Black Sabbath- Vol 4 Super Deluxe Box Set

The Paranoid super deluxe box set was awesome, especially the quad mix down CD. That is the way I like to hear Paranoid now. Also, the two live concerts were really cool and great quality. Excellent book etc.. so I was excited for this one and also the fact that Steven Wilson was involved as his 5.1 and remix work is amazing.

CD 1 is a remaster of the original album from the 1/4 mix down tape, presumably. This information is really lack in the book. It sounds great. CD 2 is 6 songs that they found the multitrack tapes, so Steven Wilson was able to make new mixes of Wheels of Confusion, The Straightner (end part of Wheels), Changes, Laguna Sunrise, Snowblind and Under the Sun (instrumental). All of these were different takes or works in progress. None as good as what made the album. Mixes are good but this is not something you would probably hear very often. For instance, all the cool psychedelic stuff and guitar solos is missing from Wheels of Confusion. It feels totally different and incomplete after you have heard the original  CD 3 is another CD mixed by Steven of different takes of Wheels, Supernaut, Snowblind and Under the Sun, some with false start, etc..  Again, interesting to hear how these songs evolved but not that cool.  Finally CD4 is a live concert from the very end of the Vol 4 tour in 1973, where they were already starting to introduce new songs that would appear on Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, like Killing yourself to Live. It would be nice if they had had an archive show from earlier in the tour when they played songs like Wheels of Confusion and Under the Sun. They do 4 songs (Tomorrows Dream, Snowblind, Supernaut and Cornicopia). 

The book was fantastic and a lot of info but I still missed a lot of info about the recordings, mixing, and stuff they could have included. They talk about demos that were made in London before the LA Record Plant session. Wonder what they were??   I have to say that so far this one, which cost 2x as much as the Paranoid box for the same amount of materials, is a disapointment. Especially since for none of the first 4 albums now have they located the master tapes so a proper 5.1 mix could be done. Anyway, I hope that they find the master tapes for Sabbath Bloody Sabbath and Steven Wilson can do a 5.1 mix. We will see. Images by Nuclear Blast.

https://www.nuclearblast.de/en/products/tontraeger/vinyl/vinyl-boxset/black-sabbath-vol.-4-super-deluxe-box-set.html

Rob Lawson- Cashmere doesn’t follow you to Malaysia (Tiny Tapes)

Rob Lawson is a multi-instrumentalist from the UK based in Spain. He has created over 150 CD-rs in the last 10 years or so. He took a break to do poetry and other projects but is back making music again. This is his 2nd CD of music created with his own homemade dulcimers.  The first one was featured shorter pieces but this new one is one long 50min improvisation (broken into 4) on dulcimer but using some effects pedals as well. It starts with a repeated theme until about 3:30 then it shifts to a lower volume and he starts to use some some effects and the intensity of the plucking of the starts to increase and he returns to a repeated theme. The track sort of comes to a stop at 9:05 and continues with a sort of almost Japanese eastern tuning or sound. This track is over 30mins and returns to more clean sound and then some effects here and there. Track 2 has this really cool effected sound, sort of wobbly and time stretching…. a bit trippy. Track 3 has fewer effects and sounds like there could be a 2nd layer recorded. There is also a light tapped drum like rhythm, perhaps he makes with his feet or hand. Track 4 features a drum machine, bass and guitar and is something totally different. The same repeated rhythm over and over for 2mins and then it sort of stops and he starts to play dulcimer again. That was a surprise!  These last 3 tracks are not on the band camp page for this release. I am not sure why. 

The Nameless Wave is a long track, nearly 17mins and not a lot of effects. You can tell Rob is improving this playing of these homemade dulcimers. Braton Jig (with Slips) is a short 3 min track. Quite focused and some very nice playing and melodies. Maui Cave has some simple drums sounds like he is playing with something metal on the strings. The last track is called Bells and is, as you might expect a track with the sounds of bells.  Not sure how this one was made. Nice. 

I don’t know if everyone is into listening to this sort of stuff but it is pretty interesting to hear at least once!!  If you are wondering about the title, Rob said it came to him in a dream.  Rob has started to put up his new but only one of his older musical output on bandcamp. Check it out.. 

https://www.facebook.com/rob.lawson.754

https://robertlawson1.bandcamp.com/ 

Mushrooms and Moonboots by Gary Moonboot Masters (Self Published 2012)

My friend Jerry Kranitz posted something about this book and being as I was a big fan of the Magic Mushroom band, I had to read this. It was published almost 10 years ago and Gary has retired to Australia with this family, and is no longer active in the music scene but what an activity did he have! This was a real down to earth read that really put you straight into what it was like to try to live off music back in the 80s (when it was actually possible for a few years, compared to today).  A lot of great inside info about the festival scene, growing up and raising your own family in small town England. All the amazing concerts he was able to see and be part of and of course details about the making of the Magic Mushroom band, their albums, the trials they had and also the successes.  Also, Gary was a part of the early line up of Australasia with Swordfish, who was a later member of the MMB band..  It was a great read and I highly recommend it. It is available from Amazon. 

Heads Music 2- Classic Krautrock Revisited (Fruits de Mer Records strange fish 21)

Fruits de Mer makes some of the world’s greatest compilations and tributes and there are so many killer tracks on this double CD/3LP set.   Most of the bands on here you will be familiar with if you know this label: Vespero, Cary Grace, Jay Tausing, Maat Lander, Schizo Fun Addict, Legendary Flower Punk…  but then there are some more obscure artists that I am not that familiar with like Spurious Transients (who cover two Kraftwerk songs), Das Blaue Palais (covering Faust, Amon Düül and Mythos), The Arthur Park (CAN), Rob Gould (Brainticket), Black Tempest (Edgar Froese), Revbjelde (Embryo), Tony Swettenham (Agitation Free).  CD starts off with Vespero, who perform quite cool and spacey versions of Amon Düül II (Between the Eyes) and Eloy- Castle in the Air (from the amazing album, Floating).  Their take of this track is a minute shorter than the original. Das Blaue Palais take on Faust’s Krautrock from their 1973 album Faust IV! This features some really nice guitar playing and layers of sounds. They also play a track from Mythos from their 1975 album Dreamland.  Both cool versions. Cary Grace does really well taking on Surrounded by Stars by Amon Düül II. Tony Sweetenham takes on Agitation Free’s Rucksturz from the 1st album, Malesch. The original is only 2mins but here it the main theme is played but he extends and expands upon this nicely with mainly organ and some acoustic guitar. Revbjelde take on Dreaming Girls from Embyro’s Steig Aus album from 1973. This version is more chilled somehow but maintains that nice ethinc vibe. Jay Tausing performs Father cannot Yell by Can from the debut album, Monster Movie.  This is quite a challenging track and very well delivered.  

The 2nd CD (Lp sides 4-6) are not as rocking and more electronic and spacey with three Kraftwerk covers, Edgar Froese, Cosmic Jokers, Michael Rother (Neu).  Das Blaue Palais cover the early Amon Düül with a super spacey version of Snow your Thrist and Sun your open Mouth. Schizo Fun Addict have one of the most spacey and psychedelic tracks on the whole comp with Galactic Joke Part D (inspired by the Cosmic Jokers).  I had heard the version of Sonnenrad by Michael Rother before on one of the live shows by the Legendary Flower Punk.  Quite laid back. Rob Gould takes on One Morning by the Swiss act, Brainticket from their 2nd album Psychonaut!  Also, quite relaxed and some very nice piano playing.  Three out of the next 5 songs are by Kraftwerk- Neon Lights by Maat Lander, Autobahnmelodie and Autobahn Verkehrsgeräusche by Spurious Transients. I did not dig these very much.  I was totally caught off guard by The Arthur Park’s the sort of poppy cover of Moonshake by CAN.  A damn impressive compilation. 

http://fruitsdemerrecords.com 

SOOTHSAYER ORCHESTRA- S/T (Lay Bare Recordings)

Soothsayer Orchestra is Pieter Hendriks from the Dutch bands Reaching Forward, Born From Pain en Black Bottle Riot.  I have never heard these bands but I like a lot of the music on Lay Bare Recordings. This album features 9 tracks, where Pieter plays all the instruments (drums, acoustic guitar, organ, vocals, etc..).  The opening track you get to hear all these instruments.  Black Velvet Deathbed is dark but also quite some interesting melodies that go into indie rock after the dark piano intro.  Euryale has a nice organ, acoustic guitar, handclaps and some of the vocals are spoken word (with or without effects). Dead Lovers Eden starts with some drums and then the electric guitar and a happier vocal (not dark and gruff, like most of the other songs).  Heaven Seeker continues similar to the last with electric guitar, minimal piano lines, brooding vocals and music. Quite haunting at times but more uptempo, almost rocking at the end. The Gallow Awaits is mainly just piano and vocals and of course a dark subject. The Rooster Calls, the beginning vocal reminds me of a track by Black Space Riders and this is one of the more rocking tracks. Bedelhym is a short less than 2min track with that slow dark Tom Waits like vocal. A bit of synth is heard amongst the acoustic guitar.  Amidst the Coiled Snakes ends this dark emotional album. This track features a guest female vocal and is one of my fave tracks on the album. 

This is an extremely diverse and personal record.  Tom Waits is for sure a huge inspiration. This is very different from what I listen to normally and also from what is released on the label.  Good work… 

http://laybarerecordings.com 

The Chemistry Set- Paint me a Dream 7” (Hypnotic Bridge Records)

The UK psych band, The Chemistry Set is back with their new single and not released on Fruits de Mer but a Los Angeles based label, Hypnotic Bridge Records. The A side is an original track and I love the more heavy guitar and the way it cuts through the mix at times on this over all 60s inspired rock track but with TCS, trademark sound.    

The B-side is a cover of the song, the Witch by Mark Fry.  I probably never heard the original.  This is something very different from the A side which is a rocker, this is more of an experimental folky strange track to start and then it rocks and psyches out! The bio mentions Red Krayola and I think that is pretty accurate. Another excellent release.  The single is released Feb 12th.. Great work again.. 

Circle- Hymiö (Ruton Music RUT-041)

This is the first new Circle music in a couple of years and the longs break in releases since the band began 20 years ago.  The thing with Circle is that their musical catalog is so diverse, this tape could be anything from extreme metal, metronomic kraut, ambient, noise… Who knows?? So what it is. .. This appears to be the first ever release by the quartet of Dawson-Lehtisalo-Rättö-Westerlund. It was produced by Tomi Leppänen. Anyway.. this stuff is mellow and does not feature any drums. Floating music with some nice keyboards and cool vibe.  There is about 30mins of music with one long track on each side. The tape is only release was in an edition of 150. I think there are still copies available. I would say this is only for the die hard collectors. 

https://circlefinland.bandcamp.com/ 

https://ektrorecords.com/shop/

Cassette Culture- Homemade Music and the Creative Spirit in the Pre-Internet Age by Jerry Kranitz. (VOD Records 2020)

This is quite a monster book. Heavy duty cover, large print, thick pages, lots of colour pictures and 2 full cds of strange and wonderful experimental music.  I have to say I was quite ignorant on this subject coming in as back in the day when cassettes were a daily part of my life, it was for listening and trading live recordings and demo tapes and not for making music.  The world described in this book is about the whole scene of people who made music at home most often with very simple recording set ups.  It is also about the labels and magazines that drove the scene and made some of these artist famous or at least to a much larger audience.  It also describes just creative these people were, not just with the music but also packaging and art and how important the product was.  The only person I have personally known that was part of this scene was Doug Walker (RIP) of Alien Planetscapes. He would release many tapes on all of these different labels and was fully part of this scene, even collaborating musically with a lot of the folks who ran the most important labels.  Pity he died long before this book was written as his insight would have been unique.  Anyway, Jerry did have access to Richard Franecki, Hal McGee, Al Margolis, and many others.  This is a very special book and not an easy read,  I have to say.  It was highly motivational though and really made me want to make more hand done releases with special artwork etc.. I have already done so with three releases where all the album covers were hand spray painted and all unique, as well as special CD-rs for bands I was in like Gas Giant and ØSC.  

Anyway, a hell of a book that will inspire you to be more creative and hopefully, to make a closer connection to you music scene.   Amazing effort. I know it took Jerry 10 years to finish this book.  Incredible..

https://www.vod-records.com/ 

Kansas- Every Album, Every Song by Kevin Cummings (Sonicbond Publishing)

When it comes to Prog, Kansas is one of my favourite bands.  I think every album they made in the 70s was great. They pretty much lost it like so many bands in the 80s but the last few years the band has come full circle with some strong material once again.  Anyway, this is a huge series by Sonic Bond Publishing and includes many bands (Queen, ELP, Iron Maiden, UFO, Jethro Tull, Genesis, BOC, Gentle Giant, Dream Theatre, etc). The only other one I have is the one on Hawkwind.  This book is written by a real expert on Kansas, as Kevin has worked closely with Kerry Livgren, running his web site, transcribing his music and preparing Kerry’s music for the world.  After a bit of a introduction to the band, he goes straight into the albums and you get the statistics of highest chart place (sadly only the US. Would have been nice to see how it did in other countries like the UK), release date, length, etc…  For each album there is a bit of an intro about what was going on with the band, if members changed (they did a lot in the 80s and 90s), a bit about the tours, and finally the artwork. One very special addition is for several songs on most of the records he breaks it down into many sections describing key changes, tempo info, solo breakdowns, hints and themes that might connect to previous songs or classical music, etc.. 

Kansas was a super hard working band in the 70s as were many and knocked out 3 amazing records in their first 18 months on Kirshner Records!!  The highest chart position was still only 57 and eventually all three albums would go gold (sales of greater than 500,000).  It was not until Leftoverture in 1976 that the band would have a major hit and the record would reach #5, with only Point of no Return beating it at #4. It was all down hill as far as the charts from this point. Although they did have 3 more top 20 records!! 

The album Somewhere to Elsewhere (2000) was a unique album in the catalog as this was the first time since Audio Visions (1980) that the 6 original members appeared on an album together again, albeit for only 1 songs (Billy Greer played most of the bass on the record, and original bassist Dave Hope, only on 2 songs.  I did not know much about the band in 90s and afterwards although I did see them in 1992, when they were a 5 piece with only one guitar player and then twice at Sweden Rock Festival in the 2000’s.  

The band released a new record in 2020 and that is also described here. At this point in time the band is down to only two original members (Phil Ehart- Drums and Rich Williams- Guitar), both of who have played on every album but contributed very little to the songwriting. IT is not all new folks though as Billy Greer (Bass) has been with the band since the 80s and David Ragsdale (violin), also played with the band in the 90s. 

Overall, if you are a fan of Kansas you will learn quite a lot about the band and the albums and certainly the details of every song.  Cool book. It also includes some rare colour pictures of the band in a small section in the middle of the book. Great job Kevin. 

http://sonicbondpublishing.com 

Top 25 of 2020

I hope you are all well and survived the year. This is probably the year that I reviewed the fewest albums but made the most music ever myself.  There seems to be less and less interest in me reviewing stuff so I suspect the blog will slowly die or it will evolve into something else...  Anyway, I bought around 100 CDs and Lps this year and around 100 digital albums (free or bought)...  Below are the ones that I listened to the most and really got into or was surprised by with bands like Mr Bison, Forming the Void, and Lost Stoned Pandas.  It is hard to put these in any exact order..  It is just a list...

LOWRIDER- REFRACTIONS (BLUES FUNERAL)

Who would have thought this swedish band who had not released a record in 20 years would knock it out of the park!  Although, I got the record in Dec 2019, most are considering this a 2020 release..  My wife and I played this a lot and it still is awesome. Killer record.. 

Geezer-Groovy (Heavy Psych Sounds)

I have been a fan of Geezer for quite some time and really loved their last album. The album though, the band went for something different and totally hit the mark.  Just dig it!!  One of the records that I played the most this year. 

DATURA4- WEST COAST HIGHWAY COSMIC (Alive Records)

This has got to be my favourite band from Australia these days.  I just love the retro sound and vibe and they just write killer songs.  I actually think this is maybe their best album.  Totally killer..

The Spacelords- Spaceflowers (Tonzonen)

    Been friends with these guys since we played some gigs together and love these guys but with this album they really killed it. This is for sure my favorite album by the band and I had to buy that box set as well now. Awesome vibes on this record.. 

Mr Bison- Seaward (Ripple)

I really loved the split with Spacetrucker last year but this album just grew and grew on me.  This and Lowrider were for sure the best stoner rock records of 2020.. No doubt!!

TEMPLE FANG- LIVE AT MERLYEN LP (Self Released)

Saw these guys a couple of times at Roadburn and again at Desert Fest. Super cool people and what a great new band.  I have been waiting for a studio album and the snuck this live one out earlier this year.  Killer songs… Can’t wait for more. Heard this one a lot as well. 

OUTLAWS- DIXIE HIGHWAY 2LP (Steamhammer) 

Who would have ever thought that the Outlaws would have another studio album and one that kicks ass as well. Wow.. We were really into this album this year and so many great songs. A lot of the guys in this band are dead but Monte Yoho (Drums) and Henry Paul (guitar and vocals) are still from the original band.  Great stuff.. 

MOTORPSYCHO- ALL IS ONE LP (Stickman Records)

Another year, another Motorpsycho record.  The last few  (The Tower, Crucible) have been quite similar and this also carries some of that weight but throws in a few shorter track as well but the band excel the most on the killer long album side tracks. Wow..  Another amazing record. 

DEEP PURPLE- WHOOSH! (Ear Music)

Deep Purple pretty much make really solid records every time and some how can maintain that signature sound.  Besides a few too many new age synth parts (stick to the Hammond Don!), just a set of killer songs. Lots of great playing. We really liked album a lot..  Classic 70s rock..

Forming The Void-Reverie (Ripple Music)  

This was a totally new band for me and while I like most of the Ripple releases (I subscribe and get the digital files for all the albums for 5 dollars a month), this and Mr Bison were my favorites. The band has been around since 2014.  Powerful stuff…

HOOFFOOT- THE LIGHTS IN THE AISLE WILL GUIDE YOU  (Paura Di Niente)

My friend Pär and his band Hooffoot really killed it this year with this amazing album. It has to be the best one they have made.  Classic 70 prog but with their twists and turns.  Just awesome songs..  Great job guys..

KANAAN- DOUBLE SUN (El Paraiso Records)

Here is another band that was new to me.  I first met the guys in Nov 2019 when Black Moon Circle played with them in Oslo and we also did a jam together. Super nice people. I still have not heard their first album which is out of print but this and the one with Jonas were both great.. Cool stuff..

YURI GAGARIN- OUTSKIRTS OF REALITY  (Kommun2)

The heavy instrumental space rock band from Göteborg, Sweden were back in 2020 with another blast to another universe!  Christian is a master at the riff and his solos cut through so nicely.  Another intense journey to the other side!

OULU SPACE JAM COLLECTIVE- HARVEST SAGE  (Adasonia Records) 

I had hoped for another Deep Space Destuctors record but this will have to do!  The space jam collective from the north of Finland released another brilliant trip from their archives on vinyl. A bit more laid back but super spacey and nice vibes. I dug it a lot.  

ANTIBALAS- FU CHRONICLES  (Daptone Records) 

My favourite afrobeat band mixed it up quite a bit on this album and I was not really that hooked to start but after many listens I grew to totally dig it. Always pushing forward… Hope Seun Kuti will release a new one next year..

LOST STONED PANDAS- TURN ON TUNE IN GET PANDA’D  (Fruits de Mer)

A brand new band but not new folks, most the guys surrounding Sendelica in this group but what a great record. The wife even liked this one a lot.  Super nice and original stuff guys..

OZRIC TENTACLES- SPACE FOR THE EARTH (K-Scope)

he first new Ozrics studio album in 5 years and one of my faves for a long time. It is not really an Ozrics record though as I think of Ozrics tentacles a 5 piece band and this all done by Ed with a few guests on some tracks.  Somehow this album just reached me an a special way. I have been a huge fan for more than 20 years. Great job Ed…    I still dream that there will be “real” Ozric Tentacles again one day. 

WHITE DOG- WHITE DOG (Rise Above Records) 

This was a band that I saw first on Walter’s facebook page. Totally new band from Austin Texas playing classic 70s blues rock with a bit of Southern rock style.  You have to crank this one up..

RRAGS- HIGH PROTEIN LP (Lay Bare Recordings)

This Dutch band have a special chemisty. Just a trio playing retro 70s hard rock but damn they are good. The bands first EP was just mind blowing but this album really grew on me after a while.  Cool band….

White Manna – ARC LP (Cardinal Fuzz)

This album really had the vibe of early Hawkwind and took me on a total trip… It is one of those albums where you have to get stoned and just relax and take the trip…  Crazy sound production as well..

Ellis Munk Ensemble - San Diego Sessions (El Paraiso Records)

How could you not come out with a cool record when you take Jonas (Guitarist in Causa Sui), Brian Ellis (Astra) and guys from a lot of other San Diego area bands like Sacri Monte, load up with beers and joints and jam!!  Fun record I hope there will be more of this!!!

Kind- Mental Anguish (Ripple)

Been 5 years since the last KIND record. My friend Matt played drums on the first one and contributes percussion and synth to this one.  It is a special band but after a while I learned to really dig this band… Cool and original stuff. 

GOSTA BERLINGS SAGA- LP (SONY)

The Swedish band Gösta Berlings saga are totally unique. No one sounds quite like these guys. While I would have liked some more guitar on this very keyboard heavy record, the tracks are all so cool and different.  I got hooked..  

Samsara Blues Experiment-End of Forever (Electric Mistress)

This being the last album by this great band, now that Christian has moved to Brasil!  I have been a fan of the band since the beginning and love these guys.  As expected, this album did not disappoint.  Still need to get the vinyl.  Great stuff.

ØSC- FOUR RIDERS TAKE SPACE MOUNTAIN, DR SPACE’S ALIEN PLANET TRIP VOL 4- SPACE WITH BASS, Dr Space- Nykawana 

Well, I had a lot of releases this year but these three are real stand outs.. My first solo album, Nykawana, the first Alien Planet Trip with bass and a monster ØSC album with a 62 min track… New ØSC has sold the best and had the best reviews. Not surprising.... 

Happy Holidays and a great new year. Here is to the return of live music and many more great releases. Peace, love, no war... 

http://www.spacerockproductions.com

The rest of what I heard in 2020....

ALKYMIST- SANCTUARY LP/TAPE (DENMARK 2020)
ALL THEM WITCHES- NOTHING AS THE IDEAL LP (US 2020)
ALLMAN BETTS BAND- BLESS YOUR HEART CD (UK 2020)
ANTIBALAS- FU CHRONICLES CD/LP (US 2020)
ARMORED SAINT- PUNCHING THE SKY CD/DVD (US 2020)
ASTRAL MAGIC- PATHWAY TO THE STARS CD-R (FINLAND 2020)
ASTRO HATCH- ASTRO HATCH CD (DENMARK 2020)
AURAL HALLUCINATIONS-  LP (US/PT2020)
AUTOMATISM - INTO THE SEA LP (SWEDEN 2020)
BALEFUL CREED- THE LOWDOWN CD (IRELAND 2020)
BARNABUS- BEGINNING TO UNWIND 3LP/7” (UK 2020)
BIG SCENIC NOWHERE- VISION BEYOND HORIZON LP (US 2020)
BIGSCENIC NOWHERE- LAVENDER BLUES LP (US 2020)
BISMUT- RETROCAUSALITY 2LP (HOLLAND 2020)
BLACK SABBATH- VOLUME 4 (REDUX) LP (US 2020)
BLUE OYSTER CULT- THE SYMBOL REMAINS CD (US 2020)
BLUES PILLS. HOLY MOLY LP (SWEDEN 2020) RED GOLD SPLATTER
BRANT BJORK- BRANT BJORK LP/CD (US 2020)
BONIFÁCIO – HANAMI TAPE (PORTUGAL 2020)
BUDOS BAND, THE- LONG IN THE TOOTH LP + 7” (US 2020)
CANDLESMASS- THE PENDULUM LP (SWEDEN 2020)
CIRITH UNGOL - FOREVER BLACKCOLOUR HAZE- WE ARE LP (GERMANY 2020) 
CYCLE- COSMIC CLOUDS 2LP/7” (UK 2020)
DATURA4- WEST COAST HIGHWAY COSMIC LP (AUSTRALIA 2020)
DEAN ALLEN FOYD-SHERPA SPLIT LP (ITALY 2020)
DEEP PURPLE- WHOOSH! CD/DVD (UK 2020)
DOCTORS OF SPACE- FIRST TREATMENT CD/LP (PORTUGAL 2020)
DOMBOSHAWA- FYRA LP (SWEDEN 2020) BLUE
RICARDO D'ORLANDO – WARHEAD CD-R
DR SPACE- NYKAWANA LP/CD (PORTUGAL 2020)
DR SPACE- SCORPOODLEDOO CD (PORTUGAL 2020)
DR SPACE’S ALIEN PLANET TRIP VOL 4- SPACE WITH BASS 2LP (PT2020)
E-GRUPPE LUX OHR- NON PLUS ULTRA CD (FINLAND 2020)
EARTHDRIVE- HELIX NEBULA CD (PORTUGAL 2020)
ELDER- OMENS 2LP (US 2020) SMOKE CLEAR
ELECTRIC MOON- YOU CAN SEE THE SOUND OF LP (GERMANY 2020)
ELECTRIC REMAINS- EYE MAKE THE HORISON LP (SWEDEN 2020)
ELLIS MUNK ENSEMBLE - SAN DIEGO SESSIONS LP
ENDLESS BOOGIE- THE GATHERED AND SCATTERED VOL 1-4 4LP
EYE MAKE THE HORIZON - ELECTRIC REMAINS LP (SWEDEN 2020)
FROZEN PLANET 1969- COLD HAND OF A GAMBLING MAN LP (AUSTR2020) 
GIÖBIA - PLASMATIC IDOL LP (ITALY 2020)
GOLDEN GRASS,, THE- 100 POINTS LP (US 2020)
GOSTA BERLINGS SAGA- LP (SWEDEN 2020) MAGENTA
HAIR OF THE DOG- IT’S JUST A RIDE CD (SCOTLAND 2020)
HAWKWIND LIGHT ORCHESTRA- CARNIVOROUS CD (UK 2020)
HIGHER CRAFT, THE- I LOOK CD (UK 2020) AMAZING PACKAGE!
HOOFOOT- THE LIGHTS IN THE AISLE WILL GUIDE YOU LP (SWEDEN 2020)
HUMUULUS- THE DEEP CD (ITALY 2020)
KADAVAR- THE ISOLATION YEARS (GERMANY 2020)
KANAAN- DOUBLE SUN LP (NORWAY 2020)
KANAAN- ODENSE SESSIONS LP (NORWAY 2020)
KOMBYNAT ROBOTRON- DICKFEHLER STUDIO TREFFEN 1 LP (GER 2020)
KOMBYNAT ROBOTRON ‎– FELDVERSUCHSSAMMLUNG TAPE 
KRYPTOGRAK- S/T LP (NORWAY 2020)
KUNGENS MAN- TRAPPMUSIK 2LP (SWEDEN 2020) 
LANDER, MATT/SOUNDS OF A NEW SOMA- LP (GERMANY 2020)
LEADEN FUMES - ABANDON SHIP LP (SWITZ 2020)
LORENZEN, UFFE- MAGISK REALISME LP (DENMARK 2020)
LOST STONED PANDAS- TURN ON TUNE IN GET PANDA’D 2LP (UK)
LOWRIDER (2) - ODE TO IO 2LP (SWEDEN 2020) REISSUE
MADMESS- S/T LP (PORTUGAL 2020) COLOURED
MÅNESKJOLD- DE HØJESTE TRÆER 7” (DENMARK 2020)
MERCURY BOYS - RETURN TO CINDERS LP
METAL HAMMER PORTUGAL- SUBSOLO 20 CD (PORTUGAL 2020)
THE METERS - GETTIN' FUNKIER ALL THE TIME 6CD BOX 
MOS GENERATOR - I'VE GOT ROOM IN MY WAGON
MOTORHEAD- ACE OF SPADES BOX SET /UK 2020)
MOTORPSYCHO- ALL IS ONE LP (NORWAY 2020)
JONAS MUNK - MINIMUM RESISTANCE CD/LP (DENMARK 2020)
ØRESUND SPACE COLLECTIVE - EXPERIMENTS IN THE SUBCONSCIOUS CD/LP
ØRESUND SPACE COLLECTIVE - SONIC ROCK SOLSTICE 2019 CD
ØSC- VASTAVIRTA CD (DENMARK/PORTUGAL 2020)
ØSC- FOUR RIDERS TAKE SPACE MOUNTAIN CD/LP
OSSOS D´OUVIDO- ASA NISI MASA CD (PORTUGAL 2020)
OULU SPACE JAM COLLECTIVE- HARVEST SAGE 2LP (FINLAND 2020) 
OUTLAWS- DIXIE HIGHWAY 2LP (US 2020) SMOKE CLEAR
OWL XOUNDS EXPLODING GALAXY- THE COALESCENCE LP (US 2020) ONLY 30 made
OZRIC TENTACLES- SPACE FOR THE EARTH CD (UK 2020)
PINK PUSSYCATS FROM HELL- HELL NINA CD (PORTUGAL 2020)
RED SPEKTOR- HEART OF THE RENEWED CD (2020)
RRAGS- HIGH PROTEIN LP (HOLLAND 2020)
SAINT GALLUS CONVENTION TAPES- FILES VOL. 1 CD (GERMANY 2020)
SHEM- NO SONGS, JUST SOUND CD (GERMANY 2020)
MARTIN RUDE & JAKOB SKØTT DUO - THE DISCIPLINE OF ASSENT LP (Denmark 2020)
TEMPLE FANG- LIVE AT MERLYEN LP (HOLLAND 2020)
SIENA ROOT- THE SECRET OF OUR TIME (SWEDEN 2020)
SKIFTING- SKYGGEMARKER LP (DENMARK 2020) 
SOLTITÂR- 1989 EP (SWEDEN 2020)
SONIC DAWN, THE- ENTER THE MIRAGE LP (DENMARK 2020) 
THE SPACELORDS- BOXSET (GERMANY 2020)
STONEGAZER- THE END OF THE WORLD CD (FINLAND 2020)
SULA BASSANA- THE BOX 6LP (GERMANY 2020)
THE 17TH DREAM OF DR SARDONICUS- LIVE 2CD (UK 2020)
THE WORLD IS OUR LOBSTER CD (UK 2020)
TSIOLKOVSKI – MOLNIYA LP (FRANCE 2020)
VIBRAVOID- KURSAAL PSICHEDELICCO PDISC (GERAMNY 2020)
VIBRAVOID- THE DECOMPOSITION OF NOISE 2LP (GERMANY 2020)
VIBRAVOID - OUT OF TUNE IN ROSENHEIM 2LP (GERMANY 2020)
WHITE DOG- WHITE DOG LP (US 2020) CLEAR
WHITE MANNA – ARC LP (US 2020)
WICKED LADY - RUN THE NIGHT / I'M A FREAK 7” 
WITCHCRAFT- BLACK METAL LP (SWEDEN 2020)
YURI GAGARIN- OUTSKIRTS OF REALITY LP (SWEDEN 2020)
ZAKK SABBATH- VERTIGO LP (US 2020) 
ZAKK SABBATH- VERTIGO-BEHIND THE WALLS OF DOOM CD/DVD BOOK

DIGITAL MUSIC I BOUGHT OR GOT FOR FREE:

MR.BISON SEAWARD ‎(ITALY 2020
TONY REED FUNERAL SUIT (ALBUM)  
KIND- MENTAL NUDGE  
BRIMSTONE COVEN. THE WOES OF A MORTAL EARTH
CRYSTAL SPIDERS - MOLT
WINO- FOREVER GONE 
CORTEZ - SELL THE FUTURE (ALBUM) 
TURNED TO STONE : VOLUME II: MASAMUNE & MURAMASA  ALBUM 
HOWLING GIANT : SERGEANT THUNDERHOOF TURNED TO STONE : VOLUME II: MASAMUNE & MURAMASA (ALBUM)  
KINGNOMAD SAGAN OM RYMDEN (ALBUM)  
CURSE THE SON EXCRUCIATION  
WAR CLOUD EARHAMMER SESSIONS ‎(LP, ALBUM) RIPLP123 2020
FORMING THE VOID-REVERIE (ALBUM)  
HIGH PRIESTESS CASTING THE CIRCLE (ALBUM)  
STONEBIRDS COLLAPSE AND FAIL (ALBUM)  
BONE CHURCH ACID COMMUNION ‎(12", ALBUM, LTD, TRA) RIPLP119
THE GREAT ELECTRIC QUEST LIVE AT FREAK VALLEY 2019 (ALBUM)  
RITUAL KING RITUAL KING (ALBUM)  
BISON* / SPACETRUCKER ENTER GALACTIC WASTELAND  
PSYCHLONA VENUS SKYTRIP ‎(CD, LTD, DIG) RIPCD148 2020
WOLFTOOTH- VALHALLA ‎(CD, ALBUM, DIG) RIPCD141 2020
ARCADIAN CHILD PROTOPSYCHO ‎(CD) RIP CD007 2020
MOS GENERATOR, VOID VATOR COVERING QUEEN  
THE WATCHERS (5) HIGH AND ALIVE ‎
A DECADE OF DOOM: RIPPLE MUSIC TEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY ‎(CD, COMP,
JONATHAN SEGEL- OUTSIDE INSIDE
UDDØD- S/T
KANOI- FROM THE CITIES TO THE STARS (REMASTER)
ELECTRIC JAGUAR BABY- S/T
TRANSATLANTIC SPACE COLLECTION- S/T
THUNDER CREEK.- DARK WATER RISING
FROZEN PLANET 1969- HYDROCULTURE
ASTRAL MAGIC- IN ORBIT
SAINT KARLOFF- INTERSTELLAR VOODOO
THE GOLDEN GRASS- HEAVY COLOUR
SARKH- KASCADE
WHITE DYNOMITE- S/T
КОМВУИАТ ЯОВОТЯОИ- KR V
OCEAN- OCEAN
LEGENDARY PINK DOTS- THE LAST 10 YEARS ( A COMPILATION FOR THE COURAGEOUS)
SULA BASSANA- CV SESSIONS
VESA PARTTI- AMBIENTWERK I: AALLOKKO
CFA- THE SMOKING GUN EP
DUBBAL- THE RETURN OF THE LONESOME TRAVELLER
JAMBATTISTA- SEEKING THE SEEKER

Red Spektor- Heart of the Renewed Sun (Bilocation Records ARTIFACT 97)

I really dug this UK trios last album but they have really topped it with this killer 70s rock and groover.  8 really well crafted and rockin’ tunes.  Warflower starts things off in a groovy way. At about 2 mins the band starts to space out a bit as things come down and then back to the rock. Revol starts slowly, almost a bit doomy, bluesy and hypnotic and about 1.45 into the track, they vocals come in and they go into a different direction.  Great guitar solo section on this one.  Masquerade kicks back with a hard riff before the track drops down for the vocal section. At 3mins the band kick into full on rock out mode with some intense drums and lead guitar.  Nice bass lines as well. Gilded Tears is a really great moody track. Long Way Down starts slow and spacey as they slow build up the track.  Noisy, effected guitar and then about 1min in they kick into a great groove with a bluesy guitar line. Violet Sun keep the energy flowing and the groove stoned. A bit hendrixy… Hell to Pay slows things down again and in a heavy blues mode.  They really rip it up starting about 4mins but only for 20m seconds or so.  Ivory Towers closes out the record with another heavy spacey blues number. 

Red Spektor Bandcamp

http://kozmik-artifactz.com 

Sonic Trip Project. Everlasting Kozmik Peace (Self Released)

I have to say, I am beginning to believe that STP is the premiere space rock band in England.  So glad that this concert was captured in high quality and the band decided to release it on bandcamp and perhaps on a CD as well in the future. Vince Cory is a highly underrated guitar player. The guy just plays magical spacey guitar with such great feel. I love him… The opening jam was great. Next up is Neon and Elevator Seven both tracks from various releases but always different. Nice to hear the addition of the djembe on here.  One Blue dot is slow and spacey and I guess a new number. Dreamy and nice melodic guitar lines.  Psi Aum Ra starts with some weird synths before the bass and guitar kicks in and we are back to space rocking!  Starz/Can Opener (old song) end this show with a 17min uptempo track. Very cool band who had a great chemistry..   I was hoping to add some video from the show but seems no one uploaded any to youtube yet! Enjoy..

http://sonictripproject.bandcamp.com

Boveda del Sol- EP 2020

Bodeda del Sol is a one man Spanish project by Jordi Vasquero Pujagut from Barcelona. We met some years ago at the Reverence Festival.  Here is the story behind this digital only EP, which follows up his more doomy album from 2016.  "In autumn 2019 I started writing the second Boveda del Sol album, writing new songs and finding my own evolutionary path. A few months later, the pandemic started and our day to day was disrupted. My initial plan was to finish recording and mixing the new album, then gathering some great musicians to hit the stages, as the approach for this new album is quite different from the first one, this new music is less ambient/drone focused and has way more drums, vocals and steps away from the classical doom sound, to evolve through my own experimentation. But with the pandemic, venues closed, culture choking in Spain...my chances to fulfill my original plans were almost impossible. So I put the album on hold, although it is fully written, and 90% of it is recorded. But it has been 4 years since my first album, and I wanted to release new music, so I followed the path the new music is leading me to, and started writing an EP, with the idea to do two songs, one song that is a gate to what's to come, a sample of the new path this project has taken, and a mellow instrumental song. And so I started working on it and in a few weeks I had both songs finished. As the pandemic isn't letting us fulfill our plans as we intended, I won't let a pandemic fully stop me, so here's this new EP"

Traveler between Worlds is an 8min track with some samples and some heavy drumming (double kick drum) and nice fast guitar runs over the droning synth and deep bass.  Very moody. The vocals, also in the sort of death metal style come in very briefly as the track comes down to a very spacey part halfway through with some nice use of feedback before the main riff and drums kick back in.  

G Elevator Music starts with some spacey synths and other sounds. Slowly deeper frequencies enter into the picture.  Slowly the guitar, bass and drums kick in as a sort of E-bow like guitar provides the main melodies for the track.   The end part is really spaced out…   I enjoyed this quite a lot and look forward to the next full length and hope Jordi can get together a band to perform this live. 

http://bovedadelsol.bandcamp.com

Baleful Creed- The Lowdown (BC Records BCR003)

This is a cool band that hails from Northern Ireland and describes their music as Doom blues boogie!  The band is a self-contained entity, releasing and promoting their music on their own.  The band has been around since 2009 and this is their 3rd album.  It features 10 tracks of well produced, rocking tunes.  Mr Grim is a mid-paced rocker. Vocalist-Guitarist, Fin, his voice and style reminds me a bit of the singer from Dozer. This is quite a catchy track and features a short wah guitar solo by John.  Bass player Davey adds some backing vocals on the chorus. The Phoenix has that loose string bass thump at the start of the track on this slightly slower track. Fin has a really cool rock and roll voice, gritty, powerful.  There is a mini-break in the track but no real guitar solo, where they could have broken it out and ripped it up. Pilot my Head is another slower track with a bit heavier riff and a track with a load of interesting guitar riffs at the end of the track.  Riled up speeds things up and the CD needed that at this point.  The track features some excellent drumming by David and real heads down stoner rock on this one. Tramalamapam slows things down and has a doomy riff and a very short sort of bluesy guitar solo but a lot of nice changes before a more rocking solo at the end.  That dry snare drum is really mixed loud and pounds you in the face on this track. Drums are rocking but quite dominate a bit too much for me.  Confused is a bit more of a footstomper and features Keith Weir on keyboards, which is a cool addition.  They add a bit of an effect to Fin’s voice at the end of this track. This the only track where they band might be considered to have a bit of jam, all else has been very focused and composed. Great tune.  One Shot starts with a sample from a movie then the bass, drums kick in first followed by the guitars. It is a slow track focused on the story told by Fin.  End Game has a simple catchy riff and you can just see the audience shaking to this one.  Line of Trouble is like a ballad and with some great vocals. Southgate of Heaven ends this cool CD and again features Keith on the keyboards to add a new dimension to the track.  This has one of the best riffs on the record and the organ like keyboard compliments this heavy rocker and lets the band jam out a bit. 

This is a band that I think would go down well with the Classic rock magazine staff and audience and at a festival like Download in the UK.  Great album guys. 

http://www.balefulcreed.com 

Tsiolkovski- Molniya (White Dwarf WHD009)

Tsiolkovski is a one band based in Bordeaux, France, who has created a very intense instrumental record. These tracks were recorded between  December 2017 and November 2019. .  Jean- Philippe Bidegain is quite a talented guy playing Guitars, Bass, Drums, Fender Rhodes, Korg MS-20 and other synths.  The opening track, Voskhod is quite slow with a very simple drum line and two layers of quite psychedelic guitar.  The bass line pushes through the mix with a repeated riff while the guitar remains quite intense. This track reminds me a bit of Domboashawa.  The title track speeds things up and keeps the intense guitar firmly in your face, while some synths fly across the soundscape here and there. The motoroik drums and bass are mixed quite low but provide just enough drive.  Clearly, the guitars are meant to melt your brain!!!  Half way through the track, the guitar dies off to give your brain a rest and synths replace the guitar as the drums and bass just keep on going. The end of the track gets really doomy as it slows and the guitars return.  Terechova starts very repetitive and they synths play a more major role in the sound to start as this is more dark and doomy in the vibe and the heaviest track so far as the guitar slowly enters into the facemelt range again and then slowly comes down again. Psychedelic doom!!   That ends side A.. Flip the record over and start off with Mons Maenalus.  A drone starts things off the pace is quite slow but the one guitar (perhaps with E-bow) is spacey and cut through the sound as this track glides along through space.  About mid way through the doom bass riff kicks in and some swirly synths can just be heard in the background (wish they were higher) as the 2nd guitar cuts through and screams in your ear!  It is an interesting way of soloing, not traditional but more like a noise band.  LMC X-3 brings on a full space rocking sound with a nice bass and drum groove and some spacey less doomy guitar and is the shortest track on the LP. Lunokhod ends the record and is a mid paced track with a hypnotic groove and a smooth synth line at the start and then the guitar flows in once again to dominate the sound. The track slowly fades down and ends pretty fast. Wow.. What can I say…   A pretty impressive debut!!  Limited to 187 clear/red and 295 black copies… Check it out..

http://tsiolkovski.bandcamp.com

http://whitedwarfrock.com