Hey,
As you MAY have noticed, I haven't posted for a while now....for a lot of reasons which I don't find necessary to mention. Anyway I decided to put Stoned Sun Vibrations on hiatus and concentrate my efforts to Downtuned Magazine ('n' Radio). Many of you probably know that Downtuned Mag is dedicated to the Greek heavy rock scene but since I've started Downtuned Radio too, I'm thinking of including posts about releases from all over the world. Apparently I'm going to keep a ratio but we'll see how it'll evolve.
From now on, you can find me on Downtuned Mag. And for any bands interested in reviewing/including them in radio's rotation etc., you can come in touch with me through the contact form over there. As I wrote above. I'll try to keep a ratio and at least in the beginning I'll try to "promote" mostly "smaller", more independent bands that deserve your attention.
So I want to thank each and everyone of you out there who supported, read, promoted and helped this blog. Also a big fat thanks to all the bands which helped SSV in their own way.
That's all for now folks! Thanks again! Maybe SSV will be back someday. Or maybe Downtuned will become better than SSV.... Who knows.
Be well and stay heavy!
Cheers,
Thanos
PS: Rock Trips Mixtapes will be back soon.... They'll be the only thing posted from now on. Perhaps some other personal comps too.

28.7.11

VA - Classic Rock: Trampled Underfoot (14 Tracks Of Stampeding New Psych) (2010)


This compilation CD came out with a Classic Rock Magazine issue almost a year ago, featuring 14 killer tunes of the wider area of neo-psych sound.

Tracklist:
1. 91s - War Hammer
2. Outer Spacist - Pavilion In The Sand,Baby/I Don't Care About Love, Baby
3. Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats - Witches Garden
4. Black Rainbows - Under The Sun
5. Astro Defender & The Goose - Dwarf Star
6. Atomic Suplex - Atomic Suplexed By A Girl
7. Electric Moon - Gefaehrliche Planetkgirls
8. The Afghan Rugs - Sun Goddess
9. JPT Scare Band - Not My Fault
10. The Massive - God Helmet
11. Skullbot - Mindsplitting Monster
12. Captain Zapped - Touch The Sky
13. Hypnos 69 - My Journey To The Stars
14. First Band From Outer Space - Demons And Haze

Heavy Lord - Balls To All (2011)


Four years after their third album released, the Dutch band Heavy Lord unleashed their new sludge/doom beast called "Balls to All". Although it's a very good solid album with amazing heavy crushing riffs, I must admit that I liked it the less among their 3 previous works. I think that "Balls to All" is their most technical and mature work but it seems to me that they lost a little bit of their vitality, their spark. I don't say that they're not passionate about their music. Well listen to it and you'll get my point. Even if you find the vocals a little bit annoying in some parts (few people didn't like them), the excellent work in creating eight (sometimes a little bit spacey) monoliths won't disappoint you.

Enjoy!
Website # MySpace # Buy

Take A Look:

27.7.11

Magdalena Solis - Hesperia (2011)


Another release that goes straight to the best albums of 2011. And its title is "Hesperia". I think the best description about them come from the band itself : Magdalena Solis are a Belgian outfit providing hallucinatory-transcendental stuff in the vein of the Kosmische Musik". Their name is taken by a serial killer, known as High Priestess of Blood, a cult member from Mexico who represented herself as a goddess, responsible for numerous murders sacrifices for blood rituals.
"Hesperia" would be the perfect soundtrack of an occult movie about her life and acts. Long hazy loops, distorted synth, cosmic Eastern melodies, fuzzed-up guitars, dark spiritual atmosphere, chants coming from rituals of a cult, unearthly drumming, transcendental rhythms, druggy monolithic drones... Any attempt to describe their music, devalues Hesperia's listening experience.
This is as good as it gets! You don't want to miss it! When it comes to the best releases of the year, we will see "Hesperia" takes its place among the top ones.

Enjoy!
Website # Facebook # Bandcamp # Buy (CD) # Buy (Tape)

Take A Look:

Crystal Antlers - Two-Way Mirror (2011)


About Crystal Antlers, I have written before here where you can find their previous releases. "Two-Way Mirror" is the band's second full length album, exploring the music fields of neo-psychedelia blended with some garage and high-energy kind of pop. I can't be objective 'cause they're a band I really love so if you liked their previous works you definitely have to check this one. Songs like "By the Sawkill", "Two-Way Mirror" and "Dog Days" need to be heard...

Enjoy!
Website # Facebook # MySpace # Buy

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King Kong Ding Dong - Youth Culture Index (2009)


King Kong Ding Dong was introduced to me by a friend, Markos and I have to say that I was quite impressed by their sound since I've never had the chance to check them before. And that's because I rarely dig this kind of music. Anyway, "Youth Culture Index" is their first and only full album (they have also released an EP). They manage to perfectly balance between mesmerizing sub-pop and psychedelic drones, creating experimental fuzzy soundscapes. They largely use malfunctioning or repurposed  instruments, even de-tuned guitars gathered from trash bins and the album is recorded in various bedrooms, basements etc. So the term experimental fits them perfectly. Chillwave, euphoric jams for hot summer days...

You can download it from here or from their website, where you can find also their EP.
Website # MySpace


26.7.11

The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion & Melvins - Black Betty 7'' (2011)


Here is a 2-track split from Melvins and The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, both covering "Black Betty".
From Melvins facebook page:
"You've probably already heard, but we did a split single Jon Spencer Blues Explosion as a tour single, both bands covering "Black Betty". Are we touring with JSBX? No, but they're taking their share of the single to Europe for their own tour now. We're selling the rest at our Endless Residency shows. The tri-colors are mixed in with the splatters, so you get what you get."
Unfortunately it has been sold out so the digital form is the only way...

Enjoy!
Melvins # The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion # Amphetamine Reptile Recs

Sungrazer - Mirador (2011)


It’s summer, it’s hot and you want something cool and fresh to chill out at your Mirador (balcony). Get some cold beers and go a trip with Sungrazer's new album  – Mirador (released at 8th of July on Elektrohasch Records). This band from Netherlands, keep going with their amazing psych-stoner sound. Nasty, fuzzy guitar riffs and solos (Rutger Smeets) with delay oscillation to some tracks like Behind and Mirador, drift you out of space. Trippy bass lines (Sander Haagmans) in association with drums (Hans Mulders) take you far out in the desert… The whole concept, music style and vocals bring in mind Colour Haze but it’s a pretty damn cool album and we love to listen tunes like these from talented musicians as them.

Review written by Jack2Jack

Enjoy!
Website # MySpace # Facebook # Buy

Take A Look:

25.7.11

Thou - To The Chaos Wizard Youth EP & The Archer And The Owle EP (2011)


Thou is a sludge/doom band from Baton Rouge, Lousiana and they are one of the most productive and active bands in the scene (that doesn't have an impact in their music's quality of course). Since now they have released a big number of full albums, EPs and splits. Here you can find their two new EPs for this year (they also released a split with Cower).
First class harsh sludge which fans of Eyehategod and Rwake are going to appreciate. The instrumentation brings in mind some of Electric Wizard's and Reverend Bizarre's gloomy doom atmosphere.  I liked more "The Archer and The Owle" because it brings more dark, nihilistic vibes up to the surface.
I really appreciate them as a band and I recommend you to check their previous works too (most of their tracks you can check them through their website).

To The Chaos Wizard Youth EP # The Archer & The Owle EP
Website # MySpace

22.7.11

Navel - Neo Noir (2011)


Navel's new album was my first contact with the band. I haven't heard them before and when I found "Neo Noir", I saw them tagged as grunge/alt rock. I don't know if this Swiss trio changed its musical direction in this one but this isn't grunge (at least as I know it). Of course there are grunge influences in it but this dirty,dark,greasy rock album is full of neo-psychedelia, noise rock, post-punk and heavy blues too.. It's impossible to get bored while listening to it. The Black Angels, BRMC, Seattle's scene, White Stripes, Black Keys, Therapy?, Anti-Flag, even Pink Floyd are all part of "Neo Noir". A must-check for everyone...

Enjoy!
MySpace # Facebook # Buy

Take A Look:


21.7.11

Slug Lord - Demo (2011)


Slug Lord is a Finnish doom/sludge band. Not much info for these guys except that they're a four piece band. Now from what I found this demo is kind of a bootleg since it isn't an official release by the band, just their 3 tracks which are uploaded in their myspace. The songs' sound is quite good (although they're 160kbps). Three fine and solid compositions full of dirty downtuned guitars, slow-driven atmosphere and interesting female vocals. The band seems at least promising. I really enjoyed the tunes and I'll keep an eye on them. Unfortunately, their singer left the band which is a pity since her way of singing stuck excellent with the rest of the band. I hope they'll find a new singer soon.

Enjoy!
MySpace # Facebook

Take A Look:

19.7.11

Apostle Of Solitude / Rituals Of The Oak / The Flight Of Sleipnir - Split (2011)


Three doom bands joined their forces and released an outstanding split featuring 5 tracks. Apostle Of Solitude and The Flight Of Sleipnir take part with two tracks each while Rituals Of The Oak with one (its duration is almost 18min though...). All songs are brand new recorded for this split. A fine 50min release for all doomsters out there and a good way to discover three bands from today's doom scene.

Enjoy!
Apostle Of Solitude # Rituals Of The Oak # Flight Of Sleipnir # Buy

The Muggs - Born Ugly (2011)


Muggs' third full album is an excellent heavy blues rock release. With a new drummer and with a more distinct touch of psychedelia this time, they created (as far as I'm concerned) their best album until now. I think it's the strongest and most solid one. Thirteen quality tracks of amazing hard rock with a retro twist. If you liked their previous works, you won't be disappointed. I hope they'll get the recognition they deserve some time soon....

Enjoy!
Website # MySpace # Facebook # Buy (CD) # Buy (Vinyl)

Take A Look:

15.7.11

The Oscillation - Veils (2011)


I believe most of you have checked The Oscillation's debut album "Out Of Phase" few years ago. And I suppose that you loved their psych-out ridden kraut-ic soundscapes. In their second album they continue their cosmic trip adding some more elements and influences. They keep the substance of kraut/space rock as Neu!, Tangerine Dream, Can taught them and enrich it with some dub touches, a funk essence, a little more free jazz, dark grooves and a lot of Spacemen 3's psych blues.
An absolutely fantastic work which honestly I liked it more than the previous one (of course only time can confirm it). A totally must-check.

Enjoy!
MySpace # Facebook # Buy

Take A Look:

Föllakzoid - Föllakzoid 12'' EP (2011)


This two track EP is the debut release by Föllakzoid, a Chilean band which explore the realm of kraut/space rock. Influenced by kraut rock monsters like Neu! and Can, they created two awesome space travelling tunes. 
The first track though is like a heavier edition of Neu! "Hallogallo" so it's kind of difficult not to love it. The second one "Arabic-Hash" is even darker with an amazing bass structure riding all the way up to the sky.
A promising debut which I hope it's going to evolve to something bigger.  


Enjoy!
MySpace # Buy (although it's sold out but you can always ask)

Take A Look:

12.7.11

Skraeckoedlan - Äppelträdet (2011)


As far as I'm concerned Transubstans Recs. has became through time a great label, releasing at least decent works. You should check out their catalogue. Äppelträdet is one of these great releases. Coming from Sweden, Skraeckoedlan is a heavy rock quartet formed in 2009. They released a five track demo in 2009 and almost a month ago they brought up in surface their mighty debut album.

Äppelträdet is a solid stoner sledgehammer, grooving up the place with this vintage rock feeling that Swedish got us used to. Their sound is more close to The Sword or Dozer than Graveyard but you can feel the 70's touch from beginning 'til the end. Mid-tempo heavy tunes with high-energy bursts and some quite progressive breaks when you need them. Vocals are in Swedish which was a good choice in my opinion and make music's flow even better. Fans of retro-stoner riffing who think Sweden as their music's motherland won't get disappointed.
*Thanks to Psymin for his suggestion.


Enjoy!
MySpace # Facebook # Buy

Take A Look:

11.7.11

Backwoods Payback - Use Magic To Kill Death EP (2011)


A groovy, druggy, heavy three-track EP from Backwoods Payback. Awesome substitute as I'm waiting to hear their new album "Momantha".

Enjoy!
MySpace # Facebook # Blog / Buy

Long Distance Calling - Long Distance Calling (2011)


As a person through the years, I became quite eclectic as far as post-rock/progressive concerned. And that's because there were released a great amount of albums which in their essence were nothing more but copies of a few bands trying to sound unique or taking music a step further.

With LDC's third album, I didn't feel that way. First of all these guys from Hanover are great musicians and they create inspired songs' forms based in a more straight forward rock basis. Then they dig more in 70's prog rock (than most bands do) managing to re-introduce Yes, Emerson, Lake and Palmer and King Crimson ,packed in a modern frame, to this generation. The fusion and jazz passages are a big plus giving more dynamic in the tracks, as well as the appearance of John Bush (Armored Saint/Anthrax) in "Middleville" - an awesome tune - which gives a different perspective to their whole new work. It's definitely a release worth checking by anyone who at least once liked something either post-rock or progressive.


Enjoy!
Website # MySpace # Facebook # Buy

Take A Look:

8.7.11

Pharaoh Overlord - Out Of Darkness (2011)


I didn't know that Pharaoh Overlord have released a new album. Few days ago I was watching videos from this year's Roadburn and I came across P.O.'s show. I was surprised from what I was listening to. I thought it was some kind of mistake or a kind of joke. Then I checked "Out Of Darkness" and I realized that wasn't.
I love P.O.'s previous works and I tried really hard to love this one. But I didn't. Ok I'm not a big fan of NWOBHM and stuff like that from the 80's. Although I find some releases (from the past and present) quite interesting. But either through this prism I didn't manage to enjoy it. I don't know maybe it's pure prejudice and that's why I post it. To hear some other opinions, a different view from someone else.
After all Pharaoh Overlord is a side-project and they experiment/try with what they like. And that is totally acceptable and respectable. But as a whole, this heavy metal experiment didn't fit me.

PS: I just listened "Solar Stomp" from their other new release "Horn" and I really liked it. Matter of taste after all...

Enjoy!
Ektro Records

Take A Look:

7.7.11

Paissano - Uhmo (2009)


Coming from Buenos Aires, Paissano is a psych stoner  band and they released their first EP in 2009. Trippy, quite raw tunes covered with the appropriate stoner vibes and the castellano vocals is definitely a plus. Fans of Monkey3, Los Natas, Honcho, Viaje A 800 going to like this one.

Thanks to Vania from "Heavy Psych Stoner Doom Rock" facebook group, which is an awesome one and worth checking it, for bringing this up.


Enjoy!

MySpace # Facebook

Take A Look:

Remuda Dust - Superhighway 7" (2000)


Remuda Dust was a short-lived band from Sweden formed in 1998. Their 7" is a heavy fuzz rock overdose packed in three tracks. They also took part in "Molten Universe Vol. 1" and "Sacred Groove" compilations.

Enjoy!

Take A Look:

6.7.11

Maurfahr - Good Dirt (2000)


Maurfahr was a Swedish band formed back in 1996. They released a couple EPs and one album called "Good Dirt". They also made a two-track split with Suma in 2006.  As you understand this periods I dig and re-listen records from the late 90's - early 00's era. A lot of great releases were made back then which many of them are now forgotten or neglected and it's good to remember them, Now about the "Good Dirt".. Another good stoner release from the decade's beginning featuring 12 high enjoyable groovy tracks for any stonerheads out there.

Enjoy!

You can also download their split with Suma (as well as Suma's two other splits of the "trilogy") from here. Thanks to Riez!

5.7.11

The Want - Acid Millennium (1997)


One of the coolest 70's hard rock albums was released in the mid-90's and it's called "Acid Millennium". The Want was a New Jersey's band formed back in the early 90's. They released two albums (this is their second one) which are fine pieces of the hard rock sound in the veins of Led Zeppelin, Grand Funk Railroad etc. Unfortunately the band went unnoticed then probably because the grunge wave swept away everything in its path. So give them a chance (I hope there aren't many of you who haven't done it since now) and enjoy 10 tracks of great bluesy hard rock by these talented musicians (and with a voice very close to Robert Plant's)!

Enjoy!

Take A Look:

1.7.11

Purling Hiss - Lounge Lizards 12'' (2011)


New Purling Hiss album is out. Whoever reads this blog, has noticed the love I have for this band from my previous posts. So I have nothing more to say than it's a really goooood one. Cheers!

Enjoy!
More Purling Hiss here.

MySpace # Facebook # Buy

Take A Look: