Tag Archives: acid rock

Devil Moon Risen – Album Review

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Devil Moon Risen – Fissures of Men 

Self-released 

Release date: 06/06/2024 

Running time: 36 minutes approx 

Review by: Alun Jones  

7.5/10 

Ready for something a little different?  Something born from the familiar, but tantalisingly different?  Then step right this way, Platinum Al has a musical odyssey that will intrigue you.  We’re talking about the debut album from Devil Moon Risen, a trio out of Phoenix, Arizona, and it’s all kinds of unexpected. 

We’re starting in the realm of desert rock, but Devil Moon Risen have added some spice to their chimichanga with elements of punk, sludge and doom metal.  So, off we go with a thuddingly heavy, groovy chugger in ‘Bad Sketch of a Killer’ that twists into a creepy waltz and back again. 

Like Primus playing QOTSA songs on an album produced by the late great Steve Albini, the songs feature unpredictable, powerful bass and thrashing guitars.  It doesn’t always quite gel, ‘The Rim’ is more of a challenge to get into, but “Fissures of Men” is always surprising and brave.  

When everything falls into place though, the results are superb, as with the full-on rock-out distorted delight that is ‘Shaun Powell’.  Elsewhere, there’s more Frankenstein-like craziness such as ‘D.T.T.B.O.W.T.B.’, which launches like later era Danzig before offering some more laid-back grooves, then morphing to a black metal wail. 

“Fissures of Men” is a journey and then some: Devil Moon Risen have taken the obvious starting point and run off in a totally different direction (or three).  Whether it’s noise rock or some as yet uncharted genre of music, the album is sometimes demanding and always unpredictable.  If – or when – you’re ready, “Fissures of Men” could be just the education you need. 

Check out Devil Moon Risen on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Spotify and Bandcamp.

This review is brought to you by Platinum Al and Ever Metal. You’re welcome.

Green Goat – Album Review

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Greengoat – A.I.

Self-released

Release date: 26/01/2024

Running time: 38 minutes

Review by; Alun Jones

8.5/10

Opening with a Bladerunner-style synth led track that features a spoken word delivery of Asimov’s Three Laws of Robotics, is a bold (and different) move for a Stoner/Doom band. In a genre where, thematically, we’re usually content to contemplate the joys of weed consumption and the mysteries of the occult – usually via a 1970s Hammer horror aesthetic – this sci-fi launching point is a welcome breath of fresh air.

This is where we enter the album “A.I.” by Spanish doomsters Greengoat. It’s a great band name, and one that harks back to those pot and patchouli, candles and Peter Cushing tropes we’re used to. But ‘The Void’ takes us on a different tangent, with the Rutger Hauer voice over. Second track ‘The Seed’ takes this mellow intro and runs with it, till 30 seconds in – yes, it’s big fat chunky riff time! And what a big, fat chunky riff it is – slow and grinding, developing an irresistible groove with the drums dropping in, eventually exploding into a full force rocker.

The line-up of singer/guitarist Ivan Flores and drummer Ruth “Kalypso” Moya invoke a moody soundscape that borrows from spacey, harmonic passages of Pink Floyd and adds crunchy hard rock. It’s a euphoric concoction as the music builds. And oh, how it builds…

A more traditional stoner groove pervades the other songs on the album, with groovy riff workouts showcased across tracks like the head-nodding, tripped out title track and the fuzzy, Fu Manchu-like ‘Burn the End’.

Throughout the album, Greengoat weld together a progressive, futurist theme with some good, old fashioned, retro Sabbath style rockin’. “A.I.” will no doubt entwine itself around my conscious all the more as I play it in the weeks to come. This is a fine album with great ideas – the analogue age and the digital age tentatively strolling forward together.

Find out more about Greengoat on Facebook and Bandcamp.

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

Yawning Man – EP Review

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Yawning Man – Pot Head

Ripple Music

Release date: 22/09/2023

Running time: 24 minutes

Review by: Alun Jones

9/10

Yawning Man are one of, if not THE, originators of Desert Rock.  Born from jam-style generator parties way out in the desert, this band pioneered the sound that would later be adopted by Kyuss, Fu Manchu and many others.  Ripple Music are reissuing the “Pot Head” EP, on vinyl and CD, for the first time in like, eons, man.  And it’s a great listen.    

“Pot Head” consists of four instrumental tracks, illuminating the template that others would follow.  Free form, jammed compositions that stretch out into the vast, starry night.  Awash with psychedelic flourishes, there’s a cinematic feel to songs like ‘Manolete’ and ‘Digital Smoke Signal’.  The listener can grasp the improvisational vibe, close your eyes and you’re a world away from anywhere as the music spirals endlessly into the universe.

Wow, I was off in the moment there for a moment reader.  How unprofessional – I do apologise.  I love the fact that all four songs are instrumental, ‘cos as we all know that the singer is the least important member of any band.  No vocals equals a psyche freak out that incorporates samba rhythms, wailing reverb drenched guitar and no distractions from the dusty, spaced out shenanigans.

Yeah.  Breathe out, breathe in.  Enjoy.

Find out more about Yawning Man on Facebook, Spotify, Instagram, Bandcamp and their website.

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

Loose Sutures – Album Review

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Loose Sutures – Sado Sex for Dummies

Electric Valley Records

Release date: 26/05/2023

Running time: 36 minutes

Review by: Alun Jones

9/10

Now here’s a great album to play next time the vicar pops round for a cup of tea.  Invite him in, sit him down; offer a nice cuppa, custard cream perched tenderly on the side of the saucer, engage in some small talk about replacing the glass windows in the vestry.  “What’s this delightful music?” the padre is sure to enquire.  “Why, it’s the new album by Loose Sutures,” you reply helpfully, “it’s called “Sado Sex for Dummies””.

Of course, you’ll then be able to tell your friendly priest that Loose Sutures are a band from Sardinia, Italy – and that this is their third album.  They’re a threesome, (oo-er), consisting of Antonio Pilo (guitars/vocals), Marcello Meridda (bass/percussion) and Marco Angius (drums/vocals).  And what pleasant, well mannered young men they must be.

Their music is a divinely fuzzy, scuzzy stoner rock with an intoxicating slather of punk attitude.  You can both bop along enthusiastically together in your armchairs to the rolling, out of control ‘Highway Shooter’, or bounce about gleefully to ‘Sadism and Gallows’.  The fun continues with the sleazy punkorama of ‘White Line’, while ‘Kinky Katy’ (featuring Alain Johannes) and ‘He’s My Friend’ (featuring Nick Oliveri) offer cheap thrills and menacing rock, in that order.

If you, or your fellow upstanding members of society are fans of Kyuss, the first QOTSA album, fuzzy Mudhoney or maybe even a little Electric Wizard distorted doom, you’re sure to love this.  Loose Sutures have recorded an album of wholesome, frolicking rock’n’roll that’s drenched in filth.  Invite the neighbours round to sample it with coffee and a slice of Victoria sponge.  Maybe leave the gimp locked in the under stairs cupboard for now, though.  

Check out Loose Sutures on Facebook, Instagram and Bandcamp.

This review has been brought to you by Platinum Al and Ever Metal.

The Lords of Altamont – Album Review

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The Lords of Altamont – To Hell With Tomorrow, The Lords Are Now!

Heavy Psyche Sounds Records

Release date: 17/03/2023

Running time: 35 minutes

Review by Alun Jones

9.5/10

Ladies and gentlemen, I am excited!  Why am I excited, you ask?  Because I freakin’ love this album by the Lords of Altamont, that’s why!  Here we have ten unrelenting tracks (plus a bonus) of fast and furious rock’n’roll, created by a gang of motorbikin’ miscreants on their own highway to hell.  It’s leather, denim, roaring hogs and cheap booze fuelled rock the way that it should be.

Now you may know I’m a tad dubious about live albums.  Often times, live records are fumbled contract fillers or a shoddy cash in.  Well, you can relax here, pilgrim – “To Hell With Tomorrow, The Lords Are Now!” is a live in the studio release with pristine sound.  It doesn’t lack the crowd atmos, but it does more than over achieve by being a rowdy collection of tunes performed as if the band are in the room, right there with you.

If you’re new to the Lords of Altamont, you can expect an explosion of gritty rock’n’roll instilled with the sound of garage rock, Detroit punk and 60’s R&B.  So hang on tight as The Lords tear through filthy, feel good tracks like “Going Nowhere Fast”, “Velvet” and “Going Downtown”.  Sing along with the wind in your face to “I Said Hey” and shake your booty to “7th Day” – all of these infectious tracks will hit their mark. 

This album works as a great introduction to the band and their two decades plus history, in a no nonsense, no holds barred presentation.  Like a forgotten B-movie soundtrack from 1969, “To Hell With Tomorrow…” is one for all the rebels and wild ones out there.  Park up, step inside the truck stop and let yourself go. 

The Lords are now!      

Find The Lords of Altamont on Facebook, Instagram, Spotify and Bandcamp.

This review has been brought to you by Platinum Al and Ever Metal.

Slumbering Sun – The Ever-Living Fire Album Review

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Slumbering Sun – The Ever-Living Fire

Self-released / Us/Them Group

Release date: 24/02/2023

Running time: 45 minutes

Review by: Alun Jones

8/10

Yeah, yeah – I know!  Just keep quiet and probably no one will notice.  Ok, this review should’ve been written weeks ago, but if you just keep schtum and play along, I might just get away with it, OK?  OK??!!  Right, they’re coming – remember the plan!

Hello there, ladies and gentlemen!  Yes ‘tis I, your humble scribe, with another review of a new (ahem) album that I’m sure will tantalise your aural orifices.  This time, a piece of musical majesty entitled “The Ever-Living Fire”, by a superb group of musicians known as Slumbering Sun.  Comprised of members of Destroyer of Light, Monte Luna and Temptress, the pedigree is certainly top notch.

Musically, Slumbering Sun offer a collection of melodic, progressive doom that drags numerous styles into its bubbling cauldron of influences. 

Opening song ‘Morgenröte‘ starts with an ethereal blend of female vocal, guitar and violin, conjuring the sort of misty morning amongst druidic stones that I might encounter on the mystical isle of Anglesey in Wales.  Two and half minutes in, and a huge megalithic guitar erupts into the proceedings, and over the course of the remaining 10 minutes the band are more like an orchestra than a typical rock band – passages ebb and flow, heavy and light, revisiting themes on their journey.

Track 2, ‘Liminal Bridges’, commences with a mellow intro, before the song explodes into a shinier, brighter – dare I say, uplifting? – vibe.  It’s like Thin Lizzy composed a mega Sabbath epic and decided to hurtle off into the forest with it.  ‘Love in a Fallen World’ reverts to a more sombre feel again, but features a great guitar melody and builds slowly and satisfactorily.

‘Dream Snake’ is my personal highlight of the record: unsurprisingly, as it’s the most Sabbath of all the tunes here (even down to the Ozzy-like vocals).  Finally, there’s just over 9 minutes of lumbering, doom laden exploration on the title track, which manages to cover massive prog metal sections and a huge “na na na” backing vocal. 

Track by track then, that’s your overview of “The Ever-Living Fire” by Slumbering Sun.  The band certainly don’t aim low, throwing in a varied collection of sounds and ideas from classic doom to Celtic folk.  I mean, they’re from the southern states of the USA, they’ve probably never been to Llandudno!  The album is hugely creative, but it is somewhat dense – it’ll take a few listens to appreciate.  Magical stuff when it falls into place, though.

You can find Slumbering Sun on Bandcamp and Instagram.

This review has been brought to you by Platinum Al and Ever Metal.

Stöner – Boogie to Baja Album Review

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Stöner – Boogie to Baja

Heavy Psych Sounds

Release date: 24/02/2023

Running time: 27 minutes

Review by: Alun Jones

9/10

You need to ask yourself: is this review late?  Or have I, the humble author of this review, chosen to emulate the gonzo journalism style of Hunter S Thompson?  And by that I mean, get so baked listening to this latest EP from Stöner that I lost all track of time in a psychedelic swirl, handing in the assignment a month late?  Or did the dog eat my review?  Only you can be the judge.  And the Ever Metal editors of course, who may decide to hand me my marching orders.

Let’s ignore all that and have a little chat about this release, shall we?  Gather ye round!

In a perfect example of a band name doing exactly what it says on the tin, Stöner are essentially a stoner rock supergroup comprising of Brant Bjork (Kyuss, Fu Manchu, solo), Nick Oliveri (Kyuss, QOTSA, Mondo Generator) and Ryan Güt (Brant’s drummer).  As a band, they take the desert rock template and steer it off into the ultimate version of this style.

As a result, the head bending riff of ‘Stoner Theme (Baja Version)’ and the grooving rumble of ‘Night Tripper vs No Brainer’ slouch comfortably alongside a punkier ‘It Ain’t Free’.  All the influences and intricacies of desert rock are succinctly demonstrated with a clanging garage rock cover of ‘City Kids’ (Pink Fairies/Motörhead); through to ‘Boogie to Baja’: a ten-minute driving rocker that reeks of desert parties, never ending skies and lamentable substance abuse.

‘Boogie to Baja’ is the highlight of this set, but the whole EP a great primer for the band Stöner and the varied music they create.  Almost an Idiot’s Guide as to what to expect for the uninitiated, it’s also inventive and addictive for the aficionado.  I ordered the vinyl copy and I’ve already played it to death.  That’s how late this review is.  But don’t you be late: go check out ‘Boogie to Baja’ now.

PS: I don’t own a dog.  

PPS: Would’ve finished this review sooner, if not for adding all the umlauts.

Check out the band website here. Or visit them on Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.

Heavy Psych Sounds can be found online, on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Bandcamp.

This review has been brought to you by Platinum Al in association with the mighty Ever Metal.

Brant Bjork – Album Review

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Brant Bjork – Bougainvillea Suite

Heavy Psych Sounds

Release date: 28/10/2022

Running time: 42 minutes

Review by: Alun Jones

8.5/10

Brant Bjork must be a very busy boy at the moment.  We’ve already had an album out earlier this year from his desert rock supergroup, Stoner, and now here’s a solo effort too.  He’s a multi-talented, multi-instrumentalist singer song writer and no mistake, offering up sonic expeditions of varying styles and pace.  Most of all, though, Brant seems to be a decent bloke who’d be ideal company for a beer or three.

For “Bougainvillea Suite”, we’re in a more laid back, but still rockin’ mode.  The album is like a combination of Santana and Steppenwolf, full of relaxed but vital summer vibes.  ‘Trip on the Wine’, our first song, has a similar stomp to The Door’s ‘Five to One’, but less angsty.  The late 60s-early 70’s groove is maintained throughout, ‘So They Say’ embellished with a sweet, melodic construction and ‘Broke That Spell’ having an early Purple raunch.

Stoner band mate Ryan Gut adds percussion and keys, whilst the final member of that trio, Nick Oliveri, pops up on ‘Bread for Butter’.  This track and ‘Ya Dig’ are two of the more direct, heads-down rockers, whilst the extended blues jam of ‘Who Do You Love’ is trippy territory augmented with some almost Stooges-like lead guitar.  This last track is a real highlight, it’s like a long-forgotten experiment involving all of the bands I’ve mentioned!

And that’s it: eight songs that whilst not easy listening, can be mellow, psychedelic and still rock your bones.  “Bougainvillea Suite” would make perfect summer evening listening, a beer and a BBQ as the clear sky fades to black, good times with good friends after a long day shredding a pool.  But it’s been released in late Autumn, so what do I know?  Just buy it and enjoy.

Find Brant Bjork on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Spotify and on a website here.

More info on Heavy Psych Sounds here, plus Facebook, Instagram and Bandcamp.

This review has been proudly presented by Platinum Al and Ever Metal.

Singles Night at the Virtual Hot Tub #30

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Boo-ya! It’s the thirtieth instalment of the ever popular Singles Night, where yours truly plays through a big ol’ stack of 45 rpm singles. It’s all vinyl, all the time folks, as I dig into the never ending pile of 7 inch wax.

Let’s take a look at he latest batch:

  1. The Four Horsemen – “Nobody Said It Was Easy” / “Homesick Blues”
  2. Van Halen – “When It’s Love” / “A Apolitical Blues”
  3. Ramones – “Baby, I Love You” / “High Risk Insurance”
  4. Chesney Hawkes – “The One and Only” / “It’s Gonna Be Tough”
  5. Brenda Lee – “Break It To Me Gently” / “So Deep” / “Tragedy” / “Will you Love Me Tomorrow”
  6. Lulu – “Boom Bang-a-Lang” / “March!”
  7. Rubettes – “Kid Runaway” / “Southbound Train”
  8. Neal Hefti – “Batman Theme” / “Holy Diploma, Batman – Straight A’s!”
  9. Charles Aznavour – “She” / “La Barraka”
  10. Bobby Goldsboro – “A Butterfly for Bucky” / “Another Night Alone”
  11. Phil Collins – “If Leaving Me is Easy” / “Drawingboard”
  12. Phil Collins – “Another Day in Paradise” / “Heat on the Street”
  13. Hawkwind – “Angels of Death” / “Trans-Dimensional Man”
  14. Van Halen – “Runnin’ with the Devil” / “D.O.A.”
  15. Perry Como – “My Days of Loving You” / “Happiness Comes, Happiness Goes”
  16. Alice Cooper – “Elected” / “Luney Tune”
  17. Judge Dread – “Big Seven” / “Dread”
  18. Golden Earring – “Radar Love” / “The Song is Over”
  19. Herb Alpert – “This Guy’s in Love With You” / “A Quiet Tear (Lagrima Quieta)”
  20. Shakin’ Stevens – “A Love Worth Waiting For” / “As Long As”

Well that box of singles I got for £5 is still stinking up the list a bit, hence the double Phil Collinson offer this time. At least double Van Halen more than compensates for that. Incidentally, I owned the “When It’s Love” single when I was a kid, bought it from Woolwroths in Shotton when it was released. This copy is a replacement, as my original was swopped a long time ago.

The Batman theme is quite possibly the best TV theme of all time, so glad I have that in the collection. Also, some genuine classics from Ramones, Hawkwind, Alice Cooper and Golden Earring made this one of the best sessions yet. And The Four Horsemen are great, though long forgotten band.

As I mentioned, the pile of 7 inch records never seems to dwindle, so there’ll be another Singles Night at the Virtual Hot Tub soon. Make sure you don’t miss it!

Nebula – Album Review

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Nebula – Transmissions from Mothership Earth

Heavy Pysch Sounds Records

Release date: 22.07.2022

Running time: 39 minutes

Review by: Alun Jones

9/10

As I write this, we’re sweltering in a record-breaking heatwave.  North Wales, which is where I’m based – and also where the nerve centre of Ever Metal can be found – has had some of the highest temperatures in the whole of the UK.  It’s crazy.  And so, a new album from desert rock titans Nebula seems extremely apt right now.  “Transmissions from Mother Ship Earth” has arrived at exactly the right time.

And it arrives with a welcome burst of fuzz drenched psych rock, exactly as expected, in first track, ‘Highwired’.  Big fat riff, dashes of space rock and a whiff of herbal cigarettes: classic Nebula, really.  Up next is the title track, which adds some nice, sixties secret agent vibes to the melting pot, together with a punishingly heavy section.

‘Wilted Flowers’ begins with a mellow guitar section before exploding into a thunderous head tripper.  There’s a feel of Mudhoney and the Stooges with Nebula’s best work, as evidenced here and with ‘Melt Your Head’.  Other tracks like ‘Warzone Speedwulf’ and “The Four Horseman’ sound like early Monster Magnet dripped in acid fried Steppenwolf and left to dry in a Tarantino desert landscape.    

No surprises then with this latest Nebula release, and with titles like ‘I Got So High’ you can guess exactly what to expect.  But who cares?  “Transmissions from Mothership Earth” is a solid album of pounding rhythms and spaced-out fuzz rock.  It’s bound to make my end of year best of list, and right now it’s the perfect soundtrack for summer.  Enjoy, fellow explorers – it’s gonna piss it down with rain tomorrow.

Talking about nebula and space and galaxies and all that, did I tell you about the great telescope trick we played on Bill Ward once?  It was at Brian May’s house, and he’s well into all that astrology business.  Bri’s got this huge telescope for star gazing.  So Tony, Ozzy, Geezer and me persuaded Bill to take a look.  What he didn’t know was that Brian had put black paint inside the lens, so Bill ended up with a great big, black monocle on his face.  Bill didn’t realise, and walked round like that all night – extremely paranoid as to why all the guests were laughing at him.  Great fun!

You can find Nebula on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Check out Heavy Psych Records online and on Bandcamp.

This review is a Platinum Al and Ever Metal joint presentation.