VIDEO PREMIERE: Howling Giant deliver a brand new cosmic crusher with "The Pioneer"

Howling Giant, a progressive metal band that upped their Bostonian roots and moved out to the weird cosmos of the American South that is Nashville. No twangy guitars here and don’t even begin to think that Howling Giant are “whisky soaked” or “bluesy.” Howling Giant has a sound that is as clear and crisp as it is raw and spacey. They dive deep into the well of progressive rock as well as take off for joy rides into space. They mix these trips with a healthy dose of youthful humor and beer drinking, coming out on the other end sounding like the bastard child of Elder and Red Fang.

Their cleverly titled EP, and second release to date “Black Hole Space Wizard: Part 1,”released in August last year, was the start of a three part series and judging by songs such as “Dirtmouth,” that we premiered the video of here, Howling Giant has the discipline to take their time fleshing out riffs without losing sight of the song, their energy and passion is felt throughout, which is the glue that held that EP together. Less than a year later and Howling Giant are back and August 25, 2017 will see the release of Part 2 of their “Black Hole Space Wizard” trilogy.

So if you are one of the many that wishes Mastodonhad continued in the cosmic, crushing progressive manner of “Crack The Skye” and “Blood Mountain”, and if you’re a fan of Elder, Red Fang, Melvins, Baroness, Rush then Howling Giant is your dream band! Today we’re very excited to debut a brand new new track from their forthcoming release “Black Hole Space Wizard: Part 2”, you can check out “The Pioneer” below.

Band info: Big Cartel || Bandcamp || Facebook || Youtube || Last.FM || Instagram

ALBUM PREMIERE: Calgary, Alberta’s Woodhawk deliver their riffmatronic new album "Beyond the Sun"

Fans of Black Sabbath, The Sword, Clutch, Truckfighters, Priestess, Mastodon,
Red Fang, Thin Lizzy take note, from the foot of the majestic Rocky Mountains comes Calgary, Alberta’s Woodhawk. Masters of straight ahead riff-rock wizardry, the power trio released an EP in 2014 and have continued forging ahead. Made of equal parts 1970s Birminghamand a myriad of 21st century heavy metal royalty, Calgary trio Woodhawkare purveyors of riff-centric rock and roll. Capable and original, the band is able to craft anthemic fist-pumping songs while forgoing tired stoner rock clichés. With time travel tested themes of science fiction, swords and sorcery, the band’s lyrics are born from snowy winters, hot practice spaces and pages of dog-eared paperbacks. While the musicianship reinforces recollections of Black Sabbath, modern influences that have helped you smash air drums or highway speed limits are undeniably present.

In their brief existence, Guitarist Turner Midzain, bassist Mike Badmington and drummer Kevin Nelson have taken the stage at The Commodore Ballroom, as well as landed slots supporting Elder and The Shrine. Expect their upcoming album ‘Beyond the Sun’, recorded with Jesse Gander at Rain City Recordings to official drop on Friday 7^th April, however you can stream this riffgasmic riffmatron only here at your no1 riff station, The Sludgelord.  Check it out below, drool bibs are advised.  You can preorder/buy the album here

Band info: official || Facebook || Bandcamp

Live Rituals

Apr 7 - Edmonton, AB- Sewing Machine Factory (CD Release Show)
April 8 - Calgary, AB - The Palomino (CD Release show)

Vagabonds of The Western Gig Tour:

May 4 - Vancouver, BC - The Cobalt
May 5 - Nanaimo, BC - The Queens
May 6 - Victoria, BC - Logan's Pub
May 7 - Kelowna, BC - Doc Willoughby's
May 8 - Edmonton, AB - Rendezvous Pub
May 9 - Saskatoon, SK - Vangelis Tavern
May 10 - Winnipeg, MB - The Handsome Daughter
May 11 - Regina, SK - The German Club
May 12 - Calgary, AB - Palomino
May 13 - Fernie, BC - Northern Bar

11 IS ONE LOUDER: St. Louis stoner rockers Spacetrucker debut "New Pubes" & pick their Top 5 Stoner rock/metal records

St Louis's SPACETRUCKER will re-issue their debut album “Launch Sequence” on CD, just in time for their spring tour. The album consists of seven tracks that combine stoner rock with the heavy grooves of Deep Purple and Black Sabbath.  Despite the fact that the band has been in existence for a relatively short time, they have opened for bands like Jucifer, The Obsessed, and Karma to Burn. Today we’re excited to debut the opening track from the album, entitled “New Pubes”, not only that we hooked up with the band to ask if they could list their Top 5 stoner rock & stoner metal albums, 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?”

Kyuss - “Sky Valley”

Perhaps it's because this was literally the first real stoner rock record I heard, to me it is THE stoner rock record; strange and heavy sounding with a psychedelic twinge and immensely strong riffage. I still remember my first listen of it; being one of my first forays into non-commercial music, I wasn't even sure what to do with it but it was the most unique thing I'd heard and has been hugely influential since. I continue to blast it regularly while cruising in the van, clenching my fist and shaking it with every syllable as I rasp out my best Garcia impression.

Sleep - “Dopesmoker”

I first heard “Dopesmoker” in the "Jerusalem" format, divided up into separate tracks. It blew my fucking mind anyway, but once I learned of the struggle involved and intent to get an uncompromised version of the real single track full-length album released, I respected this weedian saga even more. Every aspect of this from analog album production of a track of this length to executing this song live demands respect. Any true riff worshipper should consider it heresy to not hail to this album and its creators. 

Fu Manchu - “King of the Road”

The sunken mid range sound of the entire album marks it as a staple of stoner recording mentality, as well as the obvious driving force of fuzzed-out pentatonic riffs and a metronomic mountain of drums. For the gear head this particular album speaks volumes… defining the very clear association between enthusiasm for vintage machines and stoner rock. It has also become the undisputed theme music for a small sect of automobile enthusiasts: vanners. From the cover artwork to our anthem "Boogie Van",this is van jam number one. 

The Melvins – “A Senile Animal” 

They're difficult to pinpoint as solely stoner rock since the Melvins catalogue contains elements that range from totally bad ass chunky riffs and strong vocal harmonizing to drone noise and deranged octave shifts. This album made my list because it tends far towards the first two aspects like 1994's “Stoner Witch” but is especially mind warping being their first with the backing of Big Business members, adding a second drummer to increase the mad rhythm dynamics of their already incredible and unconventional Dale Crover.

Red Fang – “Murder the Mountains” 

The single "Wires" was my first listen, and while that track is a great straightahead highway rocker (and the video is highly amusing), every tune on this album is a kick in the nuts. Haunting lyrics and high contrast duelling vocalists are only the beginning; the drums are so dynamic I remember them like lyrics and the music is incredibly sludgy and brutish considering it is (the only album on this list) in standard tuning. Their deceptively simple approach to constructing ripping, writhing songs is the musical equivalent of Walter Sobchak's kidnapping resolution plan to "grab one of 'em and beat it out of him."

“Launch Sequence”is available buy here

Band info: facebook || bandcamp

ALBUM REVIEW: Carnaval - "Miss Universe"

By: Luciano Penelu

Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 21/121/2017
Label: Kapa Records

This album is a fine piece of Stoner Metal, and is as well executed and produced, as any other great and famous band on the scene. Grab a smoke, sit down and listen to it. You will see what I mean.

“Miss Universe” CD//DD track listing:

1). New Shoes of Mine

2). Seven

3). Moon Shuffle

4). Round Nose Cat

5). Bluebird

6). Space Bar

7). Silver Starlight

8). Rocket

9). Burning Sun

The Review:

The Slovenians of Carnaval have history. They’ve been around since 2004, and "2" (2009), "1"(2010) and "Tennis Football Basketball" (2012), their previous albums, are strongly recommended Stoner jewels. Listen to “1”, as a warm up and you will see that these guys don’t fuck around: by that time they already were a solid and impressive band.

Now, four years after the last full length, they overwhelm us with this “Miss Universe” (2016, Kapa records). It is an impressive album. During its nine tracks, everything works perfectly. I would say that it is everything you can expect from a good Stoner band, with some extra hand of personality and care. On the track “Seven” (track 2), for instance, it is amazing how the drums are executed, followed by some well-placed percussion work and acid bass lines, fat guitars and beautiful vocal work, with the vocals playing an important and central role throughout the album. It makes an interesting contrast with the other instruments, balancing the formula with some delicacy. During the tracks, the right-placed guitar solos are like a relentless dope binge for ears, and the drums are very creative, brilliantly followed by the bass in these moments.

Sometimes, like in the opening track “New shoes of mine”, maybe because of the dense guitar tones, or the connection with the Blues, it reminds me of Goatsnake, and I cannot think of a better band to reference. The studio / production work also deserves a lot of recognition. It sounds fat and greasy, and it pleases me a lot.

As I mentioned before, Carnaval is a mature band firing on all cylinders and on this “Miss Universe”, there are no loose ties, and all songs are great. “Bluebird” is one of my favorites, with its hypnotic riff that echoes for days. It is that kind of music that can last for an hour, and that’s all our stoned minds could ask for. The next one, “Space bar”, is also catchy, beautifully executed and reminded me a lot of Red Fang.

This album is a fine piece of Stoner Metal, and is as well executed and produced, as any other great and famous band on the scene. Grab a smoke, sit down and listen to it. You will see what I mean. 

“Miss Universe” is available here

Band info: facebook || bandcamp

VIDEO PREMIERE: Sail deliver a sludgy psychedelic monolith that is worth "The Weight of Gold"

Sail's take on sludge metal is melodic and atmospheric with a focus on big vocal and guitar hooks. In the vein of Baroness, Mastodon and Red Fang their approach is by turns aggressive and twinkly, with hints of post-rock and prog metal.

Previously known as Husk, they released an album and a split with Strigabefore re-branding in October 2016 to better reflect a cleaner direction. As Husk they played alongside established UK names such as Hark, WarCrab and Conjurer and opened the Plymouth date of Botanist and Kayo Dot's European tour

Their debut release as Sail, “Slumbersong” will be released via Hibernacula Records on 10/03/17 and today you can check the superb Baroness/Mastodon inspired sludge fest that is “The Weight of Gold”.  This beast is a progressive and masterfully executed slice of heaviness that is sure to win them a string of new admirers.  

Band info: facebook