Frozen Planet…1969 “From The Center Of A Parallel Universe” Album Review + Stream…

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FROZEN PLANET…1969

From The Centre Of A Parallel Universe – Limited Vinyl // CD // DD

Pepper Shaker Records – released August 30, 2017

Reviewed by Ric “Suisyko” Dorr

 

Formed:
Early 2012

Location:
Sydney / Canberra, Australia

Personnel:
Guitars – Paul Attard

Bass – Lachlan Paine

Drums – Frank Attard

Previous Releases:
“Frozen Planet….1969” (2012)

“Lost Traveller Chronicles, Volume 1” (2014)

“Lost Traveller Chronicles, Volume 2” (2015)

“Electric Smokehouse” EP (2017)

 

 

First, a bit of background:

When asked to describe how this band came to be, they collectively answered, quote “We are a band called Frozen Planet…1969. The emphasis is on improvisation. No vocals, just straight-out instrumental jamming.” Enquote.  It was basically a side-project for the three individuals as Paul and Frank had been playing in the stoner-doom band, Mother Mars while Lachlan was playing in the Canberra, Aussie heavy rock trio, Looking Glass. Having played their first show in February of 2014, the band has only played a handful of shows, each consisting of a 30-40 minute jam session. Each individual show is unique, no rehearsals needed. According to Frozen Planet…1969′s Facebook presence, quote “Every time the band gets together in the studio there will be two or three separate jams, with each jam usually clocking in at anywhere between 60 and 90 minutes. The editing and mixing process (done by drummer / producer Frank Attard) is very important for the band in order to capture the most effective and cohesive moments from the jam sessions.” Enquote. Certainly explains how they are seeming so prolific and that is NEVER a bad thing, especially with the caliber of music offered up here.

Band Shot

Five songs clocking in at just over 43 minutes, combined to give you the present needed to further melt your brain, opening with ‘Signals (Channeling….)’ and flowing into hyper-fuzzed, hyper tempoed, bass screaming in the thickest rumble heard as ‘Celestial Gambler’ races in front of you as you sprint to keep close, psychedelic ramblings encasing you in all of the Timothy Leary glory possible without the electric-Kool-Aid, jazz fills in tow and that lumbering bass line that commands you to follow during this 11 minute romp across that astral horizon looming ahead. Complete with an ending that sums up the tale of no words with an exclamation point that is absolute perfection and fades to a slow black.

‘Through Hell’s Kaleidoscope, Parts I & II’ is a quick fade in with a jangly, bouncy bass line and what can only be described as the ultra-spaced out panache of synchronicity divine as these three weave complete visual tapestries with not a word uttered, only mood and atmosphere to give your mind the things necessary to see what they are saying with each note and flick of the wrist. As the warbling chords of ‘The Lady And The Archer’ come forth with a more even handed pace than previous. That presence of emotional purity is still flowing right from the fingertips directly into the sub-conscious as you can’t help but ride the ripples in the air that circles you as you take this all in.

Vinyl Shot

Closer, ‘Ancient Wings Taking Flight’ brings back the frenetic tempos blended with the spaced-out string bending that leads to the perfect summation of not only this record, but of the precision musicality delivered under the guise of a jam-band that delivers EVERY time.

Get this record NOW, grab everything else you can find by these guys and play it to the Heavens and beyond!! Support them live if they come anywhere close and keep it LOUD!!

Promo Image

Cosmic Fall // Aphodyl “Starsplit” Album Review + Stream…

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Cosmic Fall and Aphodyl

Starsplit – Vinyl // CD // DD

PsyKA Records – released July 27, 2017

Reviewed by Terry “The Ancient One” Cuyler

 

The Starsplit Enterprise

 

 

Star date: 8/30/17 – Space, time, … as everyone even somewhat familiar with Albert Einstein theory of relativity knows  one’s perception of them changes when traveling at the speed of light. Music strangely enough has a similar effect which I was reminded of while listening to the “Starsplit” album last night. An endeavor by two stoner rock bands from Berlin who decided to share some vinyl Cosmic Fall and Aphodyl released a split aptly named “Starsplit” on PsyKA Records, a small underground label from Karlsruhe, Germany. This epic journey has a total run time of 6 tracks lasting 1 hour and 17 minutes on their CD release and 4 tracks lasting about 47 minutes on their Vinyl Release. I found I really didn’t care about time and just enjoyed the moment on each song, which is what good psychedelic/stoner rock is about. Normally I don’t talk about each song on an album but I feel I would be doing these guys an injustice if I didn’t explain why I liked each of their songs.

 

Cosmic Fall Logo

On the A-Side of “Starsplit” is Cosmic Fall. Founded in June 2016 by Bassist Klaus Friedrich, and drummer Daniel Sax.  With 2 impressive self produced Heavy Psyche albums “Cosmic Fall” has returned from the  stars to lay down some more of their otherworldly instrumental space rock with an urban feel to it for us.

Galactic desert rock is what I like to call the albums 1st track ‘Overhead Intelligence.’ It begins with a slow bluesy guitar jam  done by Mathias Rosmann accompanied by Klaus Friedrich’s mellow bass notes emphasis by a few well timed drum beats. Then drummer Daniel Sax helps to kick the song into warp drive allowing Mathias and Klaus to amaze the listener with a stellar guitar performance. ‘Blues at CME’ is pure  ZZ Top instrumental worship that feels like a late night cruise on the back roads of Texas in my cheap sun glasses where a UFO lands and some hot space chicks abduct me to take me on a cruise through the stars. Closing out the Cosmic Fall side of the album is the Bonus Track  ‘Sleeping Pandora.’ Beginning with a Bass and Drum lead by Klaus and Daniel while Mathias plays a far away psychedelic guitar that seems to ebb and flow like the ocean tides. A superb track to close out Cosmic Fall’s 39+ minutes of Cosmic Traveling!!  Up next on Side B…..

APHODYL
Aphodyl_Album Cover

On the B-Side APHODYL!! – No matter the medium I have found Germans have always seemed to have a big Avante Garde art scene that challenges people’s perceptions. Biene, Holli, André & Arno are no exception. Playing music that comes from their minds with much influence from the psychedelic and Krautrock realms, (Pink Floyd, UFO, Hawkwind, Jane etc.) APHODYL fearlessly experiments with sound. On the  APHODYL side of “Starsplit” is what I consider to be 1 long song that has been separated into  3 movements simply titled  ‘Part I, II and III(bonus).’

‘Part I’ begins  with what sounds like a bluesy heavy psych guitar lead by André with some jazz style percussion and bass by Hollie and Arno. As the band starts getting into the song they start working in the strange psychedelic sounds. In the second movement  you feel like you are under a desert sky riding along on a caravan under the stars watching flying saucers through the combination of  instrumental sound effects by Biene, Middle Eastern style guitar playing and that chugging bass. Then at the mid point the lead starts taking off all the while the band is adding sounds from their synth and the bass by Arno begins to feel like its speaking a strange mantra. Then the third bonus movement begins with sounds of a sultry night with a cool bass and drum lead in then the electric blues guitar starts playing music you can actually feel. I’d love to hear more by APHODYL and will be scouring the internet to see what they have available.

While you can still buy Merchandise this album is no longer available for purchase on Bandcamp but fear not you can still get CD’s and Vinyl direct from the band, Cosmic Fall.  Simply drop them a line at their email cosmicfallband@gmail.com.

Additional Links:
http://www.clostridiumrecords.com/

https://cosmicfallband.tumblr.com/

http://www.aphodyl.com/

http://www.allthatisheavy.com/Cosmic_Fall_Aphodyl_Star_Split_Marble_IMPORT_LP_p/ath-12273.htm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJkOD9CM6U0

Brock Davisson “Outtakes From The Soul” Album Review + Live Video…

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“In Case You Missed It Series” – Episode 3

BROCK DAVISSON

Outtakes From The Soul – CD (sold out) // DD – CD Baby

Self Released – 2015

Reviewed by Ric “Suisyko” Dorr

 

Location – Marietta, Ohio

Released in 2015, BROCK DAVISSON has poured his soul into each of these 9 tracks that offer insight into the man himself and over these 33+ minutes, we are given the chance to ‘see with his eyes’ through his fingers. When asked to describe himself, he stated “I’m 4’4″ tall in a wheelchair from club foot and dwarfism and my entire life purpose is music. Without it, I don’t exist.” He has won 3 ‘CA HOUSE MUSIC’ guitar competitions so far in Parkersburg, West Virginia, came in 2nd in few others, and has won a few online guitar/music contests as well.

Mixing dirty blues into out-right rock-n-roll and then shifting into flat-out instrumental-bliss, all mixing perfectly together in flow from the first notes of title track ‘Outtakes From The Soul’ to the closing section of closer ‘If Only’ with a pinnache and attention to detail that makes this album a must have. No two songs sound alike on this but the ‘touch’ on each is the same, from the core of his being and that shines with every note.

brock-davisson-lge

Two songs in particular stand out to ME, the first being instrumental ‘Vagrant’ with it’s slow blues fire smoldering with the clean-tone leads that permeate this heart-string-puller.  Then there is ‘Tremors’ where we are reminded that “God is a safe-place to hide, ready to help when needed.” over a mid-tempo pace that allows Brock to demonstrate his mastery of his ‘over-the-neck’ technique that has been his method of playing all along. I have been blown away by how incredible each offering Brock puts out via his Facebook page and his YouTube channel is in originality and prowess. He has done things that are heavy as all get out to as soft as a kitten’s fur, ALL showing just what can be accomplished with dedication and love and his heart is open and poured deep into every crevice of every measure played.

WELL worth a revisit if you are already a fan, a MUST-HAVE for the rest of the world!! Get it NOW if you don’t already have it and share it with the rest of YOUR world and KEEP IT LOUD!!

Links:
https://www.discogs.com/Brock-Davisson-And-Friends-Outtakes-From-The-Soul/release/7400856
https://www.facebook.com/Brokstar

MUSICIANS ON THIS ALBUM:
Brock Davisson “all tracks except track 9, only lyrics”
Andy Holbrook “track 2,3,4,5,6,7,8”
Courtney Holbrook “track 8”
Michael Francis “track 2,7”
Todd Schexnider “track 4,6”
Jeremy Harmon “track 2,4,5,6,7”
Daniel Everson “track 5”
Jeremy Mayle “track 9”
Robert Lawson “track 3”
Greg Lester “track 8”

The Brockstar Empire Has Begun…

Dustrider “Event Horizon” Album Review & Exclusive Album Stream

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Dustrider

Event Horizon – CD // DD

Argonauta Records – Release Date: May 19, 2017

Reviewed by Aaron “Red Beard” Wall

 

The next event horizon, from Italy’s mighty Argonauta Records, is Dustrider’s debut full length, titled just that…”Event Horizon.” A very fitting title to this tripped and stoned out fuzz fest into the ether of outer space. An instrumental band formed in Rome in early 2015, Dustrider released the self produced EP entitled, ‘Mother Engine.’ In steps Argonauta Records.  Dustrider and Argonauta both hail from Italy, so its definitely a match made in hell. In my humble opinion,  Gero and the crew at Argonauta have a finger on the pulse of the cutting edge of heavy music…and this release by Dustrider is no different. The band consists of Bruno ‘BrÜno’ Bellisario on guitar, bassist Andrea ‘Keoma’ Romano, and Francesco ‘Krundaal’ Romano on drums.  A few fat spliffs, a couple grams of shrooms, and the baddest dune buggy you’ve ever laid eyes on.  These are the tools you’ll need for “Event Horizon!”

As ‘Warped’ starts the record, you get in your kick ass buggy and turn the key. The song starts with a thunderous rhythm and bass heavy intro as you rev the motor of this beast. Drop it into drive as you feel the “tools” kick in…and you’re off with wheels kicking up the desert sand. Riffs and groove, manifest as you raise a middle finger in the air. As you light the first spliff Dustrider takes off into a heavy psyche wonderland. Weaving and twisting in bliss. As the song ends with feedback of fuzzy distortion,  I cant wait to see where the rest of our spaced out journey goes.

Band Promo Pic

 

Second track ‘Cosmo’ kicks in with a classic rock intro, then boom we’re off again with spliff in hand. Racing across a floor of desert riffage. This band needs no vocals, the music itself tells a story and takes you away into your imagination. It’s a thrilling ride so far.

‘They Live!’ is the fuzziest so far. A straightforward stoner jam with a glorious and colorful psychedelic solo. The double bass lick at the end is sick! Wait for it. The drum sound on the record as a whole is great. It’s raw but refined. Sounds like real drums. Played by a real good drummer. I dig that.

‘Fallout Criminal’ follows and is an exercise in Fu Manchu. ‘Nuff said.

The next three songs, ‘Agartha,’ ‘Stratosphere,’ and the title track ‘Event Horizon’ are standout tracks that take our badass dune buggy up in to space. We’re floating, we’re flying, and we’re not denying that the mushrooms are taking over.

These songs turn and soar, they bring heavy and can destroy. Tracers of shooting stars are so close, almost touchable as they shoot away with the riffs. Then they let us gently down. We breathe as we ready ourselves for the conclusion of our heavily psyched out stoner trip across the universe. From the desert floor to the galaxies.

The closing tracks to the album ‘Ultima IV’ and ‘Dust Devil’ end Event Horizon perfectly. They are exhilarating and celebratory. Dustrider makes you reminisce on the adventure, and make you wanna get on this dune buggy spaceship and do it all over again…and again…and again.

Dustrider have focus yet flexibility on ‘Event Horizon’ they know when to hold on and they also know when to let go. I for one love instrumental bands and this three piece know how to do it to perfection. They make you hear in colors and in dialogue by the notes, and the complete songs they play. They tell a story, but let you write the script. Your mind is the canvas and Dustrider paints it. ‘Event Horizon’ is an amazing record. I don’t know about ya’ll but I’m getting back in the dune buggy to take another trip with Dustrider and you should too!!

Band Pic

 

Matt Chanway “Self Titled” – Album Review & Stream…

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Matt Chanway

Self Titled – DD only 

Self Released:  December 25, 2016

Reviewed by Terry “The Ancient One” Cuyler

For some people listening to Instrumental musicians can be difficult. After all most stories are told with words or pictures. Trying to convey a story through music alone alone is no easy feat. It seems to me Matt Chanway of the Canadian black metal band Assimilation was up for the challenge when he wrote his “Self Titled” debut album.  This solo project sounds like an army of musicians when it’s Matt pulling out all the stops.  Layers and Layers of wicked hooks and riffs that have a purpose and sense of direction that many instrumental musicians / bands often times lack.  Not the case with Matt Chanway!!

 

 

From beginning to end Matt plays at a furious pace taking the listener on a unearthly ride through the Wyrd. With soaring and diving guitar leads, technical leads, its easy to get lost in this album. But that’s okay I love to get lost in music. Listeners of his past work with band Assimilation will get to hear Matt unchained from the conventions of black metal.

‘Evidence of the Arcane’ is the first track on Matt’s debut album and seems aptly named. Exploding in my head like an epiphany the album’s 5 other tracks: ‘The Receiver of Wisdom’, ‘Harbinger 2.1’, ‘271114’,  ‘Eyes in the Sky’, and  ‘Lucidity’ all felt like chapters in a tale of Metal discovery to me. This is definitely an album worth owning.  For fans of Isis the Band and Karma to Burn to name two.

 

New Album Review – My Sleeping Karma “Mela Ananda – Live”

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MY SLEEPING KARMA 

Mela Ananda – Live – Vinyl / DVD / CD / DD

Napalm Records – Release Date: 2/24/2017 

 

Aschaffenburg, Germany is home to the four men that make up MY SLEEPING KARMA. The town is located in the southwest part of Germany, 41 kilometers (25 mi) southeast of Frankfurt, Aschaffenburg lies in the far northwest of the state of Bavaria. This is referenced only to give you an idea of where they hail from and give some perspective into these master musicians that proclaim they are “Not beginners or amateurs and when they take the stage, you will forget everything around you as they take you by the hand into the deepest, hidden corners of your soul” enquote. Tough to imagine from a band that has potato chips showing as the band interest and list SLAYER as another band they love…

 

Band Live Pic

 

Five studio albums later, beginning in 2006, sporting two singles and an appearance on Napalm Record’s Christmas compilation, MY SLEEPING KARMA has put together a ‘Greatest Hits’ of sorts ranging from the first self-titled 6-track record all the way through to 2015’s release “Moksha” and the result – “Mela Ananda Live,” is simply stellar!!  Classifying their musical style as a conglomeration of Psychedelic / Stoner / Instrumental / Space / Progressive Rock, it is awe-inspiring how they move between lush almost-jazz tempered cool into near metal-thundering riffs ripping through you, never dropping a beat throughout this 68-minute beast, traversing of what can best be described as inner catacombs.  Each track exposing its own light across the shifting shadows of drums / bass / keyboards and guitar, keeping your attention as you hear every word that is never spoken by the voices of this quartet, each voice offering its own color.  I barely noticed the audience between songs with the flow of the performance being as smooth as tempered glass.

 

Touring Schedule with Images

 

Each of the ten tracks included would have been the ones I would have selected from their extensive library if I had been asked to design the set-list, personal favorite ‘Psilocybe’ especially and the running order lends to that smooth-as-glass tempering making this offering almost as good as being there yourself!!  Great introduction to a veteran band that seems to tour nonstop as their schedule for March 2017 they have posted shows; every day booked from 3-16 to 4-1-17. If you get the chance, go and reward yourself to this near-transcendental experience offered to you. If you cannot, immediately add this album to your library and enjoy the inner-ride. As they further state, “My Sleeping Karma offers the perfect movie soundtrack to everybody’s own inner journey. Just be warned, you may never want to leave again!!” enquote. Nothing better than ‘truth in advertising’ and this record is exactly that. OUTSTANDING accomplishment!!

Words by Ric “Suisyko” Dorr

 

Album Review – Frozen Planet…1969 “Electric Smokehouse”

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Frozen Planet….1969

Electric Smokehouse – Release January 11th, 2017

Headspin Records & Pepper Shaker Records – Vinyl / CD / DD

 

 

You awaken from your artificial sleep, roused by the pulsings and rumblings within your starship’s harmonic hull.  Taking the helm, you notice you’ve just exited the wormhole, and you’re approaching your ultimate destination.  You’ve traveled both time and space to experience this place, said to be unlike any other in the known universe.  The light of this foreign galaxy burns the last semblance  of slumber from your eyes.  You slowly see the first light glisten and sparkle off it for the first time, the Frozen Planet….1969.

 

Electric Smokehouse_Album Cover

 

 

You’ve brought no crew – this is a solo trip.  You alone can see the stars shimmer off the planet’s icy ionosphere, you alone will hear the starship sing as its encounters the gaseous upper atmosphere.  You alone will feel the heat of the ship’s hull as it dares its delicate descent towards the frozen field below.  Slamming on the retro thrusters, you carefully calculate the angle of entry and brac for landing.  The impact is minimal, and you quickly gather up your supplies and lower the stairs towards the icy ground below.  Bracing yourself for the frigid cold and chill winds, you grab a fur-lined overcoat and pull the hood over your long hair.  The oxygen is rich here, though it will become thinner as you climb the frost covered mountains towards the ominous Electric Smokehouse.

You wander past a frozen lake, and see Barbarella’s starship, desperately in need of repairs.  You know that she’s about to be attacked by a gang of children bearing dolls with snapping metal teeth, and if you were to take the time to simply rescue her, you could make sweet, sweet love to her on a featherbed inside a giant sled propelled by a sail.  Alas, you also know that there’s no time for such diversions, and another will be along shortly to ensure her safety.  Your pace quickens, and you begin the steep ascent up the sacred mountain, on top of which lies the Electric Smokehouse, an elusive place chock full of sonic daydreams and mystical soundscapes.  As you climb, placing hand over hand and foot over foot, you gaze up in wonder at the small shack resting stoically at the top of the mountain.  It approaches faster and faster, and soon you catch the first wisps of rhythm echoing from within the smokehouse’s wooden walls.  Soon the frantic pounding of the drums is joined by the throbbing undulation of bass guitar deeply digging into a hypnotic groove.  The higher the climb, the more apparent it becomes that the strange noises your heard in the background are from a single six string guitar which speaks in sonic tongues, repeating what seem like mind-warping mantras over and over in some strange electric language that penetrates straight into the inner depths of your psyche.

 

Band Shot

 

Finally reaching the summit, you set off down the path towards the small smokehouse, taking in the sights of the planet’s three suns reflecting off the snowy peaks and frozen valleys.  The music from within continues to intensify as you open the front door.  You’re greeted by three men, who introduce themselves simply as Paul on guitar, Lachian on bass, and Frank on drums.  They speak to you without missing a beat or even a single note, and somehow their soft voices are briefly projected above the heavy jams emanating from their instruments.  The guitar seamlessly shifts from searing leads to heavy riffs, shimmering chords to strange echoed oscillations.  The bass works the groove, while every once in awhile adding in a slice of melody or jammy leads, and the drums alternate between busy rhythms and stoic understatement.  Your ears are treated to all manner of otherwordly sounds as the trio jams on endlessly, for what seems like hours, days even week.  All too soon, your supplies are deplete and it’s time to make the long return trek to your planet of origin.

As you head back to your spacecraft, you can’t help but think that fans of Earthless may also find a trip to  the Frozen Planet….1969 to be quite a worthwhile venture.  You climb back aboard your ship, engage the autopilot, open up a fresh wormhole and prepare to enter your cryogenic sleep, with all heavy jams you’ve just taken in still bouncing around in your cerebellum.  You smile as the gentle psychedelic slumber overtakes you, and you ponder what new grand adventure will await you when you awaken….

By Andy “Dingo Ate My Baby” Beresky

Album Review – The Blue Sunshine Family Band “Self Titled”

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The Blue Sunshine Family Band

Self-Titled Debut (2016)

Instrumental/Stoner/Heavy Metal

 

Album Cover Deluxe

 

For an artist, it must take a certain amount of fortitude and confidence to decide to ply your trade in the world of instrumental rock. The genre has long been infamous for being over-populated by under-baked efforts, which in turn has caused many to no longer even bother to give anything from it a fair shot. I’m leery of it myself, but keep checking in because I know something stellar will eventually rise atop the heap from time to time, like The Blue Sunshine Family Band.

Forget being impressive for a debut, BSFB’s first effort is impressive period. Whether it’s natural ability and/or endlessly honing their craft, the band already has a firm grasp on how to do, what they do. With six number-only tracks all clocking in around eight minutes, they are wildly successful at holding one’s interest straight through. Building off of a seasoned stoner foundation, the record pulls from a multitude of metallic resources to add color and variation the proceedings- The southern swagger of C.O.C., an endless supply of wicked guitar melodies via Thin Lizzy, and the propulsive, crunchy, doominess of Serpent Throne. On the “IV” and “VI” songs, you can add groove and speed into the mix as well. There’s more I could reference, but I’ll leave something for those reading this to discover.

Bottom line here folks, The Blue Sunshine Band, both the group and record are really, really excellent. When vocals would appear to actually hurt what you’re doing, you can be pretty damn sure you’re onto something. A definite “Best Of” come year end in a few weeks, and arguably the best instrumental offering for 2016 overall to boot.

Words by David “Mad Max” LaMay