Argonauta Records Announce Signing U.S. Blues/Fuzz Rockers SMOKE MOUNTAIN
(By Pat ‘Riot’ Whitaker, Senior Writer/Journalist, RiffRelevant.com)
Italy’s Argonauta Records has shared news of the label’s signing of the Florida-based retro-blues, doom, fuzz rock trio SMOKE MOUNTAIN. (more…)
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It has been slightly over one month since traditional doom-oriented quartet MANGOG issued the new two-song EP, ‘The Ghost In The Room‘, via Argonauta Records.
Much like the wraith-like entity referred to within the title, the EP seems like some incorporeal effort that many have missed sighting… let alone hearing. That is their loss, as I am here to reveal this short-player may be the best thing the band has given to music fans yet. I stand behind this statement, being fully aware of and well acquainted with, MANGOG‘s 2017 full-length outing ‘Awakens‘, as well as 2015’s ‘Daydreams Within Nightmares‘ EP.
Truth is, MANGOG have no need to prove anything to anyone, for when your band’s roster of players lay claim to past or present positions in Beelzefuzz, Revelation, Final Answer, Against Nature, Major Company, and other notables, this fact speaks for itself. However, when a band reveals their base of operations is Maryland, anywhere in Maryland, and they play doom, well then they had best be ready to be put to the test at some point. That said, I don’t imagine guitarist Bert Hall, vocalist Myke Wells, bassist Darby Cox, and drummer Dao Yu (replaced by Russell Hayward III since the EP’s recording), are at all rattled by this type of challenge.
If we gauge the music of ‘The Ghost In The Room‘ EP as any type of reaction, then there is no question that MANGOG more than hold their own on this latest studio-borne statement. Speaking of studios… well, more like those that work wizardry within them, this EP was mixed and mastered by none other than Drew Mazurek (Souls At Zero, ZAO, Mystic Force).
From the very beginning of the lead-in title track ”The Ghost In The Room“, the essence of Iommi permeates each advancing second. It then takes the track by the throat with beyond-dismal riffing around the 00:25 second mark, each note resonating in your bones for what seems an eternity. Braced by minimal bass lines and drumming, things are soon dragging along a sludgy path that winds its way like a funeral procession. The emotive crooning of Wells is soon well involved, yielding existentially oblational subject matter via a thought provoking lyrical theme contained in the song.
Hall also contributes rather soulful vocals near the four-minute mark, thus creating a point where musically everything briefly gains momentum. Eventually subsiding and tapering down, a reprise of the repeating, semi-hypnotic dirge of dooming audio that initially started things, returns. I especially like the trade-off vocals between Myke and Bert administered a bit prior to the song’s end.
What comes next is an unexpected surprise of a song, one that finds the MANGOG foursome foregoing any doom styling. No, instead “Hubris” is an upbeat blues number chock full of a punk rock attitude and intriguing lyrics, ones where the chorus’ words “I’m all outta fucks to give” will echo in your skull for hours afterward. Their stripped down delivery takes on an almost hymnal state near the song’s ceasing, and it is a right nice touch, too. During repeated listenings while I penned this piece, I could not shake recollections of how much I liked 24-7 Spyz and Living Color in my younger days… memories spurred by this song’s overall sound and style.
MANGOG make quite the mark with their newest release, the two-songs of ‘The Ghost In The Room‘ EP seeming like opposite sides of the same coin. One side a dense, slowly heaving behemoth of momentous portents, pivotal in keeping up appearances when one is connected to Maryland. The other side, a complete change of character where the band intakes adrenaline and throws all care and caution to the wind. The dichotomy of this pair of tracks, “The Ghost In The Room” and “Hubris“, is a most powerful presentation and here’s to hoping there is much more to come from MANGOG.
Stream the EP in this review or head over to Bandcamp [link] or Argonauta Records [link] for further streaming or purchase options.
See MANGOG perform live at an important pair of upcoming benefit shows for some good friends of the Maryland music scene:
Aug. 31: Frederick, MD @ Cafe 611: Greg Serio Benefit (Spiral Grave, Earthride, Scissorfist, Thousand Vision Mist, Knoxxville, & more) [info]
Sep. 14: Frederick, MD @ Cafe 611: Deanna Firkingood Benefit (Shadow Witch, Pale Divine, Bailjack, Faith In Jane, & more) [info]
Article By: Leanne Ridgeway, Owner/Chief EditorMid-Atlantic whiskey mongers Wasted Theory are ready to unleash their third full-length album, ‘Warlords of the New Electric‘, on October 26th, through Argonauta Records. (more…)
SMOKE MOUNTAIN ‘Queen Of Sin’ Album Nears; “I Walk Alone” Single Debuts
Article By: Pat ‘Riot’ Whitaker, Senior Writer/Journalist ‡ Edited By: Leanne Ridgeway, Owner/EditorIt has been a full year and one half since we learned the news of Argonauta Records signing Tallahassee, Florida’s trio of finely fuzzed-out doom, SMOKE MOUNTAIN. (more…)
Article By: Pat ‘Riot’ Whitaker, Senior Writer/Journalist ‡ Edited By: Leanne Ridgeway, Owner/Chief EditorArgonauta Records recording artists VESSEL OF LIGHT, the band formed by Nathan “Opposition” Jochum (Ancient VVisdom) and guitarist Dan Lorenzo (Hades, Non-Fiction, The Cursed), announce the completion of the band’s roster of members. (more…)
DEE CALHOUN ‘Go To The Devil’ Review & Stream; EU. Tour Next Month + Maryland Doom Fest IV
(By Pat ‘Riot’ Whitaker, Senior Writer/Journalist, RiffRelevant.com) This week saw the manifestation of the sophomore solo album from Dee Calhoun, titled “Go To The Devil“, arriving from Argonauta Records. (more…)
THREE EYES LEFT Streaming New Argonauta Records Album ‘The Cult Of Astaroth’
(By Pat ‘Riot’ Whitaker, Lead Journalist/Writer, RiffRelevant.com) Italy’s Argonauta Records continue to provide planet Earth with some of the finest doom and psyche rock known to man and today’s share is no different. The Italian doom / heavy rock / sludge band Three Eyes Left are releasing their latest full-length, “The Cult Of Astaroth“, through the label today (September 15th). (more…)
Premiere: CONCLAVE Shares Title Track Video Off ‘Dawn Of Days’
Article by: Leanne Ridgeway
A while back we shared news of the Western Massachusetts massive doom CONCLAVE partnering with Argonauta Records to release (more…)
(By Pat ‘Riot’ Whitaker, Senior Writer/Journalist, RiffRelevant.com)RIFF RELEVANT presents our exclusive premiere of the new single “Opium Smokers Room” from Italy’s THE RED COIL. (more…)
THAL (The Heathens Are Loose) Sign To Argonauta Records For ‘Reach For The Dragon’s Eye’ Release
Hartnell (L) & Walker/Green ® (By Pat ‘Riot’ Whitaker, Lead Journalist/Writer, RiffRelevant.com) Well, we can publicize the news that Ohio’s THAL (The Heathens Are Loose) have officially signed with Argonauta Records for the release of their new album. And make, no mistake, THAL are now a “they” as opposed to the past when the project was merely a “him”. (more…)
Unending thanks & gratefulness to @jjkoczan for both convincing me to do this & offering to do it on my behalf. The response is overwhelming so far. I appreciate & am honored by all of it & each one of you.
Many thanks also to @blues.funeral for sharing & your words of hope. Never in a million years would I have expected such grace from so many.🖤🙌🏼
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Link in bio.
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#fuckcancer #thankyou #kindnessrocks #theobelisk #jjkoczan #fundraiser #linkinbio #bluesfuneralrecordings #heavyunderground #heavymusic #saveslives #chemosucks #timetolive #itsonlymusictheysaid
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churchofsatannews
My friend Jim Forrester, affectionately known by the name Rev. Jim, was murdered by strangers while talking on the phone with his wife outside of his work at The Tattoo Museum in Baltimore City. Jim was former bassist for Sixty Watt Shaman, currently of Foghound and Serpents of Secrecy.
Video of the suspected killers has been released: http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2017/12/22/fells-point-murder-video/
He leaves behind a wife and two children. A GoFundMe was set up to help with the financial burden this loss brings: https://www.gofundme.com/funds-for-forrester
There is also a benefit show tonight at Cafe 611 & Guido’s Speakeasy, located on N Market St, Frederick, Maryland. This event will feature 13 bands on 2 separate stages. All proceeds go to his family.
Show time is 6pm-12:30 pm Friday Dec 29th.
https://www.facebook.com/events/180510659201090/
There is a significant and growing reward for information leading to the arrest of his killers. The Church of Satan’s philosophy advocates Lex Talionis, the law of retribution. Justice will be served when his killers are punished to the full extent of the law.
Magister Kevin I. Slaughter
