Record Reviews S

This is the second promo recording from this roman band and it contains four brilliant songs. The roots of SKYWISE lay back in 1998 and before, all...

Damn, this album is as infectious as a worldwide plague. Fortunately these "plague" already exists. It is called rock 'n' roll and Sweden's SPIDERS...

It's not easy to describe this three songs with words. This isn't total weird avantgarde stuff or something similiar. In some way they aren't far away...

STUFF are coming from my local area, called Ruhrgebiet. Their sound isn't the typical music, I'm featuring here at Cosmic Lava webzine but due to my...

Formed under the name DUNE a few years ago, this Italian four-piece had some problems with their old singer in the past, but now they've found a new...

Sometimes when I'm thinking about my beloved heavy music, I often ask myself if there's any unknown heavy band around, that impresses me so much that...

No, this isn't a project between former members of Sleep and Weedeater, and SLEEPEATER  have not much in common with heavy sludge or Sabbath-driven...

Wino is one of my all time faves and this EP on METEOR CITY is amazing. You find 5 songs on it and there is no outstanding track. This EP is a little...

Two unreleased songs from one of Maryland's finest bands! The first time I've heard this two songs was in 2001 on their last European tour and both...

This is the third single, released in 2001 from the US label SOUTHERN LORD and again, this 7" is part of the SL singles series. The SPIRITUAL BEGGARS...

A new release in 2001 on the high grade riff rock label UNDERDOGMA. SUNNSHINE have played shows with bands like BOTTOM, SOULPREACHER  WEEDEATER or THE...

I´ve never heard before of this Minnesota based band and this seems to be their first release. It´s a good old vinyl single with four songs on it....

I remember the day, when I heard about the sudden end of SPIRIT CARAVAN, because it was like shock. This was such a masterful band which released two...

70's infected heavy fuzz-rock: chapter 666; once again it's a Swedish band featuring members of Demoncleaner and Greenleaf. This is their debut disc,...

It looks as if the group had listened a lot to Zack Wylde's BLS, since their first effort 'Brimstone Blues'. This was the first thing I noticed, when...

A few years ago I received a promo-disc of Underdogma Records, entitled 'Engender' from a band called SUNNSHINE, hailing from the USA. I was impressed...

Whenever I'm bored of all those bands who pretend how much they hate the world, and everything else then the second last album from SUPERCHRIST is the...

After the successful 7" release in 2008 on Roadburn Records, Tony Reed wasn't lazy and although he's been busy touring and recording with his main...

This German band was founded in 1992, and after the usual line-up changes, this is the pre-promo of the full-length debut, that will be released at...

Finland's SUNRIDE are coming up with another solid release, again on People Like You Records. SUNRIDE continues progressing their sound, and so...

A young hopeful German band from my local area, the Ruhrgebiet are true and honest worshippers of high-energy Rock and bands as Nebula or Fu Manchu....

It's not often that I'm particularly impressed by a new band, but the debut album from SUN GODS IN EXILE hit the bullseye. Since the day I received...

SUBARACHNOID SPACE have been around since 1995, but unfortunately this is my first meeting with their completely improvised heavy psychedelic rock....

The city of New Orleans is still a good ground for exciting and unique bands. This time it's SPICKLE. After the self-titled EP, they've banned twelve...

In the last months some highly recommandable MD acts like LIFE BEYOND, EARTHRIDE, BLACK MANTA and INTERNAL VOID have released new stuff and for me as...

Out of New Mexico comes the four-piece SPIRITU, and this is their six song debut released by Meteor City / People Like You Records.Three of the tracks...

My expectations on the new album were really high, because Janne of Grand Magus is now part of the line-up, after former vocalist and bass-player...

This isn't the newest album of this all-instrumental Philadelphia power trio, but it's still worth to be reviewed and presented here. Maybe some would...

Due to the name, I've expected some kind of worse "desert" rock or the next Kyuss clone. Gladly, I was wrong . This Helsinki-based band comes up with...

"Power Ambient Drone" is the self-description of their music and it fits! Four songs in 60 minutes show you that SUNN 0))) are playing no ordinary...

Finland's heavy underground seems to grow stronger during the last years. Doom bands like Reverend Bizarre or Minotauri or heavy sludge rockers...

After LID and WET ANIMAL, the next musical sign of life from ex-members of TROUBLE .There were some rumours about the line-up of this project ,but...

Finally a new release from the fabulous STONE AXE, who preserve the cultural heritage of Free, Bad Company and Thin Lizzy. 'Extended Play' has been...

This is the first record from the new Italian RED SUN label. It's a compilation with 14 Bands and 14 tracks,most of them are unreleased. The...

Small Stone Records have done an excellent job with this compilation, released in 2002, which features 35 bands (FIVE HORSE JOHNSON / THROTTLEROD /...

While the last releases from Crucial Blast were more focused on the experimental edge of the label, SUZUKITON is more interesting for all fans of...

I already mentioned that most of the bands, who have been signed by I Hate Records own something very special. Mostly it's an unique sound or the...

At first, a short introduction: Between Evil And Peace (B.E.A.P.) is a booking agency, who are very active in organizing tours for  Heavy Rock and...

ST 37 are a well-known act in the Space Rock scene, and they got a legendary underground status today. This is their latest album, which has been...

Nowadays, it's not easy to have a clear overall view about all the Scandinavian heavy hardrock 'n' roll bands, particulary in Sweden where SPARZANZA...

Finland's SWEATMASTER received pretty good reviews for the debut album "Sharp Cut" and have extended their good reputation through explosive live...

This compilation has been put together by Canadian label Pirate Records and the pro-weed activists from Head Magazine to feature fifteen most unknown...

Those of you who are strongly interested in the Brazilian metal scene of the early 1980's will already know the band STRESS. Originally formed in...

Every new release of SUNN O))) is a small surprise for me, due to the fact that I always wonder, what direction Greg Anderson and Stephen O'Malley are...

This 7" has already been released in June 2007, but because of the worse vinyl quality, Calculon Records stopped the pressing and started again from...

SUTCLIFFE JÃœGEND, one of the world's leading purveyors of harsh power electronics are back with a new album. The band evolved from legendary...

When I talked to Richard Anasky (director of I Am Vengeance) last year, he was full of praises about this Swedish band, not only because of making a...

During the last years a lot of interesting heavy rock bands have emerged out of the German underground scene, and with SPACESHIP LANDING we have the...

For a lot of people Billy Anderson is something like an icon. Whenever he produces a new album for a band, I bet that his work will increase the sales...

SOLENOID's debut is an unrelenting, take no prisoners, punch you in the face and buy you a beer afterwards sort of heavy metal-soaked rock 'n' roll...

Ohio's Sofa King Killer have signed with Retribute Records, and after the still recommandable "Lust, Crime And Holiness EP" MCD for At A Loss...

The name of this German band is still unknown, but maybe some of you've noticed the name of bassplayer Eric Asmussen before, because he's also in the...

Personally, I believe that the bands debut 'SpaceJumboFudge' is still a very underrated album. At that time in 1996 there was no other band around...

I Hate Records are not only specialized in crushing Doom Metal, but also in outstanding Thrash Metal from the underground. One of this bands are...

Split releases are always a good chance in discovering new groups, although I think, that both German bands are not so unknown here in the German Doom...

With so much good stuff coming out of Italy these days, I'll be the first to admit that it can be difficult to keep up. The SMALL JACKETS, however,...

Fuzz rock...and there's no end in sight! This time it's the LA based trio SMOKE, that presents us their personal interpretation of the 70's. The band...

First, I have to say that it is really great that Calculon Records are among those record label which send abroad promo vinyl copies. I really do...

What a remarkable debut from this N.Y. trio! Six songs in ca. forty-five minutes are spreading a mournful and sometimes an angry atmosphere. All songs...

After they have shown their potential on the first self-titled album on Freebird Records, released in 1998, here's the long awaited second album of...

This 10" has been re-issued for the first time in 1999, but Cyclone Empire did a much better job here, especially due to the included eight bonus...

With this album SOLSTICE have developed into a significantly innovative force in Doom Metal. They have never been a generic band and 'New Dark Age'...

It's awesome that more and more Doom Metal classics have been re-released over the past eight years. Among this labels is Cyclone Empire, who...

After several demos and promos this Italian foursome comes up with the debut on German Daredevil Records and I still dig their brand of 70's...

I've featured this Spanish band in an earlier update with the promising demo CD-R "Losing Touch" and here's their self-released debut album that...

Welcome to the dark and nihilistic world of North Carolinas SOCIETY'S BURDEN ! This is their second self-financed CD and it finally saw the light of...

This band is one of the last few real original Grindcore bands after the split of Brutal Truth. They are a NOLA based band and guitar-player Brian...

The newest album of New Jersey's SOLARIZED, released in 2002 on Meteor City Records and licensed through People Like You Records for Europe, comes up...

Since the day when I received their first self-release MCD 'Countdown to Victory' I fell in love with SPANCER's raw rampant heavy sound. They never...

If Dave Chandler and Dave Wyndorf would make a session, maybe that's the way this recording could sound, like SONS OF OTIS. Ok, that's mostly on my...

It's been four years ago, since SONS OF OTIS last album "Songs For Worship" had been released by The Music Cartel, and when I listen to it today, I...

After one demo (?) SOULPREACHER have released their debut on MAN`S RUIN.It contains songs that are mostly very doomy and heavy. The opener "Blues For...

The second release and it's a great step forward, compared with the debut "Sonic Witchcraft". North Carolina's SOULPREACHER have matured as a band and...

Again, it's heavy doom time and Southern Lord is the label! SOURVEIN are presenting us their version of blues-filled doom sludge, that could be easily...

The first full-length record from SOLACE on METEOR CITY offers nothing new but that doesn't mean that it's boring. The band has worked out 8 tracks,...

This album was original released in 1998 only on CD, but know you can get this masterpiece in 2001 as a double vinyl edition in white wax with a...

This French band started out in September 1998 and since then, SPACE PATROL released a five-song demo in 1999 and a few months later they shared a...

There are only very few bands here in Germany, that are playing sludge-driven doom as SPANCER, and these four guys are presenting us four songs in 37...

Calculon Records excellent reputation for sourcing ultra-aggressive, destructive sludge can only be strengthened by this excellent split-CD, although...

New Jersey's SOLACE are back with a new heavy load, and it's been a while ago since their first album. "13" got everything, what an interesting modern...

After Crucial Blast released the album 'Orange Canyon Mind' three years ago and  'Tribulation' one year later in 2006, the time has come in 2007 for...

Most of you will be unacquainted with the name SLUGPUNCHER, but hopefully this will change very soon, because this band consists of...

SKULLFLOWER are purveyors of heavy feedback with an industrial tint. Veterans of the mid-80's UK industrial/avantgarde scene, who have perfected their...

In the beginning of 2008 Catacomb Records started with a very good international compilation, entitled 'The Sound of the Catacombs', featuring some...

The Taurus is back with the next slap of acid fuzz rock power. Gladly, not much has changed here. A steady pulsating bass brought forth waves of...

Here it is, probably one of the most eagerly-awaited debut albums of all times. Well, I'm kidding, but I was really looking forward to the moment when...

Whenever I receive new promos from Crucial Blast, I know that it’s a challenge when it comes to writing reviews about it. Not because, I don’t like...

That is not the typical music this e-zine is about, but SMOKING BIRD are interesting enough to be featured in the Cosmic Lava.This very good produced...

Last year 2002, At A Loss Recordings has released this small jewel of Ohio's SOFA KING KILLER. The label-info says that this band isn't Doom, Sludge,...

Here we have the third demo from this Swedish five piece. It contains five tracks and SOULDIVIDER write songs with a lot of passion, melody and drive....

Like the MD/DC area, NOLA is a very inspiring ground for heavy music. A lot of original and well-known bands are based in this area and here's one of...

Hailing from the UK, SOULDUST’s first demo offers an unfriendly blend of  heavy doom-laden crust in combination with ultra sick vocals, that would fit...

The debut album of SUN GODS IN EXILE, 'Black Light, White Lines' was one of my personal musical highlights in 2009. This was particularly due to the...

Short after the end of Terraplane in 2007, SAMSARA BLUES EXPERIMT has risen from the ashes of that German heavy psych band, and this is their first...

It was a big surprise for me, as I received the news that singer and organist Oskar Lundström had left SIENA ROOT. I always thought that this four...

Currently everything works well for Belgian heavy weights SERPENTCULT. After the successful release of their debut EP 'Trident Nor Fire' in 2007, the...

STUBB’s debut album is also the first release of the young label Superhot Records. Recorded in 2010 and mixed in 2011 by Stone Axe’s own Tony...

Some demos are just so marvelous that they surpass some of the regular releases. This time it applies to the US-band SINISTER REALM which was formed...