Last round
we hit you with some early favorites exclusively featured on bandcamp. As we
all know, there are a multitude of music platforms to discover, download,
purchase and stream new tunes with, but we here at base camp all agree,
bandcamp is the best. Here are some more albums not to overlook.
Young Hunter – Young Hunter
Young Hunter
is one of those bands that encapsulate an organic, tribal essence in their
music. Formerly based in Tucson,
AZ, the band specialized in heavy
spiritualistic doom with an eerie stoner crunch and primitive riffs echoing
into the southwestern moonlight. The latest project includes some new members
and was recorded and based in their new home in the Pacific
Northwest. Portland
Oregon to be exact. Portland seems to be the modern equivalent to doom,
stoner, and sludge as their neighbors in Seattle
were to the grunge, alternative rock of the 90’s. Young Hunter notified fans
early on in 2015 of their work on the new album via a Kickstarter campaign, which I backed, and after many moons,
and a ton of hard work the band were finally able to present us with the brand
new self-titled LP linked here. I got my record in the mail last night and all
the backers were issued bandcamp download codes the day before the official
release a week or so ago. Here’s what I said on bandcamp:
“While not completely abandoning the
windswept spiritual psych rock of their Tucson
time, Young Hunter have been reborn amidst the Pacific
Northwest with a fresh lineup naturally morphing their sound in
line with the geography. Adding a polished layer of harmony to it's deeply
brooding character the band fuse heavy gothic riffs with ecstatic atmosphere
and unfiltered Portland
psychedelics. Absolutely brilliant! Favorite track: After Death.”
Strange Weather – Strange Weather
Next up we
have a local band, whom I stumbled into at a show in town. A good friend of
mine and local promoter and heavy metal enthusiast was talking to the bassist
Todd when I walked in early to the Red Fang show last month. Introductions were
made and while talking with Todd I had a sense that I needed to hear his
band’s music. He handed me a CD and I exchanged a bunch of recommendations,
including giving him tips on bandcamp. It was literally the next week he got
their debut album posted up in camp. I instantly liked what I heard as I put
the CD in my truck after leaving the Red Fang show that night. Strange Weather
are a perfect example of how local often is superior to what people pay big
money to go listen to just because the industry told them to. I highly
recommend giving these dudes a listen. For fans ranging from blues rock,
alternative grunge, stoner, Americana,
etc… This album has a little bit of everything and does well at each and every
angle.
“Strange Weather sound like a thunderstorm
on a mid-western prairie with their diverse style of rock. Equal parts bluesy
groove to catchy hooks with elements of modern stoner/psych and a whole lotta
soul! The singer has a pleasant Glenn Hughes ring while the band mates
orchestrate slow burning riffs and solos with a killer rhythm section. Favorite
track: Shi Shi Dogs.”
100 Watt Vipers – Cold Sunday Blues
I raved
about these guys after discovering their previous album back in 2014. The new
one is more of the same. The same
being a powerful and emotional take on heavy stoner blues rock. The band
manages to effectively merge a southern blues rock and groovy desert
psychedelia to create a polished, yet rugged album sure to please. These guys
have the potential to be huge and have a cult following in the deep southeast.
Take a listen for yourself.
“Take the southern attitude of Skynyrd, the
heavy stoner fuzz of Stubb and inject into the funky rock n roll grooves of
Clutch and you have the electrifying bluesy sound of 100 Watt Vipers!”
Sky Temple
Blues – Sky Temple
Blues EP
These guys
mesmerized me on their previous EP which I believe I found via another band
from their area, who posted a show or something with them. That band was Howling Giant.
When I find a band I like I pay attention to what they like, as they typically
tend to have a similar taste to what kind of music they play. Sky Temple
Blues is a bit more on the psychedelic pop side of the spectrum than Howling
Giant, but nonetheless, the riffs are euphoric and the vocals are angelic in
nature with a heavy blues base harmonizing into a spacy jam laced groove
through and through. I’ve played this probably more times than any other album
front to back this month and for good reason. The closing track alone is
unbelievable.
“Agile psychedelic stoner pop akin to the
masters of classic 70's Rock jammed with arcane riffs mimicking a modern Woodstock in the spirit
of Nashvillian Blues. A Walk in the Dark lights a fire so hot you'll be
peddling laps into a tie-dyed western sunrise. Favorite track: A Walk in the
Dark.”
BUS – The Unknown Secretary
Twin Earth
Records recently signed a mammoth of a proto-doom band called BUS. I was sent a
promo code for the album a few weeks before the release and was blown away. I
knew a couple songs into the album on first listen that we had ourselves something
special here. The album has only been available for a couple weeks and is
already getting rave reviews in the heavy underground scene. I personally am
hoping for a vinyl output and am pretty certain it is going to happen. This is
one of those albums that is certainly worthy of spending $20 for a vinyl
pressing to cherish for a lifetime.
“BUS flies us down the stoner highway fueled
by doom tinged proto-metal and psych ridden Sabbath worship. The Unknown
Secretary climbs the ladder to the top of Twin Earth Record's chain!”
Until next
time kids keep the volume cranked loud, the turntables spinning and the
bandcamp fire burning.
-The
Huntsman
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