A band name that works beautifully on so many levels – profound, Sci-Fi, comedic – Italian quintet John, The Void’s sound is now firmly attached in the former, having spent time dallying in the first two descriptors. Second album III: Adversa (Argonauta Records) adds a further, more grave distillation of that desolation whilst maintaining a subtle, warm influence.Continue reading
While bands such as Pallbearer and Khemmis have been roundly lauded as the prime exponents of modern Progressive Doom, Boston’s Magic Circle has received less attention but is no less of a creative talent. The third album Departed Souls takes up where predecessor Blind Journey (both 20 Buck Spin) left off but sees positively lumimous advances from a whole host of instruments.Continue reading
Solo projects are notoriously difficult. Sometimes they are born of internal conflict within a band leading to splintering factions looking to pave their own way. More often than not it proves that a part is not greater than the sum of the whole: who can honestly say they prefer Serj Tankian’s solo work to the output of System of a Down? They can also be the result of an ego attack, a misplaced sense of superiority with often disastrous results. Lamb Of God’s Mark Morton, however, seems to fall into neither category, so his debut solo release, Anesthetic (WPP/Spinefarm Records) can only be viewed as a long-awaited labour of love.Continue reading
It would seem that Heaven In The Dark Earth (God Unknown), the debut album from London innovators Markers, has been coming for an age. Having known each other for twenty years around the early Math Rock scene, Jason Carty and Jodie Cox have finally unified to produce this rhythmless, adventurous melding of atmospheres and strings.Continue reading
If ever an album title was created with the subconscious aim of getting my attention it’s Doom Folk (Exile On Mainstream Records), the fourth solo album from multi-faceted German troubadour Conny Ochs. More famed in Metal circles for his collaborations with Scott ‘Wino’ Weinrich, Ochs’ own output is equally as relevant – perhaps more so.Continue reading
It seems wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen is quietly earning a name for Rock bands in recent years, with retro Psych trio The Sonic Dawn gaining a particularly favourable reputation. Eclipse (Heavy Psych Sounds) is the band’s third full-length release in four years and, despite being influenced by undisclosed personal tragedy, the sound is as bright as ever.Continue reading
It’s a name that will be unfamiliar to many but London-based Alex ‘A.A.’ Williams is destined to rise above the radar before too long. With YouTube comparisons with Chelsea Wolfe and Emma Ruth Rundle already boosting her reputation, the fact that Holy Roar Records are releasing eponymous EP A.A. Williams is a testament to the growing sense of expectation.Continue reading
Those of us who developed a fondness for sludgey goodness back in the days of its infancy will have a soft spot for Welsh sluggers Acrimony, who blazed (!) an early trail for the sub-genre in the UK. While most of that band went on to found the Stoner grooves of Sigiriya, Lee ‘Roy’ Davies has drifted through guises until settling in the present day, and Woven Man: an outfit tipping its cap to The Wicker Man and aspects of his former band, which shine throughout debut album Revelry (In Our Arms) (Undergroove).Continue reading
Search online for bands named Trees and the only entries you’ll find are references to the glorious British Folk outfit of the late sixties and early seventies. Deep in the recesses of Finland, however, comes another such incarnation: one that joins the gathering of acts that have revitalised the genre this year.Continue reading
Black Deer Festival made a smashing debut in 2018 as prime UK-based music festival for Americana and Country music. Now in addition to a strong, growing bill, Desertscene will now curate bands on the Roadhouse Stage! The first bands announced are Left Lane Cruiser, Radio Moscow, The Vintage Caravan, Asteroid, The Black Wizards, Mountains, Stubb, and Duel, with more to come soon. They join the already announced lineup of Band Of Horses, John Butler Trio, Jade Bird, The Dead South, Larkin Poe, Ryan Bingham, Fantastic Negrito, Hayseed Dixie, John Smith, Martin Harley, Watermelon Slim, Chance Mccoy, Worry Dolls, Gordie Mackeeman & His Rhythm Boys, Irish Mythen, William Crighton, and Morganway. Black Deer Fest takes place 21st – 23rd June 2019 at Eridge Park, Kent. Tickets are on sale now at the link below.