Witches Of God - "The Blood Of Others" CD

This Los Angeles band's debut smokes in a big post-Black Sabbath way. 

All the genre's staples are here, from the gargantuan, way-out stoner-psyche riffs of "Devils III" to the massive space-metal beast that is the title track. "Higher Than The Heavens" is most certainly the acid-dropping offspring of Ozzy, Geezer, Tony, and Bill. "The Horror" features guest vocals from Scott "Wino" Weinrich of St. Vitus, The Obsessed, and Shrinebuilder), and moves from heavy rock to weird, evil tribal sounds. Absolutely great stuff here. I consider this the album's high point, but give it all a listen and see for yourself.

All said, "The Blood Of Others" is an excellent stoner metal album that brings the bongs and blown speakers. Amen, brothers. And I love the cover art.  

Witches Of God self-release

Witchbook

Ufomammut - "Oro: Opus Primum" CD

This veteran Italian group has been garnering some notice these days, and with good reason. Now signed to the esteemed Neurot Recordings label, Ufomammut's 6th album opens with the epic "Empireum" -- a 13-minute slab of mammoth instrumental riff that's equal parts down-tuned stoner metal and evil post-Sunn O))) drone. "Aureum" is even heavier, with spacey electronic elements complimenting the crushing guitars and sparse drumming. Think SWANS meets Hawkwind.

"Infearnatural" slow-churns in the style of Neurosis -- sludgy, slow, and grinding. Other cuts, like the mantric "Magickon", echo this direction. Ufomammut are a crushingly heavy act, focused on low and slow assaults, and "Oro" is a massive juggernaut of seething power. I'm impressed. (Neurot Recordings)

Ufomammut site

Harvestman / U.S. Christmas / Minsk - "Hawkwind Triad" CD

Perhaps unjustly ignored here in the states, longtime sci-fi space-rock group Hawkwind have inspired literally hundreds of willing space-travelers throughout their 40+ year journey on this planet. And, they gave Lemmy Kilmeister (later of metal legends Motorhead) his beginning. That aside, this is a tribute album, with 3 present-day psychedelic / post-rock / intelligent metal acts performing their favorite classic Hawkwind cuts. What's it sound like? Well, it's a respectful and reverential set, with faithful covers of freak-out heavy rockers like "Masters Of The Universe" and "Orgone Accumulator", as interpreted by Appalachian psyche-blues act U.S. Christmas. Neurosis frontman Steve Von Till (as Harvestman) contributes 4 tracks, with his gruff, weathered vocals and stark arrangements, but I find this material less energetic than his bewilderingly intense Harvestman LP of last year. Minsk's lumbering and majestic 12-minute behemoth "Assault And Battery/The Golden Void", however, shows that Hawkwind may've have been the Pink Floyd of the heavy music scene, and this may be the highlight for me. U.S. Christmas returns with the deep trippers "Psychedelic Warlords" and the frenzied "You Shouldn't Do That", both complete with driving mantric riffs and far-out synth scribbles. I dare you to listen to this and not commit heinous acts of synesthesia. A powerful and spaced-out set of heavy rockers, here. Monumental. (Neurot Recordings)

Steve Von Till/Harvestman page
Von Tillspace

U.S.Christmaspace

Minsk site
Minskspace

Plastic Crimewave Sound - "Plastic Crimewave Sound" CD

Taking cues from 60's-era psychedelic/garage rock as well as freaky Japanoise, Steve Krakow (aka Plastic Crimewave) and friends create far-out spacerock gems complete with out-of-control guitar squalls and primitive rhythms. '(I Am) Planet Crushing' is a grungy proto-punk number, while 'Dead Island Boogie' sounds like a gigantic noise/psyche meltdown improv. 'Shockwave Rider' is a hellacious wall of feedback and driving bass/drums ala Chrome, with almost incantational vocals. The final cut, 'The Pasture', comes in 3 parts, and it slows things down a bit to a more meditational, almost Eastern-style mantra. Lovely stuff for heads so inclined to wander the outer perimeters of rock. (Prophase Music)

Plastic Crimewave site

Black Angels - "Directions To See A Ghost" CD

Taking from the more noise-drenched psychedelic aspects of the Velvet Underground and Spacemen 3, this Texan group's second full-lengther is a dark and deep acid-drenched collection of songs that evoke a stoned-out ritual. There's the tremolo drones and space-freakouts of guitarist Christian Bland (imagine if early Spacemen 3 met Helios Creed), and the powerful tribal drums of Stephanie Bailey, and the distant, reverbed vocals of Alex Maas, all escorted to other planets alongside bandmates Nathan Ryan (bass) and Jennifer Raines (organ). The album culminates in the 16 minute closer, 'Snake In The Grass', which almost approaches a kind of motorik kraut mantra. Beautiful! These guys aren't heading towards any pop-radio play at all, this is heady stuff for phasing/blissing out to. More, please! (Light In The Attic)

Cloudland Canyon - "Lie In Light" CD

Cloudland Canyon - "Lie In Light" CD - The second long-player from this intercontinental (Brooklyn/Hamburg) collab continues in their tradition of way-out kosmische-kraut grooves and trance-drones. It's a handily modern mix, densely-packed with stoned-out rhythms and trippy effects. 'You & I' is a cool Suicide / Neu! homage of sorts, overlaid with humming, buzzing drones and a robotik, motorik pulse. 'Scheisse Schatzi, Auf Widersehen!' is a glowing firefly engulfing the skyline with energy synthesized from deepest inner space, while 'Heme' is a light and airy flight over the trees at sunset after a satisfying day of imbibery. Come to think of it, 'Lie In Light' echoes this narcotic, drifty vibe, in an almost Spiritualized sort of way, and 'Mothlight, Part 1' continues in this melodic, rock-oriented fashion. Really astoundingly resonant and brilliant work, tailormade for those who wish to 'travel' a bit with their music. (Kranky)