Posted in Whathaveyou on May 5th, 2025 by JJ Koczan
Here’s a daydream for you. Hop on a plane and land somewhere in Spain that’s (quite literally, as I understand it) out of a Sergio Leone film to see three full days of international quality heavy from Mondo Generator and Unida and Nightstalker on down to Xispa and the Wild Pigs. I’m assuming the six tickets that were left when Tabernas Desert Rock Fest 2025 posted its full lineup the other day are long gone by now, or if not, congratulations if you’re one of the last six. I’ve talked to people who’ve been to this one and it looks amazing. Think of an experiential festival, kind of like Duna Jam or Bear Stone, but in an old-style Western setting.
And not to harp on it, but the lineup is really solid. I’m less familiar with Convoy or Scrotem or Baläte near the bottom of the poster, though at least the latter have played before, but with the likes of High Desert Queen, Kal-El, Rotor, TempleFang, Godsleep, Ritual King and Tankzilla, it’s a cross-generational assemblage limited to 300 tickets and what seems to be an intimate setting that, at very least, is going to look incredible when you share the photos of everyone ripping it up. This is one I’ve been keeping up with for the last few years, and I think it’s easy to see why when you check the bill.
Again, I’m assuming those six tickets are gone, but you never know until you reach out at the email below:
So now here it is, our official confirmed LINE-UP for 2025 edition, with still one surprise ;-) = ENJOY!
WE ONLY HAVE 6 TICKETS LEFT, GET YOURS NOW BY MAIL:
Posted in Whathaveyou on October 1st, 2024 by JJ Koczan
As the lineup for Høstsabbat 2024 declares itself finished with the addition of Greek heavy forebears Nightstalker — whose series of catalog reissues through Heavy Psych Sounds was announced just last week — and the day splits are unveiled to let attendees know that, indeed, you will in your life be able to witness Träd, Gräs och Stenar and Inter Arma sharing a stage in a showcase of righteous disparity only enhanced by the fact that it’s happening at Kulturkirken Jakob in Oslo, I can’t help but feel somewhat relieved that I can maybe take a break from flagellating myself for missing it. Staring at all the names though, and their sundry evocations in terms of aesthetic, it’s all the more astonishing an assemblage for how much it delivers and how broadly. To have Barren Womb and The Body & Dis Fig on the same bill as Tusmørke and Kosmodome and Monkey3 just tells you how far Høstsabbat has come in its decade-plus and how expansive their reach has gotten. It doesn’t stop there, either.
Day tickets are on sale, if there’s one or the other between the Friday and Saturday that’s shouting at you or, you know, if you have some real-life obligation to account for in part of your weekend, but the arguments for going both days are best made by the completed lineup itself, and that’s right here:
We’re sticking with the Olympian theme from the last artist announcement guys. 🔥
We are sprinkling some Greek spice to our lineup! 🇬🇷
From Mount Olympus to The Chapel stage, please welcome Nightstalker!
Having played together longer than some of us have been alive, these Greek legends now how to rock the stage. Herculean riffs, tight-as-can-be ensemble and lyricism (that’s a word right?) only surpassed by Homer. This gang of rugged, weathered Rock’n’roll half-gods will shake the Church’s pillars so hard that Oslo will get its own Akropolis after. 💥
Nightstalker, like a perfect jigsaw piece, completes our line up, and gives it the golden bowtie we wanted!
This completes our line up, so keep your eyes peeled for a day-split and day-tickets the coming days! 👀
Come the sabbath, we’re all Greek Freaks!
DAY TICKETS
With the completed schedule and lineup ready, we are also dropping some limited day tickets for those unable to attend both days. Get’em while they’re hot!
Posted in Whathaveyou on September 24th, 2024 by JJ Koczan
I’ll admit that while I’ve long recognized Nightstalker as OG champions of Greek heavy rock circa-1990-whatever, I’ve never actually dug into their 1994 debut, Side FX. This reissue, announced today from Heavy Psych Sounds — which also put out the band’s latest album, Great Hallucinations (review here) — has provided an excuse to do so.
The debut is a good place to start, as it turns out, brimming with the hallmarks of the era in crunchy guitars, punchy bass, and a blend of Motörhead and Black Sabbath that’s a bit darker than some of the more desert-style stoner of the day, but that’s ultimately less metal than I’d been made to understand. It’s brash, and there’s a break near the end of “Funny Paper” — just a couple seconds in the sub-three-minute cut –that drops to bass and drums alone that reminds me of Megadeth‘s “Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying?” that brought a smile to my face, but it’s way more about groove than aggro vibes, and that’s just fine. Like the headline says, the release date is Nov. 15.
That the band will have a new record out next year and a significant round of live dates for their 35th anniversary is likewise welcome news, if you need something else to look forward to about next year — can’t hurt — and as there are surely listeners who, like me, have never taken Side FX on, having gotten on board with Nightstalker at some later point in the last three decades, you’ll find it streaming at the bottom of this post. It’s ’90s-tastic:
Brand new reissue of the NIGHTSTALKER legendary debut album Side FX in new coloured vinyls !!
Nightstalker’s debut album, recorded in 1993 and released in 1994, captures the raw, rebellious energy of the era, blending gritty, Motörhead-inspired heaviness with infectious grooves. Emerging from Greece during the height of grunge and alternative music, the band delivers a sound that’s unapologetically rough and driven by a heavy, rhythmic pulse. Their music channeled the raw power of ‘90s rock while Nightstalker carved out their own space with their hypnotic riffs, groovy basslines, and a dark, rebellious spirit.
A bold first step, this album sets the tone for Nightstalker’s journey.
“It’s been 30 years since Side FX dropped, and those riffs still hit hard. We’re proud to reissue our debut for all of you who’ve been with us since day one—and those just discovering it now! Crank it up and hear what our sound was like in the early 90s..” Andreas & Argy
Posted in Whathaveyou on February 1st, 2024 by JJ Koczan
So I guess this is the last announcement for the lineup of Desertfest London 2024, and I’ll just say I kind of love the casual manner in which the festival set for May 17-19 tosses in another 30-plus names for the bill. Oh no big deal but here’s like two more fests we’re just gonna add while we give you the schedule. Badass. There’s a lot to dig here on all levels, from the headliners — that Friday at The Electric Ballroom, also Saturday and Sunday, looks pretty sweet — and while I’d set up camp at The Underworld on Saturday, no question I’d have to abscond from that home base to at least catch a bit of Saint Karloff, Acid King, and so on, and, well, on Sunday I’m actually kind of relieved I’m just pretending to have to pick one spot to be in, as each room has a distinctive pull. DVNE and Morag Tong or Borracho and Kadabra? Ufomammut and Monolord or Stinking Lizaveta, Darsombra and Orme? This shit is hard sometimes.
You could go on here in choose-your-adventure daydreaming, and frankly I’d encourage you to do just that. Worst that happens is you end up listening to good music. Or, you know, going to the fest, which would also be the best thing that could happen. Here’s why:
Desertfest London announces day splits and 32 additional artists
Friday 17th May – Sunday 19th May 2024 Weekend & Day Tickets now on sale
Desertfest London has revealed their day and stage splits for their 13th edition, taking place this May across multiple venues in Camden, London.
The festival proudly welcomes Masters of Reality as Friday’s Electric Ballrooms headliners, with Chris Goss at the helm providing a master-class in desert sounds. Plus, newly announced for this stage are Colour Haze and Frankie and The Witch Fingers who will join Brant Bjork Trio and Mondo Generator to kick off the weekend in true Desertfest style. Mantar and Raging Speedhorn will shake-up the Underworld, whilst Brume and Alber Jupiter psych-out at The Black Heart.
Saturday sees skate-punk legends Suicidal Tendencies back in London for the first time in seven years, as they decimate the equally legendary Roundhouse. Joined by Cancer Bats, Bongripper, Acid King and newest addition to the bill, Pest Control. Saturday’s Roundhouse stage is undeniably a melting pot of genres, but celebrating one common thread – insane live performances. Elsewhere, Maserati, Monkey3, Domkraft, Wet Cactus and many more will level Camden to the ground.
Back at the Ballroom on Sunday night, the festival enters its final day with a dose of experimental heaviness from Godflesh, Ozric Tentacles, Monolord, Ufomammut & Ashenspire. Additionally, Desertfest will be welcoming Bat Sabbath, the Black-Sabbath cover band formed by Cancer Bats to close out the entire weekend at our Underworld Stage after-party. Plus, DVNE, Nightstalker, Astroqueen, Stinking Lizaveta & The Grudge, with a hell of a lot more will be rounding off the weekend’s festivities.
Across the weekend, Desertfest has also newly announced the likes of Morag Tong, Borracho, Noisepicker, Gramma Vedetta, Lodestar, Kulk, Earth Tongue, Skypilot, Wolfshead, Weedsnake, Orsak:Oslo, WAXY, Horndal, Silverburn, Fires In The Distance, Sleemo, Midwich Cuckoos, Akersborg, Grand Atomic, Voidlurker, Under The Ashes and Fuz Caldrin.
Weekend & Day Tickets for the event are on sale now via www.desertfest.co.uk
Posted in Whathaveyou on December 12th, 2023 by JJ Koczan
Okeydokey, what do we learn here? Bongzilla will be in Europe this Spring, and Mondo Generator will be out to follow up on Nick Oliveri‘s winter solo tour, and Kadabra will go supporting their most excellent 2023 outing, Umbra (review here), though that was already apparent from the first Desertfest London announce. Along with MR.BISON, the esteemed Ufomammut — who’ll have a new LP out sometime in 2024, allegedly — Greek mainstays Nightstalker and upstarts 1782, speedrockers Tankzilla and punkers The Clamps, that’s the bill as it stands that will swap acts back and forth across two nights in Bologna and Trieste next May for Heavy Psych Sounds Fest Italy 2024.
This is not the end of the announcements, of course, but it’s a rousing start as the Italian label and booking agency continues to branch out to new places. You’ll note Trieste is home for Rocket Panda Management, who are involved here and also behind the StonerKras Fest that’s taken place the last couple of years later in the summer. I assume that’s still happening too, and will do so until I hear or see otherwise.
I don’t have numbers on the site’s readership in Bologna or Trieste, but I think these things are relevant anyway exactly because of the above: they show you who’s going to be where when. And it gives me an excuse to post the Kadabra record again. Double-win.
From the PR wire:
Heavy Psych Sounds to announce HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS FEST ITALY 2024 Bologna & Trieste – TICKETS PRESALE + FIRST BANDS !!!
Heavy Psych Sounds Records & Booking will smash Bologna and for the first time Trieste with their highly acclaimed mini festival-series, the HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS FEST!
In cooperation with Freakout Club and Rocket Panda Management, today Heavy Psych Sounds has announced the first confirmed bands + TICKETS PRESALE for the upcoming HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS FEST ITALY 2024 !!!
The HPS Fest Italy will be taking place 3rd and 4th of May at the Teatro Miela in Trieste and 4th and 5th of May at the TPO Club in Bologna !!!
HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS FEST ITALY 2024 – BOLOGNA & TRIESTE
@ TPO, Bologna // 4th and 5th May 2024
@ Teatro Miela, Trieste // 3rd and 4th May 2024
feat. BONGZILLA MONDO GENERATOR UFOMAMMUT NIGHTSTALKER 1782 KADABRA MR. BISON TANKZILLA THE CLAMPS + more TBA
Posted in Whathaveyou on December 1st, 2023 by JJ Koczan
The names here are really the thing. Suicidal Tendencies, Cancer Bats, Nightstalker, Ozric Tentacles, Mondo Generator, Sunnata, Kal-El, Psychlona, Kadabra, Saint Karloff, Ashenspire, WAKE, Bongripper, Gozer, Orme, Borehead, Sagan, Acid Throne — did I miss anybody? Hell, probably. Every year, Desertfest has a couple announcements like this where they add basically an entire festival to their festival and it’s always kind of staggering to consider the scope, never mind what Desertfest has become, particularly with London as an epicenter. One of these years I’ll get back over. It’s been too long.
Desertfest London welcomes Roundhouse headliners Suicidal Tendencies plus Ozric Tentacles, Cancer Bats, Bongripper and 15 more artists for 2024
Friday 17th May – Sunday 19th May 2024 | Weekend Tickets now on sale
Desertfest London proudly welcomes the legendary Suicidal Tendencies to their 2024 event as Roundhouse headliners. Celebrating 40 years since their genre-defying first album, prepare to have your mind Institutionalized! Whilst Desertfest remains synonymous with showcasing the best of stoner, doom and psych for over twelve years, Suicidal Tendencies’ headlining performance will add a new dimension to the festival, bridging the gap between the punk and metal scenes that have inspired countless bands worldwide.
Hailing from the sun-soaked streets of Venice, California, Suicidal Tendencies frontman Mike Muir helped shape a cultural landscape, whilst simultaneously pioneering a new genre. Taking the essence of skating, surfing and the Dogtown scene & infusing it with a unique style of hardcore punk. Their seamless un-apologetic musical blend, breaking of conventions and fearless take on challenging socials issues changed the landscape of heavy music forever. Suicidal Tendencies’ performance at Desertfest not only welcomes the band back to London for the first time in seven years, but marks a new point in the festival’s evolution as a celebration of underground counter-culture.
The icons keep rolling in as Ozric Tentacles join the bill, also celebrating a monumental 40 years, Ozrics’ unique lysergic soundscapes helped merge the worlds of psychedelia, progressive rock and dance music. Formed during a solstice at Stonehenge in 1983, Ozric Tentacles are true trailblazers – laying the tripped-out road which so many acts in the Desertfest-sphere now follow.
Heavy music’s hardest-working, and hardest-partying, road dogs Cancer Bats will up the ante with their rock’n’roll shenanigans as they bring the energy. Satan Worshipping Doom, three words that need no explanation to Desertfesters’ as Bongripper make their first appearance at the event since 2013. Plus, the prodigal son returns as Nick Oliveri’s Mondo Generator showcase their immense catalogue of desert-drenched tones.
Elsewhere the festival announces Greek stoner-Gods Nightstalker, avant-garde-jazz meets black-metal mania from Ashenspire, a spellbinding ritual from Sunnata and further melting-pot madness from crushing Canadian’s WAKE.
Additionally, Psychlona, Kal-El, Kadabra, Saint Karloff and Lord Elephant bring the grooves, whilst heaviness reigns with homegrown talent Gozer, Acid Throne & Orme. And finally rounding things off Desertfest warmly welcomes, Borehead & Sagan.
Weekend Tickets for the event are on sale now via www.desertfest.co.uk with more artists, day splits & day tickets released in January.
Posted in Radio on November 11th, 2022 by JJ Koczan
Doing an all-Greek episode was so blindingly obvious that I actually had to check to make sure I hadn’t already done one somewhere in the last four years or so that I’ve been doing The Obelisk Show for Gimme Metal. Like, duh. And the playlist? One of the easiest times I’ve ever had putting one together. So many bands, so many vibes, so much to choose from.
Lotus Emperor’s new record, which was reviewed yesterday, was the impetus for the entire thing, so it seemed only fair to start with that, but I wanted to make sure to include a fair bit of landmark acts — 1000mods, Villagers of Ioannina City, Planet of Zeus, Naxatras, Nightstalker, Puta Volcano — alongside up and comers like Bus, Supermoon, Lotus Emperor, Acid Mammoth, Honeybadger, Half Gramme of Soma, and so on, in order to give some sense of the scope of the Greek underground, which for my money is one of the strongest in the world and an ecosystem of bands and fans unlike any other happening right now in Europe (if you want to expand to the rest of the world, Australia would rival).
Before I turn you over to the playlist, I’ll give the inevitable disclaimer that this represents but a fraction of Greece’s vibrant heavy creative community, and that there’s basically a planet’s worth of bands in Athens alone, never mind anywhere else in the country. I say in one or another of the breaks that I consider Greece at least as strong a scene as Sweden and Germany in terms of everything but broader recognition, and I stand by that. If you hear this show and want to dig further into any of these acts or find others, that’s the ideal.
Thanks if you listen and thanks for reading.
The Obelisk Show airs 5PM Eastern today on the Gimme app or at: http://gimmemetal.com.
Full playlist:
The Obelisk Show – 11.11.22 (VT = voice track)
Lotus Emperor
Petra
Syneidesis (2022)
Villagers of Ioannina City
Dance of Night
Age of Aquarius (2019)
Acid Mammoth
Black Dust
Caravan (2021)
VT
1000mods
Navy in Alice
Super Van Vacation (2011)
Half Gramme of Soma
Muck & Cheese
Slip Through the Cracks (2022)
People of the Black Circle
Alchemy of Sorrow
People of the Black Circle (2022)
Seer of the Void
Lysergus Mons
Revenant (2020)
The Same River
Weight of the World
Weight of the World (2022)
Church of the Sea
No One Deserves
Odalisque (2022)
Supermoon
Mantra
Supermoon (2020)
VT
Planet of Zeus
All These Happy People
Faith in Physics (2019)
Burn the Sun
A Fist for Crows
Le Roi Soleil (2022)
Naxatras
The Battle of Crystal Fields
IV (2022)
Honeybadger
Laura Palmer
Pleasure Delayer (2020)
Nightstalker
Sad Side of the City
Great Hallucinations (2019)
Bus
Moonchild
Never Decide (2020)
VT
Puta Volcano
Black Box
AMMA (2020)
Last Rizla
Dive
Mount Machine (2018)
The Obelisk Show on Gimme Metal airs every Friday 5PM Eastern, with replays Sunday at 7PM Eastern. Next new episode is Nov. 25 (subject to change). Thanks for listening if you do.
Posted in Whathaveyou on December 24th, 2021 by JJ Koczan
Hey, it’s a tour, right? That’s cool. In the immortal words of Life of Agony, “let’s pretend” that 2022’s gonna be a year where stuff like this can happen — something I’ll allow myself a not-terrified-of-everything moment to do because these are two bands with two very different purposes. Belzebong and Nightstalker, together?
I’m not about to accuse Sound of Liberation of picking names out of a hat, but it’s not the most obvious pairing, considering Belzebong‘s ultra-stoned sludge ethos and Nightstalker‘s status as we-were-here-first figureheads of Greece’s modern heavy rock underground. It’s cool, don’t get me wrong. I’m into it. I’m sure the two bands will get along famously provided they can settle on a language between them, it’s just a surprise to see them sharing a bill.
So right on. I like surprises.
It’s nice not to be terrified of everything for a minute. Okay, back to it.
From Sound of Liberation on the social media:
BELZEBONG + NIGHTSTALKER 2022 TOUR
Friends, fasten your seatbelts and light up your – uh – Christmas candles of course, as we got one last smokin’ good announcement for you this year.
Are you ready for tons of evil weedian riffage under the sign of the Goat? BelzebonG drown themselves in a sea of distortion, fuzz and bottom-end and invite you to headbong and smokedive live and in colour with them.
But make no mistake, they’re not alone! Raw Rock-n-Roll simplicity, stunning riffs, and electric haze; this is Nightstalker joining the heavy-riffing train, rolling over Europe next Spring!
