Category: Music Reviews

Check out some new releases and classic jams.

Zoltar – Bury

by desertrockunited3960, posted in Music Reviews

Zoltar is a down to earth stoner metal trio from three cities in Sweden: Gothenburg, Uppsala and Östersund. Starting out as a local riff-o-rama-project in East coastal city of Uppsala just before the start of the COVID pandemic, soon the project turned into something too good to disappear into nothingness, the two founding members called for sibling backup and Kara Kusack joined to complete the lineup.

Shortly after completing the trio lineup, the two first tracks were produced, the vocals recorded and sent from the West coast of Sweden, all the composing and communication done via file transfer and digital means. In under two months the bands first two tracks were released independently; presenting fuzz grinding guitars partnered with fierce female vocals and anthemic choruses.

Striving for a genuine, distorted rock sound with a fresh context, the trio brings in elements from Black Sabbath and Kyuss as well as more sludge metal acts like Melvins and Red Fang with some overtones of early 90’s Olympia, Washington grunge. Zoltar brings you a punchy and powerful vibe to get your juices going. With influences rooted in punk, death, and rock ‘n roll Zoltar’s brand of dark stoner influenced jams have a pragmatic and powerful sound with loads of energy. The songs with synth bring a space rock element and along with Kara Kusack’s vocal range and different stylings there is a lot to like with the jams.

Th most recent track released August 18th, “Bury”, according to bassist and vocalist Kara Kusack was inspired by and a tribute to former Entombed singer (R.I.P) Lars-Göran Petrov. With a distorted phaser guitar line and a gravely growling vocal and a heavy anvil powered drum groove you can’t help but feel ready to rock. About three minutes in there is a synth solo before going back to the verse and makes for a really interesting transition.

There are some recent tracks available to listen to here and more music is on the way in the near future. Check out an interview with Kara Kusack for more band info and stay tuned!

Lineup:
Kara Kusack, Vocals, Bass, Synth
Crille Lampa, Guitar
Patrik, Drums

(Desert Spotlight) Unsound – Melt

by desertrockunited3960, posted in Music Reviews

Active from 1987-1994 desert punk rockers Unsound were one of a handful of bands who defined the late 80’s – mid 90’s Coachella Valley rock scene. With a DIY, play anywhere ethos the band frequented all of the historical non-venues such as The Colony, and the famous desert generator parties.

Released in 1993 on the Hemi Music label this was to be Unsound’s swan song, but what a way to go out. This release was a 7″ EP recorded at Westbeach Studios in Los Angeles. The band played for another year and in 1994 broke up except for a few one-off shows in 2010, 2012 and 2019. While earlier releases were more straight up raw, speed punk, this release has the band moving in a direction that mixed their familiar punk sound with a hardcore driven twin guitar attack along with time shifting progressions and Ian Taylor’s fast vocal blitz delivery. Donnell Cameron was the producer here, who went on to work with such artists as Sublime and Blink-182; as well as producing the Avenged Sevenfold album Sounding the Seventh Trumpet.

One of the aspects of seeing Unsound live was that you had to be ready to have your face melted off. There were no half efforts here, it was full tilt all the way through with Jeff Bowman hitting the drums hard enough to break his drumheads, Brian Maloney’s blazing leads through the loudest Randall amp in the universe, Ian Taylor’s high energy stage presence and (R.I.P) Britt Killen’s mid-range bass blasts.

While this release is likely out of print select one the song links below for a sample of the jams.

Lineup:
Brian Maloney – Guitar
Ian Taylor – Vocals, Guitar

Britt Killen – Bass
Jeff Bowman – Drums

Track list:

StoryTime
Product
Between
Outrage Is

UFO over Lappland – Spokraketer

by desertrockunited3960, posted in Music Reviews

Released in April of this year on Burnt Toast Vinyl, Spokraketer is the second release from Swedish instrumental psychedelic post-rockers UFO Over Lappland. The title Spokraketer refers to UFO’s seen flying over northern Sweden in the 1940’s. With only four tracks and coming in at around 38 minutes be prepared for some serious extended jams. The first track I’m Rolling Like Thunder, I’m Something You Don’t Understand has a hypnotic guitar line, reverb heavy synth, and extended Wah-wah soloing about 6 minutes in and a distortion heavy outro. The 2nd track Seventh Son of Orion has slow-burn delay heavy guitar line with synth effects in the background building to a crescendo at five minutes in until the end.

The third track Bla Vagen is a standout with its melodic guitar lines and waves of synth coming in and out like actual ocean waves. Turn this up, lock into the groove and look at the stars to see if you can spot the UFOs. There is some really dynamic musicianship and while there is definitely a post-rock vibe there is a subtle surf rock element as well. Some reviews have thrown in a progressive label, but this is firmly in the space/psych/post-surf realm.

Lineup
Krister Mörtsell – Guitar

Christer Blomquist – Bass

Andreas Rejdvik – Drums

Peter Basun – Synth

Track Listing
Side A
1.  I’m Rolling Like Thunder, I’m Something You Don’t Understand (8:46)
2. Seventh Sun Of Orion (10:21)

Side B
1. Bla Vagen (8:13)
2. Fire of ‘94 (9:55)

Rating 7.9

(DESERT SPOTLIGHT) Fever Dog – Alpha Waves

by desertrockunited3960, posted in Music Reviews

Formed in 2006 in Palm Desert, California, Fever Dog began as three 6th graders in a garage as Snot Rocket (How DIY is that!). Fast forward to 2012 and the band changed their name to Fever Dog and released their first album Volume One. Moving on to 2021 and the band released Alpha Waves. If you like “quadraphonic star ship rides”, this might be your jam!

The opener “Free Wheelin” is a Saturday night party anthem with a pop style chorus, up in the mix background vocals and keyboard fills reminiscent of 70’s glam rock at its finest. Track 3, Alpha Waves with an extended distorted bass groove and spaced out synth/organ wobbles can take you to another place and time. Track 6, “Bruiser!” drives a straight line to T.Rex style vocals and riffing, but it wouldn’t be out of line to suggest Ty Segall as an influence as well.

Track 9, “Mystics of Zanadu” has a Deep Purple feel to it then at 3 minutes in slows down to a Rush style Xanadu passage. The band clearly has an affinity for 70’s glam, rock and in some instances a few prog flourishes. Having said that, the musicianship is first rate and with only three members, this release is a “fantastical sonic tour de force”, of epic proportions.


Lineup
Danny Graham – Guitar, Vocals, Theremin
Jaxson Fischer – Bass
Joshua Adams – Percussion, Organs, Back-up Vocals

Track Listing
1. Freewheelin 04:04
2. Solid Ground 03:44
3. Alpha Waves 07:50
4. Hold On You 03:36
5. Star Power 05:05
6. Bruiser! 03:54
7. The Demon 03:59
8. King of the Street 04:55
9. Mystics of Zanadu 07:10
10. In My Hands 06:44

(DESERT SPOTLIGHT) Fatso Jetson – Archaic Volumes

by desertrockunited3960, posted in Music Reviews

Archaic Volumes is the seventh album from Fatso Jetson, released in 2010 and one of the best releases from the band. The expanded instrumentation with harmonica, saxophone and piano definitely provides the band a chance to flip seamlessly between surf, rock, blues and their signature time shifting break downs. The first track, blues/desert punk jam, “Jet Black Boogie” gets going with Vince Meghrouni’s harmonica layered above the opening guitar riff with great sax and guitar interplay on the outro of the song.

The album closer the moody, psychedelia infused “Monoxide Dreams” has some really great lyrical lines such as, “There’s so much money in those hills, it keeps the hungry coming back, dreams of coffee colored Cadillacs”. Track 5, “Golden Age of Cell Block Slang” has a rock/boogie/swing vibe and when the sax solo kicks in you really feel the groove and may need to get your dance shoes on. If you need your punk fix Track 6 the instrumental, “Here Lies Boomer’s Panic” might be your jam. You’ll get some SST style speed punk beats along with some heavy guitar riffs and some psycho sax lines. With 10 tracks and a run time of 41 minutes there isn’t time for fluff and overall this is a great release.

Track Listing

  1. “Jet Black Boogie” – 4:12
  2. “Play Dead” – 4:48
  3. “Jolting Tales Of Tension” – 3:17
  4. “Archaic Volumes” – 4:39
  5. “Golden Age Of Cell Block Slang” – 4:10
  6. “Here Lies Boomer’s Panic” – 4:52
  7. “Let Go” – 3:51
  8. “Back Road Tar” – 6:20
  9. “Garbage Man” – 3:28
  10. “Monoxide Dreams” – 3:37
  • Mario Lalli – Guitars, vocals
  • Tony Tornay – Drums
  • Larry Lalli – Bass
  • Vince Meghrouni – Harmonica, Saxophone, Vocals
  • Mathias Schneeburger – Organ, Piano
  • Gene Trautman – Drums (track 10)
  • Dino von Lalli – Guitar (track 9)

El Astronauta – Dark Matters

by desertrockunited3960, posted in Music Reviews

El Astronauta began in 2018 as a three-piece band finding their sound with their 2021 full length release, High Strangeness, on Coffin Curse records. Due to the ongoing pressures from the COVID-19 pandemic, and a divergence in the artistic vision of the band, the members decided to split amicably, with guitarist Seth Wilson retaining the name and former entity known as El Astronauta.

With a renewed and focused vision, El Astronauta is currently a recording project with Seth Wilson at the helm, enlisting help from fellow Bowling Green, KY area musicians.
The latest release Dark Matters, a 6 track EP comes out April 29, 2022 on Snow Wolf Records.

Opener Re-Entry and closing track Break Free with their slow burn, effect and overdriven phaser guitar lines draw some similarities to early 90s Monster Magnet style space jams. The vocals sound like a cross between Page Hamilton/King Buzzo style growling, but maybe a little lower in the mix than you’d find in those bands. “Give Up the Ghost” is the standout track with its heavy metal devil horns ready intro. Coming out of the short solo with a guitar break down and roaring vocals, you’ll be in pole position for the mosh pit whenever you are when listening to this track!


Track List
01 Re-Entry (Intro) 01:50

02 Burn 04:50
03 Stronger Men 03:20

04 Give Up the Ghost 02:55
05 Lessons Learned 03:45
06 Break Free 05:12

EFG – Thru The Future

by desertrockunited3960, posted in Music Reviews

Los Angeles trio EFG, Imaad Wasif (vox, guitar), Josh Garza (drums) and Tom Biller (bass) throw down big beats, frenetic riffs along with psychedelic infused dream rock that make up 2016’s 7 track EP Thru the Future. Wasif has a long history in the L.A. music scene having played in Alaska!, Folk Implosion, various solo releases, as touring guitarist for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and desert/SF noise rockers, Lowercase. Coming in at just under 34 minutes with 7 tracks this feels more like an extended EP although not quite a full release, but you definitely get the full capability of the band on display.

Tracks like Lies and Continuing showcase a more straight-ahead power rock vibe, while Stations with an effects heavy vocal styling and slowed down extended psychedelic jamming shows a totally different flavor. The last song Outlier with its big beat, fuzz guitar is a fitting closer for the release.

Track List
1. Lies 3:40
2. It’s Over 5:45
3. Every Christian Lion Hearted Man Will Show You 4:49
4. Continuing 3:23
5. Stations 7:33
6. Suzanne 4:12
7. Outlier 4:29



(DESERT SPOTLIGHT) STÖNER – STONERS RULE

by desertrockunited3960, posted in Music Reviews

Released in 2021 on the Heavy Psych Sounds label, this is the first project for stoner rock veterans Brant Bjork (Vocals, Guitar) and Nick Oliveri (Vocals, Bass). Rounding out the trio is drummer Ryan Gut. If you follow these dudes you’d know with a rock resume including Kyuss, QOTSA, Fu Manchu, Mondo Generator, Vista Chino, and many solo releases the question of whether stoners rule or not has been decided. Coming in at 43 minutes with 7 songs you get more than an EP, but maybe not quite a full release.

Recorded in one day in the high desert rock mecca of Joshua Tree in late 2020, the album has a live show feel to it much more than overly produced studio creation. Brant Bjork’s vocal style is reminiscent of Phil Lynott of Thin Lizzy fame, more laid back vocals that complement the music more than overpowering it. With the power trio format there is the need to lock in and groove without wasting time. The bass and drums do exactly that, locked in with fuzz guitar licks layered on and with lines like, “Shit don’t change, rad stays rad”, you can’t but help to rock out! What better way to experience the desert vibes in 2022 than the current tour with desert vets Yawning Man.

Track Listing

1. Rad Stays Rad (6:27)

2. The Older Kids (5:09)

3. Own Yer Blues (6:00)

4. Nothin’ (2:37)

5. Evel Never Dies (2:51)

6. Stand Down (6:19)

7. Tribe / Fly Girl (13:19)

HUM – INLET

by desertrockunited3960, posted in Music Reviews

Released in 2020 this is 90’s alternative noise rockers Hum’s first full length since 1998’s Downward is Heavenward. With a run time of 55:31 and 8 songs, it is clear the band is navigating the line of prog rock length tracks. If Torche, Helmet and My Bloody Valentine had a baby this would be what it sounded like when crying in the night! Walls of heavy distorted guitars, somewhat monotone vocals mixed only slightly above the instrument tracks, and in the case of track 7 Folding twin delay and reverb heavy melodic guitar lines weaving in and out like waves. If there is a radio friendly track it would be Step Into You with a 4 minute run time, melodic soloing and accessible chorus.

The 5th track The Summoning has an intro that channels Soundgarden’s Kim Thayil style riffage, before quickly moving to the familiar Hum guitar lines and harmonics. Interesting to note, often it sounds as if there is synth being played on some tracks, but there are no mentions of anyone playing synth so guitar with serious delay it must be. On a sad note drummer Bryan St. Pere passed away earlier this year. His drumming will live on for all to enjoy, which is the beauty of playing music.

SURVIVAL KNIFE – LOOSE POWER

by desertrockunited3960, posted in Music Reviews

This release on Glacial Pace Recordings is from 2014 and probably flew under the radar a bit. Justin Trosper of Unwound fame is running point on guitar and vocals with original Unwound drummer Brandt Sandeno on guitar for this outing. Rounding out the lineup is Meg Cunnigham on bass and Kris Cunningham on drums. If you are longing for some post-punk, tuneful, noise rock this might be your jam. Coming at just under 45 minutes with 7 songs you get the full spectrum. From direct and even somewhat pop-sounding (For Trosper) tracks Fell Runner and Divine Mob, along with the more expansive, extended jams of Cut the Quick and Heaven Has No Eyes.

With a full four-piece with two guitars, there is definitely more heft rhythm-wise than Unwound and the twin guitar attack makes for some cool interplay between the two guitars. For those of you who yearn for that familiar dissonant scarcity of Trosper’s playing, you get that here on Cut the Quick. While there are tinges of the early 90s indie Olympia sound this is definitely not a rehash of leftover Unwound riffs. Gold Widow starts out with a heavy Melvins type riff with this vocal line “California’s getting old, moving north to find some gold” then moves on to to a chugging riff, then into the chorus. Check it out!