John “Ozzy” Osbourne has passed away. This marks the end of an era for me, as well as for many friends and fans of his music. Metal music was at its finest when Black Sabbath was at its peak, and it will take someone truly exceptional to fill the void Continue Reading
Metal
Zeresh – The End
Over the past few days, I’ve been organizing music I found on a hard drive to enjoy on the hi-fi stereo this weekend. Some of the files are 20 years old, which is hard to believe, and among them are many old 1970s acid-folk and proto-metal albums. Our beloved friends Continue Reading
Sai – Though We Meet But Once
Mahorka Records normally releases bleakly dark ambient and experimental records, so this album by Sai comes as a bit of a pleasant shock. This is far more closer to progressive rock, math-rock and progressive metal than anything I’ve heard in their esteemed back catalog, and it’s as good as one Continue Reading
Arbay Taraa – Arbay Taraa
I have a bit of catchup work to do with Russian releases which I plan to remedy over the next few weeks, and moreso once I move from China. Arbay Taraa are a mindblowingly great band brought to us by our friends at Russian World Music Chart. They are an Continue Reading
Hell’s Enemy – Hymns Of Eternal Victory
I know that Black Metal isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, and of all days, Holy Saturday, why would I post such a beastly thing? I have my reasons, dear reader. Hell’s Enemy is from the American freak-friendly state of Washington, where so many good weirdo bands hail from, and they Continue Reading
Nightshade – Wired (2025 Remaster)
Though I’m not the greatest fan of metal music (with a few legendary exceptions), Switzerland’s Nightshade plays metal at full throttle. This album is 25 years old now, and the drum tracks, already brutal sounding, were reprogrammed using AI. Interesting, and given the quality of thundering loudness of the sound, Continue Reading
Hawkestrel – Hawkestrel Presents Pre-Med – Old Habits Die Hard
This was a very pleasant surprise to run into. Former Hawkwind alumni gathered to make this record, and the sounds is as sharp as it was in the 1970s. Space rock is alive and well.
Various Artists – WEEDIAN: Trip to China
“As genres, Stoner, Sludge, Doom, and Heavy Psych are still new to the Chinese audience, but it has become a niche music scene that thrives on their uniqueness.” So quotes WEEDIAN, the record label who scours the globe looking for the most unique bands in the world who play doom Continue Reading
Burial Beyond The Sea – Smoldering Remains
The Last American Poet, Shane Beck, collaborates on this album with stoner/doom band Burial Beyond The Sea. I’m pleasantly surprised to see how well spoken-word balances with doom.
Ketoret – Delusions
Ketoret are out of Israel and produce a sludge-laden doom. This release has only one track, but it’s a slow, lava-like 10 minutes of heavy rock.