ALBUM REVIEW: Pist, "Hailz"

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 08/11/2019

Label: APF Records

“Hailz” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1. Ex-Nihilo
2. Wreck
3. Mind Rotter
4. Fools Gave Chase
5. If I Was You.....
6. Strangle The Sun (feat. Elephant Tree)
7. Skin Your God

The Review:

It was with high expectations that I pressed play on this sophomore effort from Pist, the North West's finest purveyors of... metal/blackened-stoner/sludge/what-have-you. With its respectful nod to a Manchester underground legend for the title and the contents herein only glimpsed via watching them support Orange Goblin back in January, I thought this would be a cracker. I wasn't wrong.

This lands somewhere between Raging Speedhorn, Bast, Orange Goblin and Sabbath. It's not really categorisable and all the more appealing for it. Pist have carved out their own niche. They are a brutal proposition live and on record they have not disappointed. Opener “Ex-Nihilo” has pretty much all elements present and correct- big riffs, rolling blast sections, vocals of several types and it all works wonderfully.

As the album progresses on via “Wreck” (ATG and Swe-Death influence present), “Mind Rotter” with dynamic sections and more unusual rhythms combined with very catchy riffing and onwards, it's clear that the record doesn't stick with any one genre for long and is best summed up as quality metal- there is some fire forged blood running through the very veins of this album.

The aggro-metal of “Fools Gave Chase” gives way to spooky atmospherics and black metal type progressions thereafter. “If I was You” is a dark journey through extremity and with only “Strangle The Sun” and “Skin Your God” to go, the record has shown itself to be richly varied and unique.

The former of the aforementioned pairing is dark and dreamy- imagine Tricky doing a metal track, perhaps? “Skin Your God”, meanwhile, is a riff heavy beast of grooves, a dreamlike mellower and a fetid blast of extreme metal by turns. Overall, this album has a lot of parts and somehow manages to be more than the sum of them. Where Pist will go from here is anyone's guess, but hopefully it will be out of Bury on a regular basis to pulverise more stages. The British metal underground is alive and well, with Pist making their claim as the best of the lot.

“Hailz” is available HERE

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

Live Review: NOIZ All Dayer, Rebellion Bar, Manchester, 2/4/2016

By: Dominic Walsh

Boasting one of the best heavy metal bills in Manchester in a long time, NOIZ promotions’ NOIZ All Dayer in Manchester seemed almost untrue with the amount of talent on show.

Drone duo, Khost, opened up the day with a massively heavy amount of tone and drone for the small crowd. It was only 12.30 when they took the stage so people were still filing in through the doors, although there were a couple of people who had made the effort to see Khost based on their attire.

From here on in, the bill changed shape with bands moving up and down the bill continually. Presumably this was due to people arriving/being delayed etc.

One band that did take the stage at their scheduled time was PIST. Now, for those who haven’t heard PIST, the clue is in the name. 1pm was a remarkably early time for the Bury quartet to hit the stage, however their groove laden angsty southern sludge did more than wake the gathered masses, and blow any Friday night cobwebs away.

As the afternoon progressed, Fvnerals and Dystopian Future Movies (both late additions to the bill due to cancelled gigs in the area) serenaded the crowd with dark post rock and doom laden riffs that slowed the pace somewhat during the afternoon. The slower pace did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of the crowd. Both bands have been touring together; if you’re a fan of Neurosis, Bossk, Long Distance Calling (or bands to that effect), give them a whirl.

Either side of Fvnerals and DFM, there were arguably some of the star turns of the day. Another local band who are making plenty of waves in the metal world, Boss Keloid, were in celebratory mood with a storming set which showed how much the band have evolved. They are much tighter as a band, and the material from their new LP ‘Herb Your Enthusiasm,’ sounded incredibly strong. To bring the pace down again slightly, were Witchsorrow. Although they’re a doom band, their latest LP, ‘No Light, Only Fire,’ has plenty of more up tempo selections. A mix of these tracks and cuts from “God Curse Us” helped them deliver a great set.

Towards the top of the bill was heavy rock trio The Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell, who did not disappoint. Complete no frills rock and roll just the way it should be. Steak ably assisted with their fuzzy stoner rock keeping the pace up as the crowd got steadily more lubricated.

One of the absolute star turns of the day however, took place early in the afternoon. London’s Vodun turned many heads in Rebellion. The trio, who have just released their debut LP “Possession”, took to the stage in their ‘tribal’ attire and delivered a scintillating performance. Chantal Brown’s vocals can easily draw comparisons with Skunk Anansie’s Skin, and the riffs swerve from thrash, to stoner, to doom. Over the course of their short set, Vodun proved why they are getting many great reviews of “Possession”. Another afternoon success came in the form of their tour mates, Limb. Showcasing some prime cuts from 2015’s “Terminal”, the band delivered a stomping set against a hazy white light back drop; foggy and fuzzy on many levels! “Down By The Banks” is a monster of a track; Limb deserve to be edging themselves up bills. They have the songs and presence to be huge.

The day ended with Israeli sludge mob Dukatalon playing host to a fully liquored audience. Their stomping set ended with a huge stage invasion capping off an excellent day of heavy metal. The amount of bands on the bill only scratches the surface of the amount of great bands out there. NOIZ are behind many of Manchester’s all day metal events – if you are even the slightest it curious, go along and check out some of the bands; it’s almost a dead cert you’ll find something you enjoy.

You can check them out here: https://www.facebook.com/noizpromo/

“Big Riffs, Heavy Tones” - NOIZ All-Dayer Preview April 2nd 2016 @ Rebellion, Manchester, UK

By: Phil Weller

In Manchester, UK you will struggle to find a bigger champion of big riffs and heavy tones, of tidal sludge and dead-mongering doom as NOIZ promotion’s founder Eytan. And on April 2^nd NOIZ Promotions takeover Rebellion to do just that; a venue that both physically and metaphorically stands up against the bullshit of the mainstream to wrap low down and dirty music under its ever-expanding wings. Situated on Deansgate, it stares across the road at a fleet of trendy cocktail bars, where egos, tracksuit bottoms, Nike Airs, fake tans and plastic drumbeats have full sway. It snarls at those places; a warm and welcome abode for the ‘outsiders’ who like their music a little more abrasive, a little less fabricated.

The bill is littered with names lauded frivolously on the hallowed pages of The Sludgelord – (Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell, Steak, Witchsorrow, Boss Keloid and more) – just looking at the poster is enough for any self-respecting Sludgelordian to pitch a gazebo in their trousers. 

Eytan’s battle plan then, is a simple one: “I enjoy putting bands on that don't come to the city often and putting my favourite local bands with them. I started NOIZ just under a year ago and hosted a few different kinds of event. So far booked around 50 bands.”

The inclusion of the rough, raw and ready old school rock n’ roll of the Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell, is the cherry on the top for him, he reveals: “I've managed to miss them each and every time I've wanted/attempted to see them, so as per with NOIZ, it was a selfish booking and one that I knew would enhance the lineup I was fleshing out. I think they'll bring a definite close to the event, no doubt it'll be messy down at the front and I think their raw vibe will be a perfect finale.

With the festival pulling in some shiny names from across the country, with Eytan saying desert rock fans would “be foolish to miss Steak”, it creates a foundation to flaunt the local talent: “All I can say about the locals is that you should go check them out right now, and a shout out to all of my mates who make up those bands.”

But who are those local acts?

Boss Keloid

“Keloid are extremely difficult to define. At some points there's a meditative Om/Tool kind of quality, and then it goes... BROWN. The vocal performance on the new record is probably my joint-first favourite of any record I know from this area.”

Says Keloid bassist/brown bringer Adam Swarbrick: “It'll be our first show in quite a while, or at least what seems quite a while. It's been a very busy time for us, and we've had a few things to deal with in the time since our last show. So you can imagine, we're extremely hungry to launch a full scale herbal assault at NOIZ. I'm confident in speaking for all of us when I say we absolutely live for the live show. So having had more time away from the stage than we'd ideally have liked, NOIZ is a big event for us.”

Barbarian Hermit

“T'Hermit are an outstanding band that just seems to improve with every performance. I had them on at the MMC Weekender a month ago and they were many people's band of the weekend.”

PIST

“PIST probably need no introduction from your readership. A warning would be polite if they do. In short, PIST don't party, they are party. Sonically, that is exactly what you get, but don't mistake that for 'silly', or 'novelty' - they are a pure, balls-to-wall metal band with a stoned groove and a drunken swagger.”

A band that usually top bills of this nature, this time around they’ll be treating us to a bright and early set, helping opening the event: “They do usually top the bills at larger events at Rebellion, they headlined the MMC Weekender to a packed house and it went crazy in there with stage diving and crowd-surfing. They're on early simply because they were added late on, but it does give me a very strong (and contrasting) opening pair.”

Almost definitely in the depths of some whirling drug binge, Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell sticksman Johnny Gorillar adds: “The Shovell love playin’ Manc; lovely people, good pubs and great audiences. Always a chore, never a pleasure - hold on - scratch that and reverse it!” A band who live and breath what rock n’ roll used to be – and refuse to accept and act like owt has changed, such is their charm – he continues: “we're going onto the studio the week before this gig, there's a few new 'uns in the set already, and at Roadburn we'll be previewing most if not ALL the new LP live. That way punters can record it and that will save Rise Above having to actually release the furker!” 

And with that, we anxiously cross the passing days of on our calendars and continue to prepare our livers for a heavy one and say our final goodbyes to our dignity. This event highlights the natural evolution of a promotions company with bigger plans yet still peaking over the horizon, as Eytan flirts with hints during our conversation.

“No doubt it's bigger [than previous NOIZ events], just look at the line-up! Also, we've had a great run of successful events in a short time, with mostly the same crew doing each event, a familiarity of sorts is setting in, and in a place with such a healthy and active community. That translates into word spreading like wildfire,” he explains.

“Like I said, I've so far booked around 50 bands as NOIZ and have three bands on the bookings roster: Boss Keloid, Dukatalon (UK only) and one TBA very soon. Also look out for the new label out of NOIZ Towers coming this year!

“Shout out to all the bands who are playing, all the bands who have played, all our crew, the supporters, everyone at Rebellion and Adam Swarbrick/Swarbuckle/SwarBROWN of Boss Keloid, and organiser of Riff Fest - look out for a VERY exciting NOIZ/Riff Fest collaboration early summer!”



Info:  facebook

Pist - "Rhythm & Booze" (Album Review)

By: Heather Blewett

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 29/10/2015

Label: When Planets Collide

Their music is no joke; it’s polished, well crafted and almost hard to believe it’s a debut full length. Their direction is clear and focused, which is portrayed in their output. Great prospects lie ahead for Pist, but they’ll be too shitfaced to remember any of it of course.

‘Rhythm and Booze’ CD//DD track listing:

1). Shitstorm

2). Dirt On Me

3). Detached

4). Deadbeat

5). The Worst time of Year

6). 68

7). Trails

8). Plagues of Hope

9). Cuntlip

10). Chunder

The Review:

Since their commendable debut EP ‘Riffology’ landed last year, Mancunian beer swillers Pist have been on a roll, touring extensively across the country and playing a blinder at this year’s Bloodstock festival. Their fun loving no fucks given attitude and tasty riffs turned heads, and their debut album will certainly turn a lot more. Aptly named ‘Rhythm & Booze’, and recorded at Skyhammer Studio with esteemed producer Chris Fielding, Pist welcome us to the party with their booze fuelled stoner rock head bangers.

Churning out riff after riff, ‘Rhythm & Booze’ picks up where ‘Riffology’ left off. Bluesy, groovy riffs, alongside Dave Rowland’s gargled glass vocals, prove to be a winning combination throughout the album. “Detached” is outrageously catchy, utilizing the power of the riff to its full potential. “Deadbeat” is clearly a nod to Motorhead, particularly in terms of the vocal delivery. Interlude “The Worst Time of Year” showcases impressive and almost tranquil guitar work, but feels somewhat out of place. “68” is fast and boisterous; the compelling need to nod your head and tap your foot is irresistible.   

The Orange Goblin comparison is unavoidable yet complimentary, no surprises they will be supporting OG at their upcoming Manchester gig in December. Pist create music that translates extremely well into the live environment, unlike a lot of bands they exude a lot of personality, which comes through both on record and stage.

Pist’s sense of humor is clearly imbued in this album, from the artwork (yes that’s Taylor Swift) to track titles such as “Cuntlip”, and the never ending spew scene from Team America (“fuck yeah!”) that features at the end of “Chunder”. However, their music is no joke; it’s polished, well crafted and almost hard to believe it’s a debut full length. Their direction is clear and focused, which is portrayed in their output. Great prospects lie ahead for Pist, but they’ll be too shitfaced to remember any of it of course.

“Rhythm & Booze” is available here

Band info: Facebook|Bandcamp

The Sludgelord Presents: Riff Fest, August 29th @ The Alma Inn, Bolton (UK)

“With Riff Fest every band has been booked because we love them and believe in them. As long as the band has got a heavy, catchy riff then it’s cool. I’m very keen to stress, that all these bands could headline the event in our eyes.” – Adam Swarbrick

It’s a Sunday evening and, with a belly fun of ale, lager or whatever devilish nectar is your poison, the friendly debates shift into gear. Enthusiastic shouts of ‘that’s the best riff ever’ and ‘why aren’t that band bigger than they are, their new EP is killer’ and so on reverberate in the pub as dusk draws in.

We all love heavy music and the encompassing scene – indeed, the fact you are even reading this solidifies that notion – but for Adam Swarbick and Jim MacGranthin, the general manager of Bolton’s metallic watering hole The Alma Inn, love wasn’t enough:

“We were sat in the pub talking about the bands we love, great gigs, riffs and so on, as I’m sure we all do. I remember thinking ‘dude, let’s put everything we can into putting on the best show we can’. We planned the first Riff Fest [in 2014] about 9 months in advance, the idea being we’d have more chance of securing all the bands we wanted, being so far in advance. So we got to work, got a pen and paper, and wrote down all our favourite bands from across the UK, fortunately everyone said yes!”

Now preparing to launch its second edition of the festival – a free entry one-dayer featuring some heavy arse and frankly brilliant bands – the event can build on recent success seen around the country. From Desertfest’s continual growth and expansion to Red Sun in Cardiff, Yorkshire Riffer in Leeds and beyond, the scene is in absolute rude health right now. With a large contingent of this year’s line up being local to Manchester and the North West – Ten Foot Wizard, Nomad, Boss Keloid, Eyesaw, Pist, Barbarian Hermit, Mower, Arke & The Hicks – it promises to be a celebration of our area’s finest bludgeonings. That is, of course, alongside the unapologetic stomp of Gurt, Slabdragger and Raging Speedhorn, Trippy Wicked’s…erm…trippy wickedness and more.

So, with such a great line up, why are we allowed in for fuck all?

“I get asked a lot about this,” explains Swarbrick. “It was one of the first things we discussed, it being free. Unfortunately, myself and Jim have, in the past worked really hard to bring good bands here. Depressingly we realised a lot of folk were put off by a meagre entrance fee. So we thought, ‘fuck it! We’ll do it free’ so as to give people no excuse not to attend. We’re very keen on Riff Fest having a party vibe. I think all attendee’s from last year can attest to that. It was utterly rammed.

“The North West has always been a very active hive of great, passionate, hard-working bands. We will always keep local bands on. It’s so important to give the local bands a platform to display themselves on. Mower were first on last year, a relatively new band then. A year on and a lot of people are talking about them and rightly so.”

On the current blossoming of ‘stoner/doom’ festivals across the UK, Adam was quick to wax lyrical about the latest of these, Red Sun. “Red Sun blew me away and I made sure to personally congratulate the guys. They’d worked so hard on creating an independent festival. They succeeded.

“The scene is in good shape, although I must admit personally, I’m not a fan of the term ‘stoner/doom’, I think it covers such a broad spectrum now. In fact I think that’s why we called it something as simple as ‘Riff Fest’ rather than something more specific. As long as the band has got a heavy, catchy riff then it’s cool. We really wanted to book this solo artist on a steel guitar with a slide last year, so we’re quite open to bands style’s when booking. There really is a good support now; it doesn’t seem to be a flash in the pan either, which is obviously great. As long as we all (bands, fans, promoters) keep the faith, we’ll be here for a long time yet.

Obviously, from the punter/media angle, we only see the glory; the beers, the belting bands and the unforgettable, albeit blurry, memories. So what are the biggest challenges of putting on an event like Riff Fest?

“Easy. The running order! Sometimes you go to a gig, and let’s face it, sometimes bands are billed in terms of popularity/how well established they are/how ‘good’ they are. With Riff Fest every band has been booked because we love them and believe in them. I’m very keen to stress, that all these bands could headline the event in our eyes.

And finally, what are the biggest rewards and personally, who are you most looking forward to about this year's event?

“It sounds cheesy, but simply everyone having a great time. It’s coming up 12 months since the last one, people still say ‘dude that was the best day of last year.’ Many people still talk about it, and also how excited they are for this year’s. So that’s all the reward we could ask for.

“Just look at the line-up, it’s gold!”

Words: Phil Weller

For more information:

Facebook event - https://www.facebook.com/events/1544541289134935/

PIST - Riffology - EP Review

Album Type: EP

Date Released: Feb 10^th 2014

Label: When Planets Collide

Riffology - track listing:

1.Wither 04:33

2.Gutter Slut 02:58

3.Rats in their own Haunts 01:36

4.Dispose 03:26

5.Pist 04:44

Bio

Formed in December 2013, PIST are moving at breakneck speed. The 4 piece riff merchants, from Greater Manchester, already have the release of their 5 track EP 'Riffology' and a May UK tour in their sights. Singer Dave Rowlands and Drummer Andy Hunt have played together for over a decade, bringing into the fold Guitarist John Nicholson and Bassist Michael Collins - the four members regularly jam over some beers and the riffs flow.

The band immediately caught the attention of Gurt's Gareth Kelly, who instantly stepped up to release their inital offering via his When Planets Collide label. Recorded in one weekend at Skyhammer Studios with producer Chris Fielding (Conan, Winterfylleth, Electric Wizard, Napalm Death) at the helm, 'Riffology' showcases PISTs heavy and groovy jams perfectly and is as much a statement of intent as a debut EP.

Not content with simply being part of a scene, the members of PIST are also busy organising the scene - with 3/4 of the band independently promoting shows in Manchester, including the upcoming Orange Goblin headlined 'F.O.A.D.' Festival at Sound Control.

2014 will see PIST spread their noise across the UK, moving straight from the EP into writing their debut album.

PIST Members

Dave Rowlands - Vocals

John Nicholson - Guitars

Mike Collins - Bass

Andy Hunt - Drums

Review:

So here is UK hotly tipped Stoners – PIST – debut EP – Riffology. And it's brilliantly titled as this EP is full of head-banging, groove slinging RIFFS.

If ever an release was meant for riffs then this is definitely it. How the fuck has this band created a great release such as this even though they have only been together for 3 months or so. It shouldn't happen but to PIST's credit they have delivered a stunning EP which should see these Stoner Rockers go very far indeed.

First track Wither – will show you what a great band they actually are. It's hard-rocking affair that will soon get you into the groove with it's pulsating mix of Hard Rock, Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal that will make you a fan right away.

Second track – Gutter Slut – feels like the bastard offspring of AC/DC and Orange Goblin as lead vocalist – Dave – channels his Brian Johnson inner persona with the band matching some pounding riffs that the legendary Orange Goblin would be proud to call their own. Definitely my fave track off the EP as it gets straight down to business in rocking out.

Though PIST do show their tender side on the next track – Rats in Their Own Haunts – a spellbinding slow burning track which oozes atmosphere something I wouldn't expect from a band like PIST. And I mean that as a compliment.

But the band go back to their Stoner Metal roots with the excellent track – Dispose – which shows the band in fine hard-rocking form. Blazing riffs and vocals combine for 4 minutes of finely tuned riffs which you can't help but head-bang to.

PIST leave the best track for last with the track – PIST. An almost 5 minute track blending Hard Rock and Stoner Metal riffs that once again has a certain AC/DC vibe and that is no bad thing. PIST won't change the world with their music but Riffology proves they have the potential to go very far indeed.

Riffology is an excellent debut EP and I for one can't wait to hear what their full length brings. Riffology is available to buy on BandCamp Buy Now Download. Just download this now. You won't be sorry.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Check The Band From Links Below

Official

Facebook
BandCamp

Written by Steve Howe