Review: BIG BUSINESS – ‘The Beast You Are’ [Song Stream]

Big Business is a band. They play heavy rock. On that, we can all agree. Things get tricky when you try to classify exactly where on the musical spectrum the dynamic duo’s racket falls. “I guess psychedelic heavy metal punk rock? I don’t know. People always say ‘sludge rock,’ which I always found to be lazy and kind of inaccurate,” says drummer Coady Willis. “A lot of our songs are fast, and it’s not like we’re playing a half-assed Black Sabbath riff over and over again. That’s been the struggle of the band. We’re a band that doesn’t really fit into what everyone else is doing.” Continue reading

State of the Art: New Jersey’s BLACK WAIL

Our autumnal excursion through the Garden State concludes in Jersey City, home of the Statue of Liberty, birthplace of funk legends Kool & the Gang, and for nearly four years now, home to chromium swamp creatures Black Wail. These fuzz-faced, big-muffed purveyors of doom boogie have been plying their wares since Spring 2014, over three EP releases and countless live shows, and their forthcoming effort Chromium Homes (Rhyme & Reason Records, in stores December 15) is a raw, rip-snorting blast of sharp hooks, bludgeoning riffs, syrupy-sweet harmonies, and out-and-out heavy metal anguish.

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LOW FLYING HAWKS (Feat. Members Of MELVINS) Premiere “Smile” [Streaming]

Shoegazy doom outfit LOW FLYING HAWKS will release their new album, Genkaku, on August 25th via Magnetic Eye Records.

Featuring drummer Dale Crover (THE MELVINS) and bassist Trevor Dunn (MR. BUNGLE) alongside songwriters and multi-instrumentalists EHA and AAL, Genkaku is the follow-up to LOW FLYING HAWKS‘ 2016 debut, ‘Kōfuku, a record lauded by many critics and all alike.

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EARTH WITCH – Out Of The Shallow LP Review (+Stream!)

Normally, I don’t cover music that is local to my region of central Illinois. BUT now is a very necessary exception, as Champaign’s Earth Witch (finally!) dropped their debut LP last month, entitled Out Of The Shallow. The trio of Ivan Catron (vocals, guitars), Derrin Coad (bass), and Nathan Landolt (drums) do more than harness the heavy on the album, delivering an untainted showcase of raw doom rock in all its riffing glory. Featuring percussive, bass grooves and powerful, gritty vocals – Out Of The Shallow is a must-listen for the blues rock enthusiast in 2017! Continue reading