ALBUM REVIEW: Eagle Twin, "The Thundering Heard"

By: John Reppion

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 30/03/2018

Label: Southern Lord Recordings

“The Thundering Heard” is a dense and rich record; full of aural and textual interest. It’s a record that makes you think, makes you imagine.  It is a visceral, heavy, epic Riff Monster of a record with horns of flame and hooves of stone.

“The Thundering Heard” CD//LP//DD track listing:

1). Quanah Un Rama 

2). Elk Wolfv Hymn

3). Heavy Hoof

4). Antlers of Lightning  

The Review:

“Longhorn running ‘cross the dead salt sea / Mountains rising up like beasts with horns like trees / Antlers reaching high, like a forest… On fire!”

“The Thundering Herd (Songs of Hoof and Horn)" is Eagle Twin's third full-length album, following on from 2012's "The Feather Tipped the Serpent's Scale" and 2009's "The Unkindness of Crows". Like its predecessors “The Thundering Heard " deftly blends crushing, yet hypnotic riffs and beats, with American literary Folk Horror. Which is pretty impressive for a two-piece, really.

“Quanah Un Rama” (a fittingly bicornuous title based on Hellboy's Enochian name "Anung un Rama”, and Quanah Parker, Comanche war leader of the "Antelope" people…possibly) opens with a harmonic drone from vocalist/guitarist Gentry Densely’s throat. At once bestial and like some primal religious vocalisation, this inhuman sound underpins much of the record. Then a Big Fat Riff kicks in. And it is Massive. Truly earth moving. The guitar sounds (right across the record) are just… wow. More Om than Sleep, but with all the groove and swagger of the latter. The track jams on and on moving from part to part, texture to texture, but the same narrative remains throughout; every progression is a natural and necessary, and another chapter of the same story. When Densely chants “Come now / Thunder / Come now / Thunder cloud” over Tyler Smith's tribal tom-work, it sounds like a genuine summoning. You will believe that the sky above the studio was black that day.

“Elk Wolfv Hymn” swells in dreamily, yet ominously. We huddle close to the wilderness campfire for another folk-tale of stags and vultures and trees, of mountains and antlers and wolves. And in that same magical way Earth managed with “The Bees Made Honey in the Lion’s Skul”l, there’s something so incredibly American about the actual sound of the music itself. The wild, untamed, real America where bears and mountain lions and alligators think nothing of cracking and crunching the bones of humans to get to the marrow within. And crow keeps watch all the while.

“The Heavy Hoof clips / The Heavy Hoof clops / And the Heavy Hoof stamps on your grave”. Another massive riff. Another tom thumping groove. Another absolute belter of a tune, which seems to threaten to evolve into the heaviest version of “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” you could possibly imagine at one point. But that doesn't happen.

“Antlers of Lightening” begins as pure Sabbath Doom: lumbering, tritone laden heaviness with proclamations of the terror to come in the form of the lightning antlered one. Again through, as the music evolves, the guitar becomes more frenetic, and everything builds and builds and builds, we get an idea of the emerging narrative. We hear the destruction wrought by the electo-horned deity, and the fate of those who dared to try to stop it. About ten minutes in it seems for one moment like we're going to get an actual “Children of the Grave” style chug-a-chug-a-chug-chug breakout riff. Instead things slow back down and jam out until we reach the bitter-sweet outro of the album. A gentle but melacholic ending, like a cold dawn breaking.

“The Thundering Heard” is a dense and rich record; full of aural and textual interest. It’s a record that makes you think, makes you imagine. It very much brought Algernon Blackwood’s Weird Fiction tales The Wendigo and The Willows to my mind; tales of the wilderness and the things which walked there long before man ever did. All that said, “The Thundering Heard" is not some deep-thinking, post-something, soundtrack to an unmade movie. It’s a visceral, heavy, epic Riff Monster with horns of flame and hooves of stone. 

“The Thunder Heard”is available here

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

TRACK PREMIERE: Montreal's Wykan deliver a molten brew of blackened psychedelia with “Lahppon Olmmos (Noaide’s Ride To Saivo)”

Montreal’s trio Wykan delivers a heavy brew with its touch of black metal, old stoner / psychedelic rock and blues. Blending these genres, the band evokes spirits of heavy riffs and hot amp tubes overridden and pushed to the limits soon to be heard on their debut EP “Solace”.

“After releasing very heavy black metal for 3+ yrs with my band Eohum, I wanted to return to blues and doom oriented music and expression, with atmosphere, blues solos and more feeling. Both Morgan Zwicker (drums) and Daniel Paras (bass) are distinct musicians / vocalists with jazz/blues backgrounds whom had the will to jump on board.” says band founder Jeremy Perkins.

Hitting the jam space and recruiting some special guests Matt McGachy (Cryptopsy) and Barrie Butler (Eohum), Wykan’s debut EP “Solace” features three punishing tracks full of atmosphere and mystery where you can hear black metal rage meet the finest components of blues and harsh psych stoner riffs. The theme of the EP follows inspiration of Ethnobotany and magic along with a tribal take on ritual and ceremony. More specifically with the Northern European Tribes known as the Saami from Finland/Norway/Sweden areas of today and their usage of Amanita Muscaria mushroom for Shamanic practices. Overall, the EPs concept is a reminder of the brisk realities of our lives in relation to the spirit world.  “Solace” is due out on April 13, 2018 and available for pre-order at Bandcamp hereand you can check out the opening track “Lahppon Olmmos (Noaide’s Ride To Saivo)” below. 

Band info: Facebook || Bandcamp

REVIEW: Howling Giant - "Black Hole Space Wizard: Part 2 [EP]

By: Ernesto Aguilar

Album Type: EP

Date Released: 25/08/ 2017

Label: Independent

For such a new outfit, Howling Giant brings sophistication to the lyrical and musical aspects that you might not expect. The result will astonish those fans who have been eagerly awaiting this sequel.

"Black Hole Space Wizard: Part 2" CD//DD track listing:

1. Henry Tate

2. The Pioneer

3. Visions

4. The Forest Speaks

5. Circle of Druids

6. Earth Wizard

The Review:

Nashville, Tenn.'s Howling Giant, a relatively new addition to the stoner rock lexicon, has generated high hopes early. The first EP in this thematic series gained reams of positive reviews. Such coverage was earned fairly. Part One of the story was quite fuzzy, as well as robust, and drew comparisons to Electric Wizard, among other performers.

Yet can "Black Hole Space Wizard: Part 2" draw the same lofty praise as the initial recording?

The concept recordings – it is still a bit unclear if the story will carry on into a third EP, or more than that – tell the tale of humankind's rise and ultimate vanquish through the eyes of a protagonist. Such a heady vision can easily collapse under the weight of presenting that depth of a story with any hope of coherence. Howling Giant indubitably plumbs this mythology, but make it clear the music comes first. Arrangements are dexterous and vocals plaintive when needed, urgent the next. For such a new outfit, Howling Giantbrings sophistication to the lyrical and musical aspects that you might not expect. The result will astonish those fans who have been eagerly awaiting this sequel.

Howling Giant has garnered a lot of support for its sound and been likened to bands like The Sword. Although you can hear many classic-tinged acts in Howling Giant's sound, repeated listens may conjure diverse parallels. The album's opener, "Henry Tate," for example, has a sound and vocal delivery reminiscent of NoMeansNo circa "The Day Everything Became Nothing." Given NoMeansNo's pioneering post-punk bona fides, that comparison is a high compliment, but it gives you a glimpse at how deceptively talented this young band is on the new release.

The new music seems like an impressive leap from Part 1. The washed-out vocals get a much better mix this go around. Drumming here is standout. The storyline, without spoiling anything, is furthermore going to keep you listening, especially if you enjoy a story with your songs. All said, Howling Giantdemonstrates early accolades were deserved.

"Black Hole Space Wizard: Part 2" is available here

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

ALBUM REVIEW: Earthling Society - "Ascent To Godhead"

By: Charlie Butler

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 04/08/2017

Label: Riot Season

“Ascent To Godhead” is a wild ride that demonstrates Earthling Society are the real deal when it comes to modern psychedelic rock.

“Ascent To Godhead” DD//LP track listing:

1). Can You Levitate?

2). Ascent To Godhead Part 1 (Godhead/Going For Refuge/The Celestial Mind)

3). Electric Bou Saada

4). Ascent To Godhead Part 2

The Review:

Riot Season Records continue to unearth the gems in the oversaturated world of psychedelic rock with Earthling Society’s new LP “Ascent To Godhead”. The latest offering from the Fleetwood trio is a truly epic voyage that begins with sun-drenched optimism and slowly descends into a dark well of noise.

The jangly garage rock of “Can You Levitate?” opens proceedings in hopeful fashion. This is as close as the band get to a proper pop song but it is coated in enough scuzzy fuzz and unhinged wah to remain reassuringly dirty. Once you have emphatically responded in the affirmative to Earthling Society’s request to levitate, the journey to the outer limits truly begins with “Ascent To Godhead (Part 1)”. A multi-stage mantra built around minimal repetitive guitar lines, minimal percussion and droning sitars, the track begins in classic Spacemen 3territory. As the track shifts between movements, the atmosphere becomes hazier as the ascension turns darker.

While the first half of “Ascent To Godhead”achieves mind-expanding results with a relatively restrained sonic pallet, the second half sees Earthling Society unleash distortion overload. “Electric Bou Saada” is a monstrous jam built around huge riffs and searing solos that comes on like a more ragged Earthlesstussling with Acid Mothers Temple. Just as the track reaches a furious peak of free rock intensity the band take a left turn into a more subdued Can-style groove. This maintains an air of menace even though the volume and dirt has been stripped away. This leads into the hellish finale of “Ascent To Godhead (Part 2)” where the journey has reached its destination to discover a nightmarish world in place of the expected utopia. An unrelenting fuzz-heavy riff etches itself into your brain as saxophones screech all around. The cacophony eventually subsides to a soothing keyboard based coda that attempts to bring the listener back to earth as gently as possible.

“Ascent To Godhead” is a wild ride that demonstrates Earthling Society are the real deal when it comes to modern psychedelic rock.

“Ascent To Godhead” is available here

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

ALBUM REVIEW & TRACK PREMIERE: Red Mountains - "Slow Wander"

By: Ernesto Aguilar

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 01/09/2017

Label: All Good Clean Records

...it is so refreshing to find a release that is all at once heavy, accessible and frankly beautiful in its construction.

"Slow Wander" DD//LP track listing

1. Home

2. Rat King

3. Oak

4. Endless Ocean

5. Stone

6. Fog

7. Cellar Door

8. Acid Wedding

9. Returning

The Review:

Among the bins and bins and terabytes upon terabytes, it is so refreshing to find a release that is all at once heavy, accessible and frankly beautiful in its construction. While popular music fans may recoil at metal – who hasn't gotten the wrinkled noses before? – It is oftentimes because they don't understand its diversity. A band like Red Mountains may certainly create a greater appreciation for what the music's power can be.

Norway is known for a range of extreme music. Stoner rock that sounds like it was crafted on a porch just south of balmy Joshua Tree, California is not one of those styles you associate with the country. The city of Trondheim and musical group Red Mountains may well change that.

You first heard this psychedelic swirl on the quartet's 2015 debut, "Down With The Sun." The band toured widely on the strength of that sound, which feels inspired at turns by groups like Electric Wizard and Dead Meadow. What makes Red Mountains, however, so distinct is their songwriting and overall arrangements. Guitarists Magnus Riise and Jostein Wigenstad are peerless in their respective lead and backing vocals. The songs offer uncomplicated chronicles that are at turns personal and at still others rich with fantasy. "Fog"and "Oak" among other tracks tell engrossing stories that carry on as a thread elsewhere. Another standout, "Cellar Door,"demonstrates the picturesque lyrics you catch throughout, to convey vignettes you do not expect.

A band this sharp with its recording has to see its drum and bass acknowledged. Percussionist Simen Mathiassen and Sverre Dalen on bass shine on several cuts. They command the best songs, including "Acid Wedding" and "Rat King." Again, much mystical storytelling that is aided and abetted by the emotional marks Red Mountains' rhythm section lands. You will not catch a blast furnace of music. "Slow Wander" is exactly what it says: a slow and purposeful wander through a universe Riise's words bring to life. A wondrous world it is too.

"Slow Wander" is available here

Band info: bandcamp || facebook 

ALBUM PREMIERE: Domadora usher forth their psychedelic mantra with “The Violent Mystical Sukuma”

Domadora is a psychedelic heavy rock trio formed in 2011 by two passionate improvisators: Gui Omm (bass) and Belwil (vocal & guitar). Karim (drums) joined them in late 2012.

The band invokes the spirit of La Domadora (female lion-tamer in Spanish) to ease and master wild psychedelic jam sessions. The repertoire is at the crossroad of heavy rock and ‘70s psychedelic stoner rock, their compositions guided only by imagination and instinct.  Domadora compose music with the intention of inducing the listener into a trance like state.  In April 2013 they delivered their first full length album ‘Tibetan monk’, seven electric trances filled with soft violence. The tracks are like endless journeys, searching ecstasy, with guitar riffs looping to generate liberating power. The musicians bounce off one-another’s inspiration, the destination maybe unknown, but isn’t that the point, music should be about a journey it takes you on. 

After sharing the stage with bands like Pentagram, Yawning Man, Earthless and Baroness, it is fair to say that Domadora are undoubtedly one of the spearheads of the psychedelic / heavy psych scene and on July 14^th, they return with their stunning new album “The Violent Mystical Sukuma“ and you can stream it in full below.  So sit back, turn on your lava lamp and allow the waves of psychedelia wash over you.   

“The Violent Mystical Sukuma” is available preorder/buy here

Band info: facebook

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – Murder of the Universe (2017)

Genre: Psychedelic Rock / Garage Rock / Surf Rock
Origin: USA
Size/Quality: 121 mb | Mp3, CBR 320 kbps
Info


Tracklist:
Chapter 1 – The Tale Of The Altered Beast:
01. A New World (0:57)
02. Altered Beast I (2:23)
03. Alter Me I (0:45)
04. Altered Beast II (4:28)
05. Alter Me II (1:25)
06. Altered Beast III (2:14)
07. Alter Me III (1:26)
08. Altered Beast IV (5:10)
09. Life / Death (0:59)

Chapter 2 – The Lord Of Lightning Vs. Balrog:
01. Some Context (0:16)
02. The Reticent Raconteur (1:05)
03. The Lord of Lightning (5:07)
04. The Balrog (4:29)
05. The Floating Fire (1:54)
06. The Acrid Corpse (1:00)

Chapter 3 – Han-Tyumi And The Murder Of The Universe:
01. Welcome To an Altered Future (0:55)
02. Digital Black (2:46)
03. Han-Tyumi, The Confused Cyborg (2:21)
04. Soy-Protein Munt Machine (0:30)
05. Vomit Coffin (2:19)

06. Murder of the Universe (4:09)

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ALBUM REVIEW: Evil Triplet - "Otherworld"

By: Victor Van Ommen

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 10/02/2017

Label: Super Secret Records

Evil Triplet’s laissez-faire, anything can happen attitude works really well. There’s no pretense or chest thumping, just an enjoyable fuzzed out ride.  Evil Triplet throws their own twist to this spacey-stoner formula in how they let the mind altering substances influence their game while plotting out soundscapes as vast as Texas itself.

“Otherworld” CD//DD//LP track listing:

01. Star Ladder
02. Fungus
03. Get a Job
04. Planet I’m On
05. Post Group Date Scene
06. Pyramids
07. We Are the Aliens
08. Worship Satin
09. Road Trips

The Review:  

Those who celebrate the weird unite! Evil Tripletis here, dialing in from the warm and fuzzy Austin, Texas, to bring us a sprawling 72 minute look into the world of weirdo stoner-space rock named, “Otherworld.” Each extended jam is the glue that holds a song together and in turn places the successive songs in context. It’s an album that’s big with its claws dug deep in a keen ear for a strong hook.

It’s close to impossible to discuss “Otherworld”without mentioning the influences that pierce the veil of the songs. Just short of ripping anyone off, Evil Triplet puts on a show of how they’ve applied lessons that they’ve learned from the greats. Such is the case in the chug-a-chug of “We Are the Aliens,” a song that runs like an early Queens of the Stone Age hit, but the 9 minute run time offers up a murky, spaced out vibe to get lost in. This theme of ‘getting lost’ runs through the album, certainly during moments that the instrumentation is expanded to include a Monster Magnetlike organ or a hippy-is-as-hippy-does sitar jam. These journeys make Evil Tripletmore than just a power trio, they’re a spaced out power trio, and they make this work to their benefit.

In terms of groove, there’s plenty of that, too. Take the shroomer’s anthem “Fungus,” locked in at the track two spot, wasting no time in letting you in on one of the many things that keeps Evil Triplet busy. “Worship Satin” is less about drugs but lacks not in laid back tonal push. Then there’s the sarcastic “Get a Job,” a song that will get you down even if you aren’t unemployed, and the burnt out “Planet I’m On,” which are just two of many examples that show Evil Triplet’s penchant for riding a tasty lick for as long as the wax in a the lava lamp is swimming around. And to tie everything together, there’s the unabashed Steve Marsh behind the microphone, honing in on pitting loose stoner vibes up against a down and out I-wish-I-was-living-in-outer-space-instead story when he sings verses like this:

I took off several hours ago and I left the whole world behind

Looking for the most precious thing, it wasn’t so hard to find

I found it and gave it to the one who needs it

And then I blew my mind!

Evil Triplet’s laissez-faire, anything can happen attitude works really well. There’s no pretense or chest thumping, just an enjoyable fuzzed out ride. Sure, the Wyndorfian influence is felt, as is the So-Cal sunburn that drives this whole stoner rock thing. What makes “Otherworld” flourish is that Evil Triplet throws their own twist to this spacey-stoner formula in how they let the mind altering substances influence their game while plotting out soundscapes as vast as Texasitself.

“Otherworld” is available here

Band info: bandcamp|| facebook

ALBUM REVIEW: DOOL - "Here Now, There Then"

By: Ben Fitts


Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 17/02/2017
Label: Prophecy Productions

It is rare that an album is able to make one completely forget about their real world surroundings and bring them somewhere else entirely.  “Here Now, There Then” is an otherworldly brew of eeriness, effective hooks and nefarious rock and roll.  It is the soundtrack of a lost soul stumbling upon something evil and long forgotten, only to find it wide awake and waiting.

 

“Here Now, There Then” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1. Vantablack
2. Golden Serpents
3. Words On Paper
4. In Her Darkest Hour
5. Oweynagat
6. The Alpha
7. The Death Of Love
8. She Goat

The Review:

It is rare that an album is able to make one completely forget about their real world surroundings and bring them somewhere else entirely. On “Here Now, There Then”, that somewhere else is ancient, otherworldly, mystic and evil. Gloomy guitar chimes are interwoven with Ryanne van Dorst’s haunting vocals and a cryptic atmosphere. “Here Now, There Then” is the soundtrack of a lost soul stumbling upon something evil and long forgotten, only to find it wide awake and waiting.

The creators of this somewhere else are Dutch dark rock quintet DOOL.Given the natural ease with which DOOL administer their wicked mysticism, it might seem surprising at first that “Here Now, There Then” is actually the group’s first album. But DOOL’sobvious experience is explained, as their line-up boast membership in the occult rock outfit The Devil’s Blood, as well as the bands Goldand The New Media.

DOOL’s sound is in a similar vein to that of The Devil’s Blood (which featured both DOOL bassist Job van de Zande and drummer Micha Haring), and fans of The Devil’s Blood are sure to be satisfied with their rhythm section’s new project.  Both groups have a knack for crafting dreary but ridiculously catchy hooks, filled with arcane lyricism and bubble with witchy personality. But despite retaining many of the most lovable qualities oftheir former band, on “Here Now, There Then”, DOOL demonstrate they are very much their own band.

“Here Now, There Then” is packed full of headbangable guitar riffing, driving rhythms and nods to classic metal and doom that were not prevalent in the generally softer recordings by The Devil’s Blood. Although a rock band first, DOOL are not afraid to wander over the line where dark psychedelia gives way to heavy metal, as evidenced by tracks such as “The Alpha”, “Words On Paper” and “She-Goat”. Conversely, DOOL also demonstrate their ability to craft mellower sounds throughout the album, most notably on “The Death Of Love”. The standout track on the album is perhaps its second song, “Golden Serpents”. Striking the perfect balance between DOOL’s softer moments and their penchant for sinister heaviness, “Golden Serpents” features superbly crafted melodies, ghostly tones, powerful dynamics and general themes of the occult in abundance.  The blend of hooks and evil found on “Golden Serpents” will likely appeal to fans of Swedish breakout stars Ghost, and for good reason.

“Here Now, There Then” is an otherworldly brew of eeriness, effective hooks and nefarious rock and roll.  

 

“Here Now, There Then” is available preorder/buy here

Band info: bandcamp|| facebook

11 IS ONE LOUDER: Frozen Planet….1969 guitarist Paul Attard picks his top 5 psychedelic releases

Although the band name suggests otherwise, Frozen Planet….1969 dates back to early 2012! It was then that a heavy-psych jam session between two Sydney-based musicians, Paul and Frank Attard, and Canberra-based Lachlan Paine, took place.

Luckily, this afternoon of improvisation at the home of Pepper Shaker Records, Frank Street Studio, was recorded. However, it wasn’t until over a year later that the three decided they should finally mix and release some of the material they had created that day.

They decided this album would be set out like a soundtrack to a film. That film would be called “Frozen Planet….1969”. It was a digital-only release on Pepper Shaker Records. Pretty soon this one-off release would become a band called Frozen Planet….1969. The emphasis would be on improvisation. No vocals, just straight-out instrumental jamming. This band would consist of Paul Attard- guitar, Lachlan Paine- bass and Frank Attard- drums. It was basically a side-project for the three of them. Paul and Frank had been playing in the stoner-doom band, Mother Mars. Lachlan was playing in the Canberra heavy rock trio, Looking Glass. After playing on numerous bills together over the years it seemed only natural there would be some sort of collaboration between the two bands at some point.

Frozen Planet….1969 played its first show in February 2014 and it was also around this time that the band recorded another mammoth jam session. From this jam session came the second and third releases for the band, “Lost Traveller Chronicles, Volume 1” (released 20th August 2014) and “Lost Traveller Chronicles, Volume 2” (released 6th May 2015). The concept this time would be a travel journal through the constellations, with each song being a chapter from the journal! Both volumes were released in digital and physical format on Pepper Shaker Records.

Fast forward then to 11/1/2017 and with Frozen Planet….1969 releasing their latest album “Electric Smokehouse” the chemistry between the players – Paul Attard on guitar, Lachlan Paine on bass and Frank Attard on drums is stronger than ever and can be heard in each one of these new cuts. In fact, it’s not only heard, its felt, and that’s what makes this record sound so great. The music is alive, it moves, it gels, and best of all, it’s both heavy and psychedelic.

Given that the album has left such an imprint upon us here at Sludgelordacres, we decided to hook us with the band and  get them to talk about influences. So here is guitarist Paul Attard to talk through his top 5 psych based records, as we take our weekly trip to the extreme, by cranking it to 11.  Why do we go to 11,  because “It’s one louder, isn’t it?”

Hi there.

It's Paul, the guitarist in Frozen Planet....1969 here.

I have a list here of five albums loosely in the psych genre that I absolutely love and have inspired and influenced me in some way with my own music.  I tried to aim mainly for heavy psych rock but there were certain albums I just couldn't look past and they still tie in with psychedelia in some way and they fit in with the spirit of what Frozen Planet....1969 is all about.

These are in no particular order!

Jimi Hendrix – “Band Of Gypsys”

A great example of a jam band and psych rock. This album was recorded live at the Fillmore East and featured Billy Cox on bass and Buddy Miles on drums.  Everything Jimi Hendrix did was great but I've chosen this album because it features some amazing jamming and tonnes of soul! And it was a band that hardly had time to prepare before the show.  They just chose a few songs, got up on stage and then just jammed out.  'Machine Gun' is a stand-out if you want total heavy psych guitar. Hendrix, Cox and Miles on this album (known as the Band Of Gypsys) are just the ultimate psych-rock jam band.  Some seriously groovy bass and drums fill this album also. Only six songs were chosen for the album. These songs were taken from concerts over New Year's Eve and New Year's Day 1969/1970.  So much other great material was left out!

Hawkwind – “Hawkwind”

Hawkwind are known more for being a space-rock band but their first album has more of a psychedelic vibe to it.  It features not only some dark, trippy psych but also some acoustic, more folky, blues sounding material- Which is more where guitarist/vocalist Dave Brock was coming from.  Bottom line is, the range of sounds on this album- acoustic twelve-string guitar and harmonica, some shuffling beats to crazy, way-out sound effects and heavier, darker guitar sounds- covers a great deal of what I like to hear.

Captain Beefheart And His Magic Band – “Safe As Milk”

Certainly not a heavy psych rock album!  But this is just great.  Straight out psychedelia. And with just the right amount of blues which is what the Magic Band had been doing for a couple of years leading up to this album. And I guess it goes without saying that the blues element is a big part of the foundation of psychedelia and psych rock anyway!  Captain Beefheart (Don Van Vliet) put together a batch of psych (and blues) flavoured songs for this album and made them all even more unique with his amazing deep voice over the top. He was always experimenting with sound too and was always evolving.  The magic band (especially in the incarnation that followed this album) were no strangers to the extended jam as well.

Atomic Rooster - “Death Walks Behind You”

This is more of a heavy prog rock album but I think you could still call it a psych rock album. In 1970 most heavy music still seemed to have a psych or blues vibe to it anyway.  Some amazing energy in these tunes and some great musicianship.  They do stretch out at times and jam.  They managed just fine on this album without a bass player with Vincent Crane covering basslines on the organ.  Crane also used a piano on this album and used it to great effect.  Overall, this album is a great example of early heavy rock involving three musicians who could improvise really well together.

Monster Magnet – “25........Tab”

Also known as just "Tab". This recording is often recognised as an EP or mini-album but I think with an opening track that goes for about half-an-hour and a total playing time of over fifty minutes we can safely call this an album.  The opening track 'Tab' features some great psych guitars and tape delay sound effects as well as some great, solid, driving, yet laid back bass and drums. And later in the song if you zone in on what Wyndorf is saying it only adds to the trip!  A great example of psych rock from the early 90's.

Band info: bandcamp|| facebook