Diaries of Doom

Hello! It's been a while since I've posted on here. I'd been thinking about how to bring this blog back for a while, doing a bit of strategising with others, and then after a confidence boost a few weeks ago I'm feeling more motivated to get back on here, writing about the music I'm hearing. Anyway, 2025 has started brightly and I've wrapped my ears around some good new music already. Here's three tracks that may have gone over your heads (and ears) if you like Sabbathy, riffy goodness, as many of this blog's followers do as well. Earl Of Hell - The Infernal Dream The first single from the Edinburgh-based quintet's upcoming album, due on April 25th via Copper Feast records, Earl Of Hell have opened their new chapter on a strong note. The Infernal Dream 's dissonant, chugging intro is reminiscent of early Mastodon, but with a much more laid back and stoned-out atmosphere than the frenetic hurtlings through the void found on Remission and the ...

Northern Irish trio Slomatics returned with their first full-length since 2019 last month with the excellent Strontium Fields . Strontium is a highly reactive earth metal, named after a village in the Scottish highlands. Slomatics, conversely, are a highly regarded metal band, presumably named partly because of the crushingly slow music they put out. I spoke to the three of them at Desertfest London earlier this year , and with a wry smile, they did hint at a few surprises over the then-unannounced new album. I'm a relatively new convert to the Slomatics camp. I'd known the name for years, but only after catching them at Desertfest Antwerp last year did I start to listen to them myself. I was completely transfixed by the Conan-style guitar heaviness, the expressive singing with shades of Candlemass in the delivery, the elegant spaciness, and the fact there were three of them with a drummer on lead vocals, flanked by two guitarists. I've seen them a few times since and that...

Based across Derby and Nottingham, Replica Jesus have begun to make their name with an energetic, fuzzy take on stoner rock over the last seven years, finally culminating in the release of their debut full-length 'Echoes from the Expanse'. Live music enthusiasts will have seen them crop up on more and more lineups, especially after Covid - I'd assumed that this was at least their second album for that reason! 'Echoes from the Expanse' is a glorious rock album, with plenty of punk, psych and grunge elements lurking within. The groovy opening riff of Everything Rots opens proceedings before they bring the atmosphere right down to an almost trance-like psychedelic calmness. It makes the head-bobbing, mid-tempo riff so much cooler when it finally drops. Its grungy chorus is really catchy and well-done; it really does start the album off strongly. Professional Liar , first released as a single shortly into the first 2020 lockdown, is a fun, uptempo banger with a pounding...

My introduction to Sergeant Thunderhoof seems, in hindsight, relatively late - it's not a band name you forget easily after hearing it for the first time, but I only really began taking note after hearing their cover of Alice Cooper's 'Halo of Flies' around the tail end of last year. Leading up to that point, they'd released a few full-length albums through their own label after forming as a band in 2013. Playing trippy, groovy heavy rock around the UK in the decade or so since, most enthusiasts of underground doom or stoner in this country will be well-acquainted with The Hoof  by now - and frankly, after the release of This Sceptred Veil , their monumental album number four, there's no excuse not to be. Recorded with Josh Gallop (Phoxjaw) at Stage 2 Studios in Bath and mastered by Tony Reed of Mos Generator fame, This Sceptred Veil is noticeably darker and heavier than anything they've released before. All the stoner, progressive and psychedelic-tinged ele...

Somerset psych/stoner/doom quartet Sergeant Thunderhoof have announced the release of their fourth studio album This Sceptred Veil , set for release on June 3rd 2022 via Pale Wizard Records ; the follow-up to 2018’s critically acclaimed full-length Terra Solus . Sergeant Thunderhoof formed in 2013 by sheer accident. Each member had previously worked together in other bands over the years and one night during a jam session, what transpired was a debut LP Zigurat which took everyone, the band included, by surprise. They quickly hit upon a sound that incorporated their love of dark, brooding and soulful grooves, super-rich melodies and thick, fuzzy low end rhythm sections. The band rapidly picked up steam, performing alongside the likes of Elder, Mos Generator, Siguriya, Karma to Burn, Kamchatka, Desert Storm and King Buffalo , building a loyal and growing listener base along the way. In the seven years that followed, Sergeant Thunderhoof have amassed a rich and varied back catalogue ...

Who are Kurokuma? The psychedelic, sludgy Sheffield trio first emerged eight years ago, although Born of Obsidian is their first full-length, following a demo and a series of EPs and singles. Any quick inspection of their back catalogue tells you that they're far from just another run-of-the-mill sludge band. Bubbling with ancient civilisation, nature and psychedelia, they push doom metal expansively with hypnotising power. They appeared on the New Blood Stage at Bloodstock 2021, starred in 'The Doom Doc', were the first metal band to launch their own cannabis seed (KuroKush) and vowed to make sludge grim again. So, what's happening on this new album? Recorded at Narcissus Studio in London, it interestingly marks Sanford Parker's first time producing an album in the UK, who's well-known for his work with the likes of YOB and Eyehategod. The album begins with the glorious sludge/doom of 'Smoking Mirror'. The guitar and bass pattern has a distinct mystic q...

 Birmingham doom/heavy rockers Alunah release the first single from their upcoming album, Strange Machine,  today. Recorded and produced by Conan 's Chris Fielding at Foel Studio back in October, it ushers in Alunah's second full-length on Heavy Psych Sounds . Strange Machine is due out in full on April 15th 2022, features a guest appearance from Shane Wesley of Crowbar and the artwork was created by Mariano Peccinetti . This   also marks Alunah's first original recording with their current lineup. Album pre-order at https://www.heavypsychsounds.com/ Alunah will tour with Paradise Lost next month, with Rosalie Cunningham in March, and have a series of shows after the album release date, including a headline slot at the Dev at Desertfest London . TRACKLIST: Strange Machine Over The Hills Fade Into Fantasy Broken Stone Psychedelic Expressway The Earth Spins Silver Teaching Carnal Sins Dead Woman Walking Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify MN

...The ritual’s about to begin. The sun in the sky is waning, the trees have decided to simmer down and even the birds nesting amongst their branches have hushed for this very special occasion - Boss Keloid have released a new album. The (in)tense rush of excitement trembles through my hand as my fingers steady the needle, awaiting its kiss as it crackles along the surface of my newly pressed vinyl. I’m about to experience Family the Smiling Thrush for the first time in my life... I mean, where do I even start, other than at the beginning. Usually I’m able to write a satisfactory review after a full listen or two, but with Family the Smiling Thrush I’m finding myself going back for more time and time again so I can digest all the music details like Augustus Gloop gobbling up Willy Wonka’s chocolate river. Leaving no stone unturned, you’re getting an in-depth review, so buckle up. Family the Smiling Thrush feels like an ...

  Ahead of dropping Family the Smiling Thrush on the 4th of June 2021, Boss Keloid have released 'Gentle Clovis', a majestic tune that serves as a proud statement for the unique blend of just so many influences that make up the band's sound, revealing a true labour of love from those Boss boys.  Opening with an angular guitar riff and punchy, roomy drum sound, a groove is laid down that entwines and dances like a snake around the 4/4 beat. Moving into what I'll call an A section (verse/chorus doesn't really work for describing this song structure), BK display one of their finer pieces of instrumental layering, with guitarist Paul Swarbrick's signature octave-doubled guitar sound and inimitable playing style dancing around Alex Hurst's vocal melody and sustained guitar chords. Section B drops into a clean, sparkly section that evokes images of Ian Anderson and Robert Fripp chasing a certain white rabbit. Section C absolutely soars into life; "I'll bu...

  Psychedelic music is having somewhat of a renewed heyday, perhaps as modern life pushes us all further and further into the deep channels of the rat race, we're all desperate for something that speaks to an escape, something which lifts us entirely from the mundane and back towards the awe inspiring nature of reality. If you're one of those souls, trapped in the machine, Turtle Skull are here to help set you free. New album Monoliths, released on the 28th of August 2020 through Art As Catharsis, is here to remind you to reconnect with yourself;  Vocalist/Guitarist Dean McLeod says:  "This record is about the intimate connection we share with the Earth on which we stand. It’s about the world and your place in it. It’s about looking deep inside yourself and seeing what you find. It’s about life and death and everything in between… and most of all it’s about the pure joy of creation. We are very happy to share it with you." So how do Turtle Skull go about capturing suc...

Look... If this band's artwork of a woman’s psychedelic asshole doesn’t make you want to listen to this record, then I’m not sure I’m going to be able to convince you, but I’m sure going to try! LAS HISTORIAS are here with their brand new self titled release to bend our minds with their trippy, heavy, doom laden tracks. The Argentinian trio have teamed up with stoner rock/doom label Electric Valley Records for the release of this 5 track EP which comes out digitally and on LP on July 24th.   Taking inspiration from guitar heroes such as Jimi Hendrix, mixing it with the bluesy psychedelia of the 60’s and adding riffs influenced by the classic doomers such as Sabbath and Electric Wizard, this band has created their own celestial playground in which we are all welcome to join. I can imagine this is an album that very likely emerged from a gloomy jam, the start of some mid-paced thunder that became more elaborate as it matured naturally. “Lord of Poisons” an instrumental opener that se...