and Wil “Wip” Buras (Bass/Vocals). Butt Ugly played around the New Orleans area as well as the Bayou Circuit and were getting a name for themselves. During the spring of 1993, Matt Thomas was approached by Kirk Windstein (Crowbar) at one of the infamous annual pool parties/BBQ’s that were held at Steve Joseph’s house in Metairie, LA. (Razor White/House Of Shock), and was asked if he would be interested in joining Crowbar. Matt accepted the offer and joined Crowbar to tour with the band in 1993 in support of their self-titled second album and stayed with them until 1996 until he retired from the music industry. Butt Ugly disintegrated and what formed from the ashes was a monster that would be known as Fall From Grace. Wil Buras, switched over from bass and vocals to fronting the band. Mark Hernandez would handle bass duties and Eric Stierwald, a local tattoo artist would handle the drums. They recruited former Exhorder guitarist Jay Ceravelo on guitar and hit the stages of New Orleans. Jay added his signature guitar crunch, his black bandana and an upside down Fluer De Lis sticker that he had on his guitar to the already tight band. They hit the circuit playing in and around the New Orleans area sharing stages with Acid Bath, Graveyard Rodeo, Floodgate, Crowbar, Tungsten, Stressball, and Geographic Tongue just to name a few and occasionally Fall From Grace would spice their set up by adding an Exhorder song from time to time. At one show in Metairie, Louisiana at Zeppelin’s in 1996, Philip Anselmo (Pantera/Down/SJR) jumped on stage with them and sang Soundgarden’s “Room A Thousand Years Wide”.

In 1996 The Mayhem/Fierce Label based out of New York City offered the band a recording contract and booked the band into Side One Studios to record their self titled debut album. Unfortunately this would be the only album the band ever released. Old band mate and music producer of Down and Crowbar, Matt Thomas was brought in to help produce and engineer the album. The album featured some great moments like “Hero Zero” and “Never”. They received a fair amount of press in the United States, UK and Europe during 1997 and 1998. The band slowly started to fizzle and members of Fall From Grace went on to other projects." (from their MySpace).

A must-have for fans of NOLA sludge, Down, Pantera, and Floodgate..

Check em' out here: Fall From Grace.

Fall From Grace - Self Titled (1997):

Heavy is as heavy does…..

A return of the Saturday classic and a Happy 4th of July to all you US Swampers out there. This one was solely inspired by watching the documentary, “Such Hawks, Such Hounds” this week, posted by Cheeto. Enjoy. – ZL
+
People will debate endlessly about who founded that musical beast we've all come to know and love as heavy metal. And while arguments can be made that Blue Cheer unleashed the world's first heavy metal song with their noise-core version of "Summertime Blues," or that Cream or Zeppelin laid the foundation, the argument is really moot. In the end, Black Sabbath created and defined all that is heavy about metal. God bless their horror-movie inspired souls.

-

But let's twist the question just a little bit. Which band was the first to ever be called heavy metal? Hmmm, now that's a scratcher. And if it wasn't for the name printed across the top of this review, I myself might not have been able to figure it out. But there it is. Way back in 1971, Mike Saunders reviewing the 1970 SLB release Kingdom Come for Cream Magazine said, "Sir Lord Baltimore seems to have down pat most all the best heavy metal ticks in the book." There it is. The first use of the phrase Heavy Metal to describe a type of music.

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And a legend was born.-Employing a sound far heavier into distortion than almost any other band of the time, Sir Lord Baltimore in their own way helped to define heavy metal, and in particular, pave the way for what would evolve into my personal favorite metal bastard, stoner metal. Add on top of Louis Dambra's screeching guitar noise, the infamous siren vocals of drummer John Garner and some serious bottom-heavy distortion coming from bass player Gary Justin, and it's no wonder these guys are thought to influence everyone from Pink Floyd to Kiss and beyond.

-

So what's the album sound like? Like a whirlwind ravaging the earth; fierce and loud and mean and everything that became heavy.

-

"Kingdom Come," starts the disc off, roaring out of the speakers and from the very first massively detuned, fuzzed out bass note, you know you're in for something a far cry away from the Beatles Abbey Road. This is where it all began. This is Monster Magnet, while Dave Wyndorf was in diapers. This is where Fu Manchu and Kyuss first nuzzled at the breast of metal, drinking in the milk of all that's mutated and heavy. When the spaced out guitar rips in spasms and fits like a massive dose of electroshock therapy, it ushered in a whole new era of guitar effects. Finally John Garner's baritone wails forth, bellowing out quasi-mystical preaching and SLB have officially ushered in a new era of rock. Still seeped in psychedelia, this is clearly the end of the flower children bringing forth something altogether darker. Without overstating anything, "Kingdom Come," should rightly be heralded as a proto-metal, stoner rock masterpiece.

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Remember, this album came out in 1970, the same year as Sabbath's first album, and the amazing thing is that SLB manage to sound pulverizingly heavy without sounding anything like Sabbath. This is heaviness in mood and intent, and it is magnificent. Garner's vocals, the subject of much accolade from fans, went on to influence a generation of singers. Sounding nothing like Robert Plant or Ozzy, Garner struck out and created his own avenue for heavy vocals. In his soaring baritone you can hear shades of what would become Ronnie James Dio and even Bruce Dickinson. He set the tone.

-

And the album doesn't let up. While the quality of some of the songs may be debated, classics such as "I Got a Woman,""Hell Hound," and " Lady of Fire," rock as fiercely as anything from the era. Searing guitar lines slicing through and bottomless pit of heavy bass. Just listen to "Helium Head" in the video below. Freak out on that guitar tone; dig into that riff, the scratching chords, the Bill Ward drums. This is the birth of metal, baby, in all of its ugly bastard intensity. And it still holds up today.

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Sir Lord Baltimore never rose to the international acclaim that should have been their destiny. After Kingdom Come, they only released one other album, the self-titled Sir Lord Baltimore, before dissolving. Nicely, that second album is packaged here as well, given you the entire SLB output. While not as raw or fierce as Kingdom Come, the second album still contains some great proto-metal guitar theatrics, demonstrating a band searching to find their sound.

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SLB were working on their third album when they disbanded. Recently, John Garner and Louis Dambra have gotten back together and completed the tracks that would've been that album. It's available from Garner's web page as Raw, and well worth picking up. Ask nicely, and Garner will even autograph it for you. Not bad, how often do you get the signature of a legend? A review will be coming on this disc later.-For now, all ears should be on Kingdom Come, must hearing for fans of all that is heavy and rock and an absolute classic for the lover of that great, lost proto-metal vibe. Take my advice, turn on the lava lamp, refill the bong, turn down the lights, slip on the headphones and suck in the infinite heaviness of the birth of stoner rock.

-

And don't forget to pass the munchies. (Excellent Review from Ripple Music blog)

-

Buy here: Kingdom Come/Sir Lord Baltimorehttp://www.sirlordbaltimore.com

-
Or order directly from:

John Garner

Po. box 61035

Staten IslandNY.

10306-1035U.S.A.
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Tracklist:

01. Kingdom Come

02. I Got a Woman

03. Hell Hound

04. Helium Head (I Got a Love)

05. Ain't Got Hung on You

06. Master Heartache

07. Hard Rain Fallin'

08. Lady of Fire

09. Lake Isle of Innersfree

10. Pumped Up

11. Chicago Lives

12. Loe and Behold

13. Woman Tamer

14. Caesar LXXI

15. Man from Manhattan

16. Where Are We Going? (Live)
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Sir Lord Baltimore – Kingdom Come/Sir Lord Baltimore: http://lix.in/-514acd

By my own request.....

"Wall Of Soul", the second studio disc from young, gifted blues/rock axeslinger Lance Lopez of Dallas, Texas, features 12 killer trax (62 minutes) of outstanding, powerful, intense, bad-ass, funky, bluesy, retro-70's Hendrixy heavy guitar power trio rock of the highest order.
On "Wall Of Soul" (his first disc for GROOVEYARD RECORDS, a new label dedicated to TOTAL GUITAR), Lance Lopez digs deep and produces an amazing set of awesome powerful bluesy heavy guitarriffage that is all his own and easily hits classic status. Lance Lopez is a true heavy guitar hero andriffmaster supreme. He also has an amazing powerful soulful voice that is the perfect match for his tough, bad-ass heavy guitar riffage. The "Wall Of Soul" disc is by far his finest hour and ultimate musical statement to date.
In creating the music for the "Wall Of Soul" disc, Lance Lopez has found the ultimate rhythm section to round out his heavy power trio in the form of John Garvin on drums and Daniel Williams on bass. Two awesome players in their own rite who lay down the perfect foundation / groove for brother Lance to trip his awesome heavy guitar riffage upon. And as an added bonus, the "Wall Of Soul" disc features special guests and good musical brothers ERIC GALES and DOUG PINNICK (KING'S X) on several killer trax. Eric Gales co-produced and lends his mega-awesome rippin' Hendrixy heavy guitar riffage on 3 killer trax and Doug Pinnick sings lead vocals on the epic classic last track: "Time", an amazing deep nine minute musical document that features both Eric Gales and Doug Pinnick along with brother Lance. "Time" is the perfect way to wind-down this amazing disc. The "Wall Of Soul" disc also features two killer heavy bad-ass cover trax in the form of "Spanish Castle Magic" by Jimi Hendrix and "Shame The Devil", a way-kool obscure Robin Trower track. Brother Lance gets down hard and does musical justice on both trax.
"Wall Of Soul" is an awesome heavy guitar disc that is HIGHLY recommended to fans of JIMI HENDRIX (long live the musical spirit of JIMI), ROBIN TROWER, FRANK MARINO, ERIC GALES,KING'S X, S.R.V., DOYLE BRAMHALL, EDDIE HAZEL, LENNY KRAVITZ (imagine Lenny Kravitz meets Hendrix!!!), STEVIE SALAS, RICHIE KOTZEN, JOE BONAMASSA, SKY HIGH and just about any other killer get-down rippin' blues/rock axeslingers you have ever heard. Lance Lopez is the "real" deal and he's definitely right up there with the best of them.
Combining a kool youthful funky image with musical skills that are unparalleled in the genre, Lance has played guitar with Buddy Miles & Lucky Peterson, gigging regularly in and out of Texas with his trio. He has also done several tours of Europe, opening for such notables as B.B. King and Steve Vai. Lance Lopez has built up a solid reputation as one of the up and coming heavy guitar stars on the scene.
The "Wall Of Soul" disc is the perfect platform for this rising young guitar star to step upon and reach the wider recognition and credit that he truly deserves. Never has there been a better time to take a musical trip with Lance Lopez on the "Wall Of Soul" (cdbaby.com)

Band Site: http://www.myspace.com/lancelopez
Lance Lopez - Wall Of Soul: http://lix.in/-515a27

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Now playing: Guitar Pete - Lipstick & Gasoline
via FoxyTunes

Meat and potatoes stoner from germany......

This is some no-frills stoner here. These guys are not trying to show off their skills and impress you with their effects. Just a wall of fuzz, pounding drums and enough energy to power a small town.

Band Site: http://www.widowpeoplespub.com/
Widow Peoples Pub - Little Boost: http://lix.in/-49b8c6

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Now playing: Trouble - Rain
via FoxyTunes

Some sweet sweet tunes for your fouth of july weekend.....

Immediately thought of Cheeto when i first heard this. This woman singing has some pipes on her; sounds at times like Shirley Manson, but without the forced sensual voice. At times it sounds like something that would have fit in around 97 to 99 on college radio along side The Dandy Warhols and Seven Mary Three. Bringing the psychedelic aspects of the first and the bluesy sense of the second, it just plain swings. While not stoner by any definition, it makes for a great soundtrack to your next black lights and bongs session. Happy 4th swampers, careful with those fireworks, and enjoy those beers!

"Almost two years ago, the members of The Duke Spirit released their debut, Cuts Across the Land, peeking their heads from behind heavy velvet curtains and beckoning us into a dark, smoky room for a cigarette and some whiskey. But for that album's follow-up, Leila Moss and her cohorts are strutting, not lurking, and they're no longer in the bar. Neptune, though recorded in the vast emptiness of Joshua Tree, California, is rife with references to the ocean and water-bound ephemera.

Moss’s trademark sultry and honeyed voice again cuts through torrents of jostling guitars, bass and drums; she’s a mermaid with dirty jeans. The desert sensibilities of Chris Goss (Kyuss, Queens of the Stone Age) are the beach to the Spirit’s sea, grounding their sound with a more polished yet still defiant rock 'n' roll swagger.

Neptune shows that the band is not a one-trick pony. They’ve added a bit of soul and some brass to their guitar-heavy identity, accentuating Moss’s already magnetic voice and persona. If Neptune is her king, her muse might just be the more earthly Etta James.

Instead of rushing to put out a second record, the band toured nearly relentlessly, and the sweaty cohesion that playing every night and the shoulder rubbing proximity of a van comes together on this record. It’s tighter, and incredibly, more intimate and intense than the first, this is a band that functions as a whole, not merely a threadbare net of musicians straining to support the singer.

Perhaps an odd choice to bury in the middle of an album, “This Ship Is Built to Last” might have done better as a triumphant closer. The band members refer to this one as their “victory song” and between the guitars that grab your hips the voice that grabs your ears and the lyrics that grab your mind, The Duke Spirit looks like it's may last, indeed." (prefixmag.com)

Band Site: http://www.myspace.com/thedukespirit
The Duke Spirit - Neptune: http://lix.in/-51585b

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Now playing: The Duke Spirit - This Ship Was Built To Last
via FoxyTunes

Chaos continued.......

And, there's Casey's other post-Amen project....

"Ignoring the mislaid claim that he's reformed Emperor, Casey Chaos has formed a band with members of Emperor and Turbonegro. That band is Scum, and you know what? Scum turned out to sound exactly like what you'd expect this band to sound like. Another supergroup that got together and wrote a bunch of songs that was bound to do well because of the names of those involved and so, never really had to be all that good to get the media interested.

Gospels for the Sick doesn't surprise, doesn't ever change ethic or course over the ten crunching tracks. There is nothing that stands up and makes one say, 'Holy shit, this is the last thing I expected from this band.' It just steamrolls on with Chaos yelping over the top of tight guitar riffing that sounds just too perfect and just too produced to create the dirty, filthy rock sounds that this album doesn't reek of, but tries to anyway.

And you know what? It's not even a bad thing. There are too many bands wanting to do something new. Too many bands floating around out there trying to diversify, to experiment, to boldly go' For once, it's nice to have a rock album that rocks. It's nice to have a rock album that just keeps going without giving a fuck about itself. And, you know, underneath all of the overzealous production values, this is a great fucking rock album. You know, a rock album that is influenced by rock albums that were influenced by rock albums, that were influenced'

Gospels for the Sick begins as an Amen album. Opener, 'Protest Life' would be at home on any Amen album. 'Road to Suffrage', 'Backstabbers go to Heaven' and 'Deathpunkscumfuck' all have the same influences, if not the obvious attachment to Amen. It may have a metallic edge, tacitly bubbling away under the surface, but Gospels for the Sick is a punk album at heart. It's only with 'Truth won't be Sold' and closer, 'The Perfect Mistake', featuring guest vocals from Emperor's Nocturno Culto, where the metallic influences comes to the surface. But when you've got punk as raw and energetic as this, who needs anything else?" (review from scenepointblank.com).

Check em' out here: SCUM.

SCUM - Gospels Of The Sick:

Scarred psyches...........

Even though there are earlier releases, this is Amen's second "official" album.

"This is a city of the dead", snarls singer Casey Chaos on the uric rancour of 'Piss Virus', and it's hard to tell from his saw-toothed drawl whether he's observing or plotting. Amen exude genuine rage, as raw and retina-warping as meths. Forget the jocks; this is bloodsports metal. Disgusted, frustrated, paranoid; it's hard to imagine what could help them with their minds. But as psycho therapy, 'We Have Come For Your Parents' is the pipe-bomb." (review by Victoria Segal).

Amen - We Have Come For Your Parents:

The way it was in the basement..........

Ok, the next few posts I'm going to make are all about another group I was really into in the early 90s'. If you have followed the Sludge Swamp since it's beginning, you know I take you on lots of side trips into my musical tastes. I was really into early punk, and anything anti-establishment, and really got into grunge as it formed. I just hung out with a lot of bands trying to make it happen, lots of drugs, and lots of anger towards corporate greed, and other issues. As you all know, I really liked Warrior Soul, because of their lyrics and crusty punk/metal sound. Well, another band I followed from their humble beginnings was Amen. They formed in 93 or 94, and had a great punk/metal vibe going. Casey Chaos, their lead singer and only member who has remained through the revolving door of musicians in the band, had a history in singing rebellious music. I really like their early material, and only seldom listen to any of the later material. Anyways, here we go... (if you don't like my side-noodling, you can skip this post and check out any of the other 5000+ albums on the Sludge Swamp and find something you do like!)......

"To fully understand where We Have Come for Your Parents came from, you should hear Amen's self-titled Roadrunner debut. Amen (with four extra tracks from the spiky Whores of Hollywood EP as a sweetener to those who already own it), is full of anger, misanthropy, and self-disgust. Casey Chaos screeches like he's being burned alive on "Down Human," while the banks of guitars race him to the end. There's nothing clean and polished here; you can hear things breaking and cracking under the pressure, be they people (including Casey himself, who screams "Punish me!" like he really means it on "Drive") or equipment. This is a perfect introduction to an exciting band." (review from Emma Johnston).

Check em' out here: Amen.

Amen - Self Titled (Remastered):

Party Rock!!!!!

Think AC/DC, Motorhead, Thin lizzy, hints of Black Sabbath. This is music for driving fast, kicking ass, and drinking whiskey. Fun, fun stuff.

From Exclaim!

"Forming a strong union between the directness of boogie metal with intimations towards '70s fuzz, à la Thin Lizzy, yet updated and with vocal sensibilities that recall Vancouver's Darkest Of The Hillside Thickets, Montreal's Barn Burner accomplish much with the wonky and wanky, yet wonderful, Bangers. Ranging in attack from laidback shuffles to combative grit, there's a touch of everything, creating a unique meeting ground between groove metal and punk rock'n'roll. All of it's accented by the crisp production of producer/engineer Adrian Popovich (Tricky Woo, Sam Roberts, the Dears, Sebastian Grainger), resulting in an album that features the warmth and familiar undertones of Sometimes I Cry yet blazes with the fury of Leviathan. (New Romance For Kids)"

Barn Burner - Bangers

Listen/Buy

DL

Dirty sludge from New Orleans........

I already posted their self-titled album on the Swamp, but to refresh your memory, SkinKrawl was a local NOLA band, with Jay Branch (who co-owned Incision Records with Ben Falgoust (Soilent Green, Goatwhore), being one of the members. A killer band who rocked the blood and beers in the New Orleans scene..

"A fresh new sound is the lifeblood of any kind of music. It takes a lot of guts because fuck if you're different it ís harder than ever to sell your sound to the one-dimensional record companies out there. SkinKrawL's latest demo has real balls. The band's sound is fresh and different and they don't sell out for a moment to impress anyone. This 3-track release sounds like the band put their heart and soul into it and, just as importantly, it rocks." (review from Roughedge.com).

"I remember my first SkinKrawL show was at Cypress Hall. I was so excited and nervous about going, because I was told there was a "legend" to SkinKrawL shows. The legend is that "Someone usually always leaves in an ambulance." (review from NewOrleansBands.net).

Check em' out here: Skinkrawl.

Skinkrawl - 3 Song Demo (2003):

(Thanx 2 DEVILDOWNINGA)

Some sunny bluesy-sludgey stoner rock …

Today is a super-hot, sunny day, at least at these southern latitudes in Europe. So an ideal day for listening to some more stoner rock. For example like that by the band Gonzalez, from Atlanta (USA). I didn’t find the self titled platter by Gonzalez in the Swamp, so here it is.

“Gonzalez has a feel good highway rock feel to them...that is the first thing that hits me when I hear 'em. The songs are melodic and heavy, good front full vocals surrounded by sludge/blues jams. the guitar work is a little ordinary but the point is driven across just fine. Kind of has that sort of driving sound that FU Manchu has going for them, but this has a bit more down deep soul. Gonzalez have a few good little time tempo changes and good riffs...kind of the plain middle of the road variety stoner rock...but good stuff nonetheless. Get this CD if you are into the party rock that you can bang your head to and still be able to do keg chuggs in between songs... There is some Sabbath worship for sure, but that says alot here right? If you like jams something like Fireball Ministry meets Fu meets Sabbath then get it...good, decent down home rock.” (Review by Rob Wrong, StonerRock.com)

Check them here

Gonzalez – Gonzalez (2004)

(Thanks to Xeno)

When the dark tunes get you....

Go listen to "Grim Reaper Blues": myspace.com/entrancerecords. Though not on their 'space, "Lost in The Dark" is another good one of a more relaxed, warm style. This band is touring with Nebula (yes, THAT Nebula) in the States and Canada in August, so be sure to attend.

Here's a video for "Grim Reaper" that should explain everything. If you recognize anybody here, it's because you were a fan of A Perfect Circle around the time Mer de Noms came out (yes, THAT Paz)...



Entrance - Prayer of Death: http://lix.in/-4b319d

Some more Italian stuff …

Veracrash.
Ehi, a band from my home town, Milano! Veracrash are active since 2003 (they were called Duna) and included lady bassist Sara. After Sara’s departure and other stories, the band reformed, the line up summed up to four guys and the name was changed to Veracrash.
They just released their first full-length album, with a weird title, 11:11. The album received good marks by the critics (Metal Hammer etc.). This band is well known and appreciated in the Italian stoner-doom-sludge panorama.
I just received the cd in a nice envelope through the mail and happily share it with you.

“Veracrash specialize in raw bursts of sound and with melodies that tease with charm, then assault with a deafening onslaught of noise. Following along these lines, in 2006 they published "The ghost", a 4-track ep which met with considerable success from the critics , thus allowing the band to tour Italy and share the stage with national and international artists (Brant Bjork, Truckfighters, Ojm, Alix and many others). In 2007 Mattia Mancuso takes Federico Albanese's place on the bass and the band starts writing the songs for the dèbut album. The result is "11:11", a lucid vision on the world, which moves beetween the lines of heavy psychedelia and alternative rock. Produced in Milan by Luigi Galmozzi, mastered at the Jupiter Studios in Seattle by Martin Feveyear (already working for Qotsa, Mudhoney, REM, Kings Of Leon), "11:11" is a record of an evocative power unheard-of for an Italian band at its dèbut and which would be a suitable accompaniment for a cocktail between Aleister Crowley and Gustavo Rol. The Artwork has been realized by the famous australian artist Seldon Hunt (previously at work with Isis, Neurosis, Melvins).” (from their myspace)

Check them here

Veracrash - 11:11 (2009)