Author: Gruesome Greg
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Lo-Pan – Colossus
I didn’t love the last Lo-Pan album when it came out, but having seen ’em live a couple times since, I can dig it. You could probably file this one under “Stoner Rock” with its big, fuzzy riffs, heavy grooves and soaring vocals… although it’s not necessarily something you’d hit a bong to. Actually, might as…
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Witch Mountain – Mobile of Angels
Much like the first time I saw ’em, Witch Mountain was recently touring in support of an album that wasn’t even available yet… at least not on vinyl. I did grab a CD, though, and if the live preview was any indication, their third record should be pretty decent. Sure enough, she opens up with…
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Orange Goblin – Back from the Abyss
I must say I quite enjoyed the Goblin’s last album when it came out, oh, some two-and-a-half years ago. I missed their headlining tour when it came through town (I was in Texas, incidentally), but caught ‘em when they opened for Clutch last year. Which has absolutely no bearing on this Orange Goblin recording, mind…
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Electric Wizard – Time to Die
I’ve heard all sorts of mixed reviews of this new Electric Wizard record, though most tend to be favourable (perhaps none more so than this liquidized-teeth kid). But for me, even before I lay wax to the turntable, my opinion is coloured by the whole Greening vs. Wizard feud, which is readily apparent just by looking…
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Brainoil – Brainoil
Like fellow Oakland outfit Noothgrush, Brainoil is/was a Bay Area sludge band that only issued one album, disappeared, then more recently reunited with new material (which I reviewed here three years ago). Well, this is that album, soon-to-be reissued by Tankcrimes Records. It’s no Erode the Person, but tis certainly none too shabby. The band…
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Northern Crown – In the Hands of the Betrayer
It’s not often I’m compelled to listen to an unsolicited, unknown band nowadays, but when said outfit covers Candlemass—and a cut from Epicus Doomicus Metallicus, no less—now they’ve got my attention. Much as Candlemass’ debut was largely a studio project, masterminded by Leif Edling, Northern Crown also appears to be mostly a one-man endeavour with…
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Snailking – Storm
You know you’ve been listening to this shit for a while when you start seeing bands named after some of your favourite albums. Y’know, like the Polish band Dopesmoker or Dopethrone from Montreal. Hell, there’s even an outfit named after the Truckfighters tune Desert Cruiser—though I guess that one shouldn’t be such a surprise. In…
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White Hills – Glitter Glamour Atrocity
This NYC heavy psych duo—they’ve been through more drummers than Spinal Tap—has also been pretty prolific with its recorded output, although some of their earlier stuff was largely unavailable outside The Big Apple. Such was the case with Glitter Glamour Atrocity, White Hills‘ third album (of 13… so far!), originally released in 2007, but recently reissued by Thrill…
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Earth – Primitive and Deadly
I was certainly intrigued by this latest Earth album. Although their newer stuff has been more Americana—not that there’s anything wrong with that—advance singles offa this one indicate somewhat of a return to heaviness. And that includes not one but two guest vocalists, with one being Mark Lanegan. Actually, I’m not sure if they’ve had…
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The Proselyte – Our Vessel’s in Need
In case you’re wondering, a proselyte is a new convert to a religion or a cause. Which is to say, this Boston-based outfit might have a few proselytes of its own after they hear this EP. Their press kit describes them as Torche meets the Melvins, and they certainly capture that lighter, almost poppier side of sludge…