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Band interviews and album reviews. Stoner, metal, fuzz, desert, psych, instrumental, doom music.
Monday, September 28, 2020
Friday, September 18, 2020
Psych rock FOR THE UNIVERSE debut EP
FOR THE UNIVERSE bursts onto the psych rock scene with their debut EP like a sonic big bang. With just 3 tracks, the band demonstrates a maturity and depth to their music that already has me looking forward to a full release from this Michigan trio. The band tells me the EP had its troubles getting recorded during the pandemic, but now it's here, so check out "For The Universe EP" on Bandcamp:
The opening of "The Oracle" really grabs me. There's something about the slow, groovy riff that seems to announce, "Yea, the rest of this is going to be really good, too" which, as it turns out, it is. The three musicians in this band have deep roots in jazz and other music projects, and their experience shines here. There's a slight melancholy running under the smooth stoner sound waves that gives these songs a depth and seriousness that I really enjoy. Overall, these songs strike me as serious without being depressing, heavy without going doom.
The first 2 tracks are instrumental, and "Burning Bridges" ends this short journey with a vocal track. I gotta say, it's an interesting mix to have some instrumental and vocal tracks, and For The Universe pulls it off. Doesn't hurt that the vocals match the tone of the music perfectly. I really dig instrumental music, but I also enjoy great singing. So when there is a mix of the two styles, that kind of presses a lot of buttons for me.
The Midwest music scene is really killing it right now! Fuzzy has heard a lot of great music from America's heartland lately, and FOR THE UNIVERSE keeps the good vibes rolling with their debut demo EP.
New bands should take note of how For The Universe put this demo EP together. More than enough music to get you hooked, and with plenty of variety to give fans an idea of what they are capable of. This is the kind of demo that gets the buzz going and grabs the attention of fans.
Fuzzy's favorite track: "The Oracle" with its opening riff is just so catchy, but "Burning Bridges" has the vocals so I guess it's a toss-up. I could just as easily pick "Surfing On The Dead Sea" as the tie-breaker.
For The Universe is from Grand Rapids, Michigan with members:
- Eddie Killowatts: Guitar, Vox
- Mike Bos: Bass, Vox
- Lauren Howard Davis: Drums, Vox
From the band:
The prog power trio includes veteran shredder, Eddie Killowatts, virtuoso Mike Bos on bass, and jazz infused, solid-rock drummer, Lauren Howard Davis. The sound takes listeners on a psychedelic trip reminiscent of Zappa, Sabbath, and Soft Machine while conjuring a sound never quite encountered before.
You can read more about the band in this recent newspaper article.
For The Universe tells me they are working on a full album, to which I say, Right on!
Follow the band to find out when their music drops at https://musicfortheuniverse.bandcamp.com
SWAMP KREWE PROMOTION PACKAGE!! Fuzzy has over 150 super fans in The Swamp Krewe subscription on Bandcamp. Send album codes to fuzzycracklins@gmail.com and if your music is KILLER then I'll share them with The Swamp Krewe. They have a lot of their own followers, so your album will get into the collections & feeds of many Bandcampers very quickly. It's FREE! Contact fuzzycracklins@gmail.com
CD OF THE MONTH MAILERS!! Fuzzy mails out 100 CDs to super fans in the USA and around the world every month. They love to hear about new bands and new music, so send Fuzzy your stickers, printed album codes, promo CDs, whatever you want. Any number is good. Fuzzy is already paying the postage, and The Swamp Krewe loves swag and frequently posts to Instagram, so contact fuzzycracklins@gmail.com to make it happen! Bands, labels, podcasters, radio show DJs, bloggers, reviewers, get at me! It's FREE!
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Wednesday, September 16, 2020
Stoner rock "Egos & Instincts" drops Sept. 18 from ORBITAL JUNCTION
After a trio of pre-release singles, ORBITAL JUNCTION is ready to release their debut album "Egos & Instincts" on September 18. This 4-piece from London delivers 40 minutes of non-stop riffs, pounding fuzz, and killer vocals in what has to be one of the best stoner rock releases of the year.
Here's the track list:
- 01 Earthmover
- 02 Mary Kelly
- 03 Green Man
- 04 Queen Of Mean
- 05 Gamblin' Man
- 06 6ft2
- 07 Addict
- 08 Creep
The album starts with a huge explosion. The first two tracks, "Earthmover" and "Mary Kelly" are as good as anything that would have hit the Top 10 back in the 90s. The band page on Bandcamp says these guys are from the UK but they sure sound to me like they are from Sky Valley. Desert rock riffs, stoner melodies, and fuzz all over everything.
The vocals stand out as a key element of Orbital Junction's total sound. In particular, there's a variety between the songs which keeps things fresh. "Mary Kelly" in particular puts the singing front and center.
3rd up is "Green Man" which of course I love (being green myself) but also, it's the first time this album slows it down and takes a break. Don't worry, it's still plenty loud, but now Orbital Junction has a chance to show off yet more mastery of their instruments. And again, the vocals stand way out."Queen Mean" is a heavy rocker with a sense of humor. We're barely half way through this album and already I'm ready to declare this is one of the year's best. Dueling guitar & bass sounds with fuzz and hard rock assaulting your ears at the same time.
"Gamblin' Man" anchors the middle of "Egos & Instincts" and keeps everything going. If you aren't convinced by now that every song on this album delivers the goods, you aren't going to be convinced at all.
Track #6 is "6ft2" which lets the bass start the assault and soon the rest of the band joins in. This shit is wild! Just when you think a song has had its guitar solo, you'll still get another one before it wraps up. Orbital Junction seems to have made a decision that this album is going to pound your head all the way to the end.
"Addict" shows off Orbital Junction's bluesy side, and "Creep" finishes off the album in the only way it could end -- with a bang! Wow, 40 minutes of 100% pure energy.
When the album was over, I realized I had said to myself, "Oh yea, this song really stands out" during each and every song.
Orbital Junction is from London with members:
- Vox: Owen Armstrong
- Guitar: Ric Fordyce
- Bass: Billy Dale
- Drums: Jack Revans
From the band:
The album will be available on all major digital platforms on September 18, with an exclusive limited edition vinyl release later in the year. In the absence of live shows, Orbital Junction encourage you all to crank up the volume and have your own mini-shows wherever you are, Egos & Instincts is best served.... LOUD!
Follow Orbital Junction on Bandcamp to get notified when "Egos & Instincts" drops on September 18.
Pre-Save the album on Spotify at https://show.co/Wd31FYa
SWAMP KREWE PROMOTION PACKAGE!! Fuzzy has over 150 super fans in The Swamp Krewe subscription on Bandcamp. Send album codes to fuzzycracklins@gmail.com and if your music is KILLER then I'll share them with The Swamp Krewe. They have a lot of their own followers, so your album will get into the collections & feeds of many Bandcampers very quickly. It's FREE! Contact fuzzycracklins@gmail.com
CD OF THE MONTH MAILERS!! Fuzzy mails out 100 CDs to super fans in the USA and around the world every month. They love to hear about new bands and new music, so send Fuzzy your stickers, printed album codes, promo CDs, whatever you want. Any number is good. Fuzzy is already paying the postage, and The Swamp Krewe loves swag and frequently posts to Instagram, so contact fuzzycracklins@gmail.com to make it happen! Bands, labels, podcasters, radio show DJs, bloggers, reviewers, get at me! It's FREE!
Exclusive limited Swamp editions every month
with swag (stickers, posters, coasters, patches, pins, postcards, and more)
Music Submissions and Contact The Swamp Records™
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Saturday, September 12, 2020
Traditional Doom CRUTHU returns with "Athrú Crutha"
When a band tells me that they write the music they want to hear, Fuzzy is ready to listen. CRUTHU returns with their second album of Traditional Doom and this is an album that only true fans of the genre could make. Every song on this album is a ripper and it never stops to catch its breath. Great riffs and killer vocals. Stop reading and start listening to Cruthu on Bandcamp:
There is some great guitar work going on here, especially the solo in "Beyond The Pale" and the doom that is spread all over. Check out the intro to "The Outsider." Plenty of 70s heavy rock vibes throughout, and overall the production quality is superb. Even with all the great music, the standout for me is the vocals. The singing is full of evocative emotion, and is absolutely the perfect match for Cruthu's music.
Maybe the biggest compliment I can give to "Athrú Crutha" is that when it was finished, I was struck that this album just completely killed it from start to finish. There was never a chance to catch my breath while I was listening to it, so when it was over, my brain felt like it had just been thrown from a train. Time for another ride!
Fuzzy's favorite: "Dimensional Collide" but that's splitting hairs to pick a favorite. The final track "Crown of Thorns" is epic.
Cruthu band is from Lansing, Michigan with members:
- Ryan Evans - vocals
- Dan McCormick - guitar
- Derek Kasperlik - bass guitar
- Matt Fry - drums
From the band:
Rehearsal began in spring of 2014 with intentions of creating a cohesive sound consisting of traditional and modern influences in the doom and metal genre including blues and heavy 70's rock. Our goal was not to reinvent the wheel, rather to create the music we wanted to hear. Hence the name Cruthu, Gaelic for creation.
If you dig Cruthu (and I'm sure you do), then be sure to check out The Swamp's GRAVE DISGRACE a classic doom band from Russia who recently appeared on the Doom Charts.
Follow the band Cruthu on Bandcamp at https://cruthu.bandcamp.com
SWAMP KREWE PROMOTION PACKAGE!! Fuzzy has over 150 super fans in The Swamp Krewe subscription on Bandcamp. Send album codes to fuzzycracklins@gmail.com and if your music is KILLER then I'll share them with The Swamp Krewe. They have a lot of their own followers, so your album will get into the collections & feeds of many Bandcampers very quickly. It's FREE! Contact fuzzycracklins@gmail.com
CD OF THE MONTH MAILERS!! Fuzzy mails out 100 CDs to super fans in the USA and around the world every month. They love to hear about new bands and new music, so send Fuzzy your stickers, printed album codes, promo CDs, whatever you want. Any number is good. Fuzzy is already paying the postage, and The Swamp Krewe loves swag and frequently posts to Instagram, so contact fuzzycracklins@gmail.com to make it happen! Bands, labels, podcasters, radio show DJs, bloggers, reviewers, get at me! It's FREE!
Exclusive limited Swamp editions every month
with swag (stickers, posters, coasters, patches, pins, postcards, and more)
Music Submissions and Contact The Swamp Records™
The Swamp Records™ on Instagram
Tuesday, September 8, 2020
Sludge grunge THUNDER VOLT debut EP "I"
Fuzzy loves grunge. It saved rock n' roll by stripping it back down to its basics. Fuzzy also loves sludge. Because it's so nasty and raw. At some point during last night's post-Happy Hour alcoholic haze, I stumbled upon the debut EP from Russia's THUNDER VOLT. I'll keep it real and say that upon awakening this morning, I had no idea how this album ended up in my Bandcamp collection. So I figured it had been placed there by Drunk Fuzzy, and I've been listening to it all day. So much grungy goodness, but with a raw sludge edge to it. Check out the sludge grunge of Thunder Volt on Bandcamp:
Hey, I love the full-blown sludge of CRUST and VANTA, and especially the recent split from MEGALITH LEVIATHAN with DEKONSTRUKTOR but I also love Nirvana, Alice In Chains, and Soundgarden. And I simply cannot describe Thunder Volt as anything except an original and exciting blend of sludge and grunge. Like what Nirvana would sound like if they had gotten just a little nastier, or what Crust would sound like if they dialed it down a bit. The result is simply killer.
Fuzzy's favorite track: "You let me down" but with 4 great songs, I have just set this EP on "replay" all day.
From the band (Guitar/Vocals Yaroslav Novitsky):
The group's history is simple. About a year ago, under the pressure of a difficult psychological experience, I decided that I would play Stoner Doom Metal, as I had dreamed since 2010. I wrote an ad on a music forum and found a bass player. We were looking for a drummer for several months and during that time I wrote 4 songs that were included in the first EP. When we found the drummer and finally started rehearsing, the whole Covid-19 thing started happening in the world. We sat in isolation for a long time and as soon as we started rehearsing again, the bassist decided to stop playing music and left the band. For about a month we were looking for a new bass player and after reviewing about eight candidates, we decided to take Sergey. All this time I've been writing new songs and if the higher powers want it, our new album will be ready this fall. The album will be called "Wanted man" and, of course, we will immediately post it on our Bandcamp page.
Thunder Volt is from Moscow with members:
- Guitar/Vocals: Yaroslav Novitsky
- Drums: Alex Frolow
- Bass: Sergey Kokin
Follow Thunder Volt band on Bandcamp at https://thundervolt1.bandcamp.com
SWAMP KREWE PROMOTION PACKAGE!! Fuzzy has over 150 super fans in The Swamp Krewe subscription on Bandcamp. Send album codes to fuzzycracklins@gmail.com and if your music is KILLER then I'll share them with The Swamp Krewe. They have a lot of their own followers, so your album will get into the collections & feeds of many Bandcampers very quickly. It's FREE! Contact fuzzycracklins@gmail.com
CD OF THE MONTH MAILERS!! Fuzzy mails out 100 CDs to super fans in the USA and around the world every month. They love to hear about new bands and new music, so send Fuzzy your stickers, printed album codes, promo CDs, whatever you want. Any number is good. Fuzzy is already paying the postage, and The Swamp Krewe loves swag and frequently posts to Instagram, so contact fuzzycracklins@gmail.com to make it happen! Bands, labels, podcasters, radio show DJs, bloggers, reviewers, get at me! It's FREE!
Exclusive limited Swamp editions every month
with swag (stickers, posters, coasters, patches, pins, postcards, and more)
Music Submissions and Contact The Swamp Records™
The Swamp Records™ on Instagram
Monday, September 7, 2020
Heavy psych RITUAL EARTH new album "MMXX"
What happens when bring four veteran musicians together, with a mix of talents in heavy psych, stoner metal, post rock, and prog? And a singer whose range can handle all the musical influences this band is capable of? The answer is, the new album "MMXX" from Philadelphia's RITUAL EARTH. Wrap it all up in a dystopian view of humanity's future, and you're in for one hell of a ride. Check out Ritual Earth's "MMXX" on Bandcamp:
There is something for most tastes on this album, which is not to say Ritual Earth has simply chucked in whatever they like. It's quite the opposite. They are able to draw on an arsenal of different sounds and put them to use for whatever the song demands. Heavy riffs? Sure, but also there are interludes of clean guitar solos and soft synths and keys. Heavy rock vocals? When they are called for, but other times we get softer singing that is full of emotion and are fit for a ballad. If you enjoy a variety of musical styles, then you are going to appreciate how Ritual Earth bring them together on "MMXX."
The full LP running time really plays into Ritual Earth's strengths, because it gives the band the time it takes to fully explore all of the sonic landscape they are capable of. This band is not in a rush, nor should they be rushed. Nowhere does the sense of confidence and assuredness come through more than in the final track, "Ascension Dimension," where the band takes their time build up the riffs which lays the groundwork for the climax of music that will end the album.
TLDR; Top rate full-length LP heavy psych stoner metal that doesn't fear to mix in prog and space rock as required.
Fuzzy's favorite: "Reprisal / Nebulas Diabolos" with its layers of acoustic and electric guitars, and killer solos. And because I can't really pick just one favorite song from this album, I'll also point out that "Ascension Dimension" is epic.
From the band:
Seven charged, dystopian transmissions set to the pulse of the dying universe to come. Ritual Earth travel further than their previous offering, pushing boundaries while remaining true to their original mission; Manipulating auditory elements to deliver a soundscape that coalesces with the listener’s projections and expansion of consciousness. While headphones may not be required, for optimal immersion, they are very much encouraged.
Ritual Earth is from Philadelphia with members:
- George Chamberlin - Vocals
- Steve Mensick - Guitars
- Chris Scott - Bass
- Chris Turek - Drums
- with Keys & Synths by Mark Boyce
Ritual Earth has a CD available and you can download & stream "MMXX" on Bandcamp at https://ritualearth.bandcamp.com/album/mmxx
SWAMP KREWE PROMOTION PACKAGE!! Fuzzy has over 150 super fans in The Swamp Krewe subscription on Bandcamp. Send album codes to fuzzycracklins@gmail.com and if your music is KILLER then I'll share them with The Swamp Krewe. They have a lot of their own followers, so your album will get into the collections & feeds of many Bandcampers very quickly. It's FREE! Contact fuzzycracklins@gmail.com
CD OF THE MONTH MAILERS!! Fuzzy mails out 100 CDs to super fans in the USA and around the world every month. They love to hear about new bands and new music, so send Fuzzy your stickers, printed album codes, promo CDs, whatever you want. Any number is good. Fuzzy is already paying the postage, and The Swamp Krewe loves swag and frequently posts to Instagram, so contact fuzzycracklins@gmail.com to make it happen! Bands, labels, podcasters, radio show DJs, bloggers, reviewers, get at me! It's FREE!
Exclusive limited Swamp editions every month
with swag (stickers, posters, coasters, patches, pins, postcards, and more)
Music Submissions and Contact The Swamp Records™
The Swamp Records™ on Instagram
Saturday, September 5, 2020
"Caravan of Doom Vol. 1" drops Oct. 2 from SLEEPING VILLAGE RECORDS
The Swamp's GREEN HOG feature on the upcoming digital compilation "Caravan of Doom Volume 1" dropping Oct. 2 from SLEEPING VILLAGE RECORDS. This is one and a half hours of capital H Heavy music. Check out this track list:
- Fostermother - Destroyers
- Dizygote - Children of Talos
- Doomfall - Why Fear the Godless
- earthdiver - Blood Moon
- Green Hog Band - Machine
- Old Horn Tooth - Old Horn Tooth
- Stonus - Mania
- Jointhugger - I Am No One
- Black Road - Radiation
- Bog Wizard - Swamp Golem
The selection of these songs makes for a great collection, and the order of these beasts makes this a killer mix tape. There is also a nice balance of bands from around the world.
"Caravan of Doom" is non-stop heaviness from start to finish, with just the right blend of the different sounds of doom to keep your interest high and your head nodding for an hour and a half. Killer stuff!
From the label:
This compilation seeks to bring together and showcase 10 uniquely stellar bands that compliment each other sonically and aesthetically. While the runtime clocks in at a hefty hour and a half, the roster remains slim so that each band has appropriate time to shine.
You have a month to prepare your ears! The Pre-Order is only ONE DOLLAR at Sleeping Village Records on Bandcamp and it will release on October 2.
SWAMP KREWE PROMOTION PACKAGE!! Fuzzy has over 125 super fans in The Swamp Krewe subscription on Bandcamp. Send album codes to fuzzycracklins@gmail.com and if your music is KILLER then I'll share them with The Swamp Krewe. They have a lot of their own followers, so your album will get into the collections & feeds of many Bandcampers very quickly. It's FREE! Contact fuzzycracklins@gmail.com
CD OF THE MONTH MAILERS!! Fuzzy mails out almost 100 CDs to super fans in the USA every month. They love to hear about new bands and new music, so send Fuzzy your stickers, printed album codes, promo CDs, whatever you want. Any number is good. Fuzzy is already paying the postage, and The Swamp Krewe loves swag and frequently posts to Instagram, so contact fuzzycracklins@gmail.com to make it happen! Bands, labels, podcasters, radio show DJs, bloggers, reviewers, get at me! It's FREE!
Exclusive limited Swamp editions every month
with swag (stickers, posters, coasters, patches, pins, postcards, and more)
Music Submissions and Contact The Swamp Records™
The Swamp Records™ on Instagram
Wednesday, September 2, 2020
Sludge metal SEUM debut EP "Summer of Seum" drops Sept. 16 on Bandcamp
Before we get started, can you spot Fuzzy in the album cover?? Right on!! Go check out the artist Paul Winck at https://www.instagram.com/paulwinck/
Things start right with some nice distortion and feedback, and then a heavy bass riff drops, the screaming commences, and it just gets heavier from there. Bass riff? Yea, Seum doesn't bother with guitars. It's all bass, baby. Listen to the pre-release single "Silence et Crasse" on Bandcamp:
BTW, "SEUM" means Venom in Arabic and is French slang for disappointment and frustration. Matches their music perfectly!
Fuzzy is always saying how much he digs foreign language songs. So many great stoner bands sing in Spanish, and The Swamp's GREEN HOG sings in Russian while DEATHGANG sings in Indonesian (!!), and Seum sings "Silence et Crasse" in French. Dang, I didn't realize French could sound so dirty! Which is to say, I love it! Isn't French supposed to be the language of love? Not when Seum has their way with it.
Up next is the eponymous track "Seum" which carries forward the bass-heavy riffs, sludge vocals, albeit this time it's back to English. Which sounds just as good as the French, so no worries there.
#3 is "Super Tanker" which slows things down, but keeps it just as heavy. This one is a real slow burner that picks up the pace as it goes on. Great stuff.
"Diplodokush" gets us past the halfway mark and features the dirtiest vocals on the album. This song is a "sludge ballad" with it's focus on the vocals and drawn-out riffs. By now, either you are in a mind meld with Seum, or else you miss the guitars and this ain't the band for you. For me, Seum has found a killer sound with their bass-only formula. Check out the video for Diplodokush on YouTube:
It was while listening to "St. Catherine" that I realized something about Seum that I like so much. I've always had a thing for 2-piece bands (check out my comp "Sticks & Strings vol. 1") and in a way, Seum is a 2-piece band, in the sense that the music is the 2-piece, and then they add on the vocals. I love the raw energy of a 2-piece and this band takes advantage of that.
"Raining Bricks" ends things with some downright funky groovy riffage, and I gotta say, this album ended waaaaaaaay too quickly. I'm definitely going to be hitting the REPLAY button a lot on this one.
Let's wrap it up: Fuzzy digs this band! Ultra heavy, quick riffage, and totally nasty. Right on!
Fuzzy's favorite track: I gotta go with Super Tanker, although the French in Silence et Crasse is pretty damn great too. No weak tracks on here.
Seum band is from Montreal with members:
- Piotr - bass
- Gaspard - vocals
- Fred - drums
SWAMP KREWE PROMOTION PACKAGE!! Fuzzy has over 125 super fans in The Swamp Krewe subscription on Bandcamp. Send album codes to fuzzycracklins@gmail.com and if your music is KILLER then I'll share them with The Swamp Krewe. They have a lot of their own followers, so your album will get into the collections & feeds of many Bandcampers very quickly. It's FREE! Contact fuzzycracklins@gmail.com
CD OF THE MONTH MAILERS!! Fuzzy mails out over 75 CDs to super fans in the USA every month. They love to hear about new bands and new music, so send Fuzzy your stickers, printed album codes, promo CDs, whatever you want. Any number is good. Fuzzy is already paying the postage, and The Swamp Krewe loves swag and frequently posts to Instagram, so contact fuzzycracklins@gmail.com to make it happen! Bands, labels, podcasters, radio show DJs, bloggers, reviewers, get at me! It's FREE!
Exclusive limited Swamp editions every month
with swag (stickers, posters, coasters, patches, pins, postcards, and more)
Music Submissions and Contact The Swamp Records™
The Swamp Records™ on Instagram
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