Blog
-
“I know people don’t want to hear me saying such things, but they’re true.” Francis Rossi comes clean on Status Quo, Rick Parfitt and new solo album The Accidental
With Status Quo now history and Francis Rossi enjoying his An Audience With tours, a new album was far from his mind -
Reviews: Black Stone Cherry, Desert Collider, Mother Crone, Toys That Bïte (Matt Bladen & Rich Piva)
Black Stone Cherry – Celebrate EP (Mascot Records) [Matt Bladen]
Almost twenty years since their debut album Black Stone Cherry have become one of the biggest band in hard rock. Blue collar boys playing big riffs that have enough radio friendly melodies to gain them a huge audience, multiple awards and cross Atlantic appeal as it can be argued that they are a band bigger in the UK than they are in their native USA.
The real magic behind BSC is their friendship, these are four men who know each other, are in each others lives and can collaborate almost telepathically. Celebrate is a tribute to this, a seven track EP that features the band knocking our another six originals that will fit right into their current stage show along with a swaggering cover of Don’t You (Forget About Me) by Simple Minds which features Tyler Connolly of Theory Of A Deadman.
Kicking off with Celebrate they go back to their early days with big riffs and a huge chorus sung with those impressive Chris Robertson pipes. A musical throwback to those rawer first records while Paralysed brings the slickness of their more recent work, especially in John Fred Young’s echoed drum sound, while the wah driven riff of Caught Up In The Up Down has plenty of sexy R&B grooves to it.
Writing the songs in guitarist Ben Wells’ house many of these tracks began life on the road but with the four men in one room, swapping instruments to make sure the songs sounded just how they wanted. An EP of contradictions there’s moments of celebration, the sound of a rock band doing what they love with big joyous rockers.
However there’s introspection on tracks such as I’m Fine and especially on Deep, as the band members have faced some serious family hardships during the recording of this EP but it’s the bond they have that has got them through these tough times and is exorcised with these songs. More fuel for the fire, more songs in the bank, Black Stone Cherry have lots to Celebrate on this EP. 8/10Desert Collider – Generation Ship: Endless Drift Through Infinity (Small Stone Recordings) [Rich Piva]
When Small Stone Records announced their latest release there was something familiar about it.When I looked back in my endless collection of digital releases, I found the debut album from Desert Collider, titled Generation Ship: Endless Drift Through Infinity, from back in 2024. I found limited info on that release outside of a small review on the amazing Outlaw Of The Sun site, but not much else. I did remember it being some killer heavy psych, desert/stoner with some groove, and me enjoying it a lot. Now, after listening to the promo, we all owe a debt of gratitude to Small Stone for grabbing this amazing record from digital obscurity and bringing it back up front, because the eight tracks from the Italian band kick all sorts of ass.
As a starting point for the reader, the band’s bio mentions Dozer, Black Elephant, Kyuss, and Monster Magnet. Yup, that’s about right. But no matter who you use as a reference, when the riff kicks in on Orphans Of The Sky Part I: Generation Ship, nothing else matters. This record is perfectly produced; the most close-to-perfect desert rock sound you can get in 2026. The fuzzy psych guitar tone is so great.The opener is an epic prologue to a concept record based loosely on Robert A. Heinlein’s “Orphans of the Sky” which I have not read but now need to. It leads to Floating Space Hand, coming at you with a fuzzy psych riff and some reverb soaked vocals that work perfectly for the vibe of this record. This track straight up rips. If you thought that one ripped, you are in for a treat with Sonic Carver, which picks up the pace even more and is some next level high energy stoner rock and roll.Oh, but when it slows down for the solo you know these guys get it. I know some folks do not have the attention span for ten-plus minute tracks, but believe me when I say Orphans Of The Sky Part II: Disembark is worth your time. It has this slow burn Spacegrass thing musically and also gives me serious Lowrider vibes. Do not miss this one or cut out early, because it starts ripping the place up at the end.Did I mention these guys rip it up? If you need another example check out ThumpeRRR. The echoed, overlapped vocals on this one are very cool. I did not expect the next track to start with some gentle acoustic guitar and synth, but here we are with Nomads Of The Red Sun, which is very cool but is what really works out to be a five minute interlude, which maybe could have been a couple minutes shorter, just for the sake of sequencing and the run time.Speaking of which, the next track, Far Centaurus: Drifting Without Guidance Through Interstellar Space, seems to be digital only, I assume to allow for the album to fit onto two sides of a single record. I get why, as it is almost fourteen minutes long, but it is killer stuff and works perfectly in the flow of the record. I hope the deletion and the resequencing on vinyl does not affect the overall vibe. I am pretty confident it won’t, given how great the songs are on their own.The closer, Nebuchadnezzar, doesn’t play around, closing out the record with flat out up tempo Kyuss worship that will leave you wanting more. I am not sure what happened over the past couple years with this release, but listeners are going to be very happy that Generation Ship: Endless Drift Through Infinity has landed, once again, on earth, with Desert Collider ready to take over. 9/10
Mother Crone – Embrace The Death (Self Released) [Rich Piva]
Seattle’s Mother Crone are bringing the downer vibes on Embrace The Death, which is certainly on brand here, as they are not known to play the music you put on to spice up a party. We get Pacific Northwest post rock doom here that is slow and plodding at times, and heavy as hell over seven tracks clocking in at almost fifty minutes.
I say slow and plodding but I think Mother Crone excel when they pick up the pace, like on the opener, Unseen Way. These guys can certainly rip it up when they want to and I almost lean towards calling this prog metal, as a complement. The guitar work is excellent and you can hear the talent as the band morphs from one genre to the next.Fever Stone sounds like old Mastodon. Enough said there I think. The title track is a slow burn, but less funeral dirge and more Alice In Chains, channelling the giants of their hometown. Another track I dig is Eye Of Providence, that gives me more old Mastodon but also 16 vibes, with some cool vocals to go along with the progressive heaviness. The epic 12-minute Inner keep is the star of this show. Complex, emotional, with twists and turns, this may be Mother Crone’s best song yet.
It is a bit long, but Embrace The Death has enough to keep some of the more attention span lacking folks engaged. If you like dark, heavy music that leans towards a post rock prog Mastodon, Mother Crone’s new record will be for you. 7/10
Toys That Bïte – You Have Been Warned (Scare Bear Records) [Matt Bladen]
I get a feeling that Toys That Bite like Van Halen, Van Halen when they were fronted by David Lee Roth, when the were smutty, sexually charged and throbbing with Diamond Dave’s virility. You Have Been Warned is their debut album and it has a lot of VH influences to it, though the guitar playing is not quite as virtuoso as maestro Van Halen but the duo that wield the axes here are both talented players adding a NWOBHM influence to these heavy rockers.
Formed from a studio based writing partnership, they’re what one of my colleagues would call Dad Rock, the sort of band that would go down a storm with the Steelhouse crowd, produced by Ben Turner (Part Chimp) and mixed by Romesh Dodangoda, there’s no doubting that this record is slick, packed with shout along choruses but it’s also full of songs that in their own words are Genius Level Stupid.
The lyrics do seem a bit immature and outdated, surely we’ve heard enough songs about Ladies Of The Night, Little Black Book(s) and Gentlemen’s Club(s)? While the songs about navigating social media and drinking are all well and good, for me they never really lift You Have Been Warned up to more than just some very competent pub heavy rocking. Perhaps that sounds a little po-faced but even if there’s tongues firmly in cheeks here, it’s all been done before.
My advice is check them out if you still long for the 80’s rock fix but the toys didn’t really sink their teeth into me. 6/10 -
THE ETERNAL – Παρουσίασαν lyric video το single “Casting Down Shadows” από το EP τους “Celestial”
https://www.metalourgio.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/449321921_1036333244729483_2461199603929248168_n-768×768.jpg -
Listening Now : HEYKRIS – _stay
With _stay, HEYKRIS delivers an atmospheric synth-pop piece that captures the uneasy pulse of anxiety while surrounding the listener with lush, immersive textures. Gentle electronic beats and shimmering synth layers create a dreamy backdrop, while the emotive vocals carry a sense of vulnerability and quiet tension. Rather than relying on big dramatic shifts, the track lets its mood unfold gradually, allowing the atmosphere to take center stage.
The result is a melancholic yet captivating synth-pop eargasm—perfect for late-night listening and moments of introspection.
Connect:
-
Interview: James of Hellripper
Interview: James of Hellripper
Interviewed by Chris Taylor
With a new album on the horizon, James of Hellripper drops in for a chat all about ‘Coronach’.
He talks about the bands origins, advantages of working solo, discusses genre definitions, incorporating Scottish heritage into the new music, the use of bagpipes, exactly what caused the band to miss out on Bloodstock’s Winter Gathering and so much more.
You can listen to the interview on this very page below!
Or if you prefer to listen on the go, check out the interview on our podcast platforms:
Youtube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Youtube Music Listen to all of our previous audio interviews on all of our channels.
Youtube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Youtube Music
And please subscribe to our channels to keep up with all our latest interviews!
The post Interview: James of Hellripper appeared first on The Razor's Edge.
-
Separated is The Ancient Unknown’s Single Out Now
Good Day Noir Family,
The Ancient Unknown return with “Separated,” a track that channels raw intensity through a thick layer of grunge-infused alternative rock.Separated is The Ancient Unknown’s Single Out Now
The sound transports you back to the ’90s; however, it doesn’t feel like a nostalgic replica.
Instead, the band fuse grunge textures with subtle classic rock undertones, creating a hybrid that feels renewed.
The guitars carry weight and grit. Each chord progression feels intentional, and the rhythm section drives forward with confidence. The balance between heaviness and melody keeps the track engaging. There’s tension in the arrangement, but it never collapses into chaos. That control suggests seasoned musicians who understand dynamics.
The vocal timbre stands out as a defining element. It’s original and unmistakable, cutting through the instrumental layers with character. The delivery feels sincere and charged with emotion. At times, the performance carries a dystopian edge, adding a dramatic layer that elevates the song beyond straightforward rock. The chorus expands into an almost epic register, reinforcing the track’s emotional impact.
In addition, the video complements the music effectively. Set against natural landscapes, it amplifies the song’s sense of ancestral connection and universal energy. The imagery of open spaces and elemental forces aligns with the band’s sonic intensity. This visual dimension enhances the overall experience without distracting from the music itself.
The Ancient Unknown clearly know how to compose. The structure unfolds with purpose, and each section builds upon the last. The interplay between instrumental force and vocal expression demonstrates cohesion within the group. “Separated” feels unified rather than fragmented.
Ultimately, this is alternative rock that embraces its roots while pushing forward with conviction. The blend of grunge attitude and classic rock sensibility gives the track depth and staying power. It’s a strong release from a band that understands emotion and craftsmanship.
Separated is The Ancient Unknown‘s Single Out Now!
Resilient!
Separated is The Ancient Unknown’s Single Out Now
The Ancient Unknown are a London-based fusion rock band made up of self-proclaimed inter-dimensional scoundrels. Drawing inspiration from multiple eras and musical styles, the group blends rock with elements that stretch across time and genre, creating a sound that resists easy classification. Known for their wild and theatrical stage presence, the band features Dob on drums, Dan on bass, Antz from the Nest Nebula on keys, Jordan Divers of Planet Thundermist on guitar, and Spin of Cephalopoda on vocals and guitar. Their energetic performances and imaginative concept bring a sense of cosmic adventure to the modern rock stage.
Find The Ancient Unknown Here:
Spotify
Instagram
Discover New Bands Click Here
The post Separated is The Ancient Unknown’s Single Out Now appeared first on Edgar Allan Poets – Noir Rock Band.
-
Listening Now : Endless Atlas – Minotaur
Endless Atlas crafts an immersive electronic journey with Minotaur, a slowly unfolding instrumental built on evolving analog synth patterns. Ambient textures and lo-fi piano motifs drift through the opening moments before the track gradually expands into a bold, synth-driven second half. Created using Moog Subharmonicon and Matriarch sequencing, the piece feels alive—its semi-generative patterns subtly shifting and mutating as it progresses. The result is hypnotic and meditative, echoing the atmospheric depth of Boards of Canada while maintaining a distinct sense of movement.
Minotaur is a patient, exploratory listen that rewards those willing to sink into its evolving sonic maze.
Connect:
-
“It wouldn’t be my first choice of nickname now”: Gluecifer’s Captain Poon on touring with Lemmy, fun with chickens and the origins of that stage name
Having said new music was unlikely, Norwegian rockers Gluecifer are back with their first album in two decades -
Immolation – Release New Single
New York death metal veterans Immolation have released “Attrition”, the second single from their upcoming twelfth studio album Descent, scheduled for release on April 10th via Nuclear Blast Records. Check out the music video below.
Read more… -
Listening Now : Monolith Ascension Collective – Holotape 801
Monolith Ascension Collective kick things off with Holotape 801, an instrumental groove that blends psychedelic rock textures with the pulse of disco and the swagger of deep-pocket funk. Built around a hypnotic rhythm section, the track locks into a steady dancefloor momentum while cosmic guitar lines and swirling synth layers add a spacey, cinematic atmosphere. The groove unfolds gradually, letting its retro-futuristic vibe breathe as the instrumentation expands and contracts.
Holotape 801 feels equally suited for late-night drives, desert sunsets, or dimly lit dance floors—an energetic and trippy sonic ride.
Connect: