[Enter the contest to win one of two vinyl merch goodie packs from Chubby Thunderous Bad Kush Masters by leaving a comment on this post. Make sure your email address is in the form provided so I can contact you if you win. That’s it.]

There are two facts you should know going into the video below. First, Chubby Thunderous Bad Kush Masters are fucking awesome, though if you don’t know that, you will soon enough. Second, döner is Turkish street meat. Sometimes gross Turkish street meat. It’s sold in London and elsewhere in small shops with rotating slabs of wrong-looking product from which the meat is cut off in slices and served in pita in styrofoam trays. It is not the kind of thing one should or would eat while sober. It is the kind of thing you might regret later regardless of your level of lucidity. It’s like a gyro, but not a gyro the way Chinese dumplings aren’t ravioli. Okay.

But not to stray too far from the first point, Chubby Thunderous Bad Kush Masters — who are right up there with the finest executions of the UK’s silly-long-names-for-really-good-bands program — made their awaited full-length debut over the summer through Riff Rock Records with the charmingly titled Come and Chutney, a collection of eight blazed-out rockers fueled by sludge fuckall, tight grooves like those of “Cojones Feos” or the flatulence-laden “Gutlads” and an underlying current of punk and filthy thrash in cuts like “Krones of the Kiln” and “Döner Trump” that set up the sprawling stoner exploration of the finale “Psychedelic Hallucinogenic Vagrancy.” Opening with nasty intentions quickly on “Doggy Bad of Slurry,” it’s an album willfully crass that nonetheless makes its case via songwriting and the grit of its tones. Comprised of guitarist/vocalist Owen Carty, bassist Will Hart and drummer Mark Buckwell, Chubby Thunderous slush and stomp their way through all manner of much and bodily fluids in order to make their point, but there’s no questioning they do precisely that. Building on the accomplishments of their 2015 debut EP, Earth Hog (review here), and their 2017 split with Ten Foot Wizard (review here), the three-piece arrive at their first long-player with a firm sense of who they are as a band and exactly the kind of sonic mayhem they want to cause.

One of the best debuts of 2018? Absolutely. Because while the outward aesthetic may be one of destructive disaffection, the foundation from which Chubby Thunderous Bad Kush Masters execute that is more than solid enough to sustain them. They’re not a sloppy band, as the tense, drum-led rhythm and low-end air-push of “Gawdless” shows,” and though Carty‘s vocals are a harsh, bad-drug sneer throughout, they’re not completely void of melody either, even when they might otherwise be, on the nod-inducing “Glue Ear” or the thrust of the aforementioned “Döner Trump,” which seems to bask in multi-tiered disgust at its subject matter. Further, when they arrive at “Psychedelic Hallucinogenic Vagrancy,” its departure isn’t completely without preface thanks to the subdued launch of “Doggy Bad of Slurry,” though where it heads from there, with the Mellotron and guest appearances from Vodun‘s Chantal Brown, Ten Foot Wizard‘s Gary Harkin and Thom Carter of Riddles, is most definitely in a sphere of its own as regards the rest of the record, pulling back on tempo and passing the 10-minute mark with an open vibe and pervasive swirl of wah. Given the aggression of so much of what surrounds, it’s hard to believe at first, but by the time Brown‘s operatics arrive circa four minutes in, yeah, it’s for real. While we’re talking highlights, the subsequent verse Brown carries is a gem, and the instrumental buildup that follows, with the keys/synth adding to the wash along with the vocals cutting through, is a fitting end both to the track and the record as a whole. I’m not gonna say Chubby Thunderous aren’t fucking around on Come and Chutney. They are, to be sure. That doesn’t change the quality of the results.

For those of us who haven’t had the pleasure of seeing the band on stage, they have a new live video for “Döner Trump” filmed at The Black Heart in Camden Town, which, so far as I know, hasn’t changed its policy about letting even well-supervised babies hang out at the bar downstairs. So it goes. Still a great place to see a show, and from the looks of things, Chubby Thunderous Bad Kush Masters put on a hell of a one. If you find yourself at any point going “eww” as regards their general sound, that’s the idea, but I suspect that if you haven’t encountered them before — and you probably have by now, I know; but just in case — the energy with which they bring “Döner Trump” to bear is no less infectious than the song itself. And these dudes certainly do seem to be infected.

If you want the vinyl — and you do — leave a comment on this post to get it and I’ll hit you up if you win. No, I’m not gonna keep your email address and blah blah blah all that shit. Either way, please enjoy:

Chubby Thunderous Bad Kush Masters, “Döner Trump” official live video premiere

Two copies of this one going out with tees, stickers and whatnot:

[Enter the contest to win one of two vinyl merch goodie packs from Chubby Thunderous Bad Kush Masters by leaving a comment on this post. Make sure your email address is in the form provided so I can contact you if you win. That’s it.]

Chubby Thunderous Bad Kush Masters on Thee Facebooks

Chubby Thunderous Bad Kush Masters on Bandcamp

Chubby Thunderous Bad Kush Masters BigCartel store

Riff Rock Records on Thee Facebooks

Riff Rock Records on Bandcamp

Riff Rock Records website

Suffolk, UK, three-piece Old Man Lizard appeared earlier this year at Desertfest London, and if you don’t believe me, just look at the column bifurcating the video at the bottom of this post. If that ain’t The Underworld in Camden Town, then it’s nowhere on this planet. Obstructed view notwithstanding, the trio look to have had a good time bringing their quirky, heavy sludge to the fdfdest, and they’ll no doubt do the same with the release of True Misery, the details of which have been newly unveiled along with preorders ahead of a Nov. 30 arrival. Late in the year, but anything with a song called “Misery is Miserable” is welcome by me. See also, the triple-exclamatory “Snakes!!!” As in, multiple of snake. I dig it.

Release is through Wasted State Records, and details on the thing come from the PR wire like so:

OLD MAN LIZARD TO RELEASE BRAND NEW ALBUM!

‘True Misery’ Coming November 30th 2018 On Wasted State Records!

Inspired by the rural surroundings of their native Suffolk, OLD MAN LIZARD have been belting out their unique brand of stoner and sludge since 2011. The UK based power trio have proven themselves in the heavy rock scene, delivering a memorable live show alongside the likes of Elder, Conan or Fatso Jetson to name just a few. Slots at Desertfest Belgium, Hard Rock Hell – Doom vs Stoner, Desertfest London or a headline tour all over Europe have established OLD MAN LIZARD as a staple of the current stoner scene.

Their official releases have been highly praised by fans and critics alike and include their self-titled debut with Heavy Psych Sounds Records, ‘Lone Wolf vs Brown Bear’ (2014, Wickerman Recordings) as well as a split 7” with Earthmass on Big Riff Records. After years in the making, Jack Newnham (also in Slabdragger and Meadows), Gav Senior and Dan Beales have returned to the studio to record their third full length album titled ‘True Misery’. Set to be released by Wasted State Records, the album will be coming out on November 30th 2018!

Says the band: “It’s been three years since our last release and we are totally psyched to finally be unleashing “True Misery” via Wasted State Records soon! This album is a choice selection of material written over the last 5 years, covering a broad spectrum of influences while staying true to our sound; the overall feel of the album has been captured perfectly in the artwork, by “Sick” Mike Dicken. We had an absolute blast recording with the super-talented and eternally-patient Jason Frye (Century Audio and Harrowed) and we were lucky enough to have bluegrass hero, Pete Allen, drop in for a session and lay down some fiddle! Expect heavy, expect tone, EXPECT RIFFS!”

Just recently, OLD MAN LIZARD have announced the artwork and tracklist for ‘True Misery’:

The tracklist will read as follows:
1. Shark Attack
2. Snakes!!!
3. Tree of Ténéré
4. The Adventures Of Rupert Biggins
5. Trees Fall Down
6. Cursed Ocean, Relentless Sea
7. Misery Is Miserable
8. Return To Earth

Coming November 30th 2018 as CD, Vinyl and Digital Download, these brutal tales and banging riffs are vital listening for fans of Elder, Baroness, Kyuss, Harvey Milk and Taint! Pre-orders of ‘True Misery’ are now available at: www.wastedstate.com

Old Man Lizard is:
Jack Newham – Guitar & Vocals
Gav Senior – Bass
Dan Beales – Drums

www.facebook.com/oldmanlizard
https://oldmanlizard.bandcamp.com/
www.wastedstate.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wasted-State-Records/111088732018

Old Man Lizard, Live at Desertfest London 2018

So long as everyone’s on board with the proceedings proceeding, I’m all for everybody getting down in the manner of their preference. Under bring a bit of harsh kink to their new video for the track ‘Traitor’s Gate’ from their impending second album, Stop Being Naive, which is out Oct. 30 through UK purveyor APF Records, and indeed, it’s the kind of release that should come with a safe word. Listening to the album, I almost have to chuckle at the PR wire’s designation of the band as fuzz rockers. It should come with an asterisk: *Fuzz rock plus about 15 tons of noisy sludge fuckall. It is big, big, big, and mean, mean mean, and preorders are up now.

You can of course see the grainy, video-cassette-looking clip at the bottom of this post, if you don’t mind some flashing lights and chains around ankles, wrists, etc., and the occasional gimp mask. Small price to pay for the low-end assault that ensues.

Here’s info and whatnot:

Fuzz Rockers Under Release New Video

Trio Unveil Clip For “Traitors Gate”

Fuzz rock trio Under have released the brand-new video for the track “Traitors Gate”! The clip shows the band performing while stripped half nude while chained and gagged. Shot in a grainy, weathered VHS style it fits perfectly with the trio’s lo-fi, bass heavy sound.

When asked on the theme behind the video, the band stated: “Lyrically “Traitors Gate” is a rant about cutting someone off for being a piece of shit. We wanted to create a video that was suitably demented, unsettling and reflected our DIY ethos. We’ll leave it to your imagination why we had chains and masks so readily to hand”.

Their new album, Stop Being Naïve, is set for release via APF Records on October 30th.

Under are a trio from Stockport, Greater Manchester. Formed in 2016. Though rooted in the blueprints of Sludge and Doom Metal, their sound is harder to pin down with elements of Prog, Noise and Avant Garde creeping in. Under play with jagged, slow, off kilter riffs that tease the listener into a false sense of security with dark and abstract lyricism evoking a trippy and sinister unease. The trio cite the likes of Swans, Mr. Bungle, The Melvins and Radiohead as prime influences.

Tracklisting:
1. Malcontents
2. The Climb
3. Traitor’s Gate
4. Big Joke
5. P. Irving
6. Grave Diggers
7. Happy
8. An Inch Of Sun
9. Circadian Driftwood

Under is:
Andy Preece – drums, vocals, keys
Matt Franklin – bass, vocals
Simon Mayo – guitar, vocals

https://www.facebook.com/understockport
https://understockport.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/apfrecords
https://apfrecords.bigcartel.com/

Under, “Traitor’s Gate” official video

Along with the stylistic innovation of their general aesthetic, the creepy harmonies and melodic centrality of guitar and vocals, raw fuzz of their tones, their information-age mystique earlier in their career and their classic-but-obscure sound overall, Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats‘ work has never been without a corresponding sense of nuance. As they move into album number five, Wasteland — released, as ever, by Rise Above Records — the fine sonic details of their work seem to come through the recording regardless of where an individual goes structurally. The flourish of keys in “Stranger Tonight,” the organ in the ultra-hooky “Bedouin” later in the record, the mellotron and faded-in-drums of the title-track, the VHS-style sampled intro to opener “I See Through You” that set up the arrival of further samples later in “No Return,” after the bell-chord-laden marching plod of that nine-minute track has receded into a long, fog-covered fadeout, and so on.

All of these things become part of the world created at the behest of guitarist/vocalist/ringleader Kevin R. Starrs, and brought to bear with the production of Geoff Neal at Sunset Sound in Los Angeles, there’s a balance created between Uncle Acid‘s long established wash of filthy fuzz grit and the melodies that are no less central to who they are as a band. Recording in the same studio where The Beach Boys tracked Pet Sounds and The Doors did Strange Days is something of a direct departure from  2015’s The Night Creeper (review here), which Starrs recorded himself and was the barest-sounding offering since their 2010 debut, Vol. 1 (reissue review here), and they flourish in the grander setting while holding to the eerie, sneaking-around-the-corner vibe that’s always been prevalent and has only helped their influence spread as it has over the better part of the last decade. With eight tracks and 47 minutes, Wasteland is the shortest offering Uncle Acid have made 2011’s world-breaking Blood Lust (discussed here), as both 2013’s Mind Control (review here) and The Night Creeper topped 50 minutes, and in addition to that, there seems to be some shift in how the band are using that time.

Consider for a moment the circumstances of Wasteland‘s release. On a more general level, between Brexit and anti-immigration populism in their native UK and an ever-present sense of disheartening political chaos in Europe and the US — the band’s two central markets — could easily justify the title alone, but when it comes to the actual songs and the album’s arrival, it’s being released at the Desert Daze festival in Los Angeles, and long before any details about Uncle Acid‘s fifth LP were made public, tour dates in Europe and the UK were announced for late-2018/early-2019.

We had “the Wasteland tour” before we knew what Wasteland was. For an act of Uncle Acid‘s profile — and at this point it’s safe to call them one of underground heavy’s most essential bands in terms of influence and their general audience reach — that they’d have a well coordinated release isn’t a surprise, but it’s all the more worth noting because so much of the focus throughout Wasteland seems to be on playing live. Of course it’s a two-sided LP and it splits more or less evenly into half with four tracks on each side. Fine. But to take the totality of the tracklisting as a linear whole from “I See Through You” to the militaristic-snare-into-empty-wind (blowing, no doubt, over the titular wasteland) finish of “Exodus,” the entire album seems to be geared toward playing live. It feels like a live set.

It launches with two immediate, standout, catchy hard rockers in “I See Though You” — a firm reminder to the audience of who Uncle Acid are and what they do — and “Shockwave City,” which comes across as something Scorpions might’ve conjured as filtered through Starrs‘ secrets-in-the-basement ideology of sound with scorching guitar work and a tightness of structure and central riff that stands tall among their finest singles. Momentum is built and slashed as “No Return” takes hold with a quiet and tense but slower progression and unfolds its nodding roll over an extended stretch replete with wailing vocals and a wash they’ve not yet brought to bear. It’s telling that at about six and a half minutes in, “No Return” drops to atmospheria, a kind of residual drone taking hold as the samples arrive. This ostensibly isn’t the end of side A — unless I’m way off as regards the placement of the songs on the vinyl; possible — but it does bring to a close the first of three movements happening throughout Wasteland.

Think of it this way: two rockers up front, longer song, two more rockers, longer song, and the finale duo of “Bedouin” and “Exodus” to end out. Three tracks, three tracks, two tracks.

This dynamic throughout the album, apart from considerations of physical format, makes Wasteland seem all the more built to be played live. “Blood Runner” and “Stranger Tonight,” like “Shockwave City” before them, barely top four minutes, and as the former taps some surprising NWOBHM gallop, the latter seems to be composed as the quintessential Uncle Acid track, from its threat of violence in the lyrics — it’s noteworthy that Wasteland is unmistakably the band’s album that’s least about killing ladies; perhaps a sign of Starrs having an ear to the ground as to the moment — to the sweep of its hook that only seems to grow more infectious with multiple listens. These in turn lead to “Wasteland” itself, which is unmistakably a forward step in the creative growth of the band.

They’re not strangers to using acoustics or turns to mellower fare, but across its nearly eight minutes, “Wasteland” takes what songs like “13 Candles” and “Black Motorcade” have done in the past to offset more raucous material directly bridges the gap between the two sides. For a band who’ve always, always, been about songwriting, it’s a new level of achievement in that. From the swaying early verses, effectively arranged with the aforementioned mellotron and harmonized vocals, other keys, guitar, bass flourish, etc., to the build that takes hold with the arrival of the drums at the halfway point and moves into an absolute apex for the album as a whole, it’s as gorgeous it is covered in grime, and its relatively quick fade seems to cut short what could’ve easily been a longer section. No mystery how it got to be the title-track; it’s the whole point. “Bedouin” fades in even more quickly than “Wasteland” went out, and begins the last of the three salvos, which works to bring the other two together somewhat.

It’s shorter than the opener at 5:41, but “Bedouin” nonetheless makes its impact with a strutting chorus and the organ in its verses, as well as highlight lead guitar work that recalls “Shockwave City” earlier but is more tripped-out with effects in its ending. But it’s a rager, and as it gives way to the slower-swinging “Exodus” — residing that rhythmic pocket that so many in the garage doom set try to capture but can’t quite do in the same way that comes so naturally to Uncle Acid — there’s a palpable sense of an encore happening. The closer lands squarely between the shorter and longer cuts, but moreover, it has a sense of finality to it that speaks to the band’s ever-cinematic sphere of influences. That is to say, roll credits.

But, more to the occasion, it’s the grand finale of the live set that is Wasteland as a whole, and though there’s nothing lacking by the time it’s done, the fact that the two prior salvos are three songs and the last one is only two seems to tip-hat to the notion of leaving the audience wanting more. Hence the sudden cut at the end of “Exodus” itself and the shorter overall runtime. It works. The danger coming into Wasteland was whether or not Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats would be seen to have run their stylistic course. Could they make their sound do something new? They haven’t yet made their Sgt. Pepper — or, if they were after my own heart, their Rubber Soul — and they may not have interest in doing so, but what Wasteland does is to bring a refreshed vitality to their approach while willfully tightening the songcraft at the same time they push forward into new ground. There will be a lot that’s familiar to established listeners, but as always with Starrs‘ work, the deeper you dig, the more you find, and Wasteland more than earns such excavation. It’d be a show to remember.

Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats, “Stranger Tonight”

Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats website

Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats on Thee Facebooks

Rise Above Records on Thee Facebooks

Rise Above Records website

Two decades is not a short amount of time. 20 years ago, it was Nineteen-Hundred and Ninety-Eight. Western Civilization could still basically argue it had the potential to bring some good into the world. The Roaring ’90s. It was the time that the robots based The Matrix on. Right before the entire universe took a shit and everyone realized how awful everything is, then collapse resounded around the world and we’re still all dug into the repercussions of that, and so, you know, DOOM.

Enter Iron Void. Formed in 1998, and yeah, they’ve had some bumps and periods of inactivity along the way — they haven’t been slogging it out playing clubs on tour 150 shows a year for 20 years, and neither have you, and neither are they claiming otherwise — but the simple fact that after 20 years, guitarist/vocalist Jonathan Seale would feel strongly and passionately enough about the project to put out an album of the quality of the soon-to-land Exaclibur (review here) is admirable in and of itself. 20 fucking years, man. Think about what you were doing 20 years ago.

I was in high school. Probably stoned. Ha.

Anyway, Iron Void are celebrating 20 years with a show this week and a short tour alongside the also-high-grade-downer Serpent Venom and Famyne next month. I got Sealey to give some comment on the occasion and you can see that below, as well as the event links for the shows, because it’s the future and that’s how it goes now. You wouldn’t have gotten that 20 years ago.

Dig:

Jonathan “Sealey” Seale on 20 years of Iron Void and the tour:

“We’re very much looking forward to touring the UK in November with our peers and longtime friends, Serpent Venom and Famyne, who are one of the finest new Doom bands in the UK scene today. I only wish we could have done more dates. Maybe we will in future, who knows? November 2018 is also a very special month and cause for celebration for Iron Void as it marks our 20th anniversary since the band formed in November 1998. We’ve had several lineup changes and obstacles to overcome over the years but all in all it’s been a blast with a lot of fond memories! I’d like to sincerely thank my bandmates, old and new, and all our loyal fans across the globe for making this incredible journey a reality, it wouldn’t have been possible without you, I love you all! Here’s to the next 20 years! DOOM ON!!”

Oct 13 Iron Void 20th Anniversary Show (1998 – 2018):
Black mass Wakefield, UK
https://www.facebook.com/events/1857902831184012/

Iron Void / Serpent Venom / Famyne UK Tour – November 2018

2 NOVEMBER – The Phoenix, Coventry
https://www.facebook.com/events/187309512064309/

3 NOVEMBER – The Black Heart, London
https://www.facebook.com/events/980671265433339/

4 NOVEMBER – The Old England, Bristol
https://www.facebook.com/events/425613231235352/

Iron Void is:
Jonathan ‘Sealey’ Seale – Bass/Vocals
Steve Wilson – Guitars/Vocals
Richard Maw – Drums

www.facebook.com/ironvoid
www.ironvoid.bandcamp.com
www.shadowkingdomrecords.com
www.facebook.com/shadowkingdomrecords

Iron Void, Excalibur (2018)

On Oct. 18, Cybernetic Witch Cult and Ritual King hit the road together for a UK run that includes stops in Bridgewater, Birmingham, London and Plymouth. They go with new material in hand from their recently-recorded third long-player, and they go as well with vinyl copies of their 2017 second album, Troglodithic Trip (discussed here), in tow following an August release. No word on when the third outing will be issued, let alone on what formats, but they’ll be playing new songs live and that’s always fun, not that these guys are hurting for being a good time anyway.

Because they’re not, you see.

Presumably whatever it’s called will be out in 2019. More to come when I hear it. Till then:

Cybernetic Witch Cult announce long awaited first vinyl release and October UK tour with Ritual King

Cornwall’s Spaced out Stoner/Sludge Trio, Cybernetic Witch Cult’s 2017 album ‘Trogolodithic Trip’ is finally available on Vinyl.

Featuring 6 tracks of fuzzed out grooving doom, Cybernetic Witch Cult have used this opportunity to rejuvenate some old fan favorites from the band’s early days, with an older, wiser Alex Wyld delivering fresh performances that bring the older tracks in line with the brand new material, and new drummer Lewis May tying things together with a cohesive approach to the newer tracks.

“When we tracked this record back in january, I felt like it was my job to take ownership of the parts, drum wise. It was an interesting exercise in terms of trying to make Troglodithic trip feel like an album we’d worked on together all at once. I think that we achieved that, but also think that this album paints a kind of road map for the band, where we’ve come from and where we’re going. For me that’s the most compelling thing about it”

New tracks ‘Cult of the Druid’ and ‘Sagittarius A*’ have become live mainstays and firm fan favorites, with equally popular music videos available.

Originally released on CD and Digital platforms in May ‘17, the self released album has been remastered for vinyl and is available on “12 gatefold, with updated liner notes and additional lyrics.

Cybernetic Witch Cult have a UK headline tour planned for October in support of the new release, with support from the fantastic Manchester based heavy blues trio Ritual King.

As well as bringing their most recent album to vinyl, the band also spent october holed up at crows nest studio with Sam Thredder recording their follow up effort, and select tracks from this as yet untitled album will be showcased alongside the support for the new vinyl.

“We’re all very excited to take this tour out on the road. With the new line up solidified and the upcoming album in the bag, this is going to be the first tour where all eras of the band’s music will be on display, there’s songs we haven’t played in over a year, alongside songs we’ve never played on stage before. It’s going to be our most diverse and exciting show yet.”

Whether you’re completely new to Cybernetic Witch Cult or if you’ve been with them since the start, this tour is not to be missed.

The tour dates are as follows:
18/10 – Exeter – The Cavern
19/10 – Bridgwater – Cobblestones
20/10 – Newport – Le Pub
21/10 – Birmingham – Hammer & Anvil
22/10 – Portsmouth – Edge of the Wedge*
25/10 – Southampton – The Hobbit*
26/10 – Sailsbury – The Winchester Gate
27/10 – London – The Dev
31/10 – Newquay – Whiskers*
09/11 – Plymouth – The Junction*
(*CWC only)

You can order the Troglodithic Trip Remastered Gatefold Vinyl directly from Bandcamp. Alternatively, the original version is still available as a Digipack CD and Digital release, all from the link below. https://cyberneticwitchcult.bandcamp.com/album/troglodithic-trip

Cybernetic Witch Cult is:
Alex Wyld – Vocals, guitars
Kale Deane – Bass, vocals
Lewis May – Drums

www.cyberneticwitchcult.com
www.facebook.com/cyberneticwitchcult
https://cyberneticwitchcult.bandcamp.com
twitter.com/cyberwitchcult

Cybernetic Witch Cult, Troglodithic Trip (2017)

Sonic extremity is hardly a new realm for guitarist/vocalist Jon Davis of UK pummelers Conan, but with Ungraven, he takes something of a different approach. In the streaming demo “Blackened Gates of Eternity,” Davis taps into industrial-style repetitions and rhythms, still keeping a presence on guitar, but using it to different ends than in its main outfit. It’s no coincidence he’s wearing a Nailbomb t-shirt in the promo photo, and one imagines having recently joined Max Cavalera onstage only furthers that affection — to be fair, Point Blank was badass — but it should be interesting to see just how far Davis pushes Ungraven away from what Conan do and where the new outfit’s impending debut full-length — set to release in Spring of next year — takes him in terms of sound.

You can hear the demo at the bottom of this post, thanks to the wonders of the internet. The PR wire had this to say about it:

JON DAVIS ANNOUNCES UNGRAVEN

Jon Davis of legendary British doom metal band CONAN is pleased to announce his new solo project UNGRAVEN which showcases his love of 90’s metal.

In Jon’s own words “I am a huge fan of Fudge Tunnel, Ministry, Godflesh, Sepultura and Nailbomb. I fell in love with ‘For All Those Who Died’ by Bathory on Headbangers Ball and also the ‘Speed Kills’ comp. Since then I have referenced these bands in some of Conan’s material. With Ungraven I pay homage to the industrial sounds emanating from Birmingham in the 90s with a few other influences that I’ve been obsessing over for a while. It’s super heavy but sightly different from what I have done so far.”

UNGRAVEN’s debut album will be released in spring of 2019, but to celebrate the announcement, Davis has released the track “Blackened Gates of Eternity” on Bandcamp.

Listen to the song here: https://ungraven.bandcamp.com/album/demos

More information on UNGRAVEN will be coming soon.

https://www.facebook.com/ungraven
https://ungraven.bandcamp.com/
https://blackbowrecords.bigcartel.com/
https://blackbowrecords.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Black-Bow-Records-565275456841866/

Ungraven, “Blackened Gates of Eternity” demo

Having started playing shows together late last year, it only makes sense that UK doom rockers Alunah would want to test the breadth of their new lineup in the studio as well. Thus arrives on Nov. 16 the limited self-release vinyl/digital EP Amber & Gold comprised of an instrumental introduction, two new original songs and a cover of Chris Isaak‘s “Wicked Game” that mark the first recorded appearance of the band with new frontwoman Siân Greenaway at the mic. Both the title-track and “Awn” make for a fitting showcase for Greenaway‘s integration with the lineup of guitarist David Day, bassist Dan Burchmore and drummer Jake Mason, and as the group move past their latest full-length, 2017’s Solennial (review here), they seem poised as well at the precipice of a new era with Greenaway taking the place of former guitarist/vocalist Sophie Day.

It is not a minor replacement. For a decade, Soph was a major factor in Alunah‘s sound and lyrical aesthetic. Greenaway does not shy from the task before her in these tracks. Instead, as the opening “Mångata” builds tension across its two and a half minutes leading into the title-cut, she steps forward and cuts through the chugging riff around her and a lead guitar line with immediate command and melodic presence. Rich with vibrato and an almost goth sensibility, to some of her semi-spoken verses, she nonetheless suits the rolling groove of the chorus fluidly, and as the song dips into a psychedelic bridge in its second half, she meets the drift head on in a manner that provides a human foundation and cleverly sets the stage for a return to the hook, which, as is Alunah‘s wont, is top grade. “Awn” follows suit with a more patient unfolding and arrangement of layers, with Mason‘s drums assuring the signature bounce of Alunah‘s rhythms is maintained through the verse as Burchmore‘s thickened tone provides familiar warmth and Day peppers in solos for accent between verses.

That Alunah would come out of these two originals sounding so much like Alunah is something of a relief for someone who’s a fan — as I am — but Greenaway makes an impression here as well, and it’s clear the band are looking to expand their sound in multiple directions even as they hold onto some familiar aspects of their approach. About the Chris Isaak cover: Alunah actually aren’t the first heavy band to take on “Wicked Game.” I believe that honor goes to Slow Horse circa 1999, but it well suits the largesse of tone Alunah bring to it, and the brooding vocals take on a sultry tone despite reminding of the kind of atmosphere Type O Negative might bring to such a cover.

As to what Alunah will do next, I haven’t a clue. I didn’t know there was an EP in the works until last week, so obviously I’ve got zilch as regards the inside track. Even so, if Amber & Gold is laying the groundwork for an eventual first full-length with Greenaway in the lineup, they only sound ready for it in these tracks. They have live dates set for the next couple months and presumably more plans for 2019 after that. We’ll just have to wait and see what the future holds.

Burchmore offered some comment on the EP, and you’ll find other info below, including the preorder link. Right under the player where you can hear the premiere of “Amber & Gold” itself, which it’s my distinct pleasure to host.

Enjoy:

Dan Burchmore on Amber & Gold:

Siân joining the band really opened up the potential for how our sound could change. She already had some idea of the direction her lyrical themes would take us, and that helped when we were constructing the songs. When it came to writing for the EP we wanted to capitalise on that, so when we were in the studio it was important that the different nuances and new energy of the songs could be heard clearly and that Siân was putting her stamp on this new definition of Alunah.

Alunah, Amber & Gold tracklist:
1. Mångata
2. Amber & Gold
3. Awn
4. Wicked Game

Preorder: http://alunah.bandcamp.com/album/amber-gold

Alunah live:
21.10 The Frog and Fiddle Cheltenham UK w/ Diamond Head
27.10 The Angel Microbrewery Nottingham UK
03.11 The Green Room Welwyn Garden City UK
10.11 Doom Over Vienna XIII Vienna AT
17.11 Asylum 2 Birmingham UK*
24.11 Temple of Boom Leeds UK
01.12 Pilgrims Pit Stoke UK
08.12 The Swan Ipswich UK

Alunah is:
Siân Greenaway – Vocals
David Day – Guitar
Daniel Burchmore – Bass
Jake Mason – Drums

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