I don’t remember the last time I did three voice breaks on a show, and while I’m of the general opinion that the less the universe hears my voice the better off said universe will likely be for not having heard me invariably say something stupid, I did turn in three VTs for this episode. Truth is I’ve been pretty dug in as regards this show — music, music, music — and I think that’s a winning philosophy for life in general, if one that doesn’t necessarily take advantage of the full potentialities of radio as a format. Gimme Metal have been kind enough to let me do 90 episodes (so far!) of this show. Making some effort to meet that audience halfway seems like the least my contrarian ass can do.

Maybe that’s just me getting old. Whatever. I sucked at being young anyway.

Further to that “making an effort thing,” I’ve tried last episode and this one specifically to include a few staples of stoner/heavy/doom/psych/whatever that even if people don’t know hopefully they can latch onto. Last ep started with Acid King, this one leads with Goatsnake. There’s Black Sabbath, Stoned Jesus, Sungrazer along the way before the playlist really digs into new stuff. And even some of that — My Sleeping Karma, Abrams, Elephant Tree — is from known parties. I don’t know. I’m trying my best here. I was happy to include the Guhts song that premiered, and CB3 finally putting out “To Space and Away” from their new record is a gift. This won’t be the last time I play that song, I’m sure.

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 – 08.05.22 (VT = voice track)

The Obelisk Show on Gimme Metal airs every Friday 5PM Eastern, with replays Sunday at 7PM Eastern. Next new episode is Aug. 19 (subject to change). Thanks for listening if you do.

Gmme Metal website

The Obelisk on Facebook

Earlier this month, a trio of Ukrainian musicians came together as Jam for Victory and released a collection of improvised tracks (discussed here) in order to raise funds for wartime charities responding to the Russian invasion that’s been going on since February (and actually much longer). Igor Sydorenko, best known as guitarist/vocalist of Stoned Jesus, has taken the lead on the project — from behind, on drums, in this case — and has a new group involved of Ukrainian musicians assembled, with members of Ghost Cities and Ignea on board for the new jam session, aptly titled Vol. II as a follow-up release.

Different players mean different personalities musically, of course, and the inclusion of sax and synth is a marked distinguishing factor between the first session and this one, but you and I both know what’s up here. It’s a jam recorded on a phone. If you’re going to bitch about the audio fidelity, you missed the point
The point is buy the fucking thing at (at least) the asking price and know that in addition to supporting cool players with a righteous idea, you’re helping cash get to where it needs to be on the ground in Ukraine.

Until the next one:

JAM FOR VICTORY is an opportunity for everyone in the Ukrainian music underground scene to try and remember what it is to be a musician in these terrifying times. They never played with each other before, so it’s all pretty spontaneous! All proceeds go to local Ukrainian charities, so feel free to support us in any way possible. Enjoy and share!

Tracklisting:
1. II-5 08:10
2. II-6 09:30
3. II-4 05:04
4. II-2 09:47
5. II-1 12:17

Eugene Zhytniuk – guitar (originally keyboards in Ignea)
Igor Sydorenko – drums (originally guitar + vocals in Stoned Jesus)
Mykola Lebed – saxophone, synth (Ghost Cities)

https://jamforvictory.bandcamp.com/

Jam for Victory, Vol. II (2022)

Not sure a case really needs to be made for this one. This is Igor Sydorenko from Stoned Jesus, Olexander Kuts from VOVK and Kostyantyn Kalachikov of Shiva the Destructor — three killer Ukrainian bands, the first of whom also just released new music — in a room jamming. They don’t mention it in the info below, but the Jam for Victory session that results in Vol. 1 below — you’ll note immediately that they allow for future collaboration to take place — was an off-the-cuff jam that took place on May 13. The Russian invasion of the nascent trio’s home country has been going on for nearly 100 days, and I guess after a while you find comfort wherever you can. For artists, that should absolutely be in art. So here we are.

The recording is what it is. They say it’s on an iPhone and it sounds like it. But if you’re going to begrudge these dudes five Euro that’s going to local charities on the ground in a frickin’ war zone — really, even if they were keeping the money and buying liquor and drugs with it, which, again, they’re not — then I’m not sure I have anything for you. If you can’t see the point of this, you may be willfully blind, and you might want to look into that.

War on any side, for any purpose, is not a thing to be celebrated. Peace as soon as possible:

JAM FOR VICTORY was an idea by Kostyantyn Kalachikov (SHIVA THE DESTRUCTOR, ASTRONAUT DUCK KILLS) – just to get in the room with some fellow Ukrainian musicians to try and remember what it is to be a musician in these terrifying times. Olexandr Kuts (VOVK) and Igor Sydorenko (STONED JESUS, ARLEKIN, KROBAK, etc) were the first people he decided to jam with, they said “let’s do this!” and coupla days later their first and so far only jam session happened.

But before they played a note, Igor proposed to record their spontaneous performance just in case – and lo and behold, now you can listen to it as it was! All proceeds go to local Ukrainian charities, so feel free to support us in any way possible. Enjoy and share!

Tracklisting:
1. I-5 05:47
2. I-4 06:34
3. I-8 05:55
4. I-3 03:29
5. I-6 05:21
6. I-9 03:25
7. I-1 07:19

Jam for Victory:
Kostyantyn Kalachikov – drums, idea
Olexandr Kuts – bass, artwork
Igor Sydorenko – guitar, recording, editing

https://jamforvictory.bandcamp.com/

Jam for Victory, Vol. 1 (2022)

As Kyiv’s Stoned Jesus unveil the first audio from their new album to see release hopefully soon as their debut on Season of Mist, one can’t help especially thinking of the fragility of porcelain itself but be reminded of the fact that the trio should’ve been on an extensive European tour this Spring if not for the ongoing brutalization of their home nation at the hands of Russian forces. Here in the US, the propaganda is pervasive and on the Ukrainian side — doesn’t take much for America to go anti-Russia, even though America pretty much pulls all the same bullshit, just on Black and Brown people — but even considering that it’s hard not to consider the lost homes and lost lives as a crime against humanity. Warcrimes. Think there will be any tangible consequences? Were there from the US’ war in Afghanistan or Iraq? For the Americans, I mean.

If you’d say “keep politics out of music”: All things are political. Grow up.

This song rules, and Igor is right when he calls out Porcupine Tree — can hear some In Absentia in the atmosphere — for “Porcelain,” and the percussive bent that underscores the driving riff could be Swans drawn. To me it sounds more like Stoned Jesus acknowledging their prog leanings of recent years while reengaging with the riffier methods of their early work. Finding a balance, maybe. Mountain climbing in their own way.

Can’t wait to hear more.

You can donate to help Ukraine here: comebackalive.in.ua

From the PR wire:

STONED JESUS Premieres New Single, “Porcelain”

Ukrainian sludge rock trio STONED JESUS is now releasing a brand new song, “Porcelain!” The song and visualizer, which was created by the band, can be found at THIS LOCATION.

Lead vocalist and guitarist Igor Sydorenko comments: “‘Porcelain’ was one of the last songs I brought to my bandmates for the upcoming album, and they loved it instantly! In fact, we all loved this track so much we decided we’d play it live even before the album’s out, so now it makes all the sense releasing it as a single. People told me it sounds like 2000s PORCUPINE TREE covering 2010s SWANS but to me it’s just another amazing chapter in the STONED JESUS songbook. Hope you’ll enjoy it too!”

The song is taken from the band’s new upcoming album, for which the details will be revealed at a later date. Stay tuned!

“Porcelain” can be pre-saved across streaming platforms HERE: https://orcd.co/stonedjesus-porcelain

Line-up:
Lead-Vocals and Guitar: Igor Sydorenko
Bass and backing vocals: Sergii Sliusar
Drums and backing vocals: Dmytro Zinchenko

https://www.facebook.com/stonedjesusband
https://www.instagram.com/stonedjesusband/
http://stonedjesus.bandcamp.com/
https://stonedjesus.bigcartel.com/

https://www.facebook.com/seasonofmistofficial
http://www.season-of-mist.com/

Stoned Jesus, “Porcelain”

Ukrainian heavy rockers Stoned Jesus have inked a deal to release their next album and perhaps more through Season of Mist. The Kyiv-based trio follow quickly in the footsteps of countrymen and tour-mates Somali Yacht Club in aligning with the label, and their fifth full-length will follow behind 2018’s Pilgrims (review here), which was their most ambitious and progressive-sounding offering to-date. I’ve been looking forward to the new stuff since they entered the studio last July, and if I’m honest, before that as well.

It’s impossible to get out of this post (nor would I try) without mentioning that Stoned Jesus‘ home country has been invaded for the last month-plus (years, really) by neighboring Russian military forces. If you follow the band or guitarist/vocalist Igor Sydorenko on social media, you’ve already seen first-hand accounts of their current life in Ukraine, a question more of surviving than promoting their band. Their Spring tour with Samavayo, which was set to begin at the end of next week, was canceled owing to the fighting and the band’s very real need to be where they currently are. For what it’s worth — next to nothing — I wish them the best and hope this little bit of good news heralds more to come on the more serious issues they and their nation are facing. It seems low-stakes to compare heavy rock and war, but these are lives we’re talking about either way.

You can donate to help Ukraine here: comebackalive.in.ua

From the PR wire:

STONED JESUS Signs to Season of Mist

Season of Mist is proud to announce the signing of psychedelic rock trio STONED JESUS. Forged in Kyiv in 2009, this Ukrainian band submerges themselves in the world of doom, grunge and prog, while maintaining their own identity. Their upcoming album will be the fifth in line and the first to be released through Season Of Mist.

Lead vocalist and guitarist Igor Sydorenko comments: “I’ve always been a huge fan of progressive music – progressive not in the number of notes played per second, but progressive in terms of songwriting, concept and attitude.

“And I rarely saw rock and metal labels encouraging this deeper approach, until I discovered Season Of Mist. This is the label that I can describe with one word: ‘eclectic.’ And this is the label that not only approves the idea of artistic freedom, but openly indulges in it! So we’re extremely happy that these exact people are going to help us share our creative vision with the whole world from now on.”

Formed by Igor Sydorenko in Kyiv in 2009, STONED JESUS quickly progressed beyond their tongue-in-cheek moniker. The Ukrainian trio’s second full length “Seven Thunders Road” converged doom, prog and grunge in their own recognizable way and the album’s centrepiece, 13-min long “I’m the Mountain”, boasts 15 million plays on YouTube.

STONED JESUS’s next LP “The Harvest” sounded like a blend of MASTODON, PORCUPINE TREE and SOUNDGARDEN, and their charismatic live shows and relentless touring schedule helped to double and then triple their fanbase in mere months.

While being integral to the European psychedelic rock scene STONED JESUS helped popularize, creatively STONED JESUS never stopped pushing the envelope, taking influences for their newer material from such diverse acts like SWANS, THE CURE, KING CRIMSON and DEFTONES.

Line-up:
Lead-Vocals and Guitar: Igor Sydorenko
Bass and backing vocals: Sergii Sliusar
Drums and backing vocals: Dmytro Zinchenko

https://www.facebook.com/stonedjesusband
https://www.instagram.com/stonedjesusband/
http://stonedjesus.bandcamp.com/
https://stonedjesus.bigcartel.com/
https://www.facebook.com/seasonofmistofficial
http://www.season-of-mist.com/

Stoned Jesus, “Bright Like the Morning” acoustic live 2020

There’s a lot you could say about this, as for the last few weeks Russia has been bombarding Ukraine in an invasion apparently attempting to recapture some kind of perceived Soviet heyday on the part of Russian president Vladimir Putin, but really, all the thoughtful analysis has been done. All the thinkpieces are either written or currently in progress and I have nothing much to add to it except to say that human beings have treated each other like fucking garbage since before the dawn of time. Even twins consume each other in the womb if they can. People are fucking scum.

The rest of us in the world outside Kyiv, well, golly, we’d sure like to help out with that no-fly zone but I’m sure seizing some yachts and making the deep sacrifice of paying more for gas will bring Russia to heel. Right, doesn’t that sound likely? No, I’m not casting my Senate vote as a dickweed music blogger for sending ground troops. I’m saying if we as a species weren’t a complete fucking wash there wouldn’t be a war in the first place. And in the meantime, I’ve found the ease with which my own country has turned to lazy, stereotype caricature of Russian culture with a lack of acknowledgement of our own imperial history — hi from a nation born of colonialist genocide and built by slaves who just spent 20 years in Afghanistan for… some reason — to be likewise fucking disconcerting.

So yeah, here’s a tour canceled on account of war instead of plague. Coming soon, famine and death.

Fuck everything:

STONED JESUS + SAMAVAYO TOUR CANCELLED

Hi friends,

Due to the ongoing Russian war in Ukraine, and Stoned Jesus being a Ukrainian band stuck in their country, all tour dates with Samavayo need to be cancelled.

It’s extremely hard to find words for all this, so please best simply read Stoned Jesus’ statement below and think about helping / donating if you haven’t already. We hope this nightmare will end very soon and send all our strength and hope to people in Ukraine and those affected.

STONED JESUS STATEMENT

“This spring should’ve been about celebrating the tenth anniversary of our most important album, Seven Thunders Roar. Hitting the road, meeting the old friends and making the new ones, playing our music, spreading the message of peace and mutual understanding. Unfortunately, right now for us and our whole country it’s all about survival. We’ll see each other soon, when the dictator and his horde are defeated, and the new Stoned Jesus album will also be released this year. For now – don’t pray for us, rather donate to Ukrainian charity via link in our bio. The Truth is on our side!”

HOW TO HELP

https://linktr.ee/HowToHelpUkraine2022
(Link from Stoned Jesus’ bio)

Please also check with your ticket provider, some might be able to offer donating your ticket to Ukrainian charity instead of returning it.

Thank you for your support,
Your SOL Crew

Stoned Jesus is:
Igor Sydorenko – Vocals & Guitars
Serhij Sljussar – Bass
Dmytro Zinchenko – Drums

Samavayo is:
Behrang Alavi, Andreas Voland & Stephan Voland

https://www.facebook.com/stonedjesusband
https://www.instagram.com/stonedjesusband/
http://stonedjesus.bandcamp.com/
https://stonedjesus.bigcartel.com/

https://www.facebook.com/samavayo/
https://www.instagram.com/samavayo/
https://www.samavayo.com/
https://www.youtube.com/user/samavayo

Stoned Jesus, Live at Green Theatre

Samavayo, “Transcend! Exceed!” official video

Pick your poison here, it’s all killer. Makes sense when you think about it, too. If you’ve been waiting to have a party for two years, don’t you want to do it up? Thus it is that Sound of Liberation‘s plague-delayed 15th anniversary celebrations have become 17th anniversary celebrations — and frankly, having survived those extra two years is no mean feat either for a booking concern, or, you know, anyone — and the parties will be held June 10-11 in Munich and June 24-25 in Wiesbaden, Germany.

Simply put, the lineups aren’t fucking around. Colour Haze, Fu Manchu, High on Fire, 1000mods, Elder, Ufomammut, My Sleeping Karma, Yawning Man, Monkey3, The Well, Toundra, Villagers of Ionnina City, DVNE, Slomosa, Stoned Jesus, Lucid Void, and more to be announced. That pushes beyond “killer party” and into “this is actually a festival” territory, and after so much delay, I seriously doubt any of the concerned parties have a problem with that.

These will be significant evenings. If you’re going, drink it in.

As posted on socials:

17 YEARS SOUND OF LIBERATION FESTIVALS 2022

*** New Bands *** Day Splits *** Warm-Up Show ***

Dear friends and fans, we are excited to share a bunch of amazing news for our SOL Birthday Bashes in Munich and Wiesbaden with you.

We added some more outstanding acts to our line-ups and there’s an additional warm-up evening happening in Wiesbaden!

17 years Sound of Liberation • Backstage Munich

We’re stoked to finally share the day-splits with you!

Friday, 10th June 2022
Backstage, Munich (GER)
Line-Up: Colour Haze, High On Fire, Elder, UFOMAMMUT, Villagers of Ioannina City, Toundra, DVNE + more TBA
Tickets: http://www.sol-tickets.com

Saturday, 11th June 2022
Backstage, Munich (GER)
Line-Up: Fu Manchu, 1000mods, MY SLEEPING KARMA – OFFICIAL, Yawning Man (Official), monkey3, The Well + more TBA
Tickets: http://www.sol-tickets.com

Single-Day Tickets & Weekend Tickets are available.

17 years Sound of Liberation • Wiesbaden

Our party does now start a day earlier!

We’re proud to welcome no other than mighty UFOMAMMUT (ITA) and rising stars Slomosa (NOR) (+ one more band TBA) to rip down the Kesselhaus at Schlachthof Wiesbaden on June 24th and warm-up our neck muscles for the following full festival day!

Friday 24th June 2022
Official Festival Warm-Up
Schlachthof, Wiesbaden (GER)
Line-Up: UFOMAMMUT, Slomosa + 1 more band TBA
Tickets: http://www.sol-tickets.com

Saturday 25th June 2022
Schlachthof, Wiesbaden (GER)
Line-Up: 1000mods, Elder, MY SLEEPING KARMA – OFFICIAL, Stoned Jesus, The Well, Lucid Void + more TBA
Tickets: http://www.sol-tickets.com

We can’t wait for June, this is happening for real! Grab your tickets and join us in Munich and / or Wiesbaden

Stunning poster artwork by Malleus ROCK ART LAB

https://www.facebook.com/Soundofliberation/
https://www.instagram.com/soundofliberation/
https://www.soundofliberation.com/

High on Fire, “Speedwolf” live in Los Angeles, Aug. 23, 2021

Both Stoned Jesus and Samavayo have new records impending for 2022. That’s good news out of Kyiv and Berlin, as far as I’m concerned. That the two heavy rock units will pair up for a run of European tour dates? Well, that’s pretty nifty as well.

And Stoned Jesus? They’re well within their rights to take out 2012’s Seven Thunders Roar (review here) for another go for its 10th anniversary. However many millions of YouTube plays later for “I’m the Mountain,” it’s safe to say they’ve inspired a fair amount of riffage in the years since Seven Thunders Roar came out — and I’m not saying I’ve heard anything from their next full-length or something like that — but some of their new stuff blends those heavy-rolling impulses with the band’s newer, more progressive style as well. From what I (haven’t) heard, in any case.

This’ll be a good run. I hope it happens, and if you get to go, I hope it’s a killer time. Shows presented by Sound of Liberation.

Dates were posted as follows:

Stoned Jesus – 10 Years of Seven Thunders Roar tour with Samavayo

This is happening!!! With our first tour in 2+ years we’ll be celebrating 10 Years Of Seven Thunders Roar all over Europe in April of 2022 #10yearsofSTR

The rest of the world – no worries, we’ll try to get to you as well. Keep an eye on Sound of Liberation updates!

Our pals from Samavayo will be supporting us – their new album arrives in late March! Our new album, btw, arrives a little later in 2022

Sound of Liberation proudly presents:
Stoned Jesus + very special guests Samavayo
10 Years Of Seven Thunders Roar – Europe 2022

08.04.22 – Hannover | CAFE GLOCKSEE
09.04.22 – Siegen | Vortex Surfer Musikclub
10.04.22 – Wiesbaden | Schlachthof Wiesbaden
11.04.22 – Hamburg | Knust Hamburg
12.04.22 – Nijmegen | Doornroosje
13.04.22 – Aachen | Musikbunker Aachen
14.04.22 – Dortmund | JunkYard
15.04.22 – Amsterdam | Melkweg Amsterdam
16.04.22 – Gent | Kunstencentrum Vooruit
17.04.22 – Paris | Petit Bain
18.04.22 – Nantes | Le Ferrailleur – Club Concert
19.04.22 – Toulouse | Connexion Live
20.04.22 – Bilbao | Kafe Antzokia
21.04.22 – Porto | Hard Club
22.04.22 – Madrid | SALA CARACOL MADRID
23.04.22 – Barcelona | Razzmatazz
25.04.22 – Martigny | Caves du Manoir
26.04.22 – München | Feierwerk
27.04.22 – Vienna | Chelsea
28.04.22 – Zürich | Dynamo Zürich (offiziell)
29.04.22 – Nürnberg | MUZclub
30.04.22 – Dresden | Beatpol

Stoned Jesus is:
Igor Sydorenko – Vocals & Guitars
Serhij Sljussar – Bass
Dmytro Zinchenko – Drums

Samavayo is:
Behrang Alavi, Andreas Voland & Stephan Voland

https://www.facebook.com/stonedjesusband
https://www.instagram.com/stonedjesusband/
http://stonedjesus.bandcamp.com/
https://stonedjesus.bigcartel.com/

https://www.facebook.com/samavayo/
https://www.instagram.com/samavayo/
https://www.samavayo.com/
https://www.youtube.com/user/samavayo

Stoned Jesus, Live at Green Theatre

Samavayo, Vatan (2018)