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
Metal
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.
Linnea Hjertén – Nio Systrar
From Linnea Hjertén’s Bandcamp site: “Born from the synthesis of Swedish folk melodies and ritual ambient, Linnea Hjertén’s debut album “Nio systrar” (‘Nine sisters’) is a wordless invocation of primordial energy – a psychoacoustic gateway to altered states of consciousness. Each of the nine tracks brings us deeper into the Continue Reading
Allysen Callery & Mother Bear – Witch’s Hand
This massively heavy release by Allysen Callery collaborating with doom monsters Mother Bear is appropriate for Halloween. From the release’s Bandcamp site: “”Creep here with me, keep it close and you might see…the little things that glow…and they all have teeth…” Something spooky this way comes! Allysen Callery has joined Continue Reading