Stoner Metal

ALBUM OF THE WEEK: THE OWLING- YOU DON’T BOW YOU WILL LEARN

I love albums that you can put on and let them just take you on a ride. Then there is that feeling you get when that right chord, melody or rhythm strikes. Also, it’s really refreshing to hear a band make an actual “album” and not just a collection of songs! Let me introduce you to, The Owling! This two piece Los Angeles based band is fast becoming a favorite of mine. Their sound is the perfect mix of 90’s Rock, Doom and Sludge with a very cinematic/poetic approach. The Owling’s debut album, You Don’t Bow You Will Learn, is a of righteous slab of riffs, and driving rhythms with vocals that soar. Think about driving down an open desert highway at sunset or sunrise with the windows down and this album blasting. Are you there yet? That’s exactly how this album feels. With each listen you find a different song to be your favorite. One other aspect about You Don’t Bow You Will Learn that I really enjoy is the use of space/ambience. When you listen, at certain moments, it’s almost like the fog machine is on and you get lost in the epic nature of the song. I very much look forward to what 2026 will bring for The Owling! Check out this band and be sure to buy a copy of their debut album and see them live! Also, quick shout out to Dean Karr for his badassery of great photo’s of the band and album cover. Talk about nailing an essence in a photo!

The Owling- You Don’t Bow You Will Learn:

DEEP CUTS: HIGH ON FIRE- KING FOR DAYS

My friend and podcast co-host Justin, recently went to Sacramento to the Aftershock festival (Check out his recap HERE). While he was there and we were chatting he mentioned he was going to check out High On Fire. Both of us haven’t seen them in a long time and Justin said they were fantastic. So naturally, while chatting about the band, I had a song pop in my head and it’s been playing on repeat and it’s a perfect deep cut! High On Fire if you don’t know are one hell of a band. They are one of the best at Stoner/Sludge Metal while at the same time having elements of Thrash and Doom. The song I’m focusing on comes from their 2012 album De Vermis Mysteriis, and it’s an epic track too, “King For Days.” Clocking in at a little over seven minutes, “King For Days” gives you quite the spectrum of awesomeness. Enjoy this track and check out more of High On Fire.

High On Fire- King For Days:

Track One: Down- Temptation’s Wings

I thought I’d start off the new year with a great song and a killer track one to boot. I will never forget the first time I heard this song. I was 13 years old and I was chatting with one of the guys who worked at the Tower Records in my town. I recall our conversation swinging toward Pantera as I was also looking to get their live album that was out. The guy said instead of getting the 101 Proof album I should check out this other album which had Philip in it as well. The guy even went and put the CD on in the store and then a couple moments later, the CD was in my hand and in my discman back in the car on the way home. From that point on I’ve been a huge Down fan. So much so that I prefer listening to Down over Pantera. Yes it’s true but, that’s for a whole other topic for another day. The first song, “Temptation’s Wings” is one of those track one’s that the moment you first hear it, you already know you’re going to like what’s to come and the want for more just grows and grows. Interestingly, this song dates back to about 1990/1991 when Down first came to fruition. It’s got this great Sabbath meets Zeppelin vibe with a great bit of Southern Rock charm. Put it this way, I would put this song in my top 25 favorite track one’s! Looking forward to seeing Down in 2025 and having a new album out later this year. If you aren’t familiar with Down, you should rectify that and quick!

Down- Temptation’s Wings:

Down- Down I- NOLA:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SG82oeXCclA&list=OLAK5uy_kj_nOYGgi9xj7tZ-yxXZ6pWH90CL_sw3o

Band Of The Week: O Zorn

There have been so many great three piece bands over the years and it never ceases to amaze me the power of what a three piece band can emit. Recently I came across a three piece band that is putting out some serious heavy grooves along with a pummeling sound and I couldn’t wait to share them with you all. Let me introduce you to O Zorn. Armed with a sound that is part stoner/doom, sludgey and noise rock, it comes as no shock that O Zorn is going to deliver a decimating sound. Their new album, Your Killer, was recorded at Dave Grohl’s Studio 606. That along with the riffs of both Bill Kielty and Bill Meyer and the unstoppable carnage that drummer Danny Walker brings to the rhythm, has made O Zorn a force to be reckoned with in the heavy music community. Your Killer is out March 20 (via Seeing Red Records). In the mean time, check out these two songs from this upcoming “killer” of an album.

O Zorn- Casket:

Album Review: Interstelar- Resin

I’m quite fond of the “Stoner Metal/Rock” genre. There is enough “heavy” in the music to go around, and there is the slowed down element as well that brings it all together. Bands like Black Sabbath and Down have it down to a science and their formula has been imitated for many years now. Some bands though bring out something more than just the sludgy slowed down metal. Interstelar, a band that has been a previous band of the week, just released a new album entitled Resin, that brings something more to the table. Their blend of Sabbath and Down branded rock is mixed very well with added inspiration from The Cult and Corrosion Of Conformity. Tracks like “siLO,” “Resin,” and “Behold,” really hone in on the stoner vibe. Then there is a song like “High Horse,” that adds soothing and sweet melody, along with a vibe that puts you at ease. Lyrically the songs are on a different plane all together. They range from the social climate of today to everyday things in life, and it’s done in a way thats not intrusive or off putting, that it takes away from the mood of the music. Interstelar know how to make this genre their own and expand upon it. I “highly” recommend you take a listen to this album and hear for yourself.

Interstelar- Resin:

https://www.facebook.com/interstelarLA

By: Brian Lacy

Band Of The Week: Young Hunter

The Portland music scene is getting bigger as time goes on. Stoner/Doom metal in particular is growing by leaps and bounds. Young Hunter is one of those bands that has the elements of stoner/doom but adds something else to the mix. Their use of 70’s psychedelia really makes their music stand out. There are some comparisons to Torche and Black Mountain in the way their music sounds. Their recent EP Embers At The Foot Of Dark Mountain is soothing and seductive all the while being powerful. One can tell by listening that the members of Young Hunter really have a feel for what they create.

http://younghunter.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Young-Hunter/127424170682508