Heavy Mash 2023 Announces Full Lineup for Oct. 7

Posted in The Obelisk Presents, Whathaveyou on August 17th, 2023 by JJ Koczan

The sixth annual Heavy Mash Fest is set for Oct. 7 at its traditional home, Division Brewing in Arlington. The festival is back to one day this year after extending to two in 2022, and in addition to veteran weirdo jammers Stone Machine Electric who’ll close out, Maryland doom’s Spiral Grave will journey west to headline.

You’ll recall The Obelisk is a long-time presenter of Heavy Mash. I dig what Mark Kitchens, who’s also got a new record coming from his experimentalist solo-project Slow Draw and who plays in Stone Machine Electric, has built over the last several years, not to mention the poster art, by Joshua Mathus, reprising the froggy theme of past editions with a righteous sci-fi bent.

The likes of drum-machine riffers Lotus Sutra and doom rockers Buzzürd — whose 2021 album, The Offering, I’d not heard and can be streamed at the bottom of this post — will round out the total-seven-band bill, and if you’re like me and not entirely familiar with all of them, I at this point trust Kitchens‘ curation will at least result in something interesting to hear, even if it doesn’t grab you and become your new favorite album forever. I guess what I’m saying is if you want to chase down any of the names below, it might be a fun endeavor. I’ll do likewise and see what’s to be found.

Continued best wishes to Heavy Mash and to Kitchens. Looks like a cool party, and tickets are dirt cheap:

heavy mash 2023

Heavy Mash 2023 (6th year) will occur on October 7th at Division Brewing in Arlington, Texas.
Doors open at 4pm, with music commencing shortly thereafter:

$15 Cover

5pm- Sons of Gulliver
6pm- Lotus Sutra
7pm- The Infamists
8pm- Buzzürd
9pm- FTW
10pm- Spiral Grave
11pm- Stone Machine Electric

Event sponsored by Division Brewing, Growl, The Obelisk, and Toke Mage!
Poster art by Joshua Mathus (https://www.instagram.com/joshuamathusart/)

https://www.facebook.com/events/3756053614681062
https://www.facebook.com/heavymash/
https://www.instagram.com/heavymashfest

Spiral Grave, Legacy of the Anointed (2021)

Buzzürd, The Offering (2021)

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Heavy Mash Fest 2022 Announces Full Lineup

Posted in Whathaveyou on September 6th, 2022 by JJ Koczan

For the first time since its inception five years ago, the Heavy Mash Festival held each Fall in Arlington, Texas, will take place over two days. Mountain of Smoke headline Oct. 8 and fest-vets Doomstress headline Oct. 9, and joining them for Heavy Mash 2022 is a righteous cast from in and out of the Lone Star State, including first-timers The Angelus from Dallas, Dee Calhoun from Maryland, Fort Worth’s NovakainStone Machine Electric, whose Mark Kitchens organizes the event, Red Beard WallMonte LunaThe Infamists and more. Vorvon have played before, ditto for Orthodox Fuzz, but it’s been a few years, and with newcomers like Big Brown Bear and a first appearance from Phoenix’s Hudu Akil, there’s plenty to see.

In years past this site has been involved in presenting the fest and happy to do so. Not so much this year, it seems, but as Heavy Mash looks to expand in terms of reach and lineup, it makes sense to try to reach as many eyes and ears as possible, and well, it’s not like I’m not out here posting about it anyway. All the best to Kitchens and fellow organizer Anton Olson for another successful year and a rager Heavy Mash 2022. Looks like it’s gonna be a party.

So party:

heavy mash 2022 square

HEAVY MASH 2022 – Oct 8 & 9

Heavy Mash 2022 is set for October 8th and 9th At Division Brewing in Arlington, Texas

Though we’re running a bit late on getting this out, Heavy Mash is back this year and ready to spend a couple of days doing what we love – listening to heavy music and watching these bands do what they do best! This will be the first year we’re letting loose for a 2-day event. Division Brewing and Growl Records will once again host us and the bands, and we hope you’re able to make it out and enjoy!

October 8th Lineup:
Mountain of Smoke
The Angelus
Monte Luna
Orthodox Fuzz
Red Beard Wall
Vorvon
Hudu Akil
Stone Machine Electric

October 9th Lineup:
Doomstress
The Infamists
Novakain
Dee Calhoun
Big Brown Bear

2-day passes available at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/heavy-mash-2022-with-mountain-of-smoke-doomstress-theangelus-and-more-tickets-397331989677

Event Sponsored by Division Brewing, Growl Records, and Toke Mage!

https://www.facebook.com/events/1087331922145245
https://www.facebook.com/heavymash/
https://www.instagram.com/heavymashfest

Mountain of Smoke, Imprinted (2022)

Doomstress, Sleep Among the Dead (2019)

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The Obelisk Presents: HEAVY MASH FEST 2021, Oct. 2 in Arlington, TX

Posted in The Obelisk Presents on August 5th, 2021 by JJ Koczan

heavy mash

Been a while, right? I can’t even remember what the last ‘The Obelisk Presents’ gig might’ve been, and to be honest I’d rather not make myself sad by looking it up. And let’s be clear: No, I’m not 100 percent certain that Heavy Mash Fest 2021 will happen on Oct. 2. I’m not 100 percent certain of the state that Texas, the entire United States, or the world at large will be in by the time October, or September, or a week from now comes around. And further, I’m not advocating you go if you’re uncomfortable entering a public setting. I’m not about to punk-rock-guilt anyone into leaving the house when they don’t want to do so. You need to decide where you stand on all that stuff, and any position you might take, for whatever reason, is valid. Unless you’ve refused a Covid vaccine. Then you’re dumb.

That said, I’ve supported Heavy Mash for years now, and Mark Kitchens (also of Stone Machine Electric and Slow Draw) has put together an awesome lineup with Rainbows are Free coming down from Oklahoma, Hippie Death Cult slated to travel all the way from Portland, Oregon, as well as Texas natives Monte LunaWarlungHoly Death TrioTemptress and Summit. It’s a good show. I wish I could be there for it. I wish a lot of things. One way or the other, I’m happy to continue my association with the event by getting behind it in this admittedly small way. If you can make it — emphasis on “can” — I do not think you’ll come out the other end regretting it.

Full lineup announcement follows. Go with my best wishes, and probably a mask:

Heavy-Mash-2021-Poster

Heavy Mash – October 2nd, 2021

We are pleased to announce this year’s Heavy Mash! After a long year of no live show and not having Heavy Mash in 2020, our great friend Wade hosts this event at Division Brewing/Growl Records in Arlington, TX on October 2nd, 2021. Nothing but heavy music and great beer! Here is this year’s line-up:

Rainbows Are Free
Warlung
Temptress
Monte Luna
Hippie Death Cult
Holy Death Trio
Summit

Division Brewing, Growl Records, The Obelisk, Tokemage, and Fistful of Doom podcast sponsor this event. Big thanks to these folks for helping this event to flourish!

Follow Heavy Mash here to stay up to date: https://www.facebook.com/heavymash/

https://www.facebook.com/events/699442337558758/?
https://www.facebook.com/heavymash/
https://www.instagram.com/heavymashfest

Rainbows are Free, Head Pains (2019)

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Quarterly Review: Amenra, Liquid Sound Company, Iceburn, Gods and Punks, Vouna, Heathen Rites, Unimother 27, Oxblood Forge, Wall, Boozewa

Posted in Reviews on July 14th, 2021 by JJ Koczan

the-obelisk-fall-2016-quarterly-review

You’ll have to forgive me, what the hell day is it? The url says this is day eight, so I guess that’s Wednesday. Fine. That’s as good as any. It’s all just 10 more records to my brain at this point, and that’s fine. I’ve got it all lined up. As of me writing this, I still haven’t heard about my busted-ass laptop that went in for repair last Saturday, and that’s a bummer, but I’m hoping that any minute now the phone is going to show the call coming in and I’ll just keep staring at it until that happens and I’m sure that will be awesome for my already brutalized productivity.

My backup laptop — because yes, I have one and will gladly argue with you that it’s necessary citing this week as an example — is a cheapie Chromebook. The nicest thing I can say about it is it’s red. The meanest thing I can say about it is that I had to change the search button to a caps lock and even that doesn’t respond fast enough to my typing, so I’m constantly capitalizing the wrong letters. If you don’t think that’s infuriating, congratulations on whatever existence has allowed you to live this long without ever needing to use a keyboard. “Hello computer,” and all that.

Enough kvetching. Too much to do.

Quarterly Review #71-80:

Amenra, De Doorn

Amenra De Doorn

I’ve made no secret over the last however long of not being the biggest Amenra fan in the universe. Honestly, it’s not even about the Belgian band themseves — live, they’re undeniable — but the plaudits around them are no less suffocating than their crushing riffs at their heaviest moments. Still, as De Doorn marks their first offering through Relapse Records, finds them departing from their Mass numbered series of albums and working in their native Flemish for the first time, and brings Caro Tanghe of Oathbreaker into the songs to offer melodic counterpoint to Colin H. van Eeckhout‘s nothing-if-not-identifiable screams, the invitations to get on board are manifold. This is a band with rules. They have set their own rules, and even in pushing outside them as they do here, much of their ideology and sonic persona is maintained. Part of that identity is being forward thinking, and that surfaces on De Doorn in parts ambient and quiet, but there’s always a part of me that feels like Amenra are playing it safe, even as they’re working within parameters they’ve helped define for a generation of European post-metal working directly in their wake. The post-apocalyptic breadth they harness in these tracks will only continue to win them converts. Maybe I’ll be one of them. That would be fun. It’s nice to belong, you know?

Amenra on Facebook

Relapse Records website

 

Liquid Sound Company, Psychoactive Songs for the Psoul

Liquid sound company psychoactive songs for the psoul

A quarter-century after their founding, Arlington, Texas, heavy psych rockers Liquid Sound Company still burn and melt along the lysergic path of classic ’60s acid rock, beefier in tone but no less purposeful in their drift on Psychoactive Songs for the Psoul. They’re turning into custard on “Blacklight Corridor” and they can tell you don’t understand on “Who Put All of Those Things in Your Hair?,” and all the while their psych rock digs deeper into the cosmic pulse, founding guitarist John Perez (also Solitude Aeturnus) unable to resist bringing a bit of shred to “And to Your Left… Neptune” — unless that’s Mark Cook‘s warr guitar — even as “Mahayuga” answers back to the Middle Eastern inflection of “Blacklight Corridor” earlier on. Capping with the mellow jam “Laila Was Here,” Psychoactive Songs for the Psoul is a loving paean to the resonant energies of expanded minds and flowing effects, but “Cosmic Liquid Love” is still a heavy rollout, and even the shimmering “I Feel You” is informed by that underlying sense of heft. Nonetheless, it’s an acid invitation worth the RSVP.

Liquid Sound Company on Facebook

Liquid Sound Company on Bandcamp

 

Iceburn, Asclepius

iceburn asclepius

Flying snakes, crawling birds, two tracks each over 17 minutes long, the first Iceburn release in 20 years is an all-in affair from the outset. As someone coming to the band via Gentry Densley‘s work in Eagle Twin, there are recognizable elements in tone, themes and vocals, but with fellow founders Joseph “Chubba” Smith on drums and James Holder on guitar, as well as bassist Cache Tolman (who’s Johnny Comelately since he originally joined in 1991, I guess), the atmosphere conjured by the four-piece is consuming and spacious in its own way, and their willingness to go where the song guides them on side A’s “Healing the Ouroboros,” right up to the long-fading drone end after so much lumbering skronk and incantations before, and side B’s “Dahlia Rides the Firebird,” with its pervasive soloing, gallop and veer into earth-as-cosmos terradelia, the return of Iceburn — if in fact that’s what this is — makes its own ceremony across Asclepius, sounding newly inspired rather than like a rehash.

Iceburn on Facebook

Southern Lord Recordings website

 

Gods & Punks, The Sounds of the Universe

gods and punks the sounds of the universe

As regards ambition, Gods & Punks‘ fourth LP, The Sounds of the Universe, wants for nothing. The Rio De Janeiro heavy psych rockers herein wrap what they’ve dubbed their ‘Voyager’ series, culminating the work they’ve done since their first EP — album opener “Eye in the Sky” is a remake — while tying together the progressive, heavy and cosmic aspects of their sound in a single collection of songs. In context, it’s a fair amount to take in, but a track like “Black Apples” has a riffy standout appeal regardless of its place in the band’s canon, and whether it’s the classic punch of “The TUSK” or the suitably patient expansion of “Universe,” the five-piece don’t neglect songwriting for narrative purpose. That is to say, whether or not you’ve heard 2019’s And the Celestial Ascension (discussed here) or any of their other prior material, you’re still likely to be pulled in by “Gravity” and “Dimensionaut” and the rest of what surrounds. The only question is where do they go from here? What’s outside the universe?

Gods & Punks on Facebok

Abraxas on Facebook

Forbidden Place Records website

 

Vouna, Atropos

vouna atropos

Released (appropriately) by Profound Lore, Vouna‘s second full-length Atropos is a work of marked depth and unforced grandeur. After nine-minute opener “Highest Mountain” establishes to emotional/aural tone, Atropos is comprised mostly of three extended pieces in “Vanish” (15:34), “Grey Sky” (14:08) and closer “What Once Was” (15:11) with the two-minute “What Once Was (Reprise)” leading into the final duo. “Vanish” finds Vouna — aka Olympia, Washington-based Yianna Bekris — bringing in textures of harp and violin to answer the lap steel and harp on “Highest Mountain,” and features a harsh guest vocal from Wolves in the Throne Room‘s Nathan Weaver, but it’s in the consuming wash at the finish of “Grey Sky” and in the melodic vocal layers cutting through as the first half of “What Once Was” culminates ahead of the break into mournful doom and synth that Vouna most shines, bridging styles in a way so organic as to be utterly consuming and keeping resonance as the most sought target, right unto the piano line that tops the last crescend, answering back the very beginning of “Highest Mountain.” Not a record that comes along every day.

Vouna on Facebook

Profound Lore website

 

Heathen Rites, Heritage

heathen rites heritage

One gets the sense in listening that for Mikael Monks, the Burning Saviours founder working under the moniker of Heathen Rites for the first time, the idea of Heritage for which the album is titled is as much about doom itself as the Scandinavian folk elements that surface in “Gleipner” or in the brief, bird-song and mountain-echo-laced finish “Kulning,” not to mention the Judas Priest-style triumphalism of the penultimate “The Sons of the North” just before. Classic doom is writ large across Heritage, from the bassline of “Autumn” tapping into “Heaven and Hell” to the flowing culmination of “Midnight Sun” and the soaring guitar apex in “Here Comes the Night.” In the US, many of these ideas of “northern” heritage, runes, or even heathenism have been coopted as expressions of white supremacy. It’s worth remembering that for some people it’s actually culture. Monks pairs that with his chosen culture — i.e. doom — in intriguing ways here that one hopes he’ll continue to explore.

Heathen Rites on Facebook

Svart Records website

 

Unimother 27, Presente Incoerente

Unimother 27 Presente Incoerente

Some things in life you just have to accept that you’re never going to fully understand. The mostly-solo-project Unimother 27 from Italy’s Piero Ranalli is one of those things. Ranalli has been riding his own wavelength in krautrock and classic progressive stylizations mixed with psychedelic freakout weirdness going on 15 years now, experimenting all the while, and you don’t have to fully comprehend the hey-man-is-this-jazz bass bouncing under “L’incontro tra Phallos e Mater Coelestis” to just roll with it, so just roll with it and know that wherever you’re heading, there’s a plan at work, even if the plan is to not have a plan. Mr. Fist‘s drums tether the synth and drifting initial guitar of “Abraxas…il Dio Difficile da Conoscere” and serve a function as much necessary as grooving, but one way or the other, you’re headed to “Systema Munditotius,” where forward and backward are the same thing and the only trajectory discernible is “out there.” So go. Just go. You won’t regret it.

Unimother 27 on Facebook

Pineal Gland Lab website

 

Oxblood Forge, Decimator

Oxblood Forge Decimator

Not, not, not a coincidence that Massachusetts four-piece Oxblood Forge — vocalist Ken Mackay, guitarist Robb Lioy, bassist Greg Dellaria and drummer/keyboardist Erik Fraünfeltër — include an Angel Witch cover on their third long-player, Decimator, as even before they get around to the penultimate “Sorcerers,” the NWOBHM is a defining influence throughout the proceedings, be it the “hey hey hey!” chanting of “Mortal Salience” or the death riders owning the night on opener “Into the Abyss” or the sheer Maidenry met with doom tinge on “Screams From Silence.” Mackay‘s voice, high in the mix, adds a tinge of grit, but Decimator isn’t trying to get one over on anyone. This blue collar worship for classic metal presented in a manner that could only be as full-on as it is for it to work at all. No irony, no khakis, no bullshit.

Oxblood Forge on Facebook

Oxblood Forge on Bandcamp

 

Wall, Vol. 2

wall vol 2

They keep this up, they’re going to have a real band on their hands. Desert Storm/The Grand Mal bandmates and twin brothers Ryan Cole (guitar/bass) and Elliot Cole (drums) began Wall as a largely-instrumental quarantine project in 2020, issuing a self-titled EP (review here) on APF Records. Vol. 2 follows on the quick with five more cuts of unbridled groove, including a take on Karma to Burn‘s “Nineteen” that, if it needs to be said, serves as homage to Will Mecum, who passed away earlier this year. That song fits right in with a cruncher like “Avalanche” or “Speed Freak,” or even “The Tusk,” which also boasts a bit of layered guitar harmonies, feeling out new ground there and in the acousti-handclap-blues of “Falling From the Edge of Nowhere.” The fact that Wall have live dates booked — alongside The Grand Mal, no less — speaks further to their real-bandness, but Vol. 2 hardly leaves any doubt as it is.

Wall on Facebook

APF Records website

 

Boozewa, Deb

Boozewa Deb

The second self-recorded outing from Pennsylvania trio Boozewa, Deb, offers two songs to follow-up on Feb. 2021’s First Contact (review here) demo, keeping an abidingly raw, we-did-this-at-home feel — this time they sent the results to Tad Doyle for mastering — while pushing their sound demonstrably forward with “Deb” bringing bassist Jessica Baker to the fore vocally alongside drummer Mike Cummings. Guitarist Rylan Caspar contributes in that regard as well, and the results are admirably grunge-coated heavy rock and roll that let enough clarity through to establish a hook, while the shorter “Now. Stop.” edges toward a bit more lumber in its groove, at least until they punk it out with some shouts at the finish. Splitting hairs? You betcha. Maybe they’re just writing songs. The results are there waiting to be dug either way.

Boozewa on Instagram

Boozewa on Bandcamp

 

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Liquid Sound Company Post “Mahayuga” Video; New Album Coming Soon

Posted in Bootleg Theater on January 13th, 2021 by JJ Koczan

liquid sound company

New Liquid Sound Company does not happen every day. The Texas-based psychedelicatitians have trickled out few songs on Bandcamp over the last few years, most notably up till now the single “Black Light Corridor” that made its way through the muck of an otherwise-distracted May 2020 to shine with lysergic tales of turning to custard and potential defenestration. A follow-up to that track arrives with the new video “Mahayuga” — anyone looking to dive down a rabbit-hole of Hindu cosmology can go ahead and Google that — and though the track in question only runs about four and a half minutes, it does indeed seem to stretch time, classic sitar psych interweaving with molten rhythm and guitar effects purveyed by John Perez, best known for his work as founding guitarist of doom metallers Solitude Aeturnus.

The prospect of a new album, which will be self-released and titled as per the band as Psychoactive Songs for the Psoul, from the Liquid Sound Company is welcome, to say the least. Their Bandcamp loaded up in 2017 and there’s a treasure trove of shroomy goodness to be had there, but the discography it draws from dates back as far as the mid ’90s with the release of the band’s debut album, Exploring the Psychedelic, in 1996 through Perez‘s own Brainticket Records. They’d later hook up with respected purveyor Nasoni Records as one of the few American acts ever to release through the Berlin-based label — fellow Texans Wo Fat are another — for 2002’s Inside the Acid Temple, and keeping their one-per-decade track record going, a third LP, Acid Music for Acid People, would arrive in 2011, also through Nasoni and Rockadrome in the US.

You see what I mean with “not every day,” but if you believe in due, Liquid Sound Company are due. 2021 will mark a decade since Acid Music for Acid People, and “Black Light Corridor” and “Mahayuga” both make it plain that their cosmic luster has faded not a bit. You’ll hear some edge of classic doom amid the riffs that emerge, but it’s all about the swirl here and there’s plenty of that to go around. And around. And around. You get the idea.

With the hope of more to come, enjoy:

Liquid Sound Company, “Mahayuga” official video

I’ve been working with my band members for some time on some new PSYCHEDELIA! Take 5 minutes out of your day, sit back relax and take a peek into the new Liquid Sound Company album with a new track – Mahayuga. From our upcoming 2021 release, Psychoactive Songs For The Psoul on the bands own LSR label! Take an exotic mind melting journey to pleasure and mystic visions. Features sitar by Shaun Hyder of long running U.K. eastern psych band Saddar Bazaar! Here’s a link to the official video on our Youtube channel; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjs_Rtf60Tc.

Liquid Sound Company is:
John Perez – guitars, vocals
Mark Cook – Warr guitar, 12 string, analog synth
Jason Spradlin – drums, keyboards
Allan “Skip” Wise – vocals, lyrics
Ron McCain – keyboards

Liquid Sound Company, “Black Light Corridor”

Liquid Sound Company on Thee Facebooks

Liquid Sound Company on Bandcamp

Liquid Sound Company on YouTube

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The Obelisk Presents: Heavy Mash 2019, Oct. 19 in Arlington, TX

Posted in The Obelisk Presents on July 23rd, 2019 by JJ Koczan

heavy mash frog

With another killer lineup of (mostly) Texan acts, Heavy Mash Fest returns with Heavy Mash 2019 this Oct. 19 at Division Brewing in Arlington, TX. This is the third year of the fest and I’m proud to have presented all three of them, as the reach has grown and the palette continues to expand even as the focus stays on the Lone Star underground, which, fortunately, seems to have an endless array of groups from which to build a lineup. This year, Louisiana’s Forming the Void join the fray, and The Liquid Sound Company — featuring guitarist John Perez of Solitude Aeturnus — will headline, with Destroyer of Light, Funeral Horse and others taking part. Whether you’ve yet been indoctrinated into Smokey Mirror‘s good-time blues psych or not, you’re probably going to want to get in on this one before the rest of Texas shows up and it sells out. It’s gonna be a good show.

Here’s all the info for it, as posted by the fest itself:

HEAVY MASH 2019 POSTER

Heavy Mash 2019

Arlington, TX Heavy Music Festival

In conjunction with Division Brewing in Arlington, TX, we are pleased to announce the 3rd year of this small fest presented by Growl Records, The Obelisk, The Sludgelord, Artificial Head Records, and Death Chicken! It will be held at Division Brewing in Arlington, TX on October 19th from 2pm to midnight-ish. In past years we’ve seen Wo Fat, Duel, Great Electric Quest, Doomstress, Mountain of Smoke, Stone Machine Electric, and many others slay our stage. Below is our full line-up, starting with the headlining act:

The Liquid Sound Company – a psychedelic band formed by doom veteran John Perez in 1996 from Arlington, TX

Destroyer of Light – a melodic doom metal band that pushes those boundaries from Austin, TX

Forming the Void – progressive heavy rock from Lafayette, La

Vorvon – wizard metal from Fort Worth, TX

Funeral Horse – garage metal from Houston, TX

Whep – punk sludge from Denton, TX

Smokey Mirror – heavy psych blues from Dallas, TX

The Grasshopper Lies Heavy – post-metal from San Antonio, TX

Sonar Lights – heavy rock from Fort Worth, TX

C.I. – Instrumental rock for crankhead alcoholic camo-jort-wearing deadbeat dads from White Settlement, TX

For any comments or questions, please contact us at heavymashfest@gmail.com. If you’re in a band, feel free to submit yourselves for next year and beyond.

https://www.facebook.com/events/2030272317279798/
https://www.facebook.com/heavymash/
https://www.instagram.com/heavymashfest/

Liquid Sound Company, “Sleeping Village”

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The Obelisk Presents: Heavy Mash 2018, Oct. 13 in Arlington, TX

Posted in The Obelisk Presents on June 20th, 2018 by JJ Koczan

heavy mash 2018 poster

After being fortunate enough to have been asked last year, there was no way I wasn’t going to be up for having The Obelisk on board to present Heavy Mash 2018. The second edition of the Arlington, Texas-based festival will take place on Oct. 13 and feature a full day and a full lineup of all-killer heavy rock, doom, psych and whatnot, with Austin-dwellers Duel as the headliners on the heels of their 2017 sophomore album, Witchbanger (review here). In fact, when fest organizer Mark Kitchens — also of Stone Machine Electric — brought up the issue recently, my only question was whether the awesome frog from last year’s poster would make a return. To the benefit of all humanity, you can see clearly above that it has.

Duel sit atop the lineup with Californian imports Great Electric Quest and Dallas’ Mountain of Smoke, whose second album, Gods of Biomechanics, will be out July 7 and is an absolute crusher. As it turns out, Great Electric Quest are the only non-Texas band on the bill, as amid the roster of DoomstressStone Machine ElectricSwitchblade JesusOrthodox FuzzGypsy Sun RevivalWitchcryer and Dead Hawke, there isn’t one group that doesn’t call the Lone Star State home. I guess that’s what happens when the place you’re from is awash in creativity and, uh, huge. Just ask California.

The geographic theme at play only makes Heavy Mash 2018 more special, since Texas’ heavy underground is nothing if not worth highlighting, and no doubt at least some of the acts will have shared stages in the past, making it all the more of a party at Division Brewing, which once again will host the event and seems to just be asking for trouble in so doing. So much riffs. So much beer. I hope they have a good mop for afterward.

Get your ass to Texas:

The Obelisk Presents: Heavy Mash 2018

Oct 13 at 1 PM

Division Brewing
506 E Main St, Arlington, Texas 76010

After last year’s successful event, we are pleased to announce this year’s Heavy Mash! Once again, our great friend Wade hosts this event at Division Brewing in Arlington, TX on October 13th, 2018.

Nothing but heavy music and great beer! Here is this year’s line-up:

DUEL – 11pm
Great Electric Quest – 10pm
Mountain of Smoke – 9pm
Doomstress – 8pm
Stone Machine Electric – 7pm
Switchblade Jesus – 6pm
Orthodox Fuzz – 5pm
Witchcryer – 4pm
Gypsy Sun Revival – 3pm
DEAD HAWKE – 2pm

Duel, Witchbanger (2017)

Heavy Mash 2018 event page

Heavy Mash on Thee Facebooks

Division Brewing website

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Stone Machine Electric Announce Garage Tape Reissue

Posted in Whathaveyou on January 31st, 2018 by JJ Koczan

Mind you, I don’t know if in the process of putting it out on compact disc, Texas duo Stone Machine Electric are actually re-titling their limited 2014 cassette — initially dubbed Garage Tape (review here) — as Garage Tape, er, CD?, but being relatively familiar with the Lone Star twosome’s work over the last however many years, I’d absolutely believe it. In fact, it’s precisely the kind of weirdo charm in which Stone Machine Electric specialize, and as one awaits further word of their next album, I’ll happily take whatever comes from these two deeply underrated psych jammers.

If you didn’t hear it the first time around, Garage Tape was comprised of two side-consuming, sprawling jams that came with a bonus track in the digital form. I don’t know if that will be included on the CD or not, but the chance to hear it all together as one flowing jam session seems like a pretty righteous opportunity, so yeah, here’s the info. Ships in March, apparently. That seems like forever from now, but apparently is very much not that thing:

stone machine electric garage tape

STONE MACHINE ELECTRIC – Garage Tape, er CD?

Texas heavy duo, Stone Machine Electric, is re-releasing the mind-bending “Garage Tape” onto, what else, but CD. This is by semi-popular demand. Sshhh, yes, vinyl would be nice, we know.

You can pre-order this fabulous format at: https://stonemachineelectric.bandcamp.com/album/garage-tape

Garage Tape tracklisting:
1. Side A 20:52
2. Side B 21:38

Improvised live on July 26, 2014 in Kitchens’ garage.

Expect these to start shipping beginning to mid-March.

For further information, contact the band at band@stonemachineelectric.net

Stone Machine Electric started in the summer of 2009 with founding members Mark Kitchens and William (Dub) Irvin. Dub had asked Kitchens if he’d be interested in helping him start a band since the two had been in other bands together in previous years.

https://www.facebook.com/StoneMachineElectric/
https://twitter.com/SME_band
http://stonemachineelectric.bandcamp.com/
http://www.stonemachineelectric.net/
www.offtherecordlabel.com

Stone Machine Electric, Garage Tape (2014)

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