Tag: heavy psych

  • Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats – Vol 1

    Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats – Vol 1

    With the abundance of audio recording software that’s out there, pretty much any guy with a laptop can cut a couple tracks in his spare time. I might even have a few of those sitting on my computer somewhere, but trust me, you DON’T wanna hear them! On the other hand, if that guy with…

  • Biblical – The City That Always Sleeps

    Biblical – The City That Always Sleeps

    Last time I saw Biblical live, at the Silver Dollar farewell shindig, I mentioned that they were long overdue for a new album. Little did I know that their second full-length record was on its way—on Tee Pee Records, no less! The City That Always Sleeps offers eight tracks in roughly 37-and-a-half minutes, kicking off with…

  • Harsh Toke / Joy / Sacri Monti – Burnout!

    Harsh Toke / Joy / Sacri Monti – Burnout!

    San Diego is starting to become known for its heavy psych scene, as several stoner jam bands have followed in the wake of Earthless. This three-way split from Tee Pee Records captures three of them: Harsh Toke, Joy and Sacri Monti, all of whom have likely already shared a stage, or even a split EP with…

  • Petyr – self-titled

    Petyr – self-titled

    If you can picture a SoCal heavy-psych jam-band fronted by Tony Hawk’s son… you’d have Petyr, which is literally a SoCal heavy-psych jam band fronted by Tony Hawk’s son. I suppose there’s often been some overlap between heavy riffs and skateboarding, whether it’s Earthless, The Shrine, or probably even Fu Manchu if you go back…

  • Familiars – This Water That is Warm (I Will Join Soon)

    Familiars – This Water That is Warm (I Will Join Soon)

    Though they’re actually from a small town somewhere north of the city, I’ve had the chance to see Familiars open for a whole buncha heavy/stoner rock bands in Toronto these past few years. The semi-local trio plays a brand of heavy psych somewhat reminiscent of local legends Quest For Fire, though in the live setting,…

  • Alastor – Black Magic

    Alastor – Black Magic

    There are actually eight different metal bands called Alastor—without counting Lord Alastor or Sauts Alastor—so finding information on this specific outfit can be a bit of a challenge. This particular Alastor hails from Sweden, and are made more mysterious by the fact that each band member goes by a single initial. Not sure if I…

  • Mammoth Weed Wizard Bastard – Noeth Ac Anoeth and Y Proffwyd Dwyll

    Mammoth Weed Wizard Bastard – Noeth Ac Anoeth and Y Proffwyd Dwyll

    Noeth Ac Anoeth It is increasingly rare to hear a band with their own unique sound, but the splendidly named Mammoth Weed Wizard Bastard are just such a band. Wielding huge doom riffs and drums along with the astonishing vocals of Jessica Ball, they have a superb sound, aided by the sterling work of Conan…

  • Sweat Lodge – Tokens for Hell

    Sweat Lodge – Tokens for Hell

    When Sweat Lodge opened for Monolord in Toronto last year, some people were saying these guys could be the next The Sword, i.e. the next big heavy-rock band from Texas. (Turns out that might actually be Mothership.) Alas, twas not to be, as this four-track, 16-minute effort marks the band’s swansong—their farewell EP, so to…

  • Dealer – Billionaire Boys Club

    Dealer – Billionaire Boys Club

    Take me to your Dealer! This Oakland trio was formerly known as Sexless, are good bros of The Shrine, and totally take the piss outta the Bay Area tech scene with the title of their debut LP. Musically, they range from later Kyuss to Black Flag to Unsane, knocking out 10 tracks in 36 minutes.…

  • Arctic – self-titled

    Arctic – self-titled

    Three California skaters drop out, tune down and start jamming. Based on that backstory, I’m expecting some kinda cross between Earthless and The Shrine, and Arctic doesn’t totally disappoint on their debut EP. “Over Smoked” kicks off this five-track effort, a nine-minute slow burn that gets heads nodding almost from the get-go with its heavy-psych…