ALBUM REVIEW: Space Witch - "Arcanum"

By: Charlie Butler

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 09/06/2017

Label: Hevisike Records

The band still sound like a collaboration between Bongripper, Hawkwind and the BBC Radiophonic Workshop to create the ultimate sci-fi B-movie soundtrack, but  this latest release sees them develop their cosmic barrage further out into the void., they showcase a leaner, meaner Space Witch that still push the boundaries of heaviness but with a more streamlined attack.

“Arcanum” CD//CS//DD//LP track listing:

1. Cosmonoid

2. Astro Genocide

3. Hex Solaris

4. BattleHag

The Review:

Stoke on Trent intergalactic voyagers Space Witch make a welcome return with new album “Arcanum”. Thankfully, the band still sound like a collaboration between Bongripper, Hawkwindand the BBC Radiophonic Workshop to create the ultimate sci-fi B-movie soundtrack. This latest release sees them develop their cosmic barrage further out into the void.

“Cosmonoid” and “Battle Hag” are colossal slabs of super-dense riffage that follow the mind-expanding template of the band’s stellar 2014 debut LP. Even though both tracks clock in somewhere around the fifteen minute mark, they showcase a leaner, meaner Space Witch that still push the boundaries of heaviness but with a more streamlined attack. 

The two shorter tracks here, “Astro Genocide” and “Hex Solaris”, are the most surprising and give hints of where the band may head in future. The former begins in familiar spaced-out doom territory but takes a left turn into the unknown with an unexpected shift into a pummelling up-tempo groove. The shocks come thick and fast from here as the band introduce vocals for the first time. The musical backing begins to negotiate off-kilter riffs before launching into a furious blastbeat fuelled finale. All this makes for an exhilarating ride that shows that Space Witch are just as effective, if not more so, when condensing their massive ambitions into structures approaching normal song length.

“Hex Solaris” initially wrong-foots the listener with snatches of jazz before a huge lumbering riff destroys the quiet. The booming vocals are present right from the start here and feel better integrated then their surprise appearance late into “Astro Genocide”. This track best demonstrates the progress the band has made in expanding its sonic spectrum without diluting its immense power.

“Arcanum” is a firm step forward by Space Witch. Nowhere in the galaxy is safe from these riffs.

“Arcanum” will be available to preorder/buy here

Band info: Facebook|| Bandcamp

TRACK PREMIERE: Swamp master generals Morass of Molasses make a blistering statement with "My Leviathan"

Self-described "swamp master generals" Morass of Molasses will release their new album “These Paths We Tread” on May 19th 2017 via HeviSike Records.  The album's 7 tracks blend fuzz, sludge and doom and will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the best records of 2017.

Morass of Molasses create the kind of lumbering heavy blues riffs which induce involuntary head nodding and a deep stirring of the loins. The band's short life so far has also seen them sharing stages with such luminaries of the scene as Orange Goblin, Ohhms, Vodun, Elephant Tree, Desert Storm, Space Witch, Sea Bastard, Limb, Gurt and many more. Their gutsy Jagermiester stage performance at Bloodstock helped propel them into a relentless schedule of touring during which they released their debut EP ‘So Flows Our Fate’.  

The new album, “These Paths We Tread” is a veritable melting pot of ideas, blended together, forming a thick stew of heavy blues with side of doom for good measure. As in the EP before, the band uses the album as a vehicle to explore concepts of mythic sin and ancient archetypes. The Journey we take through life as humans is ever at the forefront, and drives the songwriting. 

Without resorting to speed runs, tapping, or other flashy distractions, Morass of Molasses focuses on a basic formula of riff, tone, a massive backbone of rhythm supplied from bass and drumming, and catchy, rock-laden lyrics and delivery, creating a sinfully sweet ride through the slightly hazy and humid land they call their soul. Gaze into it, and let the wind whistle a neat little tune into your ear as we premiere the opening track from their monstrous new album.  We give you “My Leviathan”

“These Paths We Tread” DD//LP track Listing: 

1. My Leviathan

2. So They Walk

3. Serpentine

4. The Ritual

5. Centralia

6. Maenads

7. Wrath Of Aphrodite

Band info: facebook || bandcamp

ALBUM REVIEW: Bright Curse - "Before The Shore"

By: Bobo Cohen

 

Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 13/05/2016
Label: HeviSike Records

 

 

 

There are so many different influences bubbling under the surface, the album is crammed with more ideas and curve balls than many experienced bands pack in to a whole album and will undoubtedly catch many listeners of guard. For a band to be writing at this level on their second album is staggering and dare I say it bodes well for a bright future! A total gem of an album that defiantly deserves a place on anyone’s top ten list of the year

 

“Before The Shore” DD//LP track listing:

1). Lady Freedom

2). The Shore

3). Cheating Pain

4). Walking in the Graveyard (Bloody Witch)

5). Candles and Flowers

6). Northern Sky

7). Earth’s Last Song

 

The Review:

 

HeviSike Records have been active for a few years now and have slowly built a reputation for quality releases. Their latest release by Bright Curse, in the form of “Before the Shore” and their second album is a gem that lives up to, and enhances that reputation, it is made up of seven tracks of Retro Drenched Riffs. It equally lulls you in to chilled grooves then kicks like an angry mule,

 

“Lady Freedom”, starts with a shout of Ready? Before launching into a riff Uriah Heep would have been proud off. Roman Daut’s melodic yet strong vocals underline the quality of the song coupled with a strong repetitive riff, with hints UFOrunning through it and a killer guitar solo to match, this is an excellent opening statement that lays out their stall. “The Shore” opens with another stomping riff then throws a curveball as the vocals come in quiet, invoking a reflective tone to the music, with the Lyrics drawing you into the story. It then explodes briefly into a chorus that will go around and around in your head. It’s perfectly paced for another lovely solo before a rocking conclusion to the song.
 

“Cheating Pain” starts with an almost Wolfmothertype vocal melody accompanied by tasteful playing from the rhythm department. The chorus recalls a grunge vibe with some excellent backing vocals before a spoken word middle section hit you like a cross between The Doors & the “Apocalypse Now” soundtrack. The excellently named “Walking in a Graveyard (Bloody Witch)” starts with another powerful riff before a strong vocal refrain, again taking the music in unexpected directions. A Sabbathinfluenced jazzy guitar tone underlines this mood. Normal service is resumed by time it reaches the chorus as Lizzy style riffing ensues, complete with a full bore guitar solo that allows the rhythm section to open up and roar

 

“Candles and Flowers” packs an Iommi style riff and again some understated playing before kicking up a gear with a monster second riff that gets another strong Lizzy groove going. It settles into this headspace complete with excellent call & response chorus. They pull of the trick of moving between quieter moments and huge riffs and for me this is the strongest song on the album so far. “Northern Sky” starts with a subtle Hammond Organ underpinning soulful vocals and adds another flavour to an album already packed full of them. This is the most melodic song on album and perhaps the closest to a ballad, with beautiful and delicate guitar playing complemented by the Hammondwhich recalls Deep Purple at their most vulnerable, before it unleashes a Jon Lord style solo that will get your foot tapping. It has a huge chorus and will surely be a fan favourite live.

“Earth's Last Song” starts with a laid back groove and bluesy guitar playing reminiscent of the ‘Purple vibe present on the previous song. It evolves into a chorus than can only be classed as epic. It builds and builds, to a guitar solo that just lifts the song to a higher level with plenty of wah pedal abuse. The climax of song is the chorus and the eight minutes plus have gone by in flash.

Overall this is an album that on the surface sits nicely within retro stoner scene, but on repeated plays reveals much more substance than that. There are so many different influences bubbling under the surface, the album is crammed with more ideas and curve balls than many experienced bands pack in to a whole album and will undoubtedly catch many listeners of guard. For a band to be writing at this level on their second album is staggering and dare I say it bodes well for a bright future!

 

A total gem of an album that defiantly deserves a place on any one’s top ten list of the year

 

“Before The Shore” is available here

Band info: facebook