Author: Gruesome Greg
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Pale Mare – self-titled EP
This local sludge/noise trio has already opened for the likes of Weedeater and Windhand—and they don’t even have an album out. Apparently, they’re working on their first full-length effort, but in the meantime, this three-song EP from Pale Mare will have to tide us over. “Carthage” kicks things off with a rumble, picking up the…
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Electric Wizard – Wizard Bloody Wizard
Much like Lee Dorrian rallying against occult doom while simultaneously profiting from it with Rise Above Records, something about the pre-release press for this new Electric Wizard record has rubbed me the wrong way. It seems Jus Oborn has also jumped on the “modern metal is lame” bandwagon, hailing the new album as a “return…
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Iron Monkey – 9-13
In case you missed it, there’s been a big 90’s sludge revival of late. Some of the guys in Grief are playing shows as Come to Grief, Cavity is reuniting for Days of Darkness, and now Iron Monkey returns with their first album in almost 20 years. Not that I’m complaining—I’d take any of these…
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Dead Quiet – Grand Rites
Though they might be a new band, Dead Quiet are no strangers to the vaunted Vancouver heavy rock scene. Featuring former members of Barn Burner and 3 Inches of Blood, these dudes have already toured with Anciients and Black Wizard, before issuing their debut album on… a Toronto EDM label??? However, there ain’t no techno…
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Pale Horseman – The Fourth Seal
While Chicago might be more known for progressive post-sludge (think Yakuza, Minsk, The Atlas Moth, et al), it’s nice to hear a band that still plays ‘er low ‘n slow, the way Kirk Windstein intended. This foursome, Pale Horseman, is serving us up a full hour of deep-fried southern sludge on their fourth full-length in…
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Motherslug – The Electric Dunes of Titan
Admittedly, I don’t know much about the Aussie stoner scene. I mean, there’s never been a Desertfest Australia… although that would probably make more sense than Desertfest Berlin, when you think about it. So I can’t say I knew much about Motherslug before I pushed play. With that said, this album cover screams Nebula, and…
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AMATEUR CONCERT PHOTOGRAPHY HOUR: ELDER/King Buffalo/Ol’ Time Moonshine @ Velvet Underground, October 14, 2017
Who knew that Elder had a posse? Their first Toronto appearance pretty much packed the Velvet Underground for a late-night gig on Saturday.
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Year of the Cobra – Burn Your Dead
This husband/wife, bass/drums, stoner/doom duo is sorta like Seattle’s answer to Jucifer… only without quite as many amplifiers, I presume. After their debut album dropped last year, they’ve followed it up with this five-song, 25-minute, 12-inch EP on Magnetic Eye Records. “Cold” wastes little time in getting down to business, with a heavy, fuzzy bass…
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Friendship – Hatred
Who says heavy music can’t have a sense of humour? Calling this Japanese outfit Friendship is a little on the nose, but the title of this none-more-black record is much more appropriate. These caustic Care Less Bears blast through 12 tracks of blackened, sludgy crust in a little over 25 minutes on this don’t-call-it-an-EP, with…
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AMATEUR CONCERT PHOTOGRAPHY HOUR: TRUCKFIGHTERS/Telekinetic Yeti/Electric Magma @ Hard Luck Bar, October 9, 2017
Who wants to spend Thanksgiving with your folks when you can spend it with Truckfighters?