SOME OTHER 2017 STUFF

Here are a few we haven't discussed:

YOUNGBLOOD SUPERCULT: "The Great American Death Rattle"

I really enjoyed their 2016 release, "High Plains" (mentioned here).  The singer David Merrill, reminds me of Craig Riggs of Boston's own Roadsaw.  This tune is fairly representative of what this album has to offer; it's the closing track, entitled "Sticky Fingers."

DUEL: "Witchbanger"

Duel's last album made my top ten list for 2016.  It got a LOT of listens and continues to get regular play from me.  Witchbanger seems to be better-recorded, and definitely shows effort by the band to maintain familiarity while branching out a bit.  Sounds like a can't miss album, yet for some reason I am not addicted to this album like I was to its predecessor.  Still a quality hard-rock/stoner release.  This is my favorite track here, "Heart Of The Sun":


HAZY SEA: "Astrolabe"

Astrolabe is the second full-length release in 2017 for this band from Athens, which plays instrumental stoner/hard rock on par with the greats, including Karma To Burn and Pelican.  I loved "Electric Abyss", mentioned here, and "Astrolabe" is equally great; not sure I can decide which is my favorite.  Here is the lead track, called "The Journey": 

Just a quick sampler this week while I am checking out a couple of super-recent releases.  Will review whichever is my favorite next weekend.  Over and out.
-ULTRA

CORNUCOPIA OF 2016

Here's a butt-load of cool stuff that came out this year, that if you haven't already, you need to hear:

(that at least rhymed in my head)

YOUNGBLOOD SUPERCULT: High Plains

"Heavy Mellow" is a good descriptor for this album.  It impressively manages to be legit heavy while having a soothing quality.  Strong cover to cover, with excellent "replayability". Check out "Before The Dawn":  Youngblood Supercult are from Topeka, Kansas.

BLACK LUNG: See The Enemy

I would call Black Lung an old-school rock band with a soft spot for heavy sounds.  Another high quality album, start to finish.  Here is "Priestess."  Black Lung are from Baltimore, Maryland.

SONORA RITUAL: Dust Monument
Germany's Sonora Ritual are truly talented musicians and songwriters.  I have played this album lots of times, and still find it interesting.  Here is "Departure:" (the name of one of my favorite Journey albums, back in the day)

GORILLA PULP: Peyote Queen

Viterbo, Italy's Gorilla Pulp deserves at very least a "best use of the talk box" award for the tune "Electric Woman".  Note that none of these recommendations are albums with just a couple of good tunes.  Here again, lots to appreciate here, including the awesome cover art.

NATIVE DAUGHTERS: Master Manipulator

Finishing up with Denver, Colorado's band Native Daughters.  Dual drum players gives this band a really distinctive quality.  Equally likely to be claimed by heavy metal and stoner rock crowds, Master Manipulator is as worthy as instrumental heavy music gets.  Check out one of my favorites, "Two Princes":  If you stick around and listen to the follow-up, "The UninVAlted", you will not be disappointed.

There's more.  I may continue this cornucopia post, because there's so much more music and so little time left in the calendar year.  But for now, although it can't be on the same level as my family and friends, I count Bandcamp as one of the things I am thankful for, as it brought all this great music to me this year.  Enjoy your deserved downtime.     -ULTRA