The Watchers – Black Abyss

Author: Sammy Fröbel

Band: The Watchers
Album: Black Abyss
Genre: Heavy Rock
Label: Ripple Music
Release Date: March 9, 2018
Listen & Buy: JPC, Amazon, Bandcamp, Spotify, iTunes
Social: Facebook
Live: –
Website: –

The art of being a supergroup is to create something new out of the previous work with other bands. This is what The Watchers did with their second release “Black Abyss”. You can hear the influence of Orchid, Spiral Arms and Black Gates in every single note since the San Francisco/Bay Area-based foursome delivers heavy Rock riffs with a badass attitude. Unfortunately, The Watchers are not very innovative. Some dark moments here, a great guitar solo there, but all in all “Black Abyss” sounds like the typical Hard Rock album: a load of guitar solos, fat riffs and succinct vocals. The concept seems to work. The Watchers are touring all over the USA, together with bands like Saxon.

May 24, 2018 Add Comment

Melvins – Pinkus Abortion Technician

Author: Sammy Fröbel

Band: Melvins
Album: Pinkus Abortion Technician
Genre: Experimental, Sludge, Noise Rock
Label: Pias UK / Ipecac
Release Date: April 20, 2018
Listen & Buy: JPC, Amazon, Bandcamp, Spotify, iTunes
Social: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
Live: –
Website: melvins.net

There are so many ways to describe the great Melvins and none of these words will ever describe them more perfect then “restless”. The combo around Buzz Osbourne cannot let a year go by without releasing a new record – their newest masterpiece is called “Pinkus Abortion Technician”. To realize it, the trio got Butthole Surfers bass player Jeff Pinkus involved. We know the Melvins’ line-up with two drummers or two guitar players, but two bass players are something innovative for the band. The record itself is a variation of new songs and covers. The opener “Stop Moving To Florida” is a combined cover version of the James Gang song of the same name and the Butthole Surfers’ song “Moving To Florida”. A Beatles track is as well part of the album as the band’s own songs, which breath the well-known brute-noise sound of the Melvins. Even if you’re not a fan already, you should definitely check this record out and become one.

May 9, 2018 Add Comment

Death Alley – Superbia

Author: Sammy Fröbel

Band: Death Alley
Album: Superbia
Genre: Proto-Rock, Prog-Rock, Retro-Rock
Label: Century Media Records
Release Date: March 23, 2018
Listen & Buy: JPC, Amazon, Bandcamp, Spotify, iTunes
Social: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube
Live: –
Website: deathalley.nl

The Dutch Retro-rock outfit Death Alley is back in game. With their second album “Superbia”, the foursome brings some groove on your record player. The band wanted to evolve their style after releasing their debut “Black Magick Boogieland”. This came out pretty good since their Prog Rock influences come out more clearly now. In the opener “Daemon”, they combine dark grooves with hymnic parts á la King Crimson and their trademark riffs. In “Murder Your Dreams” you’ll hear elements of the members’ Punk Rock past. Unfortunately, the other side of the coin of having an own recognizable sound, is the danger of repetition. Sometimes you get the feeling, that everything sounds pretty similar. This does not necessarily have to be a bad thing since we all listen to our favorite records over and over again. If you’re looking for the darker little brother of the Hellacopters, you should give “Superbia” a spin.

April 23, 2018 Add Comment

Killer Boogie – Acid Cream

Author: Sammy Fröbel

Band: Killer Boogie
Album: Acid Cream
Genre: Fuzz Rock, Retro-rock
Label: Heavy Psych Sounds
Release Date: March 9, 2018
Listen & Buy: JPC, Amazon, Bandcamp, Spotify, iTunes
Social: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter
Live:-
Website: –

The summer is coming and what else could be better than hanging out in the park with some nice “Acid Cream”… uhm … I mean ice cream! Killer Boogie’s new record “Acid Cream” is the perfect soundtrack for both. The trio delivers extremely fuzzy Vintage Rock sound with a lot of groove. It doesn’t sound too far-fetched that the creative process behind this record was influenced by the one or the other drug. What’s good for Black Sabbath, can’t be bad for Killer Boogie. “Acid Cream” is a perfect mixture of 70’s Fuzz Rock, Garage Rock and Blues. If you’re on the hunt for a band that sounds similar to Radio Moscow and Fuzz, this record is just perfect for you.

April 11, 2018 Add Comment

The Shadow Lizzards – The Shadow Lizzards

Author: Sammy Fröbel

Band: The Shadow Lizzards
Album: The Shadow Lizzards
Genre: Retro-Rock, Desert Rock, Psychedelic Rock
Label: Tonzonen Records
Release Date: February 23, 2018
Listen & Buy: JPC, Amazon, Bandcamp, Spotify
Social: Facebook, YouTube
Live: –
Website: theshadowlizzards.de

They prefer dark, hot and dusty places like the deserts of Southern California. Unfortunately, The Shadow Lizzards come from Nuremberg, Germany, but that doesn’t kill their groovy Desert Rock vibes at all. Another trio follows in the steps of Vintage Rock bands like Kadavar & Co. With their self-titled album, The Shadow Lizards release their first album after their formation in 2015. The band delivers a great Rock sound with fuzzy guitars, grooving drums and a lot of hammond organ action, the best part of this genre. The ten tracks of the record tick off every to-do list for perfect albums. You’ll get an instrumental opener with “Power On”, some songs to shake your hips to like “Breathtaker” & “Warzone” and last but not least a bluesy ballad – “Go Down”. Fans of old-school rock like Steppenwolf will like this record as well as Retro Rock newbies.

April 3, 2018 Add Comment

Wedge – Killing Tongue

Author: Sammy Fröbel

Band: Wedge
Album: Killing Tongue
Genre: Classic Rock, Retro-Rock
Label: Heavy Psych Sounds
Release Date: February 9, 2018
Listen & Buy: JPC, Amazon, Bandcamp
Social: Facebook, YouTube
Live: ADTicket
Website: wedgeband.com

Hailing out of the musical tombs of Berlin, Wedge are another Retro-Rock monster. Their new album is a great mixture of 60s & 70s charme combined with smooth grooves. This is what Rock ‘n’ Roll should be like: relaxed and fuzzy riffs with authentic Hammond organ vibes and hints of sitar sounds. Wedge formed in 2014 and attracted ever-increasing reputation by playing concerts and festivals all over Germany and also Europe. “Tired Eyes” refers to their life on the road in a Classic Rock ballad with a psychedelic atmosphere and this atmospheric vibe is an omnipresent element in Wedges’ music, with “Quarter To Dawn” being the best practice. This song comes with some serious The Doors vibes, but also with their own straight Classic Rock. “Killing Tongue” is a sturdy Retro-Rock album, which can be a perfect replacement when you’re sick of spinning your Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple records over and over again.

February 3, 2018 Add Comment

Witchcryer – Cry Witch

Author: Sammy Fröbel

Band: Witchcryer
Album: Cry Witch
Genre: Doom Metal
Label: Ripple Music
Release Date: January 20, 2018
Listen & Buy: JPC, Amazon, Spotify, iTunes, Bandcamp
Social: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube
Live: –
Website: –

Why does the witch cry? Because she gets tortured with heavy riffs and sinful grooves. This Austin-based quartet delivering its first full-length album, is a heavy fuzz explosion on your record player. Witchcryer formed around Earthen Grave’s guitarist Jason Muxlow in 2015 and are influenced by the likes of Pentagram and Witchfinder General. The Witch on the stake is vocalist Suzy Bravo with her strong harmonic, but dark and seductive voice. Witchcryer combine heavy psychedelic sounds with classic Doom, which makes them one of the most interesting bands this year. Fans of Electric Citizen and The Devil’s Blood should definitely give this album a spin. Absolute banger of this nine-track record is the name giving opener “Cry Witch”.

February 3, 2018 Add Comment

Wolf Counsel – Age Of Madness / Reign Of Chaos

Author: Sammy Fröbel

Band: Wolf Counsel
Album: Age Of Madness / Reign Of Chaos
Genre: Doom Metal
Label: Czar Of Bullets
Release Date: November 17, 2017
Listen & Buy: JPC, Amazon, Spotify, iTunes, Bandcamp
Social: Facebook, YouTube
Live: –
Website: wolfcounsel.net

The birth of this band was as slow as their riffs are: Wolf Counsel needed almost twenty years to form a band out of their first ideas. But it was worth it. With their third record “Age Of Madness/Reign Of Chaos” the quartet serves finest slow Doom. The Zürich-based ensemble combines well-known Doom attitude with slow and heavy riffs, lingering drums and the deep growling vocals of singer Ralf W. Garcia. Fans of Orange Goblin and Saint Vitus will find this record interesting and Sabbath fans get their ice cream with the second track “Semper Occultus”, which contains a “Paranoid”-esque intro, groovy riffs and an epic guitar solo towards the end.

January 11, 2018 Add Comment

Nyos – Navigation

Author: Sammy Fröbel

Band: Nyos
Album: Nation
Genre: Ambient, Post-Rock
Label: Self-released, Meta Matter Records
Release Date: September 29, 2017
Listen & Buy: JPC, Spotify, Bandcamp
Social: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube
Live: –
Website: –

What are two men doing in the long cold nights of Finland? Right, a majestic Ambient Post-Rock record. Nyos did what they can do best, combining atmospheric soundspheres with banging drums and mixed with a hint of Psychedelic. “Navigation” is an ode to the dark and stormy times and contains hypnotic guitar sounds that bequile you. Like on their third album “Nature”, they came up with six completely instrumental songs, which create a calming and exciting atmosphere. So if you are into Deafheaven, but don’t like George Clarke’s vocals, then you have to give this one a spin.

January 8, 2018 Add Comment

Switchblade Jesus & Fuzz Evil – Second Coming Of Heavy: Chapter 7

Author: Sammy Fröbel

Band: Switchblade Jesus & Fuzz Evil
Album: Second Coming Of Heavy: Chapter 7
Genre: Stoner Rock
Label: Ripple Music
Release Date: December 8, 2017
Listen & Buy: JPC, Amazon, Spotify
Social: Facebook (Switchblade Jesus), Facebook (Fuzz Evil)
Live: –

The bandname Fuzz Evil is a warning. Fuzzy riffs and groovy drums are coming for you on “The Second Coming For Heavy: Chapter 7”. Together with Switchblade Jesus, Fuzz Evil released one of the most interesting records in 2017’s Stoner Rock. The trio offers a lot of catchy riffing and the deep growling of singer Eric Calvert. The must-listen song on this split release from the two befriended American bands is “Wet Lungs” by Switchblade Jesus, opening with a sound collage into a Country track which transforms into a spacy Psychedelic groove later. Influences are: Black Mountain, Clutch & Melvins. This split is a perfect mix from two bands’ strongest musical components in seven songs.

January 3, 2018 Add Comment