Review: MOS GENERATOR – ‘Shadowlands’ [Official Album Stream]

Mos Generator are a heavy riffing trio from Silverdale, WA, who have made it their life’s mission to breathe new life into classic rock.  They revel in the sounds of the 1970’s, with a nod to a progressive era long since taken over by being too inaccessible for casual listeners.

The band has a strong pedigree, comprised as it is by Tony Reed (vocals, guitar, Wurlitzer; ex-Treepeople), Sean Booth (bass), and Jono Garrett (drums).  They came together in 2002 and followed a self-titled debut with a concept album entitled ‘Late Great Planet Earth’ in 2005.  This was followed by several great records, including ‘Nomads’ and ‘Abyssinia’.

Their latest release on Listenable Records is the majestic ‘Shadowlands’.  I am finding it a real pleasure to absorb the grooves and power on this collection.  There is an epic opener in “Shadowlands“, full of riffing and roaring. There is also fuzzbox overdrive on songs like “Drowning In Your Loving Cup” and “Woman Song“.

The songs are compact and lean, swaggering into your consciousness like boxers entering the ring, full of confidence and focus.  What makes them elevate from average to great is the tunefulness that sets them apart from the pack.

Reed makes his mark with a melodic maelstrom of musicality with his ripping guitar and cool walking vocals.  There is the added bonus of solos that don’t outstay their welcome.  It is taste over flash for sure.  The bass playing from Booth is rock solid, but busy and I can only imagine what this band would do live.  When you have a four piece, a busy bass is essential and you get that in spades on ‘Shadowlands’ – just listen to “The Blasting Concept” for a demonstration of Haslip’s skill.  Any review would also be remiss not to make mention of Garrett’s drumming, which drives this album forward.

Combine all of the elements together and you have an album of power, melody and heart.  It is not one dimension and I recommend it highly for all lovers of classic rock, infused with stoner tendencies and superb musicianship.


 

Review: PSYCHEDELIC WITCHCRAFT – ‘Sound Of The Wind’ [Album Stream + Videos]

 

Florence, Italy-based occult rock mystics Psychedelic Witchcraft will release their ‘Sound Of The Wind’ full-length in the US on February 27th via Listenable Records. Released to critical-acclaim in Europe late last year, Sound Of The Wind was captured at Elfo Recording Studio and mastered by Brian Lucey (Ghost). Forged in 2015 led by vocalist Virginia Monti and heavily influenced by the ancient doom and blues teachings of Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Jefferson Airplane, and Free as well as of the obscure side of the Italian music scene long ago led by Goblin and Ennio Morricone, Psychedelic Witchcraft’s meticulous meld of blues and classic hard rock with in-depth occult-themed lyrics and imagery is at once vivid and all-consuming. Sound Of The Wind follows Psychedelic Witchcraft’s 2015 ‘Black Magic Man’ EP (Taxi Driver Records), their 2016 critically-lauded debut full-length ‘The Vision’ (Soulseller Records) and 2017’s ‘Magick Rites And Spells’ compilation (Soulseller Records), a collection of tracks not included in the debut album. Find “Sound Of The Wind” order info HERE. For digital orders, go HERE. Continue reading

Review: KING WITCH – ‘Under The Mountain’ [Album Stream]

Photo by Alan Swan Photography

 

Edinburgh based four piece band King Witch make a triumphant debut with ‘Under the Mountain’ which is released via Listenable Records! With this release we get 9 tracks of genre bending, kick ass HEAVY METAL! ‘Under The Mountain’ was recorded and produced by guitarist Jamie Gilchrist at their underground studio in their home city of Edinburgh, mixed and mastered by Tom Dring at Vagrant Recordings (Dragged Into Sunlight, Acolyte) in Southport and comes swathed in artwork created by vocalist Laura Donnelly. The record serves as King Witch’s follow-up to their debut EP, ‘Shoulders Of Giants’, and boasts nine riff-laden tracks offset by the powerful yet bewitching vocals of Donnelly. Influenced by everything from Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin to Mastodon and High On Fire, ‘Under The Mountain’ is as melodic as it is monolithic, taking its listener on a journey from soulful doom to full-tilt metal mayhem. Continue reading