D&S Reviews

The Brazilian Invasion Continues!

By BillyGoat (Editor-in-Chief)

Photo by Jéssica Martini Fotografias

I stated last week in my Hyperwulff review that 2015 will be remembered for many things, musically speaking, such as the prolific range of doom metal coming out of Italy, just as Sweden has had prominence in producing great bands in year’s past. I dubbed this phenomenon “Italy’s Revenge.”

Today, I’m seeing another trend that cannot be denied and shows no less signs of slowing down: let’s call it The Brazilian Invasion!“ We’ve seen stellar offerings from Saturndust and Space Guerrilla, along with Red Mess, just to name a few (there are many, many more!).

QUARTO ASTRAL is the latest in a number of very talented, passionate, and groovy stoner-psycho rock and grunge-doom metal bands that have emerged from all across the lush green land of Brasil (in particular, Candeias and Pernambuco). I dig this EP so much because the band is so skills, so tight, in handling a very difficult genre. Singing in both English and Portuguese (reminding me vocally, in the first song, of Silver Chair’s Daniel Jones) and playing with a improvisational flair (no doubt rooted in the musician’s jazz backgrounds), these three deliver the new album ‘Quinta Dimensao’ without a hitch. Great psychedelic and space rock to lift your spirits and take you to very high places.

The Goate is well-pleased with this one!

The frantic foursome Saviours from California are ripping up stage after stage on their West Coast tour with The Shrine (they hit Portland on Easter Sunday). Last update from the band was that they’ve got a new album recorded with master engineer Billy Anderson. In the meanwhile, I strongly recommend giving ‘Crucifire’ (2006) a listen. It was re-released in January. Love the album cover. So epic!

D&S Reviews

‘Lore’ by Elder

By Melissa (D&S Midwest)

Track Listing

1. Compendium 10:39
   
2. Legend 12:31
   
3. Lore 15:57
   
4. Deadweight 9:27
   
5. Spirit At Aphelion 10:32
   

Album art by Adrian Dexter

Photo by Harry Gould Harvey

Every now and then, we are lucky enough to discover a band that is truly special. A band that made something seemingly out of nothing–and not JUST something, but something that moves us to a place we’ve never been before. Something that makes us feel a certain way that we’ve never felt before. Something that awakes a part of our soul that we never even knew existed.

If you need any proof such a band is headed that direction, allow me to point your attention to Boston trio ELDER. As doom continues to grow into a more popular and accessible genre, Elder continues to be a band that people talk about. Hell, just the other night I saw Karl Simon (vocalist & guitarist for The Gates Of Slumber and more recently Wretch) sporting an Elder shirt.

Here’s recap of what Elder has done up to this point. Elder released their first full length, a self-titled gem of a record, back in 2008 (after their 2007 demo). The 5-track debut was very promising, filled to the brink with stoner riffs that would leave Al Cisneros well-pleased. It was not a perfect record, but it was very memorable. Three years passed when Elder came out with their sophomore effort, Dead Roots Stirring in 2011. I think sophomore albums can be challenging, but they rose to the occasion by keeping so much of that stoner vibe intact, making it a lot more psychedelic, and honing in on the mythical, story-telling quality of the songs. Many of us encountered Elder for the first time through Roots. Through this release, and the subsequent 2-song EP, Spires Burn/Release (2012), Elder demonstrated they had come into their own as a band–mature, yet willing to try new things. Fast forward to the present and there is another album to Elder’s credit, the brand new Lore (2015).

When I sat down and listened to Lore for the first time, I knew one thing for certain right away: this record is a milestone for Elder. Lore is colorful, vibrant, and rich. It’s heavy and full of unexpected rhythm that will pull you deep into the cosmic sea of their universe. Additionally, these five tracks are loaded with progressive rock elements. After giving Lore several listens, it’s clear this record is intended to be a defining point in the band’s career.

The first track is “Compendium.” I love the intro, an intricate guitar part that gets our attention right away and pulls us for a wild ride. Elder doesn’t beat around the bush with this track, getting right into the proggy sludge (there’s a good deal of Mastodon influence here). The wobbly little riff opening the song remains the central melody, which is developed into a wondrous ten-and-a-half minute journey.

“Legend” delivers more of that monumental sound, which is so huge and awe inspiring that I really find it humbling. This magnificent piece makes me feel so small, reminding me that the world is much bigger than I…and that music is my savior. I think the track would work great as an instrumental. However, that’s just a matter of preference. Nick DiSalvo leaves a major impact not only vocally, but through distinctive riffs and picturesque guitar runs. Matt Couto compliments DiSalvo well throughout the record, especially during the guitar solo on this particular track, making it easy to stop and admire the percussive rebound of the snare.

The title track is a sixteen-minute, victorious exploration of the unknown. The heavy, crunching riffs matched with the smashing cymbals creates such a zealous spark. This is only one part of the journey. As you’ll soon discover, ambience will take over. While perhaps not atmospheric, in the traditional sense of the genre, the song creates atmosphere on its own terms, with DiSalvo lending a hand on the keyboard. These intriguing effects add to the majesty of Lore.

The spiral riffage of “Deadweight” carries us into a more psychedelic side of Elder than we have seen on this record so far. I wouldn’t say this one sounds like belongs on their previous record, which is definitely their most psychedelic of the three, because Deadweight very much belongs on Lore (all these songs blend well). That said, Deadweight seems to hold a lot of influence from German psychedelic rock bands like Samsara Blues Experiment and this is most obvious in the way these riffs continue to assemble, one upon the other, before they ultimately soar away.

This is the perfect segue into the closer, “Spirit At Aphelion.” I find this track is most suitable for some personal reflection, as it is introduced with keys matched by a plucking guitar. This one ends up having the most energy of the five due to the drumming, which dances like hell under circling guitar riffs. Bassist Jack Donovan is brilliant on this track. He runs wild, coming back to the root at just the right moment, just as any great bassist should. Then three guys take off together, as the track slowly fades away.

Lore is poised to bring Elder into an even greater profile than they’ve achieved previously with Dead Roots Stirring. I fear that some listeners may think that they band is “trying to be Mastodon” on this record. However, that’s an unfair assessment and anyone who gives Lore an honest listen should be able to see Elder’s unique fingerprints all over it. Lore is the result of the creative growth and evolution of a band that takes their craft very serious. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Elder have once more proven themselves to be one of the very best heavy psychedelic acts in America, with no intention of slowing down. Lore is an absolute gem, an album we’ll still be talking about a decade from now.

Elder’s Lore releases February 27th and can be purchased digitally here and on vinyl through the Armageddon Label (US) and Stickman Records (EU)

D&S Concert

Heiress at The LoFi in Seattle

Words & Photos by Chris Schanz

‘Of Great Sorrow’ (2015) is not the first release I’ve heard recorded at TAD’s Witch Ape Studios, nor the first I’ve heard from Heiress…but put the two together and your have the kickoff of a sonic revolution. When They took to the stage, I immediately noticed Jerad Shealy from Old Iron on bass. He later relayed to me how he joined them for an earlier LA engagement, and planned to tour in support of the new album.

I may throw the lasers and such on bands when the lightings right…no lasers needed on these guys. Sonic purity. At one point in between songs, TAD came up to coach Wes Reed on which specific frequency to boost on the EQ, turn up that volume just a c-hair and BOOM it was on. Proud papa, Coach Doyle. Pick up their album. PRONTO.

The Wizards Reveal New Track & Art

It’s been exactly one year since we were introduced to classic heavy metal ‘n’ doom band THE WIZARDS. The Bilbao Five (not really what they’re called, but I’m into giving people nicknames) impressed with their 4-song debut 'Plagues’ (2014). Earlier today, guitarist Felipe sent me the title track of the group’s first full-length, releasing later this month or early next. “Gravepisser” (a free download) has a great retro vibe to it that I think you’ll dig. That’s one killer album cover, too, done masterfully by Ricardo Sanchez Cruz of Rs Grafiko.

Enter the Black Smoke Dragon

“Un poco de música muy fresca que sale de España en la comunidad subterránea pesada allí!” <<< My feeble attempt to say in Spanish what I’ve been telling you all in my native tongue for several months now: There are some very cool developments in the heavy underground music scene all across Spain! Recently, I introduced you to the band The Wizards, and now we have BLACK SMOKE DRAGON, hailing from Ferrol, España (thanks to Alex Fuchs of Dutch & European Stoner Rock for the nice discovery).

Having released demos in 2011 and 2012, the instrumental doom-stoner foursome has emerged from the shadows with their masterwork: ‘Earth Have Jaiah’ (released January 15th, 2015). With songs like “Bongfire Senorita” and “Samuel Over A Sea of Green,” we have more than clever riffing and Sabbath jamming, we are presented with a real sense of story-telling and adventure, with moments of savagery and sensitivity.

So climb aboard the “Smoke Train” and enjoy what is fast shaping up to be one of my favorite releases this year month. The 7-tracker is recorded with a crisp clarity that makes listening pure joy. Album art By Don Jas.

The Goate is well-pleased with this one! Four hooves up, even!

-BillyGoat-

Get it por nada here (seriously, the band wants to make this an absolutely free download).

Doomed & Stoned’s First Podcast of the New Year!

A Winter’s Journey,from the January 18th broadcast on Grip of Delusion Radio. The show airs live every Sunday evening at 5 pm Pacific, 8 pm Eastern at www.GripofDelusion.com, where you can find a number of streaming options (including the TuneIn app for smart phones and NexusCast for VLC player).

I. Intro: “Or, like all the others…..DEAD!”

II. The Eye of the Stoned Goat Festival V - Preview

III. Heavy New Music for A Hard Winter’s Journey:

*Bonus Track* (not in the original broadcast):

Happy trails, you beautiful doomers & stoners out there, and thanks for listening!

-BillyGoat-

MORE podcasts by Doomed & Stoned on Mixcloud

ALSO check out our three compilations: Doomed & Stoned in Portland, Doomed in Oregon, and our newest, Doomed & Stoned in Mexico: Una Retrospectiva.