Baroness

Desert Storm – Buried Under the Weight of Reason Review

Desert Storm – Buried Under the Weight of Reason Review

“For nearly two decades, Desert Storm has stood at the cornerstone of England’s fuzz-drenched underground. One can imagine my surprise, then, to find that I claim the first review of their catalog here. The group’s maturation has been a process of trial and error, evolving from smoky, blues-soaked stoner and southern rock roots into a heftier, sludgy, doom-infused form. Despite the unevenness of the Oxford outfit’s earlier efforts—Forked Tongues and Horizontal LifeDesert Storm’s more recent output (specifically Sentinels and Omens) found that sweet spot where sludge, doom, and stoner rock collide.” Sand, storms, sludge.

Howling Giant – Crucible & Ruin Review

Howling Giant – Crucible & Ruin Review

Howling Giant occupies such an odd place within its scene. The Nashville collective is stoner metal and psych rock to the core in an energetic way that recalls the down-and-dirty acts like High on Fire or Mastodon, but layers of melody and creative chord usage feel progressive a la Intronaut or Baroness and the triple vocal harmonies are catchy yet evasive, not unlike Torche or Helmet. They also don’t take things too seriously, with a solid sense of humor and a relatable relationship with fans to bring their formidable technical skill to earth.” Howls from the south.

An Evening With Knives – End of Time Review

An Evening With Knives – End of Time Review

“At the start of the year, I pledged to pick as many promos as I could from those sent to us directly through the contact form, as a way to lift up the smallest of underground acts. But as this week is rather barren, I got to have my choice from the remainder, the label-backed colossi who have all their tedious marketing hubbub taken care of. One band name jumped out at me: An Evening With Knives. A name I’ve seen on plenty a concert bill around here, usually in a supporting capacity. Lo and behold, the lads are local, or rather, they were formed in the next city over. It’s always nice to see geographical peers making waves.” Stab-ility.

Horseburner – Voice of Storms Review

Horseburner – Voice of Storms Review

“I believe that the words I used when Steel informed me that a new Horseburner album was in the bin were, quote, “About fucking time!” Sure, it’s only been five years since The Thief, and in the grand scheme that’s nothing. I’ve tried on plenty of stoner/sludge/doom groups during that wait (when I wasn’t listening to Conan’s Existential Void Guardian for the zillionth time) but through it all I kept coming back to Horseburner. So as far as I’m concerned, a new Horseburner couldn’t arrive fast enough.” Fast horse or dead horse?

Black Tusk – The Way Forward Review

Black Tusk – The Way Forward Review

Black Tusk is one of those bands that are eternally 3.0, and I’ve always been completely content with that. My first experience with the Savannah, Georgia veterans was 2011’s Set the Dial, a veritable riff-fest of sludge to counter the swampy slogs I had only been acquainted with. In ways, the trio stood shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Mastodon and Baroness without the lofty ambition: you come for the sludge, you stay for the riffs.” Tusk and run.

Howling Giant – Glass Future Review

Howling Giant – Glass Future Review

“Last we met Howling Giant they were dueling with Somerset’s Sergeant Thunderhoof in groovy stoner split Turned to Stone Chapter 2: Masamune & Muramasa, which deserved a word, not a numerical score, to describe its quality. Howling Giant strung together a fun-loving single track with multiple movements, their meat-and-potatoes approach slightly outdueling da Hoof’s bombastic and flashy performance.” Howling at stones.