Blog
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Soulfly announce new album ‘Chama,’ share “Storm the Gates”
The tribe is back for their 13th full-length offering -
Metallica rock intimate Stephen Talkhouse show in Amagansett, NY (photos)
In support of the launch of their new year-round channel on SiriusXM, “Maximum Metallica” -
In Concert: Sophie Lloyd
by Jadranka Jade– Photo Jorunalist — Chalk, Brighton, United Kingdom – August 1, 2025 Sophie Lloyd recently made a stop at Chalk a music venue in Brighton in the United Kingdom. Her show was captured […] -
SCUMBACK ~ PERFECT BLUE ….. review
Perusing Desert Psychlist’s unending wave of emails can be in turns informative, infuriating and gladdening and it was the last of those emotions we felt when we scrolled down to find that Russian groovsters Scumback had gifted us a download of their latest album “Perfect Blue” via Bandcamp. Some may remember us waxing lyrical on these pages over the bands second album “Sons of a Witch“, a collection of short sharp and caustic tunes that took their cues from the likes of Eyehategod, Buzzov-en, and Crowbar as much as they did from southern rock royalty like Lynyrd Skynyrd, Blackfoot and Molly Hatchet. Those who have already bought into Scumback’s blend of of hardcore, groove and southern rock /metal will be cock-a-hoop to discover that while “Perfect Blue” sees Scumback progressing musically as a band it also does not stray too far from the bands original blueprint while those new to the band will discover an outfit with the ability to both swing and brutalize in equal measure.
Oh maaan how do you go about describing an opening number as impactful as “Murdertown“, this is a tune that leaves you feeling like you have been run over by a truck, a partly groove, partly thrash, partly industrial, partly nu-metal riff fest decorated with vocals that are constantly shifting between stoner rock like throatiness and sludgy metallic harshness., if this tune does not compel you to take a deep dive into the rest of the album then nothing will. If you have somehow managed to get up off the floor and dust yourself down then ready yourself to be knocked right back down again by “The Absolute“, this song wraps scattergun riffage and blackened rhythms beneath vocals that alternate between full on snarliness and melodic gruffness around which ear-catching motifs and searing solos are constantly swooping and swirling. There are in total 14 tracks to be found on “Perfect Blue” so please do not expect us to go in depth on each, instead we will from here on in highlight a few that we think demand attention. The first of those is the chugging stoner(ish) “Fade Away” a song that stands out thanks to its slightly more southern rock flavoured vocal inflections and its attention grabbing little hooks and catches. The next worthy of mention is the southern flavoured lament “By The River” its acoustic guitars and down-home vocal tones giving it an almost “campfire” feel. Another we think should be further investigated is the excellent “Tears of God” which, to our ears, channels a little Mississippi Bones/Clutch type swagger in its sonic attack. The truth though is that no matter where you place the needle on “Perfect Blue“, be it the full on hardcore of “25 Hours” or the lilting and Skynyrd like ballad “Wasted Paradise“, you are going to strike gold!
Scumback describe what they do on “Perfect Blue” as being “hardcore with touch of Lynyrd Skynyrd” and that is in a nutshell exactly what it is, an amalgamation of southern rock, groove metal, doom and sludge condensed down into small easy to swallow bites, one of the best albums of its genre you could possibly hope to hear.Check it out ….© 2025 Frazer Jones -
SCUMBACK ~ PERFECT BLUE ….. review
Perusing Desert Psychlist’s unending wave of emails can be in turns informative, infuriating and gladdening and it was the last of those emotions we felt when we scrolled down to find that Russian groovsters Scumback had gifted us a download of their latest album “Perfect Blue” via Bandcamp. Some may remember us waxing lyrical on these pages over the bands second album “Sons of a Witch“, a collection of short sharp and caustic tunes that took their cues from the likes of Eyehategod, Buzzov-en, and Crowbar as much as they did from southern rock royalty like Lynyrd Skynyrd, Blackfoot and Molly Hatchet. Those who have already bought into Scumback’s blend of of hardcore, groove and southern rock /metal will be cock-a-hoop to discover that while “Perfect Blue” sees Scumback progressing musically as a band it also does not stray too far from the bands original blueprint while those new to the band will discover an outfit with the ability to both swing and brutalize in equal measure.
Oh maaan how do you go about describing an opening number as impactful as “Murdertown“, this is a tune that leaves you feeling like you have been run over by a truck, a partly groove, partly thrash, partly industrial, partly nu-metal riff fest decorated with vocals that are constantly shifting between stoner rock like throatiness and sludgy metallic harshness., if this tune does not compel you to take a deep dive into the rest of the album then nothing will. If you have somehow managed to get up off the floor and dust yourself down then ready yourself to be knocked right back down again by “The Absolute“, this song wraps scattergun riffage and blackened rhythms beneath vocals that alternate between full on snarliness and melodic gruffness around which ear-catching motifs and searing solos are constantly swooping and swirling. There are in total 14 tracks to be found on “Perfect Blue” so please do not expect us to go in depth on each, instead we will from here on in highlight a few that we think demand attention. The first of those is the chugging stoner(ish) “Fade Away” a song that stands out thanks to its slightly more southern rock flavoured vocal inflections and its attention grabbing little hooks and catches. The next worthy of mention is the southern flavoured lament “By The River” its acoustic guitars and down-home vocal tones giving it an almost “campfire” feel. Another we think should be further investigated is the excellent “Tears of God” which, to our ears, channels a little Mississippi Bones/Clutch type swagger in its sonic attack. The truth though is that no matter where you place the needle on “Perfect Blue“, be it the full on hardcore of “25 Hours” or the lilting and Skynyrd like ballad “Wasted Paradise“, you are going to strike gold!Scumback describe what they do on “Perfect Blue” as being “hardcore with touch of Lynyrd Skynyrd” and that is in a nutshell exactly what it is, an amalgamation of southern rock, groove metal, doom and sludge condensed down into small easy to swallow bites, one of the best albums of its genre you could possibly hope to hear.Check it out ….© 2025 Frazer Jones -
Ne Obliviscaris confirm 2025 North American headline tour
Performing both ‘Exul’ and ‘Citadel’ in full -
Peeling Flesh drop new single/video, “Autistimus Prime”
Featuring Kiriakos Destounis of Embryectomy -
Goodbye Wudaokou – Anything Of Us
On his second album under the Goodbye Wudaokou moniker, Manchester based DIY artist Mat Mills leans toward the Bay Area underground to further refine his heartfelt, upliftingly melancholic indiepop.
Whilst remaining a lofi artist at heart, Mill’s compositions are frequently epic in scope, with sweeping arrangements wrapping themselves lovingly around his plaintive yet affecting vocals.
Huge hearted pop gems such as Never Left and lead single Only Questions lay bare Goodbye Wudaokou’s guitar-driven vision, restlessly searching for truth and meaning amid the ebb and flow of life’s triumphs and challenges.
After the slow-burn success of debut Mirror Skies and this album’s release via the ever dependable Subjangle, now is the perfect time to immerse yourself in Mat Mills’ shimmering soundscapes.
Goodbye Wudaokou – Only Questions
Anything Of Us is available to pre-order on CD via Subjangle here. CD’s release 1st October but full digital download is included immediately upon purchase.
