Heavy Metal Textbooks

TWO PLUS ONE

Two New Plus One Ancient Treasure

FREE RIDE

Released ten days before Nebula's latest album 'Holy Shit", this self-titled album from Madrid's "Free Ride" makes me feel like I got two Nebula albums this spring.  With the exception of the first and the last tune (which remind me a bit of Maha Sohona), Free Ride sounds remarkably like late-90's Nebula.    Check out "Nowhere Fast"; I can't get enough of Borja's guitar playing on this one:

Free Ride are:

Carlos Bedmar - drums 
Victor Bedmar - bass 
Borja Fresno - guitar/vocals

VALLEY OF THE SUN: OLD GODS

This Cincinnati band has been putting out great music since 2010, and on May 24th released 11 stoner rock classics, collectively titled "Old Gods."  At times reminiscent of Queens of the Stone Age, Brant Bjork, Stone Temple Pilots, Sonora Ritual and Colossa, among others.  Excellent songwriting and quality of production.  Check out "Dim Vision":

Valley Of The Sun are:

Ryan Ferrier-Guitar/Vocals
Aaron Boyer-Drums
Chris Sweeney-Bass and Keys
Josh Pilot-Guitar

TREASURE UNEARTHED:

When I went looking for the Free Ride self-titled album on Bandcamp, I noticed there was a band called Freeride from Massachusetts.  I gave a quick listen out of curiosity, and discovered a gem that has been lying undisturbed and unknown to the world:

FREERIDE: QUALITY & FRESHNESS

Released almost 20 years ago, on January 1st, 2001, this 'name your price' album sounds like what you would get if you put the bands Skindred, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, King's X and Gangsta Bitch Barbie in a blender and hit 'puree'.  These guys were really good musicians, and every tune on this album is worthy.  It bothered me that nobody had paid for this album so even though I could have downloaded it for free, I paid five bucks and sent the band a note in case they still check their bandcamp account.  It's like putting money into a street musician's guitar case...twenty years later.  Anyhow, try out "Don't Beg":

Lots of variety of music on this one, from reggae to metal to funk, all really well done.
Can't find any information about these folks, but they are listed on Bandcamp as :

TC - Vocals, guitar 
Weltron - Vocals, drums 
Frogs - Bass

I'd love to know if any of the three are still playing music today.  I have been enjoying the whole album though, and hope some of you will appreciate it also.

Stay heavy; catch you soon

-ULTRA