This is the fifth album from US progressive rock band Oceans of Slumber.
I really liked 2018’s The Banished Heart, but 2020’s self titled was something even more special, making it on to my end of year list. I wasn’t sure how Oceans of Slumber could top their last album, and I’m pleased that they haven’t tried to; as you may have noticed, I’ve tagged this as a progressive rock album, rather than Continue reading “Oceans of Slumber – Starlight and Ash (Review)”
This is the second album from Battering Ram, a Swedish hard rock/metal band.
Battering Ram play a combination of old-school hard rock and classic heavy metal that is then wrapped up in a modern delivery. Second to None is 36-minutes of raw fun and polished talent. Continue reading “Battering Ram – Second to None (Review)”
This is the third album from US post-rock band Light Creates Shadow.
Light Creates Shadow’s brand of post-rock takes the style’s build/release mechanic and blends it with progressive structuring, ethereal resplendence, intricate dynamics, and a wealth of grunge influences. Continue reading “Light Creates Shadow – Ghosts Pass Through, Running from the Body (Review)”
Sergeant Thunderhoof are a stoner rock band from the UK and this is their fourth album.
This Sceptred Veil boasts a colossal 68 minutes of music for the discerning listener’s entertainment. Combining elements of doom, stoner, progressive, and psychedelic rock into a thoroughly satisfying and rewarding collection of tracks, Sergeant Thunderhoof have produced a sterling album.
Continue reading “Sergeant Thunderhoof – This Sceptred Veil (Review)”
Oreyeon are an Italian stoner rock band and this is their third album.
Here we have 42 minutes of stoner rock crafted by a band that know the style well enough to want something extra from it. Oreyeon combine elements of doom, grunge, stoner, psychedelic, progressive, and heavy rock into their music, pushing themselves to produce a quality listen that doesn’t rely on tired tropes to make its impact felt. Continue reading “Oreyeon – Equations for the Useless (Review)”
This is the debut album from Sarayasign, a rock band from Sweden.
Occasionally you stumble, blindly, across an album that is a real gem. Throne of Gold is exactly one such release. Sarayasign’s rock style may have fallen out of fashion some time ago, but that doesn’t change the fact that what they have produced here is a damn good album. Continue reading “Sarayasign – Throne of Gold (Review)”
Blue Heron are a heavy rock band from the US and this is their debut album.
I quite enjoyed Blue Heron’s brief two-track debut EP that they released last year, so when Ephemeral appeared I thought I’d take the time to see how they were coming along. In fact, Black Blood of the Earth from that release makes a reappearance on Ephemeral. Continue reading “Blue Heron – Ephemeral (Review)”
This is the debut album from Chinese progressive rock band OU.
OU have a very striking and unusual sound. Dynamic, vibrant, and atypical, One is an album made for those looking for something a bit different from their music. Continue reading “OU – One (Review)”
This is the sixth album by US alternative rock band Helms Alee.
It turns out that a member of Helms Alee was in Harkonen. I loved 2002’s Shake Harder Boy, so it’s great to hear his work once more, albeit in an indirect altered fashion. Continue reading “Helms Alee – Keep This Be the Way (Review)”
This is the second album from Italian stoner rock band Slowtorch.
The Machine Has Failed contains 37 minutes of hard rocking stoner rock fun. Tailor-made for fans of bands like Clutch, Corrosion of Conformity, and Orange Goblin, the album has riffs, hooks, and good tunes aplenty. Continue reading “Slowtorch – The Machine Has Failed (Review)”
Wonderbox Metal 