Fu Manchu

Bokassa – All Out of Dreams Review

By GardensTale on February 27, 2024 in Reviews, Stoner Metal, 25 comments

“On the surface, the perceived lethargy of stoner metal doesn’t seem like a natural match for the reckless energy of punk. But the two genres have been roommates since college and still bunk together regularly. The soundtracks of Jackass and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater mixed them up freely, and bands like Clutch and Fu Manchu have plenty of popularity on both sides of the fence. When I saw Rise Against in March of 2011, they brought Coliseum, who fused stoner, hardcore, and punk into one. So I wasn’t particularly surprised at Bokassa’s self-appointed genre of stoner punk. I was more surprised, and apprehensive, at Lars Ulrich of all people giving them the seal of approval.” Big friends, dumb punks, and stones.

Fire Down Below – Low Desert Surf Club Review

By GardensTale on September 21, 2023 in Reviews, Stoner Metal, 20 comments

“Ever since Huck N Roll tragically jumped his mountain bike into a combine harvester, I’ve been missing my buddy dearly. Out of everyone among the AMG staff, his taste and mine aligned the most, especially around prog, psychedelic and stoner. So it’s only right for me to carry on his legacy and dive into the new Fire Down Below.” Stone the surf.

Volcanova – Radical Waves Review

By Steel Druhm on August 22, 2020 in Reviews, 14 comments

“When you see the word “Iceland” floating on the oily surface of the promo sump, your thoughts turn immediately to black metal. That’s been Iceland’s chief metal export for some time now and the scene is well regarded and expanding. You certainly wouldn’t think of that exotic locale as the home of desert stoner rock, but Volcanova is out to change that with their fuzzed out debut Radical Waves.” Smoke on the ice.

The Heavy Eyes – Love Like Machines Review

By Huck N Roll on March 24, 2020 in 2020, American Metal, Blues, Kozmik Artifactz, Psychedelic Rock, Reviews, Stoner Rock, Blues, Psychedelic Rock, Stoner Rock, 15 comments

“The blues might be simple in theory – I mean, one of the first things we all learn is the 12-bar blues progression – but in practice it is a genre drenched in nuance, feel, and emotion. The technical part of the music is easy, but making it writhe with passion is anything but. It takes a different kind of skill to move people. Memphis’s The Heavy Eyes claim to infuse their version of delta blues with psychedelic fuzz and late 60s heavy rock in an attempt to bring us blissfully back to a disease-free era.” Love machines for all.

Big Scenic Nowhere – Vision Beyond Horizon Review

By Cherd on January 31, 2020 in American Metal, American Rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Psych Sounds Records, Psychedelic Rock, Reviews, Stoner Metal, Stoner Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Stoner Metal, Stoner Rock, 28 comments

“I don’t think of desert rock as an especially active genre when it comes to innovation. Brant Bjork God knows it can be self referential to a fault, conjuring with each release the same core components of fuzzy, jammy riffs, psychedelic woo woo vibes, earth tones and a gritty dryness worthy of the California landscape that hatched it. The creative peak that launched its best known bands is easily a few decades in the rearview mirror, yet this old conversion van keeps driving the same dusty highways, pot smoke and 70’s rock worship rolling out it’s open windows.” Big empty.

Black Mastiff – Loser Delusions Review

By Huck N Roll on October 21, 2019 in 2019, Canadian Metal, Grand Hand Records, Reviews, Stoner Metal, Stoner Rock, Stoner Metal, Stoner Rock, 8 comments

“Well, they’re back with a new album on their own label, looking to recapture the magic that had John Garcia intrigued. Can these northern Canadian boys dial into the desert rock sound, or will this be more like winter metal on the prairies?” Desert snow.

Deathchant – Deathchant Review

By Huck N Roll on January 7, 2019 in 2019, American Metal, King Volume Records, Proto-Metal, Psychedelic Rock, Reviews, Stoner Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Stoner Rock, 27 comments

“Let’s ease into 2019, shall we? After a climactic December that saw about a million Things You Might have Missed posts, nearly two dozen Top Ten(ish) lists, and a few more outstanding releases, it’s time to let our collective breath out, sit back, and strap in for what we all hope will be a stellar year for metal. And while early January might not be blessing us with any albums that will stick around until list season, there are a few that are worth digging into. Is this shorty (a mere seven songs and 30 minutes) from Los Angeles’ Deathchant one of those? If you’re into psychedelic proto-rock, with all sorts of other spices added in, then this eponymous debut just might kick-start your year.” Death the halls.

Loimann – A Voluntary Lack of Wisdom Review

By Lord Doom on November 10, 2018 in 2018, Argonauta Records, Italian Metal, Reviews, Stoner Metal, Stoner Metal, 23 comments

“A Voluntary Lack of Wisdom is smothered in a dense layer of fuzz. But not the delicious tickle of a soft blanket, this is a bed of post-doom fiberglass. Italian three-piece metallers Loimann release this—their third full length—touting it as being more in your face and featuring less complex songwriting than prior efforts. Formed in 2001, it seems a change of direction was in order for this album. Keyboards have been dropped altogether and the harsh vocal quotient has been increased in an effort to provide a more extreme overall result.” Fiberglass-core.

Spacetrucker – Smooth Orbit Review

By GardensTale on August 22, 2018 in 2018, American Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Stoner Metal, Stoner Metal, 32 comments

“In recent times, we’ve had several naked space ladies adorning stoner covers, one of them cuddling an astronaut that reappeared on a third, more psychedelic interpretation. Spacetrucker pay homage to Deep Purple with their name, their favorite weed-smoking mood with album title Smooth Orbit, and a curious combination of Scooby Doo and the far reaches of the cosmos with their album art. Let’s find out whether their music is as dank as their kush.” Cruising the stars in a mystery van.

Mr. Plow – Maintain Radio Silence Review

By Grymm on August 10, 2018 in 2018, American Metal, Reviews, Ripple Music, Stoner Rock, Stoner Rock, 38 comments

“There could be a multitude of reasons why it happen, but very rarely is it a good sign when an artistic piece gets delayed. Whether it’s a movie you’ve been wanting to see for ages or a game that you’ve had reserved for nearly three years, when you anticipate something and it gets pushed back time and again, you go from being anxious about it to worrying. But sometimes the exact opposite happens. Case in point: Maintain Radio Silence, the first album in 12 years from Houston rockers Mr. Plow.” Mr. Plow, that’s their name.