Number 7

Number 7

That was the heavy Sasquatch lumbering around on Number 8. The seven spots that follow were on the Stoner HiVe Top 20 Countdown list from the moment the voting started. Changing positions, almost falling off, but never completely. That some of these albums ended up this high as they did, was a bit of surprise to me. But not for this one. Not to me! For this one, was one of my personal favorites from the moment I heard it. It transported me back to the time driving around Norway for a certain article about cars and the Molde Jazz festival. That was helluva lot of fun! But driving the Atlantic Road with this album on would have been so much better! It shines in all its psychedelic goodness and moves into a slightly darker realm, in regards to their earlier release, without ever becoming oppressive. It actually sounds extremely wide with all the wonderful vistas they evoke. And with so much room for all the instruments and voice to excel, it leaves you breathless. And that is exactly what they do best, that wonderful translation of the  sensation of a massive open expanse into heavy psychedelic rock and making it weave through your head and heart. It is a leisurely majestic, yet urgent trek across a mountains terrain which moves the soul and inspires the spirit at every turn...

Red Mountains – Slow Wander

Red Mountains – Slow Wander

Red Mountains – Slow Wander

All Good Clean Records – 2017

Rock, Stoner, Psych, Doom

Rated: ****

The honorable Charlie Tooth wrote about their debut album Down With The Sun back in 2015. And now, two years later, when September rolls around, the Norwegian Red Mountains are back with a new release called Slow Wander. And it is a majestic slow, yet urgent, trek across the highlands. Across a mountainous terrain that moves the soul and inspires the spirit at every turn. Produced by Spidergawd’s Per Borton, who also delivers guest vocals on the Acid Wedding track, the album definitely shines in all its psychedelic goodness and moves into a slightly darker realm without ever becoming oppressive. It actually sounds extremely wide in its vistas and with so much room for all the instruments and voice to excel. And that is really what they do best, that wonderful translation sensation an open expanse into heavy psychedelic rock and making it weave through your head and heart. Man, I want to go back to Norway again and cruise the Atlantic Road with this album at exactly the right volume…

(Written by JK)

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Stoner HiVe’s Top 5 Artists listened to last week…

Stoner HiVe’s 

Top 5 Artists listened to last week…

Queens of The Stone Age

Mr. Big

Mother Engine

Greenbeard

Red Mountains

We haven’t had much time the past month. It showed in updates and it showed in the amount of new albums listened to. Well, we have a bit more time now. For a week or two. So, we did a lot of listening again. Ofcourse everything the Doom Chart mentioned was high on the list. But we could not shy away from the new Queens Of The Stone Age. They have to this album not released a bad one. Although Era Vulgaris wasn’t really my cup of tea. And it seems this one will neither. Unfortunately. Not that it’s a bad album. It just doesn’t seem to move me. And that is what it is aimed at, physically, actually moving, I read. In preparation for an interview with Mr. Gilbert we listened to Mr.Big a lot. But what really moved us was the new Mother Engine! These German cats know how to rev up the machine! Another one that inspired is Greenbeard. Lödarödböl is a truly stunning piece of work; artwork included! Last but certainly not least, Red Mountains from Norway, have returned with a beautiful record. It shall be released at beginning of September and will surely captivate all you lovely freaks out there! See the mention tomorrow for a few more words about Red Mountains new album Slow Wander. But for now, turn up the volume and let the cool tunes set the right mood!

Red Mountains – Down With The Sun

Red Mountains – Down With The Sun

Nasoni Records – 2015

Rated: ****

Rock, Stoner, Grunge

Nice!!! Red Mountains kill on this freshman offering. You wouldn't know Down With The Sun was their first release. The writing and playing has a certain maturity that comes with having experienced craftsmen. Not knowing their age I can only assume these guys have been around a while in other acts. Everyone in this band is solid on record. Styles on the LP span the decades of the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s guitar driven rock. The LP has a very nice production with the drums having a sort of 70's lo-fi thing going on and of course heavy guitars, killer vocals at times bordering on grunge, and nice low end bass. The band is far from drone. Not that drone is always bad. But I prefer diversity; and this album has it. The opening cut ‘Six Hands’ reeks 90’s, which for me is a little refreshing with that time past and turned into classic. Second track ‘Sun’ is dynamic with nice tempo changes, ode to Maiden. So on and so forth right up to the tune ‘Silver Grey Sky’. Stylistic and tasty I may find myself sporting a Red Mountains tee soon. Nasoni Records is releasing a limited press of 300 vinyl available September. Charlie Tooth says: "take a bite outta this one". You won't regret it!

(Written by Charlie Tooth)

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