Eclectic Vibes
by Andrew Frey
Mannhai - Hellroad Caravan
MannhaiHellroad Caravan
Label: Locomotive Spain Records
Heavy groove rockers from Finland with ex-Amorphis front man Pasi Koskinen handling the vocal crooning and cajoling. Their stoner rhythms have a tendency of headbanging their way into my heart and CD player.
• Mannhai Website • Mannhai WikiBongzilla - Nuggets
BongzillaNuggets
Label: Barbarian Records
Barbarian records has coughed up some more purple haze-induced sludge muffins in the form of this expanded reissue of singles, splits and comp tracks from Madison’s ultra stoners. Expectantly titled tracks tickle and trickle stoner humor to the consumer.
• Bongzilla WikiHermano - Into the Exam Room
HermanoInto the Exam Room
Label: Regain Records
Mega groovy hard rock and acoustic rock congealed from members of several stoner rock outfits and put together over long distances. At the helm is former Kyuss vocalist, John Garcia, guiding this herd to great heights.
• Hermano Website • Hermano WikiSahg - Sahg II
SahgSahg II
Label: Regain Records
Norwegian doom/stoner metal supergroup as powerful and ferocious as any on the scene today. Crushing Sabbath inspired riffs lilt and cajole the listener into a sagacious platitude of supernal flux and dither.
• Sahg Website • Sahg WikiMusicians For Minneapolis - 57 Songs For the I-35W Bridge Disaster Relief Effort
Musicians For Minneapolis57 Songs For the I-35W Bridge Disaster Relief Effort
Label: Electrovoice
Produced by audio equipment giant, Electro-Voice, the only thing longer than the title of this 3-CD release is the list of amazing musicians contributing to this self-explanatory fund raising project. Dick Dale, George Clinton, DJ Spooky, Calexico, Les Claypool and MANY, many more.
• Musicians For Minneapolis WebsiteGomers - Mike Zirkel
GomersMike Zirkel
Label: Beeftone
Beloved hometown Madison quirk-nauts spew forth a beguiling array of witty song spins. From utilizing every town in Wisconsin as lyrical fodder to showcasing such guest musicians as Adrian Belew and Robert Fripp, they delight and frolic in the asinine as well as the sublime.
• The Gomers Website • The Gomers WikiMadeoutofbabies - The Ruiner
MadeoutofbabiesThe Ruiner
Label: The End Records
Flecks of industrial and dirge metal are taunted and disrupted with waves of harsh a-tonal melodic contradictions and moody female vocals. The pummeling complexities almost overwhelm their creative rage.
• Madeoutofbabies WebsiteBastard Saint - Homewrecker
Bastard SaintHomewrecker
Label: Blue Worm Records
Bludgeoning sludge rock born from the sweaty bars that this Minneapolis outfit has called home for years. Gruff stoner rock vocals are well interred amidst the swampy guitar grooves and heavy spongy rhythms.
• Bastard Saint Website • Bastard Saint FacebookBlack Tusk - Taste the Sin
Black TuskTaste the Sin
Label: Relapse Records
Mortar shaking monuments of powerful stoner rock seeping from the Southern swamps that disgorges and invigorates the animal instinct we all keep tucked inside. Savannah, GA has another hot ticket here!
• Black Tusk Website • Black Tusk Facebook • Black Tusk WikiTitan - Sweet Dreams
TitanSweet Dreams
Label: Relapse Records
Keyboards unabashedly take the forefront of this psychedelic prog-metal experience. Expanses of whirling grooves hook the listener with a demanding intensity that is unfurled with each breathtaking riff and blast.
Dirty Heads - Swim Team
Dirty HeadsSwim Team
Label: Seven Five Records
Dirty Heads’ 6th album covers all the bases. Encompassing elements of reggae, hip hop, dubstep, pop, world and alternative while utilizing everything from bongos and banjos to classical piano and synthesizers, these 12 tracks play and experiment with the bands fame at every turn, both lyrically and metaphorically. Benefiting from a bevy of collaborators (Jonas Jeberg, Rome, Blueprint, Oren Yoel, HEAVY and The Score) this release is bound to make it’s mark thanks to experimental approaches and invigorating production.
Appearing live on 11/18 at Orpheum Theater in Madison, WI with The Unlikely Candidates and Tyrone’s Jacket.
• Dirty Heads Website • Dirty Heads Facebook • Dirty Heads WikiMelvins - Pinkus Abortion Technician
MelvinsPinkus Abortion Technician
Label: Ipecac Records
Formed in Aberdeen/Montesano, WA in 1983, the Melvins have been spewing weirdo wisdom and sludgy psychedelic shenanigans ever since. Featuring both Steven McDonald (Redd Kross, OFF!) and Butthole Surfers’, Jeff Pinkus on bass this time around brings new elements to the surface. Pinkus Abortion Technician is a solid foray into the twisted minds and rhythms of this ongoing phenomena. Come see the King Buzzo crew with me on 7/30 at High Noon Saloon in Madison, WI. (8) www.themelvins.net
• Melvins Website • Melvins Facebook • Melvins WikiView More
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