Here’s some beautiful instrumental psych-stoner from Russia, The Re-Stoned with their latest, fuzz-filled album going under the title, Thunders of The Deep. As I have said million times before I haven’t ever been that thrilled about instrumental stoner etc. music but here’s a great example how good it can be at it’s best. So, now I’m ready to take back all those narrow-minded words I have said earlier. It’s time to enjoy every damn note I’m hearing here. Great album, honestly. Colored version of this album still available fro example from Greatest Hits Mailorder and if you don’t mind the color of the vinyl, regular black copies available for example via Kozmik Artifactz.
Switchblade Jesus: Death Hymns LP (purple)
Got this latest from Switchblade Jesus via Cursed Tongue Records along with that Sumoken album I posted earlier. A band I’ve known for years but never managed to get familiar with. Once again an error that has now been corrected. Stoner / doom (and I’m honestly hearing strong Speed/Thrash Metal influences here) is the name of the game, obviously, and hell yeah I love these furious tunes that are penetrating the fragile cranium. Here I am wondering how on earth I managed to dodge the repertoire of this band until now? Damn. Recommended one and still available from the source, CTR! Get a copy, you obviously need one like I do.
Kult Of The Wizard: Gold 2xLP (gold/black marbled)
Five years ago I bought a twelve-inch vinyl from a band called Kult Of The Wizard. The name of that release was “The White Wizard” and I listened to that record quite a lot and I was amazed by those bluesy psych / stoner / doom soundwaves and haunting beautiful vocals. This latest album came as a complete surprise to me, I didn’t see this coming. Bought a copy straight away from Interstellar Smoke Records and now that the record has spun under the needle countless times today .. I just can’t get enough of this. With this album, Kult Of The Wizrad moves into its own category. Buy this double album while you still can !! Available from Interstellar Smoke Records.
Sumokem: Prajnaparadha LP (oxblood)
Do you ever purchase albums without hearing a single note from them in advance? I do, sometimes. That’s what happened here, I bought this from Cursed Tongue Records along with another record (I’ll come back to that other record another time). What we have here is the second full-length from Sumokem. Their debut was released a few years back and I clearly remember skipping it, the reason could be that I simply didn’t have the money at that time to invest in records. Shame on me! But back to this one, this is mere perfection from start to finish. Progressive, doomed stoner / sludge with a classic metal twist and I’m speechless at this moment. Maybe it’s just better that you check out this record all by yourself because my words don’t do justice. A-W-E-S-O-M-E! Go and grab a copy while you still can, available from the source, CTR or for example from Kozmik Artifactz. Those floating around the States can grab a copy from The Cosmic Peddler.
Curse The Son: Excruciation LP (clear with black splatter)
This came along with other goodies from Ripple Music in the second half of 2020. Been a little while since I have listened to Curse The Son, previous album I got from them is “Psychache” from the year 2014. So it was time to get some new stuff from this group. Quality stoner / doom with lots of fuzz and heavy riffs, perfect concept. So as a result, we get to the point that I need that missing previous album. This latest on is still available from Ripple Music US.
Arcadian Child: Protopsycho LP (grey/white)
Getting this record on my shelf didn’t go quite like in the movies but more on that later. Arcadian Child comes from Cyprus and that can be easily heard throughout the record. Psychedelic stoner with eastern vibes. I can’t remember when I heard from this band at the first time but when I listened to the first track from this album via BandCamp I was sold, immediately. Mixing stoner rock & psychedelic and adding some eastern melodies they just managed to draw my attention. Stunning release and highly recommended also. Available from the source, Kozmik Artifactz.
Oh, I ordered my copy from the band, via their BandCamp site and it was Oct 16, 2020, when I placed an order. In December, I asked for the first time after the status of my order, the second time at the end of January. No reply. I went and ordered a new copy directly from the record company, Kozmik Artifactz. On February 6th I received a message via BandCamp that the original order is now on its way .. yep, 4 months and soon I have two copies of this stunning record!
Lightmaker: Lightmaker LP (red/blue pinwheel)
This is Lightmaker from States with their self-titled debut album. Hell yeah! Doomed stoner with haunting vocals, what else can you ask? Due to the situation all over the globe, it took nearly 2 months for this to arrive at its final location (my hands) but I have to say that every minute was worth the wait. This is a kind of record that will have a lot of spinning time in this household. Heavy as hell and at the same time so beautiful. Highly recommended. Released by DHU Records and there’s still “Band edition” (half black / half white) available from the source. Kozmik Artifactz also has that version if you are interested. And both color variations still available via Band on their BandCamp site!
Serpentina Satelite: Nothing To Say LP (red)
Serpentina Satellite with their second album called “Nothing to Say”. This album was released on vinyl format about 10 years ago and I only recently got this added to my collection. The Serpentina Satellite is from South America, more specifically from Peru. The thing here is all about the fuzzed, psychedelic / space journey and as the name of the album puts it, no vocals. Love this one. Two color variations available, black and red one. If you are after colored one, skip those Discogs sellers and head to Tasty Odds, that’s where I purchased my copy.
The Kings Of Frog Island: VI LP (green/black splatter)
Last year, more specifically in the second half of the year, I received lots of stunning records. Here’s one of them, the latest from The Kings of Frog Island. When I ordered the record, I had the impression that it was an instrumental recording. I can’t figure out where that impression came and yes, I was wrong. Psychedelic space / stoner album from the first note to the very last one. Very enjoyable to listen to. Recommended music while sitting behind the steering wheel. Transparent blue version of this record is still available from the source, Kozmik Artifactz. Splattered version available from Greatest Hits Mailorder as well as that blue one.
Dead Quiet: Truth & Ruin LP (orange/black slatter)
Yet another new acquaintance, this time it is a band from Canada called Dead Quiet, I think this is the band’s third full-length album, and the first that I have listened and I am very satisfied that I bought the album. I got this album a few months ago and only recently I have been able to focus on this particular record. Damn good hard rocking stoner album with some influences from Hard Rock & Heavy Metal mixed with a bit of doom. Awesome record and still available for example via Kozmik Artifactz. Grab a copy while you still can.
Grave Disgrace: Rest In Peace LP (swamp green with gold/black splatter)
The very first record to hit me this year, Grave Disgrace with their strongly doomed album called Rest in Peace. At first I wasn’t sure about this record .. I pondered the purchase decision for a while until I grabbed myself by the neck and pressed that button. That decision was the right one. Been listening to this album a lot and still it keeps growing and growing. Great work from this Russian group and I really hope to hear more about them in the near future. “Black Seed” edition (regular black wax) seems to be still available from the source, Black Farm Records. Recommended for all doomsters!
Betelzeus: Congolese Sterilization LP (magenta/clear)
Ha! In your face! From my recent hometown comes Betelzeus with Congolese Sterilization. It’s damn nice to see/hear that there’s actual stoner/doom/sludge scene in this godforsaken backyard called Finland (and someone dares to call us Finns the happiest people in the world, fuck it!). Thanks to Interstellar Smoke Records for releasing this on vinyl, tape version I purchased from the local record store earlier last year. Pissed off sludge/doom in best physical format ever. Highly recommended piece of art! Available from the source, Interstellar Smoke Records.
Lucifer’s Children: Devil Worship LP +7″ (black)
DOOOOM. Do I need to write anything more? Well, maybe a few sentences.. Lucifer’s Children comes from Paraguay that’s almost all I know about this band and traditional doom is the thing in this quite amazing debut album. It’s been a very long time since I have listened this kind of doom and the feeling is, purified. Looking forward to hear from this band in the future. And thanks to DHU for releasing this. Sold out from the source but some copies still available via Kozmik Artifactz.
Hmm.. listening to this record woke the good old doomster in me so now I have listen to one of the greatest doom records ever made “Into The Depths Of Sorrow” by Solitude Aeturnus. Thanks Lucifer’s Children, you just stole a piece of my darkened heart!
Bismut: Retrocausality 2xLP (purple)
Some instrumental space/stoner/psych from Netherlands on purple colored double album. Retrocausality is their second album and I decided to check out this group at last. Woah! After listening to the first track on this album I was forced to purchase the whole damn thing on vinyl format. Been listening to this album quite much lately and every time it has been a very pleasant experience. Have to check out their debut album also as soon as possible. Recommended group/album. Get your copy for example via Lay Bare Recordings, Kozmik Artifactz or from the band itself.
Stonebirds: Collapse And Fail LP (clear/black)
Woah, now we are talking! A Monstrous album from Stonebirds crushing my guts with its darkened & hopeless beauty. This French band manages to blend various styles on this latest release. Mostly doomed post-metal with some distance echoes of sludge somewhere between the grooves. Bought their “Into The Fog… And The Filthy Air” album years ago and been waiting a new one to be released and just realized that I have missed an album between these two.. How in hell that can be even possible? Well, next one in my shopping list is that missing 2xLP called “Time”. Shame on me.. In the picture the vinyl looks very much black but when held to the light the effect can be seen, have to admit that it took little time and some advices to realize that.. This version is sold out but if you fancy regular version or even test pressing, Ripple Music still have those available. Band itself has some regular copies available in their BandCamp site too and Kozmik Artifactz has 1 copy still available.
Hombrehumano: Crepuscular LP (colored)
Deserted love from Argentina. Ordered this one along with some other records from Interstellar Smoke Records a few months ago. As I have said before, seems that the stoner/doom genre is quite powerful in South America nowadays. Hombrehumano is hitting hard with their album called Crepuscular, fuzzed desert/stoner/psych rock at it’s best. I was already sold after listening to the first track on this album, Nomada, even though it’s instrumental it’s one of the most beautiful tracks I have heard in a while! Recommended piece of art and still available from the source, Interstellar Smoke Records.
The Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble: I Forsee The Dark Ahead, If I Stay 2xLP (white)
While I usually skip all possible live recordings, with this I was forced to make an exception. The Kilimanjaro Dark Jazz Ensemble (aka. The Mount Fuji Doom Jazz Corporation) is one of those bands that I’ve followed for years and I will follow forever. Oh, this kinda music has nothing to do with stoner etc. maybe there’s some doomed elements hidden beyond these tunes filled with drone, experimental jazz. Awesome group, and If you want to open your stoned hearts for these kind of tunes, head to the Denovali Records website.
Widows: Oh Deer God LP (black)
Now I have to say that 5£ prize tag on this album is like stealing.. Oh Deer God by Widows is album filled with some stoner/sludge & doomed/bluesy riff-rock. This musical mayhem has been dragged under the sun about 3 years ago and seems that it is still very alive. Don’t know if the band is still active but would love to hear from them in the future. Good one, really good! I should have paid little more than 5£ from this one.. shame on me. Check out this via their BandCamp site and if you like what you’re hearing, buy it.
REZN: Chaotic Divine 2xLP (dark gold/black marbled)
Believe or not but this album is my first touch with this awesome cosmisher, doomed stoner/psych outfit. I’ve known the band by the name for a few years and finally manage to purchase a physical copy on vinyl format. Oh boys & girls, what a fool have I been way too long. This cosmic beauty with ethereal vocals have stolen a piece of my heart. Fuckhellyaeah, I’m forced to hunt down their previous releases as well.. This color variation still available via Off The Record label, other variations via band itself & Kozmik Artifactz for example. Go!
Ruff Majik : Tårn LP (yellow/red spatter)
Over a month ago I got the latest album from Ruff Majik, The Devil’s Cattle, and decided to get the band’s previous recordings as well. I followed Thomas Bleuze’s advice and started with Ruff Majik’s previous album, Tårn. This record has been on my shopping list for some time and now it’s here. It’s annoyingly hard to place this band in any particular genre, it’s a strange mix of groovy garage-doom-stoner-blues and whatever.. a great band and I’m just looking forward to which direction they’re going to steer us in the future. The album is still available via Lay Bare Recorings. Recommended, highly!