The next round of band announcements from the inaugural New England Stoner and Doom Fest confirms that, indeed, the April 2018 event will by no means be limited in its geographic pull. First non-New England group to be added? Wasted Theory. The Delaware heavy rockers are approaching veteran status at this point — one or two more records should do it, frankly — and I imagine they’ll feature pretty high on the bill given the stage presence they bring and their unbridled Southern-styled energy. Also from outside the confines of New England come Olde, from Toronto, who’ll bring their blend of weighted riffs and noise to the proceedings as they support their album on the fest-related Salt of the Earth Records imprint.

And to round out is Oxblood Forge from Massachusetts, featuring original Ichabod vocalist — and apparently my neighbor, over in Whitman, which is like five feet that way — Ken MacKay, whom I’d swear I saw one day rolling around in a sweet-looking old Caddy. Could’ve been someone else — there’s no shortage of beardo dudes around here, despite it being the sticks, but I did a double-take anyway as I drove past.

Also since last time I posted apparently Pittsburgh’s Horehound and Connecticut’s Denim Panther signed on to play. Just didn’t want them to be ignored.

Here’s the latest from the fest:

Wasted Theory

“…Wasted Theory plays their own version of heavy stoner metal with some ’70s swagger, bluesy undertones, mixed with some deep-fried southern doom, and topped with some diesel-laced mountain rock for good measure…”

Yeah, that sounds about right.

Olde

Inspired by a recording session with long-time stoner metal stalwarts Sons of Otis, guitarist/producer Greg Dawson (Cunter, Grift, BWC Studios) began to handpick and assemble OLDE, emphasizing a powerful and economic approach to doom music. Enlisting the help of drummer Ryan Aubin (Sons of Otis), bassist Cory McCallum (Five Knuckle Chuckle), guitarist Chris “Hippy” Hughes (Moneen) and vocalist Doug McLarty (Jaww).

Oxblood Forge

Hailing from the outskirts of Boston, Massachusetts, Oxblood Forge bring a penchant for roundhouse kicking the listener in the face with their own special sauce of doom and roll with a generous helping of psych, blues and classic rock… aim for big hooks, destructive vocals, and heavy guitars.

So New England, make no mistake about it..
Shits about to get real heavy….

Previously announced lineup:
**SCISSORFIGHT
**EARTHRIDE
**CURSE THE SON
**BANTH
**HOREHOUND
**DENIM PANTHER

All performing at the
NEW ENGLAND STONER AND DOOM FESTIVAL 2018

More bands TBA soon!

https://www.facebook.com/NewEnglandStonerAndDoomFest/
https://www.saltoftheearthrecords.com/

Wasted Theory, Defenders of the Riff (2016)

Quintessential Maryland doomers Earthride just wrapped up a tour with unhinged sludge mavens Buzzov*en, and their new single, Witch Gun is available now through Salt of the Earth Records. Next Spring, that same Connecticut-based imprint will also be presenting its inaugural New England Stoner and Doom Festival on April 20 and 21, and though I think if you cut them open — not literally; not advocating anyone try it — Earthride would bleed the waters of the Chesapeake River, wherever they go, doom righteousness follows and no doubt they’ll find due welcome among the other three acts announced today — Scissorfight, Curse the Son and Banth.

Frankly, I’m not sure you could legally put on something called a New England Stoner and Doom Fest and not have Scissorfight take part, though of course it’s worth noting Salt of the Earth put out the band’s reunion EP, Chaos County (review here), in 2016. So that probably helps. Likewise, Curse the Son and Banth will represent the underrated home-state sphere of Connecticut riffing when the fest kicks off at Altones in Jewett City, CT, next Spring.

Proud to have The Obelisk involved in sponsoring this one. I’ve known fest-organizer Scott “Grandpa” Harrington for at least a decade at this point and his passion for heavy music and vigorous support for same has never wavered. He’s going to put together a killer event. First announcement follows, and of course there’s much more to come:

We were going to announce the first band officially playing NEW ENGLAND STONER AND DOOM FESTIVAL today, but instead we decided it would be more fun to announce four!

So New England, make no mistake about it..
Shits about to get real heavy….

**SCISSORFIGHT
**EARTHRIDE
**CURSE THE SON
**BANTH

All performing at the
NEW ENGLAND STONER AND DOOM FESTIVAL 2018

More bands TBA soon!

https://www.facebook.com/NewEnglandStonerAndDoomFest/
https://www.saltoftheearthrecords.com/

Earthride, Live at Maryland Doom Fest 2017