Purple Kong's self-titled three-track, debut EP is possibly my favourite three-track EP, since...Major Kong's Brave New Kong. Coincidence? Yeah, probably. You can download their EP for free via their Bandcamp page. Of course, I encourage you to pay a couple bucks to support the band.

Purple Kong is a stoner doom power trio, hailing from London's underground metal scene. With heavy drums, crushing guitar riffs, thumping low bass, clean powerful vocals and lyrics as dark as their sound, I believe they'll soon get a lot more attention. Their music is heavily influenced by Black Sabbath and Sleep, a wild rampage of 70s proto-metal guitar riffs and distortions. All songs have this awesome Sleep's Sonic Titan vibe. Especially the song Cocaine Pentagram, which is definitely one of my favourite tracks of the year.

Their debut EP is not to be missed. Great stuff created in a classic vein. I hope they make a full-length album soon because I want more!

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Winter Moon - Hearts and Hands EP (2016)

If Winter Moon's sophomore EP was a hot pair of shoes, then I would say - Damn, Daniel. If that's a bit too metaphoric for you (it's even a bit too much for me), let me put it this way. It just blew me away. But if you've heard their previous EP, then you already know that these New Zealanders and Aussies kick some serious ass!

Yes, it's another female-fronted retro rock, but they have a unique and refreshing style that will appeal to a broad range of tastes. I just love how Winter Moon transcends many classic rock genres like blues rock, psych-rock, hard rock and it still sounds modern. There's nothing here that's in your face, or pretentious. What is here are clean riffs and toe-tappin' tunes; all furnished and delivered as laid-back and as relaxed as a cat in a pile of warm laundry. The songwriting is taut, soaring and shows how a real band crafts their tunes once the writer has penned the initial song. The musicianship is at a high level. Each song is haunting in its own way with the guitars wailing, drums banging, keyboards conjuring melodies and soulful powerhouse vocals. There are no songs that one would want to skip. Every song is at least really great, catchy and well-crafted. This is a rare feat for an entire album, no matter the musical genre.

Overall, I find this album to be a wonderful time machine to a simpler era. Hearts and Hands is one of those records that will stand the test of time. An album that is definitely worth the money. Anyone who likes the blues with an upbeat sound has to listen to this. You won't be disappointed!

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Creep Purple - A new website to remember!

Creep Purple is a really cool website created by Paulius Plytnikas that you can check anytime to see a huge list of record labels and mailorders which are concentrated to psych/stoner rock and doom/sludge metal from all over the world. The site also promote places where people can buy merch directly from the bands. If you want your band or record label/shop to be linked there, just contact Paulius and he will include it to Creep Purple. No charges whatsoever, this man has a mission to help the bands and labels.

P.S. I've added a new section to Stoner Mountain called Links (I'm so creative with names). It's a collection of links to blogs/websites/youtube channels/record labels etc. that I enjoy and think that you might like as well.

Dead Witches - Mind Funeral Video

Dead Witches is a brand new doom metal project, which features Psychedelic Witchcraft frontwoman Virginia Monti and Electric Wizard’s Mark Greening. Finally after some mysterious teasers, the band surprised us with a full song. Here is the Video for Mind Funeral, a track from Dead Witches upcoming debut album.

Mind Funeral is a slow plodding heavy as hell song. It has a good groove and powerful presence, from the ethereal and spacey vocals to the raw guitar riffs and bass line, not to mention the drums' ability to make you want to bang your head. Would love to hear more!

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Black Prism - Eye For An Eye Single (2016)

Here's a cool freebie from Black Prism, a heavy stoner rock band from Los Angeles. Check out the Bandcamp link below to get your copy.

Eye For An Eye is only the band's second single and it left me quite impressed. Great guitar work that assaults your ears; pounding, thunderous bass and big drums. With vocals that are both bizarre and addictive. Early Stonebride instantly came to mind, but be sure to listen and make your own opinion.

Not too hard, not too soft, just right. I really enjoyed this. Keep watching this band, they will no doubt make a mark someday. Get on board now before your friends are barking at you about it in a few months.

Bandcamp | Facebook | Soundcloud

GRASS - Evil Wife Video

Last year, the Spanish stoner rock band GRASS released their debut album Rosamonte. An album filled with funky bass lines and sweet guitar riffs. Their overall sound somewhat reminded me of Clutch. Nothing too groundbreaking, but who gives a damn when it rocks this hard? Definitely worth checking out.

Now GRASS released its debut music video for the song Evil Wife, filmed under the direction of Oriol Perez Alcaraz. Give it a watch!

Bandcamp | Facebook | Big Cartel

Possessor - Revenge Single (2016)

There's one magical, haunted evening each year when all the scary creatures come out to prowl through every neighborhood.

Trick or treat? Nah, just kidding. No tricks! Here' s a fine little treat from Possessor, a two track Single recorded specially for Halloween. Of course it's free to download from their Bandcamp.

Revenge, the first track is a total metal assault with razor-sharp riffs, a couple of tempo shifts and a nice guitar solo. It's really thrashy. I'm listening to this song and banging my head! Possibly my favorite Possessor song ever.
The second song - The Foreboding is a slow, atmospheric instrumental song, with some cool tribal-like drumming. Good enough to put anyone in a hypnotic trance.

All in all, an excellent Halloween gift. What are you waiting for? Hurry up and download it!

P.S. Check out Possessor's last album - Dead By Dawn

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Heavy Traffic - Rule of Nines / Medicated Bed Single (2016)

The Brooklyn based vintage psychedelic doom rockers from Heavy Traffic just signed with Twin Earth Records (BTW check out the band Haunted from this label) and here's a preview of their next album. Is it a Single or EP? I don't know, call it whatever you like.

Heavy Traffic is a good combination of loud psychedelic rock and doomy rhythms, following in the footsteps of bands like Witch, Winters and Uncle Acid & the Deadbeats. I can also hear small traces of the group’s influence on early ’90s British shoegazing bands like My Bloody Valentine (or it could be just my imagination). The guitar is overdriven and fuzzed-out, the bass and drums pound frantically and it's all captured in great lo-fi production. The singer has a fairly androgynous high-pitched voice, something eerie, yet very enjoyable. They definitely got my attention with this two song Single, now I really want to hear the whole thing.

Basically, some kick-ass psychedelic grooves on here, definitely worth checking out! If you have not been exposed to Heavy Traffic's earlier work, then this is the place to start. If you like those songs a lot then delve a little further back and get the rest of their records!

Bandcamp | Facebook | Website

Blackdust - Blackdust (2016)

Brazilian football might be lately not as good as it was years ago, but the music is still world class. Here's a new awesome band from São Paulo and their self-titled debut album, that I discovered just two days ago. Since then I listen to this album at the higher volume and I'm fully anticipating the neighbours knocking on the door wondering what the hell is going on.

I can't even begin to describe how great this record is. This album is short, but gives you enough fun to where it doesn't matter on the length. Not one song on this album is below exceptional, there's no filler. Basically, it's energetic and bluesy retro rock. It has a lot of catchy guitar riffs, cool guitar licks, wild solo's, an impassioned singer with a lot of soul and the quality of the sound is great. You get the feeling that you've heard it all before, but soon realise this is brand new hard driving blues rock. In some ways, Blackdust reminds me of Wolfmother. It's not exactly the same sound, but there certainly is a similar vibe.

It's an excellent piece of work. If you like rock, if you like big riffs and pounding drums - Blackdust is for you. Get it, put it on at your next party and Rock and Roll all night long! I'm sure everybody will love it!

Oh, and did mention it's available as a free "name your price" download on their Bandcamp?

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Nyctophiliac - Dark Side Of The Mental (2016)

And now for something completely different. Well, not really, because it's dark jazz time again! And dark jazz is a big part of Stoner Mountain. But I must admit that Nyctophiliac is a bit different. I'm glad to have found it on Bandcamp.

Nyctophiliac is a solo project hailing from Skopje, Macedonia. Dark Side Of The Mental (his full-length debut album) is a musical puzzle consisting of all various types of music (hip-hop, trip-hop, jazz, electronica and of course dark jazz). It's almost entirely instrumental with some sampled vocals in a couple of tracks. The album is full of different sounds, samples, slow vibrating bass lines, laid back jazz sax, hip-hop breakbeats and loops. All fused into one seamless, seductive sound, heavily inspired by Angelo Badalamenti, David Lynch and Dale Cooper Quartet & the Dictaphones. My only complaints - there are 16 tracks on the album and not every song here is quite that good, three or four of the numbers probably could have been dispensed with. But the entire album is very good over all, great late night driving music.

A superb start to his career - well thought out, well crafted. A hint of the great things to come. I recommend this album not only for all lovers of dark jazz, but just for anyone who is into music. Dark Side Of The Mental might be the best place to start with the genre, as Nyctophiliac is closer to hip-hop and trip-hop than other dark jazz artists, which make it easier to listen to.

Bandcamp | Facebook | Soundcloud

Comacozer – Astra Planeta (2016)

The Aussies from Comacozer got together in the summer of 2013 to do some heavy rocking and space jamming. After releasing several EPs, they finally brought out their first studio album Astra Planeta, a name that fits perfectly with its sound.

Their instrumental five track debut album was recorded in January 2016 and released on August 13 through Headspin Records. The record is mostly filled with subtile cosmic melodies, wonderful dreamy guitars and contemplating psychedelics, but they know exactly when to switch over to heavier tones. It starts out as a highly atmospheric and beautiful blend of sounds, with memorable melodies that slowly transforms into something more doom orientated. Especially the last song, Hypnotized by Apophis is an experience you won't soon forget. I surely won’t, it stuck in my head for good. Every note is considered and played with care and a sense of craft. The more you listen to it, the more it falls into place and traps you under its spell.

From beginning to end, it truly is a fantastic work and leaves the listener satisfied. Get this album. Stare at the mythic cover, then insert the disc into the player of your choice and enjoy the astral trip.

Thanks to Andrew & the rest of the band for this wonderful contribution!

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