Rolling Stoner/Psych/Freak/Doom/Sludge/Retro/Drone/Space Thread 2014: These Start at 11

http://www.head-fi.org/content/type/61/id/1032738/width/500/height/1000/flags/LL

Dr. Fester's prescription for winter blues...

Let the darkness consume you
And turn your mind to jelly
Or drink the Darkness
'Til it's all in your belly

Truckfighters - Universe is officially out today via Amazon, iTunes, Spotify, etc.

"We strongly advise you to listen to this album in full length, from start to finish, without interruption or distraction. Only then you will embrace the true power of the fuzz."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3tbrhz2f98&feature=youtu.be

http://www.head-fi.org/content/type/61/id/1032745/width/350/height/700/flags/LL

Oh shit, nice shout out! I'm hoping to find that album waiting for me when I get home tonight.

a little more than halfway thru - it's great

Saw Roky Erickson and The Black Angels last night. Roky was plodding and listless, quite an endurance test. I couldn't get into The Black Angels either, kept thinking how they're not nearly as awesome as Truckfighters ;) Part of my problem is that I needed something stronger than root beer, but am fighting off a cold so could not indulge on a Wed. night.

Stoner heads, the Lizardia self-titled full-length is really great. My favorite stoner record of the year so far, NB - I'm still waiting for my Truckfighters disc to arrive.

http://lizardia.bandcamp.com/

i like this:
http://woodsmanman.bandcamp.com/album/woodsman

Re: P&J. I have never voted in one of those, was not at all aware of the open call, not sure you'd've dug my ballot even if I had, fnb. It wouldve been way more like the top 10 of my main ILX ballot than anythinf else. I know jvc voted one year as the sole representer for Cosmic Dead, (and one of maybe 3 I think along w you to vote for Uncle Acid)

I saw Wo Fat at a benefit show last night and they played the title track from their upcoming album, The Conjuring. Might be the best thing they've done; a nearly perfect blend of their Southern-fried Texas blues and proper heavy proto-metal. Maybe this will be the album that finally captures their live sound.

Didn't know Wo Fat had another one coming already, that's good to hear.

I think in May?

Cool, thanks for the heads up. I'll keep my eyes out for it.

I hate to say it, but I'm finding the Truckfighters a little underwhelming. I'm not sure if the anticipatio had my expectations unfairly elevated, but I find it just good instead of amazing. I keep wanting to go back to the Pontiak record instead. Speaking of Pontiak, which of their previous albums are worth hearing? I kinda can't believe I haven't heard of them before now.

er, strike that, "heard them" not "heard of them".

All of Pontiak's prior albums are worth a listen. One of the most consistent bands out there right now.

That's great to hear, because I'm really loving the new one.

If this is your intro, I'd work steadily backwards to hear how they reached this point. It's not that Pontiak is radically different from their start, but they've honed that style over the few years they've been around.

The new Pontiak is excellent, but I love the hell out of the new Truckfighters. Am very excited about new Wo Fat too. Maybe they'll actually tour the U.S. for once.

Wo Fat won't be touring the US until maybe late summer/early fall. They do have a European tour in place right around the album's release.

Yeah, Europe always comes first -- I helped with their Kickstarter campaign to get to Europe for Roadburn, etc. last year. I just checked out Woodsman last week via a Spotify recommendation, pretty good. Liking the Lizardia so far (3 tracks in). I like the drummer.

Sadly, Europe pays the bills in a way the States haven't so far. Maybe this record will change things. Cover got released today and it's great.

Lizardia's solid. You guys heard the new Morgue of Saints? Instrumental doom with some sweet classic rock vibes mixed in:

http://morgueofsaints.bandcamp.com/album/monolith

http://www.npr.org/blogs/allsongs/2014/02/11/275385347/vikings-choice-psalm-zero-masters-its-own-undoing

After accumulating these stoner/doom/metal patches over the years, I need to man up, sew these babies on and represent. I may have to give up waiting for a Slough Feg patch though. Also on my wishlist, Elder, Colour Haze, The Obsessed and Kyuss.

http://fastnbulbous.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/metal-jacket.jpg

Okay, so a really loud listen to Truckfighters on Lake Shore Drive last night after working a 16-hour day really opened it up for me, it's pretty damn great.

I picked up Pontiak's previous album, Echo Ono, the other day... so I'm working through your advice and going back through the catalog.

Super stoked for new Wo Fat. When I was in Half Price Books a few weeks ago, I stumbled onto another round of stoner rock albums - looks like some stoner fan dumped his collection and thankfully the store was smart enough to take 'em. Anyway, got ahold of Wo Fat's first two albums that way.

Wow, nice find! I got all their first four CDs during their Kickstarter, and they're definitely all worth getting. The new cover by Alexander von Wieding:

http://theobelisk.net/obelisk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/wo-fat-the-conjuring.jpg

Aw they took away the computer font!

It's still on the bass drum. I don't think it's going anywhere.

Guys, I'm totally digging these Swedes in Agusa. Their album is due out in April on Transubstans Records and it's a wonderful mix of late60s/early 70s pysch, prog & krautrock.

Check this out:

https://soundcloud.com/transubstans-records/agusa-uti-v-r-hage

Wicked cover, stoked for that one.

The new Radar Men from the Moon, Strange Wave Galore, is hitting me right today. Nice stonery krautrock goodness.

Strange Waves Galore is a fun record.

Echo Ono is my favorite Pontiak record. The new one is great, too.

But yes, as someone said upthread, they're all pretty worthwhile. I do think they hit on something special around Comecrudos and could live with that one and the two others I mentioned without hanging into the others.

Helms Alee - Sleepwalking Sailors
I'm really into this. Moving from defunct Hydra Head label to Sargent House, this triggers a jumble of impressions for me, from Rodan and Lungfish to Floor and the early Baroness EPs, it all comes together in a powerful, cohesive statement.
https://helmsalee.bandcamp.com/album/sleepwalking-sailors

Slomatics - Estron
Sludge/doom from Belfast evolving nicely with creepy atomospherics and some prog.
https://slomatics.bandcamp.com/album/estron

Just started listening to Conan's Blood Eagle, which is as good as I hoped. Haven't tracked down Motorpsycho's Behind The Sun yet. Like on last year's Still Life With Eggplant, Dungen's Reine Fiske is practically an honorary member. BTW it's high time for a new Dungen album.

What I'm looking forward to this year. Most of these are not confirmed, but I reckon they're due for something new:
Arenna, Been Obscene, Blues Pills, Cherry Choke, Christian Mistress, Julie Christmas, Corsair, Dead Man, Dungen, Elder, Electric Wizard, Fellwoods, Goat, Gojira, Graveyard, Hammers Of Misfortune, Humo del Cairo, Rose Kemp, Mansion, Mastodon, Northwinds, Om, Opeth, Ovvl, Radio Moscow, Rival Sons, Royal Thunder, Spiders, Torche, Troubled Horse, USX/U.S. Christmas, Witch Mountain, Witchcraft, Wo Fat.

I'm not sure if we'll get a new Torche as we're getting a new Floor record and tour.

Torche is a done deal, signed to Relapse, recorded at Pinecrust Studio in Miami, produced by Nunez, mixed by Kurt Ballou, due in the summer. I hope the Floor thing is true! I also heard a rumor that Sleep will finally do a proper U.S. tour. Dare we hope for a new album too?

I've heard rumors of new Sleep.

New Floor is called Oblation, out April 29th on Season of the Mist. There's a song over at stereogum:

http://www.stereogum.com/1662561/floor-war-party-stereogum-premiere/mp3s/

Awesome!

Did more digging, here's some release dates:

Jeremy Irons & the Ratgang Malibus - Spirit Knife (Small Stone) 29-Apr
Mars Red Sky - Mars Red Sky Apr
Serpent Venom - Of Things Seen And Unseen (Church Within) Apr
Dwellers - Pagan Fruit (Small Stone) 6-May
Greenleaf - Trails & Passes (Small Stone) 13-May
Radio Moscow - Magical Dirt (Alive Naturalsound) May
Wovenhand - Refractory Obdurate (Deathwish) Spring
Wo Fat - The Conjuring (Small Stone) 17-Jun
Corsair - One Eyed Horse (Shadow Kingdom) June

Electric Wizard has announced a new album is due in May on their Witchfinder Records, but no title yet. They'll distribute it with a bigger company. Don't really understand why they feuded with Rise Above.

You once said, you'd like to make the heaviest, dirtiest album. Even more evil than “Dopethrone” It’s kind of hard to believe you can make even more heavy stuff?

"I think we have done it. It was easy once Liz, Mark and I started riffing…we all gravitate naturally to this dirtier, nastier sound. Every line-up created its own 'sound', its own vibe. But this time it seemed as if this was what should have happened after Let Us Prey. It was chilling actually. Too my ears its just savage and hateful and mind-destroying…but then it transcends to something more, beyond emotions and human failings. It becomes a really honest and maybe beautiful thing…..to me it sounds like the Stooges play Dopethrone….or something…man" - http://psychedelicbaby.blogspot.com/2014/02/electric-wizard-announces-new-album.html

Pilgrim - II: Void Worship (Metal Blade) 1-Apr

Also, they're touring with Spirit Caravan!
http://www.metalblade.com/us/news/pilgrim-to-release-sophomore-album/

So excited for that Pilgrim record, really loved the first one.

This came out Friday. Again it features Reine Fiske of Dungen as practically a full band member. Probably the best introduction to what they do best since Heavy Metal Fruit (2010).

Motorpsycho - Behind The Sun (Rune Grammafon)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5k0kfA-U4z8&feature=youtu.be

Looking forward to The Oath. U.S. release isn't 'til Apr 15. It's a mostly digital market in 2014, why are there still these ridiculous lags?

The Oath - The Oath (Rise Above) Mar 17
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jt6xCf9Iivk&feature=youtu.be

I saw a rare performance by High Spirits at Alehorn of Power last fall, and they were great. Everything Chris Black does is quality. Check out "The Last Night."

High Spirits - You Are Here (Hells Headbangers) May 13
http://www.stereogum.com/1668515/high-spirits-the-last-night-stereogum-premiere/mp3s/

Super chuffed for this. For their third album Castle will finally get decent U.S. distribution (they were on German label Ván Records). Below is a great cover of Alice Cooper's "Second Coming."

Castle - Under Siege (Prosthetic Records) May 20
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQKBb0BjD70&feature=youtu.be

Single and first album In Witch Order (2011) available here: https://heavycastle.bandcamp.com/album/second-coming-labyrinth-of-death-7

SAINT VITUS: Legendary Doom Metal Icons Announce Thirty-Fifth Anniversary Tour

Legendary doom metal icons, SAINT VITUS, are pleased to announce a very special run of live rituals to celebrate their astounding thirty-fifth anniversary! Sponsored by Scion AV, the tour will commence on May 8th in Albuquerque and wind its way through fifteen cities, coming to a close on May 25th in Dallas. The band will be performing the planet-rumbling Born Too Late album -- the first SAINT VITUS outing to feature the imperious voice of Scott "Wino" Weinrich -- in its entirety alongside other renowned VITUS hymns. The band will be joined by Portland stoner rock power trio Sons Of Huns, supporting their recently released Banishment Ritual full-length on EasyRider Records. Comments the band of their coveted spot on the tour, “We can't be any more stoked to support one of the finest purveyors of doom and crush many cities in our wake!" Tickets go on sale Friday, March 14th.

Starting April 1st, Scion AV will be giving away two pairs of tickets to every club show via Twitter. See www.scionav.com for details.

SAINT VITUS w/ Sons Of Huns

5/08/2014 Launch Pad - Albuquerque, NM
5/09/2014 Club Red - Phoenix, AZ
5/10/2014 Cheyenne Saloon - Las Vegas, NV
5/11/2014 The Observatory (Psycho De 5o Fest) - Santa Ana, CA
5/13/2014 The Echo - Los Angeles, CA
5/14/2014 SLO Brew - San Luis Obispo, CA
5/15/2014 Strummer's - Fresno, CA
5/16/2014 Thee Parkside - San Francisco, CA
5/17/2014 Branx - Portland, OR
5/18/2014 Highline - Seattle, WA
5/20/2014 In The Venue - Salt Lake City, UT
5/21/2014 Marquis Theatre - Denver, CO
5/23/2014 Red 7 (Outside) - Austin, TX
5/24/2014 Fitzgerald's Downstairs - Houston, TX
5/25/2014 Three Links - Dallas, TX

No Midwestern shows :(

Hawkwind cancelled their tour for a second time.

It is with great regret that we finally have to accept defeat and realise that the proposed North American dates that we have tried so hard to secure are not going to be possible after all. Together with the promoters of the five shows, which we hoped to reschedule, we have tried everything, but it has become a logistical nightmare.

In Europe and the rest of the world we always work on the premise of a 50% deposit on exchange of contracts, this enables us to make the essential travel arrangements for our somewhat large production. Unfortunately in North America this does not appear to be standard practice. However, on this occasion, as the band and crew were all so excited about the prospect of bringing our show to our North American fans, we put all of our money and savings into making it happen, relying on the fact that deposits would eventually be forthcoming and certainly within a few days of travel, so that we did not arrive on a foreign shore penniless. (on and on at https://www.facebook.com/HawkwindHQ/posts/781443368535233)

I know it's not impossible for European bands to tour the U.S. They do it all the time - Gojira, Truckfighters, Graveyard, etc. But it helps to be young and able to travel light. Hawkwind are old and need more stuff ;)

Meanwhile, I lost the auction on this awesome vintage patch:
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTU3WDUxMg%3D%3D/z/QN4AAMXQVT9TArE%7E/%24_12.JPG

http://fastnbulbous.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/hawkwind-patch.jpg

Lovin' the shit out of The Oath. Similarly, Satyress have that great mix of occult proto-metal, psych, doom and NWOBHM. Can't wait also for the new Castle, who also reside in a sweet spot between Witch Mountain's bluesy doom and rockin' Christian Mistress. Lots of stuff worth noting.

The Oath - The Oath (Rise Above) - Out this week in UK, Apr 15 in U.S.
http://noisey.vice.com/blog/the-oath-interview-all-must-die

Satyress - Dark Fortunes Apr 8
http://satyress.bandcamp.com/

Demon Eye - Leave The Light (Soulseller/Megaforce Apr 15
This is already out on Soulseller, and will be distributed in the U.S. on Megaforce/RED. Sabbath, Pentagram, early Maiden. It's been on heavy rotation at my place.
http://demoneye.bandcamp.com/

Bigelf - Into The Maelstrom (InsideOut) Apr 1
With Mike Portnoy (ex-Dream Theater) on drums, older albums were a little cheesy arena progtastic for me at first, but they've grown on me, and this one is more pyschedelic, by far their best.

Crippled Black Phoenix - White Light Generator (Provogue)
Out this week, interesting followup to their 2012 double, (Mankind) The Crafty Ape. No sonic evidence of past links to Electric Wizard, more proggy post-rock, but I like 'em.

The Socks - The Socks (Small Stone)
French stoner psych garage, out this week.
http://smallstone.bandcamp.com/album/s-t-the-socks

Kosmischer Läufer - The Secret Cosmic Music Of The East German Olympic Program: Volume Two
Just out this week, more of the same for those who liked Vol. One.
http://kosmischerlaufer.bandcamp.com/

Major Kong - Doom Machine
Instrumental stoner doom from Poland, no different from their last one, Doom For The Black Sun, but just as great. Came out in January.
http://majorkong.bandcamp.com/album/doom-machine

Others to watch out for:

Pilgrim - II: Void Worship (Metal Blade) Apr 1 (Everyone knows this, highly anticipated doom)
Agusa - Uti Vår Hage (Transubstans) Apr 2 (Seventies style Swedish prog via Kebnakajse, Amon Duul II and Colosseum.)
Sir Admiral Cloudsley Shovell - Check 'Em Before You Wreck 'Em (Rise Above) Apr 14 (Influenced by Groundhogs, Stray, Sir Lord Baltimore, Buffalo, with some raucous sloppy energy)
Floor - Oblation (Season Of Mist) Apr 25 (Those who like the old albums and Torche know what to expect)
Abramis Brama - Enkel Biljett (Transubstans) May 2 (Solid Swedish hard rock)
The Golden Grass - The Golden Grass (Svart) May 9 (Jammy psychedelic proto-metal, sound European but actually from Brooklyn. Check out their album art)
Greenleaf - Trails & Passes (Small Stone) May 13 (Guys from Dozer with rotating vocalists from Lowrider and Truckfighters, handled now by Arvid Jonsson)
Castle - Under Siege (Prosthetic) May 20
Wo Fat - The Conjuring (Small Stone) Jun 17 (I pre-ordered via https://smallstone.bandcamp.com/album/the-conjuring)

new Castle, who also reside in a sweet spot between Witch Mountain's bluesy doom and rockin' Christian Mistress.

yes plzzzzzz

Also, keep an eye out for Monolord's debut, out April 1st on Easy Rider. Very 90s doom, with a heavy dose of pre-Dopethrone Electric Wizard

ok, all these sound amazing + i'm salivating but what's the shortlist of stuff from this year i can listen to now???

2014 stuff I'm digging that's already out:

Kult of the Wizard - The Blue Wizard
Major Kong - Doom Machine
Moon Coven - Amanita Kingdom
Morgue of Saints - Monolith
Rainbows are Free - Waves Ahead of the Ocean

So, easily album (of this sort) of 2014 so far for me is Bong's Stoner Rock. Two 35 minute long tracks. One chord. Sheer heaven.

New album by Cosmic Dead announced by Paradigms.

More!

Heaven’s Gateway Drugs – Apropos (HGD)
https://heavensgatewaydrugs.bandcamp.com/album/apropos

Violet Woods – Violet Woods (Violet Wodos)
https://violetwoods.bandcamp.com/album/violet-woods

The Love Dimension – Create And Consume (Warrior Monk)
https://thelovedimension.bandcamp.com/album/create-and-consume

These are ones further down my list that I didn't mention above but have been enjoying on my playlists over these holidaze:

Woods – With Light And With Love (Woodsist)
White Fence – For the Recently Found Innocent
The Brian Jonestown Massacre – Revelation (A Records)
Thee Oh Sees – Drop (Castle Face)
Allah-Las – Worship The Sun (Innovative Leisure)
The Soundcarriers – Entropicalia (Ghost Box)
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – Oddments (Flightless) | Bandcamp
The Movements – Elephants 2 (Crusher)
Black Lips – Underneath The Rainbow (Vice)
Guardian Alien – Spiritual Emergency (Thrill Jockey)
The Black Angels – Clear Lake Forest (Blue Horizen)
Donovan Blanc – Donovan Blanc (Captured Tracks)
Secret Colours – Positive Distractions
Elephant Stone – The Three Poisons (Hidden Pony)
The Soft Walls – No Time (Trouble In Mind)
Pink Mountaintops – Get Back (Jagjaguwar)
Bardo Pond – Looking For Another Place (Fire)

2011 Rolling Doom/Stoner/Sludge/Drone/Psych/Space Metal Thread
Rolling Stoner/Psych/Doom/Sludge/Retro/Drone/Space Thread 2012
Rolling Stoner/Psych/Doom/Sludge/Retro/Drone/Space Thread 2013: The Next Day
Rolling Stoner/Psych/Freak/Doom/Sludge/Retro/Drone/Space Thread 2014: These Start at 11

Rolling Stoner/Psych/Freak/Doom/Sludge/Retro/Drone/Space Thread 2015: Red With Purple Flashes

Probably reflecting my current obsession with lots of 60s psych inspired albums. Any other suggestions?

no suggestions, but to me doom/sludge is more the purview of rolling metal

stoner/psych/freak/retro/space makes sense together, in my mind

drone seems like its own thing, but then the whole discussion is kinda silly anyway, right?

All valid points. I think maybe some preferred to track stoner/doom/sludge metal subgenre stuff in this smaller discussion. However, it's all still discussed in Rolling Metal anyway. I don't track much drone myself, and someone said they'd like it separate. So...

Rolling Stoner/Psych/Freak/Retro/Space Thread then?

Rolling Fringe Metal

I don't even know what Freak represents TBH, Ned added that.

Fringe Metal, I like that, but again, that's all included in Rolling Metal.

Freak as in freak folk & freak outs

Sorry, I cut it from title but feel free to include it in discussions.

Rolling Stoner/Psych/Retro/Space Thread 2015: Red With Purple Flashes

my only suggestion is that you include Folk in the title but now i see it's too late oh well

That Heaven's Gateway Drugs album is turning into something I listen to constantly. The name makes it sound like it's going to be all heavy. It reminds me a bit of Billy Nicholls actually.

http://gurugurubrain.bandcamp.com/album/guruguru-brain-wash

comp of japanese psych from the guruguru brain label

― j., Monday, July 14, 2014 11:03 PM (2 months ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

good lazy autumn sunday music, at times i'm put in mind of comets on fire

― j., Sunday, October 12, 2014 3:09 PM (8 months ago)

still nice, just a coupla hours of unpretentious freakouts

only just got exposed to sonic jesus' https://sonicjesusband.bandcamp.com/album/neither-virtue-nor-anger-2, i'm enjoying it. the vintage gothiness of Reich etc was something that sort of surprised me.