I’ve always pictured the Stockholm-bound The Riven as the Swedish version of Thulsa Doom – similar vibes, similar undertones, and similar upbeat resonances. The RIven, as far as I observe, has always been influenced by the sounds from the golden age of classic rock; the 1970s and 1980s. Their sounds are genuinely hard-hitting, sharp-shooting, and they appear to be the kind of sounds that would make you want to headbang as the exciting memories in your head replay themselves in retrospect whilst you listen to them. In terms of genre classification, they might pass as heavy blues rock with progressive, psychedelic, and classical influences and a strong emphasis on menacing riffs as well as vigorous vocals.
Tag Archives: Retro
ALBUM REVIEW: Blacklab – In A Bizarre Dream
Never a country to be worried about being viewed as a bit strange, Japan has always enjoyed a rich history of unnaturally jarring cultural opposites. For every Spirited Away, Rashomon or Ponyo there’s a Battle Royale, Suicide Club, or Tokyo Gore Police, and for every bouncy and sickeningly wholesome J-Pop band there’s a Corrupted, Bathtub Shitter, and Flagitious Idiosyncrasy in the Dilapidation.Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Druids – Shadow Work
Psych rockers Druids have historically inspired scribes to reach for the thesaurus, turn to the epic, mythic and mystical – words like ‘monumental’, ‘colossal’, ‘ominous’. ‘bludgeon’, ‘pulverise’, ‘rampage’. Now their splendid, accomplished and invigorating new album inspires another word: ‘Family’.
ALBUM REVIEW: Audrey Horne – Devil’s Bell
In the new “post-covid” era I have been hearing some awesome cuts coming from all kinds of artists. It makes me wonder how many took advantage of the downtime to hone skills and really dig into some songwriting.
Umbilicus Launches 1970s Rock Band ft. Members Cannibal Corpse and Inhuman Condition
Umbilicus is a new Floridian Retro Rock band that is made up of Death Metal royalty featuring drummer and lyricist of Cannibal Corpse drummer Paul Mazurkiewicz, Taylor Nordberg (Inhuman Condition, The Absence, Fore) on guitar, Vernon Blake (Anarchus, Napalm Death [Live]) on bass, and vocalist Brian Stephenson (Fore, Old James). Watch a teaser from the band.
ALBUM REVIEW Boris and Merzbow – 2R0I2P0 (Twenty Twenty RIP)
2R0I2P0 (Twenty Twenty RIP, Relapse Records) is a collaboration album from two luminaries of the Japanese experimental music scene, Boris and Merzbow. Boris has released a vast number of albums over the past 25 years, and their sound ranges from psychedelic post-rock to crushing metallic doom riffery. Noise artist Merzbow (the brainchild of Masami Akita) has been even more prolific, having released hundreds of records over a 40-year career.
ALBUM REVIEW: Kamchatka – Hoodoo Lightning
GC might have already released it’s End of Year list, but that doesn’t mean the machine stops rolling. There’s always more to review. And Swedish stoner trio Kamchatka have dropped Hoodoo Lightning (Border Music) as a last-minute Christmas present for those who dig the late-60s and 70s. Continue reading
The Meads Of Asphodel – Running Out Of Time Doing Nothing
After the heavy concepts of their previous couple of albums, London trio The Meads of Asphodel have thrown off those shackles and just fucking gone for it on their latest release, Running Out Of Time Doing Nothing (Godreah Records).Continue reading
Skraeckoedlan – Eorpe
Skraeckoedlan’s newest offering is entitled Eorpe (Fuzzorama) – or Earth for the non-Swedes. Eorpe is part Stoner, part psychedelic music, with much sounding like New Wave music from the eighties with modern production values. There’s a familiarity to the tone and pacing of the music that us old fogies will enjoy, but, it’s “out there” enough for younger listeners to turn on, tune in, and drop out – the blending works as it’s a relaxing non-offensive listen.Continue reading
Brant Bjork Streams New Single – “Swagger and Sway”
Brant Bjork (Kyuss, Brant Bjork And The Bros, Low Desert Punk Band) will release the next chapter in his prolific career with a new solo album next month, Mankind Woman, on September 14 via Heavy Psych Sounds Records. Jam a new single from Brant, ‘Swagger & Sway’, right now!Continue reading