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[doomedandstoned]

Supergroup YOUNG ACID Unveil 3rd Single for ‘Murder at Maple Mountain’

~Doomed & Stoned~

By Billy Goate

We get a kick out of introducing you to new bands here at Doomed & Stoned, not that this band is really new per se.

Swedish punk rock supergroup YOUNG ACID are all set to release 'Murder at Maple Mountain' (2024) next month and today we reveal to you the third and final single, in the form of an intriguing new music video written and directed by Fred Burman (from Satan Takes A Holiday).

And what makes them a supergroup, you ask? Well, get a load of this line-up:

  • Mio Hällagård - Vocals (Greenleaf)   • Mio Stjernfeldt - Guitar (Grand Cadaver, Novarupta)   • Mio Wegeland - Bass (Domkraft)   • Mio Baier - Guitar (Besvärjelsen, Vordor)   • Mio Karlsson - Drums (The Moth Gatherer)

All of these bands we've introduced you to in these pages and on The Doomed & Stoned Show over the years. And if you like what any of them have to offer, particularly the vocals on Greenleaf, you'll find a lot to love here.

"Into The Depths" is a haunting number that takes us deep into the forests, dark streets, and solidary dwellings. Misty, stirring atmosphere, and sanguine guitars that waft and wail join with heartbeat drums and buzzing bass to set the stage for Arvid Hällagård's bittersweet vocals, making this one a must for late night drives along empty highways.

Young Acid's Murder at Maple Mountain, ten tracks in all, releases May 31st on Majestic Mountain Records pre-order here.

Give ear...

SOME BUZZ

If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if you combined Greenleaf, Domkraft, Grand Cadaver, Besvärjelsen and The Moth Gatherer, chances are you would never have imagined anything quite like this.

Young Acid is a Vimmerby-based punk rock powerhouse that unites members of all previously aforementioned underground institutions into one blistering garage rock alliance. Packing raw guitar riffs, seismic energy, and a rebellious spirit, the quartet has already released two singles – ‘The Crust’ and ‘Run Boy Run’ – from their soon to be released debut album, Murder at Maple Mountain. With the latter song influenced by celebrated Swedish storyteller and Pippi Longstocking author, Astrid Lindgren.

Run Boy Run by Young Acid

With the band all donning the first name “Mio” in honour of Lindgren’s 1954 novel, Mio, My Son, the playful side of Young Acid is one that is as addictive as the fuzzy, blues heavy and inevitably grooving vibe of new single ‘Into the Depths’, which is premièring now over at Doomed & Stoned.

Voluminous in sound if not duration, clocking in at a punk-friendly thirty-four minutes, Young Acid is on a mission of their own making (their motto is “Nobody can ruin our day, ’cos we’re probably going to ruin it ourselves!”) but it’s one you don’t want to miss.

The Crust by Young Acid

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Tennessee's WYNDRIDER Gear Up for 2nd LP with “Motorcycle Witches”

~Doomed & Stoned~

By Billy Goate

East Tennessee's WYNDRIDER has been signed to Electric Valley Records, one of the hot growing labels in the doom-stoner heavy underground (and can almost never go wrong with a release). The four-piece got our attention with their self-titled debut last year, and now they follow this up with 'Revival' (2024).

The new album is notable for its fuzzed-out, acid-soaked guitar tone, doomy southern metal riffing, and a rumbling rhythm section, contrasted by Chloe Gould's bluesy occultic vocals and moments of drugged psychedelic wonder.

The Ozzy, Geezer, Ward, and Iommi connection comes to bear in WyndRider's "Remember the Sabbath" (my favorite track of the album), which has a misty blues club feel and could well stop time. A fitting companion to Black Sabbath's monumental first album.

Other songs like "Devil's Den" present a bold face to the band, with soaringly smooth singing and damning low-end. Closing track "The Wheel" is simply haunting, with sweetly pained guitar riffs, dismal atmosphere, and vocals that echo into the night, as though coming from a clandestined spot inside the moonlit woods of the Deep South.

Today, Doomed & Stoned takes you highlights WyndRider's powers with "Motorcycle Witches." The track begins with a solitary riff from axeman Robbie Willis, belting out in forlorn sweetness. This theme is repeated as things shift down and the full band moves in a downtuned direction.

There's lots of slow stoner groove to be had, thanks not only to irradiated guitar play, but Joshuwah Herald's swaggering bass and Josh Brock's prolific drumming. Chloe Gould's delivery is at once dark, sultry, and entrancing.

Think you've had enough Did it all for love Try to keep it up Stripped for all your worth Leaves you in the dirt Oh, the witch's curse

Reached for comment, the band says of the new single: "If it’s got two wheels or high heels, you probably can’t afford it and it’s likely trying to kill you."

Danielle Fehr of The Wizard Productions in Bristol, Tennessee did a standout job of recording, mixing, and mastering this hazy offering of fire and incense to the slow 'n' low.

Mark your calendars for June 7th, when Wyndrider's Revival will be revealed by Electric Valley Records on three variants of heavyweight vinyl, along with a CD and digital release (pre-order here). Glory or Death Records will be providing North American folks with an easy alternative to give us a break on overseas shipping costs (get it here).

Stick 'em on a playlist with Acid Witch, R.I.P, The Death Wheelers, Drug Cult, and Shrooms Circle.

Give ear...

SOME BUZZ

Formed in 2022, WyndRider is a four-piece, stoner doom band from the mountains of East Tennessee. Their eponymous debut album, recorded in late September by Danielle Fehr of The Wizard Productions, was released independently in March of 2023. The album earned WyndRider critical acclaim and even AOTY nods from global heavy music media.

Recognized as “one of the hardest working bands in the stoner doom community,” WyndRider made waves with appearances at Ohio Doomed & Stoned Festival; Holler of Doom II and III in London, KY; Mountains of Metal 7, and extensive touring throughout the Eastern and Southern US.

WyndRider by WyndRider

In February 2024, the quartet hit the studio once again with The Wizard Productions to record their second full-length. Titled Revival, this sophomore effort is a sharpened knife, showcasing the refined sound of the band. After playing all over the Eastern US, the group returned to their home in the Appalachian Mountains, focusing in on the hopes and horrors of living there with an unapologetically heavy Southern groove. This album, washed in the blood of its region, sheds light on the smoke and mirrors of life in the Bible Belt and provides a fix for those left craving more after the first dose that WyndRider brought to the scene.

This year, WyndRider will be hitting the stage at Maryland Doom Fest, Gravitoyd Doom Fest in Houston, and Holler of Doom IV, alongside numerous other cities and states.

Upcoming Shows

5/02 - Memphis, TN - Hi Tone 5/03 - Arlington, TX - Growl Records 5/04 - Houston, TX - Gravitoyd Doom Fest at Black Magic Social Club 5/05 - New Orleans, LA - Siberia 5/24 - Knoxville, TN - BrickYard Bar & Grill 5/26 - Charlotte, NC - TBA

6/08 - Johnson City, TN - The Hideaway 6/20 - Indianapolis, IN - Black Circle 6/21 - Akron, OH - Buzzbin 6/22 - The Maryland Doom Fest at Cafe 611 6/23 - New York, NY - The Bowery Electric

7/05 - Asheville, NC - The Odd 7/11 - Nashville, TN - Springwater 7/12 - London, KY - Holler of Doom Fest at Mountain View Farm 7/13 - Cincinnati, OH - The Comet

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[doomedandstoned]

Irish Sludgers COROZA Unleash “Scorched Earth”

~Doomed & Stoned~

By Billy Goate

Some years back, we introduced you to progressive sludge foursome COROZA from Cork, Ireland. Tom Hanno wrote an excellent review of their debut LP, 'Challiceburner' (2019), in which he lauded the band for their "heavy, heavy riffing and huge tone." The band also contributed a track to our compilation Doomed & Stoned in Ireland before the pandemic. In the years since, Coroza has earned a reputation as a firebrand live act.

Today, Doomed & Stoned brings you brand new material from Coroza with the single "Scorched Earth," an apocalyptic number from their upcoming second full-length 'As Within' (2024). Here mysterious monastic singing meets deranged howls and mighty roars. Riffs are nothing short of crushing, the rhythm section a windstorm. You'll certainly want to listen with a good pair of speakers or headphones for full effect.

The nine-minute monolith seems to me like the ebb and flow of crashing tidal waves in the Celtic Sea. There is something both beautiful and chaotic afoot, and one can picture a great asteroid of impending doom not far from view. Perhaps we will self-destruct beforehand in our own man-made funeralopolis. Let Coroza take you for a ride to the End of Days.

Coroza's As Within releases May 20th on vinyl, CD, cassette, and digital formats via Cursed Monk Records (pre-order here). Stick it on a playlist with Yob, Ahab, and Zirakzigil.

Give ear...

SOME BUZZ

Coroza was formed in Cork, Ireland in mid-2015 and over the course of two years honed their sound into a devastatingly heavy form, which encompasses heavy blues, metal, sludge, doom and stoner elements, leading to the release of their well-received self-titled demo in 2017.

Extensive gigging cemented them into the local scene and soon Coroza began appearing on bills around Ireland, landing support slots to international touring bands such as Conan, Bolzer and Tusker. 2019 saw the release of their debut album Chaliceburner which was met with positive reviews.

Coroza's second album titled 'As Within' (2024) was recorded and mixed by renowned producer Aidan Cunningham and mastered by Magnus Lindberg (Cult of Luna).

Coroza are:   • Ciarán Coghlan (guitar/vox)   • Jack O’Neill (lead guitar/vox)   • Ollie Cunningham (drums)   • Tomás O’Brien (bass)

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Montréal’s MOOCH Drop Energetic New Single “Hangtime”

~Doomed & Stoned Debuts~

By Billy Goate

It's good to have new sounds from MOOCH. We introduced you to the three-piece Québec heavy rockers back in 2020, with the premiere of their #4 Doom Charts ranking LP Hounds, which also happened to be recorded with desert rock pioneer Brant Bjork of Kyuss and Fu Manchu fame.

Now the team of Ben Cornel (guitar, vox), Julian Iac (bass) and Alex Segreti (drums) are back, after delivering a fantastic cover of Nirvana's "Something in the Way" earlier this year.

"Hangtime" is a bluesy, pulse-pounding number that'll really get your day going (or help you recover from that after-lunch coma). The song features smooth authoritative vocals, stinging classic guitar tone, lilting backing vocals, and surreal interludes.

The band had this to say about the new track:

“Hangtime” is an eclectic blues tune with rough edges, halftime drops that buckle the knees, and an outro that touches down after however long of being suspended mid-air.

Mooch's "Hangtime" releases on Friday, April 12th (get it here). They're touring Canada (see dates below) and we can only hope to see them in the States soon. Stick 'em on a playlist with Truckfighters, Atomic Bitchwax, Danava, Wet Cactus, and Pushy.

Give ear...

MOOCH · Hangtime

SOME BUZZ

Mooch is a heavy psychedelic rock trio based in Montreal/Yellowknife, Canada. The band is composed of three lead vocalists and multi-instrumentalists Ben Cornel, Julian Iac, and Alex Segreti. Down-tuned desert rock meets '90s grunge and '70s psychedelia.

Tidal waves of vocal harmonies complete the multi-faceted psych experience. For the old school lovers of The Doors, to the modern day fans of Kikagaku Moyo and Queens of the Stone Age.

The band is set to release their third full length record VISIONS May 3rd 2024, with “Hangtime” releasing as the first of two singles. Visions Tour 2024, an Eastern Canadian tour is booked for May 2024 and will be presented by Black Throne Productions and Interland Events. AAWKS and Earth Altar will join the tour as direct support during their respective legs. The tour will also host the likes of The Hazytones, Conductor, Mountain Dust and Ivy Garden.

Lyrics

Will I ever find another one like you? Been around the town and found there's nothing to do Roll with the tide, the toll is too high I will find another dollar, pinch another penny on my way

I'm waiting for you to roll my way Cuz I know you got the blues I'm just waiting for your skies to turn grey I wanna hear your hangtime blues

Pocket full of pieces of your love Let it happen Don't need a reason to move on When you're trying to erase The crimes and mistakes That were done, again and again

I'm waiting for you to roll my way Cuz I know you got the blues I'm just waiting for your skies to turn grey I wanna hear your hangtime blues

When you feel you're alone And there's nobody home You're never alone at all

Hounds, shake them down to deliver with their noses to the ground When you can't quite sing and you just can't get away You lost your tongue and don't know what to say Then you'll hear not everything you see is real Choose what you want to be revealed Time will unwind and break the seal You're never alone

Visions Tour 2024

The MOOCH live show experience is a timeless expression of rock n' roll music. Whether showered in a psychedelic light show, cradled by a curtain of fog, or out in the open air, the music is delivered with razor-sharp precision and an outflow of captivating energy from each member.

May 10th - Ottawa May 11th - Montreal* May 17th - Toronto* May 18th - Hamilton* May 19th - Barrie May 24th - Fredericton May 25th - Moncton May 26th - Sydney May 27th - Halifax

*Liquid Light Show presented by Strange Matter Light Show

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DUEL Unleashes “Satan’s Invention,” Prelude to 5th LP

Doomed & Stoned Debuts

By Billy Goate

Austin, Texas rockers DUEL can always be counted on for one hell of a good time. They made an appearance on Doomed & Stoned in Texas awhile back and are pushing ten years as a firestarting act.

Now the band reveals fresh sounds from their upcoming studio album, 'Breakfast with Death' (2024), with a new song: "Satan's Invention." Rumbling rhythms meet commanding vocals, with addictive riffs and Sabbath overtones on this ripper of a single. The album promises to flex a "heavier and faster side of Duel" with every song "a beer soaked banger." If this doesn't get your heart pumping, nothing will!

Reached for comment, the band says:

"I don’t believe in the devil! Hell is a place here on earth!" Satan’s Invention is a four-minute Thin Lizzy-sequel rocker exploring the evils of man and the illusions of life. The countless lies we are fed from birth to death. All at a beat you can dance to!

Look for Duel's Breakfast with Death, releasing July 5th on Heavy Psych Sounds (pre-order here). Make sure to catch them live!

Give ear...

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California Mystery Trio STONED SPACE Airs Evocative New Single ‘I’

~Doomed & Stoned~

By Billy Goate

Today, we're taking a chance on a new entrant into the crowded field of stoner-psychedelic rock, a three-piece from California that's a bit of an enigma. The members of STONED SPACE are all anonymous, "a mysterious collective of cosmic voyagers" hailing from somewhere in California "with a love for mind-bending riffs and pulsating rhythms."

Coming down the pike is their debut record, 'I' (2024) -- seven tracks each designated with a Roman numeral. They'd prefer for us to give them our own titles, I suppose, letting sound pique the imagination.

Each of the seven tracks on 'I' is a sonic exploration, transporting listeners to the far reaches of the universe. Yet, as the music reaches its climax, it ends on the xx:59th second, leaving a tantalizing glimpse of the cosmos just out of reach. These fleeting moments serve as a reminder of the infinite mysteries of the cosmos, beckoning the listener to delve deeper into the cosmic abyss.

The band, which at this juncture appears to be entirely instrumental, has a penchant for picturesque landscaping in this opening track. Beginning with confident bluesy stoner swagger, the song takes a turn for the sublime. Like the cover art, it conjures a rising sun over gentle windswept sand dunes with morning clouds strewn across the heavens. At just 3 minutes in length, you'll probably be wanting to hear more...and more there is to come.

Look for Stoned Space to release I on May 3rd (pre-order here.

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TEMPLE OF THE FUZZ WITCH Unleash Magnum Opus, ‘Apotheosis’

~Doomed & Stoned Debuts~

By Billy Goate

We introduced you to TEMPLE OF THE FUZZ WITCH in our compilation Doomed & Stoned in Detroit and the band subsequently played Ohio Doomed & Stoned Festival in 2019.

Now past the pandemic years, the band's sound has matured and evolved to encompass frightening black metal textures, in addition to the stalwart doom sound they forged in the beginning. On their third LP 'Apotheosis' (2024), Temple of the Fuzz Witch execution is nothing short of tight, demonstrating an uncanny penchant for conjuring apocalyptic atmospheres. Every member of the team is on point and collaborate to create something dark and powerful.

While not pitched as a concept album, savvy listeners will pick up on the subtext of fallen angels, drawing from Biblical, Zoroastrian, mystical, and traditional lore to create a singular work of terror that could well be a sequel to Dante's Inferno.

Apotheosis is the process of becoming deity (an idea long held by Egyptian, Greek, Buddhist and Christian beliefs), so perhaps this album concerns the rise of those angels who fell like lightning to our planet after a failed coup against The Almighty in heaven. Now is their time to rise again and terrorize mankind, as foretold in St. John's Revelation, The Books of Enoch, Kabbalah, and Milton's Paradise Lost.

Joe Peet's blistering bass welcomes us to "A Call To Prey," with bravura drumming from Taylor Christian and Noah Bruner's grungy guitars following not far behind. We prey upon your fear sings frontman Noah with windswept ire. One could imagine hearing this voice echo in the dead of night over moonlit hills and forests.

"Wight" is a foreboding doomer with elements of black metal. Noah teeters between jaded vocals with menacing growls. Wight is a reference to a ghostly creature, and there's sinister, foggy element to the song, as evil spirits vow:

We’ll break you Damned You’ll never be free We’ll break you For all eternity

"Nephilim" made me recall how damningly heavy Temple of the Fuzz Witch was at Ohio Doomed and Stoned Fest. You can get a sense of it with a pair of good speakers, but seeing them live punches even harder. Vocals vary in character between forlorn cries, as depressed hushes declare, "You will see, I will feed." Fiery yells and guttural rumbling join ravaging drumwork and hailing tremeloes as the song progresses.

"Bow Down" lives in familiar stoner-doom territory, with southern sludge riffing suggesting a revelrous lot dedicated to the worship of their master. Here the singing here is clear, clean, and resonant, intersected by harsh vocals that shout defiantly: Bow down and worship the sky, we pass beyond the glowing light.

"Sanguine" has become one of my favorite words, lately, though I've struggled for an appropriate reason to include it in my writing. It basically means making the best of a bad situation, remaining confident despite the odds, optimistic even when faced with nihilistic uncertainty. Lyrics allude to "Yahweh's condemned," "diabolic souls" who were "cast into swine" by God's Son, and now look to overtake Earth when Satan is loosed from the Bottomless Pit. Bittersweet riffs and damning low end remind me of Purple Hill Witch, and there are some badass chord progressions here. This one has been lingering in my head for days.

"Cursed" gives us little clue as to who the Cursed are, other than they have "sought the watchers in the blacks" and that their "moment has now passed" and now "there's no return." The Watchers are most likely fallen angels from the Book of Enoch, the Nephilim referenced in the book of Genesis. Maybe the cursed ones were acolytes of the Nephilim, but we're given only scraps, hints, fragments to piece together the mystery.

"Raze" opens with muted drums and a swarm of distorted guitar noise that almost seems like a portent of the great horde, here to "end all humans." It takes the perspective of the Fallen, who are still loyal to Lucifer. I have carried his black mark, all the way from the very start.

Strumming arpeggios suggest the clock is ticking in "Apostate," one of my favorite tracks of the record for its sheer dread. Downtuned, dissonant guitar chords make the ire of Noah's roaring vocals all the more convincing, as four lines are repeated thrice:

Await the hallows Swallow the earth The apostates Filled with dread and woe

"Ashes" brings the album to a head with another highlight of the record, a slow headbanger if there ever was one. Vocals are terrifying, referencing "vows of the damned" and Ahriman the evil spirit of early Iranian religions -- the very embodiment of destruction.

It's good to see Ripple Music continue to expand its portfolio into doom territory. Look for Apotheosis by Temple of the Fuzz Witch, dropping this Friday, April 5th (get it here).. Stick it on a playlist with Electric Wizard, Saturnalia Temple, Cough, Coffins, and Moon Coven.

Give ear...

LISTEN: Temple of the Fuzz Witch - Apotheosis

SOME BUZZ

With riffs and lyrics as bleak and crushing as a Michigan winter, blackened doom outfit Temple of the Fuzz Witch brings a unique take on the doom genre, their unwaveringly nightmarish sonic processions being raised to another level with frontman Noah Bruner's jaw-dropping balance of crypt-worthy growls and astoundingly grunge-styled clean vocals. Never the darkness has felt so magnificent and compelling, and their aptly-titled third album "Apotheosis" has everything to put the mighty trio on every black and doom metal fan's radar for years to come.

Launched in 2017 with a 3-track EP, the Detroit three-piece has successively released two albums: "Temple of the Fuzz Witch" (2019) and "Red Tide" (2020). Temple of the Fuzz Witch is now set to unleash the beauty of its unique occult-driven nihilism with "Apotheosis". The album was recorded and mixed by Pete Grossman at Bricktop Recording, and mastered by Chris Fielding at Skyhammer Studio. Its artwork was created by Sarah Fazriah and Zoro (Mysteriousfour).

Apotheosis by Temple of the Fuzz Witch

About the album, the band says: “The lyrics and concept as an album are more overt and less cryptic than the previous Temple releases. Everything is bigger, heavier, and darker. Rather than making just another doom record, we wanted to do something that stepped outside of the box a little bit. Established fans will still find catchy riffs that are staples of doom but will be surprised with some new twists on the genre with the introduction of blackened vocals and some more up-tempo tracks.

Lyrically the album is deeply rooted in the esoteric and spiritual. We came at the album with a very introspective mindset, and each of us was able to add a little bit of our own soul to it. I think when people hear the lyrics and music together they'll find something fresh, but dark, to connect with.”

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Albuquerque's RED MESA Reveal Biting New Single “Dying in The Cold Sun”

~Doomed & Stoned Debuts~

By Billy Goate

History is full of takes of people who've frozen to death, or nearly. Like Ernest Shackleton's expedition to the Antartic, in which his ship was frozen in the icy waters and his crew was forced to endure great hardship in unimaginably freezing temperatures, bringing them to near madness.

Today, Doomed & Stoned brings you the latest track from desert stoner-doomers RED MESA, prelude to their new album 'Partial Distortions' (2024), their roiling, rumbling doom-worshipping fourth album. Solid through and through.

"Dying in the Cold Sun" features forlorn riffs, stalwart drumming, excellent basslines, and strong, rapsy vocals. Fans of Pallbearer and High on Fire take notice. Reached for comment, frontman Brad Fyre says:

I wanted to write a song about freezing to death, as I frequently think about that as a possible great way to die. Go out into the frozen wilderness and just walk…until the cold overtakes me. The song however, came out far more gloomy and tortured than a peaceful farewell. We are calling this our “blackened desert” sound blending desert, doom, and black metal to give you a thundering dirge. Certainly one of the heaviest songs in the Red Mesa vault.

Mark April 19th on your calendars, when Red Mesa's Partial Distortions will be revealed, releasing on Desert Records and Majestic Mountain Records.

Give ear...

Partial Distortions by Red Mesa

SOME BUZZ

‘Partial Distortions’ shows a powerful return of the Albuquerque, NM heavy desert rock trio Red Mesa with their fourth full-length. The album will be released on April, 19th 2024 via Desert Records (North America) and Majestic Mountain Records (Europe).

This 6-track album features the same lineup from their 2020 release ‘The Path to the Deathless’ and the 2022 single ‘Forest Cathedral’.

The record shows further collaboration between band members as guitarist/vocalist Brad Frye, bassist/vocalist Alex Cantwell, and drummer/vocalist Roman Barham all contributed musically and lyrically throughout the album.

Red Mesa has been leading the new generation of desert rock by proving that the genre is capable of greater expanses. The trio has expanded their signature heavy desert sound on ‘Partial Distortions’ to include more doom and sludge metal moments.

“Blackened desert” sound collages and an overall doomier and downright frightening musical path will confront the listener, as the album is darker musically and thematically. All whilst still dwelling within an optimism that instills hope that amongst the loss, the tragic endings, and the suffering that this existence brings, that life is still worth living.

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VIGIL Offer Roaring Catharsis on EP ‘...And The Void Stared Back’

~Doomed & Stoned Debuts~

By Billy Goate

Nothing is worse than the emotional burden of hurt, loss, betrayal, and grief. It is often overwhelming, consuming thoughts and giving rise to depression and physical distress that can last for months, years, even a lifetime. Music comes as a welcome respite, as it not only identifies with our pain but offers an outlet for mourning, insight, perhaps even healing.

Thus, death-doom was born, a melding of death metal with doom metal that began with groundbreaking acts such as Paradise Lost, My Dying Bride, Katatonia, and Draconian in the 1990s and continues strong well into the second decade of the new century. A hallmark of this style is slowed down tempos, gruff vocals, double kick drumming, and plaintive guitars, with the genre expanding into melodic realms as well. To onlookers it may seem harsh, morose, even distasteful. However, to those in the throes of misery it can come as a welcome salve to the soul.

Today, we introduce you to the grim New Hampshire blackened death-doom crew VIGIL, which rose from the ashes of another Kingston area band: Onera.

Justin Christian (bass, guitar) and Craig Simas (guitar, synth) have aimed not only for a heavier direction than their previous project, but also something "beautiful and emotional." Dave Petillo (vox), Joe Davis (bass), and Brandon Phinney (drums) round out the formidable ensemble on the band's debut EP, '...And The Void Stared Back' (2024), which Doomed & Stoned is premiering.

"One of the original building blocks of Vigil was to be as heavy as we could," the band says, "This led to the decision to have two bass players. As the songs started to take shape and each member was putting their own touches to the arrangements, we realized quickly that we succeeded in our goal. Combining that with our love for post-rock, thrash, and progressive metal, Vigil is a showpiece for all our influences filtered through our ears, hands, and emotions. We take the listener down a dark road of sorrow and anger."

The four-track affair begins strong with one of my favorites of the record, "Descend To Extinction" -- a song that puts our mortality into perspective.

You must all face The truth of life We end in spite Of our strife All must pay A toll sometime Let our being Be a moment in time

A sanguine guitar lead greets, interlaced with dire growls personifying our great common enemy: Death. Juxtaposed to this is a melodic chorus with appealing vocal harmonies that address the cold, hard reality of human suffering. At 4:22 there is some arresting riffwork that harkens back to the metal glory days of the '80s. It feels as if the rushing winds of Fate are sweeping us away. The song closes with a return to the dissonant rhythms and the bittersweet riff of the start.

Next comes the "Words of a Dying Man". Rainy repeated chords set the stage and are soon contrasted with contemplative picking, spacey synthesizer, and dark octaves on the piano. This is accompanied by gnarling vocals and that both snarl and whisper. Emphatic bass and drums shake us awake from this dream state, and downtuned guitars embrace a return to reality.

After this, we're visited by "Erosion of the Soul". Gut-wrenching black metal vocals are reminscent of Enslaved and the tension increases with strumming chord progressions, tremeloes, and aggressive drumming. You can really feel the rumble of the dual basses here.

The pain you gave me rots inside I cannot tell you I can't believe The hatred still living blind I can't let it breed inside Spirits live fighting Right inside my head

"Convulse Ways From A World Beyond" finishes us off with a wild hailstorm of drumming, chugging groove rhythms, and flashes of dissonance, interrupted by some doomy moments on guitar that are genuinely moving. Twin guitars offer sorrowful strains that intersect and contrast. Solitary bass lines usher us to the EP's closing moments.

Vigil's ...And The Void Stared Back is available on compact disc, with singles available for download (get 'em here). Stick it on a playlist with Serpentine Path, Heavy Death, and Hooded Menace, and Marche Funèbre.

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[doomedandstoned]

ISAAK Reveal Tempestuous New Single and Music Video “The Whale”

~Doomed & Stoned Debuts~

By Billy Goate

Artwork by Mirko Masala

ISAAK and Doomed & Stoned practically grew up together. The Genoa, Italy four-piece stoner metal crew began life as Gandhi's Gunn in the mid-2000's and released two LPs, then began moving in a more up-tempo and progressive direction that outsized the original band -- thus, giving birth to Isaak in 2012.

Three of the four original founding members remain a decade later: Giacomo Boeddu (vox), Francesco Raimondi (guitar), and Gabriele Carta (bass), with Davide Foccis joining on drums for the band's recent third full-length Hey. This team really gets the job done, evincing an unyielding verve that faces off with a savage world. In Isaaks own words, a "riffalicious fast-forward stoner rock band."

Now Issak are splitting a disc with a band of complimentary temperament, New York's Geezer, for 'Interstellar Cosmic Blues & The Riffalicious Stoner Dudes' (2024) on Heavy Psych Sounds. Today, Doomed & Stoned brings you the first of the three Isaak tracks, "The Whale," with a music video that vividly captures the song's vibe.

Buzzing feedback summons us to a churning ocean, where furious drumming suggests wild, tossing waves. The interlacing of riff and rhythm is seamless throughout this roiling four-and-a-half minute ride. Vocals are stubborn and heroic in the face of dread ("I will find you!"), as the vessel treads the unpredictable territorial waters of a mighty aquatic Colossus.

"Take the sounds of the first Baroness albums," the band says, "mix them with stoner riffs and imagery inspired by Herman Melville's masterpiece Moby Dick and you will get this nuclear bomb." Yes, indeed.

Look for the Isaak/Geezer split to emerge May 17th on three variants of vinyl, CD, and digital format, as Heavy Psych Sounds continues to plunge into the mighty depths of it's 14+ year run (pre-order here).

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Austin’s AIWASS Resurrect  Scottish Folk Song ‘Cruel Brother’ in New Single

~Doomed & Stoned Debuts~

By Billy Goate

Artwork by gozien_crayon

It has been estimated that some four million new songs are being released into the world of sound every year. Certainly, it's been hard -- neigh, impossible -- to keep up with all the new albums churned out just in the doom scene. As a consequence, it is all too easy to loose touch with the great songs of the past. I'm not talking about songs from the '70s, '80s or '90s, but those written generations and generations ago, stretching back into Medieval and Renaissance times.

That's why it's so refreshing to encounter a band taking on an old Scottish ballad like the one before us. Taking a cue from Battlefield Band, the traditional folk group who brought "Cruel Brother" to a wider audience decades ago, Austin, Texas band AIWASS gives this tragic tale a unique twist.

Dark, moody synthesizer surrounds the senses as the track begins, as if to transport us hundreds of years into the past to a scene unthinkable: a dying bride, a spiteful brother, a grieving knight, and an atmosphere teeming with sadness and revenge. Gently plucked mandolin strings cross with acoustic guitar. Misty, forlorn vocals tell the tale of love found and lost, eventually engaging the full powers of the doom metal quartet, complete with foreboding drums and bluesy, bittersweet guitar riffs.

Frontman Blake Carrera comments:

The themes of the song, despite being an old Scottish ballad, are quite familiar to listeners of doom and metal in general: love, lust, violence, and loss. By reinterpreting this song, we hope to bring the past into the future. The screams at the end of the song are not just an identification that this is “blackened doom”; they are also the screams of loss and sadness that are perpetuated throughout time by all of us.

Aiwass caught my ear during the pandemic, when we premiered and gave a detailed review of their first LP Wayward Gods. Since then, the band has expanded with founding member Blake Carrera (vox, guitar, mandolin, synth) joined by Eddy Keyes (vox, acoustic guitar, bass), Pablo Anton (guitar), and Grant Husselman (drums). As a result, the Aiwass sound has evolved into something wonderfully nuanced and altogether powerful.

"Cruel Brother" will be issued as a standalone single on Friday, March 28th (get it here). Fans of Green Lung, take notice

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AIWASS - Cruel Brother

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LYRICS

[Verse 1] There were three ladies played at baw Hey wi the rose and the linsey o But a knight cam by, played ower them aw Doun by the greenwood sidie o

[Verse 2] This knight bowed low tae aw the three Hey wi the rose and the linsey o But tae the youngest, he bent his knee Doun by the greenwood sidie o

[Verse 3] O lady fair, gie me your haun' Hey wi the rose and the linsey o And I'll mak ye lady ower aw my land Doun by the greenwood sidie o

[Verse 4] Sir knight, ere you my favour win Hey wi the rose and the linsey o Ye maun gain consent ower all my kin Doun by the greenwood sidie o

[Verse 5] He gained consent fae her parents dear Hey wi the rose and the linsey o And likewise fae her sisters fair Doun by the greenwood sidie o

[Verse 6] He's gained consent ower all her kin Hey wi the rose and the linsey o He forgot tae speak tae her brother John Doun by the greenwood sidie o

[Verse 7] When the wedding day was come Hey wi the rose and the linsey o This knight would take his bonnie bride home Doun by the greenwood sidie o

[Verse 8] Her mother led her through the closs Hey wi the rose and the linsey o And her brother John stood her on her horse Doun by the greenwood sidie o

[Verse 9] He took a knife baith long and sharp And he stabbed the bonnie bride tae her heart

[Verse 10] Lead me tae yon high, high hill Hey wi the rose and the linsey o And I'll lie doun and I'll mak my will Doun by the greenwood sidie o

[Verse 11] And what will ye gie tae your brother John Hey wi the rose and the linsey o The gallows tree for tae hang him on Doun by the greenwood sidie o

[Verse 12] And what will ye gie to your brother John's wife Hey wi the rose and the linsey o The wilderness tae end her life Doun by the greenwood sidie o

#D&S Debuts #Aiwass #Austin #Texas #folk #doom metal #Cruel Brother #Scottish ballad #D&S Reviews #Doomed and Stoned

[doomedandstoned]

GNARWHAL Premiere Tempestuous Single “Tides”

~Doomed & Stoned Debuts~

By Billy Goate

The Electric Highway Festival is just around the corner in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Among the bands featured at this signature stoner-doom fest is GNARWHAL, a fiery four-piece from the beautiful city of Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories.

Today, Doomed & Stoned gives you a first listen to "Tides," a brutal, stormy track that meshes fuzzy, downtuned vibes with unrelenting proggy rhythms. Forlorn vocals that seem to prophesy the inevitable collapse of civilization, as illustrated by the single art.

The band remarks:

"Tides" is a song we originally wrote in early 2023. It’s a bit of a departure from some of our other standard rock songs, but definitely hits a little heavier too. Lyrically, singer Benji Straker was just spitting out doomy ideas on paper which ended up synthesizing into a concept that fit really well with the other tracks on the EP. It sort of tells a tale of despair and dread about decisions made and your place in the world. There’s a bit of an apocalyptic feel to it.

Gnarwhal's Altered States comes out on May 24th (pre-order here). Add it to the soundtrack for the End of Days, and stick it on a playlist with Mastodon, High on Fire, Torche, and Die Like Gentlemen.

Make plans to see Gnarwhal along Anciients, Dead Quiet, Empress, and 20+ other bands at The Electric Highway, April 4th, 5th, and 6th (details & tix here).

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SOME BUZZ

Gnarwhal's innovative sound seamlessly blends elements of classic and contemporary fuzz and heavy rock into “Altered States”, which promises to deliver a dark and immersive musical journey that resonates with listeners on a profound level.

In addition to their eagerly anticipated EP release, Gnarwhal’s appearance at The Electric Highway Festival on Saturday, April 6th supporting headliners further solidifies their status as a burgeoning force within the Canadian rock landscape. The band's electrifying live performances, coupled with their distinctive blend of genres, continue to captivate audiences and leave an indelible mark on the heavy music scene. Look out for the conch! Gnarwhal is recommended for fans of Mastodon, The Sword, and King Buffalo.

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BLACK PYRAMID Release First Single from Astounding Comeback Album

~Doomed & Stoned Debuts~

By Billy Goate

One of the albums doom metal fans can legit look forward to in coming months is the return effort from Massachusetts legends BLACK PYRAMID, one of the most visionary, commanding, and influential bands of the first two decades of the 21st century.

That may sound like some heavy lauding, and it is, but the band continues to live up to their reputation in their first new album since 2013's Adversarial.

Today, Doomed & Stoned brings you the world premiere of the first single "Bile, Blame, and Blasphemy" from the upcoming saga, 'The Paths of Time Are Vast' (2024).

The song begins with gentle electrified picking of a motif that's immediately accessible, met by warm bass tones and tapping cymbals. After introducing us to the main theme, it's developed with the full power of the band -- complete with swaying, downtuned riffs, Sabbathian trills, an unrelenting rhythm section, and the heroic vocal attack of Andy Beresky.

The chorus brings me back to the doom classic "Mirror Messiah" from the band's first album, 'Black Pyramid' (2009), which was (and continues to be) a hallmark of the genre. I love the sound of rolling chords during the breakdown and the solo is replete with depth and emotion. There are long stretches of instrumental work that simply buoy the imagination.

"Bile, Blame, and Blasphemy" introduces us to a narrative that runs throughout these 8 tracks, giving us lyrical clues as the record progresses. It is indeed "an epic tale of loss and redemption, death and rebirth, fire and frost."

Black Pyramid's The Paths of Time Are Vast is nothing short of sheer conviction from the band, giving the evolving medium of metal a much needed shot in the arm as the year progresses. It digs deep into the craw and you may find yourself thinking about it even when it's not rumbling the stereo speakers. Album of the Year contender for damned sure.

Look for Totem Cat Records to release Black Pyramid's fourth full-length on May 3rd in vinyl, CD, and digital formats, with pre-orders beginning soon. Stick it on a playlist with High on Fire, Elder, Stoned Jesus, and Aleph Null.

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SOME BUZZ

Evoking the molten, sludgy tones and the immersive atmosphere of their self-titled debut album, Black Pyramid greatly expands upon what worked wonders in the past, then seeks the transcendent path, pushing each element of their alchemistic sound to its unparalleled cosmic conclusion.

Slated for a May 3rd release, “The Paths of Time Are Vast” features Andy Beresky on guitar and vocals, Eric Beaudry on bass, and Andy Kivela on drums. This lineup of the band is now the longest running incarnation, actively gigging and touring since 2018, all the while honing their collective songcraft and solidifying their onstage chemistry. Working with Justin Pizzoferratu (Dinosaur Jr, Witch, Elder) at Sonelab, the band sought to capture the same visceral magic and sonic wizardry of their live performances onto tape, and then embellish in the psychedelic decadence of studio experimentation.

The resulting production is equally immense and ethereal, massive and otherworldly, elemental and insubstantial, as much an earthquake as an astral projection. Each song embodies the power trio’s raw energy, atavistic power and impassioned performances, juxtaposing elaborate arrangements with fiery free form improvisation.

Although past Black Pyramid albums were conceived as collections of stories told through individual songs, this marks the first time that the band has composed an album which tells a single solitary story. Utilizing both musical themes and lyrical imagery, “The Paths of Time Are Vast” relates an epic tale of loss and redemption, death and rebirth, fire and frost. This album is your golden ticket to voyage beyond the realms of birth and death, to take the journey through the many doors of radiant reality and dark dimension, to tread the celestial pathways carved in the carcasses of the stars, and to finally taste the vastness of time and space.

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[doomedandstoned]

UK’s FROGLORD Delivers Visual Spectacle for Kaleidoscopic New EP

~Doomed & Stoned Debuts~

By Billy Goate

Artwork by Shane Horror

All Hail the Mighty FROGLORD! We've covered previous releases by the band and featured them in our Doomed & Stoned in England Vol. II compilation. Suffice it to say, we're believers!

Now the mysterious UK project is back with a new EP, and today Doomed & Stoned is giving you a first look 'n' listen with the music video premiere. LBTF((((or))))DBTS (2024), e.g. Live By The Fuzz or Die By The Slime is a three-track work where ominous tones mesh with tongue-in-cheek humor.

So, the gods decree, spoken unto thee Play it low and slow don't rush, live by the fuzz!

Our trip to the swamp begins with psychedelic blues rising like vapors in the warming sunlight. Welcome to "Live By The Fuzz," where guitars pulse like ripples on the water and we hear the sound of the hurdy-gurdy with mysterious Near-Eastern groans. You might be reminded of OM or Zaum in the first two minutes (and that's a good thing), but no worries if you're seeking a headbaning moment because it's coming with the all crash of an alligator jumping out of the bog to snag a heedless crane (at 2:38). Later, a blast beat and ferocious throaty voices take us to the edge of sanity -- or, if you're ready for it, enlightenment.

Cleanse yourself from pain, numb away the fear Hiding from impermanent endings growing near

Middle track "((((or))))" ushers us into the haze of the sun as the day dawns, and this time we're in ancient desert places and there's the addition of enchanting female vocalizations, pedal effects, and what sounds like the didgeridoo. Acolytes of the Froglord recite their purpose in hushed, drugged tones. Then the power of this mysterious force bursts forth with wild drums and intimidating roars (at 10:35). The song at last returns to those chill opening moments, taking us all the way to sundown.

In the swamp where darkness dwells A figure emerges, casting spells Creature arise, a presence so grand Deity of doom of this cursed land

Closing doomer "Die By The Slime" begins by asking Why do the living disturb the sleep of the dead? Indeed, why would one awaken such a fearsome creature of Old? It's a slow 'n' low ride, with boisterous outbursts of percussion, guttural singing, stinging guitar licks, damning riffage, and a cultish chorus. Strange rituals are afoot, and one imagines this gathering turning into a very messy bacchanal before long.

Meanwhile, the visual accompaniment is at various junctures meditative and disturbing, with trippy mirror effects and a veritable collage of hypnotic imagery. Hints of frogs (or tadpoles) lie around every corner. Maybe don't watch it on LSD!.

Froglord's 'Live By The Fuzz or Die By The Slime' (2024) to release this weekend, March 9th, on CD and cassette (get it here), as well as digital format (here).

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SOME BUZZ

Since the dawn of time, mystics have long prophesied the coming of an ancient amphibian bestowed with death ray vision and ectoplasmic slime. Emerging from deep within The Mystic Swamp, Froglord arise bringing their unique blend of stoner groove and psychedelic doom. With face melting fuzz and foot stomping grooves, Froglord’s reign of amphibious terror shall begin.

Having released four full length albums in the last three years, Froglord returns once more. This time with a shorter three track EP, 'Live By The Fuzz or Die By The Slime.' Adopting a distinctly more blackened-psychedelic-doom sound for this release, Froglord once again showcase their ability to blend genres across their already vast discography.

Previously, Froglord records have been entirely recorded and produced as a one-person operation, however this EP sees collaboration with other artists, to bring in haunting cello and vocal acapella arrangements. 'Live By The Fuzz or Die By The Slime' is the perfect record for fans of Om, Conan, and Batushka.

Formed during the pandemic as a one-man project, Froglord released their first EP in 2020, followed soon after by their debut album. To date Froglord has built up an extensive library of releases, including, 4 albums, 3 Eps, 1 split, 1 live album, and 2 singles. In 2021 just after the release of The Mystic Toad, Froglord developed into a 4-piece band as live venues began to reopen. Since then, Froglord has quickly gained a reputation for their commanding and theatrical stage performances.

Whilst Froglord's sound leans primarily toward stoner doom, they have been characterised for their genre-bending sound, with each album taking on its own distinct style, taking strong influences from psychedelia, prog, sludge, grunge, groove and blues; to deliver the tale of The Froglord through a concept-based discography.

Currently, Froglord are set to release a single in the spring of 2024, written for the upcoming found footage horror film Frogman (dir. Anthony Cousins). As well as this original, the film also contains several older Froglord tracks.

Rooted also in environmentalism, Froglord has worked closely with Save The Frogs, the world’s largest amphibian-based conservation charity, raising over £2500 through "Save The Frogs" EP sales and campaigning, as well as £300 for the Human Dignity Trust.

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Raleigh’s LIE HEAVY Bring Heavy Rock Vets Together for New Music Video

~Doomed & Stoned Debuts~

By Billy Goate

LIE HEAVY burst on the scene last year, self-releasing their debut full-length, but the album did the rounds quickly and landed on the Doom Charts radar. In July, they debuted in the top 40 with 'Burn To The Moon' (2023) and have only conquered more ear-drums since that time.

Veteran musicians are drawn from The Skull, Confessor, and Legions of Doom, and believe me they bring everything to the table: sweet southern stoner riffs (Graham Fry on guitar), a stout rhythm section (Jeff JD Dennis on drums, TR Gwynne on bass), and singing that really gets your attention (Karl Agell on vox).

Vocals really distinguish the band's titular song, both the verses and the chorus, as to be expected from the former singer for Corrosion of Conformity ('89-'93), who's since also fronted Blind, Leadfoot, King Hitter, and Legions of Doom, among others. There's a commanding expressiveness to the lyrics that just makes you a believer. Take one look at the crazed stare in Karl Agell's eyes and you'll get a sense that this guy is in this heavy rock thing lock, stock, and smoking barrels.

This song has it all, and a positive message to boot ("Your heart can heal your mind, your mind can heal your heart"). There's also some wicked, soulful soloing towards the end, not to be missed.

Today, Doomed & Stoned brings you the world premiere of the music video for "Lie Heavy," where the band balances their heaviness with plenty of self-effacing humor.

Look for Lie Heavy's Burn To The Moon, releasing via Heavy Psych Sounds on three varieties of vinyl, compact disc, and digital format on April 19th (pre-order here).

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SOME BUZZ

Raleigh, North Carolina's Lie Heavy is one of the few, true throwbacks to another era. They feature the vocals of Karl Agell, best known for Corrosion of Conformity's BLiND album and Leadfoot. Heavy, heavy-ass blues that would have fit on the Man's Ruin label back in the 90s, around the time that Orange Goblin was making waves. This is primal stuff: not quite Stoner, not quite Metal, and not quite giving a shit.

LIE HEAVY - Burn To The Moon by HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS Records

Lie Heavy draws on the original hard 'n groovy jams of Sabbath, Mountain, Lizzy and Purple, fused with their own massive experience. So, it is not difficult to fathom why Lie Heavy sounds like a well-oiled, hard working band of 30 years rather than a new entity. Their pedigree does not belie their power. Collectively, they have spent tens of thousands of hours in practice spaces, studios and on stages around the world, honing their vast skills, to find one another in this moment being among the top guardian practitioners at the gates of transcendently heavy music.

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#D&S Debuts #Lie Heavy #Raleigh #North Carolina #stoner metal #heavy rock #Corrosion of Conformity #music video #Heavy Psych Sounds #D&S Reviews #Doomed and Stoned

[doomedandstoned]

ACID MAMMOTH Presents Searing New Number from 'Supersonic Megafauna Collision’

~Doomed & Stoned Debuts~

By Billy Goate

Get ready for yet another banger from ACID MAMMOTH, a follow-up to the Greek foursome's 2021 Caravan. We're into the band's fourth opus now, with the impending release 'Supersonic Megafauna Collision' (2024), and it is absolutely the kind of fuzz-filled, atmospheric escape that doomers are craving.

Today, new sounds emerge from Acid Mammoth's fourth album. "Atomic Shaman" is the track, and the band clues us in on the fantastic story behind it:

The surface burns day and night and dwellers of the deepest caverns have embraced the pitch-black corridors below as their new dominion. No one dares to venture above it would only mean certain death by the all-consuming hellfire that came from the skies. The dwellers are secluded in the deep chanting frenziedly and calling upon the spirits from the otherworld for salvation. This is the dismal world of “Atomic Shaman” the track that opens side B of our upcoming new album. Our goal with this song was to capture all the despair and hopelessness of that horrific turn of events and put it in one song greatly inspired by the 1986 movie “Dead Man’s Letters.”

We start with dark, subterranean riffage. Guitar tone is warmly irradiated, with powerful, doomy, bittersweet leads that drill right through rocky passage ways. Drums unleash the pattering of acid rain two-minutes in. Vocals are touched by numbed grief, lamenting the hellscape that planet earth has become. Is there a future for humanity in this blanched, cadaverous world? Only the Atomic Shaman sees clearly through the smokey morass to chart a way forward.

It's the second single to surface from Acid Mammoth's Supersonic Megafauna Collision. Look for their new full-length to drop on April 5th, as Heavy Psych Sounds issues the LP on four varieties of vinyl, as well as in compact disc and digital formats (pre-order here). Stick it on a playlist with Electric Wizard, Dopelord, Monolord, Witchorious, and Slomatics.

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SALTPIG Ravages Us With Fuzz & Heaviness in New Video, “Burn The Witch”

~Doomed & Stoned Debuts~

By Billy Goate

U.S.-based singer & multi-instrumentalist Mitch Davis and Italian drummer Fabio Alessandrini (ex-Annihilator) have united for a cross-continental project that first came to my attention around Halloween of last year. SALT PIG self-released their eponymous debut digitally and it quickly did the rounds in the heavy underground, placing within the Top 40 of November's Doom Charts rankings. Now, the band's raucous sound will meet a wider audience through Heavy Psych Sounds, who'll be issuing their album on vinyl, and no doubt working with them on fuzz-filled future efforts.

Today, Doomed & Stoned premieres the music video for "Burn The Witch." It's a manic doomer with a beat that never lets up. The retro-psych guitar tone grabs our attention first with a riff that's ominous and bad-ass at the same time. The engine revs up with the boom-tiss of the drums and symbols (suggestive to me of a bloodthirsty crowd gathering), followed by vocals that ride the dangerous line between passion and madness. There is, in fact, a second pair of pipes giving us guttural growls, repeating the chant burn the witch!. This contributes to an overall sense of the dark, surreal, and dreadful.

Saltpig's upcoming release witnesses a verve that is simply unstoppable, with underlying rush of adrenaline, grungy angst, and a dizzying mix of stoner, psych, and garage influences (just wait until you hear the monster track "1950"). Look for Saltpig in three variants of vinyl, as well as compact disc and digital formats, on Heavy Psych Sounds, out May 25th (pre-order here). Stick 'em on a playlist with Uncle Acid & the deadbeats, Salem's Pot, R.I.P., FUZZ, and Electric Wizard.

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SOME BUZZ

Saltpig is a bit of a mystery. The band just showed up seemingly out of nowhere, album in hand, with the music loudly speaking for itself. As it soon became known, Saltpig is a two person band with Fabio Alessandrini (formerly of Annihilator) on drums and Mitch Davis handling vocals, guitar and all of the other layers of noise that can be heard on the record. The music that came out of this pairing has elements of doom/stoner/psych/occult metal and others, but they didn’t go into it with anything that specific in mind. They just make the music they want to hear.

SALTPIG - Saltpig by HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS Records

Davis has been working with bands/artists including LA Guns, Damon Albarn, Billy Squier, Stephen Malkmus, Mark Lanegan, Sunbomb and U2, but Saltpig is obviously a very different animal. For his own band, Mitch created a sound that is much darker. When he started writing the Saltpig tracks, it pretty quickly turned into this debut album. Most of the tracking was done in their respective studios, with Fabio in Italy, and Mitch in New York where he’d do all of the final recording, production and mixing.

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#D&S Debuts #Saltpig #doom metal #stoner rock #psychedelic #death metal #music video #Heavy Psych Sounds #Doomed and Stoned