Tag: desert rock

Samsara Joyride-The Subtle and The Dense

by desertrockunited3960, posted in Music Reviews

Samsara Joyride, the Vienna Austria-based blues, stoner, psych rock band, has been making waves in the music industry with their unique blend of Psych/Stoner/Blues jams since 2020. Released on February 23rd, 2024 the album is available on most streaming platforms and the band’s Bandcamp page. Let’s take a trip to the desert via Vienna and enjoy the ride as they take us into “The Subtle and The Dense.”

To Capture the Essence 

The limited-edition Vinyl comes in Oxblood color and with an 8-page booklet (Artwork by Daniel Batliner and Laura Fichtenkamm) + additional download card.

Heaviness Found: “I Won’t Sign Pt.1”

The journey begins with high volume yell to call out what is to come next! The distorted bass rumble of Daniel Batliner and drum groove played  by Andi Mittermühlner are the foundation upon which the songs get its drive. Then once the dual riffing and solos of Florian Miehe and Michael Haumer kick in you are in for quite the sonic extravaganza.

The Rising Crescendo: “I Won’t Sign Pt. 2”

The second part of the first track Pt 2. is purely an instrumental affair that starts on a slow boil of atmospheric riffs building to an aggressive crescendo of heavy drum fills and blazing guitar solos until the end of the track.

The Stomp of Doom: “Too Many Preachers”

This track begins with a slow doom style riff and drum beat that has a Black Sabbath/Alice in Chains dirge. As the song progresses there are guitar harmonics, stop and start accents and a general sense that dread is about to befall all who dare to listen. The section from 4:15 to 5:50 is a section that is calling all to bow down to “The Rock”! Any stoner/hard rock fan will clearly know the band means business after listening to this track.

Dark Rhythms Are Calling: “Sliver”

The rhythm section here provides a very solid foundation for the guitars and vocals to shine. Mittermühlner has a great bass drum sound and crack to the snare with a hint of reverb that provides an additional accent to each drum hit. Once again Batliner has the right tone, deep and bass heavy without being muddy. The vocal highlight is at about 2:30 when both Haumer and Miehe are giving it their all and with the dynamics of each it makes for an interesting vocal. The outro is a chug fest that any hard rock/doom fan would enjoy.

The Dream is Real: “Who Tells The Story”

This track highlights SJ at their best. The full sonic palette is on display with tasty guitar fills, reverb enhanced lead guitar lines, distorted bass lines and high-powered vocals. At around the 4 1/2-minute mark the song begins to slow down with Batliner’s distorted and possibly flanger effected bass taking the point to send the song in a new direction. With the lead and background vocals taking center stage to exclaim, “Who Tells The Story”. This section is slowed down with cleaner guitar tones until the dual lead guitar lines break back in for the tempo to pick up and drive the song to its conclusion.

If You Want to Be Free: “No One Is Free”

This track starts out as a slow burn blues rock jam with tasty lead guitar licks before picking up the tempo about halfway thorough to become a hard charging heavy rocker that is certain to get your attention.

Light It Up: “Safe and Sound”

The album closer is a great change of pace from the sonic blast of the previous tracks. With a blues jazz swing type of vibe with saxophone accents and very solid background vocals from Laura Fichtenkamm. The vocal interplay between the deep baritone of Miehe and the higher register of Fichtenkamm works very well here. Tracks like this demonstrate the unique influences and creativity of the band and the ability to stand out among the crowd. For those of you who may be fortunate enough to visit the Southern California high desert of Joshua Tree this is your jam to play while star gazing!

Line Up:

Florian Miehe – Vocals/Guitar

Daniel Batliner – Bass

Andi Mittermühlner – Drums

Michael Haumer – Vocals/Guitar

Conclusion

In “The Subtle and The Dense,” Samsara Joyride has created an album that solidifies their place in the pysch/blues/desert rock landscape. The album takes listeners on a journey through heavy blues rock jams with hints of psychedelia and harder edged rock with enough guitar shredding to make any guitar fan enjoy the proceedings. The band has expanded their sound with a concerted effort to drive songs with heavier riffing, while at the same time knowing when to dial things down and marinate in a slower atmospheric brew of guitar reverb, fuzz bass and even saxophone at times.

The musicianship as expected has only grown stronger since 2022’s self-titled release. The rhythm section of Batliner and Mittermühlner complement each other well and with the addition of some well-placed bass effects adds a subtle heaviness under the guitar lines. With two fully capable players in Miehe and  Haumer the challenge may often be who gets to shine and who would take a backseat as both can craft great lead and melodic lines. There is no shortage of interesting guitar lines and high intensity solos, and yet when called upon both players know when to let the groove take over and give songs room to breathe a bit. Overall this is a great effort by the band that has an appeal to a wide range of listeners.

(Desert Spotlight) STÖNER–Boogie to Baja

by desertrockunited3960, posted in Music Reviews

You ever want to let your hair down, crank up the volume, and just ride the riff? The latest EP from stoner rock trio STÖNER is here to scratch that itch. Their new record Boogie to Baja packs a punch of fuzzy, hard-driving rock that’ll get your head nodding and foot tapping in no time. STÖNER knows how to lay down gnarly desert rock grooves that sound like the open highway at sunset. 5 tracks of sun-baked guitars and punchy drums, Boogie to Baja is a nonstop ticket to good times. So buckle up, turn it up, and get ready to boogie – the riff ride of the summer is here.

STÖNER: The Supergroup Bringing Back Vintage Stoner Rock STÖNER is a stoner rock supergroup made up of legendary musicians Brant Bjork and Nick Oliveri. Their new album ‘Boogie to Baja’ brings back the vintage stoner rock sound of the 90’s and early 2000’s. Bjork and Oliveri were both members of Kyuss, widely considered pioneers of the stoner rock genre. After Kyuss broke up, Bjork went on to play drums for Fu Manchu and front his own band Brant Bjork and the Bros. Oliveri played bass for Queens of the Stone Age and fronted Mondo Generator.

This release has a raw, gritty sound with fuzzy, distorted guitars, melodic basslines, and pounding drums. The power trio of Nick Oliveri, Brant Bjork, and Ryan Güt churn out an irresistible set of stoner rock anthems guaranteed to get your head bobbing. From the opening licks of “Stöner Theme” you know you’re in for a good time. The hard-charging rhythm section provides the perfect backdrop for Oliveri and Bjork to unleash wave after wave of fuzzed-out riffs. Tracks like “Night Tripper vs No Brainer” and “It Ain’t Free” call to mind desert highways and hazy memories of rocking out at secret generator parties. Gut’s pounding drums and Oliveri’s distorted bass form a wall of sound for Bjork’s guitar grooves. His solos are typically more melodic meanderings than all-out shred fests. The album reaches its peak during the sprawling ten-minute jam “Boogie to Baja.” After a few minutes of ominous bass throbs and tribal drumbeats, the full band explodes into a monster riff that tears through the rest of the song. The interplay between the musicians is telepathic, with sudden bursts of speed and changes in rhythm and tempo that showcase their talent. The chunky bassline and soulful guitar licks provide the perfect backdrop for Bjork’s raw, emotive singing and Oliveri’s punk influenced vocal stylings. Infectious percussion and a groovy bass groove transport you to sunny Mexico in this funky, feel-good song. Memorable lyrics like “We’re gonna boogie to Baja, leave all the madness behind” evoke a sense of escapism and wanderlust. The minimalist production and laid-back tempo make this track perfect for zoning out or chilling under the stars. With its mix of hard-driving rock, bluesy soul, and psychedelic dream pop, “Boogie to Baja” has something for any STÖNER fan or casual listener in the mood for an epic soundtrack to adventure, escapism or just rocking out.

The Bottom Line: Does Boogie to Baja Deliver the Riffs? In short, yes – Boogie to Baja brings the riffs and then some. The variation in tempo and style gives the album a nice flow and balance. The stripped-down production and lo-fi quality add to the overall gritty, old-school vibe. It sounds like it was recorded live in Bjork’s desert studio, which gives the album an authenticity and rawness. The focus here is really on the instrumentation. Boogie to Baja is a solid debut that delivers a heavy dose of what STÖNER is all about – massive riffs, hard rock jams, and psychedelic desert grooves. Bjork and Oliveri haven’t lost their touch, and this new project allows them to return to their roots. The band has said ‘Boogie to Baja’ was inspired by the laid-back lifestyle and natural beauty of Baja California. STÖNER invites listeners to shake off their worries, hop in their ride of choice and boogie on down to Baja with them.

(Desert Spotlight) Big Scenic Nowhere – The Long Morrow

Featured by desertrockunited3960, posted in Music Reviews

BSN is often described as a mix of stoner/psychedelic and desert rock, drawing on the desert landscape and rock music traditions of Southern California’s Coachella Valley. The Long Morrow is the band’s fourth release and, along with 2020’s EP Lavender Blues, is the output from recording sessions in 2019. For trivia buffs out there The Long Morrow was an episode of 60’s show The Twilight Zone, maybe an influence on the band?

The band is known for creating songs with extended jams that taken as a whole create a unique sonic canvas almost as if creating a concept album. Having said that, the songs here can stand on their own, while still fitting within the broader album. Murder Klipp might be considered a darker song on the album, with odd time signatures and more progressive rock stylings along with twin vocals. This track is heavier than the others on the album.

Defector (Of Future Days) is a short, direct, hard rocking track. This track is more of a straight-ahead riff-rocker without the familiar psych stylings. The vocal reminds me a little of Mike Patton era Tomahawk. Lavender Bleu opens with calmness and haunting vocals and the verses are in this style, while the choruses and solo passages are a bit heavier, making for a varied and quite satisfying experience. The fourth and shortest track on the album LeDu follows another straightforward desert rock tune for its near three-minute run time.

To close things out the band embarks on The Long Morrow, the near 20-minute trip through various sonic landscapes that include heavy riffing, organ flourishes, blazing solos and twin guitar attack riffing that complements all the sonic canvasses of the previous tracks on the album. With all of the various sections and vibes here you could turn this on close your eyes and see the desert, moon, cactus and really be transported there. This track has so many interesting elements I could see the band releasing it as a one track EP. The very definition of extended play!

In regards to the guitar playing, to quote Biggie Smalls, “If you don’t know, now you know”. Bob Balch and Gary Arce can shred in various styles and as much as you need. The closer has so many great riffs it’s really fun to listen to wondering where they go next. Throw in some phaser and reverb along with the metal solo riffing and you really get your money’s worth! Both players have their unique styles and really complement each other here. On a path to the end of all things is the last lyric to close out The Long Morrow before concluding with more guitar soloing to close things out.

Lineup:
Gary Arce: Guitar
Bob Balch: Guitar
Tony Reed: Bass/Vocals/Synth/Guitar
Bill Stinson: Drums

Track List

  1. Defector (Of Future Days)
  2. Murder Klipp
  3. Lavender Bleu
  4. LeDu
  5. The Long Morrow

(Desert Spotlight) John Garcia and the Band of Gold

by desertrockunited3960, posted in Music Reviews

Released in January of 2019 Kyuss vocalist and founder of desert rock bands such as Unida, Slo-Burn, Hermano and Vista Chino returned with his next project: John Garcia & The Band Of Gold. Coming in at just under 41 minutes with 11 tracks you’ll get a tighter affair than extended jams. Songs with groove take center stage over extended jams and those who are familiar with the stoner, desert rock vibes will know what to expect

Track 1, the instrumental “Space Vato” gets things cooking with a slow distorted guitar line with another guitar layering a clean delay line over the top. A few bars in this leads to the up-tempo rock out section of the song.

Track 2,”Jim’s Whiskers” has a desert blues vibe leading into Garcia’s familiar vocals stylings. This track demonstrates Garcia has not lost a thing vocally, if anything after years of making records he knows when to let it rip and if needed dial things back to accommodate the song.

Track 9, “Don’t Even Think About It” starts off with an almost Kim Thayil “Badmotorfinger” style riff before dropping off into heavy driving groove. At three minutes in the band breaks out into a double time section rolling into a wah driven guitar solo before closing out.

Track 10, Cheyletiella has a really great driving groove and is one of the more hook laden choruses on this release. Album closer, “Softer Side” is a great way to slow things down and chill with delay heavy guitar lines and pulled back vocals for the majority of the track with a shout of, “I can’t do anything right!”, before going back to the mellowness at the start of the track and fading out.

Chris Goss (Masters of Reality) who also produced Kyuss and the Queens of the Stone Age is the producer here. Overall this is a good release with a locked in rhythm section, passionate, expressive vocals and heavy guitar riffs and solos to fill out the sound.

Track List

1. Space Vato

2. Jim’s Whiskers

3. Chicken Delight

4. Kentucky II

5. My Everything

6. Lillianna

7. Popcorn (Hit Me When You Can)

8. Apache Junction

9. Don’t Even Think About It

10. Cheyletiella

11. Softer Side

Line Up

John Garcia – Vocals

Ehren Groban – Gutar

Mike Pygmie – Bass

Greg Saenz – Percussion

(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)

(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)