Quarterly Review: Loss, BardSpec, Sinner Sinners, Cavra, Black Tremor & Sea Witch, Supersonic Blues, Masterhand, Green Lung, Benthic Realm, Lâmina

Posted in Reviews on July 11th, 2017 by JJ Koczan

quarterly-review-summer-2017

Day two of the Quarterly Review and all is chugging along. I was on the road for part of the day yesterday and will be again today, so there’s some chaos underlying what I’m sure on the surface seems like an outwardly smooth process — ha. — but yeah, things are moving forward. Today is a good mix of stuff, which makes getting through it somewhat easier on my end, as opposed to trying to find 50 different ways to say “riffy,” so I hope you take the time to sample some audio as you make your way through, to get a feel for where these bands are coming from. A couple highlights of the week in here, as always. We go.

Quarterly Review #11-20:

Loss, Horizonless

loss horizonless

Horizonless (on Profound Lore) marks a welcome if excruciating return from Nashville death-doomers Loss, who debuted six years ago with 2011’s Despond (review here) and who, much to their credit, waste no time in making up for their absence with 64 soul-crushing minutes across nine slabs of hyperbole-ready atmospheric misery. The longer, rumble-caked, slow-motion lumbering of “The Joy of all Who Sorrow,” “All Grows on Tears,” “Naught,” the title-track and closer “When Death is All” (which boasts guests spots from Leviathan’s Wrest, Dark Castle’s Stevie Floyd and producer Billy Anderson) are companioned by shorter ambient works like the creepy horror soundtrack “I.O.” and the hum of “Moved Beyond Murder,” but the deeper it goes, the more Horizonless lives up to its name in creating a sense of unremitting, skyline-engulfing darkness. That doesn’t mean it’s without an emotional center. As Loss demonstrate throughout, there’s nothing that escapes their consumptive scope, and as they shift through the organ-laced “The End Steps Forth,” “Horizonless,” “Banishment” and the long-fading wash of the finale, the album seems as much about eating its own heart as yours. A process both gorgeous and brutal.

Loss on Thee Facebooks

Profound Lore Records website

 

BardSpec, Hydrogen

bardspec hydrogen

It’s only fair to call Hydrogen an experimentalist work, but don’t necessarily take that to mean that Enslaved guitarist Ivar Bjørnson doesn’t have an overarching vision for what his BardSpec project is. With contributions along the way from Today is the Day’s Steve Austin and former Trinacria compatriot Iver Sandøy (also Manngard), Bjørnson crafts extended pieces of ambient guitar and electronica-infused beats on works like “Fire Tongue” and the thumping “Salt,” resulting in two kinds of interwoven progressive otherworldlinesses not so much battling it out as exploring the spaces around each other. Hydrogen veers toward the hypnotic even through the more manic-churning bonus track “Teeth,” but from the psych-dance transience of “Bone” (video posted here) to the unfolding wash of “Gamma,” BardSpec is engaged in creating its own aesthetic that’s not only apart from what Bjørnson is most known for in Enslaved, but apart even from its influences in modern atmospherics and classic, electronics-infused prog.

BardSpec on Thee Facebooks

ByNorse Music website

 

Sinner Sinners, Optimism Disorder

There’s a current of rawer punk running beneath Sinner Sinners’ songwriting – or on the surface of it if you happen to be listening to “California” or “Outsider” or “Hate Yourself” or “Preachers,” etc. – but especially when the L.A. outfit draw back on the push a bit, their Last Hurrah Records and Cadavra Records full-length Optimism Disorder bears the hallmarks of Rancho de la Luna, the studio where it was recorded. To wit, the core duo of Steve and Sam Thill lead the way through the Queens of the Stone Age-style drive of opener “Last Drop” (video posted here), “Desperation Saved Me (Out of Desperation)” and though finale “Celexa Blues” is more aggressive, its tones and overall hue, particularly in the context of the bounce of “Together We Stand” and “Too Much to Dream” earlier, still have that desert-heavy aspect working for them. It’s a line that Sinner Sinners don’t so much straddle as crash through and stomp all over, but I’m not sure Optimism Disorder would work any other way.

Sinner Sinners on Thee Facebooks

Sinner Sinners on Bandcamp

Last Hurrah Records website

 

Cavra, Cavra

cavra cavra

The five-song/52-minute self-titled debut from Argentina trio Cavra was first offered digitally name-your-price-style late in 2016 and picked up subsequently by South American Sludge. There’s little reason to wonder why. Comprised of guitarist/vocalist Cristian Kocak, bassist/vocalist Fernando Caminal and drummer Matias Gallipoli, the Buenos Aires three-piece place themselves squarely in the sphere of their home country’s rich heritage in heavy rock and psychedelic fluidity, with earthy tones, a resounding spaciousness in longer cuts like the all-15-minutes-plus “2010,” “Montaña” and “Torquemada.” My mind went immediately to early and mid-period Los Natas as a reference point for how the vocals cut through the density of “Montaña,” but even as Cavra show punkier and more straightforward thrust on the shorter “Dos Soles” (4:10) and “Librianna” (2:45) – the latter also carrying a marked grunge feel – they seem to keep one foot in lysergism. Perhaps less settled than it wants to be in its quiet parts, Cavra’s Cavra nonetheless reaches out with a tonal warmth and organic approach that mark a welcome arrival.

Cavra on Thee Facebooks

South American Sludge Records on Thee Facebooks

 

Black Tremor & Sea Witch, Split

black-tremor-sea-witch-split

One has to wonder if whichever of the involved parties – be it the two acts or either of the labels, Sunmask Records or Hypnotic Dirge – had in mind a land-and-sea kind of pairing in putting together Saskatoon’s Black Tremor or Nova Scotia’s Sea Witch for this split release, because that’s basically where they wound up. Black Tremor, who issued their debut EP in 2016’s Impending (review here), answer the post-Earth vibes with more bass/drums/cello instrumental exploration on the two-part “Hexus,” while the massive tonality of duo Sea Witch answers back – though not literally; they’re also instrumental – with three cuts, “Green Tide,” “As the Crow Flies Part One” and “As the Crow Flies Part Two.” The two outfits have plenty in common atmospherically, but where Black Tremor seem to seek open spaces in their sound, Sea Witch prefer lung-crushing heft, and, well, there isn’t really a wrong answer to that question. Two distinct intentions complementing each other in fluidity and a mood that goes from grim and contemplative to deathly and bleak.

Black Tremor on Thee Facebooks

Sea Witch on Thee Facebooks

Hypnotic Dirge Records webstore

Sunmask Records webstore

 

Supersonic Blues, Supersonic Blues Theme b/w Curses on My Soul

supersonic-blues-supersonic-blues-theme

It takes Den Haag trio Supersonic Blues no more than eight minutes to bust out one of 2017’s best short releases in their Who Can You Trust? Records debut single, Supersonic Blues Theme b/w Curses on My Soul. Yes, I mean it. The young three-piece of guitarist Timothy, bassist Gianni and drummer Lennart absolutely nail a classic boogie-rock vibe on the two-tracker, and from the gotta-hear low end that starts “Curses on My Soul,” the unabashed hook of “Supersonic Blues Theme” and the blown-out garage vocals that top both, the two-tracker demonstrates clearly not only that there’s still life to be had in heavy ‘70s loyalism when brought to bear with the right kind of energy, but that Supersonic Blues are on it like fuzz on tone. Killer feel all the way and shows an exceeding amount of potential for a full-length that one can only hope won’t follow too far behind. Bonus points for recording with Guy Tavares at Motorwolf. Hopefully they do the same when it comes time for the LP.

Supersonic Blues on Thee Facebooks

Who Can You Trust? Records webstore

 

Masterhand, Mind Drifter

masterhand-mind-drifter

A neo-psych trio from Oklahoma City, Masterhand seem like the kind of group who might at a moment’s notice pack their gear and go join the legions of freaks tripping out on the West Coast. Can’t imagine they wouldn’t find welcome among that I-see-colors-everywhere underground set – at least if their debut long-player, Mind Drifter, is anything to go by. Fuzz like Fuzz, acid like Uncle, and a quick, raw energy that underlies and propels the proceedings through quick tracks like “Fear Monger” and “Lucifer’s Dream” – tense bass and drums behind more languid wah and surf guitar before a return to full-on fuzz – yeah, they make a solid grab for upstart imprint King Volume Records, which has gotten behind Mind Drifter for a cassette issue. There’s some growing to do, but the psych-garage feel of “Chocolate Cake” is right on, “Heavy Feels” is a party, and when they want, they make even quick cuts like “Paranoia Destroyer” feel expansive. That, along with the rest of the release, bodes remarkably well.

Masterhand on Thee Facebooks

King Volume Records webstore

 

Green Lung, Green Man Rising

green-lung-green-man-rising

Groove-rolling four-piece Green Lung boast former members of Oak and Tomb King, among others, and Green Man Rising, their first digital single, is the means by which they make their entry into London’s crowded underground sphere. Aside from the apparent nod to Type O Negative in the title – and the plenty of more-than-apparent nod in guitarist Scott Masson’s riffing – “Green Man Rising” and “Freak on a Peak” bask in post-Church of Misery blown-out cymbals from drummer Matt Wiseman, corresponding tones, while also engaging a sense of space via rich low end from bassist Andrew Cave and the echoing vocals of Tom Killingbeck. There’s an aesthetic identity taking shape in part around nature worship, and a burgeoning melodicism that one imagines will do likewise more over time, but they’ve got stonerly hooks in the spirit of Acrimony working in their favor and in a million years that’s never going to be a bad place to start. Cool vibe; makes it easy to look forward to more from them.

Green Lung on Thee Facebooks

Green Lung on Bandcamp

 

Benthic Realm, Benthic Realm

benthic-realm-benthic-realm

In 2016, Massachusetts-based doom metallers Second Grave issued one of the best debut albums of the year in their long-awaited Blacken the Sky (review here)… and then, quite literally days later, unexpectedly called it quits. It was like a cruel joke, teasing their potential and then cutting it short of full realization. The self-titled debut EP from Benthic Realm, which features Second Grave guitarist/vocalist Krista van Guilder (also ex-Warhorse) and bassist Maureen Murphy alongside drummer Brian Banfield (The Scimitar), would seem to continue the mission of that prior outfit if perhaps in an even more metallic direction, drawing back on some of Second Grave’s lumber in favor of a mid-paced thrust while holding firm to the melodic sensibility that worked so well across Blacken the Sky’s span. For those familiar with Second Grave, Benthic Realm is faster, not as dark, and perhaps somewhat less given to outward sonic extremity, but it’s worth remembering that “Awakening,” “Don’t Fall in Line” and “Where Serpents Dwell” are just an introduction and that van Guilder and Murphy might go on a completely different direction over the longer term after going back to square one as they do here.

Benthic Realm website

Benthic Realm on Bandcamp

 

Lâmina, Lilith

lamina-lilith

Smack dab in the middle of Lilith, the debut album from Lisbon-based doom/heavy rockers Lâmina, sits the 20-minute aberration “Maze.” It’s a curious track in a curious place on the record, surrounded by the chugging “Evil Rising” and bass-led rocker bounce of “Psychodevil,” but though it’s almost a full-length unto itself (at least an EP), Lâmina make the most of its extended and largely linear course, building on the tonal weight already shown in the earlier “Cold Blood” and “Big Black Angel” and setting up the tension of “Education for Death” and the nine-minute semi-title-track finale “In the Warmth of Lilith,” which feels a world away from the modern stonerism of “Psychodevil” in its slower and thoroughly doomed rollout. There’s a subtle play of scope happening across Lilith, drawn together by post-grunge tonal clarity and vocal melodies, and Lâmina establish themselves as potentially able to pursue any number of paths going forward from here. If they can correspondingly develop the penchant for songwriting they already show in these cuts as well, all the better.

Lâmina on Thee Facebooks

Lâmina on Bandcamp

 

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The Hazytones Announce Canadian Tour Dates

Posted in Whathaveyou on March 29th, 2017 by JJ Koczan

Montreal trio The Hazytones released their self-titled debut back in September 2016 via Sunmask Records and will head out next month on a long tour to support the album. They’ll take part in Canadian Music Week in Toronto circa April 20 to start, and stay out for the bulk of May as they hand-deliver their skillfully-crafted riffery (and hats!) to audience across the provinces. I’m not sure with whom they’ll be out or if they’re meeting up with locals or what, but songs like “Children of the Universe” and the forward-motoring “Kill to Survive” make a solid argument for showing up regardless, so keep an eye out.

This news is my intro to the band, and while I’m sure you’re O.G. Hazytones because you’re hip like that and I’m constantly behind the curve, on the off-chance you’re in a similar situation, feel free to check out the album stream via the Bandcamp player at the bottom of the post to get a proper hello.

The PR wire has the dates:

the hazytones

The Hazytones – Canadian Tour 2017

The Hazytones are a stoner rock group founded in 2015 in Montreal. The trio stuns the audience with their stage presence and intensity. Riff after riff, the group is known for their fat sound and heavy, overdriven saturation.

The band features the powerful voice and guitar playing of Mick Martel (former founding member of Madcooks), the accuracy of drummer Antoine St-Germain (current member of God Bless America) and the rigor of the bassist Frederic Couture (former founding member of Reckless Ride).

APRIL
20: Toronto @ Canadian Music Week
21: Toronto @ Canadian Music Week 2017
22: Toronto @ Canadian Music Week
23: Sault Ste-Marie @ American New Pub House
25: Kenora @ Lake Shore
26: Winnipeg @ The Cavern club
27: Selkirk @ The Merch
28: Régina @ Durty Nelly’s
29: Calgary @ Blind Beggar Pub

MAY
02: Kelowna @ Fernando’s Pub
03: Vancouver @ Media club
04: Nanaimo @ The Cambie Bar & Grill
05: Port Albany @ TBA
06: Victoria @ Logan’s
07: Kamloops @ The grind
08: Kelowna @ Munnin’s Post
10: Golden @ Rockwater
12: Edmonton @ The Forge
13: Lethbridge @ Smokehouse Bar n Grill
15: Fort Mcmurray @ Tavern on main
16: Moose Jaw @ TBA
17: Palmer @ Palmer Church
18: Prince albert @ TBA
19: Saskatoon @ The Capitol
20: Red Deer @ The Vat Pub
21: Calgary @ The Palomino
22: Arkola @ Buddy’s Pub
23: Arkola @ Buddy’s pub
25: Winnipeg @ The Handsome Daughter
26: Thunder bay @ Black Pirates Pub
27: Timmins @ The Working Class

https://www.facebook.com/TheHazytones/
https://www.instagram.com/thehazytones/
https://thehazytones.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/sunmaskrecords/

The Hazytones, The Hazytones (2016)

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Strange Broue Post “Ritualize” Video (NSFW)

Posted in Bootleg Theater on January 30th, 2017 by JJ Koczan

strange broue

If you have a second, go take a look at the merch page on Canadian wizard doom four-piece Strange Broue‘s Bandcamp site. It’s linked below and I don’t think it’ll take you long to notice the pattern I want you to see: Every piece of music, in every iteration, that the band has released is sold out. Gone. Granted we’re not talking about a massive, 100-album, Hawkwind-style discography, but still, it’s a considerable track record, and it means that if you check out the video below for “Ritualize” and maybe say to yourself, “Gee, I might like to pick up a copy of their forthcoming second LP, Seance, which is out Feb. 6 on Sunmask Records” (good on you for knowing the release details), you’ll want to get on that sooner rather than later. Because Seance, too, will likely disappear.

Little mystery why, what with the band’s cultish weedian leanings, VHS horror imagery and post-Oborn bouncing groove. “Ritualize” opens Seance, which runs 44 minutes and is strange broue seancevery much a full-length album despite being billed as an EP. I’ve marked the clip as NSFW because it’s got all kinds of harvested footage of religious-themed violence, ’70s boobage, blood, crosses, fire — kind of what you’d expect to go with the song itself, but nothing you’d want your boss to walk by while you were watching. Of course, if we all just quit our jobs and spent our day worshiping the devil, it wouldn’t be an issue. Would it? No. Clearly not.

Until that happens, we’ll have to live vicariously through the Quebecois doomers and make do with that. Their debut, either self-titled or called The Mystifying Oracle, depending on whom you ask, came out in early 2016 also through Sunmask, so they’ve worked at a pretty good clip on the follow-up. We’ll see if they hold the pace and how their sound continues to develop as a result of that, but from listening to “Ritualize,” they come across as a group with a pretty clear idea of where they want to be, and again, if you go and look at that empty merch page (they do have a shirt still on sale as of this post), you’ll see it’s working for them.

Enjoy:

Strange Broue, “Ritualize” official video (NSFW)

Taken from the album Seance – The Satanic Sounds of Strange Broue out on February 6, 2017

Tapes and CDs available on February 6th, 2017 through
https://strangebroue.bandcamp.com/
http://sunmask.bigcartel.com/

Visual direction and editing by Hugo Bertacchi
Special thanks to Marc-Antoine Guérin for source footage and movie selection

Strange Broue are a psychedelic stoner/doom band from Quebec City, Canada. The spirits of Electric Wizard and Amicus frolic in diabolical rituals in the dark backwoods of Quebec.

The brouemaster and crew once again summon up the infernal spirits and the usual cast of Satanic panic suspects for their sophomore release Seance out this spring on Sunmask.

Limited release of 75 cassettes in VHS shell case with inserts.
Die-hard edition of 35 cassettes direct from the band.

Strange Broue on Thee Facebooks

Strange Broue on Bandcamp

Sunmask Records on Thee Facebooks

Sunmask Records webstore

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Strange Broue Preorders for The Mystifying Oracle Start Dec. 19

Posted in Whathaveyou on December 16th, 2015 by JJ Koczan

I’m not sure if the forthcoming, Ouija-covered The Mystifying Oracle LP is made up of the same recordings as was the 10-song self-titled full-length that Canadian outfit Strange Broue — which may or may not involve more than one person, of course working under the moniker of Brouemaster — released digitally back in March, but I think not knowing is a big part of the idea. That self-titled was also culled from prior, shorter posted songs, issued piecemeal mostly between Nov. 2014 and Feb. 2015.

It would make sense that the same material is being pressed now by Sunmask Records for a release on Jan. 22, but I wouldn’t want to start spouting out unconfirmed assumptions or anything. Either way, The Mystifying Oracle preorders start this Saturday, Dec. 19, and since the upcoming physical offering shares its tracks with the prior digital one, it seems only reasonable to include that with the preorder and pressing info should anyone want to get introduced who hasn’t yet been.

Am I still talking?

Save me, PR wire:

strange broue the mystifying oracle

Strange Broue – The Mystifying Oracle LP

Release date: Jan.22/ 2016

Announcing pre-sale for Strange Broue – the mystifying oracle LP: This Saturday at 12pm EST.

Die-hard and deluxe editions will be shipping between Jan.8 – Jan. 12. and regular copies will be available from Jan. 22 from myself and some fine international labels in the US, UK and EU (still finalizing details but should be announced after new years).

A message from the other side gleaned from the spiritualist communications of the Brouemaster himself.

A1- electric blizzard
A2- children of sabbath
A3- kult aid
B1- run the night
B2- dead rising
B3- grim creeper
B4- the beast

Limited release of 300 on black vinyl in 24 point recycled chipboard jacket.
-50 die hard editions with silkscreened wood paper insert and Strange Broue patch
-50 deluxe editions with ‘Children of Sabbath’ handmade silkscreened slipcase
-200 regular editions
-all include printed inserts, planchette for holding your own seance and free kool-aid while supplies last

https://www.facebook.com/strangebroue
https://strangebroue.bandcamp.com/album/strange-broue
https://www.facebook.com/sunmaskrecords
http://www.discogs.com/seller/sunmask/profile
http://sunmask.bigcartel.com/

Strange Broue, Strange Broue (2015)

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