Monthly Archives: July 2025

Yawning Balch – Album Review

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Yawning Balch – Volume Three

Heavy Psych Sounds

Release date: 21/02/2025

Running time: 35 mins

Review by: Alun Jones

9.5/10

Dear old Jimbo Morrison, he was a clueless fool indeed. Many times, I used to drive Jim out to the desert so he could commune with shamanistic spirits in the sun-baked wilderness. Jimbo would spend hours out of his gourd, murmuring into the ether. Of course, what I used to do, was stop at a truck stop and load up on whiskey and other supplies on the way. Then when we got into the desert, ply Jimbo with the booze and feed him leaves of spinach out of a tin, telling him it was “good gear”. I’d wear a kid’s Native American fancy dress costume and mumble nonsense. Morrison never did wise up to it.

If you’re planning on a mind-expanding trip into the remote wastelands, you’d be much better off with this new album from Yawning Balch for company. The band is comprised of Fu Manchu’s Bob Balch on guitar, together with stoner rock legends Yawning Man, here consisting of Gary Arce (guitar), Mario Lalli (bass) and Bill Stinson (drums). This is volume three of a series of experiments that these gentlemen have produced, released by Heavy Psych Sounds.

Truth be told, this is a tough review to write. This is an instrumental album, consisting of just two songs. Both tracks are formed from experimental jam sessions, expansive psychedelic explorations that meander along like the Silver Surfer exploring a vast, distant galaxy. This is not an album of incendiary riffs and barking vocals.

First track ‘The Taos Hum’ is just over twenty minutes long. It will take you on an interstellar journey of shimmering guitars and rumbling percussion, resulting in a mesmerising encounter. The lack of vocals, or even a standard verse-chorus structure, doesn’t matter at all. Same story with ‘Winter Widow’, the second track: slightly shorter at 14 minutes, this is all about the journey and getting lost along the way.

“Volume Three” is a cinematic soundtrack for any road you’re on. Mellow and cerebral, this album by Yawning Balch grabbed me from the start, this is the first recording of 2025 that has captivated my senses and will be a Top Ten of the year contender. Magical and highly recommended.

Find out more about Yawning Balch on Facebook, Instagram, Spotify and Bandcamp.

This review is presented by Platinum Al in association with Ever Metal.

Chester Zoo

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Recently, I spent a day with some work colleagues doing some voluntary work at Chester Zoo. Despite living fairly close to the zoo, I’d not been there for a good few years. I’ve taken my daughter when she was younger, but haven’t been since.

After a hot day in the fields cutting down and then stripping willow branches for them to be used as food for the animals, there was some free time at the end of the day to have a look round the zoo itself. The sun was burning down that day, but I decided to have a quick look round to see as many of my favourite animals as I could – a “Greatest Hits” tour, if you will.

So I raced around and saw some rhinos – always one of my favourites since I was a little kid. Magnificent, huge animals, they were busy sunbathing or chomping away on food (provided by some other voluntary group?). Giraffes were next: if you didn’t know these creatures were real, you’d swear they were the invention of a crazy mind.

Elephants are always a joy to see, and the Asian specimens at Chester Zoo always remind me of Disney’s The Jungle Book (which I love).

Then it was off to find the lions. I was unlucky here though, sadly – they were all hiding in the shade. Fair enough, really. I was much more fortunate with the jaguars. One of these beautiful big cats was contentedly wandering around their indoor pen and came up really close, providing a fantastic close up.

After quickly checking out the penguins and a Komodo dragon, it was time to split. There was time on the clock, but I really needed to get home for a shower after such a hot day!

As a result, I missed out on some of my other most admired animals, such as the tigers, chimpanzees and the amazing bats in their night zone. But having had such a good time, I decided it won’t be long till my next visit to see what I missed.

Thanks to Chester Zoo for a fun and educational day.

You can check out Chester Zoo here.

KASP – Gig Review

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KASP

Friday 11th July 2025

The Crown & Liver, Ewloe

The good old Crown & Liver in Ewloe used to be my home from home for many years. In fact, it was utilised as a club house of sorts not just by myself, but the members of KASP and a large chunk of tonight’s audience. Quite apt, then, to see these guys crank out some tunes that effortlessly recreated the sounds of the 1990s in this venue. The Crown may have been jazzed up over the decades, but it’s the same old boozer at heart.

KASP are four mates who got themselves together and formed a band, performing well known and appreciated cover songs. They’ve been gigging in the local area for a while, but this was the first time I’d caught up with them. It was a nice reunion of sorts with several welcome faces and a good atmosphere.

Wouldn’t you just know it, things didn’t get off to a stellar start: the set opener was ‘Rock’n’Roll Star’ by Oasis, and I’m not a big fan! To be fair, it’s one of the better Gallagher brothers songs, and KASP rattled the song out in confident fashion. Simon on lead vocals and guitar slotted right into the role with ease. Next up was ‘You Stole the Sun From My Heart’, a killer Manics cover where Adam ably took over lead vocals from Si and still delivered a formidable guitar part. Now we were starting to get bouncing!

Solid musicianship all round to be fair, meaning that a couple songs I’m not a fan of (that James monstrosity, ‘Sit Down’, being a prime offender) were superbly delivered with self assured style. Of course, this means that the quality songs in the rest of the set couldn’t really go wrong – especially with genuine energisers from Green Day, Stereophonics and even Steppenwolf’s old evergreen, ‘Born to be Wild’!

A special shout out to the closing song of the first set, a devastatingly great rendition of ‘Hate to Say I Told You So’ by The Hives. Classic track, rendered brilliantly by KASP. Kev’s nimble bass playing was particularly impressive, shining in that solo middle section; and Pete’s drums managing to keep everyone on track with all cylinders firing .

The band returned for part 2 after a short break, though I have to admit that my memories of the second set started to get a bit fuzzy…

I do remember a rousing version of Lenny Kravitz’s ‘Are You Gonna Go My Way’ getting the crowd moving. And a nice dedication for yours truly from Si in his introduction for Foo Fighters’ ‘Times Like These’ (thanks!). There was more dancing for this set as the audience started to really warm up. More first rate tunes by White Stripes, Kings of Leon and Stereophonics kept the mood high and feet moving as everyone sang along.

KASP at the Crown turned out to be a fun night of solid musicianship and camaraderie. A great band who possess some real skills, delivering a non-stop run of hit songs for all to enjoy. It was kind of cool to have that gig with that band in that pub, too. The evening wasn’t just about nostalgia, though. It was about good times with good people, and that’s what live music’s all about, right?

Check out KASP on Facebook.

Ilex – Mutatio Album Review

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Ilex – Mutatio

Self released

Release date: 05/04/2024

Running time: 47 minutes

Review by: Alun Jones

8/10

There I was, just casually chilling between sets at McLeans in Pentre, when Frank – AKA Victim of Damp – said to me: “Hey Al, you should check this band out. They’re a Spanish Metal band, and they’re really good.” Frank sent me a link, and I gave said Spanish Metal band a listen. They’re called ILEX, and the album is called “Mutatio”, and he wasn’t wrong, to be fair.

“Mutatio” was actually written and worked on beginning some years ago, and eventually released back in April 2024. Even though it’s not a new release, I figured it was worth a review. What we have here is some fine thrash metal, with plenty of groove and some gargled Death vocals, with a nice experimental edge to set it off.

We start with some fine acoustic guitar on ‘Ardet Nec Consumitur’. a moody piece which erupts into the furious death-thrash of ‘F.P.T.S’. This track is fast, with a brutal chugging riff and growled vocals. Next is ‘Changing the Archetype’, where Ilex play with some contrasting tempos and sections. As we listen through the album, they’ve obviously challenged themselves to create progressive, expansive soundscapes and channel different styles.

‘Iceberg’ then begins with a slow, melodic intro: it’s an extended, progressive piece that really starts to evolve the sound. The aggressive metal in this track diverges brilliantly from the excellent, mellow middle section. The crunchier, ruthless riffs of tracks like ‘Rubble Survivor’ manage to comfortably nestle next to the spooky sound of instrumental ‘Omnia Mutantor, Nihil Interit’, as well as the bouncy groove of ‘Eyes of the Messiah’.

There’s the old school Metallica/Testament Thrash of ‘Cambrian Explosion’, but one of the highlights of the album is ‘The Pilgrimage’. Here the vocals are cleaner. but it’s the almost NWOBHM gallop of the track that really captures the groove here. Nice Purple style skronky organ at the end, too!

The production on “Mutatio” is really impressive, everything sounds clear but also has plenty of guts. The real success though is the mix of genres that Ilex are comfortable in exploring, whether that be Hardcore/Crossover, trad Thrash, Death or Groove metal – as well as the exquisite delicate moments. “Mutatio” has been maturing for a while, it’s well worth seeking out and dusting off.

Check out Ilex on Facebook, Spotify and Bandcamp.

This review is brought to you by Platinum Al in association with Ever Metal.

Cocktail Time: Vodka & Cranberry Juice

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Apparently, this particular drink has been named a “Cape Cod” by cocktail afficionados – I have no idea why! Whatever the name, this is a simple and refreshing drink that can be enjoyed at any time, whatever the season.

I had my first vodka and cranberry juice drink in New York City, I believe it was the Broom Street Bar. The drink became a favourite as it makes a refreshing change from the usual, and is really simple to make at home. Here’s how:

Vodka & Cranberry Juice

  • Vodka
  • Cranberry juice
  • Ice

You can mix this drink to your own preference, but I usually have a double measure of vodka. Add ice cubes to a standard tall glass, pour in the double vodka, then top up with cranberry juice. Easy

This should be fairly low calorie drink, especially if you use low sugar cranberry juice. Whatever you choose, I hope you enjoy.

Soundtrack: “(Theme from) New York, New York” by Frank Sinatra.

Platinum Al’s Virtual Hot Tub urges you to drink responsibly.