Review: The Age of Truth-Threshold

First off, please forgive me as I have not written a review in ages so I may be a little rusty. I felt compelled to write a review of Philly-based band The Age of Truth's debut "Threshold" simply because I think it is one of the best heavy rock records I have heard all year. That is no bullshit! A perfect balance of thoughtful riffs, groove, and melody along with a precise mix lets each musician shine throughout this brilliant debut. But the thing that stands out the most is the incredibly powerful and raspy vocal of Kevin McNamara which soars over each song with a vocal reminiscent of Nick Pollock from 90's band My Sisters Machine (some of you may remember them) and early Chris Cornell, but with a more East Coast vibe, especially on the stagger-driven boogie rocker "Oceanbones" which may remind some of Clutch.

From the crushing bottom blow and crash of the cymbals of opener "Host (Demon In Me), I knew I was in for one hell of a ride. The guitar rings out with strategic echoing and flanged-out effects before feedback leads way to the punishing groove played along to the wailing vocal "I Got A Demon in Me".

The Sabbath-inspired meandering riff of "Come Back A God" will have your head-bobbing. It's grungy and filthy vibe will have you begging for more as it fades into oblivion, you get your wish, but only for a brief moment.

The shining moment on the album is the bass-driven title track "Threshold" that weaves in and out of soft staccato plucking and heavy stoner riffing until the end when it destroys you with a lumbering and penetrating rhythm, but wait, there's more as the vocals beckon "Come on..Come on..." surrounded by another tasty riff. Good heavens.

The music created by The Age of Truth is familiar, yet original. Melodic, catchy and heavy, the songs will get stuck in your head and will have you humming melodies to yourself throughout the day. And the riffs, holy shit, the riffs are non-stop. Forget about this band being labeled as Stoner Rock, they are just an awesome rock band, period. People always say to me that there are no good bands anymore, or I only like the one song from so-and-so band, well you just have to know where to look. This is The Age Of Truth!

With all the crazy shit going on in the world, there is always rock and roll to save the soul, and The Age of Truth is there to lend a hand.

The Age Of Truth is:

Kevin McNamara - Vocals
Michael DiDonato - Guitars
William Miller - Bass Guitar / Vocals
Adam Lauver - Drums

The album is released today digitally and will have a proper vinyl release on Kozmik Artifactz Records sometime early 2018.

Bandcamp||Facebook

Band Submission: Devotion-Heavy Rock From Seattle, WA

Band Name: Devotion
Genre: Heavy Rock
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
Brief Bio/Description: In the fall of 2008 a ten song LP entitled Bastard Son Of Affluence Blues was recorded with Jesse Gander at The Hive Creative Labs in Burnaby, British Columbia and released the following year on Rivalry Records. Recorded as a project between only two musicians, upon release of the album a full lineup was assembled and live performances ensued. After touring the West Coast of the United States extensively as well as a cross country full American tour and a many shows in Canada the band began work on the follow-up album to Bastard Son Of Affluence Blues. The recording and mixing process stretched across many sessions in multiple studios throughout 2012 and 2013. However, after the album was complete all went quiet from the Devotion camp and many wondered if the new album would ever see the light of day. Finally, after years of delays, the second Devotion album was made public in April of 2016. The new record, Headspace Astronaut, is a massive collection of music, clocking in at nearly an hour long, and it finds the band fully embracing the heavy rock sound that was hinted at on the debut album.
Band Members:
Mark Palm
Aaron O'Neil
Sean Meyer
Bob Reed
Adam Vernick
Links: Bandcamp | YouTube | Facebook

Band Submission: Burn Blue Sky-Heavy Rock From Akron, Ohio

Band Name: Burn Blue Sky
Genre: Heavy Rock
Location: Akron Ohio
Brief Bio/Description:
Burn Blue Sky is set to release their new EP on MAY 13TH 2016 through iTunes, Amazon, and CDBABY. “Godzimoth” is the third release from the northeast Ohio metal quintet, who have been performing and recording nationally since 2000.

Recorded at Tangerine Studios in Akron, Ohio, “Godzimoth” is the first BBS recording to feature vocalist/frontman Jeff Fahl as a full-time member of BBS. The EP comes off the heels of the band’s second album, “Celebrate the Decline,” which garnered praise from various publications, including Heavy Planet, DangerDog Music Reviews, Metal Bite, and others.

Burn Blue Sky cites the likes of Pantera, Crowbar, Dax Riggs, Black Sabbath as influences, but the band is firmly seeded by blues and southern rock roots as well. The massive wall of sound and sheer weight of the de-tuned guitar riffs puts BBS in lock-step with both current and past masters of metal.

Band Members:
Jeff Fahl (Vocals)
Jason Stone (Guitar)
Mike Carlton (Guitar)
Beau McGranahan (Drums)
Gabe McGranahan (Bass).
Links:  Website | Facebook | Twitter

Band Submission: Crisis At The Wax Museum-Heavy Rock From Maine, Buffalo & Baltimore USA

Band Name: Crisis At The Wax Museum
Genre: Heavy Rock, American Middle Aged Cheeseburger Rock,
Location: Maine, Buffalo & Baltimore USA
Brief Bio/Description: Five lifelong friends that travel across the country once a year to meet up, eat cheeseburgers and record kick ass heavy rock and roll.
Band Members:
Jody Velletta
Matthew Tasker
Michael Trabucco
Douglas Schauf
Kelly Schauf
Links: Facebook | YouTube | CDBaby

LP Review: 'Living Ghosts' by We Hunt Buffalo

Every once in a while you hear a band that completely blows you away, and like a rabid dog you obsessively seek out and devour their entire back catalogue without thinking about anything else. And it’s an awesome feeling. I can admit I had no clue who We Hunt Buffalo were before their latest album ‘Living Ghosts’ landed in my inbox (+ a side-note to all aspiring bands out there - YOUR BAND NAME MATTERS! I had to hear what We Hunt Buffalo sounded like...) ...but I now own all their material! Having built a solid reputation in their native Vancouver Canada, the three-piece have previously released a self-titled LP and two EP’s including ‘Blood From A Stone' (Review here), as well as supported the likes of Red Fang, Sleepy Sun, Band of Skulls, Chevelle, Danko Jones, Living Colour, and also direct support to Monster Truck on their Canadian tour. 

‘Living Ghosts’ is one hell of a chunky slab of heavy stoner rock. From beginning to end its packed full of fuzzed-up stomping riffs, pounding bass-lines and stadium-filing drums on tracks like “Back To The River’ and ‘Prairie Oyster' through to to the more spaced-out anthemic grooves of ‘Hold On’ or ‘Fear’. The album also has a real sense of the band fully flexing their songwriting skills, put together as an album rather than just a collection of songs. There’s an ebb and flow to the record, making it an experience to listen all the way through. No mean feat in the age of the mp3…

Forged in what feels like the vast expansiveness of the open roads of British Columbia, ‘Living Ghosts’ is an infectious and captivating record. It begs to be played at ear-splitting volume, to fully appreciate both the power of the production and song-craft. Having penned deals with Truckfighter’s label Fuzzorama Records (Worldwide) & New Damage Records (Canada), it seems these guys will be clocking up some miles travelling the globe in the months and years to come. I for one am gonna make sure I’m a part of it. If you like your stoner rock stadium-sized, check them out below. 

We Hunt Buffalo are:

Ryan Forsythe – Vocals/Guitar

Brendan Simpson – Bass/Vocals

Brandon Carter – Drums/Vocals

Follow the guys here - Facebook | Bandcamp

Quick Hit-Gaul (4-Song Demo)

This band submission just literally hit my inbox. Many times I will just file and listen at a later time for future posts. This time I decided to check the band out. The band I am referring to is a new band from Manchester, UK called Gaul and this 4-song demo absolutely crushes. The songs are melodic and chug along with a heavy bombastic groove. The vocals at times remind me of Kory Clarke from Warrior Soul. Favorite tracks: "Hyperion" and "Stone Harvest (Dark Summer). Very nice work fellas! Facebook

Quick Hit: SKUNK

Heavy Rock From Elder Times-Skunk

As soon as the vocals entered on opening track "Forest Nymph" I knew I was hooked. Soaked in the classic seventies rock sound, this Hard/Heavy Rock band from Oakland, CA delivers the goods. With a vocal shrill reminiscent of the late Bon Scott, the band rolls through six weed-induced riff-filled nuggets on their new demo (yep, I said demo). 

 I mean seriously, how can you go wrong with tracks like "Devil Weed and "Wizard Bong". Give these guys a listen, you'll dig it!

facebook|bandcamp

LP Review 'Thieves, Beggars & Swine' by Astralnaut

You don't need doom riffs and Irish blood running through your veins to enjoy a shot of Astralnaut. With the release of Thieves, Beggars & Swine, this 5-piece hailing from Northern Ireland will have you nodding your head to their epic riffs. The band wastes no time, blowing it open with "Ego Eccentric." The tune boasts a righteous riff along with a groovy breakdown/solo section. The slow doom and bluesy solo of "Mac Tire" has a confident swagger to it. On "Neopium," vocalist Thomas Mallon channels the spirit of Jim Morrison, giving us an idea of what the sixties icon would have sounded like fronting a stoner rock band. "Utopian Dawn" rises with a mellow intro before the drums crash through and "Dethroned" walks through a series of tempo changes in what could be called classic, epic doom.

The guitar duo of Gaz Treanor (lead) and Pearse Donnelly (rhythm) provide a heavy, sonic landscape while Stephen Todd (drums) and JonJoe Harrison (bass guitar) keep the bottom end nailed down with chunky, driving, low end. Thomas Mallon's vocals are unique and yet his influences are recognizable. With equal parts Zakk Wylde, Neil Fallon and Kory Clarke, Mallon has growl while staying melodic. The attention to vocal arrangements and production is what sets Astralnaut apart from the hordes of stoner rock bands out there today. Harrison and Donnelly's backing tracks help to fill out the vocal spectrum. Clark Phillips did a masterful job with the production of the record and the original tracking at Hi-Tone Studios must have been superb for the final mixes to sound so stunning.

I'll admit that I'm a bit biased because my great grandparents were born on the Emerald Isle. But even if you have no connection to Ireland, you'll appreciate Astralnaut as purveyors of epic, slugging, doom. Thieves, Beggars & Swine is at the top of my list for best releases of 2014.

LP Review 'You've Worn Out Your Welcome' by Tummler and Solomon

Although separated by several decades and a few thousand miles, You've Worn Out Your Welcome by Tacoma, Washington's Tummler and Solomon could serve as the soundtrack to The Blair Witch Project. Lord Paul Lyon's vocals are light, atmospheric and slathered in enough tasty reverb to make you feel as though you're deep in a primeval forest covered in mist. And yet Tummler and Solomon still bring the heavy. Austin Iverson drives the songs onward while bass guitarist and organist Matt Abramson lays down the fuzzy bottom end. The record opens with a trademark atmospheric and creepy vibe. "A Photograph of Lions" works up to a fuzzy, doom riff before "The Politics of Dying" changes the tempo and sonic texture of the album which is a subtle but effective change. "Climbing up the Curtains" is the most upbeat track on the record, providing a bit of hope for the future before Tummler and Solomon bring the doom yet again on the final three cuts.

Tummler and Solomon present a visceral experience in the mystic art of doom. You can feel the heavy vibes and can almost imagine the band standing beneath ancient trees while playing their downtuned guitars. Fans of heavy, moody music will love You've Worn Out Your Welcome. .

https://www.facebook.com/TummlerandSolomon

LP Review 'Sateen' by Electric Citizen

It seems the southwest region of Ohio is fertile ground for classic stoner rock. Sateen by Electric Citizen is the newest recording created with the most classic of styles. With a nod to the psychedelic giants of the 60s and 70s, Electric Citizen's female lead vocalist Laura Dolan, has a vocal styling reminiscent of powerful, mysterious singers like Janis Joplin, Grace Slick and Ann Wilson. The full entourage of Electric Citizen, Ross Dolan (guitar) Nick Vogelpohl (bass) Nate Wagner (drums), do an incredible job of meshing a Deep Purple influence with an early 70s Black Sabbath feel. "Queen of Persuasion" delivers a passionate, bluesy guitar solo and "Savage" showcases the band's loud swagger. The heaviest riff on the record is in "Trap" which harkens back to Ronnie James Dio's early days.
It's hard not to like a band that writes great songs with a classic, heavy influence. Electric Citizen reminds us of what music can still be; earthy and original yet familiar. Although the production on the record lacks a bit of polish, the band's charm more than makes up for it. There's nothing soft about Sateen.

https://www.facebook.com/ElectricCitizen

LP Review 'Electric Talons of the Thunderhawk' by Valley of the Sun

Valley of the Sun hails from the southwest corner of the buckeye state, Cincinnati, where they grow the riffs righteous and rowdy. Kyuss is first in the band's list of influences and that should tell you all you need to know about Valley of the Sun. After two solid EPs (Two Thousand Ten, The Sayings of the Seers), the fellas have released a scorching full album. Electric Talons of the Thunderhawk features Ryan Ferrier on guitar and vocals, Ryan McAllister on bass and Aaron Boyer on drums. "Worn Teeth" opens with a riff reminiscent of Monster Magnet complimented by the swagger of Clutch. The anticipation leading up to the heavy riff is as satisfying as the sonic punch to the face when it arrives. "As Earth and Moon" and "Maya" bring a slew of fast-paced riffs complimented with tasty cowbell. Ferrier's vocals really shine on "The Message is Get Down" and McAllister's bass chops carry the rest of the band through "Nomads." "Lazer Vision Intermission" provides a little breather of acoustic instrumentation and on the final cut, "Centuar Rodeo," Boyer swings out before bringing the tempo full throttle at the end of the six-minute ride.

Valley of the Sun has a familiar, comforting feel—just like a favorite leather jacket. The production on the recording is stellar and there are many layers to this band if you dig a little into the name and the lyrical symbolism. This three-piece delivers a solid, heavy rock vibe that is sure to have you nodding your head and planning a return trip to the Valley.

https://www.facebook.com/valleyofthesun

LP Review - "Born a Heavy Morning" by Ice Dragon

Ice Dragon are not just any old psyche/doom/stoner/heavy rock band. Not only are they one of the most prolific I've ever come across with 12 releases since 2010, and that's not including their releases under their alter egos Tentacle, The Mangled Dead and Qosmic Qey amongst others; they are also consistently fucking great and they just keep getting better.

Their Facebook blurb sums them up nicely:

Ice Dragon makes recordings in a basement near Boston, Massachusetts. Works include many albums, singles, and EPs, as well as numerous releases under various other names. New music is issued frequently and spontaneously.

This 12th release under their Ice Dragon moniker lives up to its title of "Born a Heavy Morning" and is some of the most experimental work that I've heard yet from them which makes this album a real mixed bag of sounds. Yes there are heavy riff work-outs with the inimitable Ice Dragon plodding stomps, maudlin words and deep blues guitar lickery but they are few on this album. What stands out for me most of all are the short skits between the main songs some of which serve as nods to my least favorite time of the day; morning.

The track titles on this album are sheer genius so chew on these for a moment if you will: "In Which a Man Rises, Washes and Eats Before Work" or "In Which a Man Daydreams About a Girl From His Youth" and "(I will) Watch My Hair Grow."
  
For the most part the main songs on this album are slow introspective numbers and sometimes they are quite twee, gentle even, much as an early morning in spring with a newly risen sun shining it's lovely rays through the gap in my curtains and informing me it's time to get the hell up out of my bed and start my day. I hit play on my player and this album fits perfectly with my first coffee and toke of the day; this is morning psyche-doom to go with your shit, shower, shave and cereal and it slays the sleepy eyes and shakes you awake enough to face the day ahead. I'd like call it "musical breakfast" so I will, even if it doesn't quite do justice to the fine work these Ice Dragon gentleman have done for us.

One wonders what else Ice Dragon have up their sleeves for their future releases but with the consistently great music spewing forth from these 4 Ice Dragons that dwell within a basement, you just know they are going to hit all the right riffs, all the right notes and all the right skins.

Thank you Ice Dragon for being you.

"Born a Heavy Morning" is out now as a name your own price download from their bandcamp where you can also pre-order the album on CD.

                         FACEBOOK // BANDCAMP

Stargun Music - 1st Anniversary Celebration and Heavy Planet Interview

Two guys with the same love for great rock music we all share have found a way to make rock and roll their vocation, which in turn makes this great music the focal point of their lives due to the establishment and success of their rock music label Stargun Music. Determination, vision, imagination, tenacity, and passion . . . especially passion . . . all played a role in Ross Diamond and Jeremy Lawson enjoying a successful start to Stargun Music where the first year has seen new band signings, new album releases, and recognition as a quality source for quality heavy rock n' roll. Ross and Jeremy take us through their humble beginnings in the followed interview conducted by Nuclear Dog.

The awesome dudes from Stargun Music, Jeremy and Ross, have prize giveaways for some of you who are celebrating with us at Heavy Planet. Immediately following the interview is a set of trivia questions in which you have a chance to win a signed vinyl copy of "All Too Human", advanced releases of SADA's debut on the Stargun Music label, copies of Denizen, or copies of "Sonic Titans". Be the first to correctly answer the trivia questions proffered at the interview's conclusion.
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Heavy Planet:
Can you take us through the beginning of the label?
- Who was involved in the startup?
- What was it that made you want to start your own label?
- What did it take to get going with the label?
- Who was/were the first band(s) signed?

Jeremy:
Originally Stargun Music was put together to be a rock band community sharing and review site where bands would upload their music and listen to others music, rating songs, and leaving reviews in exchange for having their own music listened to and reviewed. The website never even launched, it was riddled with bugs and it had totally exhausted our budget and enthusiasm, so we buried it. A couple of weeks or maybe a few months later, Ross had the idea of launching a label instead.

Ross:
It had always been a pipe dream of mine, and after we knocked the original website on the head, I threw it out there as a suggestion and we were both like, okay this could be do-able! I had done a bit of writing for some magazines and blogs and found it hard work, to be honest, so I have total respect for what you guys at Heavy Planet do. We're both creative guys but wanted to be directly involved in working/collaborating with bands.

Jeremy:
I suppose the reason for wanting to do any of it was just because we love rock music and thought it would be fun to be involved with loads of bands making records.

Ross:
The next thing was, without anything to back us up, how do we get bands interested in working with us? That's when I thought a compilation would be a good idea for our first record. It would show people the type of music we are into and would be a reasonably quick way to get our first album under our belt.

Heavy Planet:
That compilation album, "Sonic Titans", was a stellar effort, to be sure. I know it introduced me to several new bands from the UK such as Trippy Wicked, Steak, and, of course, Enos. All of them, as well as "Sonic Titans", have been reviewed on the Heavy Planet site. (Sonic Titans review)

After you got underway, what was the plan for moving forward?

Ross:
The plan was that people would take us seriously after the release of "SONIC TITANS", and that we would come across as a label that bands would want to work with. The plan worked! Shortly after the compilation got released ENOS, who featured on the album, got in touch to say they were ready to start recording their next album and would we want to get involved! Hells yes we did! Absolute no-brainer, we love ENOS and the album they produced, "ALL TOO HUMAN" really is stunning. It blew all expectations we had out the water! Then DENIZEN got in touch and before you know it we were naturally moving forward.

Jeremy:
I didn’t think too much about a plan or strategy from day one. I just knew I wanted to put out this album idea Ross had thought of and that was enough work to be getting on with. I've been involved in so many creative projects and business projects, I know that sometimes too much planning and strategy can get in the way of just getting on with it.

Heavy Planet:
Who are the current acts on the label?

Jeremy:
Well I consider all the great bands from Sonic Titans as Stargun collaborators and on the label in a sense, but officially signed to the label are ENOS, French punk rockers DENIZEN, heavy rockers SADA and most recently MOTHER CORONA.

Heavy Planet:
That is a fantastic starting point for your label as each one of those bands are quality rockers. Well done.
"Sonic Titans" was going to be my next line of inquiry in fact, so, despite the subject already having been broached I will ask my questions anyway, in case there is more to learn about that crucuial point in time when you were working hard to establish your product.

When I first listened to "Sonic Titans" I thought all the bands on the compilation were Stargun bands outright. It wasn’t until much later I learned differently.
- How were you able to get all those terrific bands to contribute to your compilation?
- How would you rate the compilation album in terms of helping the label out in the first year of operation?

Ross:
Like I said in a previous question, it helped us massively in getting people and bands to take notice of us so it 100% worked in that sense. Also it was a great way of learning the ins and outs of producing a record without having one sole band's artistry at stake, so for our first project it took a bit pressure off for that reason. As for the bands that actually feature on the compilation, they are all bands we really dig in the scene at the moment. It was important that they were hard working bands who do a lot for themselves. It was hard to choose the final 12 as there were quite a few bands we wanted to include but we didn't want to make the album too long. All the bands were really into it as its another platform for promotion for them. We are still hugely grateful to all those bands getting involved.

Heavy Planet:
You’ve recently announced the signing of a new band, SADA. What can you tell us about them?

Ross:
Soooooo excited about this album!! These guys were making waves about 7 years ago!! They shared a stage with ORANGE GOBLIN and OBIAT and many other cool bands. KERRANG called them the "future kings of stoner metal!" But they called it a day before ever releasing a full length record. I got in touch with them about the possibility of releasing their material, because I thought these guys were truly awesome. I never really expected to hear anything, but we did and they were very much interested and now boom! the album should be out in June. SADA are officially back together and have already started gigging again! We saw them live the other week, and they are, without a doubt, balls-out heavy stoner rock!

Jeremy:
In simple terms I would say I am a huge Clutch and Five Horse Johnson fan, and I think other fans of those bands will be absolutely blown away by SADA.

Ross:
Right on! Exactly what Jeremy said. I think fans of Halfway To Gone, The Atomic Bitchwax and even proper metal-heads are going to dig SADA.

Heavy Planet:

Wow! That kind of excitement certainly has me anticipating the release of SADA's first full length album, under the Stargun Music label to boot!

Any more signings on their way that you can mention?

Ross:
Well I just mentioned MOTHER CORONA, they're our most recent signing. We saw them live in our home town and I can honestly say they were one of the most exciting live bands we've seen! Dave Oglesby, the drummer and vocalist, had so much energy on stage we knew straight away we wanted to work with these boys. Their self released first album "Cosmic Dust" was very well received and is a great record so I have no doubt that the new one will be even more awesome. I believe they're hitting the studio in May this year so it won't be out until later this year.

Heavy Planet:
That will be two major releases in 2013, following closely on the heels of your first band release last December of Enos' "All Too Human". It appears as if the momentum created by "Sonic Titans" has strongly carried through this first year of operation with what will end up being the release of three very strong albums.

What are your expectations for year two? Will it be more difficult than the first year, or do you feel the momentum you have will continue?

Jeremy:
I think it will be both easier because we have this great momentum, but also harder because "All Too Human" by Enos was so well received the bar has been set quite high.

Heavy Planet:
How far ahead have you been able to look and to plan for Stargun Music?

Ross:
Being independent and completely self-financed, the budget is incredibly tight so we can literally only plan one project at a time to be perfectly honest. We do have a small hit-list of bands we would like to work with and if we can, at the very least, release say 3 records a year that would be pretty awesome!

Heavy Planet:
What kind of stuff are you guys working on other than simply signing bands? I notice on your Facebook page a DVD for Enos. Stuff like that.

Jeremy:
Well, full credit to Enos, they organised the shoot for the DVD themselves. We have pencilled in a few projects including video shoots, but I’ve felt that due to time constraints it should always be our priority to focus on the albums.

Ross:
I really want to do a Stargun Music Showcase, which would get all the bands together for a show, and for that to become an annual thing. Like Jeremy said, definitely want to do some music videos as well.

Heavy Planet:
It appears to me that you focus on communicating with the world via Facebook and possibly Twitter as opposed to through your website. Is that fair to say? Or am I reading too much into it?

Jeremy:
That is spot on. Due to having limited time and full schedules we keep posting short but current updates to Facebook and probably update the website every 4-6 weeks. I do use Twitter reluctantly but that said it has led to some cool introductions to guys like Joe’s Pedals (custom guitar pedal maker) and a few others.

Heavy Planet:
You guys work closely with artist extraordinaire, Alex von Wieding. How did that relationship form?

Ross:
Alex has done the artwork for some of my favourite albums. He was quite literally the first name I mentioned for SONIC TITANS. We genuinely thought it would be a long shot but we emailed and he was really enthusiastic! It helped that he was really into a lot of the bands that featured on SONIC TITANS. Alex has been a massive support for us. He doesn't just do the artwork, he gets fully submerged into the whole project.

Heavy Planet:
Are there any other album artists you work with or plan to work with?

Jeremy:
Artwork decisions are made with the bands so they might lead us in another direction at some point. The thing is, Alex basically has god-like illustrative power and he’s a really decent guy, so I’d always be happy to work with him.

Heavy Planet:
Jeremy, Ross, thank you very much for your time and your thoughtful and enlightening answers. Your enthusiasm and hard work not only pay off in terms of your company, the newly awesome label Stargun Music,

Ross Diamond, Jeremy Lawson

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STARGUN MUSIC - SWAG EMPORIUM

As previously mentioned the prizes listed below are available to the select few who correctly, and quickly, answer the stupefying trivia questions we've conjured up to stump our awesome fans of fuzz. Be the first, or in some cases, among the first to send correct responses to the following email address:

gunnerkee19@gmail.com

Be sure to include your name and postal mailing address in the email. Failure to do so regardless of correctness or timeliness of response will result in no swag.

Prize #1 - Signed copy of "All Too Human", with autographs from the members of Enos. 1 prize available to the first correct answer.

Trivia Question:

1. What is the basis, or storyline, for Enos' "All Too Human"?


Prize #2 - Advanced CD copy of "All Hail the Beef Lords" by SADA. Three copies available to the first three correct answers.

Trivia Question:


2. How long has Stargun Music's mission statement of 'dedicated to the preservation of heavy rock n' roll' been in effect?

Prize #3 - CD copy of Denizen's "Whispering Wild Stories". Five copies available to the first five correct answers.

Trivia Question:

3. Who was the first band signed to the Stargun Music label?


Prize #4 - CD copy of the compilation album "Sonic Titans". Five copies available to the first five correct answers.

Trivia Question:


4. Who is the latest band to sign with Stargun Music?

Again, send correct answers and your postal mailing address to gunnerkee19@gmail.com. Prizes will be dispatched in as timely a manner as is feasible. 

Stay tuned tomorrow to HeavyPlanet.net as we continue the celebration of Stargun Music's first anniversary with another interview and trivia question / prize package. The second interview will be with the incredible rock n' roll artist Alex von Wieding.

In the meantime, enjoy the music from Stargun Music's awesome compilation album "Sonic Titans"

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"SONIC TITANS"

facebook || bandcamp || twitter || website

New Band To Burn One To: MAMMOTH SALMON

HEAVY PLANET presents...MAMMOTH SALMON!

BAND BIO:

Mammoth Salmon is a Portland, Oregon HEAVY ROCK band. 

Band members:

Paul Dudziak- Guitar/Vocals/Bass
Mitch Meidinger- Drums

THOUGHTS:
"I was sent a demo of Portland-based band Mammoth Salmon's "Internet EP 1 " back in February, now before I have a chance to feature it the band goes and puts out "Internet EP 2". The way I look at is double the pleasure from this dynamic duo. I guess it would be cheating if all I said about this band is that they are HEAVY! But, one-word descriptions are not my thing so I shall elaborate.  The "Internet EP 1" whets your appetite with a slow and penetrating march guided by a "mammoth" riff which swims along with evil bends and unparalleled heaviness. Crushing guitars and sonic blasting eventually gives way to a jaggly twang, but before you know it that wonderful and deafening heaviness is back. The vocals sneer and chop through the distortion with a full-on belly yell. I told you these dudes were heavy.  And the heaviness continues... "Internet EP 2 continues right where EP 1 left off. Slow penetrating grooves, undeniable riffing and "noisy" soloing. Oh and yes, the fucking HEAVY! The simplistic nature of the band is what makes them so appealing. Play your instruments as hard and as loud as you can but with smart song progression and a bit  of melody that consumes your soul. The bell-like tone of the guitar on EP 2 closer "Magnetic Fields of Radiant Light" rings out as a beckoning call to come and hear the heaviness of the Mammoth Salmon!"
((facebook|bandcamp))