Black Tusk - Taste The Sin (2010)

Self-described "swamp metal" band Black Tusk return with Taste The Sin. And more album artwork by Baroness' John Baizley. Georgia being a hot bed for sludge metal, with much applauded acts such as Mastodon, Baroness, Kylesa and Zoroaster, it's no wonder Black Tusk sprouted from the same sludgy swampy waters. Mind you, while each band is great and share a lot of the same influences, none of them sound exactly the same as the other. So we're not talking about another Mastodon rip-off band. In fact, while this album is very solid, it could use some of the more experimental and progressive approaches fellow Georgian sludge metal bands take. But then again, it is still early in their career and they have plenty of time to evolve. That's not to say this isn't a great album, it most certainly is, but there is room for improvement on future releases.

Go on, embrace the madness and taste the sin...

myspace.com/blacktusk

blacktuskterror.com

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Spiritual Beggars - Return To Zero (2010)

Swedish stoner rock legends Spiritual Beggars finally return with Return To Zero. Five years later and with new singer Apollo Papathanasio (who happens to be yet another great singer) the band still kicks-ass. Whether you're new to the Stoner/Doom genres or you already love the band; you need this in album in your collection. 'Nuff said...  Try it while you can......

Apollo Papathanasio - Vocals
Michael Amott - Guitars
Sharlee D'Angelo - Bass
Ludwig Witt - Drums
Per Wiberg - Keyboards

myspace.com/spiritualbeggars 

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Rocketchief - Rise Of The Machine (2010)

Hailing from Germany, Rocketchief, bring their brand of giant robot battling stoner rock with the release of their debut Rise Of The Machine. Great vocals and a great mix of bass-heavy fuzzed-out hard rock and blues fused with southern metal of the Zakk Wylde variety. There's a lot more to discover with this refreshingly monstrous slab of stoner rock, though. These German dudes are poised to take the stoner rock underground by storm with their army of giant robots. So take a ride on the rocket; you won't regret it!

myspace.com/rocketchief

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Orchid - Through The Devil's Doorway E.P. (2010)

This is Orchid's debut E.P. Witchy 70s Doom from San Francisco, California .Heavily influenced by Black Sabbath, Pentagram, The Obsessed and Trouble. Of course the Black Sabbath influence is a given, with them being named after a song on the classic Master Of Reality album. I posted this in anticipation of their first album, Capricorn, due to be released later this year by The Church Within Records, which just so happens to be named after The Obsessed album. Interestingly enough, singer Theo Mindell is also a tattoo artist and does all of the bands graphics.  With all this great influence, you know you can't go wrong!

Theo Mindell - Vocals, Percussion

Mark Thomas Baker - Guitars, Moog

Nickel - Bass

Carter Kennedy - Drums

myspace.com/orchidsf


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Sheavy - Golden Age of Daredevils (2010)

The Canadian Sabbath worshiping legends known as Sheavy are back with their first release this year, Golden Age of Daredevils. This release, however, sees the departure of guitarist Dan Moore after 16 years of faithful service.  Don't panic! The heavy riffing beast is still very much alive in Sheavy. And Steve Hennessy still sounds like the Dark Lord himself, Ozzy. This action packed riff-fest comes highly recommended.

Oh and, hidden track Rings Of Saturn is originally from The Machine That Won The War  album (2007)

Steve Hennessy - Vocals

Chris White - Guitar

Evan Chalker - Guitar

Keith Foley - Bass

Jason Williams - Drums

sheavy.com

myspace.com/sheavymetal

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Latest album Disfigurine coming soon....

Nebula/Quest For Fire split (2010)

New track The Perfect Rapture, from the Californian Heavy Psych Lords known as Nebula. And an interesting track by new comers from Toronto, Quest For Fire, which seems to have more of a shoegaze feel to it.

myspace.com/nebulamusic

myspace.com/questforfireband

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Sasquatch - III (2010)

More straight-ahead stoner rock from Californian trio, Sasquatch. The hairy men return with their third album for Small Stone Records aptly titled III. The music is down and dirty hard rock that's heavy on the fuzz and soaked in whiskey.


Keith Gibbs - guitar,vox
Rick Ferrante - percussion
Jason Casanova - bass, paperwork

Buy it here


myspace.com/sasquatchrocks




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Sahg - III (2010)

The Norwegian masters of Sabbath worship, Sahg, return with the predictably titled III. The music however, isn't so predictable. Monstrous groovy, doomy riffs with an undertone of NWOBHM, thrash and modern prog akin to Mastodon. Another solid release from these fine gentlemen. If you haven't heard this band before, they'll definitely leave you wanting more.


Olav Iversen - Vocals, Guitars
Thomas Tofthagen - Guitars
Tom Cato Visnes - Bass
Ralph Myerz - Drums

myspace.com/sahg (details on how to purchase this kick-ass album are here, as well as streaming samples, etc.)



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Solace - A.D. (2010)

Having been seven years since their last full-length 13, Solace haven't missed a single step. In fact, they have only gotten stronger and tighter as evidenced on A.D., their first for Small Stone Records. With Jason laying down some of his best vocal work to date and Tommy Southard pulling off some of his best riffing and soloing, this might actually be their best recording to date. Although you can't go wrong with any other album or E.P. released by this band. In fact, these guys are pretty much legendary in the Stoner/Doom community. Although there is a definite Black Sabbath influence, it's more groovy than doomy. And just the right mix of stoned out 70's hard rock, southern rock, psychedelia and HEAVY Metal. 

Jason - Vocals
Tommy Southard - Guitar
Rob Hultz - Bass
Kenny Lund - Drums
Justin Daniels - Guitar
myspace.com/solace

diedrunk.com (their official site)


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This is a public service announcement from the Chief :

Don't be shy! Post a comment...any comment. Your opinion is valued here. Whether you like or dislike an album posted; or whether you have any ideas on how to improve my blog, let me know.

The Sword - Warp Riders (2010)

Got an advance copy of Warp Riders. This link probably won't be available for long so preview it while you can!

While the Sword aren't one of my favourite Stoner Metal bands, I know they do have a big following here in the Stoner/Doom underground.

The Sword, for some odd reason or another, were catapulted to fame in 2006 with the release of Age Of Winters; and in 2008, they capitalized on their success with the release of their follow-up Gods Of The Earth. These releases, while they did get my attention, seemed aimless and uninspiring. Especially when compared to the legends of the genre Solace, Goatsnake, Spiritual Beggars, etc. Like inhaling stale smoke from a bong; you're getting high but you're left with a sore throat and a bad taste in your mouth.

That being said, having listened to their latest Warp Riders, the band has seemed to evolved a bit and even strengthened their sound. They sound a little tighter and more focused this time around. The fact that this album isn't produced by J.D. Cronise but by veteran producer Matt Bayles definitely helps. The raw production is gone on this album, and while J.D.'s vocals have always been bland (let's face it, he is a limited singer) even they're a little bit better on this album. On an even more positive note, the drummer doesn't bash on his crash cymbal every damn second of each song (which was mixed way too high in the first place on the previous albums). I'm sure a lot of that has to do with the help of Matt Bayles, though.

So, in conclusion, while it definitely isn't one of my favourite albums of 2010, it is a solid release and their best so far. And it seems to be growing on me more and more.

The Sword are:

J.D. Cronise - Vocals, Guitar

Kyle Shutt - Guitar
Bryan Richie - Bass
Trivett Wingo - Drums

myspace.com/thesword

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Mose Giganticus - Gift Horse (2010)

Matt Garfield of Bensalem, Pennsylvania is Mose Giganticus. Yes, you read that correctly -- just one guy! His music combines punk and heavy metal while also incorporating the use of both a synthesizer and vocoder. Earlier albums such as The Invisible Hand (2006) and Commander! (2008) were rooted more in the hardcore punk vein mixed with electronic music; only hinting at the heaviness to come. On this album, his debut for the mighty Relapse Records, Matt Garfield brings the HEAVY this time around with definite sludge influences dominating the musical landscape but still retaining his unique musical signature with the live electronics and amazing innovation and creativity. Another album to tear down the restricted genre classifications of heavy metal. What can this band be classified as, you ask? I have no idea...Progressive Sludge Metal maybe ? You decide for yourself...

 myspace.com/mosegiganticus

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Sleestak - Skylon Express (2010)

Milwaukee Doom!  A lot more experimental and progressive than your average straight-up Doom Metal band. Free flowing instrumentals and jamming take precedent over vocals on this album; but it works to glorious effect! Think of a way heavier version of Pink Floyd melded with Black Sabbath. And the vocals, although sometime sparse, range from cool spoken word passages to more aggressive growling which blends in great with their mind-bending instrumental passages.

Details on how to purchase this amazing album are on their myspace

and their official website  http://sleestakmusic.com/

Matt Schmitz - vocals/guitar
Dan Bell - bass
Marcus Bartell - drums
Brian Gresser - guitar
Jon Landis – violin

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Sancta Sanctorum - The Shining Darkness (2010)

Debut album from Italy's Sancta Sanctorum on Black Widow Records. Now this is some amazing Doom that needs to be heard. Traditional Doom Metal with some psychedelic textures. A completely intoxicating album that will have you playing it on repeat.

Buy the album here.

Steve Sylvester - Vocals

Frederick Dope - Guitar

Daniele "Danny Hughes" Ugolini - Bass

Andrea "Thomas Hand Chaste" Vianelli - Drums

John Di Lallo - Keyboards

Sancta Sanctorum @ Myspace

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