Formed in 2004 by former The Gates Of Slumber drummer Chuck Brown, the band followed their 2008 ‘Sincerest Misery’ debut with “Last Sunrise” in 2010, then, in between two splits and a demo, released ‘Of Woe And Wounds’ in 2014, which also served as their first album for Italy’s Cruz Del Sur Music. Just in time, Apostle of Solitude greets the legions of doom in early 2018 with their fourth studio album, ‘From Gold To Ash.’ Continue reading
Originally released in 1990 and out-of-print for almost two decades, The Obsessed’s now-legendary self-titled debut comes completely remastered with previously unreleased bonus tracks, including the highly-sought after four-track Concrete Cancer demo (1984), expanded artwork, never-before-seen photos, and extended liner notes from frontman Scott “Wino” Weinrich. The Obsessed is a true piece of doom rock history! The deluxe 2xCD version of the record includes a bonus disc containing the Concrete Cancer demo as well as a full live set from 1985 in Washington, D.C.. The Concrete Cancer demo is also available separately as a limited-edition LP. Continue reading
2017 is wrapping up, and once again it’s been an incredible year for all genres of METAL! If you are still one of those people who thinks modern Metal has nothing to offer, I have a news flash for you: YOU’RE DEAD WRONG! We are at a point now where you can literally find hundreds of bands to satisfy whatever genre you may be into, all it takes is just the smallest amount of research on your end via YouTube, metal sites and various other sources! While compiling this list I originally had thirty five albums I considered worthy of being “TOP TEN” material. So while it pained me to have to narrow things down, I eventually decided to go with the releases that had the strongest impact on me. As far as honorable mentions go, I’d like to recommend that folks check out ‘Mareridt’ by Myrkur, ‘Planetary Space Child’ by Ruby The Hatchet and ‘8’ by Ufomammut all of which would have made my list if I had more time to give them repeated listens. Also, I may get crucified for this, but I really enjoyed ‘Road Rage’ by Quiet Riot! It’s not top ten material, but it’s a quick listen that keeps you entertained throughout! Anyway, without any more delay, here’s my top ten releases of 2017!
10. Below – Upon a Pale Horse
Founded in 2012 Below is an Epic Doom Metal band from Sweden. With ‘Upon a Pale Horse’ you will get epic riffage in the style of early Candlemass mixed with beautiful Iron Maiden-esque melodies and truly sorrowful vocals. Highly recommended if you’re a fan of traditional Doom Metal.
9. PowerFlo -Self Titled
Featuring members of Biohazard, Cypress Hill, and Fear Factory: Powerflo is a band for those who enjoy the sounds of funk, Hip-Hop, and Metal all merged into one. While this release doesn’t bring anything new to the table in terms of sound or lyrical content, it makes up for that by having killer musicianship that is an even more intensified version of Cypress Hill’s rap/metal album ‘Skulls And Bones’. Also, I’d like to point out that I am a HUGE fan of having Sen Dog rap over metallic riffs (Check out his other band SX-10) and on this release he unleashes an anger that we haven’t heard from him in quite some time!
8. Lares – Mask of Discomfort
Mixing elements of Doom, Black, and Death Metal with a Psychedelic twist Lares are a band sure to assault your ears with their MASSIVE wall of sound! At nearly 40 Minutes ‘Mask of Discomfort’ is a release that warrants multiple listens truly to absorb all that is taking place in the music. Stand out tracks would be “Conjuring”, “Fog Of Terror”, and “Witness Of Lares”.
7. Kreator- Gods of Violence
What needs to be said about Kreator that hasn’t already been stated? They are legends in thrash metal and ‘Gods of Violence’ perfectly exemplifies why. This album is fast, violent, melodic and just down right catchy! At less than an hour long ‘Gods of Violence’ is a one two punch that will leave you begging for more!
6. Memoriam- For the Fallen
‘For the Fallen’ by Memoriam is an album that lives up to the hype. It’s chock full of old school death metal riffage and features the return of legendary Bolt Thrower vocalist Karl Willets! If that isn’t enough to draw you in, I’ll also point out that every song on ‘For the Fallen’ is written to near perfection! Seriously, I truly believe that the riff in “Reduced To Zero” is one of the best riffs of the year! Memoriam embraces the roots of Death Metal with this release and all who listen will be in for a treat!
5. Novembers Doom – Hamartia
Now right off the bat I’ll admit that I had a bit of an unhealthy obsession with ‘Hamartia’ upon it’s release; everyday I would listen to it in its entirety multiple times throughout the day. I did this for nearly three weeks! Eventually I found other albums that I enjoyed slightly more throughout the year.With that being said, I would still HIGHLY recommend this album to just about anyone who likes doom / death metal with slight gothic influences! Stand out tracks include “Devil’s Light”, “Ghost”, and “Apostasy”.
4. Blackfinger – When Colors Fade Away
Led by the voice of doom himself Eric Wagner has blessed us once again with a soon to be classic album full of sorrow, despair, and a bit of sarcasm. The title track as well as “Waiting For The Sun”, and “Beside Still Water”, take us into more ballad like territory but of course with a psychedelic and doom-y twist to them, while “All My Sorrow” and “Can I Get A Witness”, are heavier and will be pleasing to fans of classic Trouble. All in all, if you are a fan of anything Eric Wagner has done, their really is no reason for you not to give ‘When Colors Fade Away’.
3. Kadavar – Rough Times
With ‘Rough Times’, the Berlin trio known as Kadavar decided it was time to release their heaviest album to date, and honestly the result is everything I could have hoped for! Songs like INTO THE WORMHOLE and the title track are bludgeoning slabs of doom while “Vampires” and “Words Of Evil” are more likely to satisfy fans of the bands older works. All in all, ‘Rough Times’ is a fuzzed out masterpiece worthy of your time!
4. Void Cruiser – Wayfarer
Currently located in The Andromeda Galaxy but originally from Helsinki, Void Cruiser are the very definition of a hidden gem. I was introduced to ‘Wayfarer’ by my friends at Bionic Records earlier this year and even then I knew that what I was hearing would be something special! I was listening to an album with a thick wall of fuzz and psychedelic, however that is not all it had going for it. This is a band of highly competent musicians and very capable songwriters! A shining example of this would be “I Didn’t Lie But I Know That I Should Have” which features some of the most soulful guitar playing I’ve heard this year! Please, do yourself a favor and listen to ‘Wayfarer’ in its entirety I promise that your experience will be a pleasant one!
1. The Obsessed – Sacred
Led by the mighty Wino, The Obsessed have once again returned with not only my favorite release of the year, but quite possibly one of the best doom Metal/ stoner rock releases in recent years! Starting with the re- recorded version of the classic Obsessed song “Sodden Jackal”, you know right away that you are in for a great listen! The production is top notch, Wino’s vocals and guitar playing are as menacing as ever as exemplified on songs like “Perseverance Of Futility” and “Stranger Things”; while songs like “Punk Crusher” and “Be The Night” showcase the impressive skills of Dave Sherman (Earthride) and Brian Constantino! Considering that Wino has been in music since the 70’s and is still releasing quality material is nothing short of a miracle, but I have faith that this is not the end. I have a strange feeling that in the upcoming years Wino will continue to deliver and carry on the torch that was past to him many years ago from the temple of Sabbath and Hendrix!
Photo Credit: Dean Karr
With their first release being in 1984, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY is a band who has made significance impact in not one but two sub genres of music (Hardcore Punk and Sludge). Therefore, it shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone at how excited the Metal community was when it was announced that C.O.C. would be reuniting with Vocalist/ Guitarist Pepper Keenan for a new album! It’s been a dozen years since Corrosion of Conformity recorded new material with Keenan at the helm. In that time, there have been rumors, whispers, and outright allegations that the legendary southern rock outfit would reunite to blow the doors off the whole damn scene again. In 2014, after nearly a straight decade traversing the globe as a guitarist with New Orleans supergroup Down, Keenan reconnected with the core Corrosion of Conformity trio of Woody Weatherman, Mike Dean, and Reed Mullin to hit the road hard. “Reed called me and mentioned maybe playing a couple shows,” Keenan recalls. “I said, ‘Let’s just go to Europe and see if it works.’ So we went to Europe and then ended up going back four times in one year… We toured for a year and then started tracking about ten or eleven months ago.” Continue reading
Iron Griffin is a one man band from Finnish drummer Oskari Räsänen (of the band “Mausoleum Gate”) who recently signed a contract with Gates of Hell Records (a Cruz Del Sur Music imprint). Razanez stated: “IRON GRIFFIN is a new project which started about a year ago as a one-man band mostly to improve myself at playing different instruments and writing music. Session vocals are done by my friend and spectacular singer Toni Pentikäinen. “The future of this project is living right now. I will continue working with new material and try to search for players to form a ‘real band,’ maybe. But this EP is a good start for me and the journey continues in one way or another.” Okari handled almost every single aspect of this album, the lyrics, all instruments, recording, mixing and even the artwork was done by Okari himself. The few outside contributions were from session lead vocals by Toni Pentikäinen (Madwill), intro by F.F. Nieminen, and mastered by Wiched Iscanius. The album released on August 23, 2017. Continue reading
Formed in 2011 Blues Pills originally founded by half-brothers Zack Anderson (bass) and Cory Berry (drums), formerly of Radio Moscow. The brothers then added powerful blues vocalist Elin Larsson and then adding then 16-year-old guitarist Dorian Sorriaux. Cory has since left the band and was replaced by current drummer André Kvarnström. In July 2013, Blues Pills signed a contract with Nuclear Blast and released their ‘Devil Man’ EP. In total the band has released 3 EP’s, 2 studio albums and now 2 live albums. Now the Sweden based blues rockers Blues Pills have announced the release of their first ever DVD/Blu Ray, entitled ‘Lady In Gold Live In Paris’, on November 3, 2017. The release features the band’s sold out performance at Le Trianon in Paris, France on October 30, 2016 in front of 1.200 euphoric fans.
Commented the band: “We are stoked to share with you that we will release a live record/ DVD which was recorded and filmed during our show in Paris at le Trianon last October on the ‘Lady in Gold Tour’. We decided to do this because we want to share our live experience with all our fans and also those fans who might have never had the chance to see us live. The live interpretation of our songs differs a lot from the studio record versions. We would call it a bit more rock ‘n roll, more heavy, more jam parts, more psychedelic parts simply another experience . Playing live is what we’ve always enjoyed most. In no other situation can you connect as deep with your fans. We tried to catch the magical moments and emotions of the live atmosphere on DVD/ record for your living rooms, cars and wherever you will rock out to it. Paris was chosen because it means a lot to us to play in this beautiful city and also ‘Le Trianon’ is one of the most beautiful venues in Europe, this needed to get shared with you. Continue reading
Formed in 1993 and having released album after album of genre defining doom metal, Electric Wizard are back once again to melt faces with their newest release ‘Wizard Bloody Wizard’ (licensed to Spinefarm Records through the bands own Witchfinder Records). While the album isn’t as memorable as ‘Dopethrone’ I’d still argue that it’s the strongest thing they’ve done since ‘Witchcult Today’. ‘Wizard Bloody Wizard’ the ninth ELECTRIC WIZARD studio album is released October 20th 2017 via Witchfinder Records / Spinefarm Records Continue reading
Iron Monkey have returned. Yes, you read that right, Iron Monkey have returned! The reason for the comeback? Unknown. But after listening to 9-13 (Available October 20th on CD, LP, and digital formats via Relapse Records. Physical packages and digital orders are available via Relapse.com HERE and all retail outlets HERE.) I can assure you that this is (mostly) a solid return to form!
Iron Monkey formed in Nottingham, England in 1994. The original members were Justin Greaves (drums), Johnny Morrow (vocals), Jim Rushby (guitar), Steve Watson (guitar) and Doug Dalziel (bass). The group’s sound was influenced by doom metal and sludge metal acts such as EyeHateGod, and Grief. In 1998 Iron Monkey released the highly acclaimed “Our Problem” via Earache Records. Unfortunately, due to issues with the music business as well as personal problems the band split in 1999. To add to that drama, On June 22, 2002 frontman Johnny Morrow passed away due to heart failure, effectively putting Iron Monkey on ice for over a decade. Continue reading
When it comes to Doom Metal there are few figures who have had a career as illustrious as Vocalist/ Guitarist Scott “WINO” Weinrich. The man is a LEGEND plain and simple. With a career spanning 40+ years, Wino has effectively set the standard for Stoner Rock and Doom Metal with standout albums like ‘Mother-Teacher-Destroyer’ by The Hidden Hand, ‘Born Too Late’ by Saint Vitus, and even the Self titled debut from the short lived band Shrinebuilder (which featured members of bands such as The Melvins, SLEEP, and Neurosis). Of course Wino is most commonly remembered for his time in a little band knows as The Obsessed! For those not familiar, The Obsessed was formed in 1976 (originally under the name War Horse). In 1983 They released the ‘Sodden Jackal’ EP and had one track (“Concrete Cancer”) featured on Metal Blade’s ‘Metal Massacre VI’! The band broke up in the late 80’s after Wino moved to California to join Saint Vitus, although different versions of The Obsessed have existed since then with the current line up consisting of Wino (vocals/guitar), Reid Raley (bass), and Brian Costantino (drums). Continue reading
Spawned by the tragic passing of former drummer Adrian Guerra, Seattle doom metal band Bell Witch have returned with ‘Mirror Reaper’: a full length full of tragedy, atmosphere, and complexity. They will release their third full-length, ‘Mirror Reaper’, worldwide on October 20th via Profound Lore Records. To be quite honest, this was a hard listen for me the first time around and I imagine that for many others it will be as well. ‘Mirror Reaper’ consists of one track, totaling in at 83 mins. Needless to say, this is definitely not going to be everyone’s cup of tea. However, by my second and third listens I found my self getting lost in the music, almost as if in a trance of gloom, and when I emerged, I felt that I had a better understanding and appreciation for this release! Continue reading
