Tomorrow, Friday, Aug. 15, marks the release date of Witchrider‘s new EP, Metamorph, on Fuzzorama Records. The Austrian heavy rockers are following up their 2020 sophomore full-length, Electrical Storm (review here), and bring six tracks across 23 minutes that, although the PR wire info immediately notes the move into a rawer presentation than the LP boasted, remain crisp and professional to be sure. “Used to Be a King” opens with a modern pulse underlying tones that complement the airy vocal melody, and the subsequent “Sound of the Presidents” pulls back on the tempo to make that groove feel broader, so if they’re talking ‘raw,’ it’s not lo-fi garage indie or recorded-onto-a-phone-from-a-room-mic fare. It still sounds sharper than half the records on your top 10.
Some of that feels like an inheritance from Queens of the Stone Age, who’ve been an element in Witchrider‘s sound all along — their debut, Unmountable Stairs, came out in 2014 — but an engagement with pop melody is a distinguishing factor, and the sense of scope brought to “Hold My Mind,” the spaciousness in the crash and sprawl, is their own. One is reminded of big-swing heavy rockers like Sundrifter, and as the initial shimmy of “Safe to Say” — a mellow roll that’s feeling good, if with some underlying emotional complexity — builds to its crescendo wash, the mix is engagingly three-dimensional. The song is three and a half minutes long, so we’re not talking the kind of thing that’s going to eat your entire afternoon, but they give a sense of dynamic just the same, and that continues as “Wake Me Up” digs further into electronics and perhaps inadvertently imagines a heavy rock Stabbing Westward. That may or may not be something you needed in your life, and you may or may not have known it.
The underlying bluesy sensibility of the songs and Mathew Bethancourt-esque vocal melodies come to fruition on the acoustic-based closer “Alive,” with backing shaker and a loose vibe like something out of one of the first couple The Kings of Frog Island LPs. With chains and handclaps and such produced-and-arranged hullabaloo, it reaffirms the notion that just because Witchrider are aiming for a more direct impact doesn’t mean they’re giving up on craft or creative progression. This is good news as regards these songs as well as, obviously, whatever they might do next, and if Metamorph — as if to say “change is in the air” — is indicative of a path they’re intending to walk in terms of sound, they approach it with artistic clarity and room to grow in kind. It’s not every band who, 13 years on from getting together, mark out a divergence in their own evolution. Anybody taking on Metamorph who’s dug into Witchrider before will find them consistent in terms of their foundation in songwriting, and if they’re new to you, well, they kind of sound new to themselves too, so that works out nicely.
Witchrider‘s Metamorph EP streams in full. It’s out tomorrow on Fuzzorama. Hit up that PR wire info in blue for more info:
Breaking away from the more polished tones of their previous release Electrical Storm, METAMORPH leans into a rawer, more unfiltered sound. As frontman Dan explains, “It took several attempts and studio setups to capture the direct, raw power of the drums and blend them with our heavy guitars to build the wall of sound we had in mind.”
Formed in 2012, WITCHRIDER have built a reputation as a must-see live act. Their explosive performances and gritty vocals have drawn comparisons to early Queens of the Stone Age and Foo Fighters — and with good reason. The band’s chemistry on stage is undeniable, their sound unapologetically loud and emotionally charged.
After making waves with their song Bad Boy featured in the final season of the US hit series Shameless, WITCHRIDER is once again proving why they’re one of Europe’s most exciting names in underground rock. With METAMORPH, they’re not just back — they’re reborn.
METAMORPH tracklisting: 1. Used to be a King 2. Sound of the Presidents 3. Hold My Mind 4. Safe to Say 5. Wake Me Up 6. Alive
Posted in Whathaveyou on July 17th, 2025 by JJ Koczan
Six tracks, six different impressions on Witchrider‘s upcoming EP, Metamorph. From post-QOTSA clean desert-heavy verring into psychedelia to the meaner push of “Wake Me Up” ahead of the acoustic-led finisher “Alive,” the Graz, Austria, rockers find their angles and melodies to convey a sense of craft while making it all sound natural like they just showed up at the rehearsal spot and the songs were there waiting for them.
It’s been five years since the four-piece issued their last album, Electrical Storm (review here), and while there’s no streaming audio from Metamorph as yet, I’m currently booked to stream the EP in full with a review on Aug. 14, so if you want to hear it, come back the day before the release and it’ll be here waiting. Of course, if you want to return to the site anytime between now and then, you’re certainly welcome to do that as well.
From the PR wire:
Get Ready to Ride the Fuzz – WITCHRIDER Unleash Their Boldest Sound Yet with METAMORPH
Mark your calendars for August 15th – Austrian stoner rock powerhouse WITCHRIDER is back with a vengeance. Their new 6-track EP, METAMORPH, is a high-octane evolution of the band’s signature style: heavy, fuzz-laden riffs paired with brooding, catchy melodies and emotionally raw lyrics. It’s a sonic journey through personal struggles and visceral moods, all delivered with unmistakable intensity.
Breaking away from the more polished tones of their previous release Electrical Storm, METAMORPH leans into a rawer, more unfiltered sound. As frontman Dan explains, “It took several attempts and studio setups to capture the direct, raw power of the drums and blend them with our heavy guitars to build the wall of sound we had in mind.”
Formed in 2012, WITCHRIDER have built a reputation as a must-see live act. Their explosive performances and gritty vocals have drawn comparisons to early Queens of the Stone Age and Foo Fighters — and with good reason. The band’s chemistry on stage is undeniable, their sound unapologetically loud and emotionally charged.
After making waves with their song Bad Boy featured in the final season of the US hit series Shameless, WITCHRIDER is once again proving why they’re one of Europe’s most exciting names in underground rock. With METAMORPH, they’re not just back — they’re reborn.
METAMORPH tracklisting: 1. Used to be a King 2. Sound of the Presidents 3. Hold My Mind 4. Safe to Say 5. Wake me Up 6. Alive
Posted in Whathaveyou on September 17th, 2024 by JJ Koczan
Granted, Truckfighters are pretty fresh in the ol’ brain after seeing them this past weekend, but while ‘always deliver live’ is an essential part of their ethic as a band, the Swedish troupe behind this fifth edition of the aptly-named Truckfighters Fuzz Festival are hardly the only appeal here. 1000mods will have just released their new album a couple weeks before Fuzz Festival #5 gets underway, and Slomosa and Bottenhavet, Daevar, High Desert Queen and 10,000 Years have or will have 2024 releases under their belt as well. Not to harp on it, but I also saw Domkraft this past weekend, and they don’t have a 2024 record but would nonetheless be a significant draw in this two-nighter’s favor if I happened to live in Stockholm.
Grand Atomic, Steak, Witchrider, Goddess (who I don’t know at all, but am inclined to check out based solely on their inclusion here), Siena Root, Håndgemeng and the ever-fluid Besvärjelsen complete a strong bill for the Debaser and adjacent Bar Brooklyn, and you’ll find the full lineup and ticket link, courtesy of the band’s socials and website:
The Truckfighters Fuzz Festival is back! For the 5th time, there will be riffing in the name of fuzz at Debaser Strand and Bar Brooklyn, this year on the weekend of November 22-23! One could say that the festival has become Sweden’s answer to a company party but here it’s all about fuzz, swing, and a damn good mood. All spread across 2 stages as we combine Debaser and Bar Brooklyn into a single festival frenzy over 2 days. You will be treated to great music from 6:15 pm to midnight on 2 stages, and the evening is not over there as DJs extend the nights with cool music and we hope for a great hangout.
The Venue is located on the island of Södermalm, in Stockholm. This is a very nice area in the central parts of town. Get there with subway or bus to “Hornstull” station.
The bands on the bill are hand picked by us to ensure a great evening! All bands are good! All bands play some kind of heavy groovy rock music with a fuzzy sound! We hope to see you. Keep the fuzz burning! / Truckfighters
Stockholm! Debases & Bar Brooklyn = Fuzz Festival #5 November 22nd & 23rd! 🔥🔥🔥
The lineup is nailed, one day tickets are released now so now we go!
Lineup: Truckfighters 1000mods Siena Root Slomosa Domkraft Witchrider Steak 10,000 Years Besvärjelsen Håndgemeng High Desert Queen Grand Atomic Bottenhavet Daevar Goddess
Posted in Whathaveyou on March 23rd, 2022 by JJ Koczan
Wit a lineup that brooks no argument, Riffolution Festival 2022 is set for mid-September in Sheffield, UK. Note the likes of Truckfighters (whose Spring tour dates are waiting on rescheduling) and Godflesh up at the top, and a broad spectrum of subsequent heavies, from Spaceslug, Slomatics and Boss Keloid the first day to Raging Speedhorn, Slabdragger and Mastiff the second. All told it’s 37 bands on three stages — which says to me the schedule is going to be tight, but doable — over the two days, and jeez, if you happen to find yourself in South Yorkshire early this Fall, one is hard-pressed to think of heavier way to spend that time. Hell, Stubb are playing. And King Witch. Right on
This is a lineup where bands will know each other, be familiar, be friendly, be drinking. You should go, join the party. And by you I mean me. Get out into the world again. It’s time, right?
As seen on the internet:
Riffolution Festival 2022 Lineup
Riffolution Festival 2022 full line-up is here, feast your eyes on our biggest event to date!
37 bands over 3 stages, at our new venue Network in Sheffield.
Big thanks to Scarlet Dagger Design for the amazing work on the poster.
Weekend + day tickets, as well as t-shirt bundles are available through the Riffolution Promotions website, and they’re already flying out.
If you wish to play next years show, we’re happy to listen to suggestions. Submit your details on the website or even show your support by grabbing a ticket and attending.
See you in September! https://www.riffolutionpromotions.com/festival
SATURDAY: Truckfighters / Naxatras / Spaceslug / Witchrider / Ten Foot Wizard / Swedish Death Candy / AWOOGA / Slomatics / Boss Keloid / KING WITCH / Dystopian Future Movies / Hair of the Dog / Mountain Caller / Trippy Wicked and the Cosmic Children of the Knight / Stubb / Psychlona / Suns of Thunder / The Lunar Effect / Elder Druid / Regulus
SUNDAY: GODFLESH / Raging Speedhorn / God Damn / Palm Reader / Svalbard / blanket / Slabdragger / Mastiff / Dog Tired / PIST / GURT / VIDEO NASTIES / Grave Lines / BEGGAR / Battalions / Gozer / Gandalf the Green
Posted in Whathaveyou on March 9th, 2021 by JJ Koczan
The UK being the hotbed that it has been for heavy acts over the last, say, 50 years, I guess you can do this kind of two-day festival there comprised mostly if not entirely of homegrown outfits and still have it be botha show well worth seeing — think the borders will be open by September? — and the kind of thing where you could easily add another day of bands. I don’t know what social-distancing regulations will be in place in Manchester come end of summer, and to be perfectly honest with you, I don’t care. Elephant Tree and Conan headlining a two-dayer after live music has been on pause for a year and a half? That’s a gig worth watching if the floor’s made of lava, never mind whether or not you’ve been vaccinated.
People gonna be d-r-u-n-k.
I probably don’t need to tell you how refreshing I find it to see a list of logos and band names on a poster, even one with a cartoon butt. Again, I don’t care. I’ll take what I can get at this point.
Friggin’ Sigiriya? Chubby Thunderous? It’d be like five years’ worth of the UK-based bands I’d love to see all piled onto one bill.
Alas:
Finally the day has come to release the line-up we’ve been so eager to share with you all.
We know it was a great disappointment not to be able to host shows in 2020, but this is set to be such a monster of a weekend to make up for it.
Special thanks to the support from our partners in Lizard King Promotions / Stonebaked Promotions / The Sophie Festival
Posted in Reviews on December 28th, 2020 by JJ Koczan
New week, same Quarterly Review. Today is the next-to-last round for this time, though once again, I look at the folders of albums on my desktop and the CDs and LPs that have come in and I realize it could easily go longer. I never really caught up from the last QR. I guess it’s been that kind of year. In any case, more good stuff today, so sit tight and enjoy. If you didn’t find anything last week that stuck out to you, maybe today’s your day.
Quarterly Review #51-60:
Emma Ruth Rundle & Thou, May Our Chambers Be Full
Sure, there’s poise and plunder amid torrents of emotion and weighted tonality, but what’s really astonishing about May Our Chambers Be Full, the first collaboration between Louisville’s Emma Ruth Rundle (Red Sparowes‘ third LP, the Nocturnes, Marriages, etc.) and New Orleans’ sludgers Thou is that it feels so much more substantial than its 36 minutes. That’s not to say it drags, though it does when it wants to in terms of tempo, but just that its impact both in songs where Rundle and Thou‘s Bryan Funck trade off like “Ancestral Recall” or when they come together as on opener “Killing Floor” is such that it feels longer. Atmosphere is certainly a factor, but May Our Chambers Be Full is so striking because of its blend of extremity and melody, emotion and sheer catharsis, and the breadth that seems to accompany its consuming crush. In a couple years, there are going to be an awful lot of bands putting out debut albums that sound very much like this. Follow-up EP out soon.
Produced by the band and Piotr Grzegorowski — who also guests on synth and guitar — during the plague-addled Spring of 2020, Spaceslug‘s Leftovers EP represents a branching out in terms of style to incorporate a sense of melancholy alongside their established sprawling psychedelics. The 21-minute five-tracker is less a follow-up to 2019’s Reign of the Orion (review here) than a standalone sidestep, but in the acoustic/synth rollout of “From Behind the Glass” and in the especially-stripped-down-feeling centerpiece “The Birds are Loudest in May” it lives up to the challenge of blending an organic atmosphere with the otherworldly sensibilities Spaceslug have honed so well throughout their tenure. Having started with its longest and synthiest track in “Wasted Illusion,” Leftovers caps with the shorter and more active “Place to Turn” and its title-track, which adds a spindly layer of electric guitar (or something that sounds like it) for an experimentalist vibe. Very 2020, but no less welcome for that. The question is whether these impulses show up in Spaceslug‘s work from here on out, and if so, how.
Malmö-based four-piece Malsten make their full-length debut on Interstellar Smoke Records with the four-song/44-minute The Haunting of Silvåkra Mill, and in so doing show an immediate command of post-Pallbearer spaciousness and melodic-doom traditionalism. Their lumber is prevalent and engrossing tonally on opener “Torsion” (10:36), uses silence effectively on “Immolation” (10:24), and seems to find a place between Warning and Lord Vicar on “Grinder” (9:02) ahead of the epic-on-top-of-epics summary in closer “Compunction” (13:54), which finds Malsten having reserved another level of heavy to keep as their final statement. So be it. Very heavy and worthy of as much volume as you can give it, The Haunting of Silvåkra Mill is an accomplished beginning and heralds significant potential on the part of what’s to come from Malsten. I’d watch this band do a live stream playing this record front-to-back. Just saying.
A significant undertaking of progressive heavy and noise rock, Sun Crow‘s Quest for Oblivion is among the most ambitious debut albums I’ve heard in 2020, but there’s nothing it sets for itself in terms of goals that it doesn’t accomplish, as vocalist Charles Wilson flips between clean melodies and effective screams atop the riffs of guitarist Ben Nechanicky, the bass of Brian Steel and Keith Hastreiter‘s drums. Somebody’s gonna sign these guys. Even at 70 minutes, Quest for Oblivion, from its post-apocalyptic standpoint, aesthetic cohesion, fluid songcraft and accomplished performance, is simply too good to leave without a proper 2LP release. Individualized in atmosphere though working with familiar-enough elements, it is an album that makes it joyously difficult to pick apart influences, unleashing an initial burst of four longer tracks before giving way (albeit momentarily) to “Fear” and the outlying, brazenly Motörheady “Nothing Behind” before returning to cosmic heavy in “Hypersonic” and the 11-minute “Titans,” which uses its time just as well as everything else that surrounds. Ironic that a record that seems to be about a wasteland should bring so much hope for the future.
It doesn’t take Honeybadger long to land their first effective punch on their debut LP, Pleasure Delayer, as the hook of opener/longest track (immediate points) “The Wolf” hits square on the jaw and precedes an atmospheric guitar outro that leads into the rest of the album as a closer might otherwise lead the way out. A product of Athens’ heavy rock boom, the four-piece distinguish themselves in fuzzy tones and an approach that comes right to the edge of burl and doesn’t quite tip over, thankfully and gracefully staving off chestbeating in favor of quality songcraft on “The Well” and the engagingly bass-led “Crazy Ride,” from which the initially slower, bluesier “Good for Nothing” picks up with some Truckfighters, some 1000mods and a whole lot of fun. Side B’s hooks are no less satisfyingly straightforward. “That Feel” feels born for the stage, while “Laura Palmer” makes a memorable chorus out of that Twin Peaks character’s slaying, the penultimate “Holler” feels indeed like the work of a band trying to stand themselves out from a crowded pack and “Truth in the Lie” caps mirroring the energy of “Good for Nothing” but resounding in a cold finish. Efficient, hooky, smoothly executed. There’s nothing one might reasonably ask of Pleasure Delayer that it doesn’t deliver.
Released name-your-price as a benefit for the venue The Lost Well in Monte Luna‘s hometown of Austin and derived from a CvltNation-sponsored livestream, the three-song Mind Control Broadcast follows 2019’s Drowners’ Wives (review here) and is intended as a glimpse at their impending third LP, likely due in 2021. That record will be one to look forward to, but it’ll be hard to trade out the raw bludgeon of “Blackstar” — the leadoff here — for another, maybe-not-live-recorded version. True, the setting doesn’t necessarily allow for the band to bring in guests like they did last time around or to flesh out melodies in the same way, but the sound is brash and thrilling and lets “Rust Goliath” live up to its name in largesse, while saving its nastiest for last in “Fear the Sun,” the glorious bassline of which it feels like a spoiler even mentioning for someone who hasn’t heard it yet. 22 of the sludgiest minutes you’re likely to spend today.
As satisfying as the laid-back-heavy desert rock flow of “Rolito” is, and as well done as what surrounds on Hombrehumano‘s 2019 debut album, Crepuscular, turns out to be in its 53-minute run, it’s in the longer pieces like the Western “Puerto Gris” or the post-Brant Bjork “Metamorfosis” that they really shine. That’s not to take away from the opening instrumental “Nomada” that establishes the tones and sets the atmosphere in which the rest of the record takes place, or the nod of “Primaveras de Olvido,” and certainly the fuzz-boogie and percussion of “Ouroboro” shine in a manner worthy of being depicted on the cover, but the Argentinian four-piece do well with the extra time to flesh out their material. But, either way you go, you go. Hombrehumano craft sweet fuzz and spaciousness on “Puerto Gris” and answer it back later in “Zombakice” and add twists of percussion and acoustics and vocal effects — never mind the birdsong — on closer “Del Ensueño.” Es un ejemplo más de lo que le falta a la cultura gringo al no adorar fuertemente a los sudamericanos.
Even my non-Spanish-speaking ass can translate Viva el Diablo, the title of Mexican instrumentalist three-piece Veljet‘s debut album. Initially released by the band in March 2020, it was subsequently reissued for physical pressing with a seventh track, “Leviatan,” added, bringing the runtime to a vinyl-ready 37 minutes. The apparently-devil-worshiping title-cut is still the longest at a doomly eight minutes, but though the production is fairly raw, Veljet‘s material taps into a few different impulses within the heavy rock sphere, offsetting willfully repetitive riffing in “El Día de las Manos” with scorching solo work while “Jay Adams” — presumably named in homage to the Dogtown skater — pulls some trad-metal riffing into its second half. “Cutlass” is short at 2:36, but makes the record as a whole feel less predictable for that, and the add-on “Leviatan” embodies its great sea beast with a nod up front that opens to later cacophony. The vibe throughout is you’re-in-the-room live jams, and Veljet have well enough chemistry to carry the songs across in that setting.
Smoothly produced and executed, not lacking energy but produced for a very studio-style fullness, Witchrider‘s second LP arrives via Fuzzorama Records in answer to 2014’s Unmountable Stairs with a pro-shop feel for its 50-minute duration. Songs are sharply hooked and energetic, beefing up Queens of the Stone Age-style desert rock early on “Shadows” and “You Lied” before the guitars introduce a broader palette with the title-track. The chorus of “Mess Creator” and the big finish in closer “The Weatherman” are highlights, but songs like “Keep Me out of It” and “Come Back” feel built for a commercial infrastructure that — at least in radio-free America — doesn’t exist anymore. I’m not sure what it takes to attract the attention of picky algorithms, but if it’s grounded songwriting, varied material and crisp performance like it was when there was a cable channel playing music videos, then Witchrider are ready to roll. As it stands, the Austrian outfit seem underserved by the inability to even get on a festival stage and play this material live to win converts in that manner. They’re hardly alone in that, but with material that seems so poised specifically toward audience engagement, it comes through all the more, which of course is a testament to the quality of the work itself.
Opening with its longest track (immediate points) in the 10-minute “Silver Dagger” and presented with the burning red eyes of Christopher Lee’s Dracula on the front, the 33-minute 3 tape from Seattle’s Devil Worshipper maintains the weirdo-experimental spirit of the outfit’s 2015 self-titled debut (review here), finding a kind of Butthole Surfers-into-a-cassette-recorder, anything-goes-until-it-sucks, dark ’90s psychedelia they call “garage metal.” Fair enough. Apparently more efficient than anything I can come up with for it, though what doesn’t necessarily account for is the way the 3 challenges the listener, the remastered versions of “Into Radiation Wave” and “Chem Rails” from the first album, or the horror atmospherics of “Drinking Blood.” It’s like it’s too weird for this planet so it finally made one for itself. Well earned.
Posted in Whathaveyou on June 12th, 2019 by JJ Koczan
As the initial promise was eight bands and there are now eight bands confirmed, I’m going to hazard the guess that the lineup for Truckfighters‘ Fuzz Festival #1 this December in Stockholm is complete. The second round of adds includes Skraeckoedlan, Witchrider, Parasol Caravan and Electric Hydra, following up on the initiaL announcement, which included Truckfighters — obviously — Greenleaf, Deville and Motorowl. I think I noted last time around that I had been kicking around the idea of doing an Obelisk All-Dayer in Sweden, and indeed, Debaser Strand was a venue I had been looking at. This pretty much kills that idea. I was thinking June, not December, but how many festivals does one venue in Stockholm hold when there haven’t really been any there before? You see my point.
I’ll go back to the drawing board and figure something out, and maybe do something somewhere else. We’ll see.
And in the meantime, good for Truckfighters, not only doing the reunion thing after a shortlived hiatus, but coming back with something new on offer as well.
Dig it:
New bands announced for Truckfighters Fuzz Festival in Stockholm
We are happy to announce:
SKRAECKOEDLAN – Sweden. Norrköpings, finest stoner rock band. Recently released the stunning album ‘Eorþe’ they will deliver an experience out of the ordinary. https://www.facebook.com/SKRAECKOEDLAN/
WITCHRIDER – Austria. The occult stoner sound from Graz will sound in Stockholm. Can not be anything but good music since these guys are born in the same town as Arnold Schwarzenegger. https://www.facebook.com/witchriderband/
PARASOL CARAVAN – Austria. Classic stoner sound with a magic groove all the way from Linz. Yeah not just one but two bands from the country famous for the mountains and the stoner rock ;) https://www.facebook.com/parasolcaravan/
With previously announced acts TRUCKFIGHTERS, GREENLEAF, DEVILLE and MOTOROWL the line up is now complete. Not time enough for more bands in one night. It’s gonna be a super rad evening as we guarantee every band on the bill is stellar. We intend to make this an annual event so grab your ticket and support the fuzzy scene. The sooner we sell out the bigger the plans for 2020 editions will become.
This one’s beamed in from a universe of all good times. I don’t want to walk around tooting my own horn like I actually did anything, but you’ll pardon me if I say that once you get on board here, you might not want to jump back off. The flow is up and down, alternately drawn out and rushing, and right up to the last song which is a bit of a return to earth, the second hour is the most spaced out it’s ever been around these parts. I’m way into it. I hope you’re way into it.
Like last time, I tried to get a mix of excellent stuff upcoming with other recent items you might’ve missed. One of these days I’m gonna do another one of these where I talk, but this is straight-up track into track the whole way through and I think it moves really well that way. Please feel free to grab a download or hit the stream and dig in and enjoy.
First Hour:
The Melvins, “Sesame Street Meat” from Hold it In (2014)
Fever Dog, “One Thousand Centuries” from Second Wind (2014)
Lo-Pan, “Eastern Seas” from Colossus (2014)
Witchrider, “Black” from Unmountable Stairs (2014)
Alunah, “Awakening the Forest” from Awakening the Forest (2014)
Craang, “Magnolia” from To the Estimated Size of the Universe (2014)
Slow Season, “Shake” from Mountains (2014)
Lucifer in the Sky with Diamonds, “Guillotine” from The Shining One (2014)
The Proselyte, “Irish Goodbye” from Our Vessel’s in Need (2014)
Flood, “Lake Nyos” from Oak (2014)
Lord, “Golgotha” from Alive in Golgotha (2014)
Second Hour:
My Brother the Wind, “Garden of Delights” from Once There was a Time When Time and Space were One (2014)
Spidergawd, “Empty Rooms” from Spidergawd (2014)
The Myrrors, “Whirling Mountain Blues” from Solar Collector (2014)
Witch Mountain, “Your Corrupt Ways (Sour the Hymn)” from Mobile of Angels (2014)
is engagingly three-dimensional. The song is three and a half minutes long, so we’re not talking the kind of thing that’s going to eat your entire afternoon, but they give a sense of dynamic just the same, and that continues as “Wake Me Up” digs further into electronics and perhaps inadvertently imagines a heavy rock Stabbing Westward. That may or may not be something you needed in your life, and you may or may not have known it.
