Kings Destroy released their new, self-titled album today via War Crime Recordings, and after a listen through I have to say that this is one amazing stoner rock effort and you must listen to it. You might also want to take a few rips from the bong. The album is playing in its entirety over at revolvermag.com, so do your browser a favor and point it in that direction.

Order Kings Destroy here.

The Brooklyn-based band features guitarists Carl Porcaro and Chris Skowronski from Killing Time; vocalist Steve Murphy from Uppercut; drummer Rob Sefcik formerly of The Begotten, Uppercut, Fur, and Electric Frankenstein; and bassist Aaron Bumpus.

Kings Destroy vocalist Steve Murphy states:

In an age where music is created in the box and listened to from the cloud we present our self-titled third album as tangible a thing as we could make it. We recorded this live. Five musicians standing in a room together playing through amps that have tubes in them, on drums that were not aided by any magical electronics, through microphones and a voice that was not altered in any way. Does it have flaws because of it? Fuck yes. The flaws represent us, both strengths and weaknesses. Nothing a bottle of Bourbon or two couldn’t smooth over. This album is a straight up representation of the Kings Destroy personality. Equally as likely to scoff at the present, make fun of the past, and long for the future taking on any and all obstacles in our path.

Kings Destroy gets its moniker from an infamous graffiti gang from the Bronx, circa late ’70s/early ’80s. The band members met in this vicinity and were heavily involved in the New York Hardcore scene of the late ’80s that merged hardcore music, metal, graffiti, and hip-hop… all distinct forms united in the underground.

Rock Hard \m/

Is there a better way to start your day than with the soothing melodies of “space-core”? I kid about the genre, but the Algeciras, Spain-based outfit Atavismo does function within the realms of experimental space rock, and their upcoming vinyl release is testament to that fact. Although it was initially released on CD last year via Nor On Label Records, Desintegración will be released on vinyl via Temple of Torturous on June 16, 2015.

You can stream the album in its entirety over at TheObelisk.com right now, but as you listen, try to imagine how full and rich it will sound on vinyl. But even without the vinyl treatment, the soothing and ethereal soundscapes are inescapable.

The Desintegración vinyl release will come in a gatefold package, and will be limited to 300 copies. Pre-order information will become available in the coming weeks.

Desintegración Track Listing:

1. Blazava
2. Kraken
3. Oceánica
4. Meeh

Rock Hard \m/

Karma to Burn — guitarist Will Mecum, bassist Eric Clutter and drummer Evan Devine — will be touring in support of their Arch Stanton long player. Unleashed in Europe this Summer via Switzerland-based Faba Records, and finally available domestically (also via Faba Records), Arch Stanton is the band’s sixth studio album and third since reforming following their seven-year hiatus in 2009. Reminiscent of their now iconic Wild Wonderful Purgatory and Almost Heathen offerings, on Arch Stanton, Karma to Burn channels the true spirit of the riff rock ritual with seven monumental new shredders and “23,” a classic, never-before-heard number, recorded for the first time ever.

Order Arch Stanton on CD, MP3, and vinyl.

Karma to Burn Tour Dates:

1/07/2015 Ripper’s Rock House – Akron, OH
1/8/2015 Kung Fu Necktie – Philadelphia, PA
1/09/2015 31st Street Pub – Pittsburgh, PA
1/10/2015 Hard Luck Bar – Toronto, ON
1/11/2015 Casa Del Popolo – Montreal, QC
1/12/2015 Higher Ground – Burlington, VT
1/13/2015 Geno’s Rock Club – Portland, ME
1/14/2015 TT the Bear’s – Cambridge, MA
1/15/2015 The Shaskeen – Manchester, NH
1/16/2015 Saint Vitus – Brooklyn, NY
1/17/2015 The Depot – York, PA
1/18/2015 Metro Gallery – Baltimore, MD
1/19/2015 Strange Matter – Richmond, VA
1/20/2015 Pour House Music Hall – Raleigh, NC
1/21/2015 The Earl – East Atlanta, GA
1/22/2015 Siberia – New Orleans, LA
1/23/2015 Mangos – Houston, TX
1/24/2015 Mohawk – Austin, TX
1/25/2015 Double Wide – Dallas, TX
1/27/2015 Launchpad – Albuquerque, NM
1/28/2015 The Nile Theater – Mesa, AZ
1/30/2015 Loaded – Hollywood, CA
1/31/2015 Bottom of the Hill – San Francisco, CA
2/01/2015 Starlite Lounge – Sacramento, CA
2/03/2015 El Corazon – Seattle, WA
2/04/2015 Rickshaw Theatre – Vancouver, BC
2/06/2015 Hawthorne Theatre – Portland, OR
2/07/2015 The Shredder – Boise, ID
2/08/2015 Area 51 – Salt Lake City, UT
2/09/2015 Lost Lake Lounge – Denver, CO
2/10/2015 Replay Lounge – Lawrence, KS
2/11/2015 Fubar – St Louis, MO
2/12/2015 Red Line Tap – Chicago, IL
2/13/2015 123 Pleasant Street – Morgantown, WV

Rock Hard \m/

Released in June 2014, IX continued the reformed Animosity lineup we heard on 2012’s self-titled LP and the Megalodon EP. So, yes, without Pepper Keenan on vocals, C.O.C. consists of Mike Dean, Woody Weatherman, and Reed Mullin. And to any naysayers, this is a pretty killer lineup.

Sure, the sludgy stoner rock that Keenan brought to the band has remained dominant to the sound of this incarnation of C.O.C., but there are nods to their hardcore roots as well. Have a listen to “Denmark Vesey,” “The Nectar,” “Trusker,” and “Tarquinius Superbus” for a sense of the hardcore flavor. Four well-placed tracks of this variety brings a great balance to the 11 tracks on *IX.

The album opens with “Brand New Sleep,” a slow, hypnotic shoegazer track full of fuzzy guitars, crashing cymbals, and honey vocals that all melt together like a well-made gravy. The track’s riffage and intensity increase by song’s end, and in that it sets the tone for IX. The following track, “Elphyn,” aside from the thunderstorm intro, sounds like an extension of “Brand New Sleep,” sharing a near identical riff.

Now, I said that “Denmark Vesey” has a foot in the hardcore genre, but when I first heard it, I could only think of Mudhoney. This recollection also happens on “Tarquinius Superbus.” But let’s not pick on the “hardcore” tracks here; if you tilt your head the right way, you might hear Pantera’s “Revolution Is My Name” in “Who You Need to Blame,” which is fine since there’s a NOLA connection there.

The more you listen to this album, the more things you’re going to find to like, such as the auto-burst fire from the drums on “Trusker” and the creepy hillbilly music and strange demonic sound effect at the beginning of “The Hanged Man.” But, what you might find best is the strong songs backed by some killer production.

For a better understanding, check out the killer track/video “The Way You Turn” in the player above. It’s a pretty cool video shot to look aged and to capture the era the band pays homage to. Basically, the band is on a pit stop while on tour, taking in whatever it is that each of the members are interested in.

After toiling away back home in Stockholm, Sweden, and other parts of the world since the late ’90s, Siena Root have released an album in the United States for the first time ever. You can order the album, Pioneers, now on CD or MP3.

Rock Hard \m/

Brant Bjork and The Low Desert Punk Band will release their new album, Black Power Flower Flower, on November 17th, on Napalm Records. Today, however, you can stream the newly released single “Stokely Up Now” over at artistdirect.com. But only do so if you’re in the mood for some mellow, fuzzy stoner rock with tinges of doom metal, because this track is a virtual time warp back to the ’70s.

Brant and the band are currently wrapping up their tour with a show tonight at Joiners in Southhampton, UK, and a final show tomorrow, October 22nd, at Garage, in London, UK.

Pre-order Black Power Flower Flower on CD or MP3. Ordering the album via iTunes gives you the instant grat track download of “Stokely Up Now.”

No one can fool this man anymore: As a cult figure of the Palm Desert scene, as founder and drummer of the unfortunately no longer active Stoner-Rock legends Kyuss, and a permanent member of Vista Chino (formerly Kyuss Lives!), the formation around Kyuss colleague John Garcia, Brant Bjork is washed with all (musical) waters. Now he is sailing under his own flag and proves once again that his multi-instrumental skills know no creative boundaries. With his excellent occupied Low Desert Punk Band, Bjork lets the scorching heat of Nevada shimmer in his songs. He also scrubs his guitar through all sorts of psychedelic effect pedals and skillfully mixes stoner rock, blues, and doom-bonds to a feverish hazy brew. The Desert Rock Band has reached their oasis.

Rock Hard \m/

One of the biggest gripes for me of the last He Is Legend album was the predictable and somewhat sluggish pace. The tracks tried hard to be different, but they came off as either cheesy or lacking impact. Whatever happened in the last five years since has allowed for the band to bring subtle changes to their songs that spark fireworks of sound.

“No Visitors” kicks off Heavy Fruits with the southern tinged grooves we all are familiar with, but spirals forward into a hectic whiskey-tipped, drum-driven part before abruptly stopping again. The vocal melodies are incredible, equipped with luscious harmonies and controlled pitches. Schuylar Croom, in charge of the vocals, does not scream much on this album, instead showing off his beautiful singing voice.

Everything on this album showcases the improved talent of the songwriting. “This Will Never Work” is a guitar players dream. Flaunting blues riffs, the song has walk-up scales bending in the chorus with twangy distortion licked over the tone. “Spout Mouth” forces out minor chords and changes in the key, with everyone reacting with the appropriate mood. Lead single and appetizer “ABRACADABRA” is the heavy southern-blooded affair to keep the back half of the album fresh and tasty.

The slow songs on the album are brought to the table with better delivery. Instead of limping along, songs like “Something, Something, Something Witchy” and “Bethozart” have rich layers to keep the songs moving from start to finish. What starts as slow dances for “Smoker Scoff” and “Heavy Fruit” end in punch-throwing fashion as the songs expand in sound and beatdowns as they continue on. “Be Easy” is a jazzy blues track prancing around with slides and delicious bass licks.

For me, it was the third track, “Miserable Company,” that gave me the impression that He Is Legend is back and ready to plunge to the top. What starts as a bass heavy ballad oohs and ahhs it’s way to a palm muted, kick drum infested melodic section. Around the 3:30 mark the band lets go of all of their intentions to lash out with a heavy section that is sure to spark a pit at any live show. The band even gives a resting period to reflect on what just happened as the song closes out.

As a whole, Footnotes is a post-hardcore work that dives into alternative rock and doom metal territory. But it’s not all distopian gloom; in addition to the post-apocalyptic urban vibe there’s a definite tonality of hope in the guitars, none more apparent than in the great chord progression at the mid-point of Footnotes‘ final track, “Zeitgeist.”

Head on over to rhinoloud.bandcamp.com if you’d like to either stream or buy Footnotes.

Speaking of tonality leads me to consider the production, which is amazing. The instrumentation is fused together in near vinyl harmony, the kick drum is rich and full and has a fantastic sound, the cymbals resonate without being too dominate, the fuzzed out rhythym guitar is rough and jagged while the solo guitar, as mentioned, is near ethereal with its hope, and the bass guitar in its fuzzy perfection fuses it all together. Additionally, the vocals are sung from the gut, powerful, and I imagine seeing Simon Blaquiere must be like watching a soldier delivering a war cry.

With only three tracks offering any vocals, and the whole EP clocking in at roughly 20 minutes, you’ll definitely be craving more from RHiNO — especially since “Zeitgeist” is where the EP seems to find its groove. The bass guitar breakdown in “Zeitgeist” plays out like a montage in which soldiers prepare their arms and mentality to take on an alien invasion in a sci-fi film; it’s got a groove, a motivational aspect, and a fuzzy toughness that could break bones. It’s definitely my favorite track on the EP.

RHiNO Is:

Guillaume Duguay – Guitar
Maxime Legault-Venne – Drums
Patrick Napier – Bass
Simon Blaquiere – Vocals
Vincent Seguin – Guitar

Footnotes Track List:

1. Liminal Hues
2. Fading Inn
3. Tinnitus of the Deaf
4. Ibid., p. 32
5. Zeitgeist

Deville is billed as being stoner rock, and I see it, but at the same time I get a pretty tame fuzzed-out indie vibe. Perhaps they’re a bit like Queens of the Stone Age, with a pop edge? It’s interesting, fun, and light, which makes Deville a nice way to break into the summer party atmosphere.

It was just announced that the Swede rockers are to hit the U.S. for a quick 17-date tour throughout the Midwest and East Coast. See the complete list of dates below. Also, check out the pretty rad video for “The Knife,” taken from their third and latest full-length, Hydra.

Swedish stoner rock hellions, Deville, will bring their hazy hymns to U.S. shores this week. The 17-date journey will commence on June 5th, in Madison, Wisconsin, and wind its way through the East Coast and Midwest coming to a close on June 21st, in Chicago, Illinois.

Deville tour dates:

6/05/2014 Wisco – Madison, WI
6/06/2014 Trumbullplex – Detroit, MI
6/07/2014 Pellegrin’s – Altoona, PA
6/08/2014 TBA – Buffalo, NY
6/09/2014 Nectars (Metal Mondays) – Burlington, VT
6/10/2014 O’ Briens – Boston, MA
6/12/2014 Ralph’s Rock Diner – Worcester, MA
6/13/2014 Three Sheets – New Haven, CT
6/14/2014 Northside Festival – New York, NY
6/15/2014 The Boneyard – Atlantic City, NJ
6/16/2014 J.R.’s – Philadelphia, PA
6/17/2014 Cafe Bourbon St. – Columbus, OH
6/18/2014 Now That’s Class – Cleveland, OH
6/19/2014 Blind Bob’s – Dayton, OH
6/20/2014 Mainstay Rock Bar – Cincinnati, OH
6/21/2014 Grand Bar – Chicago, IL

Rock Hard \m/

The track is wickedly awesome and, honestly, reminds me of Clutch at times.

Shakhtyor, the Russian miner, arises from the depths with pounding drums, massive bass, and walls of guitars. Since 2009, these three guys from Hamburg have been working on their blend of doom, sludge, post metal, and stoner rock. Beginning in 2011, they’ve regularly hit the stages to preview what was to come with their first full-length album, which was finally released in April 2012. Backed by positive feedback, and with new songs up their sleeves, they began playing the clubs across Germany, broadening their fan base among fans of Neurosis, Omega Massif, Ufomammut, or Entombed with every show.

If you want more from Shakhtyor, check out the first track from the album, “E. Jasper,” in the video box above.

Fans can listen to the opening track from the album, “E. Jasper,” now at metalblade.com/shakhtyor.

Rock Hard \m/