News...

Fancy yourself as a bit of an artist? More to the point, would you like to win some really cool shit? Well STB Records are holding a cracking little competition at the moment. Getting ready for the impending vinyl release of Dr Doom's latest EP they need some artwork! The rules are simple - a single line drawing of one colour. Thats it. So break out your crayons and go all Bob Ross on this shit, you could just win yourself a kick ass test press and diehard version of the final product! 

Big big news for Easy Rider Records this week! Not only have picked up Portland's own Sons Of Huns, but they've also secured the rights to reissue Sleep's Holy Mountain! Not bad eh? They may also be some other reissues in the works so stay tuned and we'll keep you posted!

Don't forget to check us and the guys out on Instagram!...
Follow us @RideWithTheDevil
Hit up @EasyRiderRecords & @STBRecords for more news, releases and regular competitions. You may just win yourself something nice... and we all know how much you all like free shit! 

New Vinyl Releases -

Ape Machine ~ Mangled By The Machine  (Ripple Music)
Baroness ~ Live At Maida Vale (Relapse)
Black Pyramid ~ Adversarial (Hydro Phonic Records)
Black Rainbows ~ Supermothafuzalicious (Reissue) (Heavy Psych Sounds)
Centuries ~ Broken Hymns (This Charming Man)

Dopethrone ~ Dark Foil (Totem Cat Records)
Harvester ~ Blind Summet Recordings (Freak Flag Recordings)

Spelljammer ~ Vol. II (STB Records)
Thumlock ~ Emerald Liquid Odyssey (Kozmik Artifatz)

Wo Fat/Egypt ~ Cyclopean Riffs (Totem Cat Records)

New Pre-orders/Upcoming Releases -

Black Tusk ~ Tend No Wounds (Relapse)
Causa Sui ~ Euporie Tide (El Paraiso Records)
Coffins ~ The Fleshland (Relapse)
Crowbar ~ Broken Glass (Emetic)
Egypt ~ Become The Sun (Doomentia)
Evile ~ Skull (Earache)
High On Fire ~ Spitting Fire Live,Vol. 1 (Relapse)
Pelican ~ Deny The Absolute 7" (Mylene Sheath)

Sleep ~ Dopesmoker (Reissue) (Southern Lord)

Temple Of The Smoke ~ The Lost Art Of Twilight (Cosmic Eye)
Toxic Shock ~ Daily Demons (Reflections Records)

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Here Come The Hoard...

The Great Khan - Self Titled (2012)

I've always wondered what Israeli southern rock would sound like...

Ok, thats complete bollocks, I've never given it a second thought. Well, I've never given it a first thought to be honest, at least I hadn't until I received a little message from Hannes at Kozmik Artifactz. But since then, I assure you, I've not stopped thinking about it, for good reason too because holy crap are these guys good?! No, thats a bit of an understatement. These guys are the mutts nuts!
I feel kind bad that I'm genuinely surprised as this, you'd think that after 3 years and hundreds upon hundreds of emails from every corner of the earth, I'd be a little more... tempered? I guess you can't help but become slightly blinkered when 99% of the bands you're regularly exposed to come from all of about four countries. Your mind kind of jumps to rash stereotypes and fantastic assumptions when you think of music from certain places; Russia's just too plain cold, right? Ha! - Kamni, The Grand Astoria, Electricjezus... Well Greece probably don't make much worth listening to, everyones broke?... Pfft! - Planet Of Zeus, 1000mods, Broken Serenity  Brazil - Monster Coyote, Slovenia - Voodoo Mule, Venezuela - Cultra Tres... The list is truly endless. So realistically, I shouldn't really be that surprised that Israel could take timeout from knocking the shit out of Palestine to give us one hell of a kick ass fuzzy southern rock band.
If this album doesn't grab you by the nuts within the first 30 seconds you really need to take a long hard look at yourself. It's that simple. It's got that wholly modern feel, that thick flow of groovy riffs and just instantly induce your head bob up and down. But you can clearly hear a fundamental classic rock essence shine through. From the likes of obvious trailblazers on the genre; Jerry Reed, ZZ Top, Cactus, Mountain etc to the unusual delights of Focus and Sir Lord Baltimore and complete with Yes esque organ bashing midway through the album's title track. It's one hell of a ride and has left me absolutely itching to hear the new album which I've been told should be released at the end of summer. Complete with four additional tracks and kick ass gatefold artwork from Christoph Heuer, the record will receive a limited pressing. We'll bring you more info and the new album a bit closer to its release, so keep an eye out. But for the time being crack open a cold one and enjoy the mighty Khan!
~ Jay

For Fans Of; Red Fang, Black Label Society, ASG, Artimus Pyledriver, He Is Legend

Facebook • Bandcamp

The Great Khan (256kbps)

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Funeral Grade...

Red Apollo - Marche Funèbre (2012)

When it came to hardcore acts in my younger years, there were two schools of thought on the subject: lots of breakdowns and two-step parts, or a melodic, heightened sound that possessed a different kind of "heavy." I never truly understood the major differences between these styles until a few years later when more and more post-hardcore acts found their way into my vinyl and digital collections. There was something about not only the music, but the message in the music that began to grab my attention. Some bands vent their frustrations and pain by making music that is loud and fast, but still commercially viable, because, let's face it, nothing cures the blues like the almighty dollar. Other bands choose to play loud and fast because it's all they know and understand. I like to think at some point these bands listened to an album (or two) that was a total game-changer; a style of music or specific band that really rang true and opened their eyes to what sort of impression they wanted to have on the music world.

For years, hardcore fans have looked to the classics like 7 Seconds, Youth Brigade and Bad Brains for a semblance of something creatively pure and groundbreaking. Then an evolution of the genre came and went with on-again-off-again acts like Refused and American Nightmare that began to speak to the angst of the 21st century, but that pushed the envelope in developing a sound that cut even deeper for those discovering the frustrations of young life shadowed in a greedier, corrupt and often broken world.

Out of this wake came a global movement that, to this day, continues to shape and mold an astounding number of young acts that pay homage to their predecessors by creating music that is pure and crushing. Not because it is the aesthetic norm, but because it is all they know.

Making great strides in their native Germany, Red Apollo has quickly found their footing in the post-hardcore world, producing a sound that is ripe with talent on many levels. Where Red Apollo really excels is in their ability to continually push their tracks forward with chord-ripping guitars and textbook-pacing-be-damned drums before dropping it all for beautifully written melodies that serve as the album's segues. Amongst this transitioning sits a heap of growling and visceral vocals that are complimented by versatile backing vocals, a core dynamic for the band that never allows the songs to become stagnant.

From its ominous, brooding opening track "SIOME," Marche Funèbre sets a serious and heavy tone that erupts into a powerhouse that drives the majority of the album. In later tracks "Häxanhammer"and "A Sea Of Trees," the band brings the album to a close with passion, noting that, "This is eternity," a single line that speaks volumes for the band's effort. A strong release in the early going, Marche Funèbre is a prime example of where the post-hardcore genre is headed, which is something fans should be very excited about.

An LP version of Red Apollo's debut effort can be snagged here, or feel free to stop on over at our new affiliate Good Die Young music's shop if black/gold or clear/gold splatters are more your style. Tell 'em Ride With The Devil sent ya!

~Joe

For Fans Of; Coalesce, The Hope Conspiracy, Shai Hulud, Dead Swans

Website • BigCartel • Facebook • Bandcamp

Marche Funèbre (streaming)

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Psych In Space...

Renate/Cordate - Self Titled (2013)

From the moment their bandcamp page loaded up I started regretting not paying the local coffeeshop a visit this morning (I'm from Holland, so I'm not actually getting a cup of coffee). Just look at renate/cordate's cover, it just makes you a little woozy in the head & guess what, their tunes do too. But then I'd probably be spacing out all day and not at all getting to write a review, and I've been postponing it a lot already now. You know you've got something good if you're not actually writing the review to just have an excuse to listen to the album again in the future. Meaning: when the album has finished playing.
renate/cordate are a Finnish band formed in 2009 and have just released their self titled debut, which they have been recording since 2011. Got not a clue what their name's supposed to mean, but I have a tendency to like things I understand jack shit of, so that's a OK. Their debut consists of four relatively lengthy songs (average about 7 minutes). It came a bit as a surprise to me that the debut of this young bunch doesn't sound like it was recorded in some basement, because, well, it's their debut and they're a young bunch. It's not that I expected it to sound bad, I just didn't expect such a quality of recording, and I'm happy my expectations were untrue because it really adds to the record.
The real strenght of this recors lies, offcourse, not at the quality of sound but at the musicians making their music. Some instrumental, spacy, psychedelic music. It starts off really easy, really relaxing, but soon it intensifies. Sweet tunes turn heavy, relaxation turns into energy, and it all comes very organic. Nothing seems forced, the song progression and even the progression from one song to another come like they were supposed to. Seems like all that time in the studio was time well spent, because it culminated in nearly a half hour of eardrums tripping balls. If you like it spacy and intstrumental, this is definitely worth a shot.
Oh, and even though the guys spent so much time in the studio (which must've cost a whole lot!) they provided us with a free download, so go over to their Facebook and say thanks, because that's really awesome.
~Ruben

For Fans Of; Earth, Omega Massif, If These Tree Could Talk, Tuber, Sungrazer

Facebook • Bandcamp

Renate/Cordate (320kbs - pass 2012) 

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Code Blue...

Lowbau - A Darker Shade Of Blues (2013)

When you listen to metal day in and day out it becomes difficult to sometimes take a step back and look at slightly varying material in an unbiased way. In an age of furious shredding, explosive drumming and vocals that sometimes require a second-by-second analysis for coherency, I find myself forgetting that clean vocals and wholly structured rock are an impressive feat that is too often overshadowed by an idea of metal "image." Even with all of this thought put into the genre, I then realize that my American point-of-view also tends to take over and scream that something isn't good because those beloved blast beats and/or sludged-out opuses just aren't there, thrown in my face, track after track. I guess what I'm getting at is that this week's material was somewhat of a game changer for me. It got a furrowed brow on the first listen, some toe-tapping on the second and, finally, my undivided attention.

Let's face it, at least in the U.S., a lot of people (unfortunately) hear about Austria and think "Oh, that place that's like Germany, Jr.?" Then the problem of talking about German metal arises because they automatically want to jump to ideas of Rammstein. Even if you can get them past the idea of industrial German metal with a pyrotechnics flair, they have no clue, no comparison, to carry the conversation to anywhere intelligible. Well, I'm hear to tell you (uninformed Americans, anyway) that Austria is a gorgeous country with a beautiful capital city by the name of Vienna, which happens to be home to southern-rockers Lowbau.

Make no mistake, there is a lot going on in A Darker Shade Of Blues, some for the better and some for the worse. One nice change of pace is the smart mixture of bluesy melodies interspersed throughout, including the opening track "13," which is somewhat of a curveball as the following track, "The Prosecution Rests...," hits like a freight-train hauling containers of treasure chests full of gold encased in carbonite. The same blues-esque work is heard again on "A Million Years of Rain," a great track reminiscent of 90's grunge, early 2000's metal and epic ballads of yesteryear. What is most impressive in Lowbau's music is the constant shifting of highlighted instrumentation. Like most great rock albums, there are enough guitar solos to please, but Lowbau often passes the ball from member to member, resulting in great standout moments of drumming and bass chug-a-lugging.

While lead singer/guitarist Wolfgang Ebner's vocals are strong, clean and extremely coherent, it was difficult to distinguish it from the dozens of other metal acts with deep vocal chords (Hatebreed and Pantera immediately came to mind). With that being said, Ebner's talent should not be taken lightly as his instances of crooning are just as effective and his growls, and his ability to twinge his voice just right with the changing of the pitch of his guitar is masterful.

Lowbau will touring for the remainder of 2013 throughout Austria, Belgium, Holland and Germany, including at least one stop in July with EYEHATEGOD!

~Joe

For Fans Of; Maylene and the Sons of Disaster, Alice In Chains, Periphery, Sylosis

Website • Facebook • Bandcamp

A Darker Shade Of Blues (streaming)

   

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Desert Rock From The Tundra...

Superhalo - Czerwona (2013)

That Eastern Europe is picking up a genre called desert rock may not really have much logic to the way it sounds, as I can hardly picture an environment less desertish, but I'm glad they do. Superhalo is a Polish band formed just in 2010 (I think, their bio is in Polish and as Google Translate makes nearly as much sense of it as my own knowledge of Polish makes of it, so I'm not entirely sure) but they've already opened for and played with bands such as Triggerfinger and Stoned Jesus. Which is awesome.
The fact is even more awesome that, when I first listened to Superhalo, I thought their sound was kind of like a mix between the psychedelic and stoner elements of Stoned Jesus and the melodic elements of Triggerfinger. Sure, most of their songs are in a faster pace than Stoned Jesus, and they're not as poppy as Triggerfinger's, but the similarities are there. Czerwona isn't a completely spaced out psychedelic record, but it definitely has psychedelic elements incorporated in it's desert rock. And as far as the melodic element goes; it must be one of the best I've heard in the desert rock scene. Now I must say, there aren't many bands that in my opinion really have tried to incorporate that element in stoner rock. Catchyness and grooviness definitely, but relying on melodies? In a genre called stoner rock there is ofcourse a reason for that, but I thing I'd have trouble counting those bands on one hand. This is what makes Superhalo such a refreshing thing, and the fact that they pull it off great makes it only better.
Oh yes, all that greatness comes with a price. Like, €4. So basically it doesn't really come with a price. So basically it doesn't have a reason not to buy it.

~Ruben

For Fans Of; Stoned Jesus, Triggerfinger, Wo Fat, Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats, Kyuss, Ape Machine

Facebook • Bandcamp

Czerwona (sample)

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News...

The limited press of Albino Python cassettes from Easy Rider Records are making their way out the door. At just $8 a pop, its not exactly a surprise, so once again, get in while you can! While you're doing that you should check out the latest project in their pipeline. This is the diehard edition cover for the upcoming Slow Season Heavy 7"...  Yup, thats embossed leather baby, and there's only 20 being made! The diehard's will be $44, limited editions $12 and the standard's $8. Want one? Well they should be live in the store Tuesday morning (GMT), don't miss out!

Over at STB Records they have just 10 copies of the standard issue of Spelljammer's Vol. 2 left! These all flew off the shelves so expect every single one to be gone within the week. They will not be repressed, so miss out and you're screwed! Another work in progress can also be revealed. You're gonna have to wait until around September time, but the ball has started rolling for a vinyl release of Dr Doom's latest EP. You know that no punches are gonna be pull with this one. More info to follow soon!

Don't forget to check us and the guys out on Instagram!...
Follow us @RideWithTheDevil
Hit up @EasyRiderRecords & @STBRecords for more news, releases and regular competitions. You may just win yourself something nice... and we all know how much you all like free shit! 

New Vinyl Releases -

Age Of Taurus ~ Desperate Souls Of Tortured Times (Rise Above)
Ape Machine ~ Mangled By The Machine  (Ripple Music)
Black Rainbows ~ Supermothafuzalicious (Reissue) (Heavy Psych Sounds)
Blood Ceremony ~ The Eldritch Dark (Rise Above)
Centuries ~ Broken Hymns (This Charming Man)

Church Of Misery ~ Thy Kingdom Scum (Rise Above)
Devil ~ Gather The Sinners  (Emetic)
Dopethrone ~ Dark Foil (Totem Cat Records)

Salem's Pot - Watch Me Kill You (Easyrider Records)
Spelljammer ~ Vol. II (STB Records)
Thumlock ~ Emerald Liquid Odyssey (Kozmik Artifatz)

Wo Fat/Egypt ~ Cyclopean Riffs (Totem Cat Records)

New Pre-orders/Upcoming Releases -

Baroness ~ Live At Maida Vale (Relapse)
Black Pyramid ~ Adversarial (Hydro Phonic Records)
Black Tusk ~ Tend No Wounds (Relapse)
Causa Sui ~ Euporie Tide (El Paraiso Records)
Coffins ~ The Fleshland (Relapse)
Crowbar ~ Broken Glass (Emetic)
Egypt ~ Become The Sun (Doomentia)
Evile ~ Skull (Earache)
High On Fire ~ Spitting Fire Live,Vol. 1 (Relapse)
Pelican ~ Deny The Absolute 7" (Mylene Sheath)

Sleep ~ Dopesmoker (Reissue) (Southern Lord)

Temple Of The Smoke ~ The Lost Art Of Twilight (Cosmic Eye)
Toxic Shock ~ Daily Demons (Reflections Records)

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The Green Leafs of Kentucky...

Full Zenith - Full Zenith (2013)

Some state-side stoner thrash has found its way to my ears this week! It's been quite the stretch of European ass-kicking doom for a while (don't worry, I still love that, too), but it feels good to review some fellow Midwestern 'Muricans who know how to lay it down. Hailing from the heartland of Louisville, Kentucky, Full Zenith have taken their love of metal and the sweet leaf and rolled it into an effort that reeks of earsplitting power and noisy vocals.
What is quickly realized on the band's four-track, self-titled EP is that they have a flair for the fast and the loud, in contrast to the often more down-tempoed and "epic" sound of more traditional stoner acts. What results is a highly spastic burst of barbarous drums and punishing riffs that channel even darker groups like Cursed and All Pigs Must Die. This, of course, is not too surprising given the fact that other diverse and unique (and successful) sounds have escaped Louisville in more recent years (i.e., Coliseum and Young Widows). Not to draw too large of a comparison between Full Zenith and their hometown associates, the band still offers up a healthy dose of something new on their album. Upon multiple listens, I found that each track possesses a good mixture of melody and backing vocals that are sometimes overshadowed by the album's production. Honestly the only real flaw in the record being vocals that may have received the proverbial cart-before-the-horse treatment, this is an easily fixed and often seen hiccup in demos that should only improve as the band continues to develop its sound.
Hopefully with a little more exposure and the right gigs, Full Zenith could truly find a home amongst today's grassroots stoner metal scene and give it a little jolt of life. However, when it's all said and done, I'm sure Full Zenith will have just the right blend to once again lighten the mood.
~Joe

For Fans Of; Integrity, Cursed, Weekend Nachos, Weedeater

Facebook • Bandcamp

Full Zenith (free)

Facing Serpent Doom....

Albino Python - The Doomed & The Damned (2012)

I'm not one for just making up genres or laying much weight on those countless splintering and offshoots of existing genres. Whenever I hear the likes of 'gore-grind', 'melodic metal-core' or 'blackened death-metal' used I almost inevitably loose my shit and have to storm off before I glass someone. I know, I know, I'm not a people person, but it doesn't seem like a bloody month goes by when some tosser hasn't invented, or re-invented some style and rebranded it as some bullshit proxy. I overheard the term 'post pegan war doom' a few weeks back... I'm still seething. That being said, today I feel I shall be playing the part of aforementioned tosser. But, and this is a big but, I think it is genuinely filling a gap in the market. I've used the term for years without really giving it much thought but the whole 'space doom' sound seems to be getting more and more prevalent. I'm not saying I've coined the genre, but I don't recall picking it up from elsewhere and it's not on wikipedia, so... Actually no, piss off, I am claiming this one. Besides, it seems to be the best term I can settle on without invoking narcissistic dry wrenching. It just seems to combine a few elements that have become more common place in recent years. The heavy use of distant and echoey vocals along with the occasional, particularly coherent and rhythmically satisfying riffs mostly akin space rock. Then the all encompassing dread and over noir and pace of stoner doom. All this coming together to form a sort of dark and eerie psychedelica. Often it results in that sort of occult garage rock sound thats so prevalently made a resurgence in recent times, due in no small part to the rise of bands such as Uncle Acid. But sometimes the occasional act do kinda dip their toe into that spacey side of things. It's not quite as noticable here as it is with other similar bands but their is certainly a touch of the Dozer about them. Or, what I can best imagine experiencing a really traumatic acid trip while on the space station would possibly be like. You may well disagree, fair enough. But you'll be wrong.
Anyway, this is where I see Arizona's own Albino Python. Now, at this point I'd love to give you more  info on the band, but details seem to be few and far between. By which I mean there's very little info on their Facebook page. What I can tell you is that they're female fronted, something that admittedly surprised me after having listened to their EP a good ten times or so. The vocals have that certain quality that makes them somewhat asexual for want of a better word. But now I know, I really can hear it. But who does what doesn't really matter, what matters is how EP performs, and that is exactly what it does. Gigantic fuzzy Sabbath inspired riffs and a slow crushing authority from the drums really do lay waste right from the opening bars. Whats true impressive though is its ability to maintain simplicity without becoming stupid, and retain a truly heavy feel without merging into over powering. It's such a kickass little EP, and I'm glad to report that it's finally been given the physical format it deserves! Our man Dan over at Easy Rider Records has gone to town and really helped the band out there. He's not only produced 100 cassettes of various limited availabilities, but thrown together some badges and some really, really nice shirts. These little beauties go up for sale midday (GMT) or early tomorrow morning (PST). Like all of Easy Rider's stuff they've been lovingly produced and look the mutts nutts, they wont be around for long so dont bloody snooze!

       

For Fans Of; Windhand, Elder, Mountain Goat, Salem's Pot, Moon Curse

Facebook • ReverbNation • Bandcamp

The Doomed & The Damned (320kbps)

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News...

Easy Rider Records are down to their last few copies of their limited cassette of Red Desert's blinding debut, Damned By Fate left. Be quick and you can still snap up a copy on red or black, after that you're gonna have to wait until the vinyl version drops later this year (damn I'm counting down the days to this!). In other news, they've recently been working on a tasty little 6 track album with Arizona's Albino Python which you can get a teaser of at their SoundCloud page. A limited cassette run of the album goes up for sale on June 25th along with some pins and a really killer limited shirt.

STB Records are now entirely cleaned out of the Spelljammer's Vol. 2 and Traitors Return To Earth, but no need to shed a tear if you missed out, as there are a few regular version's left in the store and you can hit up Traitor's BigCartel page and pick up their standard version.

Don't forget to check us and the guys out on Instagram!...
Follow us @RideWithTheDevil
Hit up @EasyRiderRecords & @STBRecords for more news, releases and regular competitions. You may just win yourself something nice... and we all know how much you all like free shit! 

New Vinyl Releases -

Age Of Taurus ~ Desperate Souls Of Tortured Times (Rise Above)
Ape Machine ~ Mangled By The Machine  (Ripple Music)
ASG ~ Blood Drive (Relapse)
Black Rainbows ~ Supermothafuzalicious (Reissue) (Heavy Psych Sounds)
Blood Ceremony ~ The Eldritch Dark (Rise Above)
Centuries ~ Broken Hymns (This Charming Man)

Church Of Misery ~ Thy Kingdom Scum (Rise Above)
Devil ~ Gather The Sinners  (Emetic)
Discordance Axis ~ Jou Hou (Reissue) (Hydra Head)
Dopethrone ~ Dark Foil (Totem Cat Records)
High Priest Of Saturn ~ Self Titled  (Svart)

Salem's Pot - Watch Me Kill You (Easyrider Records)
Spelljammer ~ Vol. II (STB Records)
Thumlock ~ Emerald Liquid Odyssey (Kozmik Artifatz)

Wo Fat/Egypt ~ Cyclopean Riffs (Totem Cat Records)

New Pre-orders/Upcoming Release -

Baroness ~ Live At Maida Vale (Relapse)
Black Pyramid ~ Adversarial (Hydro Phonic Records)
Black Tusk ~ Tend No Wounds (Relapse)
Coffins ~ The Fleshland (Relapse)
Crowbar ~ Broken Glass (Emetic)
Evile ~ Skull (Earache)
High On Fire ~ Spitting Fire Live,Vol. 1 (Relapse)

Sleep ~ Dopesmoker (Reissue) (Southern Lord)

Temple Of The Smoke ~ The Lost Art Of Twilight (Cosmic Eye)
Toxic Shock ~ Daily Demons (Reflections Records)

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Dirty, Dusty, Dutch...

Post - Vol. 1 (2013)

I wasn't too sure what to make of Post initially. For some reason I was expecting something in the way of black metal or such like when I chucked the album on. I think I was basing that entire assumption on their choice of font for the cover art. Anyway, what I actually got was pretty much the other end of the spectrum. Chasing The Crown opens with a riff that feels like its been pull straight out of a dirty southern rock bar and as far as getting my attention goes (with the exception of large boobs) very little works better. It's not exactly the sort of genre you directly associate with Italy, but then I'm not sure exactly what genre you do associate with them...? But then, we've had desert rock from Poland before, so who the hell am I to judge? So how'd you expect these guys to sound? Totally off the ball?... Maybe had a good stab at it but fell a little short?.. Nope, not even close. They nailed it! At least on the actual composition anyway. By which I mean, that this album coughs a spits out more huge foot stomping riffs than your mind can truly comprehend. Mainly because while you're listening your mind is preoccupied with thinking, "Goddamn, I wish I had thought up that riff!" Every one sounds wildly elaborate in places and although there is a heavy southern rock sound as a foundation it doesn't shy away from pulling out a bit of a late 80's hair rock lick or two. Fear not though they stop way, way short of the point of cheesyness or just being plain cringe worthy. Think of it as having all the quality, but minus the shit hair, spandex and groin thrusting... God, I'm so glad I missed most of the 80's. Another way to look at it though would be a bit like The Datsuns playing metal versions of their songs but with Danzig on vocal duties. Speaking of which, I must admit, when I began this post the vocals felt like the weakest part of the album for me. But having listened to the whole thing a few times I must confess they have grown on me a bit. Initially, they felt a little out of place. They have more of an early days of gothic-industrial feel to them that didn't quite match up with the groove riddled orgy they're backed by. But as the album progresses something seems to come together and you don't really dwell on the unorthodox combination. Maybe it's the occasional punk tempo that creeps in? Maybe it's the way it suddenly turns the furious hard rock to something deeper and darker at the flick of a switch. There's really something here for everyone, I know thats as cliche as saying that 'they will only go from strength to strength', but it's true. Don't believe me? Then go listen for your bloody self! While, you're at it, you may wanna check out the label thats putting them out - Radioactive Records, because if you dig Post, the rest of their line up will certainly be up your street.
~ Jay

For Fans Of; The Datsuns, Planet Of Zeus, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Turbonegro, Thunderfist 

Facebook • Bandcamp

Vol. 1 (256kbps)

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Further On Down...

Deep - Vol. 1 (2013)

I will be the first to tell you I don't much about Italy. At this point in my short life, I know it looks like a boot and that its bands produce some crazy and fun tunes, especially the stoner-oriented ones. I also now know that there is a city named Gorizia there that long-haired record-it-yourselfers Deep call home. I'm not sure what people there do to pass the time, but Deep has definitely taken to writing a great brand of slowed-down stoner rock that seems to pull inspiration from a bevy of genres as well as the world around them.

With the majority of the album focusing on lo-fi, fuzzed-up guitars, Deep do a fantastic job of taking unique instrumentation (and even plain old sounds) that, as each track goes on, becomes a noticeable rhythm that creates one hell of a trippy experience for the listener. Faster tracks like "Long Haired Youth" and "Nazca" have a sound reminiscent of 90's industrial metal acts like KMFDM and Ministry that boost the album with a little pick-me-up in just the right places. Slower jams do not disappoint, however. Deep's true talent is prevalent in their ability to write music that is clearly important and meaningful to its members, drawing themes from world religions, nature and lore.

With plans on the horizon to record their follow-up, tentatively titled Vol. 2, Deep could see a big year if they keep on track with their current style and mindset. In the meantime, head here and pick up Vol. 1 for any price you feel is fair.

~Joe

For Fans Of; Kyuss, Danzig, The Desert Session, 1000mods, The Melvins

Facebook • Bandcamp

Vol. 1 (name your price)

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Oh, This Thing...

Hiram - See The Thing Within The Thing (2013)

Well, what do you know? It's not all brand-new bands nobody's ever heard of we cover here, the guys of Hiram have been at it since 2002, playing some perfectly fine doominess, handing out every single one of their records for free, and yet the Facebook page still counts only 284 likes. I know, I know, it's just Facebook, but still! Eleven years and counting and never asking for something in return, in my eyes that's really damned admirable.
As are their tunes. Whatever Hiram plays is characterised by a passion for their music. No glitter, no glamour, no fame nor money, the music is what counts. Every single member is heard putting their heart and soul out there just because they want to do so. Needless to say that's something great!
Not every song on See The Thing Within The Thing can be said to be my cup o' tea though, but that's not because it isn't good, which it is. The album mostly consists of a crude, heartbreaking kind of doom, the crudeness of which really is it's appeal while at the same time it might be a little too crude. Or I might not be a avid enough doom fan, quite possibly...
The jams however are where See The Thing Within The Thing really shines in my opinion. Charming, dreamy and complex while still being really calming and relaxing, AND having the same kind of appeal as the more doomy songs. Hiram is a band I can't quite wrap my head around, and I'm happy I can't. It makes all of the band that much more interesting.
And then there's the lyrics. Really emotinally touching lyrics, telling real stories and really well-written. I won't spoil any more, go listen for yourself.
What is created by Hiram has gone unnoticed for too long already. Go and then give these men a shoutout, they deserve it.

~Ruben

For Fans Of; Om, Rhino, Zoroaster, Black Pyramid, Sleep, Electric Wizard

Website • Facebook • Bandcamp

See The Thing Within The Thing (320kbps)

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Stoner Smarts...

Black Wizard - Young Wisdom (2013)

Now that summer is upon us, there is nothing better than to pour yourself a stiff drink, crank the stereo up and enjoy some ass-kicking metal from the comfort of your porch. If that fails to make you have a good time, then smoke some really good weed and play Black Wizard's latest album over and over. Nothing short of excellent, Young Wisdom is by far one of the best albums I have heard yet in 2013, boasting an impressive collection of stoner rock that will quickly find its place amongst notable acts such as The Sword and Priestess.

Littered with underpinnings of late 70's rock and psychedelic, Young Wisdom outdoes itself as each track progresses, providing ambitious, spacey melodies that instantly remind one of Led Zeppelin or Black Sabbath, but that also transform almost as quickly into something resembling the soundtrack of a soul leaving the body. Flowing yet tough guitars accelerate while wailing vocals move the tracks in a hazy harmony that translates into pure fucking rock that truly blows the mind. A confident smattering of drums and not-too-tuned-down bass further deepen the complexities of Black Wizard's efforts, creating an almost sun-drenched sound that stands out at just the right points.

Opening track "Spacer" is masterful in revealing how talented the band is, using their heavy-handed brand of rock over a 6-minute period that never once creates an air of boredom or laziness that lengthier songs can easily fall into at their midways. The album's title track received multiple listens (even as I wrote this) because I couldn't get enough of the blasting solos that continuously caused me to jump into a fit of hand-cramping air guitar.

Bottom line: Keep an eye out for this when it drops June 28. Prepare to provide your earholes with some of the best goddamn metal to date from our northern neighbors (sorry, rest of the world, I'm writing this from an American perspective).

~Joe

For Fans Of; The Sword, Orange Goblin, Witchcraft, Pentagram, Thunderfist

Website • Facebook • MySpace • Bandcamp

Young Wisdom (limited tracks)

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A Heavy Project To Steal Hearts...

The Black Widow's Project - Heavy Heart (2013)

Oh, how many competitors there have been already for best album of 2013! But these fuckers right here steal the show, Heavy Heart is definitely gonna be ranking very high in my list of this year, and the year hasn't half passed yet. There, I basically spoiled the review already, but be that as it may, this album deserves it.

Heavy Heart is The Black Widow's Project debut, following their 2010 EP 'Benefit Of The Doubt' (which is, if you ask me, a great name for a debut EP!). That great naming of things hasn't been continued however, Heavy Heart isn't quite one of the most original things I've heard, and many songs on it have lyrical themes (Got The Devil, We Have To Be Free, Love's A Weapon etc.) which are beginning turn turn quite stale on me (don't ask me for a band that doesn't do that, I really wouldn't be able to name one this instant). And that's where The Black Widow's Project's greatest flaws lie right now: originality. The songs themes are, as are some of the songs' structures, done quite a few times. But the sound! TBWP do know how to deliver, they really are getting to having a very own sound, and one that knows to tickle my eardrums in all the right places at that! Fuzzy, catchy grooves hitting hard, torturing my speakers and pleasing my ears! If only I weren't hungover, that would make this delight even more delightful, but hey, I can't go blaming the band for that.

I've never been more sincere in saying I'm very interested to see where this band is going in years to come. If these guys get to developing their own sound some more and dare stepping into experimentation some more, they're gonna make some really memorable tunes! Fingers crossed!

~Ruben

For Fans Of; The Heavy Eyes, Graveyard, Kadavar, Cowboys & Aliens

Website • Facebook • Twitter • Bandcamp

'Heavy Heart' (Stream)

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News...

BOOM! STB Records have finally dropped Traitors Return To Earth diehard vinyl however, if you missed the updates yesterday and friday then I'm afraid they've all gone! Don't worry if you have missed out though, hit up the bands BigCartel page and pick up a standard version. If you haven't picked up one of the pressings of Spelljammer's Vol. 2 though you had better act bloody fast because the limited run of just 250 (75 diehard / 175 regular) have almost been depleted!... Trust me, you need this!
Easy Rider Records still have a few copies of their limited cassette of Red Desert's debut, Damned By Fate left. Act now or forever remain disappointed at missing out! There were 100 made, consisting of four colours - 55 black, 20 red, 15 purple and 10 gold in the form of the diehard version which will consist of all four colours, 12 badges, a digital download and a private first refusal on the vinyl test presses and diehard versions due out around September time. 

Yeah, we're still on Instagram!
Follow us @RideWithTheDevil and be sure to also follow our guys - @EasyRiderRecords & @STBRecords... They're often running competitions, so you may just win yourself something nice... and we all know how much you all like free shit! 

New Vinyl Releases -

Ape Machine ~ Mangled By The Machine  (Ripple Music)
ASG - Blood Drive (Relapse)
Black Rainbows ~ Supermothafuzalicious (Reissue) (Heavy Psych Sounds)
Centuries ~ Broken Hymns (This Charming Man)

Converge - Caring & Killing (Reissue) (Hydra Head)
Devil - Gather The Sinners  (Emetic)
Discordance Axis - Jou Hou (Reissue) (Hydra Head)
High Priest Of Saturn - Self Titled  (Svart)
Mars Red Sky - Be My Guide EP (Self Released)

Orchid - Mouths Of The Madness  (Nuclear Blast)
Queens Of The Stone Age - ...Like Clockwork 
Salem's Pot - Watch Me Kill You (Easyrider Records)
Spelljammer - Vol. II (STB Records)
Stoned Jesus - First Communion (Nasoni)

New Pre-orders/Upcoming Release -

Baroness ~ Live At Maida Vale (Relapse)
Black Pyramid ~ Adversarial (Hydro Phonic Records)
Black Tusk ~ Tend No Wounds (Relapse)
Blood Ceremony ~ The Eldritch Dark (Rise Above)
Church Of Misery ~ Thy Kingdom Scum (Rise Above)
Coffins - The Fleshland (Relapse)
Dopethrone - Dark Foil (Totem Cat Records)
Evile ~ Skull (Earache)

Sleep - Dopesmoker (Reissue) (Southern Lord)

Temple Of The Smoke - The Lost Art Of Twilight (Cosmic Eye)
Thumlock ~ Emerald Liquid Odyssey (Kozmik Artifatz)
Age Of Taurus ~ Desperate Souls Of Tortured Times (Rise Above)
Toxic Shock - Daily Demons (Reflections Records)
Wo Fat/Egypt - Cyclopean Riffs (Totem Cat Records)

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Under The Spell...

Spelljammer - Vol. II (2012)

It's here, it's finally here!... Well it's actually been 'here' for sometime, since January 2012 in fact...

Hmmm, I'm not making much sense... Let me fill in the gaps...

Sweden's Spelljammer actually released this, their follow up to their first album Inches From The Sun, back at the start of 2012. I actually did stumbled upon it over bandcamp a few months later, but for one reason or another never really got around to giving it the full appreciation it deserved and it somewhat languished within the depths of my iTunes. But anyway, roll forward another 12 months or so and our good friend Steve at STB Records drops me a line to say he's putting it out on vinyl. But not just any old, half-arsed, bog standard press, oh no. This little baby will be a limited run, a fraction of which will be diehard presses to which he has big ideas for the the packaging. Since then he's teased me with ideas, the layout plan and pictures. So there, that's why I'm currently so excited.
True be told, it really is about time this almost perfect example of stoner doom was given the old wax treatment. Every churning chord, slow bass lick and cymbal crash just yurns to be picked up through a needle and expelled through the soft warm tenor of a vintage amp. Much like Sleep's Holy Mountain or Elder's Dead Roots Stirring, it will just sound so much more authentic and at home spinning on your turntable. But the comparison to the aforementioned albums doesn't end there. Vol. II shares that distinct quality of not only being able to expel a pitch perfect down tuned personification of classic stoner doom but also deliver a real dulcet contrast at the same time. Maybe not quite in the same quantity as the aforementioned, but quality wise they certainly stand shoulder to shoulder with the best. Even within the vast amounts of vocal-less, thunderous, guitar heavy churning's, everything still feels smooth and tight as hell, and lets face it, thats how we all like it. Whats more, for something that is so quintessentially doom, it manages to completely avoid getting itself entirely bogged down in its own roots. By which I mean it doesn't try and be too slow for its own good. Don't get my wrong, a slow tempo is obviously necessary when it comes to the genre, but sometimes, just sometimes, when some key element is missing (or played badly) it just ends up becoming frustratingly boring... or drone (which admittedly is one of the reasons I struggle to get along with that genre as a whole). I know not everyone shares that view, but I just like something to happen in the music I listen to, and thats exactly where Spelljammer have succeeded and successfully dodged a bullet. With a tactful use of samples, blissfully echoing vocals and a Sabbath like flourish you're left wanting more instead of twiddling your thumbs. In keeping with the genre each track pushes towards the old 10 minute mark effortlessly. Flowing and crashing upon your ears like a huge tidal waves of dark and hypnotic hymns, occasionally bookended or separated with some beautifully melodic breakdowns that just ooze pure old school psych. If you like your stoner doom at a nice pace and chock full of groove then this will be right up your street, and if you're a vinyl junkie too, then holy crap you're in for a treat...
Our pal Steve has been working his nuts off to get together this record in beautiful limited pressing of just 250. 175 of which will be the (inappropriately named) 'standard' edition, consisting of black vinyl, poster insert and gatefold cover printed on the reverse side of the card for a raw effect. The real kicker though is the packaging for the diehard version, which includes the regular press, but is housed inside a killer hand numbered silver mirricard cover with alternate artwork. Then delivered to you inside another silver, hand screen printed bag.
These will go quick. Really bloody quick. So hit up the link below and part with a few bucks while you can! They go live in the store at 2pm GMT, so providing you we're proactive and followed this link straight away then took about five minutes to look it over they should be waiting in the store for you, right... about... now!
~ Jay

For Fans Of; Sleep, Windhand, Black Pyramid, Moon Curse, Stonehelm

Facebook • Bandcamp

Inches From The Sun (free) • Vol. II ($5)

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