The Sword

Katla – Embryo Review

Katla – Embryo Review

By GardensTale on October 13, 2016 in 2016, Non-Metal Metal Things, Reviews, Stoner Rock, Svart Records, Swedish Metal, Non-metal Metal Things, Psychedelic Rock, Stoner Metal, 35 comments

“Ah, the seventies. An excellent decade for wanton sex, drug abuse and consequently, psychedelic music. In the common mindset, the foremost psychedelic band is of course Pink Floyd, and with good reason. But another influential band that tends to get overlooked, is Hawkwind, who had a bit more oomph than the aforementioned space rock colossus, using experimental timbres and textures to accentuate their otherwise fairly straightforward proto-metal. The influence of Hawkwind (who, amazingly, are still around) is clear on the debut of the trippy Swedish quartet Katla.” A might (Hawk)wind blows.

Howling Giant – Black Hole Space Wizard (Pt. 1) Review

Howling Giant – Black Hole Space Wizard (Pt. 1) Review

By GardensTale on August 16, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Reviews, Stoner Rock, Stoner Rock, 29 comments

“Stoner metal, moreso than other metal subgenres, stands and falls with the power of The Riff. Crushing, churning, buzzing like a particularly eloquent chainsaw, The Riff can lift a band out of stoner mediocrity and into the realms of the Gods. But a limp and forgetful riff will ensure the music passes through your head like a breath of wind through torn sails. Howling Giant play stoner metal. Black Hole Space Wizard Part 1 is only their second four song EP, so they haven’t been around for very long yet. So do these Nashville greenhorns possess the power of The Riff?” Into the giant hole!