Return Of The King...

Major Kong - Doom For The Black Sun (2012)

Time to dust off that bong people, the Polish trio are back! Finally giving us a brand new album to follow up last years awesome Orogenesis. Oh, and when I saying 'giving us' I mean it too, because the exceedingly kind chaps have said that we can give it away for free here on the blog! How bloody generous is that!? It's one thing when you're getting a cheap, poorly produced album for nothing but the Major Kong guys have well and truly established their foot hold in the top notch quality side of things. Hell, they'll be supporting the mighty Weedeater in July, so surely that speaks volumes?! Well the answer to that is yes, yes it does and this crusty behemoth of an album only goes to prove that they can not only hold their own with the heavy hitters and veterans but leave many of them in their wake to boot. Big words I know but this thing really has to be heard to be believed. The pounding riffs come flowing one after another, and with the jams pretty much all crossing the 6 minute mark you're truly spoilt for choice. Where so often these doom ridden type 'ballads' can end up monotonous and repetitive, it's certainly not the case here. With the harmonic echoey mix of psych and space coupled with the dirty fuzz of classic stoner rock the entire album meanders through a sort of cosmic trippy tour of all the genres we know and love.
This really is possibly the quintessential stoner/psych instrumental album, there's honestly not a single track, or even moment within a track that lets the recording down. If you're new to the whole instrumental stoner genre I urge you not to start here, solely because the chances are that you'll really struggle to find anything else quite as good...Until their next release that is.

Hit up the links below for the new and previous albums, but if you're feeling especially kind please head over to the guy's Bandcamp page and pitch them a few bucks. You know its bloody worth it!

For Fans Of; Karma To Burn, Kamni, Wo Fat, Mountain Witch, Acid King

Myspace • Facebook • Bandcamp • Big Cartel

Doom For The Black Sun (320kbps) • Orogenesis (320kbps)

Love, The Italian Way...

Ivy Garden Of The Desert - Blood Is Love (2012)

Another brand spanking new release for you lovely people today!

Diego from the band was kind enough to post me a good old fashioned hard copy promo last month and to be honest, it's barely left my car stereo since. Although having it for over a month I'm only just knocking up a review to put on here because it's only shortly (like over the next week or so) going to be available to you lot. Plus being that most of you worship the weed, if I had put this up back in April you'd have all forgotten about it by now. None the less, as you're all compus mentis now (well some of you at least) you should go check with Nasoni Records, who are once again doing these chaps a solid and cranking out some lovely copies of the album on vinyl. As is there style, expect a very limited few to be pressed on coloured wax. Keep an eye out because theses always fly off the shelves!

Right, on with the album itself. For those of you who caught the guys fantastic first release (those who didn't can here - Docile) you'll be glad to here that the intense and excellent production has not faltered in the slightest. But this time it all takes a somewhat darker and more ominous tone. The same desert esque and ever so slightly industrial style is joined with considerably more in the vocal department this time around and still sounding very much like a young Eddie Vedder which once again fits utterly perfectly. But even with the slightly doomier aspect the album doesn't fail to evoke and huge chugging riff after riff washes over each track enthusing a subtle 90's rock feel with modern day stoner thundering. It's true to say the guys have really found and nailed their sound here. Cutting a neich between brilliantly executed post metal and a latter day classic rock. The little additions and hints of psych, prog and desert rock just add whats clearly a winning formula.

We can't put anything up for download off this at the moment but while you're waiting, and if you haven't already go check out their first cracking release Docile (320kbps). Slightly more on the mellow side, y'all should still love it.

For Fans Of; Pelican, Pearl Jam, Astra, Tool, Unida

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Wicked Witch Of The Weed...

Iron Witch - Post Vegas Blues 7" (2012)

We've missed these bastards. A lot.
For those of you not familiar with Iron Witch, firstly - shame on you! Secondly, they're making some of the most brutal and crushing NOLA inspired sludge this side of the Mississippi. Where many have tried and more often than not failed miserably, Iron Witch simply step over their rotting husks and effortlessly churn out biblically dirty and gritty tune after tune. As far as the UK's sludge scene goes these fellas pretty much rule the roost, and rightly so! As far as the shear aggression, aggravation and tightness goes very few acts are parallel, and this latest offering only goes to cement their position. But this time its the band's first outing on vinyl, yes this little beauty will be available on lovely 7" green wax either from the guys themselves - Iron Witch Big Cartel or from Thirty Days Of Night Records.
Available from tomorrow, it's a limited press of just 250! So once its gone, its gone! Be sure to check back tomorrow and avoid disappointment because I predict these are gonna all be gone pretty damn sharpish!... 

You have been warned!

For Fans Of; Eyehategod, Outlaw Order, Buzz•oven, Arson Anthem, Iron Monkey

Website • Facebook • Myspace • Bandcamp

2011 Demo (320kbps) • A 45 To Pay The Rent (320kbps) • Single Malt (320kbps)

Way Out East...

Green Monster - Self Titled EP (2012)

Oooooh yes!...
You know when you listen to a band for the first time and within the first 5 seconds something just clicks and you just know that they're awesome. Well this is the feeling I got from Singapore desert rock four piece Green Monster just yesterday! I'm not going to bother harping on about each song or how well the EP is put together because I want you to just get off your ass and find out for yourself. All I will say is; think of desert rock with a bit more aggression, some more spacey riffs and vocals that still manage to completely slay despite not being in their native tongue. 

This is killer and has left me completely aching for more... I guarantee you'll feel the same too!...

For Fans Of: Fu Manchu, Nebula, Jimi Hendrix, Wo Fat, Winnebago Deal

Facebook • Bandcamp

Green Monster EP (320kbps)

Big, Scaly Blast From The Past...

Ice Dragon - The Burl, The Earth, The Aether (2010)

I like a good homage, or nod to a specific band from yesteryear, but only providing it's done right. If its done half arsed then it just ends up a bit of an embarrassment for everyone involved. That being said Boston based bassasses (damn thats some good literation!) have managed to pull out all the stops and created a behemoth of an album that Osbourne, Iommi, Butler and Ward would be bloody happy of! Yup, we're talking big fat crushing doom laced retro rock today, and as far as modern day interpretations of the style go it rarely gets much better. Taking the darker tones that Sabbath produced and using them as a foundation Ice Dragon then mash together elements of Uriah Heep, Leaf Hound and even a touch of Deep Purple before giving them an up to date and slightly doomier undertone. Intentionally a homage or not the retro feel is utterly undeniable, but without just regurgitating the same old tunes and licks the band have managed to put their very own modern day stamp on the whole affair... and damn its good!

For Fans Of; Black Sabbath, Sleep, Uriah Heep, Electric Wizard, Candlemass

Facebook • Bandcamp

The Burl, The Earth, The Aether (320kbps)

Wicked Return...

Trippy Wicked & The Cosmic Children Of The Knight - Going Home (2012)

In this digital age we always love it when something physical turns up via snail mail. But whats better is when it's unexpected. So when the great guys at Superhot Records send us new releases, well it's just like bloody Christmas! Whats more, the label as a damn good eye for talent so when we do get sent anything we can be pretty certain that its going to be the mutts nuts. So needless to say Trippy Wicked's return is bound to be an absolute blinder!

For Fans Of; Dozer, Sungrazer, Aver, Deserts Of Mars, Lonely Kamel

Website • Facebook • Myspace • Bandcamp

Going Home (320kbps)

Second Coming...

The Heavy Eyes - 2 (2012)

We've always been big fans of these guys. One of the very first bands we put up here and they've remained firm favourites ever since. In no small part because of their awesome blend of dirty blues and classic 60's/70's style rock. So once again we're glad to announce that the guys are back with a brand new album. Well... Kind of anyway, just not quite yet. But here's a couple of great tracks from the forthcoming release to wet your whistle...

For Fans Of; Radio Moscow, Black Mountain, The Black Keys, Chicago Stone Lightning Band, The Dust Bowl

Myspace • Facebook • Bandcamp

2 (320kbps)

Trip Back To The Old School...

Saturna - The Kingdom Of Spirit (2012)

It's been a while since we've been sent anything on the more retro side and I don't know about you lot but I for one have really missed it. Luckily the Spanish dirt rock quintet Saturna have come to the rescue with some sweet 70's inspired rockin'. Trust me when I say 'sweet', because this little beauty of an album is so crammed full of retro riffs and dirty fuzz that it may just make your head explode! But thats the byproduct of a decade of knocking around in different outfits before settling down under one name and pooling the collective talent... and boy does that show. Like a blitz of late Sabbath, (incorporating that early doom sound and classic rock drive) and elements of modern day prog like Serpent Throne or Dozer. On the whole it's makes for a pretty down tempo affair but with a strange aura of up beat melancholy... If that makes any sense what so ever? Think of it as doom but with bucket loads of enthusiasm behind it. Either way I can pretty much guarantee that you're gonna love it! Give them a try and please hit up the guys various sites for more info and details on where to pick up a physical copy of the album and show some love. I believe its out now on Seven Snakes Records.

For Fans Of; Black Sabbath, Graveyard, Orchid, Tucky Buzzard, The Falwoods

Facebook • Bandcamp

The Kingdom Of Spirit (320kbps)

Going The Distance...

Earth Drive - Ink Storm (2012)

Portugal aren't generally known for their space exploration, but that looks like its about to change. In a trippy psychedelic musical way at least (I cant see them knocking together a space program any time soon). So I give you Earth Drive, and believe me when I say space rock doesn't really come more "spacey'er" than this! With huge rolling psych inspired soundscapes and some of the most hauntingly fitting vocals I've every heard within the genre. If you have even the slightest interest in tripped out jams and hypnotic riffs you must check this band out!

For Fans Of; Dozer, Causa Sui, The Hedons, Kamni, Domo

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Ink Storm (320kbps)