Sea Of Snakes - World On Fire

 

Now this is a fun one. There aren't a lot of stoner bands that really carry themselves with swagger these days. Fortunately, Sea Of Snakes have it, and they come at you at a million miles an hour with heavy and passionate music that captures the imagination and speaks to just how good they are. There is a breadth to these compositions and an ability to get heads banging and asses shaking that really sets this group apart. Their new EP, World On Fire is a veritable monster and a real tribute to just how good Metal Assault Records has been. 

Of particular note on this record is the quality of the guitar tone. There is a real meat to it that lets songs like "Ride The Line" shine bright. World On Fire captures the imagination with the larger than life imagery too. Lyrics sharing visions and lights in the sky really speaks to the power of the band and what they have started to develop here. The breadth to the songs, even with their relatively stripped down arrangements is exciting. While there aren't really too many new ideas here, Sea Of Snakes do a great job of building on the sludgy stoner sounds of bands like Down and Corrosion of Conformity making for a fun listen. 

World On Fire is a monster of a release and one that will keep me coming back anytime I'm looking for another dose of the heavy stuff. This is clearly a labor of love, but it's not so ambitious as to scare off casual listeners. There is a lot to really sink your teeth into on World On Fire and the more time I spend with the myriad layers the more I think that Sea Of Snakes might be onto something special. If you're looking for a new dose of riffs, fun solos and big choruses, then you'll probably dig what these guys have to offer. 

Pre-order the album!

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/seaofsnakes/let-the-fire-burn

Enhailer/Black Pyramid - Split

Enhailer and Black Pyramid are two of the more potent bands in the heavy music scene today. Enhailer have been rising out of Ohio for the past few years with their grimy brand of stoner metal. Meanwhile, Black Pyramid have been staples in the scene for over a decade. That being said, this is their first new music in five years, and it promises that still more good things are to come from the Massachussets bringers of the heavy. This is a split for the ages and one that will continually capture the imagination of stoner metal fans.

When Enhailer kick off the split you know you are in for something special. The snarl of a track like 'Drudgery' is a delight to get to listen too with its acrobatic drumming and massive drum sounds. It speaks to the bands ability to conjure up atmospheres of terror and point towards bleak and stunning futures. Meanwhile, Black Pyramid continue to prove that they are among the best to ever do it. Their side of the split is a single stunning fifteen minute long track. It ebbs and flows and generally leaves you scraping your jaw off the floor. This is a thrilling contribution and one which reminds us why Black Pyramid were critical darlings in the first place.

Together these bands have conjured up something that reaches for the stars and continues to impress. It's a record that - while maybe not reinventing the wheel - certainly acts as a confirmation of both acts prodigious talents. There is an ambition here and a searing grwoth that can not be denied. Enhailer and Black Pyramid are in many ways two sides of the same coin. When they come together to bring the heavy what are you going to do other than be in awe of what has been conjured up for us fans?

Find the bands on Facebook!

Enhailer: https://www.facebook.com/Enhailer/

Black Pyramid: https://www.facebook.com/Black-Pyramid-49292323952/

Moons - Go Out Swinging

Moons are unquestionably one of the most talked about bans in the Philadelphia stoner rock underground. The bands distinct approach and dedication to all that is heavy first caught my attention years ago when I saw them opening for Electric Citizen at the Voltage Lounge. Since then the band has only matured, cultivating a distinct stoner metal approach that is sludgy, bottom feeding and eager to choke out the listener. Their new record, Go Out Swinging will suffocate you in its sheer riffage.

Though the band certainly sticks to a lot of the standard tropes of the genre, they execute on them well. The guitar tone is excellent and the vocals come out in a twisted sort of yarl. The grunge influence is palpable, but it's been filtered through the likes of Conan and the Slomatics. Special note should be taken of the drumming which is wonderfully colorful. The track 'Toneshaper' is a particular stand out. I also really love the bass tone, its rumble helps ground a guitar sound that frequently pushes punk rock boundaries. One gets the sense with Moons that it all might explode at once, but that's exactly what makes it so addictive.

This is the sort of record you can get lost in. It's a fitting album for a Saturday in quarantine. It reeks of manic house show energy and has enough interesting moments to keep you stimulated. The moments of flash, like the guitar runs on 'High Bar' are a fitting spice to an already excellent release. In terms of bands emerging out of the East Coast stoner underground, its clear that Moons have some of the best execution. With a massive bottom end and a sense of punk rock fury it's hard for this DIY show addict to not be charmed.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/heavymoons/

Pale Mare - II

Now this is a pretty cool one. II is an explosive sophomore offering from stoner metallers Pale Mare The band is a go for the throat act, steeped in High On Fire worship and a commitment to sheer volume. A one of a kind band who seem to get more insane with every passing year it's hard not to be stunned by their distinct approach and the sheer energy that they rbing to the table from the first on II. Well produced and intricately written, this is a release that reminds us why stoner and sludge metal was so compelling in the first place.

In many ways the bands sound is reflect in their unique artwork. It's intricate and wonderfully thought out, yet oftentimes monochromatic, but monochromatic as a stylistic choice more than anything else. II is a thriller in the sheer bombast the band bring to the table, but they stay remarkably on message throughout - there is no discovery of new and bizarre sonic twists, but rather a comitment to the overarching brutality of the thing. II deals in high energy riffs that blast forward, but are so firmly rooted in the bottom end it's hard not to be enamored.

Pale Mare stuns with the breadth of the production here, even though they are doing something that isn't necessarily genre breaking it IS a record that seems to revel in the tropes. It builds on them to be sure but also shows us exactly why those tropes were made - because in most cases they fucking rule and to deny yourselves their magic would be weak shit. So get on some good shit and blast II today. It drops in a few weeks, but there are some singles out now and they are a boat load of stoner metal fun.


Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/PaleMareBand/

Gurt - Bongs Of Praise

Now this is a fun one. I may not partake in the reefer but I can certainly enjoy a record that is bathed in it. Such is the magic of Bongs Of Praise, the latest from Gurt. This is an absolutely monumental undertaking, an album that is not only transcendent in its marijuana infused glory, but one which seems to continually push the band to new and weirder heights. Full of burly riffs and thrilling sonic changes, Bongs Of Praise is a masterfully put together stoner metal opus that will keep our bearded brethren coming back for more.

There is something mesmerizing and strangely addictive about these songs. Tracks like The Joint Of No Return perfect encapsulate the magic of stoner humor and seem to build on the tropes that have made this genre so fun in the first place. In a scene where stoner rock bands increasingly take themselves too seriously, it's strangely rewarding to find a band who want to just light a jay with their friends and shoot the shit about other times they got high. Sure it might be a bit depraved or even navel gazing, but when the record is called 'Bongs of Praise' and the album art has an organ made out of bongs spewing pot smoke what do you expect?

Gurt have come out once again to prove that they are among the best and the dankest in the global stoner rock scene. Bongs Of Praise is a delightful listen that builds on traditional stoner rock tropes. While it might not stun the listener it certainly is going to remain in regular rotation for those of us who enjoy the heavy stuff. This is an album that perfectly understands its target market, and if you can't get behind some Mary Jane inspired riffage with twisted vocals laying on top, I don't know if stoner metal is for you!

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/GURTsludge/

Moonwatcher - S/T

Sometimes within the world of stoner and doom you find a record that takes you on a veritable journey. A record that is full of emotional depth and weird sonic landscapes that really demands the listener allow themselves to be immersed in what is being offered up. Such is the case with Moonwatcher, whose self titled release is a veritable monster. Clocking in at just under an hour, it's a fascinating listen that clearly hopes to keep you coming back as you navigate ethereal sonic twists and turns.

This all being said, at times it feels like Moonwatcher is a little bit lost in its own momentum. While there are certainly cool ideas here, having a back to back pair of twenty minute plus tracks makes for challenging listening. While the riffs are certainly solid they don't necessarily keep you engaged throughout. On top of that the execution, especially with regards to guitar tone isn't exactly where it needs to be. This doesn't do the record any favors. It's frustrating though because there is so much to like about Moonwatcher. It's a record that seems to be very aware of its own ebb and flow. It encourages the listener to dive deeper into the filth and to enjoy the blasphemous glory this music will always bring to the table.

There's a lot to take in on this record. The vocals are monstrous and the approach to songwriting is Hawkwind-esque. It's a noble first effort and one that seems to hint at even greater things to come. When the band is on they are on. There are clearly executed ideas throughout and it's fun to dig in. Watching this band clean up the rough edges and turn into something a bit more streamlined is going to be exciting. Moonwatcher is dynamic and shows a band starting to embrace their true power, you best be watching.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/moonwatcher1970/

Asthma Castle - Mount Crushmore

Asthma Castle are a stoner metal band built out of scene veterans and with a fuck you attitude that you gotta admire. Their over the top heaviness and hardcore inspired riffing makes this quasi-supergroup (It features members of Integrity and Pig Destroyer after all) all the more memorable. This offering, Mount Crushmore, out on Hellmistress Records is chock to the brim with stoner jokes and punishing rhythms, it's an addictive listen and one that sticks its head out from a sea of bland stoner rockers.

There is a tendency in the world of stoner rock these days to lean more towards the rock side of things and this record is a perfect example of that. While Asthma Castle isn't without its more low key moments the record by and large seems to rely on a pummeling sense of drive. When the band does step back to rest in waves of distortion it's a welcome respite and in some ways a deep breath before another plunge. It's hard as a fan not to be enamored with the brutal magic of what they continue to paint and the bleak unreality that this band brings to the table as they it you with crushing blow after crushing blow.

I like how this record flirts with being over the top and the sheer brawniness of the riffage// sure some of the songs are too logn but that is something that will naturally correct itself over the course of time. Asthma Castle have unleashed something very exciting with this particular release and it makes me curious for where this bands endless cloud of marijuana smoke is going to take them next. There is a ton of potential here and a truly inspired drum performance by Adam Jarvis (Yes, that Adam Jarvis) so what more could you want?

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/asthmacastle/

Spillage - Blood Of Angels

Epic, bombastic and quite a bit of fun, Spillage have crafted in recent yars what they brand as 'power doom' and there might not be a better term for their riffy and over the top approach to heavy music. While this band owes its debts to Iron Maiden and Trouble they are unafraid to tip the cap to more contemporary stoner and prog metal peers and it makes for something I can't quite get away from. Self aware ad poignant, Blood Of Angels is a crunchy little gem rising proudly out of the diverse Chicago heavy music scene.

The real standout throughout the work of Spillage is of course the thrilling vocals of frontman Elvin Rodriguez, his voice, full of emotion and unafraid to delve into histrionics is a centerpiece of the music. Meanwhile, the keyboard padding provides a unique flavor to the band and really adds to the drama crafted by the strings. Massive sounding drums undercut a band with a distinct vision and a sound that is helplessly addictive and prone to keep drawing you back into the abyss. It's a rip roaring good time from a group who seem dedicated to their demonic evolution. Blood Of Angels is a veritable hellraiser and a record that can't help but to fascinate.

Sure there are moments of this record that feel a little bit cheesy and elements that are just a little bit too over the top but who doesn't want that out of a band who bill themselves as power doom? You need to come at Spillage wit a certain self awareness, Spillage certainly do. They unravel their vast melodramas across stunning sonic vistas and it's clear that they have gotten nowhere near their full musical potential yet. 

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/spillagerocks/

Weed Demon - Astrological Passages

Every once in a while you stumble across a band who sound exactly like their name suggests. This isn't necessarily a bad thing it just kind of makes me giggle. Such is the case with Weed Demon and their new record Astrological Passages. This Columbus, Ohio quartet is deeply devoted to loud riffs, crazed solos and the sort of forward motion that makes this entire genre worth digging into in the first place. There is an ethereal crush about this record that speaks to their weirdly beautiful midwestern conjurings.

While the Electric Wizard and Black Sabbath influences are worn pretty clearly, the band also is evidently unafraid to bring in a few more exotic elements. The weird melodies that define the album closer, Jettisoned, which remains also perhaps the bands finest hour serve to show there is a lot of depth here. There is a breadth to the production that is also really exciting. The bottom end roars forward, a fitting underpinning to monstrous vocals and bizarre sonic explorations into the darkest parts of the human psyche. It's the sort of surrealistic and wonderfully stoned tone journey that you're not going to easily forget.

This all being said, the band still has something of a sense of humor, they are called Weed Demon after all. This sense of humor serves to further ground what's being done here in reality and forces us to acknowledge that this is more than just another silly band. While the group still needs to work to break free of some tropes and might benefit from shorter songs, this is still a nice little offering from the Sons Ov Midwestern Dankness. Astrological Passages is going to take you on a journey, and while it might be aided by a bong rip or two, it's certainly a fun trip to take.

Find them on Facebook! 
https://www.facebook.com/weeddemonsludge/

Pre-order the record! 
https://smokeweeddemon.bandcamp.com/album/astrological-passages

Acid Witch - Evil Sound Screamers

It's hard to believe that it's been seven entire years since the last Acid Witch record, I mean of course there's been a ton of stuff to hold us over, be it splits, cover EP's, or compilations, but there's a whole lot more to this band than I think a lot of people give them credit for. Acid Witch is the sort of band who have always capitalized on the weird Halloween magic that has always made heavy metal such a fun time. These horror rockers have always created potent and magical material but it feels like Evil Sound Screamers is a significant step forward for the band.

What perhaps makes this record so special is that Acid King are starting to seriously move beyond a lot of their previous oeuvre. Whereas prior releases focused more on traditional concepts of stoner doom with a horror bent and touches of eerie keyboards this record has more electronics and truly disturbing loops serving to define what it's all about. Acid Witch are a unique band and with this album they are pushing the things that make them special all the way to ten. They are forcing us to acknowledge the sheer dorkery of the band and the transcendent hold that Halloween has over all of us.

It's always exciting when a band like Acid Witch reach a point where they move beyond their foundational concepts in order to craft something transcendent. With this record the band has looked beyond the common limitations of stoner doom and forced us to embrace the bloody screaming mess that this band has always been. It's hard not to fall in love with the beauty of Acid Witch if you can appreciate the inherent silliness that a band like this will always have. For me this is a delicious tribute and one I want to come back to time and time again.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/Acid-Witch-146053698843172/?ref=br_rs

Hark - Machinations

Their are few bands who show massive career changing development by their second album. Their are few bands who have such a pure understanding of songwriting that you can't help but to love them from the first song - even if their sound is a general mishmash of genres. Such is that case with Hark's Machinations. While the bands debut, Crystalline was certainly a solid release, I can't help but to feel that the dudes have gone above and beyond with what they are bringing to the table on this motherfucker of a record.

What I love about Machinations is how it immediately captures your attention from the get go. The riffs throughout are extremely solid and the bands ability to craft powerful soundworlds with multilayered guitars and top notch vocals leaves you in utter awe of their unholy creation. This is what rock and roll should sound like, innovative, powerful and just a little pissed off. There is a lot going on with Machinations - so much so that at times it feels overwhelming. The production is strong enough though that when it comes down to it the overwhelming moments encourage repeat listens rather than alienating the listener.

When it comes down to it, this is the sort of album that requires a handful of listens to even start understanding. While it generally fits into the stoner rock polemic to refer to it as just that would be inappropriately reductionist. Instead you need to see this record as a sort of step forward in the world of heavy rock and roll. This is an album that balances Motorheads magic with Hawkwinds beauty. It's an album that will let you get lost in it and then it will turn around and crack your skull open with riff on top of motherfucking riff.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/harktheband/

Coagula, Sentient Horror, Kosmodemonic and Horrendous at Saint Vitus Bar

It had been a minute since I'd been to saint Vitus - such is the nature of life on the road. Yet when you come home you come home if you know what I mean. It's the shit like last night, where I bumped into a guy who I hadn't seen in a few years playing in Horrendous now and older bands who you've fallen in love with get to play to packed houses. It's the magic of Saint Vitus that these things can constantly exist and perpetually remind us of the burning and in many ways eternal power of this music.

Up first were Coagula having come all the way from Boston to show us their unique brand of Entombed worshiping death metal. Coagula sound absolutely monstrous and they understand the suffocating power that this music can, and should have. Performing as a three piece instead of their usual four, they were able to put on a show that made a definitive mark on the Saint Vitus crowd. We get a lot of death metal in these parts, but it's rare we find a band like Coagula with vocals this devastating and a live presence that chokes you out.

Sentient Horror are some of my local favorites, I've seen them a handful of times now and they always impress. There's just so much about this band that I find so fascinating, from the baby faced bassist to the fact that one guitarist has an eight stringed ax and the other has seven (The bassist meanwhile only rocks four!) What matters though is that they rip on guitar and have powerful riffs complimented by a slew of flashy solos. Sentient Horror understand the magic of death metal but they aren't afraid to toss in a few moments of Dokken here and there to add to the fun and demonstrate the bands true potential.

I've always loved Kosmodemonic for their powerful grooves and overwhelming atmospheres. This is a band who resonate out across the ages and use the heaviness of their music almost as an instrument in and of itself. They are sort of New York City's very own Neurosis. They have a strange and transcendent power behind their music, they unleash slow jams tinged with sludge and black metal creating something that feels very natural and at times almost orgasmic. Kosmodemonic are veterans of the scene and their gentle tearing apart of the human condition, chord by bloody chord makes for a show for the ages.

And then of course there was the almighty Horrendous. This time they were performing as a four piece, when I last saw them they were only at three. Their performances are always exciting, fully realized and very aware of their own blazing potential. Horrendous are one of the greatest death metal bands in the world, they scream out with a sort of wicked energy, bassist Alex Kulick screaming along even though he doesn't have a mic. It's this understanding and sense of fun that makes Horrendous more than just another insufferable pretentious death metal band. Instead they stand tall and proud, ready to become heroes for a whole generation of basement dwelling metal dudes.

So the night came to an end. I found myself at a terrific Mexican spot with the promoter shooting the shit about times forgot and deeply in love with the power of Horrendous. We had seen it all, had friends show up from across the Eastern seaboard and relaxed into the twisted and beautiful majesty of this music. This lineup reflected the burning magic of the East coasts death metal scene, capped off by the power of the locals, Sentient Horror (Who celebrated their CD release) and the almighty Kosmodemonic. Nights like this are what heavy music was made for.

Find the bands on Facebook!

Coagula: https://www.facebook.com/Coaguladeath/

Sentient Horror: https://www.facebook.com/sentienthorrorofficial/?fref=ts

Kosmodemonic: https://www.facebook.com/kosmodemonic/?fref=ts

Horrendous: https://www.facebook.com/HorrendousDeathMetal/?fref=ts

Merlin - Electric Children

Merlin are one of those freaked out psychedelic doom bands who seem to really get it. Their latest offering Electric Children is a concept album of sorts, a record that drives forward with an ethereal magic and revels in driving chords counterbalanced with otherworldly soundscapes. Merlin have a distinct and strangely addictive sound, one that takes no prisoners and gives no shits. Cult obsessed, doomed to destroy and destined to die, Merlin rage forward with an album that hints at everything from Hawkwind to Motorhead.

The strange, melodic and wonderfully stoned vocals that dominate these songs is distinctly Sabbathian and hints at a similar sense of feeling lost and trying to find a path in a blasted world. the decision to end the record with a 23 minute long track, Tales Of The Wasteland is an interesting choice - one that proves the bands dedication to fuzz and also reminds us that Merlin are the real fucking deal. Electric Children is a record that crawls though peaks and valleys, just like those selfsame acid trips that surely contributed to the development of this band. Merlin understand the tripped out stomp this music needs to have.

It's easy to get lost in the guitar lines of this album and drown under the fuzz. Merlin are rock and roll maniacs, dudes who love to sit down, smoke bowls and riff. Yet there is something far greater than that in the music of Merlin - a sign that this band is going to go places. Why? Because they structure their songs with aplomb, building up to epic climaxes and coming down into devastating lows. Electric Children is a testament to a lost generation - one that needs these doomed messages more than ever before.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/MERLIN666/?fref=ts

Beelzefuzz - The Righteous Bloom

Beelzefuzz are one of those bands that I always think are way bigger than yet actually are. Part of this is because they are goddamn amazing and part of it is because their name already suggests a degree of greatness. Their latest offering The Righteous Bloom is eleven tracks of righteous stoner doom that plays to the strengths of the genre, and while it doesn't necessarily set any new standard for what stoner metal can be, it certainly makes for an engaging and distinct listen that will keep you coming back.

The Righteous Bloom is actually a rather addictive listen. Beelzefuzz have a sort of tripped out aesthetic that is wholly their own and it is surprisingly fun to dive into it and enjoy all that it stand for. Even though The Righteous Bloom totally plays into more traditional stereotypes of what stoner metal can be it's hard not to fall in love with their chilled out vibes. The half shouted/half sung vocals are a high point - they bring a strangely earthy magic to the table an help to cement the bands place as chilled out intergalactic space warriors. The Righteous Bloom is a reassuring listen and one that all but forces you to keep coming back.

With this record Beelzefuzz have distilled the power of stoner doom into just a few tracks and give you something to sit back and chill out too. The Righteous Bloom is a monster of an album, a record that encourages you to taste the forbidden fruit again and again and which speaks to the fundamental magic of heavy metal music. The Righteous Bloom is a stone cold stunner. It shows an understanding of the genre that far exceeds the bands peers and nails the hammer back into your flesh time after glorious time.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/beelzefuzzofficial/?fref=ts

Worshipper - Shadow Hymns

My brain is fried - let's be up front about that right now. That being said - Tee Pee Records rule so I kind of feel obligated to scrawl down some words about their latest offering, the dynamic, the titanic Shadow Hymns the most recent release from the Worshipper camp. A strong stoner doom record, the band has a penchant for slightly silly, always bombastic lyrics and clearly understands the modern doom polemic. Even though they play into a lot of tropes they do it well, making for a fun repeat listen.

One thing I can say about Worshipper is that they have an incredible understanding of modern stoner rock riffing. The execution on a song like Step Behind is absolutely flawless and shows all that the band are capable of. It's just frustrating to me that the band has such a fondness for cheesy lyrics. It leaves me wanting more and feeling like this band is rather entry level (Not that that's a bad thing) Still - there is something charismatic to the inherent bombast of Shadow Hymns it gives the entire album a sense of fun and makes me want to come back to it. In a world where stoner doom has become a very serious thing for some fucking reason, Worshipper provide release.

With strong performances throughout (The vocals are absolutely stunning!) I feel like Worshipper are starting to really come into their own. These guys are clearly incredibly talented musicians and listening to the solos alone gets me excited. They have perfectly processed the music of people like Pentagram and turned it into what is very much their own interpretation of classic ideas. I want to love Worshipper more than I do - but I get the distinct impression that as they grow it will become impossible to deny their might.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/worshipperband/?fref=photo#

Earth Ship - Hollowed

So I'm back from Hellfest and it's time to review another band from the almighty Napalm Records. The monstrous sludgy sounds of Earth Ship have guided me home, and in many ways their ban name perfectly reflects what the band is all about. There is something extra terrestrial about Earth Ships music, but at the same time its grounded in a very human sense of heavy metal thunder. Listening to the band crunch forward with their devastating bass grooves is far too much fun and  fitting reminder of all that they, and the genre as a whole, stand for.

With their trademark crush, Hollowed represents a step forward for the band. Th driving sense of momentum that we hear on songs like Monolith is absolutely monstrous and hints at all that this band is capable of. Sure they aren't especially breaking new ground here, especially not for Napalm Records but they are excellent songwriters and in an increasingly crowded scene it seems ever more obvious that that is all that really counts. What's fascinating though is that Earth Ship don't make their name on hooks or any other traditional pop elements, rather they capture the imagination with bone crushing dedication to all things heavy.

Hollowed is an exercise in refined control. At times they let the chaos seep forward, but only so that you can understand exactly how good they are and let you roar back into place as they re-emphasize the crucial importance of the riff. I think Earth Ship can be so much more though. As their occasional melodic guitar lines show, the men behind Hollowed have an impressive understanding of the instrument and an expansion on their use of contrast and development is only going to bring their world forward.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/wearetheearthship

High Fighter - Scars & Crosses

High Fighter are a band who are comfortable borrowing form all over the map, and a band who have managed to use their full length to go above and beyond anything that they accomplished on their debut EP. It means that their latest offering, the almighty Scars & Crosses is a pure musical triumph. The way they push forward with sounds that expand the old school sonic palate of High Fighter is stunning and has the potential to capture the hearts and minds of fans across the globe. The band has transcended stoner rock and created something much greater.

The beauty of Scars & Crosses lies in the way that High Fighter are able to expand from the groups more traditional stoner rock base. Though a lot of the riffs feature the pentatonic crush that defines so much stoner rock, Scars & Crosses is great because of its ability to add touches of black, death and doom metal into the mix and inspire the listener with a sound that is oftentimes otherworldly. Though the music is certainly diverse, Scars & Crosses never sounds like a hodgepodge of styles thrown together. Rather it shows us a band expanding their sonic possibilities and giving us all a chnace to advance and triumph in the modern musical landscape.

High Fighter are clearly very talented musicians and the execution on Scars & Crosses is strong, but not quite flawless. You can tell that the guys (And girl) are still trying to find the core elements that will define the sound for years to come, but it is easy to see that High Fighter are certainly a band who have the potential to stick around. Crushing, brutal, and with the grit to take the world by storm, High Fighter stomp all over your expectations with Scars & Crosses and leave you wondering where the band will go next.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/HighFighter/?fref=ts

Helhorse - S/T

Those in the know have been familiar with sludge metallers Helhorse's exploits for years now, and the bands latest offering on Spinefarm, Helhorse stands as a fitting testament to all that they have been able to create over the years. There is something magical about the way that they have been able to cultivate a sound that is wholly their own that simultaneously borrows from the best parts of stoner metal and gives the sound their own unique spin. The sense of powerful humanity that defines this record will have you coming back again and again, because unlike so many of their peers, Helhorse get it.

I think one of the things that makes this band so charming to me is the powerful vocal lines, which can move from anything from a fun falsetto to a wonderful stoner rock rumble, often settling somewhere in between - proudly representing all that Helhorse have been able to conjure up over the past few years. Meanwhile, the bands driving, spiraling riff style contributes to their wonderfully iconoclastic sound. Their ability to infuse what is normally a rather drab genre with their own brand of bombast is wonderfully exciting and the pulsing joy that comes through in tracks like Among The Wolves reminds you what it's all about.

Helhorse is great, not just because the band is unafraid to bring in wonderfully weird elements (Hell, the album closer, No Fucks Given features gospel elements) but because they are clearly having fun. It's impossible to not feel the breakneck rock and roll energy that so evidently has come to help define what Helhorse are all about. Their compositions are tight and their attitude is right, and this is exactly why Helhorse is more than just a strong artistic statement. It is a look at our own humanity, reminding us there is hope at the end of all things.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/Helhorse/?fref=ts

Stonewall Noise Orchestra - The Machine, The Devil & The Dope

Sometimes you just have to spend an afternoon listening to hard driving, hard grooving rock and roll for any of this rock and roll madness to make sense. That's why I spent a sizable chunk of my day jamming the hell out of the latest offering from Stonewall Noise Orchestra, The Machine, The Devil & The Dope. With Clutch derived madness these modern stoned rock and rollers are creating something droning and powerful that ebbs and flows, slowly winding its way deeper and deeper into the depths of your heart.

See - unlike many of their peers merely regurgitating pre-chewed riffs and creating something bland, repetitive, and frankly unappealing Stonewall Noise Orchestra are open about being in love with the power of rock and roll - there opening track comes right out says it. As they proudly march forward, guitars blazing and fuzzed out wail soaring on top of a crunchy rhythm section it becomes increasingly obvious that this is the kind of band who represent a way forward for rock and roll. Stonewall Noise Orchestra are taking traditional formulas and infusing them with a very real energy that is going to keep you coming back time and time again.

Stonewall Noise Orchestra have a very strong understanding of what it means to come out of the gate and play rock and roll music. So yeah, while they may adhere to a few too many modern ideas to really get me freaking out, I gotta say, The Machine, The Devil & The Dope is definitive proof that these guys can bring it and bring it on a level that many of their peers could only dream of. This is a band who are growing, and fast, watching them evolve is going to be one of the interesting rock and roll journeys of the next few years.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/SNO-Stonewall-Noise-Orchestra-478256945164/?fref=ts

Greenleaf - Rise Above The Meadow

Alright - right off the bat I'll admit that Greenleaf is a pretty funny name for a band. I kind of like how the name itself is the kind of thing that could only be really conjured up whilst smoking some green leaf, if you know what I mean. Now that the obligatory pot joke is out of the way I gotta say = this band is far more than just a side project, even if, six albums in the band has been through countless lineup changes.  These guys are fun loving and exciting - they stand for something greater than themselves and represent Swedens new wave of rock and roll.

Even though it would be very easy for Rise Above The Meadow with its star studded lineup and glittering history to be nothing more than one long weed joke  Greenleaf aspire to be something greater. Their new record relies on vibes, powerful songwriting and a sense of musical crescendos and decrescendos that will resonate with all of us. This is a band who speak to a darker reality, one that we can all relate to and that perhaps only becomes clear when the magical leaf comes to free the mind. The point being - the bands trademark throb is easy to fall in love with and diving into their reassuring drone provides almost Uncle Acid-esque levels of heavy metal purity.

There is something strangely visceral about Rise Above The Meadow in the way that it feels so wonderfully organic. It's hard to want to separate yourself from a band who so brilliantly weave their way in and out of distinct sonic landscapes. There is a touching crash and a fitting pulse to the sounds on Rise Above The Meadow and the deeper you delve into their stoner rock magic the harder it becomes to deny what this band stands for - they aren't just rock and rollers, they have the capacity to be legends in their own lifetimes - and don't  you forget it.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/greenleafrocks/?fref=ts