Thessaloniki, Greece: the home of Grande Fox, a psychedelic heavy stoner rock band – who have presented us with this, their fourth released project “Empty Nest”. The band have been in existence for ten years, though they’re a new find for this listener. I was intrigued to see what sort of feast these Titans would bring to the table.
Yes, the music on offer here is essentially stoner rock, as evidenced best by the Kyuss meets Clutch thunder of ‘Backstab’ and ‘Route 99’. There’s some swirly psychedelia on display in the calmer moments of ‘Brutal Colors’, whilst final track ‘Birth of an Embryo’ has a doomy, Pantera feel. The highlight of the album is ‘Hangman’, which features a folky blues element – the description might not entice readers, but believe me – it’s magnificent in its Dionysian glory.
So, there’s plenty of experimentations in this album, which for the most part works very well. The only exceptions being vocals that move close to rap on ‘Rottenness of Youth’ and the riff of ‘Golden Ratio’ resembling Audioslave’s ‘Cochise’ too closely. Now I love me some Rage Against the Machine, but sometimes these explorations veer too near Nu Metal for my tastes.
Running at around 41 minutes, the only promo copy I had of the album was a YouTube video, which made it difficult to keep track of which song was which. However, despite my minor criticisms, I found “Empty Nest” to be an enjoyable and intricately crafted album. Grande Fox are certainly ones to keep an eye on: they impress with their heroics enough here that one day they could be sitting on top of Mount Olympus themselves. Yamas!
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.
All hail the return of the forgotten kings! Yes, it’s another instalment of long lost and forgotten classics with the second “Scrap Metal” collection from RidingEasy Records! Much like their Brown Acid series, which compiles obscure late 60’s/early 70’s psych hard rock, here we’re delving into the murky depths of early 80’s metal. This is the realm of studded belts, band patch covered denim jackets and of course, mullets: prepare to ROCK!
We begin with ‘Running for the Line’ by JJ’s Powerhouse – a lightning-fast ripper that reminded me of Judas Priest playing a cover of Budgie’s ‘Breadfan’. It’s a great, energetic start to the proceedings. Next is Storm Queen, with another fast-paced attack in ‘Raising the Roof’. Furious fun from this Welsh power house.
‘It’s a Crime’ declare Jameson Raid, and it is indeed a crime that these Brummie bruisers didn’t achieve more in rock’n’roll. A.R.C. have a punk’n’roll edge that makes their song ‘Homemade Wine’ something to savour, it’s the rawest track here so far. Metropolis hail from San Jose, and their track ‘The Raven’ has a dark, mid eighties thrash sound and killer intro riff.
Staying with the USA, Prowler from San Diego offer up ‘Temporary Insanity’ – more mid-eighties thrash infused metal that recalls early Anthrax. Following that, Christian Steel deliver ‘Need Your Love’ – a fairly cliched, but still fun, banger. If these guys are Christians, I’ll bet their church group won’t be impressed with what they’d like to do to a lady (outside of matrimony too, I suspect). ‘Sidewinder’ is one of the best tracks gathered here, a punchy rocker from Black Rose.
‘Star Trippin’’ is by Dark Age. Dark Age are apparently a band of youngsters: the guitarist was jut 12, and his brother on vocals two years younger when this song was written. It’s fun, but very strange listening to the helium high-pitched voices. It’s like Alvin & The Chipmunks playing Crue covers. Finally, we have Sorcery with their mystical Zep-a-thon ‘Whales’. Crazy title for a crazy tune. There’s a mellow hippyish intro, which is obliterated by the crushing mega riff which powers the song along. Over the top magnificence.
From NWOBHM inspired tracks, to proto thrash and full-on goof ball metal ragers, Scrap Metal Vol 2 has plenty of variety. Maybe not so much depth, but it’s not for want of trying with some of these bands. At the end of the day, all of these songs are fun and it’s great to know they’ve been rescued from oblivion. Now, raise those horns and roar!
January is over. Yet the cold still lingers, steel grey skies still shroud us. The iron glow on the horizon promises more snow. We stumble like children through the deep snow drifts of the French Pyrenees, our bodily extremities feeling icy cold. We are here in search of Worselder, metal warriors who hail from these parts…
Here we have “Red Shift”, the latest endeavour from the mighty Worselder. It’s their first LP since “Paradigms Lost” in 2017, no thanks to the delay caused by the bloody pandemic. They’re back in full-on, skull crushing style here, though – picking up where they left off with the well-received success of the last album.
Part power metal, part thrash, with a bit of old school trad metal, Worselder’s music is aggressive and direct, no superfluous cheese. Opening tracks ‘Para Bellum’ and ‘Point of Divergence’ are furious metal with chugging riffs and fast pace. It’s infectious, head banging stuff. There’s a ferocious metalcore attack embedded in there too, particularly on ‘Pillars of Smoke’.
It nearly goes wrong on ‘Absurd Heroes’, where a truly ugly slap bass stinks things up in the intro. It’s only a minor setback though – ‘Atheist’ kicks the doors down with a killer riff and ‘The Exoteric Verses’ melds a haunting atmosphere with a death metal chant along. ‘Insurgents (Part 1)’ is a smart instrumental and good change of pace, leading to the frenzy of ‘Insurgents (Part 2)’. All wrapped up with the epic ‘Ascent to Rebirth’, it’s a solid effort.
The production is top notch and the musicians are excellent, without being over indulgent or obvious with their playing. Worselder are a far more formidable band than I had initially expected, and “Red Shift” is a pleasant surprise.
Gather ye round, Hot Tubbers! Tis time once again to dip our toes into the warm waters and enjoy another Singles Night.
What am I babbling about? Regular readers will know that Platinum Al likes to spend an evening playing through my collection of 7″ singles, both sides, one after the other. I have a large unplayed pile of 45 rpm records that need spinning, so sometimes I like to blitz through ’em, accompanied with a few drinks (or several).
Why? Because it makes a fun evening! You never know what’s crept in to the “play me” pile: old or new, good or bad. And when the night is over, these discs can be safely added to my collection.
Men Without Hats – “The Safety Dance” / “Security”
Third World – “Now That We’ve Found Love” / “Night Heat”
Bomb the Bass – “Beat Dis” / “Beat Dis (Dub)”
Phil Collins – “Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)” / Mike Rutherford – “Making a Big Mistake”
Hale & Pace and the Stonkers – “The Stonk” / Victoria Wood – “The Smile Song”
Bob Geldof – “Love or Something” / “Out of Order”
The Whispers – “And the Beat Goes On” / “Can You Do The Boogie”
Queen – “It’s a Hard Life” / “Is This the World We Created…?”
Bob Marley & The Wailers – “Jamming” / “Punky Reggae Party”
Sweet – “The Six Teens” / “Burn On The Flame”
Belinda Carlisle – “La Luna” / “Whatever It Takes”
Baccara – “Yes Sir, I Can Boogie” / “Cara Mia”
The Stranglers – “Bear Cage” / “Sha Sha a Go Go”
Bucks Fizz – “One of Those Nights” / “Always Thinking of You”
Rod Stewart – “How Long” / “Jealous”
Ghost – “Kiss the Go-Goat” / “Mary On a Cross”
The Beach Boys – “Darlin'” / “Here Today”
ZZ Top – “Gimme All Your Lovin'” / “If I could Only Flag Her Down”
A mixed bag, as always – with a few left overs from my “100 singles for a fiver” car boot sale purchase. But this is what Singles Night is all about – you take the rough with the smooth, learn to appreciate stuff that you might’ve previously written off.
There are a couple of stinkers in that list, but surprisingly the Comic Relief single ” The Stonk” isn’t one of them. Daft it may be, but it features Brian May, Tony Iommi, Dave Gilmour, Cozy Powell and Roger Taylor in a Quo-esque rock boogie that I quite enjoyed.
I love the Boney M. single, as the B-side reminds me of being on holiday in Greece. “Safety Dance” is brilliant, Bomb The Bass is class, and I even enjoyed the Phil Collins song!
Obvious highlights in this set came from Queen, Bob Marley, Sweet, The Stranglers, Beach Boys and ZZ Top. Always wanted to hear that Bob Marley B-side, as he name checks several punk bands such as The Damned, The Jam and The Clash.
I was a surprisingly cool dad, thanks to the Ghost single (coloured vinyl, nice). Apparently the B-side is a social media craze, so my daughter was impressed!
Great tunes, fun times exploring music – that’s Singles Night. More soon!
As a teenaged skateboarder in the late 80’s, Boston hardcore legends Gang Green were definitely on my playlist. They appeared on a Thrasher Skate Rock tape, what more do you need to know?! Merging hardcore punk with a more metallic edge, Gang Green added a technicality and rock’n’roll, beer drinking party vibe to their unique take on crossover/thrash. It was mostly fun, though sometimes dumb, times – with a fast and crazy energy. Eventually finding a home on Roadrunner records in 1987, the albums Gang Green recorded for that label are collected here by Cherry Red Records.
Working through the discs chronologically, we’ll start with the first Roadrunner release, “You Got It”. Featuring what is possibly the worst album cover all time – the band in a sewer? Why is (vocalist/guitarist) Chris Doherty jumping through a fence? And where are his legs?! This atrocious shot always bothered me, so I’m delighted I get to bitch about it now (though it only appears as a small pic!). Music wise, “You Got It” is chock full of belters: the storming thrash of ‘We’ll Give it to You’ setting out Gang Green’s goods; ferocious hardcore with ‘LDSB’ and ‘Born to Rock’. There’s even a surprise social conscience (and mellow intro) on ‘Another Bomb’. Plus, bonus track ‘Skate to Hell’ is worth the price of admission alone.
If Roadrunner were relieved they’d done the right thing signing this bunch of unruly punks after that first record, ‘Older… Budweiser’ went even better. Armed this time with a great cover/title (thankfully), Gang Green delivered more of the same, but amped up even further. ‘Church of Fun’ bolts out of the gates; ‘Just One Bullet’ and ‘We Can Go’ show exactly how to meld hardcore and thrash into a furious, fun time. The rock’n’roll edge that began on the previous record becomes more prevalent, adding a distinct flavour to the band’s sound (see ‘Tear Down the Walls’). The humour misfires on ‘Bedroom of Doom’, but the does-what-it-says-on the-tin ‘Ballad’ is a nice attempt to branch out musically before closing time.
On disc three, we have the live album “Can’t LIVE Without It”, recorded at the Marquee Club in London in 1990. Most of the live tracks appear already on this compilation, but it’s a solid recording of an energetic, relentless show. There are a bunch of non-Roadrunner tracks which add value for money; plus, the inclusion of the “I81B4U” EP and ‘Living Loving Maid’ single, which is great news for obsessive nerds like me.
Finally, the compilation album “King of Bands” rounds out the collection. If you’ve not had enough of hearing some of these songs twice already, prepare to experience some of them yet again with this “greatest hits” set. Although, there are two new tracks and three from Gang Greens first album on Taang! Records for VFM. The two tracks – ‘Thunder’ and ‘Rub It In Your Face’ are OK, but not up to the standard of older material. Still, this last disc seals the lid on this barrel of good times very nicely.
The history of Gang Green proves to be a fascinating tale. Predating Jackass by some years, the party hard doctrine of the band remains resolutely in place. Some of the lyrics are juvenile at best, out right sexist at worst (‘Cum In You’, oh dear); but if you can forgive that, the attitude and fun remains infectious. Yes, it’s all about partying and beer, but the music is still great. Not as metal as COC, or as punk as Circle Jerks, Gang Green added a rockin’ flare to their brand of crossover and brought the party home.
A great compilation featuring tons of interviews, info and photos, “We’ll Give It To You” is a comprehensive guide to beer-soaked thrash punk. It’s time to get out on your skateboard, rock out to Gang Green, and celebrate with a few beers. Afterward, that is. Ever Metal wants you to take care: don’t drink & skate.
BLEEAUURRRGH!!! It’s a jump scare to wake anyone out of hibernation, running for safety behind the sofa. What a way to start the year! APF records present “A Crash Course in Terror”, the debut album from TORSO. Formed from the smouldering corpse of Possessor by that band’s Graham Bywater (frontman/guitarist), TORSO skulk in a murky Grindhouse nightmare.
Are you sitting comfortably? Then we’ll begin. ‘Heads Start to Roll’ introduces the album with a John Carpenter-esque, menacing, keyboard-led theme which immediately unsettles the listener. Then the chainsaw guitars cut through, the song erupts, and the listener is dragged along by the scalp in a ferociously paced fairground ride from hell.
The retro, electro keyboard themes dotted throughout help to set this album apart in its own fuzzy VHS world. Spooky instrumentals like ‘Pranks’, ‘Depth Charge’ and ‘Death TV’ add a dread atmosphere, part prog and part video nasty soundtrack.
‘Sinking Spell’ is like The Melvins rocking out to a Texas Chainsaw Massacre back projection. The lo-fi, raw sound of the heavier numbers keeps everything within the TORSO world: ‘Precious Blood’ could be a punked up hybrid of Angel Witch and Electric Wizard. Finally, the epic ‘Circuit Breaker Breaker’ has a B-movie, doom metal fury that sounds as if the final survivor is running for their life from a vicious psycho killer.
My only complaint with this album is that at just 30 minutes, it’s a little short – I’d have loved another 5 minutes of mayhem. But at least “A Crash Course in Terror” is to the point. That’s much preferable to yet another 80 minute Metallica album – I haven’t finished listening to all the songs on their last record yet…
“A Crash Course in Terror” by TORSO. A fantastic, gruesome recording and a perfect start to the year. Can 2023 get any better?
“Empires of Ash” is the new album from Heron, and if you like the sludge, this is gonna be one for you. It’s the band’s third full length album, and you’ll know when you listen that there’s a whole mountain load of experience brewed up in this mighty concoction. Experience, plus what seems like a lifetime’s worth of melancholy and frustration given voice through huge, expansive slabs of atmospheric thunder.
Starting with ‘Rust and Rot’, Heron take us on a 9 minute plus odyssey encompassing thudding drums and menacing guitar. Vocals are guttural and brutal, the end result is a thrilling wade through a sludgey mire. Contrast this to the second track, ‘The Middle Distance’: a sombre yet beautiful (yes, you read that right) epic, which only erupts into molten fury after the three-minute mark. When the vocals come in, you’ll drop your pint.
‘Hauntology’ is another epic, and very aptly titled. Eerie yet calm and pensive, till again it builds to an enthralling outburst. ‘Hungry Ghosts’ is a more ruthless amalgamation of Conan with later period Danzig guitar flash. The final track, ‘With Dead Eyes’ has a melodic entrance, and once more decimates with a powerful vocal.
Whether it’s doom, sludge, post-rock or any other shade of metal, there’s a wide variety of styles and influences on this album. I was lulled into a relaxed haze before being startled awake with fiery exultations on several occasions. Heron have really gone all out with “Empires of Ash” to create a record that is unique and imaginative.
Ozzy had trouble with a heron. He’d just had a new pond built on his farm, and one bird kept gorging on Oz’s expensive ornamental Koi carp. One night, we decided to lay ambush and surprise the heron with a siren and a shot gun when it flew in at dawn for breakfast. Bill Ward fell asleep, so we floated him out on the water on an inflatable raft, as he snored under the moonlight. When the heron arrived, I sounded the siren, Oz fired his gun into the air and Bill woke up startled, then fell into the pond screaming “I can’t swim!”. Oh, we did laugh. The bird flew off, never to be seen again.
Confession time: I don’t actually like Power Metal. Widdly and flashy guitars; superfluous keyboards washing over everything; histrionic, high-pitched vocals – no thanks. I mean, I can dig Iron Maiden and Judas Priest – do they count? But otherwise, this particular metal sub-genre is not for me.
Vis Mystica are a Power Metal band. But they’re a Star Wars themed Power Metal band, and no one is more steeped in Star Wars lore than me. No one. You know the cantina scene in Episode IV? I can name all the aliens in that scene, what planet they’re from, and what they’re doing there. I’ve collected the action figures since 1978. I can beat anyone – anyone – at Original Trilogy Trivial Pursuit. Ask my other half, I’ve ruined a couple of dinner parties playing that game.
It’s not a huge claim to fame, but Star Wars fandom is all I have to offer in life.
So, let’s put my knowledge to use. To be fair, musically “Celestial Wisdom” is far better than I feared. The widdly guitars and pointless keyboards are present, but the music is fast and furious like a T-16 race in Beggar’s Canyon. The vocals are solid and not overly dramatic, not Gungan-level annoying at all. In fact, the first two tracks, ‘Whispering Winds of Fate’ and ‘Legacy of the Builders’ had me headbanging along like a Wookiee on a runaway Bantha.
Everything was going well till Track 4, ‘Lux Et Veritas’, when xylophone style plinky-plonk noises threatened to sink things faster than a proton torpedo in a two-metre-wide exhaust port. It all suddenly sounds like Christmas music. Thrashy, hyper-space speed guitars on ‘Beyond the Gates of Fury’ engage the nav-computer and manage to steer us back on course, thankfully.
Without a lyric sheet, it’s kind of hard to tell how much actual Star Wars nerd obscurities are present within these songs. There are no lightsaber or R2 unit samples to add context, so I found the theme lacking a bit. “Celestial Wisdom” is based around the Knights of the Old Republic comics/video games – alas, not my area of expertise – rather than the movies, so I may not have the wisdom I need to fully judge.
Whilst Power Metal may not be my usual cup of blue milk, I’ve got to give credit to the musicianship and imagination of Vis Mystica for this endeavour. The world needs more of this sort of thing. It’s far more fun than I thought it would be: genuine fans of the Power Metal genre will probably get a lot out of it. A bit more Star Wars next time, though, please lads? I can help with the reference material if you like.
What could be better: playing vinyl records in good company, with some beers in a great local pub? Sounds pretty good to me. Yes, Bring Your Own Vinyl Night was back again, in the traditional home of The Queen’s Head in Mold, North Wales.
Following both Record Store Day, and a record fair – both of which VOD Music in Mold were involved with, it has been a wax packed day anyway. So it was good to finish the day’s events off with a chance to spin some records.
So what exactly is involved with Bring Your Own Vinyl Night? It’s simple: everyone gets 15 minutes to play whatever songs they like, on quality record decks with a mixer. But it can only be vinyl format.
Here’s my playlist:
Jimmy McGriff and Groove Holmes – The Squirrel
You know those funky jazz instrumentals that the Beastie Boys did on “Check Your Head” and “Ill Communication”? I was immediately infatuated with those songs (see also their compilation “The In Sounds From Way Out!”). Research revealed that the main influences on those songs were Jimmy McGriff and Richard “Groove” Holmes, two soul jazz organ players and band leaders. I tracked down some records of each, and they are amazing. This track is from their joint album, “Giants of the Organ Come Together”. “The Squirrel” is a groovy number indeed, but you should check out the full album (and their individual recordings). Nice!
Queens of the Stone Age – Make It Wit Chu
A slinky, sexy number from the “Era Vulgaris” album by Queens of the Stone Age. This track quickly became one of my favourite QOTSA songs, though it’s from what’s probably my least favourite of their albums. Originally appearing on “Desert Sessions Volumes 9 & 10”, where it featured backing vocals by the wonderful PJ Harvey, “Make It Wit Chu” is pure class.
Clutch – The Regulator
More Clutch, ‘cos I just can’t get enough. This song, “The Regulator”, starts with a folky, bluegrass feel before it erupts into a pounding blues rocker. You can find it on the album “Blast Tyrant” and I suggest you go and track it down right now.
Devo – Gut Feeling
Ah, Devo. What can I say about Devo? We go way back, I heard their first album when I was a kid and it baffled me at first. Took a while to get it, but it was worth it. “Gut Feeling” is of course from the “Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!” classic debut. It’s a sunny, dreamy song with a surf rock feel.
And that wraps it up for my set. Four great songs which I enjoyed playing, I hope others liked them too. Either way, it was a great evening catching up and talking music with a few beers.
Thanks to Halcyon Dreams and VOD for organising a superb event.
And thanks to The Queens Head – a great pub, I really enjoyed my food too!
Platinum Al's Virtual Hot Tub 