Posted in Whathaveyou on November 19th, 2024 by JJ Koczan
Slovenian heavy rockers Omega Sun were among the first confirmations for next January’s Planet Desert Rock Weekend V in Las Vegas, and that accounts for the Feb. 1 date at The Usual Place listed below. It’s one of four shows the band will do as they travel to the US around that festival — the others are in San Diego, Los Angeles and Phoenix; they’ll see some cool sights on their way — and in announcing the dates, they call it a “micro-mini tour,” which is fair enough, but honestly, an underground band traveling across an ocean and the better part of two continents to do what’s essentially a long weekender that includes a fest stop is pretty admirable in my view, so yeah, here I am posting about it.
Omega Sun last year released their second album, Roadkill (discussed here), and by my count this will be their second time in the US, having played Planet Desert Rock Weekend II in 2019.
The band offered some comment on the quickie run that starts Jan. 24, and the dates came from socials. Note Formula 400 on the San Diego and Los Angeles dates, which also feature Sea of Snakes and Old Blood, respectively:
We’ll be doing a micro mini small USA tour in 2025. We’re thrilled to announce that, after nearly six years, we’re returning to the States to perform at the Planet Desert Rock Festival in Las Vegas! In addition to the festival, we’ll also be playing two shows in California and one in Arizona.
Stay tuned to our social media for updates on venues, schedules, and the amazing bands joining us. We can’t wait to see you all at the shows—it’s going to be epic!
JAN 24- navajo live, SAN DIEGO (CA) w/ Formula 400, Sea of Snakes JAN 25 – redwood bar, LOS ANGELES (CA) w/ Formula 400, Old Blood JAN 28 – yucca tap room, PHOENIX (AZ) FEB 01 – the usual place, LAS VEGAS (NV)
Omega Sun consists of: Igor Kukanja – Vocals and Bass Aris Demirović – Guitars Sebastian Vrbnjak – Drums
Posted in Whathaveyou on March 20th, 2024 by JJ Koczan
With a heavy and desert-hued roll behind the gritty vocals from bassist Igor Kukanja, Slovenian heavy rockers Omega Sun drew a distinct line to Kyussian traditionalism with their Fall 2023 sophomore LP, Roadkill, but the dry-crunch distortion of Aris Demirović‘s guitar that starts the record in “The One” soon unfolds the broader reach of the leads topping the mid-tempo nod of “Survive,” and the grunge-laced melody atop the march of Sebastian Vrbnjak‘s drums for the finale “Doomer” adds complexity of style while staying true to the central, grooving purpose. They grow expansive in the longer form “Black Dust” with room for a highlight solo, and the lumbering “Another You” — if there was another me, for sure he would also be lumbering — which tops nine minutes, and offset those impulses with a rocker like “Early Morning,” which brings us around to the new video streaming below.
“Early Morning” answers the desert shove of “The One” by putting the listener on a mountaintop in the sunshine, and that sense of place resonates through the casual-but-not-lazy swing and the jammy stretch of the bridge before they bring back the hook at the end. The band made a trip to Southern California in 2019 for a fest called Sounds of the Heavy on the heels of their late-2017 debut, Opium for the Masses, and while they were already there sound-wise, clearly that journey left an impression on them that continues to resonate through Roadkill, which the trio have also announced a new round of Spring live shows to support as they unfurl the “Early Morning” video.
The PR wire brought it all for your perusal:
Slovenian stoner fuzz rockers Omega Sun share a music video for »Early Morning«; upcoming tour dates announced!
Slovenian stoner fuzz rock band Omega Sun has released a music video for the song “Early Morning” which is part of their second album “Roadkill.” The album, released on September 8, 2023, through the Pula-based (Croatia) label No Profit Recordings, received positive reviews both domestically and internationally upon its release.
The second single from the still current album, accompanied by a music video, also announces the first part of the European tour, starting at the end of March 2024.
• Mar 29 NL Amsterdam, Het Groene Veld – Love For Loud Fest • Mar 30 BE Ichtegem, Club B52 • Apr 5 BE Gent, Trefpunt • Apr 6 NL Eindhoven, Café The Jack • Apr 19 SLO Sv Jurij ob Ščavnici, Jurjevo • Maj 8 SLO Maribor, Dvorana Gustaf (Pekarna) • Maj 9 CRO Zagreb, Klub Močvara • Maj 10 Madžarska, Budimpešta, Riff Club • Maj 11 Slovaška, Bratislava, Koncerty na garážach
The band has previously toured Europe and the USA and more remote corners of the world, such as Malta.
Slovenian heavy fuzz rockers Omega Sun started in 2013 as an instrumental duo and after a few rehearsals morphed into a proper four-piece band with vocals. Since then, Omega Sun has played numerous concerts, sharing the stage with bands like Dopethrone, Unida, Kylesa, Nebula, Stoner Kebab, Yawning Man, Three Eyes Left, etc.
During this time, the band released an instrumental demo in 2013 and soon after, in 2014, their first proper song as a four-piece (with vocals) “Early Morning.”
After some upheaval in 2017, Omega Sun finally managed to record their debut album “Opium For The Masses”; now as a power trio consisting of Igor (vocals, bass), Seba (drums), and Aris (guitar). In 2022, the band completed work on their second full-length album “Roadkill.”
The first single “The One” from the album “Roadkill” was released at the end of June 2023 as a digital single on the band’s own Bandcamp. The second song, “Doomer,” will be released on September 1, and the full album is scheduled for release on September 8. The album will be released in digital format, and pre-orders with discounts for the vinyl version will be available simultaneously, with the vinyl expected to be released in mid-December. The vinyl will be released by No Profit Recordings in 300 copies on standard black 12″ vinyl, with 50 copies featuring exclusive alternative artwork.
Since December 2023, the album has finally been available in all formats (black vinyl, digipak CD, cassette, digital) and also in three different bundles (vinyl + CD, vinyl + cassette, vinyl + CD + cassette)!
Omega Sun consists of: Igor Kukanja – Vocals and Bass Aris Demirović – Guitars Sebastian Vrbnjak – Drums
Posted in Whathaveyou on November 6th, 2023 by JJ Koczan
You never heard this band before? Awesome! Me neither. And it turns out they don’t really have anything released yet, so we’re not even behind the times. Samsation‘s self-titled debut EP will be out Nov. 17 arrives with the backing of Rocket Panda Management, which also runs the StonerKras Fest in Trieste, Italy, that I’ve been posting about the last couple years. Samsation list Trieste as their hometown, but the bio says they’re from Divača over the border in Slovenia, but either way, they’re from somewhere and they’re introducing their EP with the delightfully whacked-out video for “Black Cat,” which features paper masks, earliest Deep Purple vibes, and feline-themed shenanigans a-plenty, up to and including clawing at each other and apparently sharing a mouse at the finish.
The PR wire brings background — a family band is always fun — and the inevitable Bandcamp preorder link. It’s a little more over-the-top than I was expecting from the description mentioning prog and all that, but I’m not about to complain when the song is cool and the band are so obviously having a good time. Haven’t heard the rest of the EP yet, so just the sample of the clip thus far. By all means, embrace something new today.
Here you go:
SAMSATION self-titled debut EP – presale starts TODAY
– debut EP of the new psychedelic prog rock sensation from Slovenia –
We are very stoked to start the presale of the psychedelic prog rock band SAMSATION self-titled debut EP !!! The release will see the light on November 17th with the support from Rocket Panda Management.
“One moment a ruthless killer, in another a playful little ball of fur, Black Cat is an attempt to put this contrast into music. It combines a fat and heavy groove with a funky and playful segment. Black Cat is the lead single of Samsation’s self-titled EP, accompanied by a video spot of a light mischievous nature, but located in a dark and thrilling setting.”
ALBUM DESCRIPTION
Samsation’s self-titled EP is the first studio production of the band. It was recorded, mixed and mastered at Track Terminal Studios by sound engineer Alessandro Perosa. The EP is composed of varying motifs that range from ballads and acid grooves to heavier blues with psychedelic riffs. Overall, it shows the band’s influences from the Woodstock era.
Powered by Rocket Panda Management.
TRACKLIST: 1. Shiny Mama 2. Rail Oppressed 3. Frozen in Time 4. Black Cat 5. Psycho Boom
BIOGRAPHY
Samsation was formed near Divača, Slovenia in 2020 by the three Samsa brothers Leo (lead vocals/keyboards), Rok (guitar/backing vocals), Bor (drums) and immediately joined by their cousin Saša Cej on the bass guitar. All the members share a deep love for the rock music of the late ’60s and early ’70s. This common passion inspired them to create their original repertoire of psychedelic rock songs.
After several venue and festival shows in Italy and Slovenia (the band played StonerKras Fest 2022) is now time for the self-titled debut EP powered by Rocket Panda Management.
SAMSATION is: Leo Samsa – lead vocals/keyboards Rok Samsa – guitar/backing vocals Bor Samsa – drums Saša Cej – bass
Slovenian heavy rock four-piece Blackoutt will release their new album, Madman, this Fall with the backing of Rocket Panda Management. The record represents the completion of a trilogy of LPs from the Slovenski bruisers — also the end of a sentence — and it’s preceded by the first single “Empty-M,” which premieres in the video below.
Hey! You got two minutes for brash, raw heavy rock and roll? Yes, of course you do.
Blackoutt start and finish “Empty-M” with a due sense of charge, and their are vocals, or at least what seem to be vocals, but they’re so blown out it’s hard to know what’s being said. Either way, in following up 2013’s Behind and 2018’s The Culture Of, Madman encloses the theme that has served the band’s work up to this point in their career. It’s worth noting that “Empty-M” is shorter than anything that appeared on The Culture Of, which you can also stream at the bottom of this post, and even a rocker like “Sinister” on that album, or the guest-vocalized closer “Catacomba,” had a different sense of atmosphere. “Empty-M” is more punk, more about the sheer impact of the thing than the breadth, and so its stripped-down nature suits it well.
As to how it might represent the rest of Madman, beats me; I haven’t heard it. But energy behind “Empty-M” is infectious, and the color flashing, performance footage and constant motion of the camera in the video only suits the track as it thrusts through its brief runtime.
Two minutes. You’ve got two minutes.
Enjoy:
Blackoutt, “Empty-M” official video premiere
Blackoutt is a four-member instrumental grunge stoner rock band from Slovenia who, with its uncompromising riffs and psychedelic guitars, has been paving the way for other Slovene stoner bands on the club and festival scene, both at home and abroad for many years.
Blackoutt are releasing a brand new album called MADMAN, coming out Fall 2020. The release is is the final piece of a trilogy called “BEHIND THE CULTURE OF MADMAN”.
A music video of the track EMPTY-M is dropping out today and it’s definitely nearer to punk rock than dark stoner grunge sounds as we are used to hearing from them in the past. Remember: listen to it with the speakers at full blast!
The album is loaded with crushingly heavy riffs, noise and experimental parts. It tells a story of unrest and unease in the band’s trademark grunge/punk style. Although the end of a trilogy the band is far from done. We’ll be hearing more from them sooner rather than later, they say. But for now let’s dive into the foggy atmospheres, drug addiction stories and suicidal tendencies of MADMAN.
The album was recorded at the Studio Trainstation Kranj and mixed in UK by James Atkinson. MADMAN will be released in Fall 2020 with the support from Rocket Panda Management.
In 2013, the band released its debut album BEHIND, demonstrating decisive development in the band’s trademark atmospheric direction, which is even more clearly expressed on the second album THE CULTURE OF, which has been released in 2018.
BLACKOUTT is: Klemen Cepar – guitar Andrea Abbrescia – guitar Luka Kralj – bass Tomaž Cepar – drums
Posted in Whathaveyou on October 3rd, 2018 by JJ Koczan
Mist will round out their 2018 with a select handful of shows that include a December weekender in Austria. There are dates this month as well in Austria as well as Denmark, and the gigs are in support of their 2018 debut album, Free Me of the Sun (review here), which was issued via Soulseller Records. The record can be streamed in its entirety on the Bandcamp player below, which comes courtesy of the label.
They’ve been playing sporadic live dates since the release, but aren’t strangers either to travel. One assumes Austria has been particularly kind to them, and hence the focus there, but sometimes a quick run just comes together in a certain way and that’s all there is to it. In any case, I’d be surprised if more shows didn’t follow in 2019 as Mist continue to cover ground and herald Free Me of the Sun to distinguishing European doom heads.
From the PR wire:
Mist – Live Shows
Slovenian female-fronted doom metal band Mist announce some shows in Austria. First they will support Canadian heavy metal masters Cauldron this Friday in Linz and for December they have confirmed shows in Graz, Klagenfurt and Vienna. By the end of October they will also play their first show ever in Denmark.
Live dates: 05.10. KAPU, Linz (Austria) w/ Cauldron (CAN), Eisenhand (AT) 20.10. Train, Aarhus (Denmark) w/ Corpsessed (FIN), Balmog (E), Woebegone Obscured (DK), Beneath The Silence (DK) 06.12. Orto Bar, Ljubljana (Slovenia) w/ Deep Down Bellow (SLO), Mutism (SLO) 14.12. Music-House, Graz (Austria) w/ Dark Nativity (AT), Deumus (AT) 15.12. Kwadrat, Klagenfurt (Austria) w/ Vu Garde (AT), Dusk (AT), The Stolen Goose Project (AT) 16.12. Weberknecht, Vienna (Austria)
Mist release their debut full-length, Free Me of the Sun, June 1 via Soulseller Records. Thus far, the Ljubljana, Slovenia-based five-piece have unveiled two songs from the follow-up to 2015’s EP, Inan’ (discussed here) and the prior Demo 2013 (review here) in the form of “Disembody Me” and album opener “The Ghoul.” Both exceedingly doomly outings, “The Ghoul” touched on a post-Candlemass sense of the epic in its chorus riffing and the echoing vocals of Nina Spruk, while “Disembody Me” dug into a lumbering march that was pure Sabbath in its origins. As they have all along, Mist evoke a sense of classic doom and give the listener the fervent impression that they know exactly what the hell it is they’re doing. Nothing to complain about in either case.
With the reveal of “The Offering,” the band — Spruk alongside guitarists Blaz Tansek (lead) and Ema Babosek (rhythm, also backing vocals), bassist Neza Pecan and drummer Mihaela Zitko [Please note: accent marks removed from names with apologies because the characters wouldn’t show up in WordPress] — allow listeners to dig a little deeper into Free Me of the Sun, and show something of a different face on the way. Departing from the lurch of “Disembody Me” and the grandiosity of “The Ghoul,” “The Offering” brings a more uptempo kick to its verse riff, a heavy ’70s swing and stomp in its verse calling to mind a modern take on proto-metal and the early NWOBHM doomism of Pagan Altar while trading between faster and slower pacing as it makes its way fluidly through its relatively quick sub-four-minute runtime, retaining the essential tonality and doomed vibe of the other cuts as it goes.
That last factor is perhaps the most significant info one can glean from “The Offering” as it relates to Free Me of the Sun as a whole, because it tells us that Mist, five years on from their demo but still making their debut, are able to capture a varied sound while still retaining the melody and atmosphere central to what they do. I’d tell you more about the record, but my promo was on my recently stolen laptop, so I’m in the same boat as you may be in terms of just having these three tracks to go by ahead of the release. Nonetheless, I think you can hear significant promise in the sound of “The Offering” — dig that solo just before the end — for some of the diversity of approach that Mist are bringing to the 10-track long-player.
One more time, Free Me of the Sun is out June 1 on Soulseller Records. You’ll find “The Offering” on the player below, followed by more info from the PR wire.
Please enjoy:
Mist, “The Offering” official track premiere
When MIST first released their 2013 Demo as an all-female band they never dreamed it would become recognized around the globe for its unique dark harmonies contrasted by powerful feminine vocals. Their music is natural, raw and the riffs reflect the themes of their lyrics – nature, spells, death – which are more often than not deeply inspired by the occult. MIST’s traditional doom sound builds on the legacy of legendary bands like Black Sabbath, Pentagram, Candlemass, Coven, Saint Vitus and others.
In 2014 the band signed with Soulseller Records and released the »Inan’« EP in 2015, as well as their 2013 Demo which had previously been sold-out twice. They have since performed with a number of legendary artists, such as Manilla Road, Jex Thoth, Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats and have owned the stage at Bloodstock, Hammer Of Doom, MetalDays, Malta Doom Festival and more.
This year, MIST will release ten brand new songs on their first full-length album titled »Free Me Of The Sun«. Staying true to their traditional doom roots the band builds upon strong riffs with bright female vocals and epic guitar solos. The album was recorded in Studio Ork, produced and mixed by Benjamin Kic and mastered by Patrick W. Engel – Temple of Disharmony. With this release MIST are starting a new chapter on their path in the depths of doom. They are eternally grateful to fans for all their support and vow to spread the word of doom ’till death do them part.
Line-up: Lead vocals : Nina Spruk Rhythm guitar & backing vocals: Ema Babosek Lead guitar : Blaz Tansek Bass : Neza Pecan Drums : Mihaela Zitko
Posted in Whathaveyou on April 16th, 2018 by JJ Koczan
Slovenian doomers Mist are three years out from their Inan’ EP that marked their first release on Soulseller Records. It’s been half a decade since their Demo 2013 (review here) first turned ears in their direction, and the five-piece have set June 1 as the issue date for their debut full-length, Free Me of the Sun, from which you can stream the track “Disembody Me” at the bottom of this post.
While they may work at a pace we’ll call “doomed” and leave it at that, it doesn’t at all appear Mist have been wasting their time. Even from Inan’ and certainly from the demo, one can hear progression in their sound and songwriting. It seems easy to imagine they’ll work with classic textures throughout Free Me of the Sun — at least, that’s what “Disembody Me” hints toward — but I wouldn’t be surprised either if Mist have a few tricks up their collective sleeve. A mostly straightforward tack with some added nuance seems to be their modus so far.
The following album details came down the PR wire for human consumption:
MIST – Debut Full-Length in June – Details and First Song released
MIST, the Slovenian priestesses of doom, return with their debut full-length!
“Free Me Of The Sun” will be released through Soulseller Records on 1st June 2018 on CD, vinyl and in digital formats.
Staying true to their traditional Doom Metal roots, the band builds upon strong riffs with bright female vocals and epic guitar solos. The album was recorded in Studio Ork, produced and mixed by Benjamin Kic and mastered by Patrick W. Engel (Temple of Disharmony).
With this release MIST are starting a new chapter on their path in the depths of doom!
Tracklist: 1. The Ghoul 2. Ora Pro Nobis 3. White Torch 4. December 5. Altar Of You 6. Disembody Me 7. The Offering 8. Demonized 9. Delirium 10. Free Me Of The Sun
Posted in Whathaveyou on March 16th, 2017 by JJ Koczan
If you were to head over to Slovenian trio Omega Sun‘s Bandcamp page, you’d find a single released in June 2014 as their last output. That track, titled “Early Morning (All is Nothing),” is available as a free download, as is a prior 2013 rehearsal demo that seems to have been put together with a different lineup. As regards the single, it’s catchy. A heavy rocker in the post-Kyuss vein, calling to mind some of the earlier work of 1000mods or any number of bands getting their feet under them in the style as they figure out where they want to be sound-wise.
The rough mix for the track “Despising What You See,” which you can stream below, offers a fuller vibe entirely and a satisfyingly rolled-out groove. Vocals still keep it well tied to a Kyuss influence, but the tones and the rhythm on the new track are more aggressive and more up-front. It’s a rough mix, so who knows how it might ultimately represent Omega Sun‘s debut album when the time comes for it to do so, but it’s a start and if you’re just getting to know the band as I am, it’s a rousing introduction with just a bit of trippy flourish in its middle.
No album title or release date, but one assumes they’ll get there as the record is finalized. They’ve got a weekender starting tonight and you can find the dates below, as sent along the PR wire:
OMEGA SUN (slovenia) album announcement
After spending a couple of years gigging (sharing the stage with Unida, Kylesa, Dopethrone, Stoner Kebab, Three Eyes Left etc.) and perfecting their craft they finally recorded their yet untitled debut album.
Lo and Behold!
We spent some weekends at Ostudio 6 with Cigo recording our debut album that has no title or release date as of yet. We still need to put some finishing touches on it (mixing, mastering etc.) but anyhow here’s a preview for you to enjoy.
Also don’t forget that we’re playing some gigs this next weekend. 16.3.2017 at HANGAR – Izola, SLO 17.3.2017 at LA MESA – Montecchio Maggiore, ITA 18.3.2017 at COQ D’OR – Olten, SWI
Omega Sun is: Medo.. bass Seba.. drums Aris.. guitar
OMEGA SUN mystic fuzz rock
Power trio playing their interpretation of a musical genre known as stoner rock.
