Zac's "Double Dose": All Them Witches / Pelican

All Them Witches: Lightning At The Door 

 The tail end of last year delivered an immense amount of heavy music that was quite simply impossible to get through by year end. All Them Witches debut release Our Mother Electricity was one of those albums I just didn't get to in time. The important thing is I eventually did get to it and was lucky enough to share it with you all as a Double Dose post. The southern soaked soul of this dynamic, psyche-delta, doom rock quartet left a lasting impression with me and I was curious to see what these fellas would come up with next. Little did I know they would deliver a sophomore follow up in a years time. With Our Mother Electricity still fresh in my mind, still fresh in my speakers I promptly answered the door when I heard Lightning... knocking. The album begins with a spacey piece of poetry called Funeral For A Great Drunken Bird and some excellent percussion. If Mr. Staebler's drumming genius did not stand out to you throughout Our Mother Electricity, I'd say you didn't listen nearly close enough. His subtle percussion brilliance within the four and a half minutes of Funeral For A Great Drunken Bird should open your eyes and give you some insight to what is approaching. But, how does a musician follow up a climactic builder like Funeral...? Well, one way and one way only. With a dank and stanky track that swings with a power swagger and is entitled something like this... "When God Comes Back". Future rockers, take note. Infectious riffing backed up by some of the grooviest steel trash can banging percussion take front stage. Hear it once and you will undoubtedly hit repeat. The boys hit the dirt roads, meandering with Lightning between some more bluesy based melancholy jams to experimental Indian and Middle Eastern sounds. All Them Witches never fully depart from the Sabbath inspired doom that we all know and love, bringing back just enough to slam the door in your face and rattle your spine. For example, see Swallowed By The Sea. With the magnitude of Lightning's closer The Mountain I realized that this band means a lot more to me now than they initially did a year ago. It such a relief to know that real musicians and artists are out there, they are creating, and we here at Heavy Planet are elated to bring their creation to you. Right on. Right on.

 

Members: 

Allan Van Cleave - Keys // Violin 

Ben McLeod - Guitar 

Michael Parks Jr - Vocals // Bass // Acoustic Guitar 

Robby Staebler - Drums

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Pelican: Forever Becoming 

After knocking out a quick write up for All Them Witches' rollickin' Lightning At The Door, what is a man to listen to... I mean it has been a long time since I've had the time to just sit, listen, reflect, and repeat... it's been a long time since I've written anything for the 'Planet. Please forgive that. I certainly haven't forgotten about this place. So as I sit alone peering out the window into a icy and white winter-land over the smell of a warm tobacco pipe and a glass of Tulamore Dew I hit play on Forever Becoming the latest from Chicago's finest instru-metal'ers. Who knew what to expect from Pelican this year with long time friend and band member Laurent Schroeder-Lebec no longer part of the whole. Would there be new sound, a lighter, airier style of tunes, maybe vocals? I mean we did find some on the 2009 release What We All Come To Need. Forever Becoming begins with some isolated, very distant sounding drumming that steadily builds with the squeals of electric instruments and an X-Files theme sounding set of keys. This is Terminal. A brief introduction, but critical to the foundation of track two Deny The Absolute. Within moments Deny The Absolute solidifies Pelican as THE definitive instrumental musicians of this generation. Noticeable is the reflection of their past and pivotal post metal releases, music that created a genre all its own. Deny The Absolute has the gusto to entertain even the most unlikely listeners. The Tundra and Immutable Dusk bring back memories of their mammoth 2005 release The Frost in our Throats Will Beckon The Thaw. These tracks emit monstrously heavy wavelengths of sound that create an avalanche between the ear drums and mind. The album fully ascends with Perpetual Dawn, a culmination of everything that is Pelican, a distant reverberation of electric buzz transforms into mind tingling riffing within the first thirty seconds. The nine and a half minute micro-symphony follows a formula that only Trevor and the crew know, twisting through the most tangled of sonic forests and quiet caverns. The tracks final five minutes dynamically shift in ways that aren't describable, you just have to experience it. In the end that is what every Pelican album is... not so much music or notes strung together but a life experience. Thanks guys for staying true.

 

Members: 

Bryan Herweg 

Dallas Thomas 

Larry Herweg 

Trevor Shelley de Brauw

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Zac's "Double Dose": Chili Cold Blood / The Devil Rides Out

Chili Cold Blood: And Now The Dawn

Chili Cold Blood aren't new to the pages of Heavy Planet. Introduced as a NBTBOT back in 2010 Chili Cold Blood were then an eight year old Texas blues rock project with over a handful of releases under their belt. Getting a stealth message via email from Chili Cold Blood's own guitar ace, I was informed that the fellas would be releasing their seventh album and celebrating ten years of heavy, southern-fried, blues rock. What can you expect from the Austin, Texas based gang with their upcoming release? Well, all I can share at this time is a killer cut of a raw recording for Drivin' Rain, a single from the unnamed and upcoming album. Like a stoned and completely fuzzed out form of Stevie Ray Vaughan's Texas blues Chili Cold Blood inject a good measure of distorted grunge into Drivin' Rain. The vocals appear as abrasive as the sandpaper RIFFS and the track soon transitions into the Superstitious inspired Chasin' Amy. Check it out below and hit up Chili Cold Blood at facebook or any place you can reach them.

   

 *Great news, after writing this promo up I stumbled onto Chili Cold Blood's bandcamp page where their seventh release, entitled And Now The Dawn, is streaming in its entirety. Be sure to check out the studio recording of Drivin' Rain, now sounding much fuller with a bit of 80's thrash attitude and a steel guitar.

Members: 

Dave Wesselowski - Bass 

Doug Strahan - Guitar // Vocals 

Ethan Shaw - Pedal Steel // Vocals 

Matt Puryear - Drums

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The Devil Rides Out: The Righteous Walk [Single] 

This week's second 'Dose are an Australian four-piece full of blues ignited hell-fire. Welcome The Devil Rides Out and their latest single The Righteous Walk from their Ugly Creatures EP. Normally producing a down-tuned and heavy-as-hell form of stoner doom The Devil Rides Out take a step back and release an eclectic blues track. Boasting a Johnny Cash inspired swagger The Devil Rides Out trample the pavement below their feet with a resolute confidence in this experimental sound. Adding a soulful character the band implement a harmony from the keys, which lie under the tremendous crunch of the rhythym section. Joey K's gravelly and passionate vocal delivery are robust and top off the musical masterpiece flawlessly. Check out the official video below and if you find you need more than a single the entire Ugly Creatures EP is up for grabs at bandcamp now.

 

Members: 

Andrew Ewing - Guitar // Vocals 

Joey K - Vocals 

Nathan Sproule - Drums 

Scott Paterson - Bass

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Zac's "Double Dose": Lilium / Skeletons In The Piano

Lilium: Black, Dear 

Italy is a growing power-house in the down-tuned and ethereal music department. Most notable of the Italians are Ufomammut and their perfected vision of doom, drone, and psychedelic metal through the 2012 dual releases Oro. Here to carry another beacon of the Italian interpretation is Lilium, a band that has a snug-fitting form of post-metal influenced sludge that leaves the listener inseparable from the piece of music they've just experienced. Not so much like the mud caked sludge that needs a pressure wash for removal. Lilium leaves more of a warm, in utero ooze, which although can be wiped away easily, leaves an enduring and psycho-emotional bruise that lingers. 

Now, word in the underground is that Lilium will be releasing their debut record, entitled Black, Dear, through Taxi Driver Store sometime this year. However, the band decided to issue a couple singles along the road to release, starting with the track Solitude last October. Toting some sincere lyrical content behind an eerie intro Solitude packs a post-metal punch through a gravely style of singing in the vein of Isis. The use of synths on this four minute song accentuate the atmosphere immensely surrounding the guitars and rhythym instruments. More recently Lilium released a second single entitled Oak Tree. Like watching an inescapable storm steadily toil over the open sea Oak Tree approaches with a distant and peaceful thunder concealed by a pleasantly picked measure. More so, adding to the peaceful inception, lead singer Filippo's softly whispered and over-dubbed lyrics broadcast a Deftones, Chino Moreno vibe. By the time three minutes of Oak Tree have elapsed the outer walls of the storm have suddenly appeared at your head, pouring sonic waves through your body. Check it out via youtube below and keep posted for the full length release.

Members: 

Daniele - Guitar 

Davide - Synth // Sampler 

Enrico - Drums 

Filippo - Vocals 

Michele - Bass // Vocals 

Stefano - Guitar

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Skeletons In The Piano: Please Don't Die 

This weeks second 'Dose are a full five-piece ensemble (plus two belly-dancers) and call themselves Skeletons In The Piano. Performing one of the most diverse forms of rock 'n roll I've ever heard, Skeletons incorporate haunting lyrics and melodies in a strange operatic circus full of contrasting sounds. As their belly-dancers, Katarra [Peterson] and Tatiana [Morales], hypnotize on looking fans the musical foundation of Skeletons parallel these actions with dense sound waves. The convergence of the guitars, banjo, and violin erupt in an authentic gypsy celebration while lead-man Elijah [Hargrave] conjures his inner Mike Patton. It's not all cheery and psychedelic fun though. Skeletons dig deep with an extra measure of heavy and progressive metal character. Check out The Price Put On You below or pick up a copy of their latest release Please Don't Die at Magnetic Eye Records.

Members: 

Brad Thibodeau - Guitar // Banjo 

Dustin Alexander - Bass // Vocals 

Elijah Hargrave - Vocals // Guitar 

Eric Donovan - Drums 

Jeff Ayers - Violin // Keys 

Katarra Peterson - Dance // Percussion 

Tatiana Morales - Dance

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Zac's "Double Dose": Mind! / Tumbleweed Dealer

Mind! / Stunde Null 

Our first serving of this weeks 'Dose, called Mind!, come from the port city Algeciras in southern Spain. Mind! are a four-piece space rock band that offer an escape, as any port city should. Only this escape isn't taking listeners into the Mediterranean Sea or the depths of the vast Atlantic Ocean. Mind!'s escape glares deep into starry sky's of the boundless universe. I mean, where else would a space rock band focus their gaze? Utilizing multiple keyboards along side other electronic wiz-bangs Mind! add a complexity to otherwise beautifully simple song structures. The quartet have also exploited the signature characteristics from the psychedelic and hard rock genres of the sixties and seventies showing strong influences from the cosmic pioneers Pink Floyd. This influence comes through most evident in midst of Time to Fly, a ten minute galaxy sized track. Mind! introduce Time to Fly with a Santana-esque guitar lick over-lapping a chunky bass-line. This bob and weave technique of the guitar and bass lapses for four minutes, doing well to lure listeners into a trance. Just as the hypnotic numbing fully sets in Time to Fly breaks through the gravitational sphere employing an acoustic guitar back-drop allowing the electric lead to soar through the cosmic plane. Finally, in true Floyd-ian fashion Mind!employ a shared vocal delivery adding an urgency to their celestial journey. Check out Time to Fly and the rest of the release, Stunde Null, at bandcamp where Mind! have a limited edition 12" gatefold vinyl for sale.

Members: 

Matt - Guitar // Vocals // Keyboard 

Pot - Guitar // Vocals // Keyboard // Sinte // Theremin 

Pow - Bass // Vocals 

Serg - Drums // Percussion

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Tumbleweed Dealer: Tumbleweed Dealer 

The need for a desert rock inspired form of instrumental metal has emerged with the blistering heat of a Mojave Desert sunrise from none other than Montreal, Canada. I didn't see that one coming. This weeks second serving, Tumbleweed Dealer, roam and ramble the torrid realm of desert rock via instrumental Earth inspired drone and Pelican post rock attributes. Mr. Seb Painchaud, notoriously known for a death metal and metalcore sound, decided to experiment in the midst of a hazy bender one evening. The outcome couldn't be further from the roots Painchaud is most familiar with. Handling all of the guitar work himself, Painchaud called on Dopethrone's drummer Carl Borman to cover the percussion on his new brainchild. Adopting a western theme Tumbleweed Dealers form of post-rock structured songs are injected with a dose of desert and stoner rock making for an exciting journey through this self-titled, full length release. Implementing a thick and full guitar tone Seb's RIFF focused finger work induce an onset of vertigo that resembles the effects of staring at the desert sun on your back, high on peyote. The bass lines are impregnated with a southwestern twang that can only be a long lost cousin of King's Xs own Doug Pinnick while the clash of Borman's cymbals resonate like a lightning storm. Don't miss my favorite track, the slower side of Tumbleweed Dealer, March of The Dead Cowboys. Meandering with a doom-laden trudge March of The Dead Cowboys turns into a disturbing spaghetti western with the inception of with what sounds like some black metal picking on a mandolin. I imagine this as the background score for a scene out of a classic fifties black and white horror flick in what appears to be an Italian restaurant... serving the undead. Oh yeah, and they're drinking Birra Moretti! Check it out at bandcamp and let me know what you think.

Members: 

Alex "All Ex Ghouls" Goulet - Artwork 

Carl Borman - Drums 

Felix Roberge - Musical Director // Live Bassist 

JB - Recording 

 Seb Painchaud - Guitars // Bass

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Zac's "Double Dose": Brain Pyramid / Colossus

Brain Pyramid: Magic Carpet Ride 

Hailing from Rennes, France this weeks first 'Dose, Brain Pyramid, aren't afraid to compound a pliable blues structure and jazz time signatures in effort to create their own versatile and authentic chronicle in the vast halls of psychedelic and acid rock. Brain Pyramid envisioned a narcotic induced composition and liberated it, choosing the title Magic Carpet Ride. A fitting title indeed. Wasting little time getting your mind's eye operating the trio flick their favorite Zippo and the EP opener Bad Luck is strutting through a discordant jazz based instrumental track with that signature seventies sit-com distorted guitar whurl. Bad Luck is engulfed in a cacophony of rhythmic tidal waves, leaving the guitar submerged in the mix before triumphantly resurfacing. A spoken style of vocals materializes in the midst of the heavy and gnarled chord progression of track two, Stone Woman Blues. This vocal approach is carried throughout Magic Carpet Ride, always buried in the mix and an accoutrement to the bounteous slabs of blues RIFF'ing. The prize of the pack for this listener is Mary Jane Blues, a song driven by a slide acoustic guitar, a whole lot of pluckin' and some old time hand clappin'. The track shines with a south-western sweaty-sheen and character that I admire. The fellas then bounce back to the blues focused grooves with the heavy-weight EP closers Cosmic 1000 Years and Electric Spell. Check them all out at bandcamp where Brain Pyramid are offering the download at a "name your price" cost and a limited edition CD for about $5.00.

Members: 

Baptiste Gautier-Lorenzo - Drums 

Gaston Lainé - Guitar // Vocals 

Maxime Ploteau - Bass

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Colossus: Wake 

Colossus have chosen well. They've not only chosen a name that portrays the immense structure of their sound waves, they have managed to illustrate themselves, absolutely, in a single word. Which is mind-boggling once your ears experience all the sonic-nutrition encapsulated inside this sixty minute opus. Having released a highly praised EP, in Spiritual Myiasis, and citing a broad spectrum of progressively minded metal heads as influences, this trio are now ready to climb to the next step on the heavy metal ladder with their first full length release and take some of the recognition they so deserve. The album is entitled Wake and fans of Meshuggah, The Mars Volta, and Tool will find themselves cozy while this warm and organic form of progressive sludge metal coats their cerebral cortex. Wake finds itself in the midst of a music battle where burly, testosterone fueled sludge metal face off in combat with a tempo-driven, jazz-paced choreography. Utilizing some middle eastern themed chanting Colossus connect the earthy concepts that flow so bounteously throughout Wake to its bionic essence. Even with all of this strange, progressive fusion, Colossus unify their concept producing a stand-out and loaded album. In the end Wake is simply COLOSSUS. Be sure to check out the first single Pillars of Perennity below or order a copy at amazon or iTunes

Members: 

Niklas Eriksson - Guitar // Vocals 

Peter Berg - Bass 

Thomas Norstedt - Drums

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Zac's "Double Dose": Black Wizard / Cosmonauts Train Trip

Black Wizard: Young Wisdom

With a pure metal attitude Black Wizard emerge from the cold and damp wild-woods of Western Canada like a sleazier, Nordic version of Guns 'N Roses. This four-piece are simply looking for a drink, some smoke, and the right outlets to plug their amps into... and I think the 'Planet can provide those necessities. After experiencing some delays over the past two years Black Wizard have recruited Anciients' guitarist and vocalist Kenny Cook to cover the Wiz's axe-duty. With this welcome addition, maestro and main-dude Adam Grant and company pressed forward and are set to release their debut full length Young Wisdom this Friday (28th June 2013). Want a preview? Well, the Double Dose is the place for you then... 

Beginning with a patient ambiance Black Wizard doesn't so much break the ice, but melt it away gradually, leaving your unassuming conscience in a state of unprepared complacency. Young Wisdom's opening track, entitled Spacer, has an initial movement that unwinds much like a peaceful post-rock intro. Storming through the peace a lone guitar blazes followed by the gallop of the rhythmic cavalry, quickly eliminating your supporting structure. Black Wizard's overall sound is strongly influenced by hardened stoner rock but scrounge scraps from the punk plate, which surfaces deep in their sound in the form of raw vocals and blistering RIFFS. H.U.G.H., landing at track four, was released last year as a single, giving a lucky few a sampling of Young Wisdom's genius. Black Wizard lay the RIFFS on thick with a slow jam, southern inspired tempo. Grinding RIFF after RIFF, H.U.G.H. builds into a ferocious dual guitar onslaught. The repercussions includes mind-numbing head-banging and a party sing-a-long as the instruments fall back into a steady, stoner friendly pace. Danger Dances gives Young Wisdom a dynamic turn. Implementing falsetto vocals and a rolling waltz quality Black Wizard create a light reprise in the very midst of the album which, in turn, create a very Radiohead-esque vibe. Black Wizard roam the many facets of the punk and rock terrain, stopping at RIFF-city in Something Sweet and scaling immense cliffs to the plateau of Wicked Wander. 

Like a sucker-punch from the frigid north Black Wizard surprised me (much like Black Cowgirl did last year). This time, I'm glad I didn't sit on the chance to get the promo published! With phenomenal artwork and a solid thirty-five minutes of rugged stoner rock you will not want to miss Black Wizard's Young Wisdom. Stoked or not, get over to bandcamp, because the dudes decided to stream Young Wisdom in her entirety!

Members: 

Adam Grant - Vocals // Guitar 

Eugene "Eug" Parkomenko - Drums 

Evan Joel - Bass 

Kenny "Kendo" Cook - Guitar

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Cosmonauts Train Trip: Dust & A Sunbeam

In a similar vein of Romania's The :Egocentrics, this weeks second dose, Cosmonauts Train Trip, produce a psychedelic breed of [mostly] instrumental rock that will transport listeners on an emotive, hyperspace journey. Cosmonauts Train Trip call this post rock inspired, interstellar vehicle Dust & A Sunbeam. Ignition is engaged with a press of the play button and Lunar Lander, an eight minute mega-track, initiate our maiden voyage. Beginning with a heavily computerized vibration, a sensation of preparation sweeps over us, as a voice speaks over the radio describing the view from Dust & A Sunbeam's cockpit. As the vehicle continues to warm up the solitude and quiet diminishes and a rush of atmosphere suddenly appears with the entrance of the bass, drums and guitar. Now that we've acclimated to this new environment Cosmonauts... have us skippin' galaxies and solar systems. Enjoy two tracks from Dust & A Sunbeam streaming at bandcamp or if you are interested in purchasing a copy for yourself, contact the band direct here.

Members: 

Heiner Asmus - Guitar 

Henri Seel - Bass 

Jonathan Schmidt - Drums

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Zac's "Double Dose": BUMMER / The Ravenna Arsenal

 

BUMMER: Young Ben Franklin EP 

This weeks first 'Dose are new to the pages of Heavy Planet and new to the scene. Bummer, huh? No! The name of the band is BUMMER and please don't let the idea of inexperience fool you, because it could cost you. Why? Simply because these guys are angry. Plain angry. This Kansas City based trio create an aggressive model of "neanderthal" noise rock. Implementing measures of sludge and punk rock BUMMER clarify in ten minutes what it has taken "shrinks" years diagnose and solve regarding anger management problems. Let it out and the issues could be cleared up in a matter of minutes... and that is exactly what you'll get here on Young Ben Franklin EP. Three songs, each running approximately running two and a half minutes. Just enough to break a sweat and forget about whatever it was that pissed you off in the first place. Check out my favorite track Good News and drown in all that thick and juicey bass. Then head over to BUMMER's bandcamp page to download the EP... it's FREE and who the hell doesn't have the need to release some of that tension?

Members: 

Matt Perrin - Guitar // Vocals 

Mike Gustafson - Bass 

Sam Hunter - Drums

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The Ravenna Arsenal: I. 

This weeks second 'Dose are not new to the pages of Heavy Planet. The Ravenna Arsenal were introduced as a NBTBOT a couple years ago and the quartet of progressively minded music melders have caused a whole lot of panic in Eastern Ohio. Having opened for the mighty Karma To Burn and playing gigs with other local Ohio and Pennsylvania bands The Ravenna Arsenal hit the studio to record their debut effort I. I. was released this past February heralding a concoction of experimental stoner rock, a constant evolution of sound. From the moment track two The Wild Dogs of Giza begins listeners will find what sounds like a familar and friendly stoner jam session. The song soon after transitions to some flamboyant classic rockin' and then onto what sounds like a take from Queens of the Stone Age type desert session. The Ravenna Arsenal then go full doom on the very next track The Desert Shows No Mercy. The doom doesn't last too long before they are manipulating The Desert... into a post-rock soundscape. Strange and dis-jointed at times, but I. leaves this listener in utter surprise at each twist and turn. Even the most seasoned music fan won't be ready for the metamorphosis of The Ravenna Arsenal throughout I. As we stretch deeper the musical progression continues to evolve, from the clashing cymbals and machine gun drumming found on Fire Moth to the distorted garage crunch and the rousing poppy hooks on The Pregnant Void. Hell, there are even moments during The Pregnant Void that I hear influences of The Darkness... The bloody Darkness! Strange indeed. Don't miss The Pregnant Void below and if you feel you need to keep on guessing spin the rest of I. at bandcamp.

Members: 

Aaron Shay 

Bill Govan 

Ken Royer 

Mike Shea

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Zac's "Double Dose": HALMOS / Kylesa

 

HALMOS: Exist 

This week's Double Dose covers the vast array of musical genres we love and promote here at Heavy Planet... Doom, check. Psychedelic, check. Sludge, check. And last, but certainly not least, Stoner Rock, check and double check. What could be better? How about the fact that both bands are Georgia based, rich with that southern sludge flowing through their veins. This is stacking up to be one of the mightiest 'Doses the 'Planet has conjured. So, enough of this pussyfootin' shuffle, lets get to the music. 

Reg introduced us to HALMOS last year as a NBTBOT. As newcomers to the game HALMOS had their work cut out for them. Shaping their doom-laden sludge as a duo proved effective, however the dudes wanted the crust of the earth to waiver and shake beneath them, opening the gates to the mantle and giving way to a sea of liquid magma. HALMOS have achieved their desired goal by redefining their very anatomy. Having now added another guitarist and a bass player HALMOS' sound is full, complete. With four-horsemen in saddle HALMOS refined some old stuff, created some new stuff and produced Exist. Still driving each track is a doom-paced march, steadily craving away sea and earth. No folks, we hardly break into a gallop in Exist. Trodding along decimating everything in its path Exist grows with immense distortion and something rare... all four musician's vocals. This could be a stumbling block for some, but HALMOS excel and add a new depth to the southern sludge scene with this characteristic. Be sure to spin my favorite track Outcry below. Packed with intelligent percussion and a tribal flair, Outcry is one of the few tracks that speed things up and implements a dynamic range of vocalization and timing. Lastly, check out the upcoming HALMOS tour dates this summer here and support them by pickin' up a copy Exist at bandcamp.

Members: 

Casey Yarbrough - Guitar // Vocals 

Corey Briley - Guitar // Vocals 

Melanie Maher - Bass // Vocals 

Travis Anderson - Drums // Vocals

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Kylesa: Ultraviolet 

Wake up! Breathe in! Exhale! Initiate dream sequence. Welcome to the conception of Kylesa's latest album, fittingly named Ultraviolet. Wasting absolutely no time in announcing Ultraviolet as their own, Kylesa's first track, Exhale, stomps with that signature percussive heavy sound. For those readers unfamiliar with the Georgia progressive mud-slingers, its time to crawl out from your cave. Kylesa are one of the most dynamic five-pieces to hit the metal scene... the music scene. Period. Ultraviolet is their sixth full length release and follow-up to the totally excellent 2010 release Spiral Shadow. Brandishing a more progressive rock tone with Spiral Shadow, Kylesa began redefining the Georgia-sludge genre that they helped established. Rather than regressing Kylesa have continued to challenge their creative core (and that of their fans) and construct something authentic from the black and white sludge canvas they started with some ten years ago. Kylesa have transitioned to a gray scale, adding magnitudes of depth and texture, with the releases Static Tension and Spiral Shadow. Finally, with the delivery of Ultraviolet Kylesa display their full manipulation of sonic frequency, creating what I would like to call the cosmic technicolor orchestra. Much more psychedelic sounding, huh? That's exactly what I found on Ultraviolet. 

The new dynamics Kylesa has bred into their sound level the playing field, very similar to what Baroness did last year with Yellow & Green. Also similar to Yellow & Green, I discovered as Ultraviolet plays each track becomes a bit more experimental, a bit different from the initial sound we were introduced to, leaving the musicians vulnerable, baring everything. [Please do not take this as a direct comparison to Baroness, I don't mean it to be.]   All this bodes well for a group of musicians who remain flexible and versatile in this chaotic and ever changing landscape. One thing that Kylesa doesn't change is the victorious uproar that two drummers can create. Take one of my favorite tracks Long Gone. Immediately noticeable is the dual drumming and its prominence in the mix. Long Gone meanders gently until the one minute thirty second mark where everything disappears from the mix except the tribal beat from Carl McGinley and Eric Hernandez. The guitars quietly enter again followed by Laura Pleasants' lovely voice, giving Long Gone a dark pop-touch. There is a magnetic force about Laura Pleasants here on Ultraviolet compared to past releases. She has always had that grab you by the balls allure, but now the auditory combination of her raw aggression and elegant beauty produce a mysterious attraction that will pull all music lovers deeper into the Kylesa sphere. Low Tide is another step towards vulnerability for the band. Here influences from eighties shoegaze and pop shine brighter, as well as the overall psychedelic mood. Low Tide create a drowning feeling and Laura enchants with dreamy vocals leaving listeners very comfortable while Phillip Cope encourages with the lyrics, "It's not the end." Vulture's Landing promptly follows up with a more familar Kylesa sound. The bass and percussion grind away at the clock while heavy, southern inspired RIFFS press us forward. Laura's vocals again surface in that same dreamy sense although now in with more foreboding tone. 

In a recent review Coverkiller Nation coined the description Dream Sludge while speaking about Ultraviolet. I like that and think its a fitting description for this new wave release from one of Georgia's finest and most talented. Implementing the right elements from psychedelic, pop, progressive, and shoegaze styles Kylesa have illustrated themselves not only in technicolor and ultraviolet but also infrared and any wave length your nerdy metal-mind can concoct. Pick up your copy now from Seasons of Mist or your favorite retailer.

Members: 

Carl McGinley - Drums 

Chase Rudeseal - Bass 

Eric Hernandez - Drums 

Laura Pleasants - Vocals // Guitar 

Phillip Cope - Vocals // Guitar // Theremin

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Zac's "Double Dose": Across Tundras / Whitcomb

 

Across Tundras: Electric Relics 

Like a tumble-weed rolling by in the scorched desert of the southwest I allowed Across Tundras' 2011 release Sage escape me entirely. By placing Sage at his number three spot of his year-end list Toby graciously reminded me that Across Tundras was not a band to be missed or a sound to be taken lightly. His July 2011 review praised the quirky combination of the country twang trickling from the guitar and the doom paced trudge of the rhythm section. This begot a sound which I can only describe as the soundtrack for the traveling lonely en route to desolation. Heeding my Heavy Planet sensei's call, I chose not to let Across Tundras latest release, entitled Electric Relics, escape me. Now, having patiently experienced both releases I am conscious of the isolation Sage brought and how well Across Tundras have aged with the achievement of Electric Relics. Bounteous in Classic-Americana, Tanner's signature crooning lead us down the desolate trail. There is still a very heavy side to what Across Tundras is doing, strongly influenced by doom and traditional heavy metal, but shrouded by years of weathering. Here on Electric Relics I sense a stronger influx of a hardened style of Alternate Country, still holding onto that Americana swagger. The kind of swagger that comes from a life-style of swingin' pickaxes and sledgehammers and having just enough energy to hold your head up at the end of a sixteen plus hour day to down an ice cold beer. Across Tundras create, what may be, one of the most difficult styles of music a writer must describe. Truly a genre of their own. Although it may sound straight forward... a simple combination of country and doom... there is so much more to this band and more specifically this album. The trio toy with loads of experimental psychedelia and, what sounds to me, as interesting time signatures (although I know absolute jack of musical method, structure and time signatures). Take for instance the track Driftless Caravan. Tying together a gallop of percussion and clanging brass, Across Tundras inject a toxic RIFF that gives Driftless Caravan the sensation of a flat tire. By that I mean that the instrumentation always seem to be cycling, but at the same time attempting to catch up to one another. Like everything is in time, but it isn't... Simply intoxicating. Although, the song that truly sums up the Across Tundras experience for this listener is track number six Castaway. With a trickle of that southern sweat Tanner's guitar weeps in excruciating loneliness as Castaway's heartbeat. A few taps of the brass and the rhythm section step in to build on the immensity of Tanner's RIFF. Castaway roams this repetitive path to the point of exhaustion where the tempo slows creating a climatic apex with the reflective lines, "Was it all just a dream... Is anything really what it seems? Nobody knows." And with that moment Castaway changes its course with an uplifting progression for higher land. Electric Relics is the perfect follow-up to their 2011 release Sage and the ideal theme for a strong man broken by the mundane and pains of the hard life. Spin Castaway below and get a vinyl copy at Across Tundras web-store.

Members: 

Casey Perry - Drums // Percussion 

Mikey Allred - Bass 

Tanner Olson - Guitar // Vocals

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Whitcomb: The Conqueror 

Looking for a fresh take on classic heavy metal? Look no further than Portland, Maine's Whitcomb. Not only does this quintet recreate that classic heavy metal sound, they do so injecting loads of melody making for an euphonious, albeit heavy, experience. With a blazing fifteen minute run-time Whitcomb's latest endeavor, The Conqueror, rushes your senses with a twin guitar attack backed up by some towering vocals. Heroically surging over the mix, Brant Dadaleares vocal ability is a pivotal characteristic for Whitcomb and their style of melo-metal (not to be confused with mellow). The band open The Conqueror with a juicey RIFF-FEST entitled Blind. Within thirty seconds you will be overcome by Brant's soaring singing, all the while the RIFFS continue to build up Blind. Herein I also find the drumming from Mark Sayer noteworthy. The clash of the cymbals to the rolling thunder hidden below the ascending guitars and vocals compliment and refine the three minute forty second, radio friendly song. Whitcomb do slow things down for the ballad-like To A Skull.  However, in the end expect their signature melodic rush throughout The Conqueror. Check out the official video for Blind below or get your copy from bandcamp or iTunes.

Members: 

Brant Dadaleares - Vocals 

Andy Beavis - Guitars 

Sean Libby - Guitars // Vocals 

Ryan Fleming - Bass 

Mark Sayer - Drums // Vocals 

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Zac's "Double Dose": Herder / Temple

 

Herder: Horror Vacui 

A soundtrack of horrors with ample listen-ability? That seems like a paradox if I've ever heard one. But really that is the only way to describe what Westereen (Netherlands) based sextet Herder are spewing, and yes this sludge is spewed forth with a passion and intensity so thick that it will coat your ear canals for days. Horror Vacui is the title of Herder's 2012 release and with-holds the very meaning of the music that awaits within. Horror vacui, in relation to art, means a fear of empty space. Guess what the one thing you will find very little of here on Horror Vacui is? Empty space. You won't have a moment of airy clarity here, just incessant murky energy that will leave your mind a bit more claustrophobic than it was before you pressed play. This doom and sludge bred bastard is so dense with sound that you will certainly sink in it. However, there is an un-suppressed amount of melody that contains the sullied and contaminated sludge that flows so freely here, bringing ties to the southern groove pioneers like Pantera and Crowbar. Even more potent than the melodic nature of Herder is their signature three way guitar onslaught. While the rhythm section certainly set the momentum and drive each song its these three separate guitars groovin' and thrashin' in unison that set Herder apart from other sludge and doom focused musicians. Check out their terrifying artwork and albums name-sake Horror Vacui below or head over to Reflection Records web-store to order a copy.

Members: 

BLITZER - Bass // Booze 

JB - Guitar // Sunn 

JEROEN - Guitar // Blaze 

MARC - Guitar // Doom 

NICO - Vocals // Smokes 

TOM - Drums // Fashion

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Temple: On The Steps Of The Temple 

A church, a mosque, a synagogue, a temple. These places we, as humans, call holy come in many different names and forms. Universally, though, we find ourselves in these areas for one reason. To dig, to reflect, and to discover more about ourselves and the world around us. Music can also be a tool used to enhance this search, whether it is heard at one of these sites in the form of sacred music, chanting, or even in a place as comfortable as your own living room. Today's second 'Dose uses the idea of a temple in and throughout their debut release On The Steps Of The Temple, even to the point of naming of the band, Temple. This creates a hugely conceptual nature to the overall package (I mean... look at that killer album art!), begging to be explored, just like a temple should. What Temple have done here with On The Steps Of The Temple is combined the atmosphere of post-metal with the intensity and aggression of the most extreme forms of metal. Here, On The Steps Of The Temple your minds eye will be clobbered by an onslaught of percussion via blast beats and good old fashioned heavy drumming. The guitars follow up Temple's percussive drive with introspective passages, sludge-laden RIFF-AGE, and haunting solos. So, take the first stride onto ...The Steps... and patiently listen to what Temple will unravel. Who knows, you may find some answers...

Members: 

Rich - Drums // Producer 

Ryan - Guitars // Bass // Keys // Engineer

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