The new Duel album, Breakfast With Satan, came out earlier this month on Heavy Psych Sounds, and to no surprise whatsoever, the Austin-based purveyors of heavy charge will waste no time getting out to support it. If you’ve never seen the four-piece live — or if you have, for that matter — and are presented with the opportunity, you’d be doing yourself a favor by doing so. I won’t say a bad word about their records, unless you want to count “fuck yeah” and make me put a coin in the imaginary swear jar, but they’re a stage band all the way. The grit and grime and just-barely-on-the-rail-seeming shove of their studio work, hand-delivered with metallic vitality right to your waning eardrums. They’ve got a couple fests on this Euro jaunt starting Aug. 6, but most of it is club shows, which is a context in which they shine. Not that ringing or over an open European field doesn’t also work, but there’s something electric about their sound bouncing off the back wall to club your skull while on the other side your face is being melted.

Good band? Yeah, that’s pretty much what I’m saying. Here there be tour dates, as posted by their label, the esteemed Heavy Psych Sounds:

Europe!!! Duel will be coming your way next month so don’t miss them!!! And be sure to pick up their new LP Breakfast With Death from us at www.heavypsychsounds.com

TU 06.08.24 DE MANNHEIM – ALTER
WE 07.08.24 DE JENA – KUBA
TH 08.08.24 DE DRESDEN – CHEMIEFABRIK
FR 09.08.24 DE MARIENTHAL – HOFLÄRM
SA 10.08.24 DE MUNSTER – RARE GUITAR
SU 11.08.24 DE TÜBINGEN – NULL8-15
MO 12.08.24 IT VERONA – FINE DI MONDO
TU 13.08.24 IT SEZZADIO – CASCINA BELLARIA
WE 14.08.24 IT SAN ZENONE – VILLA ALBRIZZI
TH 15.08.24 IT FRANCAVILLA – FRANTIC FEST
FR 16.08.24 FR CHAMBERY – BRIN DE ZINC
SA 17.08.24 FR ***OPEN SLOT***
SU 18.08.24 FR CARHAIX – MOTOCULTOR FEST
TU 20.08.24 FR PARIS – SUPERSONIC
WE 21.08.24 BE BRUSSELS – LA SOURCE
TH 22.08.24 UK BRIGHTON – THE GREEN DOOR STORE
FR 23.08.24 UK LONDON – BLACK HEART
SA 24.08.24 UK MILTON KEYNES – CRAUFURD ARMS
SU 25.08.24 UK SHEFFIELD – COSMIC VIBRATION

DUEL is
Tom Frank – lead vocals & guitar
Jeff Henson – lead guitar & backing vocals
Patrick “Scooch” Pascucci – Drums
Drew Potter – bass & backing vocals

https://www.facebook.com/DUELTEXAS/
https://www.instagram.com/dueltexas/
https://duel3.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/HEAVYPSYCHSOUNDS/
https://www.instagram.com/heavypsychsounds_records/
https://heavypsychsoundsrecords.bandcamp.com/
http://www.heavypsychsounds.com/

Duel, Breakfast With Satan (2024)

Oh, you know, no big deal. It’s just Desertscene (the folks behind Desertfest London) and Heavy Psych Sounds (the foremost European heavy imprint and booking concern) pairing up for a London-based Heavy Psych Sounds Fest this November with Dozer, Black Rainbows, Lord Dying, Black Tusk, Alunah, The Cosmic Dead, Margarita Witch Cult, Child, Josiah, MR.BISON and The Clamps at The Underworld and The Black Heart. Oh wait, that is a big deal, and awesome besides. Like a mini-Desertfest, tucked right in there after the end of the always-busy Eurofestival October. Killer bill, killer clubs. Dozer and Josiah in the same lineup alone. Total no-brainer. If you can go, just go. Trust me, the rest of us will wish we could too.

From the PR wire:

*** HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS FEST LONDON 2024 ***

– LINEUP + TICKETS PRESALE ANNOUNCED –

HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS FEST returns to London after four years this fall to make Camden Town rumble and crumble under the mighty fuzz assault of some of the most revered bands in the stoner, doom, psych and heavy rock scene!

The festival will proudly welcome Swedish stoner rock royalty Dozer, Portland genre-bending heavy metallers Lord Dying, and Savannah swamp sludge specialists Black Tusk for the first time. Fuzz and buzz will be supplied by some of the finest live acts from the HPS roster with stoner rock icons Black Rainbows, Scottish space rock explorers The Cosmic Dead, Birmingham’s soulful proto-rock merchants Alunah and occult doom revelers Margarita Witch Cult, Italian heavy psych goldsmiths Mr.Bison and speed stoner’n’roll unit The Clamps, as well as UK heavy psych veterans Josiah. Fans of the finest psychedelic blues be delighted by an exclusive UK appearance of Australia’s own Child.

Curated by two major players of the European & UK heavy rock scene with London’s fuzz-worshipping Desertscene and leading independent heavy rock label Heavy Psych Sounds, this decibel-charged weekender promises to be one for the books, so don’t wait to book your ticket!

HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS FEST
LONDON 2024
@ The Underworld // 2nd November 2024
@ The Black Heart // 3rd November 2024

– LINEUP –
DOZER
BLACK RAINBOWS
LORD DYING
BLACK TUSK
THE COSMIC DEAD
ALUNAH
MARGARITA WITCH CULT
CHILD
JOSIAH
MR.BISON
THE CLAMPS

TICKETS PRESALE: https://link.dice.fm/ic5b2e485533

heavypsychsoundsrecords.bandcamp.com
www.heavypsychsounds.com
https://www.facebook.com/HEAVYPSYCHSOUNDS/
https://www.instagram.com/heavypsychsounds_records/

Alunah, “Trickster of Time”

A few obvious reasons to post Child‘s upcoming Euro/UK tour dates. One, it’s their first time on the continent since before the pandemic, and that was long enough ago that the western world seems to have forgotten not to cough and sneeze all over each other. Two, they’re traveling from their home base in Melbourne, Australia, and that’s an awfully long way to go. Three, they’re supporting their 2023 album, Soul Murder (review here), which is their best work to-date, and has been pressed up along with the rest of their catalog through Heavy Psych Sounds for your merch-table perusal. Four, they’re set to appear as part of the frankly-stunning lineup of Desertfest Belgium as well as Heavy Psych Sounds Fest in Germany (x2) and the UK, as well as the Westill Festival in France. And five, there are open dates and if you’re seeing this and you can help out, I encourage you to do so, both as a moral good serving the greater universe and in order to give yourself what will probably be a rad, bluesy-as-hell show.

I think that about covers it.

France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Sweden, Belgium, England. Seems like there’s room to sneak a Netherlands show in there, maybe Switzerland, Scotland? I don’t route tours, which is difficult and largely thankless work, but you can see where they’re headed below as of now. You can be the one who steps in with a gig. The magic is in you. It always has been.

From socials:

*** CHILD – European Tour 2024 ***

Today we are stoked to announce CHILD European Tour starts end of September.

Don’t miss them !!

STILL FEW OPEN SLOTS

Book your show – write to info@heavypsychsounds.com

Says Child: “We are coming back… This time it’s different. We are in the best shape we have ever been. This is the band we have wanted since the beginning in 2012. The oldest of brothers, the newest of horizons! LET’S FUCKIN’ SEND IT!!! Thank you HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS.”

*** CHILD – European Tour 2024 ***
SA 28.09.24 FR SEIGNOSSE – BLACK FLAG
SU 29.09.24 ES PORTUGALETE – GROOVE
MO 30.09.24 ES OVIEDO – LA SALVAJE
TU 01.10.24 ES CORUNA – MARDI GRAS
WE 02.10.24 ES MADRID – WURLITZER BALLROOM
TH 03.10.24 ES ZARAGOZA – ROCK & BLUES
FR 04.10.24 ES BARCELONA – UPLOAD
SA 05.10.24 FR ***OPEN SLOT***
SU 06.10.24 FR LYON – LA PENTE
MO 07.10.24 IT MANTOVA – ARCI TOM
TU 08.10.24 DE BOLZANO – SUDWERK
WE 09.10.24 DE INNSBRUCK – PMK
TH 10.10.24 AT KUFSTEIN – KULTURFABRIK
FR 11.10.24 DE ULM – HEXENHAUS
SA 12.10.24 DE BERLIN – HPS FEST
SU 13.10.24 ***OPEN SLOT***
TU 15.10.24 ***OPEN SLOT***
WE 16.10.24 SE GÖTEBORG – ABYSS
TH 17.10.24 ***OPEN SLOT***
FR 18.10.24 BE ANTWERP – DESERTFEST
SA 19.10.24 ***OPEN SLOT***
SU 20.10.24 ***OPEN SLOT***
MO 21.10.24 DE BIELEFELD – EXTRA BLUES BAR
TU 22.10.24 DE COLOGNE – SONIC BALLROOM
WE 23.10.24 ***OPEN SLOT***
TH 24.10.24 DE RAVENSBURG – IRISH PUB SLAINTE
FR 25.10.24 DE JENA – KUBA
SA 26.10.24 DE DRESDEN – HPS FEST
SU 27.10.24 ***OPEN SLOT***
TU 29.10.24 ***OPEN SLOT***
WE 30.10.24 ***OPEN SLOT***
TH 31.10.24 ***OPEN SLOT***
FR 01.11.24 FR NANTES – WESTILL FESTIVAL
SA 02.11.24 UK LONDON – HPS FEST

CHILD is
Mathias Northway – guitar/vocals
Michael Lowe – drums
Rhys Kelly – bass

https://www.facebook.com/childtheband
https://www.instagram.com/childtheband/
https://childtheband.bandcamp.com
https://www.youtube.com/childtheband
http://www.childtheband.com
https://linktr.ee/childtheband

heavypsychsoundsrecords.bandcamp.com
www.heavypsychsounds.com
https://www.facebook.com/HEAVYPSYCHSOUNDS/
https://www.instagram.com/heavypsychsounds_records/

Child, Soul Murder (2023)

Consider the notion of Philly’s High Reeper as a ‘Heavy’ metal band. That’s Heavy metal as opposed to heavy metal, taking the heft of heavy rock and roll and transposing it onto a more aggressive backdrop. Is that what’s happening on their third full-length, Renewed by Death? Could be; I haven’t heard the record yet. Certainly the first single “Torn From Within” seems to bring together a metallic bite with a density of groove, and the death-rides-a-snake-past-phallic-monoliths (takes one to know one there, Obelisk guy) cover art feels like it’s likewise positioning the band more toward a metal sphere. Maybe that’s how High Reeper want to distinguish themselves this time around. Will be interesting to hear how it unfolds across the full album when the time comes.

That time, incidentally, is Oct. 4. High Reeper have been to Europe and back (not their first trip, I think) alongside labelmates Hippie Death Cult in the time since I was fortunate enough to see them at Desertfest New York 2022 (review here), and while it’s a little sad that they didn’t take advantage of the chance to call their third LP ‘Highest Reeper‘ in the one-upping spirit of 2019’s Higher Reeper (review here) and their 2017 self-titled debut (review here), I get that maybe they didn’t want to write themselves into a corner. What would you call a fourth album in that case? This is how amps end up going to 11, although that too was pretty goddamned metal.

The PR wire brings news of Renewed by Death for your perusal. Track’s at the bottom of this post:

East Coast heavy metallers HIGH REEPER to release new album “Renewed By Death” on Heavy Psych Sounds; debut single streaming now!

US heavy metal quintet HIGH REEPER return strong with their third studio album “Renewed By Death”, to be released on October 4th through Heavy Psych Sounds. Stream their fierce new single “Torn From Within” now!

Three years after appearing on the “Doom Sessions Vol.5” split, HIGH REEPER are back with their most ambitious album yet. “Renewed By Death” is a true heavy metal assault: eight tracks that take you on a journey to the darkest depths and leave you there to rot, featuring monolithic riffs that pummel you from the opening of the album to the close, guitar solos reminiscent of George Lynch and Dave Navarro, and powerful vocals that deliver a knockout blow. This album showcases the band’s desire to keep evolving and exploring new sounds and ideas.

Listen to High Reeper’s new single “Torn From Within”

About the song, the band comments: “We wanted to lean into our love of 80s and 90s metal without pulling away from our love of 70s doom. ‘Torn From Within’ sets the tone for what this album is about – if you love something set it on fire and watch it writhe, see what’s born from the ash.”

“Renewed By Death” was produced, recorded, mixed and mastered by Shane Trimble at the band’s brand new studio Sletner Sound, in Wilmington Delaware with Justin Di Pinto also engineering. The cover was done by Solomacello and photos of the band were done by Drew Wiedemann.

New album “Renewed By Death”
Out October 4th on Heavy Psych Sounds – Preorder: https://www.heavypsychsounds.com/shop.htm#HPS317

TRACKLIST:
1. Renewed By Death
2. Alluring Violence
3. Lamentations of the Pale
4. Broken Upon The Wheel
5. Jaws of Darkness
6. Smoldering Remains
7. Torn From Within
8. Echoes of Mortality

Born of Sabbath City dealing in Hard Rock from the soul… HIGH REEPER is a heavy metal band from Delaware/Philadelphia. Shortly after forming in 2016, they were signed to Heavy Psych Sounds Records and have since released two full-length albums and one split EP. They supported their first two releases with almost 90 dates over three tours in Europe alone, including stops at HPS Fests Rome and Innsbruck, Desertfest Berlin and Antwerp, headlining their venue at Desertfest London, Esbjerg Fuzztival and many other killer shows abroad and in the US.

Originally with a sound deeply rooted in modern stoner metal while still giving a nod to classic heavy metal records, HIGH REEPER’s sound has continued to evolve with each LP and through lineup changes. The result of which helped produce their upcoming 2024 full-length length which is a 35-minute assault of brand new metal that finds the band looking clearly forward while at the same time exploring their influences from the 80s and early 90s. Their third studio album “Renewed By Death” will see the day in the fall of 2024 on Heavy Psych Sounds.

HIGH REEPER is
Zach Thomas — Vocals
Pat Daly — Rhythm guitars
Shane Trimble — Lead guitars
Jimmy Althouse — Bass
Justin Di Pinto — Drums

https://www.facebook.com/HIGHREEPER/
https://www.instagram.com/highreeper/
https://highreeper.bandcamp.com/

heavypsychsoundsrecords.bandcamp.com
www.heavypsychsounds.com
https://www.facebook.com/HEAVYPSYCHSOUNDS/
https://www.instagram.com/heavypsychsounds_records/

High Reeper, “Torn From Within”

That’s good — I think it’s been about seven minutes since I’ve had either Brant Bjork or Heavy Psych Sounds-related news to post — so word of Stöner offering a new live LP in the form of Hittin’ the Bitchin’ Switch is well received. They’re streaming the Kyuss cover “Green Machine,” and if that’s what brought you here, fair enough. I think that’s why they put it as an initial single.

Stöner are — maybe “were?”; the trio seem to have gone their respective ways for the time being, with Nick Oliveri back recording and touring with Mondo Generator and drummer Ryan Güt and the aforementioned Bjork joining forces with Mario Lalli in the Brant Bjork Trio, who’ve been on the road and have an album forthcoming on Duna Records — no strangers to live records, as their first release was the Live in the Mojave Desert (review here) audio capture from the 2021 live stream of the same name. Remember live streams? That evaporated quickly enough. For what it’s worth, that series in which Stöner introduced themselves to the world watching at home was far and away the best realized in terms of production, and the audio likewise stands up.

Why the second live record, then? Well, there were a bunch of other songs they wrote after, and the covers on top of that, so yeah, why not put out this show recorded in Italy in Aug. 2022? For “Strawberry Creek” alone, worth it. I saw them around then. That’s a killer gig, and it makes a nice desert-type complement to the Mario Lalli and the Rubber Snake Charmers live LP that Heavy Psych Sounds issued a couple months back, too. No-brainer, as far as I’m concerned. And you know I like a no-brainer.

The PR wire has release details:

STÖNER (w/ Brant Bjork and Nick Oliveri) to release new live album on Heavy Psych Sounds this fall; stream Kyuss cover “Green Machine” now!

Californian desert rock supergroup STÖNER (with Brant Bjork, Nick Oliveri and Ryan Güt) announce the release of their new live album “Hittin’ The Bitchin’ Switch” this October 11th on Heavy Psych Sounds, with a first track and preorders available now!

STÖNER is the supergroup formed by desert rock forefathers and long-time friends Brant Bjork (founding member of Kyuss, also former Fu Manchu), Nick Oliveri (Mondo Generator, former Kyuss and Queens of the Stone Age) and Ryan Güt (Brant Björk’s drummer), who released two studio full-lengths and one EP on Heavy Psych Sounds.

Celebrating three studio records and three years of intensive touring across Europe, North America and Australia/New Zealand, STÖNER is ready to embark you on their groove-laden live experience with their new live album “Hittin’ The Bitchin’ Switch”. Coming in a gorgeous double LP gatefold edition, the album features the band’s greatest hits as well as their acclaimed covers of the Kyuss classics “Gardenia” and “Green Machine”. It was recorded live at Altroquando in Treviso (Italy) by Matteo Pillon, engineered, mixed and mastered by Tommaso Mantelli and Max Ear at Lesder Studio.

It will be issued in Ultra LTD colored vinyl (2 versions), LTD magenta vinyl, classic black vinyl, CD digipack and digital on October 11th, with preorders available now on Heavy Psych Sounds.

STÖNER “Hittin’ The Bitchin’ Switch” (live album)
Out October 11th on Heavy Psych Sounds – Preorder: https://www.heavypsychsounds.com/shop.htm#HPS318

TRACKLIST:
1. A Million Beers
2. Party March
3. The Older Kids
4. Rad Stays Rad
5. Evel Never Dies
6. Night Tripper vs No Brainer
7. Stand Down
8. Own Yer Blues
9. It Ain’t Free
10. R.A.M.O.N.E.S.
11. Tribe – Fly Girl
12. Strawberry Creek
13. Nothin’
14. Gardenia (Kyuss cover)
15. Green Machine (Kyuss cover)

STÖNER is:
Brant Bjork — Guitar & Vocals
Nick Oliveri — Bass & Vocals
Ryan Güt — Drums

https://www.stonerbandofficial.com/
https://www.facebook.com/StonerBandOfficial/
https://www.instagram.com/StonerBandOfficial/

heavypsychsoundsrecords.bandcamp.com
www.heavypsychsounds.com
https://www.facebook.com/HEAVYPSYCHSOUNDS/
https://www.instagram.com/heavypsychsounds_records/

Stoner, “Green Machine” (Kyuss cover)

As of whatever social media post I saw whenever it was in the last two weeks — look, it’s been kind of a busy couple weeks, alright? — UK layers-to-waste Conan were in-progress on writing for their next full-length, which they’ll issue through Heavy Psych Sounds sometime right around whenever they damn well feel like it next year. The three-piece led by guitarist/vocalist Jon Davis, with Johnny King on drums and David Ryley on bass are set to once again traverse the Atlantic — presumably in some kind of hand-carved ship made of riff-felled tree trunks, but you never know; could be an airplane — for a round of Canadian touring in September. They’re calling it ‘Canadoom Restless Blade Tour,’ which if you started out today with a quota for charm, should fill that up quite nicely.

Will they have new songs ready in the set for the lucky-duck Canucks who make it out to the shows? I guess you’ll have to go and see for yourself. In any case, I don’t think Conan roll through Winnipeg or Thunder Bay every time they get over to North America, so if you’re in that part of the world, you might think about taking advantage while you can. You probably already know this, but bring earplugs.

From social media:

*** CONAN CANADA TOUR 2024 ***

We are super excited to announce this tour in September, with our friends in @maresofthrace. Tour dates are on the poster and all tickets can be accessed via our linktree www.linktr.ee/hailconan – poster by @chrisalliston and a big thanks to all of you who sent us pictures of your rigs!

Tickets

SEP. 5 Vancouver
https://orangetickets.ca/detalles_evento.php?id_evento=1848

SEP. 6 Kelowna
https://orangetickets.ca/detalles_evento.php?id_evento=1849

SEP. 7 Calgary
https://www.ticketweb.ca/event/conan-mares-of-thrace-dickens-pub-tickets/13734993?pl=ConcertWorks

SEP. 8 Edmonton
https://purplecityfest.com/tickets

SEP. 9 Saskatoon
https://show.ps/l/5b1cbe66/

SEP. 10 Winnipeg
https://www.ticketweb.ca/event/conan-mares-of-thrace-the-park-theatre-tickets/13732243?pl=TPT

SEP. 11 Thunder Bay – coming Thursday…

SEP. 13 Toronto
https://link.dice.fm/Pc0d18350f04

SEP. 14 Ottawa
https://ConanOtt.eventbrite.ca

SEP. 15 Montreal
FR: https://lepointdevente.com/billets/240915-conan-with-mares-of-thrace-montreal-2024

EN: https://thepointofsale.com/tickets/240915-conan-with-mares-of-thrace-montreal-2024

CONAN is
Jon Davis – Vocals/Guitars
Johnny King – Drums
David Ryley – Bass

http://www.hailconan.com/
https://www.facebook.com/hailconan/
https://www.instagram.com/hailconan/
https://conan-conan.bandcamp.com/
https://www.linktr.ee/hailconan

heavypsychsoundsrecords.bandcamp.com
www.heavypsychsounds.com
https://www.facebook.com/HEAVYPSYCHSOUNDS/
https://www.instagram.com/heavypsychsounds_records/

Conan, DIY Series, Issue 1 (2024)

Conan, Evidence of Immortality (2022)

I didn’t see Tony Reed (Mos Generator, Big Scenic Nowhere, much else) or Henry Vasquez (Legions of Doom, Saint Vitus, Blood of the Sun, much else) joining Pentagram coming. The guitarist and drummer, respectively, as well as bassist Scooter Haslip (also Mos Generator and sundry other adjacent projects) have signed on as the latest incarnation of the long-running and crucial Bobby Liebling-fronted doomers, replacing guitarist Matt Goldsborough, drummer “Minnesota Pete” Campbell and bassist Greg Turley, all of whom recently departed the band. I am genuinely surprised.

Interesting that what I’m not seeing below is any talk of retirement, which as I previously understood it was the endgame following the touring Pentagram have already undertaken and will continue to undertake this year, mostly in Europe. That would make this potentially the last lineup of the band, and if you know any of these guys’ work — anyone remember Reed‘s “Forever My Queen” cover? — you know it would be a hell of a way to go out. But that doesn’t seem to be what’s happening anymore.

Instead, there’s a headlining slot at Levitation Fest this Fall in Austin, forthcoming reissues (which to be fair would’ve likely happened anyway) and talk, albeit loose, of a new studio album, though I think it’s understood that the one end to the other on that, in any context, is subject to change. Whether a new LP happens, when and how, will shift the story of the band, with its many ups and downs across more than five decades. The moral of the story seems to be that at least in some manner — and that could still include continuing to record without major touring from this point forward — Pentagram are going to continue despite the fact that their retirement tour had already begun. Very Pentagram of them.

From the PR wire:

US doom metal legends PENTAGRAM reveal new lineup; first studio album in a decade and exclusive reissues announced on Heavy Psych Sounds!

The doom metal pioneers reveal a brand new lineup for their upcoming new album and tours. PENTAGRAM have recently signed to Heavy Psych Sounds for the reissue of their “Review Your Choices” and “Sub-Basement” albums as well as the long-awaited follow-up to their 2015 full-length “Curious Volume”.

A new chapter dawns on the mighty PENTAGRAM, and the modern lore unfolds with the arrival of an electrifying new lineup. Around legendary frontman and band founder Bobby Liebling comes the melodic power of guitarist Tony Reed — known for fronting Seattle rock stalwarts Mos Generator as well as producing and engineering some of the modern heavy scene’s cornerstone releases from Electric Wizard to Blues Pills — and the sheer grooves of bassist Scooter Haslip, also of Mos Generator and former Saltine. The new lineup is rounded out by scene heavyweight and internationally renowned drummer Henry Vasquez of Saint Vitus, Spirit Caravan, The Skull/Legion Of Doom and Sourvein.

Recently signed to European powerhouse Heavy Psych Sounds Records, PENTAGRAM is currently entering the studio, poised to usher in a bold era with a new album and tours that will see the band traveling to distant ends of the globe.

The band’s return to the States will be elevated by a headline performance at Levitation 2024 on November 3rd in Austin, TX. The night’s stage will be honored by a live resurrection of hometown legends The Sword.

PENTAGRAM is set to reissue the “Review Your Choices” and “Sub-Basement” albums (originally released in 1999 and 2001 via Black Widow Records) in a fully remastered version engineered by Tony Reed, with preorders starting on July 2nd via www.heavypsychsounds.com.

http://www.PentagramOfficial.com
https://www.facebook.com/pentagramusa

heavypsychsoundsrecords.bandcamp.com
www.heavypsychsounds.com
https://www.facebook.com/HEAVYPSYCHSOUNDS/
https://www.instagram.com/heavypsychsounds_records/

Pentagram, Live at Desertfest Berlin 2024

I’ll spare you a lot of flowery band-I-like verbiage. If you’re desperate to know where I think Conan stand as they join and strengthen Heavy Psych Sounds‘s roster of acts, there’s a bio I wrote right down there in blue where it says “biography” in all-caps. I even signed it, which I don’t always do. So there you go.

Don’t fool yourself into thinking Conan signing to Heavy Psych Sounds for not one but two albums isn’t a big deal, because it is. For Conan, it marks the end of their stretch with Napalm Records, which handled all their studio work since 2014’s Blood Eagle (review here) came out on the short-lived Spinning Goblin Records heavy imprint. And just in case you, like me, live in a bubble outside normal space-time (which sounds great but you age faster and are always tired; shitty bubble), 2014 was 10 years ago.

While it’s not the first time Conan and Heavy Psych Sounds have collaborated — Conan appeared on the label’s first Doom Sessions split in 2020, sharing LP space with Deadsmoke — it demonstrates just how far the Italian purveyor has come as the heavy underground’s foremost outlet worldwide. Conan likely could’ve gone just about anywhere. They’re one of the best and most recognized bands of their generation and they never stop touring and now they have bonus-extra noise metal cred with David Ryley (formerly of Fudge Tunnel) taking up bass duties in the rhythm section alongside drummer Johnny King and founding guitarist/vocalist Jon Davis.

Conan offered the three-songer DIY Series, Issue 1 10″ EP earlier this year, and they’re set to follow it with a full-length in Spring 2025 according to the below. I’ll be curious to hear how they follow 2022’s Evidence of Immortality (review here), which brought a delve into ambient noise to go with their all-crushing root ethic and was their last record with likely-still-gonna-produce bassist Chris Fielding in the band. You can bet they’ll be on the road for that as well.

Well, so much for sparing the verbiage. Onward, to death and the PR wire:

Heavy Psych Sounds Records & Booking is really proud to present a NEW BAND signing *** CONAN ***

– UK doom wizards signed for two new albums –

We’re incredibly stoked to announce that the UK doom wizards CONAN are now part of the Heavy Psych Sounds Family !!!

The band has signed for TWO NEW ALBUMS, first one will see the light in Spring 2025.

SAYS THE BAND:
“We are delighted to announce we will release our next album on Heavy Psych Sounds. We have watched the label grow in both size and stature, and watched awesome bands join, and we feel that now is the right time to join too. Gabe and the team have a hands-on approach with appeals to us, and we’re excited to explore this new relationship.”

BIOGRAPHY

Conan’s doom is singular. Carved of granite. Yes, of course there’ve been changes since guitarist/vocalist Jon Davis founded the group in 2006, but the intention at the time toward superlative heavy – tonal extremity wrought with impressionist lyrics stripping ideas to the core where sometimes the whole line is just one word; they’ve always called it “Caveman Battle Doom” – remains at the root of everything they’ve done since. And across five studio records in the decade from 2012-2022, Conan have set the standard by which much of “heavy” anything is judged. And in comparison, most is found wanting.

But for every time you’ve heard about Conan’s music being like galloping steeds or frost-covered sharp-peaked mountains, etc., imagery of largesse and violence, the truth is Conan are an exercise in frequency. It’s the low resonance that shakes your chest, the depth of the bass – now handled by David Ryley (ex-Fudge Tunnel) – the push of air from Johnny King’s kick drum, or the way the dark-fuzz distortion of Davis’ guitar is offset by shouting vocals cutting through that sometimes punishing onslaught, rarely to offer comfort so much as add viciousness to the crash, plod and pillage.

In 2024, Conan sign to Heavy Psych Sounds as a recognized name and one of the foremost acts of their generation, wildly influential in their home country of the UK and well beyond; headliners in practice and theory alike. Their fifth LP, 2022’s ‘Evidence of Immortality,’ brought a dark ambience to coincide with its outright attack. With experiments in darkwave and synth adding breadth to the stated root purpose of aural force, it’s never been harder to guess where the next few years might take their sound, but whatever’s coming, Conan will make it kill. The better part of two decades later, their reliability remains unshakable. Which you want when your band is so heavy that the floor and your ribcage both start to vibrate. – JJ Koczan / June 2024

CONAN is
Jon Davis – Vocals/Guitars
Johnny King – Drums
David Ryley – Bass

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https://conan-conan.bandcamp.com/
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heavypsychsoundsrecords.bandcamp.com
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Conan, DIY Series, Issue 1 (2024)

Conan, Evidence of Immortality (2022)