Review & Track Premiere: Oreyeon & Lord Elephant, Doom Sessions Vol. 8

Posted in audiObelisk, Reviews on March 23rd, 2023 by JJ Koczan

oreyeon lord elephant doom sessions vol 8

On May 5, Italy’s Oreyeon and Lord Elephant will stand together for the latest installment of Heavy Psych Sounds‘ apparently-ongoing split series, Doom Sessions Vol. 8. The two outfits, from La Spezia and Florence, respectively, each contribute an original and a cover to the 32-minute long-player, arranging them such that Oreyeon‘s take on Slo Burn‘s “Wheel Fall” (premiering below) leads into the 10-minute “C10H12N2O” — the chemical formula for serotonin — on side A and Lord Elephant flip the procession, with their own 10-minute jam-piece “Twilight Reflexes” giving over to a take on Link Wray‘s 1958 instrumental single “Rumble,” which is one of those early-ish rock songs that, even if you don’t know where you know it from and can’t identify it by name, might have been taken in through general osmosis/residing on the same planet where it has proliferated for the last 65 years.

Either way, recognizable, and if Lord Elephant‘s stretching the two-minute Link Wray and the Wraymen original to just over eight minutes is an issue, well, you might as well stop reading now, because heavy jams are the order of the day on Doom Sessions Vol. 8, and while the series has in the past has featured the likes of Conan-(16)-TonsBongzillaGrimeDeadsmoke andother meaner-hitting bands, there is precedent for a bit of stylistic ranging as well, whether that’s Hippie Death CultHigh ReeperAcid Mammoth and 1782 or Cosmic Reaper, oreyeonso in addition to both being signed to Heavy Psych Sounds, neither Oreyeon nor Lord Elephant are out of place sound-wise.

If anything, both acts benefit from the concise showcase the split provides. For Oreyeon, it follows their mid-2022 LP, Equations for the Useless (review here); their third album overall and second since changing their name from the more-traditionally-spelled-but-easier-to-confuse-with-a-ton-of-other-bands Orion. They bite into “Wheel Fall” with marked gusto, mashing up the original Slo Burn demo that appeared on various versions of 1997’s Amusing the Amazing with the mellower break and solo from the same album’s “Muezli” before building back into the final chorus, benefitting from the double-guitar density of Andrea Ricci and Matteo Signanini and the outright essential shove of Pietro Virgilio‘s drumming as bassist Richard Silvaggio gracefully makes the vocals his own rather than attempting an impression of John Garcia, who fronted the initially-shortlived Slo Burn after his time in Kyuss.

It’s an in-genre dogwhistle, ‘a classic if you know it,’ and Oreyeon‘s steps to bring it into the context of their style pay off both within “Wheel Fall” itself and in the transition to “C10H12N2O,” which begins its procession with drifting guitar over a quieter low-end foundation, drums smoothly entering with a purpose not to shove but provide some grounding for what might otherwise simply float away, instrumentally-speaking. There’s a heavier drive that starts just past the 90-second mark, and it may be from this that the piece derives its title, since surely the brain is releasing some form or other of mood-altering chemical as the swaying movement plays out with sweet basslines coursing underneath. Whether it’s shiver-down-spine or hairs-standing-up, it’s affecting. They ride that part for a time, move into more of a solo in the middle, then drop the drums and go back not to the start but to standalone guitar, then bass, then keys/effects, before bursting back to life with a larger roll that serves as the apex, guitar and bass gradually fading as Virgilio holds on longer drumming, finally falling out just as “C10H12N2O” enters its 10th minute.

That especially-hypnotic finish gives Lord Elephant a suitable beginning point for the jazzy manner in which “Twilight Reflexes” unfurls itself, Edoardo de Nardi‘s bass doing repetitive runs while Tommaso Urzino‘s drums solidify and Leandro Gaccione makes ready to reveal the Earthless-style soloing set to top the next couple minutes, departing at around 4:10 while the bass holds and the drums dig deeper into their shuffle, only to return again with airier heavy-prog tonality as they build back up, arriving somewhat predictably but satisfyingly at another solo stretch. It’s not as long sustained — just enough to get the point across — before Lord Elephant blues-comedown to another pause, the bass introducing a start-stop progression at 6:25 that is the thread running along the consumingly heavy apex to come, growing slower as “Twilight Reflexes” enters its final minute, less gradual than were Oreyeon in their extended track’s ending, but with a cymbal wash and amp buzz that gives an organic band-in-room feel.

With its telltale guitar strums, “Rumble” hints toward surf but never goes full-Dick Dale, and feels like fair enough territory for Lord Elephant‘s fuzzy interpretation. They grow noisier as they move forward, cycling into a solo that moves around and between the underlying rhythm, meeting it here and departing again before disappearing as they pass the halfway point only to return with echoing-heavy-jam intent for a more languid solo. At 5:30, when they shift back to the song’s central proto-riff, the snare begs for complementary handclaps, and while they don’t come, the subsequent takeoff gives a more weighted impact to signal the ending soon to be take place. As they have since the outset of “Twilight Reflexes,” the three-piece flow easily into and through that heavy capstone part, mirroring the longer cut in a natural ending as well without actually repeating themselves.

Lord Elephant are the newer band here, with their 2021 debut album, Cosmic Awakening (review here) snagged for release last year by Heavy Psych Sounds, but both acts have plenty to offer in terms of the instrumental chemistry on which their material, original or otherwise, largely depends. Doom Sessions Vol. 8 is a bit of a flex on the part of the label showing off two of its up-and-coming outfits, but frankly, that’s what a release like this is for, and while this won’t go down in history as the most doomed of the Doom Sessions, it’s a chance for Oreyeon and Lord Elephant to shine, and neither of them lets the opportunity slip.

As noted, Oreyeon‘s “Wheel Fall” premieres below. More info follows from the PR wire, including the all-important preorder links in case you’d like to get the jump on the May 5 release date.

Please enjoy:

Oreyeon, “Wheel Fall” (Slo Burn cover) track premiere

WHEEL FALL is the second single taken from the upcoming DOOM SESSIONS VOL. VIII. The single is an OREYEON track.
The release will see the light May 5th via Heavy Psych Sounds.

SAYS THE BAND:
“Wheel Fall is an obscure track from the coolest Kyuss related project ever, Slo Burn. This is our tribute to this short-lived band, we also included in this song, the solo section of Muezli from their amazing debut EP… enjoy it !”

GRAB YOUR COPY HERE:
https://www.heavypsychsounds.com/shop.htm#HPS265

USA SHOP:
https://www.heavypsychsounds.com/shop-usa.htm

Oreyeon:
Richard Silvaggio BASS / VOCALS
Andrea Ricci GUITAR
Matteo Signanini GUITAR
Pietro Virgilio DRUMS

Lord Elephant:
Leandro Gaccione GUITAR
Edoardo De Nardi BASS
Tommaso Urzino DRUMS

Oreyeon on Facebook

Oreyeon on Instagram

Oreyeon on Bandcamp

Lord Elephant on Facebook

Lord Elephant on Bandcamp

Lord Elephant on YouTube

Heavy Psych Sounds on Facebook

Heavy Psych Sounds on Instagram

Heavy Psych Sounds website

Heavy Psych Sounds on Bandcamp

Tags: , , , , , , ,

Heavy Psych Sounds Fest Switzerland Makes First Lineup Announcement

Posted in Whathaveyou on February 13th, 2023 by JJ Koczan

This is gonna sound like I’m kissing ass, but Heavy Psych Sounds is real-deal upping its festival game this year. From the stellar California lineup to Italy to this, it’s been fun to watch as the shows get bigger and more plentiful. El Perro and maybe Acid Mammoth/1782 (?) had this fest in their latest tour dates, so the existence of Heavy Psych Sounds Fest Switzerland isn’t exactly news — and they’re both booked by HPS, so if it was a leak, it wasn’t done without the label knowing it since the bookers and the label are the same people — but the lineup is right on with Truckfighters in the headline slot, the aforementioned El Perro, Acid Mammoth and 1782, Giöbia and Oreyeon ticking any boxes you have for weird, and Deadsmoke for a bit of something nastier. I’ll be interested to see who else gets added — certainly there are plenty of acts on tour in May and with so many festivals happening around then — but if this was it I’d still say it’s a good one. And the poster alone is giving the lineup alone a run for its money.

Shows are in Martigny and Winterthur, and if you need me to say any more about Heavy Psych Sounds, I’m done here, but I’m pretty sure there will be more news from them in about five minutes, so just sit tight.

From the PR wire:

Heavy Psych Sounds Fest Switzerland first poster

First names and tickets for HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS FEST SWITZERLAND available; May 26-27th on Winterthur and Martigny!

Today, Heavy Psych Sounds Records unveil the first names for the 2023 edition of HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS FEST SWITZERLAND, the stoner, doom and psych rock mini-festival taking place simultaneously on May 26-27th in Winterthur and Martigny. Two days, two cities, same lineup: all the fuzz!

Following on from the recent HPS Fest Italy and HPS Fest California announcements, it’s now time to get ready for the summer season with the yearly Swiss gathering of all things heavy and fuzzy-sounding! As always with Heavy Psych Sounds, some of the finest bands of their label roster will hit the festival’s stage, joined by one or two cornerstone acts of the international heavy rock scene: on this special occasion, Swedish stoner rock icons Truckfighters are confirmed as headliners for this 2023 edition!

All bands announced are set to play both in Winterthur and Martigny across the weekend of April 26-27h of April. Day splits and timetables to be unveiled soon!

Heavy Psych Sounds Fest Switzerland 2023
May 26-27th at Gaswerk (Winterthur) and Les Caves du Manoir (Martigny)
(#127903#) Winterthur tickets: https://www.petzi.ch/de/events/51711-gaswerk-heavy-psych-sounds-fest/tickets/
(#127903#) Martigny tickets: https://www.petzi.ch/fr/events/51669-caves-du-manoir-heavy-psych-sounds-fest-switzerland/

All bands play both cities!
Truckfighters
Acid Mammoth
El Perro
1782
Giöbia
Deadsmoke
Oreyeon
+ more bands TBA

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

Truckfighters, Live at Fuzz Festival #3, Stockholm, Sweden

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Heavy Psych Sounds Fest 2023 Announces Lineups for Italy

Posted in Whathaveyou on December 14th, 2022 by JJ Koczan

Do not expect this to be the last Heavy Psych Sounds Fest announcement. The Italian label/booking empire gas over the last several years turned its various festivals into celebrations that each even beyond its own significant associated roster, and in this first reveal for Bologna and Torino fests, we see that happening exactly. Look for tours to emerge around this and other HPS fests to come in Europe (maybe US too), as end-of-April/beginning-of-May is kind of the culmination of the Spring festival season over there.

As someone born, raised and living in the US, I can only marvel at such a thing. I came up in the days of Lollapalooza roaming around bringing bands from town to town in a big traveling festival, but imagine multiple separate tours converging and separating across state lines in one spot, then roving around for club shows until the next one. What an amazing course of live performance and art and craft that is. I know we’re talking about rock shows and that’s generally considered lowbrow fare, but god damn, isn’t that how culture happens? These two dates encapsulate some of that same idea, and Heavy Psych Sounds did similar in California earlier in 2022, so maybe someday they’ll get there. I don’t know, but they make it easy to dig in the meantime.

Lineups follow:

Heavy Psych Sounds Fest Italy 2023

HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS FEST ITALY 2023

BOLOGNA & TORINO

Heavy Psych Sounds Records & Booking is proud to announce *** HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS FEST ITALY 2023 – BOLOGNA & TORINO ***

first bands announcement

Heavy Psych Sounds Records & Booking will smash Bologna and Torino with their highly acclaimed mini festival-series, the HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS FEST!

In cooperation with Freakout Club, Mkno, Blah Blah and Last One To Die, today Heavy Psych Sounds has revealed the first bands for the upcoming HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS FEST ITALY !!!

The HPS Fest Italy will be taking place 29th and 30th of April 2023 at the TPO Club in Bologna and Last One To Die in Caramagna Piemonte (Torino) !!!

BOLOGNA TICKETS PRESALE:
https://www.musicglue.com/freakoutclub/events/2023-04-29-heavy-psych-sounds-fest-at-tpo-freakout-club

TORINO TICKETS PRESALE:
https://www.musicglue.com/last-one-to-die-1/events/2023-04-29-heavy-psych-sounds-fest-italy-impianti-sportivi-caramagna-piemonte

STAY TUNED FOR MORE INFO COMING SOON…

Stoned Jesus
Conan
BelzebonG
BLACK RAINBOWS
MESSA
TONS
Giöbia
OREYEON
Isaak

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

Stoned Jesus, “Porcelain” official video

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Desertfest London 2023 Adds More Than 40 Bands; Yes, for Real.

Posted in Whathaveyou on December 2nd, 2022 by JJ Koczan

I mean, what can you say to this other than ‘can I come?’ I’ve known this festival was capable of some real-deal shit over the last decade, but this is absolutely epic, which is a word I do my best to avoid. And they end it by saying there’s more to come. God damn. Really. God damn.

Wow.

Here:

desertfest-london-2023-new-poster-square

Desertfest London announce over 40 bands for 2023

Friday 5th May – Sunday 7th May 2023 | Weekend Tickets on sale now

BUY TICKETS HERE: https://www.desertfest.co.uk/

Desertfest London is rounding off the year with an ear-shattering bang, announcing a mammoth 43 artists to their 2023 line-up. Joining the likes of Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats, Graveyard, Kadavar and Church of Misery, the Camden-based festival also welcomes back Corrosion of Conformity as headliners.

Pioneers of a groove-laden sound that is undeniably their own, Corrosion of Conformity have not been back on UK soil since 2018 so expect big, loud and memorable things from their appearance at Desertfest next year. Corrosion of Conformity have been due to play the event since 2020 – making their return one of the most widely requested in the event’s history.

Japan’s own avant-garde maestros of down-tuned psychedelia Boris leap over to London alongside the crushingly loud tones of NOLA’s own Crowbar. One of the most exciting bands in recent memory King Buffalo, make their long-awaited debut plus Desertfest favourites, Weedeater are back after five long years of chugging whiskey lord-knows-where.

The pace moves up a notch with New York City’s noise-rock guru’s Unsane and British punk-legends Discharge, all of whom bring a detour from the slow’n’low sounds the festival is best recognised for. Montreal’s Big | Brave will play the festival for the first time showcasing their experimental and minimalist take on the notion of ‘heavy’, whilst the doors to the Church of The Cosmic Skull are open, as they ask Desertfest revellers to join them in a union unlike any other.

Desertfest also warmly welcomes noise from STAKE, British anti-fascist black metallers Dawn Ray’d and London’s loudest duo Tuskar as well as some of the best recent stoner acts in the form of Telekinetic Yeti, Weedpecker & Great Electric Quest. Elsewhere the weekend will also see Wren, The Necromancers, Dommengang, Samavayo, Morass of Molasses, Sum of R & GNOB offer up unique live performances.

Rounding off this beast of an announcement are Acid Mammoth, Deatchant, Zetra, Trevor’s Head, Our Man in The Bronze Age, Wyatt E., Iron Jinn, Mr Bison, Troy The Band, Oreyeon, Warren Schoenbright, Early Moods, Longheads, Terror Cosmico, Thunder Horse, TONS, Vinnum Sabbathi, Bloodswamp, The Age of Truth, Earl of Hell and Black Groove.

Weekend Tickets for Desertfest London 2023 are on-sale now via www.desertfest.co.uk
with more acts still to be announced.

Day splits and day tickets will be on sale from January.

Full Line-Up for Desertfest London 2023:
UNCLE ACID & THE DEADBEATS | GRAVEYARD | CORROSION OF CONFORMITY | KADAVAR | BORIS | CROWBAR | CHURCH OF MISERY | WEEDEATER | KING BUFFALO | BLOOD CEREMONY | DISCHARGE | SOMALI YACHT CLUB | UNSANE | BIG|BRAVE | INTER ARMA | CHURCH OF THE COSMIC SKULL | VALLEY OF THE SUN | STAKE | MARS RED SKY | SPACESLUG | GRAVE LINES | GAUPA | TUSKAR | TELEKINETIC YETI | WEEDPECKER | DAWN RAY’D | WREN | GREAT ELECTRIC QUEST | THE NECROMANCERS | DOMMENGANG | ECSTATIC VISION | SAMAVAYO | MORASS OF MOLASSES | SUM OF R | HIGH DESERT QUEEN | GNOB | EVEREST QUEEN | ACID MAMMOTH | DEATHCHANT | ZETRA | CELESTIAL SANCTUARY | TREVOR’S HEAD | OUR MAN IN THE BRONZE AGE | WYATT E. | MR BISON | TROY THE BAND | PLAINRIDE | IRON JINN | OREYEON | WARREN SCHOENBRIGHT | EARLY MOODS | LONGHEADS | TERROR COSMICO | THUNDER HORSE | TONS | VINNUM SABBATHI | BLOODSWAMP | VENOMWOLF | THE AGE OF TRUTH | EARL OF HELL | BLACK GROOVE | MARGARITA WITCH CULT

http://www.desertscene.co.uk/support
https://www.facebook.com/DesertfestLondon
https://www.instagram.com/desertfest_london/
https://twitter.com/DesertFest
https://www.desertfest.co.uk/

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Heavy Psych Sounds Announces Fest Lineups for Berlin and Dresden

Posted in Whathaveyou on August 9th, 2022 by JJ Koczan

In a manner not dissimilar from how its California fests took largely the same expansive lineup from San Francisco to Los Angeles and Los Angeles to San Francisco, Heavy Psych Sounds is bringing a circus to Berlin and Dresden on Oct. 21 and 22. In association with Greyzone and ElbSludgeBooking, the label has assembled a lineup that includes HPS bands and others like 1000mods and Gozu, and that sense of community outreach isn’t to be understated. The synergy between booking and releasing is a big part of what has allowed Heavy Psych Sounds to become the underground nexus it is, able to do more for bands than many other outlets. The festivals in cities across Europe and now in the US as well are another extension of that.

That’s not really an insight as to the lineup here or the label’s ethic or taste — also choice — but the fact is this is Heavy Psych Sounds doing what it does. More power to them, and so on.

From the PR wire:

Heavy psych Sounds Berlin dresden 2022

HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS FEST BERLIN & DRESDEN full lineup announcement

Heavy Psych Sounds Records & Booking will smash Berlin and Dresden with their highly acclaimed mini festival-series, the HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS FEST!

In cooperation with Greyzone Concerts and ElbSludgeBooking, Heavy Psych Sounds has revealed the full lineup for the upcoming HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS FEST BERLIN & DRESDEN !!!

The HPS Fest Berlin & Dresden will be taking place 21st and 22nd of October, 2022 at the Festsaal Kreuzberg and Urban Spree in Berlin and Chemiefabrik in Dresden !!!

HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS FEST – BERLIN & DRESDEN
@ Festsaal Kreuzberg / Urban Spree, Berlin
@ Chemiefabrik, Dresden
October 21st and 22nd 2022

feat.
1000 MODS
NICK OLIVERI
BELZEBONG
BLACK RAINBOWS
ACID MAMMOTH
THE LORDS OF ALTAMONT
HIGH REEPER
SLEEPWULF
TONS
HIPPIE DEATH CULT
GOZU
OREYEON
WEDGE
MOTHER ENGINE

BERLIN TICKETS PRESALE:
https://www.greyzone-tickets.de/produkte/602

BERLIN FB OFFICIAL EVENT:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1358860387859773/

DRESDEN TICKETS LINK:
https://www.konzertkasse-dresden.de/event/heavy-psych-sounds-fest-dresden-dresden-chemiefabrik-2022-tickets-54749.html

DRESDEN FB OFFICIAL EVENT:
https://www.facebook.com/events/554544359334945

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

1000mods, Youth of Dissent (2020)

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Oreyeon Premiere “It Was Time” Video; Equations for the Useless Coming June 17

Posted in Bootleg Theater, Reviews on June 1st, 2022 by JJ Koczan

oreyeon

Italian cosmic grunge rockers Oreyeon will release their new album, Equations for the Useless, on June 17 through Heavy Psych Sounds. The video for the leadoff track, “It Was Time,” is premiering below, and if you want to skip right to it, I won’t be insulted. The track is one of the total six on the 41-minute long-player, and as the third single to be released behind “If” and “Pazuzu,” it confirms/reaffirms a lot of what’s working in the band’s favor throughout especially the first half of the album.

Following up 2019’s Ode to Oblivion (review here) and their 2016 debut, Builders of Cosmos (discussed here) — the earlier outing under their former name, Orion — the four-piece of bassist/vocalist Richard Silvaggio, guitarists Andrea Ricci and Matteo Signanini and drummer Pietro Virgilio have grown heavier and more straightforward in their attack. They hold onto some of the psychedelic aspects of their earliest days in the general atmosphere and large-sounding mix, in some of the more atmospheric moments on the second half of the LP or at the start of the nine-plus-minute title-track, but their riffs are at the core of just about everything on Equations for the Useless and they’re grounded throughout.

It’s okay. Rock and roll suits them. And you like riffs, remember?

If not, Equations for the Useless might be a welcome reminder. “It Was Time” and “Pazuzu” are a relatively quick one-two, with the second track shorter and more directly harmonized in its vocals. Even deeper in the mix as on “It Was Time,” Silvaggio is a marked presence here as vocalist, and “Pazuzu” is a fitting showcase. He works in layers throughout, adding highlight basslines all the while to the title-track in winding around the riffs of Ricci and Signanini, reminding of early, maybe even demo-era Alice in Chains on “Equations for the Useless” itself while the band branches out a bit to coincide.

The crashout happens shortly after five minutes in as guitars feedback and the bass steps forward to herald the change, but instead of psych-jammy, they get heavier, push harder into the remainder of the track — a welcome and somewhat unexpected turn. Coherent. Purposeful. Righteous, even. Set in the band’s knowing what they want to do and choosing how to make a song hit. They ring out to give a quick-feeling end to side A —Oreyeon equations for the useless it’s only been three songs, after all — but there’s more depth to come as “If,” “Downward Spirals” and “The Protocol” shift structures and styles for the album’s second half.

That drum transition into the main beginning riff of “If?” Pure Kyuss. And they know it, which makes it even more fun. Would give labelmates Stöner a run for their money. The repeated lyrics — not quite a hook, since the chorus is instrumental — “Something is wrong with me” get to the core of the album’s depressive theme, and having been recorded mostly live in 2020 as goes the narrative (blessings and peace upon it), that struggle joins Silvaggio‘s vocals in being layered.

There is a bit of drift later in “If,” a line of droning synth or effects that comes forward, but they finish angular and purposeful, hinting maybe at a Baroness influence before the sweeping launch of “Downward Spirals” adds Elder to that mix. Unlike “If” and “Equations for the Useless,” “Downward Spirals” stretches its break out, adds lyrics, and builds up comparatively gradually to find a mid-tempo nod before its more thundering, thudding finish. It’s not so outlandish a shift, particularly on paper I admit, but it is a departure from what they’ve done up to that point on Equations for the Useless, the guitars working their way into a twist that recalls Colour Haze before paying off the Kyussy hint dropped earlier.

Their stop-cold ending there leaves closer “The Protocol” somewhat hanging out there on its own, but a slowdown, a metered chug, a long fade and the more generally dead-ahead construction are an effective bridge back to “It Was Time” and “Pazuzu” at the outset, the echo on Silvaggio‘s voice still giving a semblance of reach in terms of the overall sound. For having been around for at least six years and now made three full-lengths, Oreyeon still sound like a new band in some ways. This being their second album since rebranding, it definitely steps forward from the last (and, by extension, the actual first), and it carries with that a sense of ongoing progression.

Where the oft-cited cliché of a third record is being where a band realizes their initial potential, I’m hearing more forward potential here and I don’t at all get the impression that Oreyeon are willing to settle in sonic terms. That only makes them more exciting and a less predictable listen, so no complaints whatsoever. But before you take on Equations for the Useless, be ready to give it a few genuinely attentive hearings, both to let its riffs and hooks sink in, and to better appreciate the parts of it that willfully go elsewhere.

You’ll find the video for “It Was Time” below. Its images of a ship traversing troubled and ultimately stormy waters you would not accuse of subtlety in conveying the album’s depression, but it does nothing if it doesn’t fit the song.

Preorder links and PR wire info follows.

Please enjoy:

Oreyeon, “It Was Time” video premiere

Preorder: https://www.heavypsychsounds.com/shop.htm#HPS225

“Equations for the useless” is Oreyeon third album. The recordings took place in Bologna in late summer 2020 after several months of inactivity during the pandemic. It was recorded live, it shows the band’s psychedelic/progressive side yet it has the classic kick ass doom stoner tracks .The lyrics are about depression and its relation with life.

The band will be touring Italy and Europe during Summer/Fall 2022 to promote this new release.

OREYEON is:
Richard Silvaggio (Bass-Vocals)
Andrea Ricci (Guitar)
Matteo Signanini (Guitar)
Pietro Virgilio (Drums)

Oreyeon on Facebook

Oreyeon on Instagram

Oreyeon on Bandcamp

Heavy Psych Sounds on Bandcamp

Heavy Psych Sounds website

Heavy Psych Sounds on Facebook

Tags: , , , , ,

Oreyeon to Release Equations for the Useless June 17

Posted in Whathaveyou on April 22nd, 2022 by JJ Koczan

Not to harp on a subject, but it’s kind of astonishing how normal it feels now for a record to have sat on the shelf for two years. Such is reportedly the case with Oreyeon‘s third full-length, the recorded-in-2020 Equations for the Useless, now up for preorder ahead of a June 17 release on Heavy Psych Sounds. I don’t know if the delay was intentional, the band not wanting to put it out before they could tour to support it, or related in part to vinyl pressing delays, simply subject to the label’s always packed slate of releases, something else entirely or some combination of all of it, but the point is you don’t even have to know anymore. You just shake your head at two years down the tubes and look forward to the album coming out. Weird times, as someone once said.

Oreyeon made the album live, which is fine if that’s your thing, and have a live video up as well for the song “If” that you can see below. I’ll hope to have more to come before this one is out. Seems only fair since it’s been so long in the hopper. Plus the band are cool and I dug the last record. That too.

Info and preorders via the PR wire:

Oreyeon equations for the useless

Heavy Psych Sounds to announce OREYEON brand new album EQUATIONS FOR THE USELESS – presale starts TODAY !!!

Today we start the presale of the OREYEON brand new album EQUATIONS FOR THE USELESS !!! The release will see the light June 17th on Heavy Psych Sounds !!!

“Equations for the useless” is Oreyeon third album. The recordings took place in Bologna in late summer 2020 after several months of inactivity during the pandemic. It was recorded live, it shows the band’s psychedelic/progressive side yet it has the classic kick ass doom stoner tracks .The lyrics are about depression and its relation with life.

The band will be touring Italy and Europe during Summer/Fall 2022 to promote this new release.

Formed in 2014 by members of such as Woodwall, Mexican Mud or Army of Angry Youth, Oreyeon made a first impressing impact on the heavy rock scene with their debut ‘Builders of Cosmos’ released back in 2016. The band’s inspirations come from various kinds of the heavy music genre, but especially they find their roots in the glories of Black Sabbath, melting with hints of metal and mixing the classic stoner rock such as acts alike Texas’ stoner heavyweights The Sword.

Monolithic guitars, huge bass frequencies, melodic and complex vocals, Oreyeon know how to please every classic and stoner rock mind!

On their second album and the debut on Heavy Psych Sounds, Oreyeon moved away from the usual stoner rock clichès into a more elaborate and melodic style. The vocal structures and harmonizations were definetely more complex, rich of melodies while the music tended toward a heavier path, taking cues from way different kinds of genres and band references.

ALBUM PRESALE:

https://www.heavypsychsounds.com/shop.htm

https://heavypsychsoundsrecords.bandcamp.com/album/oreyeon-equations-for-the-useless

USA PRESALE: https://www.heavypsychsounds.com/shop-usa.htm

RELEASED IN

15 ULTRA LTD TEST PRESS VINYL
100 ULTRA LTD SIDE A/SIDE B WHITE-GREEN-BLACK VINYL
400 GOLD VINYL
BLACK VINYL
DIGIPAK
DIGITAL

RELEASE DATE: JUNE 17th

TRACKLIST

It Was Time
Pazuzu
Equations For The Useless
If
Downward Spirals
The Protocol

OREYEON is:
Richard Silvaggio (Bass-Vocals)
Andrea Ricci (Guitar)
Matteo Signanini (Guitar)
Pietro Virgilio (Drums)

https://www.facebook.com/Oreyeonofficialband/
https://oriondoom.bandcamp.com/

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

Oreyeon, “If” live from the basement

Tags: , , , , ,

Heavy Psych Sounds Finalizes Day Splits for Swiss & Austrian Festivals

Posted in Whathaveyou on March 28th, 2022 by JJ Koczan

In this year of returned-so-far live music, and with the eternal asterisk looming overhead as a reminder to hold such things precious while one can, I’m very much enjoying posting about so many festivals taking place over the last few days/weeks, as well as the inevitable bit of daydreaming that always accompanies. To wit, seeing High on Fire, Geezer and Ecstatic Vision in Switzerland, or watching Duel and Black Rainbows back-to-back in Austria? Yes, that would be just fine.

And attending such a thing would be a great way to sample Heavy Psych Sounds‘ wares when it comes to European bands — DeadsmokeRyte, Hazemaze1782Acid Mammoth, GiöbiaTonsSleepwulfOreyeon, and maybe even a look at something to come in Hellroom Projectors — as well as given headliners Elder.

The arguments in favor are myriad and though I won’t be there, I’m glad these things are happening, because you never know, maybe next time. Or, maybe not, in which case that’s all the more reason for this to happen where and when they can.

From the PR wire:

hps-fest-2022-switzerland-and-austria

HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS RECORDS Announces Final Day-Splits For HPS Fests in Switzerland & Austria!

Featuring ELDER, HIGH ON FIRE, MONDO GENERATOR, BLACK RAINBOWS, ACID MAMMOTH & many more high class live acts!

Headquartered in Rome, Italy, Heavy Psych Sounds Records represents some of the best artists in the global heavy psych, doom, fuzz blues, sludge and space rock realms such as Stöner (feat. former Kyuss members Brant Bjork & Nick Oliveri), Nebula, Yawning Man, Black Rainbows, Belzebong, Acid Mammoth, Alunah or The Sonic Dawn to name just a few. The underground cult label is not only THE adress for all heavy rock record collectors, but has also become an essential part of the live scene with a brisk participation from heavy music fans all over the world. Their festival-series shows no exception, spotlighting the ever-growing label’s dedication to its craft. While the first HPS Fests were held in Italy, the label has since extended its live reach into the UK, Belgium, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Austria and even the USA. Now, after more than 2 long years without any live shows, Heavy Psych Sounds Records has revealed the final day-splits for their upcoming HPS Fest editions in Winterthur, Switzerland as well as in Salzburg, Austria!

“We are so stoked to finally get back on the road with our HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS FESTs !“ Rajko Dolhar of Heavy Psych Sounds recently commented. “After bringing our heavy psych vibes to many parts of Europe and the USA in recent years, we wanted to take over Switzerland and now Salzburg, too. Last year, the pandemic put a hitch in our giddy up but we are pretty sure that in 2022 we will succeed. The Line-Ups are some of the best we’ve ever put together so far, with HIGH ON FIRE, ELDER, MONDO GENERATOR, DUEL and so many more, grab your tickets and see you soon in front of the stage again!”

Taking place in both cities between June 3 – 5, 2022, with an eclectic line-up of high class bands such as psych rock kings ELDER, heavy masters HIGH ON FIRE, the desert punks of MONDO GENERATOR and many many more, the day-splits of the festival editions will read as follows.

WINTERTHUR TICKETS: https://www.petzi.ch/de/events/46811-gaswerk-heavy-psych-sounds-fest/tickets/#ticket-67502

SALZBURG TICKETS: https://www.rockhouse-bar.at/e458/heavy-psych-sounds-fest-salzburg

heavypsychsoundsrecords.bandcamp.com
www.heavypsychsounds.com
https://www.facebook.com/HEAVYPSYCHSOUNDS/
www.youtube.com/user/MonoStereo79

High on Fire, “Blood From Zion” live at Brick-by-Brick, San Diego, CA

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,