Stoner Rock Playlist #61

 

My latest playlist;  Share with someone else if you like it.  

2024 Top Third Highlights

 STONER ROCK: JAN 2024 - APRIL 2024

A shamelessly long playlist full of cool music that's come out in the top third of 2024. The last three tunes would make a great playlist by themselves I think.

These bands are from:

Belgium

England

Italy

Japan

Switzerland

United States

Christmas Surprise

 

A Christmas Gift From Clouds Taste Satanic

This is "Name Your Price" on Bandcamp, and has really put me in the Christmas spirit.  I like this; it makes me happy

And when I heard this, the name of the track hadn't registered yet, and as soon as it began I began trying to remember where I knew this song from, and then it hit me.  

You've also got "All  I Want For Christmas Is You" and "Little Drummer Boy".

It just doesn't get any more Christmas-y than that!!!

Clouds Taste Satanic already gave us about 80 minutes of kick-ass heavy rock instrumental tunes back in February, and here they are, back in December with this offering of goodwill.

Pick up this unadulterated vehicle for Christmas cheer here.

Clouds Taste Satanic are Sean, Steven, Greg and Brian, from Brooklyn.

Also, maybe you were inspired to look this up?

 CLOUDS TASTE SATANIC: TALES OF DEMONIC POSSESSION

I've been a fan of Brooklyn's Clouds Taste Satanic for a few years now, and seem to acquire a stronger liking for them with every purchase.  They are an instrumental band with a penchant for 20 minute songs, but then released a series of cover tunes in 2021 which really stood out for the variety of artists covered, from Cheap Trick to Elton John, and for the unabashed way they played those covers however they wanted to.  Their Bachman Turner Overdrive medley was in my top ten songs of 2021.

Enter 2023, and Clouds Taste Satanic has delivered 80 minutes worth of their best writing to date.  It takes a lot to engage listeners for 20 minutes straight, but they have done that for me four times straight on this album.

If you haven't got 21 minutes you won't really be able to appreciate this, but if you can take it in the car on a long drive or in your earbuds on the bandcamp app while you're out on a nice walk with the dog, this tune will treat you right:

I just love the guitar sounds Steven and Brian produce, and the different approach the whole band has.  Variety is the spice of life, after all.

Clouds Taste Satanic are:

Sean Bay: Bass

Steven Scavuzzo: Guitar

Greg Acampora: Drums

Brian Bauhs: Guitar

If you liked Spirits of the Green Desert, check out the other three tracks on Bandcamp and then go and help spread the word on this cool band that's been around for about a decade now.

Over and out

-ULTRA

 

TOP TEN TUNES OF 2021

These are my choices for top ten underground rock tunes of 2021, in no particular order, with the exception that I like to finish my top ten tunes lists with my number one track.  I like the way this playlist flows, and hope you do too.  Volume recommended.

Track List:

10)    "Bean King" by Kadabra: One of the catchiest songs on an album that will remind you of Asteroid and Colour Haze, among others

9)    "Not Fragile/Free Wheelin'" by Clouds Taste Satanic: Not written this year, but this 2021 medley of two BTO classics is definitely one of the best tracks released this year

8)    "Bouncing Rick" by Melvins: There are several tunes on this album that are worthy of the year's top ten list, but I chose this one

7)    "Edge of Glory" by Dirty Pagans: It's got a vibe of the most aggressive 1980's metal, and is relentless and triumphant

6)    "Death That Never Dies" by Dunbarrow: Dunbarrow has taken what the band Witchcraft started, and ascended to the next level.  Every tune on this album is great, but this is my favorite

5)    "Siren Song" by Jerry Cantrell: Yet another tune to get stuck in your head, from one of the greatest songwriters of our time

4)    "Mission From God" by Snail: Every Snail album so far has been good for a top ten song of the year, and that tradition continues

3)    "Teardrinker" by Mastodon: I have changed my favorite from this album a few times and may do so again, but at least one of them belongs on this list

2)    "Burning" by King Buffalo: King Buffalo has really turned a corner and taken their songwriting to the next level; This tune is a prime example

1)    "Fill My Mouth" by Goat: There was never any doubt that this would be my favorite track of the year, from the first time I heard it.  Friends with varied musical tastes have told me they like this one.

Coming soon:  top 20 albums of the year, in two installments.

LOOMING ON THE HORIZON

(early 2021 edition)

Check out what's on the way:

Book Of Wyrms: Occult New Age

This pre-released track caused me to pre-order the album.

I can't wait to hear the rest, on May 7.

Book Of Wyrms are from Richmond, Virginia

They are:

Chris DeHaven - Drums and Percussion
Sarah Moore Lindsey - Vocals/ Synthesizer
Jay "Jake" Lindsey - Bass/ Synthesizer
Kyle Lewis - Guitar

Part Chimp: Drool

Part Chimp are entering their third decade of  engaging in foreplay with every square inch of rock music.  I like this pre-released track very much.  Striking album art, too; so memorable.

Part Chimp are from London.  They are:

Tim Cedar - guitar/vocal

Robin Freeman - bass
Jon Hamilton - drums
Iain Hinchliffe - guitar
Joe Mclaughlin - bass

Best for Last:

Clouds Taste Satanic has released another cover. 

Compare this with the original and you'll hear a B.T.O. cover that simultaneously shows authentic love for the original and reimagines it in a breathtaking way. 

Absolutely epic album art here too:

This is an album that will be out March 19, but most of it is already on 'The Satanic Singles Series' album.  One other new track will be a cover of "In The Flesh/One Of These Days" by Pink Floyd.  Can't wait to hear that one!

Clouds Taste Satanic is my new favorite band from Brooklyn (since Biohazard):

Not easy to find a picture or even names for the band members, but I found this:

Sean Bay - Bass

Steven Scavuzzo - Guitar

Greg Acampora - Drums

Brian Bauhs - Guitar

 FEBRUARY TREASURE

Brooklyn's Clouds Taste Satanic have released a very worthy collection of 8 cover tunes, featuring instrumental versions of tunes by Elton John, Black Sabbath, and others.  Here's a Cheap Trick tribute:

The French trio Appalooza has released a true gem, with roots in 1990's metal.  Chalk up another great find for Todd from Ripple Music.  This is essential heavy stoner rock.

The debut album from Edmonton's Lords Of The Opium Church is packed with tight, energetic riffs and lives at the intersection of old-school and progressive heavy metal.  Highly skilled musicians and songwriters, with tremendous vocals.  Not to be missed.

Japan's Blasting Rod released the album III four days ago.  It's got the raw creativity of Stinking Lizaveta along with the dedication to blowing your mind of Acid Mothers Temple.  Throw in some cool time changes, occasional Doors influence and even some horns, and you've got a really special album.  You don't need to read this though, when you can just listen for yourself:

All this came out in February.  

SMORGASBORD

Here are a few albums I've been listening to and want to share

KADAVAR: For The Dead Travel Fast

Germany's Kadavar are back and have returned to a more ominous, evil type of sound and feel, with the same kind of quality we have become accustomed to from these hard rock virtuosos.

Here's my favorite track, "Evil Forces":

And here's a video for the song "Demons In My Mind":  It opens with a guitar sound that immediately reminds me of Dixie Witch's song "Saving Grace".  The video has a Duna Jam look to it.  Good old-fashioned 1970's inspired rock, no matter how you slice it:

DESERT SESSIONS: Vols. 11 & 12

Josh Homme has been making mix tapes of music with his friends and acquaintances since 1997, and they are called Desert Sessions because they are recorded in the desert in Joshua Tree, California.  The sessions are released in groups of two (which together are generally the length of a single album), and have included quite a range of guest artists over the years.  This latest installment, volumes 11 and 12, are titled "Arrivederci Despair" and "Tightwads & Nitwits & Critics & Heels", respectively and include Les Claypool and Billy Gibbons among many other guest artists.

This one's pretty interesting:  Lyrics and vocals by Billy Gibbons (and Jake Shears), bass by Les Claypool and guitar by Josh.  It's called "Move Together":

Here's the tune with the official video, "Crucifire":

STRAYS: TIME | DEATH | VOID | DREAM

I reviewed Strays' last album here and loved it, so I picked this one up on principle and was surprised to hear how different it is.  This one has really gone in a Dylan Carlson's Earth sort of direction.  It is meant to be played in its entirety without skipping tracks, and really takes you through a gamut of ominous moods and atmospheres, ranging from aggressively raunchy to spacey and brooding.  Definitely worth your while, but this will not appeal to everyone due to the time investment required to fully appreciate what's been done here.  

Now after saying the whole album should be listened to, cover to cover, here's the longest track, entitled "War Is God".  It has the most variety of all the tracks on the album. 

CLOUDS TASTE SATANIC: SECOND SIGHT

Clouds Taste Satanic has released their second album of the year.  Each contains only two tracks, combining for over forty minutes of heavy-duty, brain-melting instrumental creative goodness.  Here's another album that will be overlooked by many due to the length of time investment required, but this band truly sets themselves apart from the pack when it comes to instrumental hard rock.  

Check out the title track, "Second Sight" if you dare:

Did you ever know a kid in school who would have gotten picked on because of his name if he wasn't so tough?  Well Clouds Taste Satanic would be a really stupid name for a bad band but this Brooklyn based band is so good at what they do that they've made the name cool.

Didn't get to post last weekend, so wanted to make up for it with a meaty one.  

Hope you found something you like!

-ULTRA