EP REVIEW: Slower – Slower


Covering Slayer is a tricky business. Many bands have tried and failed, and despite displaying obvious reverence to the Californian Thrash legends, only a handful have ever really been able to do real justice to the source material. And of those, it’s the ones who arrive from left field that remain in the memory the most.

From Finnish cellists Apocalyptica to LA rap-metallers Body Count, it’s US singer/pianist Tori Amos who produced arguably the most innovative cross-genre take back in 2001 when she gave the world a very different version of “Raining Blood”. And now it’s the turn of Fu Manchu guitarist Bob Balch, the stoner metal legend getting the idea after teaching a student how to play “South of Heaven” in a different tuning and, well… Slower.Continue reading


NEW MUSIC FRIDAY: November 1st New Music Releases


Purchase And Stream All The New Music Released Today!

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Magnetic Eye Records Launches “Black Sabbath Redux” Covers Album Project


Magnetic Eye Records, the home of brilliant stoner, doom, sludge, and other interesting bands has announced the next edition in their “Redux” series of covers albums. Having previously had huge sellout hits with Helmet, Pink Floyd, and Alice In Chains already in the pipeline is at it again! They will release a Black Sabbath tribute, Vol 4 in 2020. Magnetic Eye always pulls the finest underground bands to contribute distinctive covers such as Melvins, Pallbearer, Mark Lanegan, Ruby The Hatchet, ASG, Year of The Cobra, Yawning Man and many more. The Kickstarter for Vol 4 is live and certain editions are already selling out fast. Check it out, support the label which also puts out original full-lengths by their bands, compilations, has a subscription club and much more.

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Empyrium, Strid, Farsot, Coldworld, Year Of The Cobra, Fen and More Booked For Prophecy Fest 2019


One of the truly unique music labels in the underground, Prophecy Productions, returns with their really special music festival. Prophecy Fest takes place in a natural cave formed in the Old Stone Age – Balver Höhle. According to Germanic Saga, the blacksmith Wieland had his workshop in the cave. Balve, Germany, is situated in the center of Germany between Dortmund, Cologne, Frankfurt, and Hannover. Beyond myths, the show will be the stuff of legend with the following nine bands: Empyrium (Exclusive European performance 2019), Strid (Exclusive Central European performance 2019), Farsot and Coldworld (performing Toteninsel World Premiere) Year Of The Cobra, Disillusion, A Forest Of Stars, Laster, Fen, Tchornobog. Seven more bands will be announced at a later date. For tickets and full festival details, see the link below. Continue reading


High On Fire Cancels Entire “Electric Messiah Tour” Due To Medical Emergency


Sad new by High On Fire, as they are canceling their entire planned Electric Messiah tour with Toke and Year of The Cobra that was days away from kicking off. The reason is another medical emergency suffered by frontman Matt Pike. He sends a message to fans, which you can read below. The band already had pulled out of their tour this past fall. We wish Matt a speedy recovery. Continue reading


Maryland Doom Fest Early Bird Sale Runs Through The End Of The Year


The Maryland Doom Fest celebrates its fifth anniversary this upcoming June and has confirmed fifty bands including headliners Pentagram, Conan, Earthride, and Mothership. For the first time in its history, MD Doom Fest brings international artists, the mighty Conan from the United Kingdom and Interitum from Tasmania, with another 48 American acts. Taking place from June 20th – 23rd, 2019 , in Frederick, MD. The Early Bird Discount for weekend passes are only available until December 31st, which you can purchase from the link below. Continue reading


Toke And Year of The Cobra To Support High On Fire On Tour


 

 

Stoner and sludge bands Toke andYear of the Cobra have been added to High On Fire’s upcoming “Electric Messiah” Tour this winter. With frontman Matt Pike recovered from his toe amputation, High On Fire is ready to tour in support of their Electric Messiah album, out now via eOne Music. Tickets are on sale now.Continue reading


Various Artists – The Wall Redux


Like the noble slice of pizza, a cover song, if done well, can be amazing. And if it’s not, it’s still pretty good. It’s tough to cover well-known songs and albums by famous bands because music becomes our lexicon and fans know every little nook and cranny of a track. This is the case with Pink Floyd and their iconic double album The Wall. Luckily Magnetic Eye Records and their incredible “Redux” series is here, and they always do a bang-up job of assembling the talent. Covering the entirety of The Wall seems both ambitious and a little crazy too. While The Wall is lower on my personal list of Floyd favorites, it’s as important as it is beloved by the masses. Continue reading


Maryland Doom Fest 2019 Books Pentagram, Conan, Earthride, Mothership And More For 5th Anniversary


Maryland Doomfest will launch it’s 5th edition in 2019, from June 20th to the 23rd. The bill features fifty of the heavy hitters of the genre such as Pentagram, Conan, Earthride, Mothership and many more. There is also a Pre-Fest Party on Thursday, June 20th, which will also be a 20th Anniversary celebration of the Stoner Hands of Doom Festival (ShoD), with a spectacular lineup. These bands have all performed at great SHoD fests of years past! The Pre-Fest / SHoD 20th Anniversary Celebration must not be missed. Early Bird Tickets sales open December 17th through the 31st.Continue reading


CONTEST EXTENDED: Last Chance To Win Tickets To Prophecy Fest In New York This Weekend


Alcest, by Rich Price Photography

Prophecy Fest USA is getting closer, and going down this weekend in Brooklyn, NY on November 2nd and 3rd at the Knitting Factory! Celebrating the Prophecy Productions label and featuring Alcest ( playing Kodama in its entirety – possibly for the last time) Novembers Doom, Eye Of Nix, Crowhurst, Xasthur, So Hideous, Year of The Cobra, new signees Kayo Dot and more! To win a pair of tickets for the weekend head over to Ghost Cult’s Instagram account and share our post to win. You can also see the full lineup, set times, a preview trailer, and a link to buy tickets. Continue reading