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.

6.1.11

The Invisible Surfers


Time for party with some instrumental surf from Greece.Invisible Surfers started out in 1996 by Alex Belekos. I believe it's the most well-known surf band from Greece,actually I can't think many greek surf bands,you see this kind of music it's not so famous here.They released one Ep and 2 full albums and they shared the stage with bands like Cramps,Fuzztones,Dead Moon,Fleshtones etc.while at the same time they took part in a large number of compilations and DVDs(they contributed in the soundtrack of "Hot Rod Girls Save the World" with two tracks).If you like some surf party loving music,you can't miss them.Check'em out!


Samsara Blues Experiment


Samsara Blues Experiment I think is a band which pretty much all of us know and have heard at least a track. They manage to gain their reputation(which of course they worth it) at a quite short time and to deliver us one of the greatest albums of  '10. Well played,strong-builded, heavy psych music with space passages and a retro doom aura. I think their album's title it's the most representative phrase for describing their music. An excellent blend(beside the dual guitars,bass and drums) of organ,sitar,synth and sound effects,the band proves us their passion and love of what they create.Trippy!Bluesy!Psych!


5.1.11

Romero - Solitaire 7'' (2010)


Romero is a US based trio and they released their first two-track EP. Their music is doom-hearted sludge with quite droney vocals.If you like Sleep's Jerusalem, you're gonna love this,especially the first track "Solitaire". The second track points to the same paths but it's a liitle bit more groovy,more heavy rockish Kyuss-driven. A great first EP which pleased me enough to play it quite a few times.In a live performance they will be greater and groovier and I believe it cause they played with bands like Jucifer, Weedeater, Clutch, Black Label Society.Heavy! Keep on guys and thanks for coming in touch with me.Cheers!

Enjoy! or listen it here: Solitaire & El Sentido Morboso

MySpace

Take A Look:

Mühr - Shepherd/Blood EP (2010)


First release for Mühr from Netherlands,this EP consists of two tracks(Shepherd and Blood). Let it take you to an hypnotic state in the middle of an icy desert with cactus of snow be your companion. Heavy doom riffs combined with sludgy parts and a touch of psych waves,it's the recipe for this promising EP..Approved for fans of OM,Ufomammut,Sons of Otis.

Enjoy!

MySpace

Take A Look:

31.12.10

Budd - Jawa (2010)


Just wow!Here we have an Australian three piece band (with Craig Westwood in bass/vocals) who created im my opinion one of the best albums for this year (and it's in my last post for 2010!). They have produced another album 10 years ago and now from nowhere just BOOM!Sometimes hypnotic,sometimes mesmerising,sometimes furious fuzzy riffing,this album will tear your face apart. The album's songs takes you to a hazy trip to space and then lands you violently in the deserts of Australia.Oh god,I love this.My new year's present for you.Don't miss it! 



Take A Look:

Hotel Wrecking City Traders - Black Yolk (2008)


Sometimes it seems that a guitar and a drumset are enough to create great music. This amazing duo,offers us great heavy psych stoner in the trails of Karma To Burn.A hurricane of distorted guitar riffs and a tsunami of drum grooves will make your mind explode. Also,they steer away from the 70's blues routes (where many bands turns out to give groove in their music) and they manage to build something new.Improvisation and clear psych jams is all they want to give us.And they succeed it!

Enjoy!

MySpace

Take A Look:

Zebulon - Troubled Ground (2004)


Back in 2004,Zebulon released this great stoner/space album which since today stays fresh and makes you wanna bang your head.Influenced by bands like Spiritual Beggars and Monster Magnet,with a bit of QOTSA's more heavy parts,they deliver us a well-structured album with frenzy guitar riffs,tight bass lines,drums full of energy and powerfull vocals.

Enjoy!

MySpace

Shellfin - SecondHand Family (2010)


Australia based Shellfin, brings us a mixture of Kyuss and Dozer.Juicy riffs and big grooves,with a touch of doom in order to sound a little bit downtempo but still groovy. It motivates you to listen it,more than a few times cause although it's Kyuss-driven it brings out fresh sounds.Check it out!

Enjoy!

MySpace

Take A Look:

Kingston Wall


Kingston Wall from Helsinki,Finland was formed in 1987 by guitarist,vocalist and group's mastermind Petri Walli,the basist Juka Jylli and drummer Sammi Kuoppamaki. It's one of the finest psych/prog bands and they released 3 albums(I in 1992, II in 1993 and III in 1994). The band called it quits in the end of 1994 and a few months later Petri killed himself after jumping from a tower in central Helsinki.

I believe Kingston Wall's music is one of the greatest monuments of psychedelic progressive rock. I can't find the  words that could describe their work. Petri, is one of the most outstanding guitar players and composers ever existed. Their music is perfect mix of psych,progressive,eastern themes combined with heaviness,mysticism,acid rock and a taste of techno(especially in the 3rd album).

Personally, I cannot choose any of their albums as the best. All of them,give me something to love,something to listen it again and again and discover their music in all it's greatness. If only the band continued creating their exceptional music....

The word enjoy isn't enough:




Take A Look:


30.12.10

Black Science - Cosmodemonic & Beyond (2010)


Formed in Seattle, Black Science it's the perfect example of how to sound fresh and unique.Their music is something like Sleep married to Pixies and Black Sabbath born a child,called Jane's Addiction. It's a fucking freaky heavy version of Hawkwind-meets-Kyuss. I can't count the bands and music styles combined in this album and although to sound so original. I think their main influence is the infinite chaotic space. It's unbelievable that these people don't have the fucking credit they deserve. That's from me,now let yourself explore their universe. Enjoy the ride!

Enjoy!

MySpace

Take A Look:

28.12.10

Stoned Jesus - First Communion (2010)


Yes,that's a great album in the way I like it.Starting with fuzzy stoner riffs and after that embrace the doom swamp,and again some groovy spots...Quite close in Sleep's school,these guys from Ukraine bring us a lethargic piece of doom,always worshiping their roots and with the occult element is present too (they also use samples from the '78s movie "Alucarda"),this 40minutes LP will satisfy your nihilistic apettite.

Enjoy!

MySpace

Take A Look:

Lucid - EP (2009)


Another interesting band from Netherlands,Lucid delivers us an excellent sample of space and psych rock with a pinch of Fu Manchu and Nebula. A promising EP, where the band honors their influences but in the same time creates their own path in our music forest.

Enjoy!

MySpace

Take A Look:

Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zero - Up From Below (2009)


Far from my usual listenings and from my musical taste, I must say that this album is quite interesting. Ignoring, the band's fucking hype of neo-hippy and collective attitude,which at least makes me wanna vomit,I got myself listen this album again and again but I never knew the reason why. Maybe because it gives me a heartwarming feeling.Or because their influences are so obvious where they bring in your mind a few songs of this era. Well, I don't really know if I should propose this album.It's quite controversial for me,so I leave the crιtisism for others.

Enjoy(?)

Take A Look:

27.12.10

Urania - Demo (2010)


((Unfortunately,I couldn't find any info for this Hungarian band except this album and some videos.And,I say unfortunately because it's a great piece of space rock jams and they worth listening to. Their tracks are not even titled, just the band's name and a latin number for each one. I hope we'll have some info soon about their work cause nevertheless it's a classy instrumental stoner album.))
Finally, some info about Urania,after an e-mail I received from the band.Thanks guys!
"about a shortly brief our band:

URANIA was founded in 2005 by Andy66 - bass, Robi - drum, Aiwass - guitar. Later Doki joined as vox. In 2010 spring the line-up was: Doki, Aiwass, Feri - drum, Pisti - bass, and they were jamming through that summer and buried URANIA in smoke and booze, finally. On winter in that year, Aiwass was left alone and he recorded approximately 20 songs at his home. Then he send an 8 tracking demo to the hungarian stoner blog. The blog decide to hype this band and help it to get some reputation, furthermore Rico RokkaRolla (ex-Born33 guitarist, member of stoner rock blog team, Hungary) elected to help this music present on stage, live. Marton Zoli (Joystix, Acoustix, Holy Shit!) joined them as bass. So, they looking for an awesome drummer (and gigs, of course), or they have to use 'Roland' on concert. If the rehearsals go ok, there would be a gig with the greece space rock band, Brotherhood Of Sleep, in Budapest."


Enjoy!


MySpace


Take A Look:

26.12.10

The Machine

The Machine is a power trio from Netherlands and they create excellent fuzzy heavy rock music. If you are fans of Colour Haze, you're gonna love them. They have released 3 albums (the last one "Drie" is released by Electrohash,so you know it's guaranteed). So, get ready for a magnificent journey into time and space. Co-travellers with you will be stoner riffing, retro psych feeling, a touch of acid jams and an idea of good old time blues...