ITEM! Heavy Eyes, Dirty Streets, Mexicoma & Cortez releases on Bilocation Records

Recently, The Heavy Eyes' 'Maera' album ranked at the number 71 slot on the most played albums of 2012 list on this blog. That may not sound all that impressive at first glance, but when you factor in that it only saw a digital release with under three weeks to go in the year, it gives an idea as to how this record stormed in like a hurricane and bowled me over. I gave it a 5 out of 5 rating in my review and to this very day you can find it lurking around the top 10 albums in the Doom Charts.  Well now it's being released on vinyl and Kozmik Artifactz and Bilocation Records are giving Paranoid Hitsophrenic readers a chance to pre-order it!

Couple that with the fact that the label is also releasing one of the best albums from 2011 that I didn't have, 'Movements' by The Dirty Streets and I was excited to see this email.  If nothing else, it gave me the perfect excuse to finally grab 'Movements' up and strike it off my wishlist.

Not to be outdone however, Mexicoma, those Stoner doomer Swedes are also seeing the vinyl release of their first official, eponymous LP.  And Boston's balls out rockers Cortez are seeing their self-titled album released on CD.  A power packed lineup of four terrific bands that I for one will definitely vouch for.

Read all about it from the press release:

Kozmik Artifactz & Bilocation Records releases!!

we are proud to announce that the pre-sale has started of the following vinyl releases:

THE HEAVY EYES - Maera LP

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ARTIFACT #11
Release date: late February

PRESS CLIPS

People, this is an album chock full of fuzzed out tones, echoed vocals and stop/start beats that likely would have been on quite a few “best of” lists had it not been released at the ass end of 2012. Listening to The Heavy Eyes is like a hallucination for the ears. You can take my word for it…the psychedelic blues of this Memphis trio will send you from Beale Street to oblivion…and that’s an experience that is not to be missed.
- HEAVY PLANET

The Heavy Eyes are an up and coming stoner/ blues rock band hailing from Memphis, Tennessee. These guys go back to the essence of the late 60's and early 70's to create their own distinct sound; Somewhere between Five Horse Johnson, Radio Moscow and Led Zeppelin. The band's second full-length, Maera continues where The Heavy Eyes left off. Behind the colourful artwork lies a clearer sound, more organic songwriting and tons of killer groove. The whole thing is driven by a hypnotic psychedelic vibe (think Jimi Hendrix) that goes perfectly with the excellent vocals. I think The Heavy Eyes are currently one of the best new bands out there and their latest album kicks more ass than a whole temple of shaolin monks. Yes, you should hear it.
- STONEROBIXX

The Heavy Eyes play a groove-laden style of blues with a hard and heavy edge. There are no major departures on 'Maera' from the identity the band established for themselves on their self-titled debut. The Heavy Eyes find their groove on 'Maera' allowing the blues to wash over them in a rising tide of fuzz, riffs and crash.  I start to wonder if these lads are incapable of recording a bad song, I haven't heard one from them yet.  I'd be surprised if this and future albums don't gain the band a lot more attention above and below ground.  There are so many gigantic riffs on display on this album that taken as a complete work 'Maera' is truly staggering and definitely the best new blues/rock album I've heard since The Black Keys' 'The Big Come Up' way back when. Rating 5/5
- PARANOID HITSOPHRENIC

The Heavy Eyes are set to roll out the follow-up to their self-titled debut with Maera, a joy ride from start to finish. Keeping good on their roots of Memphis rhythm and blues, the band scratch and claw their way for the distortion pedal, as they crank the amp up to eleven. None may phrase it better than the band, who call themselves “psychedelic blues rock…similar to a skeleton driving a speed boat on a flaming Mississippi River headed back to 1969.” Rating 8,5/10
- BLUES ROCK REVIEW

VINYL FACTZ

- 200x black / 200x transparent yellow / 100x transparent blue
- transparent blue vinyl exclusively available from Kozmik Artifactz
- all high-quality heavy 180g vinyl pressed in Germany
- 300gsm glossy gatefold cover
- handnumbered 

TRACKS

Side A:
1. Levantado 3:36 
2. One Hand On The Buffalo 3:30 
3. Maggie 2:45 
4. These Men Are Wolves 2:47 
5. Mind 3:01 
6. Parado 3:53
SideB: 
7. The Times 3:11 
8. Abbé Faria 3:07 
9. Lately 3:25 
10. Goodnight 2:37 
11. Aplomado 9:56
Total 41:48 

The album is also available on CD!!

Listen to the album here:
http://theheavyeyesmemphis.bandcamp.com/releases


THE DIRTY STREETS - Movements LP

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ARTIFACT #8
Release date: 11.02.2013

Memphis TNs, Dirty Streets fuse rock, soul and the blues into a gritty attack of retro roots rock.

PRESS CLIPS

When the Streets take off on a solo, there's no jam-band exploration, just full-on grimy attack. And the rough, menacing guitar tone is matched by vocals that growl and bark beyond their age. 
- Chris Herrington, MEMPHIS FLYER

The first truly great "new" band to emerge from the Memphis scene in recent memory, this trio of teen and twenty-somethings conjure a mass of thick riffs and a hearty retro rumble...
- Bob Mehr, GO MEMPHIS

Vocalist Justin Toland has a voice that reminds me of a mix between Leslie West (Mountain), Burton Cummings (The Guess Who), and to a point, Sam Velde (Night Horse).  The vocals are certainly a strong point. They’re very soulful and full of energy and give Movements that extra element that can make or break an album. In this case it certainly makes it. Vocals aren’t everything though. The instruments are just as strong. Justin’s guitar is just as equally good, bassist Thomas Storz certainly can kick it with the best as you can hear some pretty mean riffs and the beat gets stuck in your head. Andrew Denham’s drums sound basic but they certainly get the job done without all the extra pizazz that some bands go for.
Movements has a nice warm 70s classic rock and soul and blues rock feel to it. There are plenty of great guitar riffs, the vocals are excellent and it’s easy to get quite a few of the beats stuck in your head. It has a familiar but yet unique sound. It’s modern but yet feels so 1970-ish, even the artwork has a certain aspect that screams 1970s. This is a highlight album for 2011. We all know that modern rock radio today is crap and missing something. The Black Crowes are one of the few modern bands that make it somewhat enjoyable. Since they’re on hiatus someone needs to step up and fill that void. I believe that The Dirty Streets are one of those bands that are certainly capable of filling that void.
- THE SODA SHOP

VINYL FACTZ

- 400 copies total: 100x black / 200x clear / 100x transparent orange
- transparent orange vinyl exclusively available from Kozmik Artifactz
- all high-quality heavy 180g vinyl pressed in Germany
- matt laquered 300gms gatefold cover
- handnumbered

TRACKS

Side A:
1. Broke As A Man Can Be 5:12
2. Cloud Of Strange 3:04
3. Felt 5:23
4. Fight You 4:11
5. Movements 3:52

Side B:
1. It's About Time 5:08
2. Trying Too Hard 3:40
3. What Do You Know 4:48
4. You Could Have Fooled Me 4:26
5. Native Sun 2:17    
Total 42:06

Listen to the album here:
http://dirtystreets.bandcamp.com/

MEXICOMA - Mexicoma LP

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BILOCATION #10
Release date: 22.02.2013

You're about to witness one of the heaviest bands of the genre. These 6 dudes (incl. 3 guitars and 1 heavenly hellish voice) from Sweden bring you an earth-shattering melange of stoner rock, doom and metal. So heavy, so melodic, so unique ... no need to categorize any further, just listen for yourself ... 

BANDINFO

Since the beginning in 2006, Mexicoma has grown from being a clean-cut stonerband to expressing a much more ambient and heavier sound. Just as a good whiskey, Mexicoma has needed the time to age and evolve to get the right taste. The earlier flirt with the 70s and more peeled off sound, has developed into a heavier and saturnine presence, without discarding their riff-based foundations. The sound today is easiest described as heavy-hearted and transformative, but at the same time still captivating and progressive. 

Mexicomas self-titled EP is far from the first recordings, still the release is stated as the first official issue. Although the band has been a part of Swedish scene in the north for several years, the time is now to reap what once was sown. Mexicoma is ready to conquer both the international scene as well as, once again, the Swedish one. 

VINYL FACTZ

- 300 copies total: 200x transparent yellow / 100x transparent red 
- transparent red vinyl exclusively available from Kozmik Artifactz incl. tarot card signed by the band 
- all high-quality heavy 180g vinyl pressed in Germany 
- matte laquered 300gms gatefold cover 
- handnumbered 

TRACKS 

Side A: 
1. 5.27 (7:04) 
2. Pray (6:14) 
3. Relentless (5:02) 
Side B: 
4. Truth Been Told (4:20) 
5. Bright Black Day (3:50) 
6. Omega Doom (7:27) 
Bonustrack: 
7. John The Revelator (Cover) (6:43) 
Total 40:40

You can listen to the album here:
http://mexicoma.bandcamp.com/album/mexicoma

Do not miss the following CD-Release:

CORTEZ - Cortez CD

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Here's a very experimented quatuor that delivers an amazing blend of 70's Heavy Rock and Doomy Stoner Rock, with an emphasis on groovy riffs and bluesy vocals; sometimes terribly heavy and shredding, sometimes more quiet and almost psychedelic, always characterized by catchy choruses and a strong musicianship. This is the perfect kind of BIG, LOUD and HEAVY stuff with a slight dirty and rebel edge that should maliciously play with your mind. (TEMPLE OF PERDITION - Webzine)

Cortez has solidified their place in the world of underground heavy rock, the new material simultaneously swinging and crushing with hooks for days.. These aren’t just songs, they are war cries and proclamations, letting the world know that Cortez means business and will not stop until their quest for the perfect riff or catchiest chorus is attained.

Listen to the album here:
http://cortezboston.bandcamp.com/album/cortez

In Case You Missed It 12/30/12 (News)

As was expected, it wasn't a major week for news and music releases, what with the holidays and all, folks around the world were busy with friends, family, loved ones, horned deities, etc.  But there was still enough news and music to keep me occupied, out of trouble and off the streets ...

ITEM! Chiliomodi, Greece super stoners 1000MODS are back with a new 10" EP called 'Valley of Sand'.  Side A features the sprawling 17 minute title track while side B houses a trio of live cuts: "7 Flies", "Navy in Alice" and "Track Me" from their amazing 'Super Van Vacation' album.  There are 500 copies available from The Lab records.  You can order your copy or download the 4 song EP here on the 1000mods bandcamp page.

ITEM! If you haven't heard it by now, there is a fan madde video up of the new ALICE IN CHAINS song (so happy with the sequence of those last six words).  The song is called "Hollow" and if this author be so bold as to opine, it may be the heaviest and darkest we've heard the band since 'Dirt'.  The full song was streamed on the band's website on the 18, but the song won't be officially released until January 8.  They're already playing it on the radio so it should be overplayed and pretty much lifeless before that day comes, but for now.  Listen to the video below:



ITEM! Newport, Rhode Island's very own doom machine, BALAM is rolling once again.  The band has been writing a lot of new material lately and as a special Christmas gift, they've allowed us outsiders a glimpse into what they're up to.  It's an unmastered song without vocals that will be a part of a new project to be released sometime in 2013.  You can hear the untitled new song here on bandcamp.

ITEM! Italian doom stalwart Steve Sylvester and DEATH SS released a new single on the 21st called "The Darkest Night".  It's the title track from their forth-coming 8th studio album due out in March 2013.  The CD single was limited to 666 copies and sold out within 48 hours so there's still quite some appetite for the Godfathers of Italian doom.  You can download the song on itunes, check out the band's official website or laze about right here and watch the video below:



ITEM! You may recall a couple weeks ago, the Chad Davis (Hour of 13, Chains, Witchcoven, etc.) involved band THE SABBATHIAN were looking for a new vocalist to replace Jess of Jess & The Ancient Ones.  Well, they've found her.  From the band:

"The Sabbathian is proud to welcome the talents of Norwegian vocalist Anette Uvass Gulbrandsen. The voice she possesses is a masterful mix of pitch-perfect strength and etherial chiors, something that adds an amazing element to The Sabbathian. We will be posting a rough mix track from the forthcoming release on Svart Records very soon."

Congratulations Anette!

In Case You Missed It 12/23/12

ITEM! Vancouver / New Westminster BC based doom rockers BLACK WIZARD have a new album, 'Young Wisdom' ready to drop early next year.  This will be their first full length album.  As an appetizer they've posted one of their new songs on Soundcloud back in October.  You can hear it on the soundcloud player below.  In case you missed it the song's called "H.U.G.H.".

ITEM! Oxford, England stoner rockers DESERT STORM have released a new song from their forthcoming album 'Horizontal Life' and it's a doozy.  I'm no expert but this may be the heaviest thing on ten legs to blast out of Oxford yet.  The band hopes to get the album out in January.  Can't wait.  The new song is called "Enslaved in the Icy Tundra" and you can hear on the player below.  Here's the link to their Soundcloud for more stuff including a BBC interview.  Also, their bandcamp where you can hear / buy their first two.

ITEM! Austin, Texas doom metallers DESTROYER OF LIGHT have released a video for their excellent song "Greet Death", one of my favorites of the year.  According to the band, the response to the video has been overwhelming.  

"Wow, people! Over 720 likes within 2 days! Y'all rule! Thank you for sharing and spreading the love. Three Goats Moving Pictures, remember that name, they are awesome!"   

Watch the video below.  And if you want to keep the vibes going you can also watch it on the current Hour of Power.

ITEM! Swedish heavy psych slayers SALEM'S POT are back with a follow-up to the excellent EP that made them a 'buzz band' back in August with a new song up on their bandcamp page.  Like their work on the aforementioned August release 'Sweeden', it's a long song, 16 minutes long, to be precise.  The song is brutally called "Watch Me Kill You" and will appear as the a-side of a cassette only EP to be released sometime in the near future.

ITEM! French four piece THE SOCKS don't have any new music right now, but when they do it will be released on SMALL STONE RECORDS.  The label, with the best track record imaginable, announced the signing earlier this week.  There is no word on whether the band is ready to jump into the studio immediately to record their debut full-length but one would assume the material is ready to record.  Here's what the band had to say:

"We are very proud to announce that we inked a deal with Small Stone Records for our debut album ! Stay tuned for more informations in 2013 !"

For now you can check out their pair of self released EPs on bandcamp.

ITEM! Though they have decided to call it quit as a band to focus on their burgeoning families, Leeds, England epic doomsters WIHT have inked a deal with Devouter records to release their final album 'The Harrowing of the North' on vinyl.  The album is an excellent, two song, 33 minute instrumental masterpiece, as if you didn't know.  The really exciting thing about this vinyyl release is that it will feature a third, previously unreleased, 9-minute song.  The song is called "End of the Reign" and is available for streaming on Soundcloud.  The vinyl edition of the album is available for pre-order now through Devouter's big cartel site, and it is expected to be released February 4, 2013.

In Case You Missed It 12/16/12

Hello, True Believers!  Plenty of big names releasing new material in the past couple weeks including GHOST, GOZU, EGYPT & MOSS (see last weeks news) among many others.  Next week ALICE IN CHAINS & DEATH SS each have new singles ready to drop!  But until then, there's plenty to keep you busy and satisfied.  Enjoy ...

ITEM! German primitive doom band ATOMIC CRIES are releasing a 7" single on Svart records on January 11, but both sides are streaming and available for download from bandcamp right now.  The two tracks are "False Prophecies" and "The Atheist" and are slow and heavy as molten lead.  The single even has its own name, like an album 'Suspended Between The Mouth Of God And The Fist Of Man'.

ITEM! N. Dakota's very own Doom-meisters, EGYPT are back with two tracks streaming on bandcamp.  The tracks are "Orb of the Wizardking", a powerhouse of doom and "Snakecharmer", a killer hard rock number.  Both songs are taken from their forthcoming album entitled 'Become the Sun', which the band hopes will be out before year's end.  Find them on facebook and stay tuned for news of the album's official release here.

ITEM! GHOST are back with a new song!  They've posted it up on a really cool website that you can scroll around on one of six different images of candles to isolate each instrumental track from the overall mix.  The band is ready to re-emerge in a second incarnation with a new persona up front, that of Papa Emeritus II (same guy, new incarnation).  Is this the David Bowie of metal? Really cool stuff.  The song is called "Secular Haze" and be prepared as it begins playing automatically and there's no pause function.  Great organ driven rock.  Watch the ceremonial passing of the mantle of Papa Emeritus and a live performance of "Secular Haze" from just yesterday in Linskoping, Sweden below...



ITEM! Small Stone records is streaming the first two songs from the new GOZU album, 'The Fury of a Patient Man' on bandcamp.  The songs are "Bald Bull" and "Signed, Epstein's Mom" and they're both ragers.  No news yet on when the entire album will be up for streaming / download but for now both tracks are available for $1 download.  The rest of the tracklist is up there as well with song lengths so you can get an idea of what the rest of the album might be like.  I can't wait to hear "The Ceaseless Thunder of Surf" at 23:34, wonder if it's not a 'hidden track'.

ITEM! The great HOUR OF 13 has premiered their new music video for the extremely infectious "Who's To Blame?" from their latest effort '333' on the Revolver magazine website.  Here's what main man Chad Davis had to say about the promo:

“I am proud to offer our first professional video for fans worldwide, It was an interesting experience, to say the least, but fun, and the final edit of the video is quite effective. I would like to thank those who made this video possible, and I hope it’s the first in many to come.”

You'll also find some great insight into the project by vocalist Phil Swanson on the Soda Shop.




ITEM! German "psychedelic-organ-strange-shroom-doom" band TALIS have released a vocal version of their (instrumental) song "Night of the Dancing Witch" from the G.L.O.T. EP.  The vocals are provided by Christina Poupoutsi of the UK electro metal band THE HIGHER CRAFT.  The song itself, as the man said, remains the same.  You can find the song here.  Or you can just grab the entire EP, including the new track here.

ITEM! French stoner/doom band A VERY OLD GHOST BEHIND THE FARM have a split album with none other than WHEELFALL coming December 21.  You can hear "Back to the Skull River", one of the six songs from the split (3 a-piece, this one by AVOGBTF) right here, and AVOGBTF has announced a new track will be unveiled tomorrow as well.  Stay tuned to the news on the band's Facebook.  WHEELFALL have also streamed a track of their own from the split on their bandcamp page, the track is called "Hundred Blank Stares".

In Case You Missed It (News)

ITEM! Albino Python, who whet our collective appetites this summer with their insanely catchy first song "The Haunter of the Dark" have returned with two new songs on their bandcamp page here.  The songs are "Through Dead Black Eyes" and "Black Sunday".  Their full-length debut was expected this past halloween but has been pushed back due to health issues.  They plan on finishing and releasing the album in the near future.  Follow the news on their facebook here.

ITEM! UK Doomsmiths Moss are set to release their third full length album on Rise Above / Metal Blade next year and as a teaser the marmalade-thick and slow band has released an unmastered excerpt from the title track of the forthcoming opus, "Horrible Nights".  Listen / Download / Share on their bandcamp page here.  Or you can find them on their facebook page here.

ITEM! The great Chad Davis (Hour of 13, SET, Anu, and many, many other bands) has posted a youtube video promo for a new project called Witchcoven. The song is called "House of Death" and it is killer. Midtempo traditional doom with a great riff and terrific vocals courtesy of Etienne Chelleri. The video description reads:

"Join WITCHCOVEN in a trip back to the days of depravity and mystical times with their brand of pure 100% DOOM METAL!!

Etienne Chelleri - Vocals / Lyrics

Chad Davis - Instruments / Music"

Watch the video below:



ITEM! In other Chad Davis related news, another of his more recent projects, The Sabbathian has recently undergone a change.  But out of change comes intriguing opportunity.  Jess of Jess and the Ancient Ones was to handle the vocal duties for the band but has pulled out of the project, so in turn the band is searching for a replacement.  The man himself posted this exciting message:

"As of today, November 27th, The Sabbathian is in search of a suitable vocalist. Jess will not be performing the vocal duties due to prior engagements and time constraints. I do wish her all the best!

So, if you think you have what it takes to be part of The Sabbathian, contact us here." - via Facebook.

ITEM! Zosimos released a new song called "The Observer", which means their self-titled demo is now five tracks long.  Also, they re-sequenced it so they now open with "Dry Hex" rather than close with it, and so on.  Read my review here.  Listen / download / share from their bandcamp page here.  Drop them a message or "like" them on their facebook page here.