Debut album from System of Venus - a hybrid of heavy rock & stoner riffs

System of Venus officially released their debut album in July 2013, and just this month the band has launched the digital version available from their Bandcamp page.

From the straight up riffing of album opener 'Blackrock', to the brooding bass and lyrics of 'Monster Ego' and heavy almost doom like riffing in 'Dr Dumb', what is immediately evident is the bands songwriting skill, and their intent to inject the hooks of each track, melodies largely borne on the back of vocalist/guitarist Fatima Bašić's strong vocals, directly into your subconscious more and more with each listen.

'Dancing in Hells Garden' stands out to my ear as one of the album highlights - kicking straight into a driving rhythm the track showcases the diversity of the band with equal parts stoner rock & heavy alternative rock. Twisting tempo changes, crashing drums and the growing urgency of the riffs & vocals build this track to an awesome crescendo at around the 2 minute mark, and the band close it all out with a jamming stoner riff reminiscent of The Atomic Bitchwax,

'Gannets Drive' provides another high point, the tendrils of the opening riff invade your mind, being driven along by the excellent drumming and heavy bass.  This track brings into focus the overall quality of the production on this album which is absolutely superb and complements the well honed songs, all of which stands as a testament to the effort the band have invested making sure their debut recording will turn heads.

This band cant be pinned firmly down to one genre` and this provides for a refreshing listen as it is equal parts heavy and melodic, adding further to its replayability. 'Dr Dumb' contains some of the heaviest moments on the album, with a searing guitar solo over an almost doom like riff, and 'Nothing' is a near on 7 minute journey of melodic heavy alternative rock - a mid tempo kicker which alike 'Dancing in Hells Garden' finishes out with a lengthy jam, albeit with more subdued tones.

Album closer 'Beast' starts and ends with a middle eastern riff & rhythm, sort of like a sped up version of Om, and crushes in with heavy guitars and chilling lyrics. A rock solid debut album - looking forward to the next installment from System of Venus.

Physical copies of the album, and album/T-shirt combos are available from the bands official website at www.systemofvenus.com/ & digital downloads at their Bandcamp page. Check out their Facebook page too and stay up to date with news & upcoming gigs.

CLAGG delivers with 'Gather Your Beasts' - a monument of heavy.

"The tyranny of five riders raging, riding heavy, until every soul is struck down, ill-prepared to meet their doom." And those 5 riders are CLAGG. This is a masterwork, there are some out of body moments on this album. 

Album opener 'Five Curses' kicks straight into 11 minutes of earth shaking low end riffs,with the band taking their foot off the gas to slow it down even further about halfway through to let the gravity they have created do its work.  

The title track 'Gather your Beasts' is a punishing journey, with the ominous sound of thunderous drums, onwards to crushingly low and melodic realms with tortured cathartic vocals exacting their toll... 

'The Great Mortality' is another example of the bands ability to build into a mid pace riff that makes the head nod a bit faster, then back right off to let the weight of the riff come crashing in. Obey the Riff! This track destroys live - looking around the crowd during the last few minutes of this track at the bands recent gig at the Doomsday Festival in support of Church of Misery, the majority of the crowd were leaning back, doom faces on, and legs buckling under the weight of it all.

'The Dream is Dead' lightens the mood, swinging in with a rock riff, but that party does not last long - after a killer solo the mood turns grim, and after a menacing buildup the band unleash a crushing finish to this 10 minute killer track.

And it is all wrapped up with a track which has become a mainstay of Clagg's blistering live shows, with the surging, rhythmic hammering that is 'Pathways to Oblivion' - this track was originally released on Claggs debut album in 2005 'Let The Galaxy Burn', but here it is 8 years later, re-envisioned and near on a minute longer than the original version, and with the monstrous production that this entire album has been soaked in. Decapitation by audio. Amazing. Along with the title track, perhaps the best on the album and finishes everything off  with pure destruction.

Nothing short of a massive production throughout this album, courtesy of Jason PC(Goatsound Studio & in The Ruiner, Blood Duster, Dern Rutlidge, Youngbreeder) and Adam Calaitzis (Toyland Studio), with mastering by Dav Byrne of Clagg and Agonhymn, and killer cover art from Boyd Synnott.

To my mind this is the bands finest moment to date, and given that their 2009 album 'Lord of the Deep' is so damn good, its a testament to the work thats been put into 'Gather Your Beasts'. A long time coming, and definitely worth the wait.

CLAGG have just this weekend gone launched this album in the best way possible, supporting none other than the legendary Church of Misery across the amazing Doomsday Festival (review & photos of this ridiculously awesome event to come later in the week) put together by Nathan Millet of Summonus and Los Hombres Del Diablo.

Currently available in digital format via Bandcamp, or CD (contact the band at teamclagg@hotmail.com). There is a whisper of a vinyl release in the works, stay tuned.....

Oppressive riffs await within!

EYEHATEGOD Australian tour announcement from HEATHEN SKULLS!

Very recent announcement from HEATHEN SKULLS TOURING, the mighty EYEHATEGOD are set to tour Australia, celebrating 25 awesome years. 
More details to be announced soon.

Great news indeed. EHG were amazing live in their last Melbourne shows.

 Fingers crossed for a Crowbar tour down under in 2014 in their 25th year also...(just my 2 bobs worth there!)

More details (dates, venues etc) are set to be announced soon.

RRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIFFFFFFS!

Check out HEATHEN SKULLS on their official website:
A reliable promoter with a long history of touring amazing bands throughout Australia, along with what would likely be the most impressive backline hire in country, with some very unique and highly sought after vintage gear.

Live show playlist 3 October: Grime, Milkmaids, Universe 217, Void Droid, Sumeru, Church of Misery

The Australian riff contingent on this show: Clagg, Summonus, Shellfin, The Ruiner, Hydromedusa, Sumeru, Yanomamo, Milkmaids.

Church of Misery - Thy Kingdom Scum - order at Von Grimm Records 

 GRIME bring a new level of filthy crusty doom sludge sickness with their 'Deteriorate'. Impressive from start to finish, riff after crushing riff.Ridiculously good and heavy album.
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 From Greece, we have stoner riffs from VOID DROID and epic doom riffs with powerful vocals from UNIVERSE 217:

And new to Hand of Doom Radio, stoner rock excellence from Canadian riffsters 

CHRON GOBLIN:

 Check out their website and pick up a copy of their album over at CD Baby