Lie Heavy - Burn To The Moon (Heavy Psych Sounds) [Rich Piva]
Lie Heavy is a perfect name for Karl Agell of Corrosion Of Conformity fame’s new band, which incorporates all the best parts of stoner, doom, and kick ass heavy rock, even with some bluesy leanings. You can hear some of his old band, for which he sang lead vocals on their break out record, Blind, but in no way is Lie Heavy or their debut album, Burn To The Moon, some kind of COC imitator because the twelve tracks stand firmly on their own, not matter where the singer came from. Karl is the known name here, but the band is filled with killer veteran musicians from the Raleigh scene that totally bring it to this album. I have had this album since last year when it was self-released, but now we are getting the full Heavy Psych Sounds treatment and it is so well deserved because Burn To The Moon is just awesome.
Right off the bat you get sweet stoner grooves and killer riffs from the opener, Nothing To Steal. Karl sounds great and the production on the record is right where it should be. The guitar work is top notch and the rhythm section is placed perfectly in the mix. More riffs coming right at you with the nice and chunky In The Shadow that has a catchy melody and killer vocals from the man. Epic stoner doom is what you get with the title track that includes quite the doomy riff and a slow burn that will grab you. Drag The World is quite the surprise track. It sounds like Life Of Agony is some parts and is actually kind of poppy. Also, I love it. This is a testament to Karl’s range as a singer.
Ixion - Extinction (Finisterian Dead End) [James Jackson]
Never has a song entitled The Withering Of The Flesh started off sounding so completely opposite to any image those words could convey, for a haunting melody plays out over an atmospheric background, guitars and drums pick up the rhythm and a very ethereal vocal line joins in, capturing the essence of this Atmospheric Doom album.
In Fear Of Machines is an absolute hybrid of a song, an almost Folk Metal tone blends with parts reminiscent of the Symphonic/Industrial sounds of Samael, this blends seamlessly into the following track The Weight Of Ignorance, a track which has multi layers of vocals offering an experience which is as unsettling as it is captivating. A Chimeric Dream Pt 1 is both Tiamat and Anathema, these comparisons only cementing the affinity I’m feeling with this EP.
Afterlife closes the album, taking the melodies of A Chimeric Dream and embellishing it further with piano, church bells, ethereal clean vocals and growls that are far more complimentary than they have a right to be. This five track EP is the first in a trilogy of sorts, compiling into one album, I’m certain that this is the first time that I’ve heard of the band but it will certainly not be the last. I’m eager to hear what this France based Atmospheric Doom Metal duo has to offer next. 9/10.
White Dog - Double Dog Dare (Rise Above Records) [Matt Bladen]
Following their 2020 self titled debut, Austin based Southern heavy rockers bring us Double Dog Dare another slew of Southern hard rock which is inspired by The Allman Brothers (F.D.I.C), Molly Hatchet, Stevie Ray Vaughan (The Last 'Damn' Song) and on Holy Smokes, Humble Pie, alongside soundscapes on the fringes of the Southern rock sound. The authentic production sound is all warm honeyed tones, celebrating this fusion of blues, gospel, jazz and Americana, as it should sound. It does make Double Dog Dare have the feel of a Southern rock mix tape, but one where the bands are all absolutely killer.
One minute they're in Georgia, with Carl Amoss and Clemente De Hoyous giving some twin harmonies, then it's off to Alabama, then Kentucky, then back home in Texas, every track different from tne last, the drawl of Jake LaTouf replacing previous singer Joe Sterling, bringing some wildness to the rockers but also using a tracks such as the psychadelic Frozen Shadows to show his range, new boy Oscar Favian's keys giving it desert rock meets The Moody Blues vibes, similarly on Preludes otherworldliness.
Recorded in eight days, the jam ethos of Gov't Mule an inspiration to the recording process, Lady Of Mars' jazz rhythm section from drummer John Amoss and bassist Rex Pape is out of the Warren Haynes songbook. Double Dog Dare takes what White Dog did with their debut album and improves upon every aspect. Fuzzy Southern rock magic from the Lone Star State. 9/10
Sarcasm - Mourninghoul (Hammerheart Records) [Zak Skane]
The opening track As Northen Gates Open slams us straight into a wall of chaotic sound that consists of skank and blast beats that are provided with machine precision by Jasper Ojala. The guitars provided by Peter and Anders go from cynical harmonies, sleazy thrashing riffs and classical acoustic guitar sections. The vocals that Heval is producing still sounds just as chilling as his early efforts with his death like snarl casting a blackened imagery to the listener.
Right off the bat you get sweet stoner grooves and killer riffs from the opener, Nothing To Steal. Karl sounds great and the production on the record is right where it should be. The guitar work is top notch and the rhythm section is placed perfectly in the mix. More riffs coming right at you with the nice and chunky In The Shadow that has a catchy melody and killer vocals from the man. Epic stoner doom is what you get with the title track that includes quite the doomy riff and a slow burn that will grab you. Drag The World is quite the surprise track. It sounds like Life Of Agony is some parts and is actually kind of poppy. Also, I love it. This is a testament to Karl’s range as a singer.
The Long March is more doomy goodness while Unbeliever goes in a more stoner blues direction with killer results. I love when bands have a song named after the band. The songs almost never let me down, and Lie Heavy is no different, but I’ll be damned if I don’t hear The Who lurking amongst the stoner riffs. The band is not afraid to pick up the pace and rip it up too, case in point, When The Universe Cries. I love the variation on Burn To The Moon. How about that groove on Chunkadelic? So great. How about some punk rock complete with whoa whoas and hardcore like background vocals on Diabolik? The appropriately titled End The World closes on the most bluesy track of them all and arguably the best vocal performance on an album full of them.
Lie Heavy’s debut is just excellent, to the point where soon we should stop saying Karl Agell, former lead singer of COC, to Karl Agell, singer in Lie Heavy, because Burn To The Moon is how he makes his new mark on stoner and heavy rock. The record is killer end to end, with all sorts or cool twists and turns, amazing musicianship, and a perfect vocal performance from a heavy music legend. 9/10
Lie Heavy’s debut is just excellent, to the point where soon we should stop saying Karl Agell, former lead singer of COC, to Karl Agell, singer in Lie Heavy, because Burn To The Moon is how he makes his new mark on stoner and heavy rock. The record is killer end to end, with all sorts or cool twists and turns, amazing musicianship, and a perfect vocal performance from a heavy music legend. 9/10
Ixion - Extinction (Finisterian Dead End) [James Jackson]
Never has a song entitled The Withering Of The Flesh started off sounding so completely opposite to any image those words could convey, for a haunting melody plays out over an atmospheric background, guitars and drums pick up the rhythm and a very ethereal vocal line joins in, capturing the essence of this Atmospheric Doom album.
In Fear Of Machines is an absolute hybrid of a song, an almost Folk Metal tone blends with parts reminiscent of the Symphonic/Industrial sounds of Samael, this blends seamlessly into the following track The Weight Of Ignorance, a track which has multi layers of vocals offering an experience which is as unsettling as it is captivating. A Chimeric Dream Pt 1 is both Tiamat and Anathema, these comparisons only cementing the affinity I’m feeling with this EP.
Afterlife closes the album, taking the melodies of A Chimeric Dream and embellishing it further with piano, church bells, ethereal clean vocals and growls that are far more complimentary than they have a right to be. This five track EP is the first in a trilogy of sorts, compiling into one album, I’m certain that this is the first time that I’ve heard of the band but it will certainly not be the last. I’m eager to hear what this France based Atmospheric Doom Metal duo has to offer next. 9/10.
White Dog - Double Dog Dare (Rise Above Records) [Matt Bladen]
Following their 2020 self titled debut, Austin based Southern heavy rockers bring us Double Dog Dare another slew of Southern hard rock which is inspired by The Allman Brothers (F.D.I.C), Molly Hatchet, Stevie Ray Vaughan (The Last 'Damn' Song) and on Holy Smokes, Humble Pie, alongside soundscapes on the fringes of the Southern rock sound. The authentic production sound is all warm honeyed tones, celebrating this fusion of blues, gospel, jazz and Americana, as it should sound. It does make Double Dog Dare have the feel of a Southern rock mix tape, but one where the bands are all absolutely killer.
One minute they're in Georgia, with Carl Amoss and Clemente De Hoyous giving some twin harmonies, then it's off to Alabama, then Kentucky, then back home in Texas, every track different from tne last, the drawl of Jake LaTouf replacing previous singer Joe Sterling, bringing some wildness to the rockers but also using a tracks such as the psychadelic Frozen Shadows to show his range, new boy Oscar Favian's keys giving it desert rock meets The Moody Blues vibes, similarly on Preludes otherworldliness.
Recorded in eight days, the jam ethos of Gov't Mule an inspiration to the recording process, Lady Of Mars' jazz rhythm section from drummer John Amoss and bassist Rex Pape is out of the Warren Haynes songbook. Double Dog Dare takes what White Dog did with their debut album and improves upon every aspect. Fuzzy Southern rock magic from the Lone Star State. 9/10
Sarcasm - Mourninghoul (Hammerheart Records) [Zak Skane]
The opening track As Northen Gates Open slams us straight into a wall of chaotic sound that consists of skank and blast beats that are provided with machine precision by Jasper Ojala. The guitars provided by Peter and Anders go from cynical harmonies, sleazy thrashing riffs and classical acoustic guitar sections. The vocals that Heval is producing still sounds just as chilling as his early efforts with his death like snarl casting a blackened imagery to the listener.
Life Like Sleep still brings in the relentless blast beats along with some chuggy, squealing riffs which lead to doomy closures. The gothic Memories of Souls We Mourn brings in haunting choirs, along with bludgeoning pedal tone riffages, along with some chanting choruses sung along to plodding tempos. To close the first part of the album Dying Embers Of Solitude brings in some tribal tom driven drum grooves, 6/8 riffs and soaring melodic lead sections.
To open up the second part of the album Jespers drum fill introduces us to A Liquid Dream In A Paradigm Stream that takes us into sludgy territory with bowl rumbling riffs arranged with gothic doom inspired tempos. In this track we also hear the band incorporate additional elements into their sound, such as swelling padded synths sounds and female choirs. No Solace From Above brings in some melancholic My Dying Bride inspirations with piano melodies, moving orchestras that pull on heart strings and twinkling acoustic guitar sections that appear in saddened layers of thick distorted guitars, mournful sounding leads and plodding tempos.
Absence Of Reality brings this album to a closer by returning back to form with it’s thrashy energy, blackened death metal guitar riffs and melancholic harmonies. Mourninghoul brings the continuation of the bands classic sound with songs like As Northen Gates Open and Life Like Sleep still bringing in there classic take Death Metal with Heval Bozarslan snarls still sounding as frosty as ever, the guitars still bringing heavy walls of tremolo picked riffs and melancholic harmonies. The album also shows the development of their more gothic inspired directions such as No Solace From Above with it’s My Dying Brides guitar tones, dark sounding orchestrations and saddened leads. 7/10
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