Karlskrona Archives - The Obelisk

Void Commander to Release Alien Queen June 7

Posted in Whathaveyou on May 2nd, 2024 by JJ Koczan

With a June 7 release date impending, preorders are open through Majestic Mountain and Interstellar Smoke Records for the third album from Sweden’s Void Commander, Alien Queen (review here). The Karlskrona-based trio will post the new single “Sweet Depression” tomorrow, May 3, but that’s hardly the first preview they’ve given of the record to come, having previously unveiled “The Night Took My Name” (premiered at the link above), “Dyke Blues,” and “Bloodred Knight Alright.” Following the seven-minute psych-doom transfixion of “To the Grave” at the record’s outset, “Sweet Depression,” with its turn toward harmonica-laced heavy blues nod, makes it four of the total seven tracks available for the digging.

A bit more directly fuzzed on average than, for example, reignited countryman outfit Mammoth Volume, as Void Commander celebrate their 10th anniversary in 2024, they remind a bit in their organic range and tonality of that troupe, which is to say don’t go into “Sweet Depression” after checking out “The Night Took My Name” below thinking you’re going to get the same thing twice. Tricks up sleeves and all that. Assorted mini-vibes, packed in a box marked ‘handle with volume.’ It’s an easy record to enjoy if you’re willing to follow where it leads.

The PR wire brought links and info:

Void Commander -“Alien Queen”

Single “Sweet Depression” out May 3 (Digital); “Alien Queen” LP out June 7 (Digital, Vinyl)

Majestic Mountain Records Vinyl preorder: https://majesticmountainrecords.bigcartel.com/product/void-commander-alien-queen

Interstellar Smoke Records Vinyl preorder: https://interstellarsmokerecords.bigcartel.com/product/void-commander-alien-queen-isr-mmr-vinyl-edition

Sweden’s history of top-notch stoner rock is a well known one, and the latest addition to the country’s legacy is trio Void Commander’s new album, “Alien Queen”. Their third album, the band dig ever deeper into their blues and classic rock sound, creating a hazy, cosmic journey that drifts and drawls just right. If Creedence Clearwater Revival time traveled to the future, got their hands on some extra fuzzy pedals, and lit up with All Them Witches, Void Commander would emerge from the smoke, harmonicas held high.

From the throbbing low-end groove of “To The Grave” to the laidback, tasty southern blues of “Sweet Depression”, Void Commander navigate their breadth of sound on “Alien Queen” locked-in and wholly committed to the sonic world they’ve created.

Retro yet pushing their craft ever further, the band have created an album that oozes an easy confidence and undeniable identity front to back. Void Commander arrive on their flying saucer from the past to plant their flag in the murky stoner of today.

Their latest and final single, “Sweet Depression”, is out streaming May 3, and the full album “Alien Queen” lands June 7.

IN THE BAND’S OWN WORDS:

“Inspired by the mystique of space travels intertwined with the enigmatic allure of witchcraft and occultism, Alien Queen is more than just an album; it’s an expedition across the sonic universe, designed for those who dare to explore the edges of Stoner Metal and Hard Rock.

Dive into the cosmic depths with Void Commander as we unveil our latest creation, Alien Queen. This stellar journey is brought to you by the combined forces of Majestic Mountain Records and Interstellar Smoke Label, ensuring an otherworldly auditory experience.”

Tracklist:
1. To The Grave (7:46)
2. Sweet Depression (4:54)
3. Dyke Blues (3:22)
4. Bloodred Knight Alright (5:34)
5. Alien Queen (7:13)
6. Jam in C (8:17)
7. The Night Took My Name (5:45)

Void Commander is:
Bobbie – Vocals, Guitar
Jimmy – Drums
Linus – Bass

https://www.facebook.com/voidcommander/
https://www.instagram.com/voidcommander666/
https://voidcommander.bandcamp.com/

http://majesticmountainrecords.bigcartel.com
http://facebook.com/majesticmountainrecords
http://instagram.com/majesticmountainrecords

https://www.facebook.com/Interstellar-Smoke-Records-101687381255396/
https://www.instagram.com/interstellar.smoke.label/
https://interstellarsmokerecords.bigcartel.com/
https://linktr.ee/ISR666

Void Commander, “The Night Took My Name” visualizer

Void Commander Post “Shroom Bloody Shroom” Video

Posted in Bootleg Theater on October 14th, 2022 by JJ Koczan

The email came in via Bandcamp and was simple enough, advising in no uncertain terms I take a peak at the new Void Commander video for the track “Shroom Bloody Shroom” from the band’s 2021 sophomore LP, River Lord. Well, alright. I do what I’m told.

It was a note from Olde Magick Records, which released the tape version of River Lord, while the LP was on Majestic Mountain and Ozium Records, with the latter also handling the CD edition. I missed the seven-songer when it came out, so took the serendipitously-timed video as a cue that I should dig in.

No regrets upon doing so — I even bought the tape from Olde Magick, so I guess email marketing still works sometimes — and finding the band’s pastoralist Sabbathian heavy blues rock stretched across the 37 minutes of River Lord. Each piece of the entirety offers something to differentiate it from the others, be it the bluesed-out solo in opening title-track, the tempo kick amid the Kings of Frog Island-esque lazy-day swing in “Stoner Eyes,” more harmonica in the shorter roller “Worship Midnight,” the more open psychedelic drift solidifying around the call and response chorus of “AGN,” sludgy screams and shouts showing up in the second half of “Fucked Up,” the stoner-is-as-stoner-does-so-get-stoned mentality and All Them Witches-style blues melody at the start of “I’m Drowning,” a flourish of Asteroid-style vocals later as the song sweetly rounds out, or just some cowbell in “Shroom Bloody Shroom” to set the swing, post-“Snowblind” lyrics, returning harmonica, and slumber-lumber groove.

These varied aspects are tied together through a feeling of live performance and the abiding undercurrent drawn from earliest Black Sabbath. Those are the centers around which the trio rally and from out of which they expand their sound and cast their identity on this second full-length to come across as unassuming and unpretentious but forming an individualized approach within the frame of modern stoner-style idolatry. That is, I do believe they’re worshiping the riffs they’re following, and I even more sincerely believe they’re having a lot of fun doing so.

The clip accompanying “Shroom Bloody Shroom” is more of a visualizer, but it’s got plenty o’ mushrooms and you wouldn’t accuse it of not getting its point across. The full stream of River Lord is down near the links, via Bandcamp.

Please enjoy: