Stonehelm.

You know how every single band that does the Electric Wizard thing, does the slow big riff bit of Electric Wizard? Well one band actually thought.. fuck this, and instead did an entire album of 'Barbarian' type songs instead. My only complaint about this record is the drums (you'll know what I mean when you hear it) and even then I just overlook it, which - trust me, isn't usually the case. The album is just great from start to finish, but I think the solos are particularly awesome too.

This was originally just released digitally by the band. Totem Cat Records in 2013 issued three hundred copies on CD, but have just put this release on double LP (to pre-order!). I'm a bit of a fan of the label, as is Elder's Nick DiSalvo who was wearing one of the Spirit Caravan tribute design t-shirts when they played London! Though you can't see it in the picture.. ahahaha, but there you go anyway.

"Smoke weed, snort coke, get drunk, chase dope, fuck sluts, take drugs, hate everyone...

A life of scum..."

 

2010 - Stonehelm

1. Hyborian Tale (5:34)

2. Towers Of Black (5:26)

3. Vault Dweller 13 (7:15)

4. Zombie Apocalypse 420 (6:18)

5. Scumbag (5:25)

6. Acid Blur (Green Tab) (10:44)

7. Deep Space Doom (5:21)

8. So High We Hail (Lord In Green) (8:43)

BUY 2xLP HERE.
DOWNLOAD LINK HERE.

Red Mess.

One of my distant relatives (from what I know probably 4/5 generations back) happens to play in a Doom Metal band. I don't even know this guy - he's still in the 'old country' as the yanks say. I just happened to be searching my pretty damn distinctive surname on Facebook low and behold.. dude happens to be in a pretty awesome Doom band. We have talked though and a Doom orientated family reunion is definitely on the cards. 

IT'S RUNS IN THE BLOOD!!!!

Mojo, Heavy Nuggets Compilations.

These were passed onto me by my Father, an irregular MOJO magazine reader. However, he was nice enough to do me a great kindness and slowly accumulated the below set of compilations! They all feature what we would consider to be proto-metal. I thought the tribute artwork for the later editions also were very tasteful. There are some familiar acts feature (namely Pentagram!) but each one of these really do feature some genuine heavy nuggets. But why spoil the fun? Take a listen for your own damn selves...  

	2007 - Heavy Nuggets 1. Terry Reid - Tinker Taylor (2:50) 2. The Pretty Things - Old Man Going (3:03) 3. The Open Mind - Magic Potion (3:22) 4. Mighty Baby - Egyptian Tomb (5:25) 5. Second Hand - Rhubarb! (3:42) 6. Leaf Hound - Freelance Fiend (3:07) 7. Atomic Rooster - Night Living (3:36) 8. The Move - Don't Make My Baby Blue (6:02) 9. Slade - My Life Is Natural (3:15) 10. Possessed - Climb The Wooden Hills (2:28) 11. Procol Harum - Long Gone Geek (3:07) 12. Blossom Toes - Peace Loving Man (4:52) 13. Luv Machine - Witches Wand (2:41) 14. Pete Brown & Piblokto! - Aeroplane Head Woman (6:36) 15. Warhorse - Solitude (8:45) DOWNLOAD LINK HERE.
	2013 - Heavy Nuggets, Vol. 2 1. Bullet - Jay Time (2:51) 2. Freedom - Nobody (3:52) 3. Incredible Hog - Lame (3:07) 4. Blossom Toes - Listen To The Silence (4:49) 5. The Pretty Things - Cries From The Midnight Circus (6:24) 6. Possessed - Thunder & Lightning (2:54) 7. Mighty Baby - Same Way From The Sun (5:37) 8. The Sensational Alex Harvey Band - Long Haired Music (5:03) 9. The Human Beast - Brush With The Midnight Butterfly (5:17) 10. Twink - Ten Thousand Words In A Cardboard Box (3:23) 11. The Open Mind - I Feel The Same Way Too (4:59) 12. Tractor - King Dick II (3:14) 13. Family - Strange Band (3:12) 14. Dragonfly - Enjoy Yourself (3:23) 15. Jerusalem - Frustration (5:15) DOWNLOAD LINK HERE.
	2014 - Heavy Nuggets, Vol. 3 1. Atomic Rooster - Sleeping For Years (5:25) 2. Bang - Keep On (3:36) 3. Freedom - Going Down (4:42) 4. Pentagram - Little Games (2:54) 5. Josefus - Situation (1:53) 6. Morgen - Welcome To The Void (4:44) 7. Rog & Pip - Why Won't You Do What I Want (2:43) 8. Morly Grey - Peace Officer (5:45) 9. Cain - Born Of The Wind (3:09) 10. Bullet - The Orchestrator (3:22) 11. Air - Twelve O'Clock Satanial (3:20) 12. Crow - Evil Woman (3:08) 13. Heavy Jelly - Bio Blues (5:03) 14. Ancient Grease - Freedom Train (4:00) 15. Medusa - Transient Amplitude (9:18) DOWNLOAD LINK HERE.

Desertfest 2015.

For a number of reasons, I didn't really see many of the bands at Deserfest this year - but so it goes. My festival itinerary;

Friday: Red Fang, Orange Goblin, The Atomic Bitchwax, Floor

Saturday: Eyehategod, Brant Bjork, Black Pyramid

Sunday: Sleep, UFOmammut, Acid King

None of the merchandise seemed to take my fancy this year. But to be honest, if you see how few bands I actually ended up seeing, perhaps that makes perfect sense. Highlights wise? I'll just do a little video summary;

Orange Goblin - The Big Black.

Eyehategod - Dixie Whiskey.

Sleep - Dragonaut.

Have to mention it was absolutely beautiful seeing huge swaths of the crowd enjoying Eyehategod playing most of Dopesick, their seminal album in my mind.

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And just for the fuck of it, Electric Wizard @ The Roundhouse some weeks later.

Corrosion of Conformity in London.

Shout out and thanks to Chris who helped me in obtaining Pepper's pick! Literally got my foot on it and had to keep shouting at the top of my lungs, "it's under my fucking foot" about six or seven times (ie. I'll knock you the fuck out if you even dare push me!!) before folk finally desisted. Chris,  if you're reading this, drop a comment brother - I'll add you on Facebook. 

Otherwise I had a good night, utterly disappointed they started so early and I missed most of the set but some you win, some you lose. Peace! 

My Top 5 Releases of 2014.

I'd like to begin with the honourable mentions: Alunah, Blood Farmers, Blue Pills, Child, Ladies of Leisure, Salem's Pot and Serpent Venom. Really all of these could be in my top 5, but I felt it best to focus on the newcomers.

Other then that I wanted to say how flattered by the bands that e-mail in. Many of which feature members from other bands I've already seen live or had already listened too! It's not cause I don't dig your stuff, for the record: Chubby Thunderous Bad Kush Masters, Clouds Taste Satanic, Greenbeard, Kantamus, Soro, Sarin, Teeth, etc. The list goes on as you would imagine.

5. Sloath - Deep Mountain (Riot Season Records)

This just reminds me of my favourite Earth album (Pentastar, the most accessible one, hahaha). So yeah. Heavy stoner riffs but with a shoegazey vibe, real good.

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4. The Order Of Israfel - Wisdom (Napalm Records)

Doom heavy metal. The songs are all well thought out, different in approach and feature quality song writing. Practically faultless.. but feels a pinch too calculated for me. Ridiculous sentiment I know.. but well worth listening too! It's on this list after all!!

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3. Primeval Realm - Primordial Light (Pure Steel Records)

Meat and potatoes riffs, classic heavy metal touches and Deep Purple keyboard inspiration. Not to mention countless displays of virtuosity throughout. I personally feels it also adopts a part of that later 80's Pentagram too. Primeval Realm have already broken up unfortunately, but at least we got this album! Absolutely love this record.

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2. Crypt Trip - Crypt Trip (Poisoned Mind Records)

Ok, so not technically all new music from this year. But nevertheless. The three new tracks have really transformed their EP into a real full length. I know what you're thinking, of course dickhead - the length of the EP is extended by their inclusion! Well, whatever. You just need to get this one on heavy rotation with the others man.

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1. Vega - Vega (Riff Reaper Records)

I do like Stoner rock, but I'll be honest and say I'm rather picky. With Vega, there are just great riffs and vocal melodies. It is more doomy then your usual.. but to me it definitely maintains a rock feel throughout. I do actually think this album is a bit of a classic. It gives me that whole record/LP feel you know? But yo, I needz me that "Sabbath Worship" tee, hook me up!!!!!!!

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Human Nature.

I'll do a 'Best of 2014' feature when it's further into February. Unlikely though.  

Human Nature are from London and this is their first release. It sounds pretty rugged.. but it's far more subtle then it first suggests, dare I even say sophisticated? Droning, thunderous riffage. The drummer just abuses his symbols throughout - which I particularly enjoy. There are touches of the old favorites, but.. it doesn't play out like that. Sleep, Electric Wizard blah blah etc etc. What I hear is a theme of the torturous riff. If the guitarist dude of this band doesn't like EyeHateGod I'd be genuinely shocked. They even do an "FX" tune. It's alright.. not bad. I really would of preferred more riffs!