Within the heavy psych rock underground scene Jack Harlon & The Dead Crows aim to grab your attention with the charming lysergic soundscapes of the brand new album “Inexorable Opposites”.
“Moss” unfolds like a nostalgic daydream spontaneously mixing slow burning melodies and major gritty riffage within a properly fuzzed out atmospheric realm where vocals seem to emerge from outer space.
Throughout “Venomous” guitars invoke astral energy and a renowned heavy rock force to efficiently build abrasive grooves well supported by a monolithic rhythmic section.
“Mt. Macedon” once again puts the spotlight on the colossal guitar work acquiring acidic tonalities and melodic warmth to shape a series of hypnotizing rhythmic crescendos.
Contemplating about the duality of life “Dave Is Done” follows a blurry atmospheric pathway channeling a darkened spaghetti western mood with loads of somber & spacey melodic guitar progressions.
To fully express genuine emotions “To Die” offers an immersive psychedelic finale as mellow bluesy guitars and laid back vocals flow peacefully through a hazy atmospheric maze that belongs to a distant desertic land.
On their fourth album “Inexorable Opposites” self proclaimed psychedelic western rockers Jack Harlon & The Dead Crows unleash a groovy cosmic energy to embark on a proper trippy & spiritual sonic voyage and you’re all invited to join.
Category: Album Reviews 2026
Lord Elephant – Ultra Soul
Italy’s psychedelic doom instrumentalists Lord Elephant aim to impress the audience channeling the glorious spirit of classic heavy psych rock throughout the moody soundscapes of the sophomore release “Ultra Soul”.
Opening the album with determination “Electric Dunes” already manifests the band’s strong psych rock attitude delivering loads of soulful melodic phrases that make you space out easily and intense rhythmic crescendos.
The impactful track “Gigantia” aptly relies on monolithic loud guitar riffs to maintain a solid groovy momentum that will naturally evolve into extensive darker progressions showcasing old school doom influences.
“Black River Blues” is a trippy heavy rock doom affair as colossal guitars acquire the power to hypnotize you with bewitching melodic tonalities and surprise you with variegated crushing rhythmic patterns.
Within the multidimensional sonic realm of “Astral” a fiery cosmic energy flows through the heavy drum blasts and the extensive kaleidoscopic guitar leads enriched by shimmering psychedelic atmospheric elements.
Evidently on “Ultra Soul” Lord Elephant carry the torch for an exquisite vintage style and proudly jam their way through the chaotic underground scene.
Ritual Arcana – Ritual Arcana
Featuring the legendary godfather of doom Scott “Wino” Weinrich, power trio Ritual Arcana lights the candles and prepares a distinct ritualistic experience with the release of the self-titled debut full-length.
The eponymous track at the same time opens the album and obviously a spiritual door with a slick retro style and extensive majestic guitar leads that manifest a beloved classic doom inspiration.
Throughout “Summon The Wheel” guitars build massive acidic grooves embellished by multiple wicked solos while the high priestess SharLee LuckyFree inevitably puts a spell on you with a moody vocal performance.
“Berkana” focuses on the occult side favoring a slow burning rhythm and cryptic tonalities fueled by the omnipresent monolithic guitar riffs and the bewitching vocal harmonies.
“Mistress Of Change” successfully maintains a supernatural aura as massive doom laden guitars lead the way to anthemic heavy rock dynamics and haunting melodies.
“Subtle Fruits” evokes a mystifying cosmic energy through recurring hazy guitar leads and a subtle wicked catchiness emerges from a towering groovy momentum.
“Wake The Goddess” relies on a sultry rhythmic core and a rebellious spirit to create a darkened yet widely accessible tune, so you can expect loads of galloping fuzzy & loud guitar riffs and wilder leads.
Invoking supernatural forces Ritual Arcana enters the occult rock scene with the right attitude and delivers an overdose of seductive & mysterious guitar driven grooves.
Textures – Genotype
After a hiatus of seven years Dutch prog metallers Textures return in excellent shape to deliver a modern revitalized sonic vision perfectly embodied by the eclectic new album “Genotype”.
The crispy guitar sound of “At the Edge of Winter” guides you through a majestic ensemble of vitriolic rhythmic blasts and cathartic atmospheric waves naturally unfolding around a flamboyant duet featuring guest vocalist Charlotte Wessels.
“Measuring the Heavens” offers an ideal dosage of technical guitar acrobatics and heavily distorted progressions surrounded by immersive atmospheric arrangements and epic accents.
The multilayered synths of “Nautical Dusk” convey a mystifying futuristic mood embellished by the impeccable soloing while the empowering guitar riffs and the precise drumming maintain a visceral rhythmic assault.
“Vanishing Twin” favors an emotive approach highlighting the passionate clean vocal performance yet the heavy prog metal approach remains crucial leading to relentless guitar riffs and ruthless screams.
The final chapter “Walls of the Soul” showcases an elaborate composition that generates highly energetic rhythmic patterns courtesy of the aggressive riffage in contrast with the dramatic melodic essence of the elegant guitar phrases.
The cohesive strength of “Genotype” relies on the meticulous blend of luminous melodic themes and inflamed technical dynamics demonstrating Texture’s desire to impress an audience of music connoisseurs.
Ellende – Zerfall
Founded in Austria by multi-instrumentalist L.G, Ellende continues to shape a personal artistic identity that now reaches an intense emotional depth with the somber blackened soundscapes of the new full-length album “Zerfallˮ.
Under a shroud of darkness “Wahrheit Teil I” pleases the audience with a series of relentless ominous rhythmic patterns fueled by ravenous drum blasts in contrast with the bucolic themes of the crestfallen acoustic guitars.
“Wahrheit Teil II” continues to follow a mysterious atmospheric black metal pathway delivering the expected gelid rhythmic assault while the slower mystifying guitar melodies express grim feelings.
The title track relies on the stark beauty of contemplative melodic phrases embellished by charming classical accents yet the rhythmic section can acquire a violent attitude producing crushing progressions.
“Zeitenwende Teil I” features a spellbinding blend of strings and grand piano while the abrasive guitar riffs begin a perilous march leading to a significantly faster and inevitably ruthless rhythmic rampage.
Throughout “Reise” guitars effortlessly shift from poignant melodic splendor, with additional grief stricken arpeggios, to primordial blackened crescendos within a cinematic deeply melancholic atmosphere.
On “Zerfall” Ellende presents to the world a grand misanthropic vision channeling the aggressiveness of traditional black metal and evoking endless gloom with a thoughtful atmospheric approach.
MØL – Dreamcrush
Danish post metal band MØL takes you to the place where dreams and reality meet perfectly symbolized by the new fascinating full-length “Dreamcrush”.
“DREAM” marks the beginning of an emotional journey as a pleasant airy atmosphere surrounds the extensive wistful melodic passages before diving straight into a darker sonic realm diligently built by gritty guitar riffs and ferocious screams.
“Young” can trigger uplifting feelings with recurring catchy rhythmic patterns and comforting guitar leads following a renowned post-rock pathway.
Maintaining an eloquent melodic flow “Hud” focuses on gloomy guitar tonalities complemented by somber clean vocals and moody rhythmic crescendos.
There is an apparent peacefulness on the melancholic track “Favour” as guitars skillfully create intertwined bittersweet melodies naturally leading to a convoluted solo.
Throughout “Dissonance” a contemplative positive mood influences the omnipresent graceful guitar harmonies that can seamlessly evolve into an explosive rhythmic momentum fueled by sharp leads & riffs.
On the final track “CRUSH” the band chooses a straightforward groovy approach putting the spotlight on the catchy side of the energetic guitar work.
In the darkly immersive sonic realm of “Dreamcrush” MØL has the creative freedom to express a multitude of contrasting emotions carefully blending dreamy melodic themes and inflamed darkened grooves.
Temptress – hear
Dallas based heavy power trio Temptress skillfully blends diverse subgeneres and influences to produce the groove laden new album entitled “hear”.
“Narrows” is the proper soundtrack for your next party in the middle of the desert as guitars march fiercely borrowing the obscure tones of doom and the raw energy of classic heavy metal to create a massive series of crushing grooves.
“Edge” is an impactful track as the alluring female vocals obviously stand out for the harmonious delivery while the heavy weight of the guitars naturally relies on gritty steady riffage.
The moody grunge essence of “Now Or Never” can certainly entertain you as guitars choose acidic tonalities to fully express a rebellious spirit well supported by the quasi chaotic rhythmic blasts.
Surrounded by a wistful atmosphere “Be Still” holds a bittersweet melodic soul as fragile guitar phrases become entwined with the bold heaviness of the rhythmic section and the catchy chorus.
The instrumental finale “Out Of” embodies the band’s mellow side as it feels like a trippy daydream made of airy melodies flowing gently through a peaceful atmospheric maze.
Full of rocking passion, “hear” demands to be played loud under a hazy sky as Temptress proudly takes another crucial step towards a personal musical evolution.
Marianas Rest – The Bereaved
Finnish melodic death metal band Marianas Rest focuses on the expression of grim emotions to depict a deeply sorrowful sonic realm on the new majestic full length “The Bereaved”.
“Thank You for the Dance” opens the album with arcane chanting but the monolithic rhythmic section swiftly builds powerful dynamics enriched by the perennial nostalgia of the delicate melodic guitar leads.
A sense of desolation constantly emerges from the convoluted melodic territories of “Divided” and a mournful atmosphere surrounds the dreary yet quite groovy rhythmic crescendos.
The elegiac style of “Again into the Night” relies on recurring wistful guitar harmonies complemented by the mellow vocal delivery while an old school melodic death metal flair eventually leads to tormented rhythmic patterns.
On “Burden” the omnipresent epic atmospheric arrangements evoke poignant feelings and the consequent emotive turmoil defines the contrast between soothing melodic waves and harsh passages.
We are staring at the snow falling on the mighty mountains as “Pity The Living” takes us far away with an overdose of frostbitten heart wrenching melodic progressions ultimately evolving into a solemn extensive guitar solo.
Throughout “The Colour of You” crispy guitars shine for the alluring melodic themes and the impeccable leads enhanced by the classic combo of clean choirs and ruthless growls.
Inspired by the icy melancholia of the Baltic sea Marianas Rest tells a profoundly personal tale with an eloquent melodic approach and solid death metal roots.
ZU – Ferrum Sidereum
Italian jazz metal trio ZU proudly refuses to follow the rules, proposing a spiritual narrative and an experimental genre bending composition to create the new album “Ferrum Sidereum”.
The uneasy atmosphere of “Golgotha” takes us to a dystopian dimension as the thrilling combo of baritone saxophone and vitriolic guitars unleashes intricate rhythmic crescendos enhanced by a complex technical prog metal flair.
“Kether” goes through a gradual evolution starting with a laid back rhythmic structure surrounded by airy synth arrangements and eventually invoking a tribal energy to reach the instrumental acme.
“La Donna Vestita Di Sole” is characterized by various sophisticated progressive rock elements adorned by cinematic atmospheric layers while the shapeshifting harsh guitars build a dramatic rhythmic tension.
The minimalist melodies of “Fuoco Saturnio” feel like an enigmatic lullaby while the gritty guitar sound and the vitriolic rhythmic rampage bear the mark of obscure underground metal.
Immersed in a futuristic atmospheric realm “The Celestial Bull and the White Lady” challenges the audience with unexpected tempo & style variations yet somber melodies can smooth out the rough edges of the chaotic rhythmic core.
Through the magic psychedelia of the title track ZU courageously wanders through uncharted musical territories consequently the rhythmic ensemble deliberately shifts from hazy prog dynamics to massive heavier cryptic sections.
You can’t really unfold the musical puzzle embodied by the multi dimensional soundscapes of “Ferrum Sidereum” where ZU successfully elaborate a mystifying instrumental approach free of any boundaries.
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