A Forest Mighty Black - (2017) Chemical/Physical

As I sit here on this cold, grey and dismal day here in the greater Midwest, I'm going through emails and trying to pick an album to provide the soundtrack for my activities. As I gaze through them I see one from "A Forest Mighty Black".  Problem solved. The band is from Italy so it already seems more interesting. 

Hitting play... right away I hear that this is a grunge-stoner band. It seems within the "Stoner Rock" genre, there's typically three sub-genres, "psychedelic-stoner", "doom-stoner", or "grunge-stoner". Some bands combine different elements of one or more of these sub-genres... but usually adhere mainly to one or the other.

The first three tracks most definitely fall into the grunge territory and sound like "Bleach" era Nirvana, albeit if Cobain was a more studied guitarist. There's some interesting slide work and even a guitar solo or two within. Then the album shifts gears a little bit, with the seven plus minute "A Complicated Story" and really pulls the listener in with its psyched-out lulls, droned vocals and trance induced drumming. The most experimental track on the album and my personal favorite. After that it's back into grunge mode again, this time with an Alice in Chains ambiance on "Kathmandu".

 In short, if you like your rock dirty, stoned and to the point, "A Forest Mighty Black" have created an album well worth your time. Boasting a fantastic production, interesting riffs and good vocals. "Chemical/Physical" is quality rock n' roll. Check it out below. 

-Adam

Iron & Stone - (2017) Petrichor

After waking up early this morning and getting my first cup of coffee, before the kids get out of bed and start demanding stuff, I have a few fleeting minutes of time. What better way to start the morning than with a sonic head-butt, courtesy of Germany's Iron & Stone.

The band has been around in one form or another since 2012 and have released a handful of recordings in that time. Starting with their EP/Demo "Maelstrom", followed by a couple of other EPs in 2014 and 2015. "Petrichor" is the title given to the band's first full length album. "Petrichor", is a Greek word that refers to that earthy smell after it rains, a seemingly fitting title for a first LP, a sort of washing away of what you have done previously.

"Petrichor" comes out swinging, straight from the gate with "Avalanche", falling into a heavy doom riff, not unlike something you might hear on any given Down album. Gritty vocals then join in on the festivities. Down is most definitely an influence on these guys and that follows suit for most of the albums 10 tracks. There's also a bit of a southern metal vibe going on here and there as well. A mellow acoustic guitar interlude sits at the halfway point to give the listener a breather, then it's back into hitting you over the head with sludgy doom riffs.

I kept waiting for something different to happen the whole time while while listening to this album, and it just never really did. I'd like to hear what else this band can do, sure they have the chops to make heavy music but it would be a better listening experience to veer off course a bit and shock the listener, make it a little more interesting. If your thing is, as mentioned before... Down, Crowbar and that heavy Nola sound this is one album to check out.   -Adam Walsh

Reptilian Illuminati - (2017) Dark-Light

Reptilian  Illimunati are a new and inspiring band from Australia. Seemingly crawling out of the woodwork to release a multi-textured, sonic and almost disturbing concept album about aliens, alien abduction and all things otherworldly.

The Reptilians pull this off by exercising creepy, 50's era sound-bytes in-between and around the album. I'm not sure why but little clips from TV and movies always seem cool when used as intros to songs. Bands have been using this technique since I can remember and I always enjoy it.

The clips are set perfectly throughout the album to offset what really sells the concept of the recording. What I'm referring to is, of course, the music. Down-tuned doom metal with plenty of changes throughout... and most often, within the same track. Really giving the album the shade and shine it needs to be memorable. One second knocking you over the head, then the next sending you on a spaced-out acid trip to Uranus.

I've been hearing a lot of really good instrumental stuff lately. Previously closed minded a bit to bands that omit vocals, Reptilian Illuminati have the guts and the talent to pull it off. Production wise, it sounds absolutely huge too. 

Dark/Light is one of the most interesting things I've heard this year, and certainly one of the best instrumental concept albums in a very long time. Check it out on Bandcamp, and put your peepers on their new video for the song "Valentich".   -Adam Walsh