ALBUM REVIEW: Softsun – Eternal Sunshine – Heavy Psych Sounds


 

Going into silent moments before winter, a change of soundtracks is needed. This album helps to achieve that goal. Gary Arce from Yawning Man started Softsun a couple of years ago. On Eternal Sunshine (Heavy Psych Sounds), Arce uses guitar tones similar to those employed with  Yawning Man, but with a more melodic shoegaze vibe. This project’s strength actually lies in the vocals of bassist Pia Isaksen. She brings a more song-focused element to the table by creating a more tangible narrative. Her voice weaves sleepy melodies in the spaces left by the floating guitar parts.  The second song works off a similar formula, as the opening track that finds the band continuing to capture a languid mood as the vocals coo their way into a lonely sunset. Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Yawning Man – Pavement Ends


If you have ever eaten a gummy and thought:

“This is not doing shit!”Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Masters of Reality – The Archer


For those with the good fortune (and talent) to make an indelible mark on the music world, there are those who achieve mainstream fame, and then like a concurrent shadow are those so vital that their creative essence is absorbed into the very fabric of the music world. Continue reading


EP REVIEW:  Howling Giant – Howling Giant (10th Anniversary Reissue)


Today on the block we have a cut that I cannot believe is ten years old. The cut I speak of is Howling Giant’s self-titled EP. This release would come crashing onto the Cosmic Rock scene. What they deliver on this cut is this soaring sound that comes at you through the endless bound for the stars.Continue reading


Desertfest Berlin 2025 Reveals First Day-Splits, ft. Dinosaur Jr., Elder, The Hellacopters, and More


ID 286062429 | Dinosaur © Jay Dunbar | Dreamstime.com

2025 will see Desertfest Berlin undoubtedly invite for its perhaps best and most eclectic line-up to date, featuring an incredible line-up consisting of Dinosaur Jr., The Hellacopters, Elder, Eyehategod, My Sleeping Karma and many more high-class acts the stoner, rock, doom, sludge, psych, and metal scene has to offer! Today, the festival has revealed its first line-up splits for Friday, Saturday and Sunday!Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Moskitos – Mirage


Regarding psych rock, I have heard some of the best bands ever.  They seem to come primarily from every place except for America. I have seen amazing bands from Sweden, Finland, Germany, and Spain.  For the first time, I’m hearing a band from Cape Cod, South Africa. Moskitos have put Cape Town on the map as a new, untapped hub for psychedelic rock with their stellar debut album Mirage (The Good Times Co.)   Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Bird’s View – House of Commando


From the fuzzy Alt Rock and early Foo Fighters vibe of “Vienna,” German rockers Birds View’s second album House of Commando (Drakkar Entertainment) starts as it means to go on. Influenced by ‘90s alternative rock acts such as the aforementioned Foos, Soundgarden, and Queens of the Stone Age, HOC is primed with propulsive, straight-to-the-point songs that do not outstay their welcome. Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: High Reeper – Renewed By Death


Hello, friends today on the block we have the new cut from High Reeper, Renewed By Death (Heavy Psych Sounds). After three years the stoner metal group is back with some new tunes. This new cut is loaded with killer riffs from top to bottom. True to form the guitars come in with an intro calling to past influences to deliver a cool icebreaker for this album. The band also does a good job of keeping the energy up throughout, as well. There is a good flow from song to song. It feels like an album, not just a playlist. I think there are still some of us out there that enjoy the experience of an album, from beginning to end, and what the group/artist is saying as a whole.Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Blue Heron – Everything Fades


You might not live on the desert plains, but with Everything Fades (Blues Funeral Recordings), Hard Rock three-piece Blue Heron can show you the way there. Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Dale Crover – Glossolalia


Celebrated Drummer Dale Crover has been performing with the Melvins since 1984 when he replaced founding member Mike Dillard, since then he’s had stints with Nirvana and collaborated in projects such as Shrinebuilder, Men of Porn and Conan Neutron & the Secret Friends. Furthermore, he performs with Redd Kross, and has embarked on a solo career, first with the Hard-Rock flavoured Altamont and then the eclectic, experimental compositions under his own name. Continue reading