🛰 NOW SPINNING 🛰 GEEZER - SPIRAL FIRES EP (2019)

Geezer - Spiral Fires EP (2019)  
Kozmik Artifactz

Spacedelic heavy blues by the veteran power trio based in Kingston, New York.

BANDCAMP

REVIEW: THE LUNAR EFFECT - THE CALM BEFORE THE CALM [2019]

The Lunar Effect, was originally a solo project by guitarist Jon Jefford, born from the ashes of DeepSeaGreen, an exciting upcoming act from London, that disbanded in 2013. Receiving widespread praise with the release of the S/T debut EP via 3 Ravens Records, Jon decided to expand the project into a fully-fledged touring band starting by recruiting his brother Daniel (also ex-DSG) for the drums. After writing and recording some demos the duo were giging with some local musicians around the city venues but only when they met bass player Brett Halsey and singer Josh Gosling in 2016, had they finally found the perfect line up to evolve. The band begun to have a shift in sound with the new blood, refining their sound and adapting to a new vocalist style while experimenting more with 60’s and 70’s psychedelic elements, they decided to record, mix and master their next EP Strange Lands themselves, self-released that same year and receiving glowing critics from around the world. 

Since then the band began working on new material for their first full length album titled Calm Before The Calm, out today via german label Kozmik Artifactz on CD and Vinyl, and it´s visible with this release how much they´ve grown and solidified their sound of fuzzy riffs and laid down grooves, in a perfect blend of vintage psychedelia, classic hard blues rock and post-grunge, dipping into The Beatles, Floyd, Zeppelin and Sabbath but adding a little Cream to their flavor with the powerful and grungy vocals reminiscent of 90´s scene from Seattle. With a new approach to the songwriting, making it now a team effort, the compositions flow more organically on this balanced and solid record, allowing the band to reach to its full potential. A groovy and thigh rhythmic section, slowly develops the grooves and lays the foundation for the warm fuzzy guitar riffs and gritty raw solos to float around until the mighty and hypnotic vocals take over and tie everything together into a sonic bundle of Kyuss, Radio Moscow and Graveyard. And if the instruments are spot on, creating atmospheric, bluesy and muddy compositions, the radiating vocals with extensive variations of mood and tonality takes it all to the next level, following the lead perfectly either with smooth & mellow verses or exploding & soaring chorus, always engaging and captivating.

These lads should be proud with what they´ve achieved on their brilliant debut LP, taking a giant step forward as band and choosing a righteous direction that certainly holds them a bright future. 

BANDCAMP

ORDER

🔥 TOP 10 LPS [2018] 🔥

Always behind schedule... but better late than never! Following the long tradition, here´s my top LPs of last year ranked in alphabetical order, cause I don't see this as a race or competition. I wanted to say a few words about the ones I haven't had the chance to review, so I kept it short & sweet this year!

All Them Witches - S/T

New West Records

Listen

The psych blues boys from Nashville are on a roll with another fine release... this one in my opinion the most balanced and addictive to date, despite the difficulties with the member change on the keys and the ultimate decision to go on as a trio. We can hint here a change of direction with less elaborated compositions and a more direct approach to their unique sound. What future holds for them no one knows but for now, pour yourself a glass of Jack Daniels, sit by the fire and enjoy the warmth embracing your body and soul.

 

Crypt Trip - Rootstock

Heavy Psych Sounds

Listen

"This record is definitely one for the books and will go down on history as an important mile stone on the revival of the good old 70´s." Full Review

Dead Meadow - The Nothing They Need

Xemu Records

Listen

"Perhaps my favorite album since their debut, this great record is a beautiful and magic celebration of the band´s legacy of two decades deep-seated in the heavy psych scene!" Full Review

Domadora - Lacuna

Kozmik Artifactz

Listen

The french power trio are getting more solid and tight with every release... this record is another fabulous slab of heavy psych jams to add to their blazing collection. Wailing guitar solos and face melting riffs explode into the powerful rhythmic sections formed by the lively & tumultuous drums and thumping bass lines. Wild, savage and far out.

Dunbarrow - II

RidingEasy Records

Listen

The sophomore release by the doomy quartet hailing from Norway only comes to prove what their debut promised... complete devotion and worship of early 70´s doom. They push forward the great tradition of Black Sabbath, Pentagram, Witchcraft and Burning Saviours like no other on the game. Haunting themes and lyrics entangled with dark hypnotic melodies create creepy compositions and gloomy tales. A very potent spell by these grim reapers... the most wicked sonic conjuration of the year.

Earthless - Black Heaven

Nuclear Blast 

Listen

"A very organic progression instead of fading away trying to re-create what was done before, they have successfully opened and broadened out their music, keeping things interesting for the future, being able to reach out to a bigger audience now with this directional change and become one of this century classic acts from heavy rock like Cream, Flower Travellin' Band or Black Sabbath were the century before." Full Review

Estuary Blacks - S/T

Kozmik Artifactz

Listen

I could tell just by the intro alone that I was facing something epic... the way this album then flows through its course is majestic. I can't choose a fave song... is that good! Amazing and dreamy compositions slowly take form as the instruments converge in harmony and detonate into heavy and powerful sections with crushing riffs and glowing vocals. A very well balanced record with equal parts prog, heavy psych, stoner and post-rock by this young power trio from Swansea, Wales, UK. With so many tastes and flavors floating around is shocking to see that so many people missed it... easily making it, in my opinion, the most underrated album of the year. Listen you fools, this is a class act and deserves to be treated accordingly!

Lords of Beacon House - Recreational Sorcery

Self-released
Listen

Hells Angels trio strike back with vengeance kicking ass and taking names. LoBC had already promised greatness with their debut and this follow up takes them to the next level. Vigorous grooves, acid guitars and gritty vocals are the ingredients for this wicked sorcery of vintage psychedelic blues. A great record as expected by this power trio from L.A. the only thing surprising here is the fact no label pick this up yet for the proper vinyl release that so righteously deserve... but I suspect it's just a matter of time!

Petyr - Smolyk

Outer Battery Records

Listen

"For lovers of the SoCal scene in particular and skateboarding culture in general, here´s a banger that will turn these cats from Ams to Pros on the highly competitive San Diego Heavy Psych team." Full Review

Sleep - The Sciences

Third Man Records

Listen

"In a time where reunions are fashionable and often nothing more than simple "money grabs", Sleep manages to genuinely cement their legacy with another monstrous release. Praise Iommi and let the weedian proceed!" Full Review

I also like to send a BIG UP and a word of encouragement to keep up the good work to the following projects for their amazing debuts:
ACID FROG, Cosmos, Liquid Earth, RhythmHawks, The Black Flamingo, BearSloth and Vales de Netuno. 🙌

THE LUNAR EFFECT - CALM BEFORE THE CALM (2019)

Artwork by the Nik Gernert

The Lunar Effect - Calm Before The Calm
Kozmik Artifactz
(25/01/19)

HAIR OF THE DOG - THIS WORLD TURNS

Hair of the Dog
Kozmik Artifactz
BANDCAMP

THE LUNAR EFFECT SIGNS WITH KOZMIK ARTIFACTZ

The Lunar Effect signs with Kozmik Artifactz!

Calm Before The Calm is coming out later this year on vinyl and CD.

 

KOZMIK ARTIFACTZ CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY

Looking to treat yourself or your loved ones this Christmas with some quality music!?

I suggest you to shop with Kozmik Artifactz not only because they have a wide and excellent choice of records but also because you'll be entering their giveaway for a chance to win 10 Kozmik or Oak Island Records of YOUR choice!

Multiple purchases = multiple entries... so shop around! 

 Bilocation Records Store