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Sweat Lodge Sign to Brutal Panda Records

Posted in Whathaveyou on June 13th, 2016 by JJ Koczan

Austin-based heavy rockers Sweat Lodge recently announced they’d hit the road with Monolord and Beastmaker this August. The band, who released their full-length debut, Talismana (review here), last year on Ripple Music, just completed a long weekender alongside Crypt Trip, and word has come down that they’ve been picked up by Brutal Panda Records for a vinyl reissue this summer.

Already this qualifies them for “got a lot going on” status, but Sweat Lodge will also record a new short release titled Tokens for Hell — presumably you need them on the subway to get there, or maybe you can exchange them for prizes once you arrive — that will follow-up on the Brutal Panda version of Talismana, which again, is due in the coming months.

The PR wire confirms the above:

sweat lodge

SWEAT LODGE Sign to Brutal Panda, Announce Talismana Reissue + Upcoming Tour Dates

Brutal Panda Records is proud to announce the signing of Austin, TX quartet SWEAT LODGE. Formed in 2010, the Hard Rock / Heavy Psych / Progressive Rock / Proto-Metal band have released a self-titled EP (2013) and a full-length Talismana (2015), the latter of which will see a vinyl reissue via Brutal Panda this summer. SWEAT LODGE are known for their vigorous live shows and have performed with YOB, Acid King, Earthless, The Sword, Pentagram and many others.

SWEAT LODGE are currently on the road with fellow Texan hard rockers Crypt Trip and have been announced as support for the upcoming summer tour with Sweden’s Monolord and California’s Beastmaker. A full listing of dates is available below.

Additionally, SWEAT LODGE will enter the studio later this year to record a new EP entitled Tokens for Hell, which will see a late 2016 release via Brutal Panda. Details will be announced shortly.

The band commented on the signing:

“Sweat Lodge is really excited about the vinyl reissue of Talismana and our new EP. Killer roster, killer people! Look out for us this summer with Monolord and Beastmaker!”

SWEAT LODGE Live:
*All Dates 8/5 – 9/10 with Monolord & Beastmaker*
8/5 Seattle, WA – Barboza
8/6 Bellingham, WA – The Shakedown
8/8 San Franciscio, CA – The Chapel
8/9 Los Angeles, CA – The Viper Room
8/11 San Diego, CA – Soda Bar
8/12 Scottsdale, AZ – The Rogue Bar
8/13 Albuquerque, NM – Launchpad
8/15 Dallas, TX – The Rail Club
8/16 Austin, TX The Sidewinder
8/17 Houston, TX – White Oak Music Hall
8/18 San Antonio, TX – The Korova
8/19 New Orleans, LA – Siberia
8/20 Tampa, FL – The Orpheum
8/21 Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Kreepy Tiki Bar & Lounge
8/22 Orlando, FL – Will’s Pub
8/23 Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade
8/24 Richmond, VA – The Broadberry
8/26 Baltimore, MD – The Windup Space
8/27 Brooklyn, NY – Saint Vitus Bar
8/28 Philadelphia, PA – Voltage Lounge
8/30 Boston, MA – Great Scott
9/1 Toronto, ON – Coalition: T.O
9/2 Cleveland, OH – Grog Shop
9/3 Chicago, IL – The Empty Bottle
9/4 Minneapolis, MN – The Cabooze
9/5 Omaha, NE – Lookout Lounge
9/6 Denver, CO – Lost Lake
9/7 Salt Lake City, UT – Metro Bar
9/8 Sacramento, CA – Starlite Lounge
9/9 Portland, OR – Ash Street Saloon
9/10 Vancouver, BC – Astoria Hastings

https://www.facebook.com/Sweat-Lodge-124403460982785/
https://sweatlodgemusic.bandcamp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/sweat_lodge/
https://twitter.com/sweatlodgetx
https://www.facebook.com/BrutalPandaRecords/
https://twitter.com/brutalpanda
http://www.brutalpandarecords.com/

Sweat Lodge, Talismana (2015)

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Sweat Lodge Premiere “Heavy Head” from Talismana

Posted in audiObelisk on July 29th, 2015 by JJ Koczan

sweat lodge

Austin four-, maybe five-piece Sweat Lodge will release their debut album, Talismana, via Ripple Music on Aug. 7. A vinyl-ready nine-track/35-minute offering, its unpretentious oldschool-is-the-new-newschool rollout owes some of its modus to West Coast boogie, but true to their Texan roots, the sound across songs like opening hook-megaphone “Tramplifier,” “Bed of Ashes” and “Phoenix Ascent” is somewhat earthier, touching on classic heavy rock and psychedelic influences but refusing to play entirely to one or the other. There are times when the lineup — vocalist Cody Lee Johnston, guitarists Javier Gardea and Dustin Anderson, bassist Austin Shockley and drummer Caleb Dawson — call to mind what might’ve happened had Freedom Hawk and Graveyard ever decided to collaborate, most especially on cuts like “Slow Burn” and “Black Horizon,” but though their ultimate path is straight ahead, the well-vested Sweat Lodge work enough swing and swagger into their approach across the board that the only real choice is to get down and go along for the ride.

They make it a worthy endeavor across the board, and while perhaps in part because of the title one might wait for Sweat Lodge to veer into some vague cultish theatrics, Talismana keeps its all-seeing eye on the prize of ’70s-ish biker motor-riffing and rhythmic sweat lodge talismanasway, the title-track maybe touching lyrically on some of that finding itself fluidly enacting tempo shifts via either-call-it-stoner-or-don’t riffs and swirling leads and echoes. Like a lot of the record, it is not as simple as it first appears — a dreamout taking hold and liquefying the proceedings only to resolidify prior to the finish — but Sweat Lodge make short work of finding a cohesive vibe through such turns, nodding at Deep Purple with “Black Horizon” before the especially ’70s “Boogie Bride” takes hold as the longest cut on Talismana at a manageable 5:51, a summertime fuzz holding firm for the course even as the verses seem to be impatient in their move toward the inevitable leads, the two sides coming together ultimately as Johnston‘s vocals top the semi-psych apex and then let the rocker blues carry out to the whistling start of the penultimate “Heavy Head,” a somewhat more laid back mood but an irresistible roll all the same and one of the record’s catchiest moments.

This careening, deceptively efficient, swinging but not reckless and aesthetically coherent course ends out with “Banshee Call,” somewhat more atmospheric at its start and maybe a bit moodier but still nowhere near overblown. If anything, it underlines the control that Sweat Lodge exercise over the span of Talismana as a whole, which — especially considering it’s the band’s first full-length — is doubly impressive given how poised they manage to remain while letting loose.

I’m thrilled today to host a track premiere for “Heavy Head,” which you’ll find on the player below, followed by some more info off the PR wire.

Please enjoy:

The Austin, TX outfit have made good on their promise with a record that delivers more than you could possibly ever ask from it. Pillaging and plundering some of the most explosive eras of hard rock, heavy psychedelia and proto-metal with a conviction and execution rarely found this side of the millennium, in short, Sweat Lodge’s potential is one that knows no bounds.

Seizing on the southern grooves of Fu Manchu, Saint Vitus and the blues-driven majesty of 70s legends Mountain and fellow Texans ZZ Top, across Talismana – riff after punishing riff, howl after soulful howl – the vintage sound of rock ‘n’ roll reigns supreme, sparked through an engine of uncompromising youth. As anyone who witnessed the band’s debut TV appearance on Last Call With Carson Daly in March will testify, charismatic front man and vocalist Cody Lee Johnston’s ability to bring it on home is hypnotic. Backed by the gnarled bass fuzz of Austin Shockley, the Bonham-esque drum play of Caleb Dawson and guitar interplay of Javier Gardea and Dustin Anderson, the band will be unstoppable in 2015 and Talismana an essential record for fans of the genre.

Talismana by Sweat Lodge will be released on 7th August on Ripple Music.

Sweat Lodge on Thee Facebooks

Sweat Lodge on Bandcamp

Sweat Lodge webstore

Ripple Music on Thee Facebooks

Ripple Music

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Sweat Lodge Confirm Aug. Release for Talismana on Ripple Music

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

sweat lodge

Originally announced last Dec. as being due early this year, Talismana, the Ripple Music debut from Austin, Texas, heavy rockers Sweat Lodge has now been confirmed for and Aug. 7 release. The four-, maybe five-piece recently shot a video for a to-be-revealed song from Talismana, and they will also take part in the North West Hesh Fest this Aug. as part of a West Coast tour in support of the album, where they’ll join a lineup that also features YOBWeedeater and Diesto.

The PR wire has words and sounds, you have eyes and ears, so let’s do this thing:

sweat lodge talismana

Austin psych rockers Sweat Lodge confirm release of debut album this August

Talismana by Sweat Lodge will be released on 7th August 2015 on Ripple Music

Ripple Music is pleased to announce the official release of Talismana, the long-awaited debut album from one of America’s most exciting and downright badass psychedelic metal bands, Sweat Lodge.

The Austin, TX outfit have made good on their promise with a record that delivers more than you could possibly ever ask from it. Pillaging and plundering some of the most explosive eras of hard rock, heavy psychedelia and proto-metal with a conviction and execution rarely found this side of the millennium, in short, Sweat Lodge’s potential is one that knows no bounds.

Seizing on the southern grooves of Fu Manchu, Saint Vitus and the blues-driven majesty of 70s legends Mountain and fellow Texans ZZ Top, across Talismana – riff after punishing riff, howl after soulful howl – the vintage sound of rock ‘n’ roll reigns supreme, sparked through an engine of uncompromising youth. As anyone who witnessed the band’s debut TV appearance on Last Call With Carson Daly in March will testify, charismatic front man and vocalist Cody Lee Johnston’s ability to bring it on home is hypnotic. Backed by the gnarled bass fuzz of Austin Shockley, the Bonham-esque drum play of Caleb Dawson and guitar interplay of Javier Gardea and Dustin Anderson, the band will be unstoppable in 2015 and Talismana an essential record for fans of the genre.

Talismana by Sweat Lodge will be released on 7th August on Ripple Music

Sweat Lodge:
Cody Lee Johnston (Vocals)
Caleb Dawson (Drums)
Javier Gardea (Guitars)
Austin Shockley (Bass)
Dustin Anderson (Guitar)

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sweat-Lodge/124403460982785
http://sweatlodgemusic.bandcamp.com/
http://sweatlodge.bigcartel.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ripple-Music/369610860064
http://www.ripple-music.com/

Sweat Lodge, “Slow Burn”

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Sweat Lodge Sign to Ripple Music; Debut Album Talismana Due Early 2015

Posted in Whathaveyou on December 10th, 2014 by JJ Koczan

sweat lodge

Austin heavy rockers Sweat Lodge will release their debut full-length, Talismana, on Ripple Music. The well-vested four-piece are streaming the song “Slow Burn (Reprise)” from the album on their Bandcamp, and in a little over two minutes, it gives a sense of psychedelic flourish on top of a big-riffed rollout, echoing vocals and a cool experimental vibe. I bet they’d kill it on a show with The Well.

No exact release date for Talismana yet, but I’ve seen both “early 2015” and “Spring 2015,” so let’s say sometime before June? Super.

The PR wire brings context:

sweat lodge skull

SWEAT LODGE: Austin Heavy Psych Act Signs With Ripple Music; New Track From Upcoming Album Talismana Streaming Now On Bandcamp

Austin, TX’s heavy psychedelic act SWEAT LODGE has signed with Ripple Music and their new album, Talismana, will be out in early 2015. Keep an eye out for more details in the coming weeks, but for now, you can get a taste of the new album by clearing yourself an area to rock out and streaming the infectiously groovy track “Slow Burn” on Bandcamp.

Sweat Lodge are aptly named, as the sound produced by this Austin TX, vibe tribe is best experienced in a dark, smoke filled room. Eschewing modern tendencies in heavy music to rely on brute force, the group combines epic, technical songwriting with enough neolithic heaviness to keep the cavemen happy. Beginning as a bass/drums/vox trio in summer 2010, the band developed a groove-laden sound that relied on Caleb Dawson’s heavy yet nuanced backbeat and the saturated tone of Austin “The Shock” Shockley’s gnarled bass-fuzz, laying the foundation for singer Cody Lee’s soaring vocals. As heard on their cardinal self-titled 7” recorded the following year with Orville Neeley (OBN III’s, Bad Sports etc.) the tight, dynamic rhythm section and commanding vocals deliver the songs expertly, but their ambition to expand sonically would require the addition of 6-string guitar. Enter guitarist Javier Gardea and permanent addition to the groups lineup,guitarist Dustin Anderson,who play off of one another to create a web of intricate melodic sections matched with one-ton riffs and passages of hypnotic psychedelia. In the two years since,the group’s sound has gotten bigger and better, culminating in the recording of the group’s first LP.

The debut full-length Talismana tackles the ponderous concept of man finding his place in the universe and the many physical and spiritual hurdles one faces in the process. In using the concept of the talisman as protection against evil and vice as well as a catalyst for change in the self and society as a whole, frontman Lee uses his songs as a platform to address the metaphysical and psychological plight of modern man through the lense of ancient wisdom and magical practice. Much like the ceremonial lodge which inspired their name, the music of Sweat Lodge offers enlightenment and purification to those who can stand the heat.

Look for more info on Talismana, Sweat Lodge’s Ripple Music debut album, in the coming weeks!

Links:
Sweat Lodge on Facebook
sweatlodgemusic.bandcamp.com
http://sweatlodge.bigcartel.com/
ripple-music.com

Sweat Lodge, “Slow Burn (Reprise)”

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