Album Review...Hibushibire - Freak Out Orgasm!

Osaka based, Japanese hard psychedelic freak out rock band Hibushibire (translated as freak out orgasm) were formed by guitarist Chang Chang and bassist 821 as an improvisation jam rock band in 2012.  It's taken 4 years to cut a record due to lineup changes; their debut was recorded in just a day at Helluva Lounge and then overdubbed with extra instrumentation to give it its psychedelic feel.  Finally, the album was mixed by producer Kawabata Makoto of Acid Mothers Temple at his mountain top studio temple in Osaka.

The frantic, feral noodling of 'Lucifer's My Friend' opens the record; the shortest track at just 3 minutes long.  It's hyperspeed, receptive groove and feedback serves like a statement of intent; and over the next 40 minutes your brain is getting fried.

'Hallucination Valley Blues – Flying Shiva Attach – Hallucination Valley Blues (reprise)' follows, within the dirty, fuzzed up guitars, sounds a cool groove nodding in the direction of Bonzo's masterful drum pacing on 'Moby Dick'.  The middle section becomes a bat-shit crazy freak-out, before settling down again into its beginnings of acid blues groove.  'Trepanation Breakdown' rocks on like a scuzzy behemoth, over an irresistible riff and sonic wall of noise and the album shows no signs of settling down.  Side two of the record is  'Deep Throat River HolyMountain High',  commencing at first in a gentler, more atmospheric manner; folk-like instrumentation gives the cosmic trip a unique and absorbing feel, before the tempos shift and the band build to an ear bleeding, guitar shredding, sonic blast of an ending.

It is said that the 4 tracks on the LP are shortened down as recorded versions, whilst live, their wild psychedelic, improvisational nature can make the tracks constantly, and organically evolve without the limitations of time; there is no doubting the skill in which the band have achieved this here. Whilst chaotic at times, Freak Out Orgasm! remains tight and focused; Hibushibire show a clever knack for making it seem like the music is out of control; however, like the best insane orchestrated works of Zappa and Funkadelic, to the raw manic caustic workouts of Acid Mothers Temple; this works incredibly well.

Kudos to label Riot Season Records here for putting out what is without doubt one of the most  essential records so far of 2017.  Hibushibire will give your brain a cosmic battering, and you will thank them for it!

Hibushibire Bandcamp

Hibushibire Facebook

Riot Season Records

Album Review...Buried Feather - Mind of the Swarm

Australia's Buried Feather have been making heads turn for a while now: the band are known for their engaging live presence, something  that's afforded them a loyal fanbase and following. 'Mind of the Swarm' is the follow up to the acclaimed Self Titled 2013 debut.
The Album was recorded by Paul Maybury (King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard) and mixed by Nick Franklin (The Grates, Deep Sea Arcade) and is considered to be a more dynamic realisation of the band’s hypnotic sound.

The record opens with 'Would I Miss You', a cheeky Creedence Clearwater Revivalesque guitar lick starts the track and leads straight into heavy organs and pounding drums.  The track, itself, is dark, psych pop and it's irresistibly cool.

Lead single 'Dust' follows, hitting immediately, like a lost Wooden Shjips track, complete with phased guitars and hypnotic beat.
The title track is a fuzz fuelled dope trip; It's tone is hazy, but warm with serpentine synths.  'Sunshine' is much more garage rock inflected than previous songs, but still maintains a gothic-synth like aura.
Further on the record, there is the dirty, electro stomp of 'Regular Creep' and the drunkern drone  vibrations of the cinematic 'Screen Dreamer'. It's the sublime closing track 'Well Wishes' that steals the show, like an amalgamation of every note and beat that came before it; the track is a hard reverberating mammoth; its sonic grooves swell over a rolling drum pattern and help bring the LP to its intensely satisfying conclusion.

It's fair to say I was taken by 'Mind of the Swarm' pretty much on its first listen.  Theres plenty to recommend about its addictive sounds. There's no doubt it works well, on one hand as a rock album, however, the drones that inhabit the songs and the drowsy vocal on tracks like 'The Stranger' give it something far more alluring than the bands enjoyable debut record.  The fuzzy guitars and mesmeric drumming serve to add to the overall approach the record strives to achieve.  Its stoned, psychedelic feel is pitch perfect.  Buried Feather have released one of the first essential listens of 2017.  This is something fans of Moon Duo, Dead Meadow and The Cult of Dom Keller will definitely want to hear.


Buried Feather Bandcamp

Buried Feather Facebook

Cobra Snake Necktie Records (Aus)

Kozmik Artifactz Records (Eur)

Album Review... Moon Duo - Occult Architecture Vol. 1

Read the Original Review for Midlands Rocks HERE

Moon Duo’s new LP has been split into two parts; not only that, but the duo now appear to be a trio! Confused? You won't be.

The decision to split Occult Architecture into two releases came during the mixing process. According to guitarist Ripley Johnson, “We were recording and mixing the songs; beginning in the dead of Winter, and continuing into the rebirth and blossoming of the Spring.  There’s something really powerful about the changing of the seasons in the Northwest; the physical and psychic impact it has on you, especially after we spent so many years in the seasonal void of California".

The album opens with 'The Death Set', a fuzzed-up monster that fills every space that it sonically occupies.  It's also one of the few tracks that follow the expected constructs of a Moon Duo Record.  'Cold Fear' features a more electronic approach akin to 80's synth pop and has a Krautrock feel; the synths buzz and swirl throughout, as the drum track loops.  Follow on track 'Creepin' is fast paced psych pop and has some of the same touches, but has an urgency within its delivery; the synths sounding, once again, very much like they were built in the 80's.

The second half of the album kicks off with 'Cult of Moloch' and offers a change in tone.  The synths remain, but introduce a darker layer; a more gothic feel, bringing to mind The Sisters of Mercy and Nottingham's brilliant The Cult of Dom Kellers 'Goodbye to the Light'  LP from 2016.
'Will of the Devil' lightens a little, leaning more towards synth-pop once more.  The albums highlight is without doubt, the epic closer 'White Rose'; a motorik and relentless track, that moves towards its swirling end.  The final track doesn't feel like closure. It actually leaves a state of anticipation for the second part.

Occult Architecture Vol. 1 marks the first time drummer John Jeffrey plays on the whole album having only played on selected tracks on 2015's 'Shadow of the Sun', and although the album does have a more synth approach, he definitely brings something that expands the groups sound.

Make no mistake, there isn't an atypical diversion going on here, Volume 1 remains as vibrant and true to the craft of Moon Duo's previous releases; there are differences, in terms of tones and the synth textures, but the sound remains undoubtably their own.  Listening to this first part, does set off a curiosity in terms of what the next volume will deliver; how warm can it become without a radical departure?  For now, volume 1 does exactly what you expect it to and want it to.

Official Site

Moon Duo Facebook

Sacred Bones Records

Listen to February's Atom Heart Mutha Anytime on Mixcloud

February's Atom Heart Mutha RadioShow is now available to listen to anytime on Mixcloud. You can go to the AHM Mixcloud page HERE or listen on the embedded player below. This months show went out on the Bigjaf.net RockShow on February 11th and again for American Radio Station Grip Of Delusion Radio on the 12th. This month features a ton of brand new releases from the likes of Moon Duo, Kingnomad, Buried Feather Sula Bassana and Hibushibire, theres plenty of Psych Stoner and Spacerock to discover. As always if you like what you hear please support the bands and labels by buying their music, there are direct tags on the Facebook Page, check it out.

Tracklist:

Moon Duo - Cult of Moloch
Sula Bassana - Grong
Holy Mount - Blackened Log
Buried Feather - The Stranger
Old Blood - Silk Road Rash
Seedy Jeezus - Chasing the Dragons Tail
Deep Space Destructors - Journey to the Space Mountain
Kingnomad - Nameless Cult
Hibushibire - Hallucination Valley Blues/Flying Saucer Attack/Hallucination Valley Blues Repise

Bandcamp Roundup

2017 is shaping up to be a great year for new music, below are some Bandcamp Links to some brand new/recent releases you can stream and hear now.
Take some time and check this stuff out, theres some absolute gems.  Ive also put links up to some albums that are a little older that may have passed you by, they're all crackers though !
The tile links are clickable and will take you to the bandcamp page.
As always, if you like what you hear support the artists and pay for the download, or check out their pages and buy a physical version.
A lot of the artists here will be selling vinyl versions and special edition packages

Enjoy!




Ddent - آكتئاب




Old Blood - Old Blood




Seedy Jeezus - Seedy Jeezus




Gozu - Revival




Vintage Cucumber - Schnecke




Alpha Omega - Dark Tales of the Shroom




The Clamps - Blend, Shake, Swallow

Tau - Tau Tau Tau




Deep Space Destructors - Spring Break From Space




Early Mammal - Take a Lover

Album Review...Cosmic Fall - First Fall

As 2017 moves on, Clostridium Records have released the first Long Player from Berlin's Cosmic Fall; a heavy, psychedelic rock act formed, in the summer of last year.
 The band are said to follow in the tradition of artists such as Earthless; and whilst that may be true, to a degree, they also have something original within their approach too.

'Sun of a Gun' is a measured, bluesy rock number that emits an atmosphere of its own; it slowly travels its way over its 15 minute length, consuming your brain warmly, until reaches its climax, suddenly evolving into a rocking freakout!
'Road to Ufa' follows, and there's no escaping its stoner rock nod to Clutch, and the old blues feel of John Lee Hooker.  'I Must Obey' follows; a confident, strutting bassline, and, in its latter section, impressively rocks out, as if Jon Lord's drumkit got it on with a Tony Iommi riff!  For me, it's the standout track of the record.
The album closes with 'Jam I', a lengthy track with an intense groove.  The band are clearly comfortable with starting with an idea and rolling with it to see where it goes; despite its length, it manages to be pleasing, without wearing out its welcome.

Cosmic Fall do a great job of making music that showcase 4 songs over 45 minutes, yet maintain the listeners attention.  It's almost unbelievable to conceive what they have achieved in just 6, short months of forming.  Whilst often improvisational in approach; what is delivered feels tight and focused, this is something that the bands homeland contemporaries, such as Knall and The Spacelords, do so well; Clostridium Records have excelled, in adding a band of such high calibre to their arsenal and introducing them lovers of Heavy Psych Rock.

First Fall is a record that should be explored over time and with repeated plays; this is an earthy album that leaves you with the desire to hear it live, loud and without limits.  There are times when its sound is just too big to be contained on a record; how they choose to follow this mammoth debut will be an interesting reveal.

The record is available from the bands bandcamp page and as well as a digital and CD release there is a choice of three vinyl ops, Black, purple and splatter design.


Cosmic Fall Facebook

Cosmic Fall Bandcamp

Clostridium Records

Album Review...Secret Saucer - The Reset

Born from the ashes of the Strange Daze Festival, is an Ohio based Space Rock band known as Secret Saucer.  The music they make is pure, improvisational, spacerock/krautrock and have been melting brains for 12 years, since the release of the debut 'Element 115'.

We liftoff with the synth heavy  intro of 'Mercury' before morphing into 'Roaming Shores' a tripped-out Space Rock opus that unfolds beautifully, over nearly 7 minutes.
'Silver Tethers' is a heavily synth laden track, with a sci-fi feel.  The drumming is reminiscent of Nick Masons's celebrated work on 'Dark Side of the Moon'.  It's easy to get lost in the track as you find yourself getting carried on to higher plains. Follow on track 'We're Waiting' is a pulsating, electronic soundscape that peaks with the sound of (One presumes) alien birds. The title track is a magnificently unnerving, oscillating soundscape, that serves to warn us of "violent quakes' on the earths surface. The next track 'Orbital Perturbation' carries on with the ominous theme, as it builds to to a gravely riff and intergalactic whirling.

Elsewhere, on the record is the looping, bass-driven, space stomp of 'Surfing on Saturn' and the 'Comfortably Numb' influenced 'Treading on Crystal light' that evolves into a cosmogonic space skank, before reverting back to its Floydian sway.  The album highlight for me comes in the closing tracks of the record with 'Beaten Path'; a euphoric composition that takes the album towards concluding piece 'Dripping Metal'.

The Reset is album number 7 for Secret Saucer and it finds them on great form.  The band continue to be driven, and on point.  Within the grooves, you can hear the influence of Nik Turner and Hawkwind, as well as all the hallmarks of any great, modern, SpaceRock record in the cosmic mix. This is a band that deserve a wider audience to absorb the hard work poured into the intergalactic psychedelia that lives within their albums.  The Reset might just be the album to do that.

The band have just announced that a limited edition vinyl run will be released in May via German label PsyKa Records; the album is due to be mastered by the brilliant Eroc.  Preorder now, before it's too late!

Secret Saucer on Facebook

Secret Saucer on Soundcloud

The Next Atom Heart Mutha RadioShow goes out....

...Live online on February 11th at 9pm as part of the Bigjaf.net RockShow.  You can hear it Live as it happens  by going to www.mixlr.com/wwwbigjafnet
There will be a clickable player on the AHM Facebook and Twitter pages as well on Bigjaf.nets own social media. As always the encore performance on  awesome American Station Grip of Delusion Radio will go out the next day on the 12th at 10amEST/4pmCET/3pmUK
This months show will feature brand new tracks from recently released and upcoming records and showcase the best that HeavyPsychedelicStonerRock has to offer; until then you can check out February 2016's broadcast which was part of BigJaf's Cover Version Special.

Track List:

Incredible Bongo Band - In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida
L'impero Delle Ombre - Snowblind
Dark Horses - Hello, I Love You
Cult of Dom Keller - Dazed and Confused
Elder - Voodoo Child ( Slight Return )
Fireball Ministry - Doctor Doctor
Teeth of the sea - In the Space Capsule
The Atomic Bitchwax - Astronomy Domine
The Vickers - Love You To
The Holydrug Couple - Je T'aime Non Plus

Three Great Projects You Can Check Out Right Now...

As 2017 progresses there's a huge amount of new releases around right now as well as really interesting albums well worth seeking out; some of those records will be reviewed soon on the Blog, I'll also be playing tracks from them in upcoming shows.
I'd like to draw your attention to some cool and interesting projects, most have just been released and are very worthy of your attention,
Ive included links and some information wherever possible as well as playable tracks and streams.  As always, if you like what you hear please show some love and purchase the music in whatever format suits and have a look at the artists and labels webpages and social media.

Atom Heart Mutha Facebook
Atom Heart Mutha Twitter
Listen to AHM on Mixcloud.

Life Education - Acid Owl

Acid Owl is a side-project of Kösmonaut due for release on limited edition cassette from Grabbing Clouds Records & Tapes out of the SF Bay Area, Released as two editions, the first 20 are hand-crafted and 80 are professionally duplicated on chrome. Described as  Circle-esque repetitive trances, conjured up by occasional Amon Duul II-esque Kraut gout flare-ups and relentless Reichel delayed guitar wave-gasms to massage your auditory holes.
The album itself is a magical trip, blending hypnotic electronica and beats with psychedelic soundscapes. Fans of cosmic exploration within the brain will find plenty to love here, there are  wonderful loops and drones from the ethereal 'Cosmic Claw' to the more intense 'PTSD'
Check out the video to 'Rainbow Terminus' Below and click the bandcamp player to hear more, you can preorder now and buy the whole thing on February 3rd.


Life Education on Bandcamp
Kösmonaut/Life Education on Facebook

Expo Seventy - America Here & Now Sessions

Expo Seventy return on Essence Music with the mastermind Justin Wright bringing together a rare line-up featuring two drummers. The four-piece only lived during a short period of time and the thunderous experiments achieved by these unique sonic hypnotists are fully presented here.
America Here & Now Sessions was recorded during the three-week art experience started in Kansas City featuring paintings, sculptures, poetry, plays, films and music from local and national artists called “America: Now And Here – A cross-country traveling dialogue about America through the arts”. Local musician Ashley Miller spearheaded a recording project that featured a handful of local acts to record some music that would be later edited together and released as an album.
The project lost funding, but Expo Seventy was able to record as part of the art experiment.
The album itself comprises of two long tracks 'First Movement' and 'Second Movement'.

'First Movement has a really nice hypnotic feel as it starts, somewhere between droning experimentation and borderline Spacerock; the beats slowly evolve and intertwine over cosmic sounds, theres something very early seventies Floyd going on too.
As it moves towards its conclusion the guitars have more fuzz tones and track subtly intensifies. 'Second Movement' is much more of a synth led piece that gently pulses it way forward, as it hits the halfway point it begins to introduce heavy mesmerising beats and crashes symbols and becomes something far more intense, its completely engaging and easy to get lost into it as evolves.

Expo Seventy Bandcamp
Expo Seventy Facebook
Essence Music Website

There are multiple versions available:
LP: Limited to 160 copies on BLACK vinyl (housed on RED packaging) and 140 copies on GOLD vinyl (housed on BROWN packaging). Stunning and sturdy hand-screenprinted die-cut packaging, including a fold-out poster/innersleeve and insert. 180g high-quality wax displaying visuals by Erik A. Hamline, aka Steady Co. CD: Sturdy tip-on mini-LP gatefold packaging displaying utterly different artwork from the vinyl edition. Design courtesy of Justin Wright himself. Includes an OBI strip and a bonus track. Limited to 200 copies. SPECIAL EDITION: Strictly limited art edition of 119 hand-numbered copies, which comes with: 1) The vinyl edition on an exclusive colour variant - WHITE wax (housed on BLUE pack); 2) A large hand-drawn/silkscreened fold-out poster; 3) The CD edition; 4) An exclusive bonus disc called “Beyond From Where We Started From”, with recent trio-mode Expo Seventy free jams of the highest order. Everything housed on a beautiful hand-stitched/silkscreened cloth bag.



Kosmischer Läufer - The Secret Cosmic Music Of The East German Olympic Program 1972 - 1983

Finally, I'd like to mention Kosmischer Läufer's 3 Volume Project 'Secret Cosmic Music of the East German Olympic Program 72-83'. I hadn't heard of this before but came across it recently; it's fair to so I was completely blown away by it.
For the first time since it was recorded in East Berlin over 30 years ago the music of Martin Zeichnete can finally be heard. A disciple of the Kosmische Muzik of the likes of Kraftwerk, Can and Neu! he heard drifting across the Wall from the West, Martin's idea of using the motorik, hypnotic beat of krautrock in the training of athletes was taken and exploited by the DDR's state run Olympic Committee.
Unable to obtain a licence to play his own music Martin embarked on what he called a decade long 'invisible career' with East Germany's athletic elite his only audience. Mixing electronics with live instruments Martin produced an incredible range of work including music for warmups, running, 'ambient' music to be played in gyms and pieces for artistic gymnastics. The committee called this program State Plan 14.84L, Martin and his fellow musicians called it 'Projekt Kosmischer Läufer' (Cosmic Runner).

The albums have a wonderfully warm Spaced out feel to them, beautifully recorded as trippy synth symphonies the recording follow an athletes  journey as they build-up/warm-up and back down again.  Originally released in June 2013 they have been reissued again on 180g coloured vinyl and are highly collectable.

Kosmiscer Läufer Facebook
Kosmischer Läufer Bandcamp

Album Review...Church of the Cosmic Skull - Is Satan Real?

Are they a cult?  Are they a Church? Is Satan real?  Does everybody in Nottingham dress like this? Well, who knows...
I discovered Church of the Cosmic Skull whilst browsing label kozmik Artifactz's website and I'll admit, it was the cover art that caught my attention.  Further investigations online, and a comparison or two, to Black Mountain later, was all it took to make me want to explore further.

Album opener 'Mountain Heart' is an uplifting slab of heavy rock, driven by majestic organs and guitars.  It is rooted very much in the vein of classic 1970's hard rock; it's clever use of Bill Fisher's lead vocal, harmonising with the band as a choir, elevate the track over many contemporary rock bands that are around right know.  'Black Slug' follows in style, but its riffs are heavier and darker.
Elsewhere, there's the reflective 'Answers in Your Soul' a stripped down acoustic number and the epic, bluesy, 9 minute long 'Evil in Your Eye' to offer up a variety in approaches; the later having a wondrous and soulful Hammond Organ break that would've given the late Jon Lord a run for his money.  Title track 'Is Satan Real?' has a great groove to it, as does the excellent stop/start heaviness of 'Watch it Grow'.  All in all, the tracks add up to an addictive listen that's had me going back for more from the first time I heard it.

Whether, or not, you consider the bands image, or claims to be a church a gimmick, doesn't matter, in fact, you'll be doing yourself a disservice by letting that influence you.  Make no mistake, Is Satan Real? is a great record; the Black Mountain comparisons are justifiable, especially in terms of the vocals sound and harmonising style, it has much in common with 'In The Future' and their 2005 Self titled debut.  In addition, the choral vocals soar above, triumphantly fitting with that vintage 70's psychedelic rock sound.  The songs are expertly crafted and credit should be given to those involved in the recording and mixing of the album, for capturing an authentic old school rock sound, yet doing something that sounds contemporary and cool.  Church of the Cosmic Skull have put thought and effort into their sound, you really should check it out; this is a band I'll be very happy to catch live, as soon as the opportunity presents itself.

Church of the Cosmic Skull Official Site

Church of the Cosmic Skull Bandcamp

Church of the Cosmic Skull Facebook

Kozmik Artifactz

Album Review... Zement - Zement:Werk

If you follow the blog, you may have seen the recent review of the incredible 'Siebenunddreißigachtundvierzig' by Weites Luftmeer, in which I mentioned that I'd heard the album late last year, after I'd already published my favourite records of 2016 list.  I also said, at the end of the review, that there was some quite brilliant and interesting music coming out of Germany at the moment.  Well, to back up that statement comes Zement; a German duo this time from Würzburg.

The album artwork by Fabian Götz appears to promise something grey or colourless which couldn't be further from truth.  Contained inside are 5 tracks of Motorik beat driven patterns with warm synths and fantastic guitar work, leading the way, almost hypnotically, through each track. 'Ton' opens the record and wastes no time in getting straight to point; a driving beat over a waving synth and a striking guitar lick as the song builds and expands. All 5 tracks are around 10 minutes in length and never overstay their welcome.  Subsequent tracks Kalkstein, Eisenerz, Sand, and Gips all follow the same themes, in terms of length and build; the instruments remain the same too, but that's not to say there's a lack of variety.  Each song stands alone as different and individual, with noticeable enveloping depth.

Zement: Werk hits the mark on the first listen and it gets better and better with every play.  Zement deserve to be heard widely, and fans of Krautrock/Kosmische will find themselves engrossed by what's on offer here. The album was recorded as it was played live, in one room, by Marcus from The Spacelords and mastered, unsurprisingly, by Eroc, which makes this record a great companion piece to last years excellent 'Shipwrecked' by Sula Bassana.  Fans of New! and Föllakzoid will also find plenty to love here too.

Seek out Zement, they are absolutely worth your time.

Zement Facebook

Zement Bandcamp

Sunhair Music

BandCamp Roundup

2017 is already shaping up to be an excellent year for music, there are quite a few releases due over the next few weeks and plenty of reviews of new records on the Atom Heart Mutha blog to come.

Bandcamp continues to be a goldmine of albums well worth checking out, here are a few I've come across recently that i think you'll really dig.
Lots of these are brand new/recent releases and are available to download now, click the title links to take you to the bandcamp pages, in many cases there will be physical releases for purchase too.

As always if you like what you hear please support the bands by buying their music and showing your support by following them on social Media. There are more new reviews to come on AHM so please keep coming back, you can also find me on Mixcloud, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. If you'd like to be considered to be played on the show or have an Lp reviewed, contact me via email.
Enjoy !!




Chocolat - Rencontrer Looloo

Holy Serpent - Temples




Comet Control - Centre of the Maze




The Grape and the Grain - Holy Rollin'




Uniform - Wake in Fright




The Forbidden Dimension - Every Twisted Tree Watches As You Pass




Pink Pussycats From Hell - Hell-P




Orango - The Mules of Nana




Exploding Eyes - Exploding Eyes




Vinnum Sabbathi - Gravity Works




Elbrus - Elbrus

Listen to January's Atom Heart Mutha RadioShow Anytime on Mixcloud

Januarys Atom Heart Mutha RadioShow is now available to listen to anytime on Mixcloud. You can go to the AHM Mixcloud page HERE or listen on the embedded player below.
This months show went out on the Bigjaf.net RockShow on January 14th and again for American Radio Station Grip of Delusion on the 15th.
This month features a ton of brand new releases from the likes of White Light Cemetery, Evil Triplet and Atomic Simao and theres plenty of Psych Stoner and Spacerock to discover.
As always if you like what you hear please support the bands and labels by buying their music, there are direct tags on the Facebook Page, check it out.

Track List:

Krobak- No Pressure, Choice is Yours
Church of the Cosmic Skull - Watch it Grow
Evil Triplet - Get a Job
White Light Cemetery- Quit Work, Make Music
Plainride - Salt River
Secret Saucer - Roaming Shores
Atomic Simao - I'm Your Eyes Here
Brothers Mothers - Flying Over
Jardin de la Croix - Reversion
Cosmic Triggers - Sindicate

Album Review... Weites Luftmeer -Siebenunddreißigachtundvierzig

Every now and again, a happy coincidence presents itself.  In a  Twitter conversation late last year, It was suggested that i'd really like Munich's Weites Luftmeer and i needed to check them out.  Not much longer afterwards, and unexpectedly, Tonzonen Records gave me an opportunity to hear the latest release from the band 'Siebenunddreißigachtundvierzig'; and I'm happy to say, It's fantastic.

Opening track 'Isosceles' plays as shimmering, psychedelic rock; the drumbeat and spangly guitars lead the way through a contemporary shoegaze sound to its noisy conclusion.  Following its gentile start 'Buoyancy' is much more distorted and fuzzed-up in its tones. The track builds by adding drones and percussive beats.
As the music hits the five minute mark, it bursts into something more urgent and weighty, creating an incredible wall of sound. 'Trail of Thoughts' begins with ambient soundscapes in its first half, but is soon awash with trippy beats and gorgeous textures of synth and guitar.  The albums closer is much heavier; 'Oxykotin' growls with every reverb drenched note.  The track is a heavy psych rock freakout that keeps on smashing forward with its mammoth groove; its final moments fade out and leave you wanting for more.

All four tracks add up to an engaging, and often uplifting listen, each song is constructed expertly and thoughtfully.  These compositions work well individually, but work far better as one piece, in fact, Siebenunddreißigachtundvierzig is another perfect example of being music elevated as an experience through decent headphones.


Tonzonen records are continuing to go from strength to strength with their roster, and in fact its an interesting time right now For Psychedelic Rock/Spacerock largely in part to German bands and labels.  Tonzonen are about to release new records by Knall, The Spacelords and Sounds of New Soma. I'm really excited to hear all of them.

Weites Luftmeer have delivered something unexpected.  I'm pleased that I've made their acquaintance now, as I start looking for through their back catalogue. Had I have caught this on release, it would have, most definitely, made my albums of the year list.
Essential listening.

Weites Luftmeer Bandcamp

Weites Luftmeer Facebook

Tonzonen Records

Tonzonen Records Facebook

Album Review...Sista Maj - Series of Nested Universes

The Trio 'Sista Maj' (Swedish for the last day of May, ever) are an interesting prospect; made up of Jonathan Segal of Camper Van Beetoven, drummer Andreas Axelssson (experimental jazz artist Lisa Ullén's band) and Mikael Tuominen of the brilliant Kungens Män.
The last day of May 2015 happened to be the first time that these three musicians played together.  Record Label Space Rock Productions explain "they had played in other constellations before, but this started a new group: Sista Maj".

Their debut album "Series of Nested Universes" was recorded in Stockholm after they met again to record in October 2015

Disc 1 begins with the ambient and jazz infused 'Penny Spies', acting as an intro to the album, over its 6 and a half minutes leading to 'Secret Cave Secret Rat' a psychedelic mantra building over guitar and drones. 'A Very Happy Feather' is a colossal 25 minutes long.  It begins its ascent with improvised space rock jamming, before it evolves into a full-on krautrock workout; its motorik drumming is almost hypnotic.

Disc 2 commences with the title track 'Series of Nested Universes',  another ambient piece built over drones and a steady beat; its tone is cinematic and there are tinges of Eastern Psychedelic violin  hidden within synthetic soundscape.  'Like a Diamond in this Guy' follows as slow psych jam over a considered beat and galactic guitar, but has a dark intensity.  'It Never Ends' is fast paced, urgent and strange; it's also infectiously groove driven and, easily, my favourite track on the album.  The record closes over 15 minutes of improvised, atmospheric psychedelia and jazz with 'Bones of Steel'.  It's mellow tones enriched, once again, by the eastern styles of the violin and guitars, otherworldly and beautiful.

Series of Nested Universes is a massive album to absorb over its two discs.  Whilst its inception and indeed the recording process is born of improvisation and jamming sessions; strangely its content doesn't feel particularly loose.  Given the bands pedigree, it's no surprise that stylistically, it takes in jazzed-up space rock and psychedelia.  However, it doesn't follow conventional rules; each track is its own being and, as a listener, you'll benefit from repeated plays of the album.

Space Rock Productions are releasing the 2CD set limited to 500 pressed, making this a collectable piece. Find it whilst you still can!

Sista Maj Bandcamp

Space Rock Productions Website

Space Rock Productions Facebook

Album Review...White Light Cemetery - Careful What You Wish For

Southern Rockers White Light Cemetery have been around since 2008.  Influenced by classic rock masters  Led Zeppelin, Lynrd Sknyrd and Deep Purple, along with the heavy attitude of Pantera and Crowbar (who the band toured with in 2013 on their Crushing The South Tour) the Louisiana four piece definitely know how to bring the noise.

This year sees the band put out their first record for Ripple Music; a label that over the past 5 years has developed into the home of some the most incredible contemporary, heavy rock acts around.  From the second the brooding bassline of 'Misery Loves Company' rumbles in, right up to that crunching mammoth opening riff, you know White Light Cemetery have found themselves right at home amongst the likes of Wo Fat, Zed and Devil to Pay.
The rousing 'Sky River' has the feel of old school hard rock, rooted somewhere between Bad Company and Sonic Temple era The Cult, but with a modern sound injected in.  Looking Out (For Number One) again feels like it's towering above the world; the bass work and riff, once more, creating that giant sound that resonates through the LP.  'On a Dime' has bluesy vintage flare and is one of the albums many highlights, as is follow on track 'Quit Work, Make Music'; a stoner fuelled Gem.
Elsewhere, on the LP, is the deep groove of 'Better Days' and the Audioslave-like 'Waiting'; all leading up to album closer 'Bullet to Erase'; a return to the old style rock sound.  A really confident and fitting way to end the album.

Over the course of the 8 tracks, White Light Cemetery expertly demonstrate that southern rock doesn't have to sound like Skynrd; there's not a lot here that alerts you to the fact they're a southern rock band like the acclaimed Drive By Truckers per say.  What you do get, in buckets though, is the heavy sound of a band at the top of their game.  Every riff is massive; every bassline struts confidently and every beat smashes.  This a huge leap forward since their 2013 debut.

Ripple Music deserve credit for their output of late. 2016 was a killer year for them and Careful What you Wish for is a helluva way to kick off 2017.  White Light Cemetery have released the first great rock record of the year and only tease at what a formidable force they surely must be when witnessed live.

Highly Recommended.


White Light Cemetery Facebook

Ripple Music

The Next Atom Heart Mutha RadioShow goes out on...

...January 14th at 9pm as part of the Bigjaf.net RockShow and again on Sunday 15th for Grip Of Delusion Radio at 10amEST/4pmCET/3pmUK.

The show features brand new tracks from new and recent releases, there'll be more details nearer the time of Broadcast on the AHM Facebook page.

Until then enjoy a playback on the Mixcloud player below of January 2015s show...
Track list:

Intro
Psychic Lemon - TiCkToC
Out Of the Earth - Mother Nature
Greenleaf - Equators
The Holy Cosmos - Cult of Skulls
Seven That Spells - The Pyramid
Wooden Shjips - We Ask You to Ride
Föllakzoid - IV, III, II. I
Nik Turner - Adjust the Future
Mothership - Still Raining, Still Dreaming

Hear Transmissions From the Psychedelic Basement Prog Special Now!!

Transmissions from the Psychedelic Basement is a series of joint mixes from Atom Heart Mutha and Their good friends from Thee Psychedelicatessen.
Originally conceived as a crossover over of Psychedelia and Psychedelic Rock these mixes offer very different styles that come together to create one brilliant and addictive mix of music both old and new.
This Prog Special started as an idea from Thee Psychedelicatessen as something that you wouldn't normally associate from all concerned. What you are about to hear is a spectacular mix of the best tracks from the scene, they were a lot of fun to put together, we hope you enjoy them as much as we do !



If you like what you hear please support the artists by buying their music, you can find Atom Heart Mutha and Thee Psychedelicatessen on Facebook and Twitter.

Atom Heart Mutha

Atom Heart Mutha Track List:

Vangelis - Spiral 
Acqua Fragile - Three Hands Man 
Billy Green - Gravediggers 
Gentle Giant - A Cry For Everyone 
Caravan - Winter Wine 
Rick Wakeman - The Lost Cycle 
England - All Alone/Three Piece Suite 
Yezda Urfa - 3, Almost 4, 6 Yea 
Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Karn Evil 9: First Impression Pts 1 & 2 
Procol Harum - Shine on Brightly

Thee Psychedelicatessen

Thee Psychedelicatessen Track List:

Colosseum - The Valentyne Suite 
If - I'm Reaching Out On All Sides 
Blodwyn Pig - Sing Me A Song So Well 
Quintessence - Giants 
Family - Love Is A Sleeper 
bIG GRunt - 11 Mustachioed Daughters 
Kevin Ayres - The Confessions Of Dr Dream Part 1 - 4 
Argent - Hold Your Head Up 
Alan Parsons Project - The Raven 
Aphrodite's Child - The Four Horsemen 
Genesis - Twilight Alehouse 
Van Der Graff Generator - Theme 1 
Yes - No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed 
The Nice - America

Reissues, Compilations, Live Albums and other curiosities from 2016.

As list season comes to an end i'd like to mention some of the reissues this year worthy of your attention. Below are some of the best Compilations, Splits and Live Albums that I've really enjoyed.
All title links are clickable and will take you to the artists pages; as always, if you like what you hear then please support the artists and labels by purchasing their music.

There's some killer stuff here, Enjoy !

Sacred Bones Presents: Todo Muere Volume 5

Blanck Mass Presents - The Strange Colour of Your Body's Tears Re-Scope

Evil Hoodoo - For Nepal

Interkosmos - Hypnotizer.




The Band Whose Name is a Symbol - Symbol Box




E Gone - Advice to Hill Walkers




Dead Sea Apes - Soy Dios




Brown Acid - The Second Trip




Space Rock: An Interstellar Traveler's Guide




Knall - Alienfunk (Live)




Jonathan Morgan - Alchemical




Electric Moon - Zeiss Planetarium Bochum 2015 (Live)




White Hills - No Game to Play




Heavy Psych Sounds 4 Way Split - Golden Grass/Killer Boogie/Wild Eyes/Banquet

Ripple Music: Second Coming of Heavy Chapter 4 Red Mesa/Blue Snaggletooth




Hevisike Presents: Gorilla Vs Grifter

Album Review... Atomic Simao - Echo

3 Years ago Kiev's Atomic Simao released 'Nōdo'; a brilliant Spacerock LP with a really heavy undercurrent of Stoner Blues and Psych.  The record was soaked in references and influenced by the genius of Jimi Hendrix, right the way down to its iconic "Hindu Hendrix" sleeve design. The band have been busy of late, with the recording of the follow-up 'Echo', as well as touring with revered artists Psychic TV and The Herbaliser.

Clearly a lot has happened to the band in 3 years.  The opening track 'Intro' smashes in like something from The Chemical Brothers 'Dig Your Own Hole'.  The distinct changes in instrumentation are apparent immediately.  Second track 'The Mask' is full full on Psych-funk; its raspy saxophone and synths prove that the band have worked hard at delivering something new.  This isn't a record they want you to sit still and listen to, they demand that you move!
'Around the Sun' is next.  It runs on a lead sax again, but this time showcases some of the brilliant guitar work, last heard on Nōdo; also noteworthy here is the outstanding drum work of Georgiy Valchuk, coming off like Nick Mason on speed.  The tempo's and techniques change constantly but retain a Floydesque feel.  'The Fox' has a very dancey, sixties feel to it.  The organ sounds show an Acid Jazz flavour and a different facade to the band, but remain absolutely within the spirit of this record.  'Liquid Shadows is a slower, deeper number rooted in Jazz and old spy movie soundtracks, once more lead by the raspy sax.  It can also be heard on the final track 'Space Veils'.  However this song itself, sounds much more like something from past releases.

Despite its very late December Release, I'll say right now that this is going to be one hell of an album to beat in 2017.  Atomic Simao may well continue to remain known as a psychedelic rock act; but they bring so much more now than with previous releases as the evolution of the band continues. 'Echo' shows a development in sound and style that should surely catapult them forward on to bigger stages and to wider audiences.  The use of saxophone as a lead instrument is a bold and brilliant move and through its various filters, dazzles in the ways a great vocalist should.  The band wear the influences from electronic big beat records and psychedelic rock with pride; it all feeds into an album with a massive sound. The heavier use of synths and some of the best drumming you'll hear on record for a long time, add up to an essential listen.  There's no doubt about it;  'Echo' is fucking special.


Atomic Simao Bandcamp

Atomic Simao Facebook

Atomic Simao Soundcloud

Bandcamp Roundup...

The latter end of 2016 has produced a wealth of unexpected delights at a time of year reserved for best of releases and retrospectives; These are usually by the same artists as some sort of unnecessary and cynical cash in, well worry not......

Below you will find some brilliant alternatives...Stoner Rock, Desert, Space Psych and much more besides, click the links and hear the albums in full. The bandcamp pages for these artists will have social media connections there ready for you, click the titles above the player to go to the bandcamp pages directly, there will also be tags on the AHM  Facebook page post.

As always if you like what you hear please support the bands by buying their music and showing your support by following them on social Media.

There are more reviews to come on AHM so please keep coming back, you can also find me on Mixcloud, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Enjoy !




Last of the Easy Riders - Self Titled Ep

Age of Man - About Time

Øresund Space Collective - Visions Of ...

Odd Couple - Flügge



Tumbleweed Dealer - TDIII Tokes, Hatred and Caffine



Buried Sleeper - Colosseum



Second Coming of Heavy Volume 4 - Red Mesa/Blue Snaggletooth



Mammoth Weed Wizard Bastard - Nachthexen



Craneium - Explore the Void



Hair of the Dog - The Siren's Song