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  1. Ritual Arcana – Ritual Arcana Review By Saunders

    I’m a tad slow out of the blocks to kick off the new year. Though in reviewing terms, it seems par for the course for yours truly. Time spent enjoying a break from the everyday job grind, catching up on the bounty of overlooked 2025 releases, and, as per tradition, enjoying the comfort of personal favorites and metal classics has occupied my time. As we plunge on through a wild, erratic, and intermittently sweltering Aussie summer, some hard-rocking doomy fun seems like a suitable seasonal pastime. Thus, while wading through the promo sump, I stumbled across the self-titled debut of fresh project, Ritual Arcana. Soon discovering this seasoned power trio features none other than the legendary Scott ‘Wino’ Weinrich (Saint Vitus, The Obsessed, Spirit Caravan), wielding his scuzzed-up axe alongside Sharlee LuckyFree (ex-Moth) on bass and vocals, and drummer Oakley Munsen (The Black Lips).

    Rather than a stoned cruise through the desert, Ritual Arcana play a raucous, bewitching blend of hard slugging doom and occult-tinged rock, fit to appeal to fans of nostalgiacore retro rock, Wino’s various projects, and other smoky doom persuasions such as Sabbath Assembly, Jess and the Ancient Ones, Castle Rat, and Witch Mountain. Imbued with dark, alluring vibes and a riff rumbling bluesy edge, Ritual Arcana features the requisite doom-laden heft and freewheeling grooves to accompany songs that rock and rumble with a sprightly bounce. The jammy, psych-drenched swagger leans as much into heavy rock and stoner realms as it does dour doom. LuckyFree’s beguiling pipes boast an undeniable appeal and hooky charm. And while perhaps not the most unique female vocalist in the biz, she holds her own and supplies plenty of earwormy hooks atop a solid foundation of hefty rhythms and fat, swaggering riffs.

    Right off the bat, the opening title track lays a groovy path, riding a thick, simplistic central groove and catchy vocal flow, enlivened by Wino’s easy-on-the-ear lead work. Similarly, bluesy, hard-rocking fare and juicy hooks feature prominently (“Free Like a Pirate,” “Summon the Wheel,” “Road Burnt,” and “Judgment XX”) to fun effect, nestled between doomy, heavier fare. These are solid examples of Ritual Arcana’s formula; however, the most interesting material leans deeper into their doomy roots. “Mistress of Change” possesses an ominous atmosphere and lurching, drunken gait, highlighted by LuckyFree’s slightly unhinged vocal performance. Similarly impactful bursts of rugged doom, molten riffage, and rawer vocal turns feature on the highlight-worthy “Subtle Fruits.” There are no blatant weak points, just certain tunes that hit harder and stick for longer. Ritual Arcana do the bluesy hard rock stuff well, yet it’s the brooding doomier forays that sustain greater interest.

    What they perhaps lack in innovation, Ritual Arcana compensate through lean and tightly wound songwriting, solid musicianship, and familiar yet delightfully catchy songs. Wino is an iconic metal legend, and even minus the gruff, well-lived presence of his vocals, he makes a punchy impact through his accomplished guitar work. The well-worn riffs carry a fresh, catchy edge; however, it’s the flashier leads and psych-drenched embellishments that complement the no-frills riffs. And as cool and effective as LuckyFree’s vocals are, it is a tad disappointing that Wino’s grizzled voice doesn’t pop up in cameo or dueting form. Meanwhile, the production may be a little clean for some tastes; however, it’s easy to appreciate the clarity and chunky tones.

    Ritual Arcana is a likable, gratifyingly catchy exercise in seasoned doom and psych-riddled occult rock from experienced hands. It plays things a little too safe at times, and as enjoyable and undeniably infectious as the songwriting on this debut platter proves to be, it rarely hits truly outstanding levels. Regardless, this style of doom/occult rock has an infectious charm, and when in the hands of veterans and a legend like Wino, it is difficult to fuck up. Ritual Arcana is a cool example of the saturated style and perhaps a precursor to greater things to come from this unit.

    

    Rating: 3.0/5.0
    DR: 6 | Format Reviewed: 304 kbps mp3
    Label: Heavy Psych Sounds | Bandcamp
    Websites: facebook.com/ritualarcana
    Releases Worldwide: January 23rd, 2026

    #2026 #30 #AmericanMetal #CastleRat #DoomMetal #HardRock #HeavyPsychSoundsRecords #Jan26 #JessAndTheAncientOnes #Moth #OccultRock #Review #Reviews #RitualArcana #SabbathAssembly #SaintVitus #SpiritCaravan #TheBlackLips #TheObsessed #Wino #WitchMountain
  2. Ritual Arcana – Ritual Arcana Review By Saunders

    I’m a tad slow out of the blocks to kick off the new year. Though in reviewing terms, it seems par for the course for yours truly. Time spent enjoying a break from the everyday job grind, catching up on the bounty of overlooked 2025 releases, and, as per tradition, enjoying the comfort of personal favorites and metal classics has occupied my time. As we plunge on through a wild, erratic, and intermittently sweltering Aussie summer, some hard-rocking doomy fun seems like a suitable seasonal pastime. Thus, while wading through the promo sump, I stumbled across the self-titled debut of fresh project, Ritual Arcana. Soon discovering this seasoned power trio features none other than the legendary Scott ‘Wino’ Weinrich (Saint Vitus, The Obsessed, Spirit Caravan), wielding his scuzzed-up axe alongside Sharlee LuckyFree (ex-Moth) on bass and vocals, and drummer Oakley Munsen (The Black Lips).

    Rather than a stoned cruise through the desert, Ritual Arcana play a raucous, bewitching blend of hard slugging doom and occult-tinged rock, fit to appeal to fans of nostalgiacore retro rock, Wino’s various projects, and other smoky doom persuasions such as Sabbath Assembly, Jess and the Ancient Ones, Castle Rat, and Witch Mountain. Imbued with dark, alluring vibes and a riff rumbling bluesy edge, Ritual Arcana features the requisite doom-laden heft and freewheeling grooves to accompany songs that rock and rumble with a sprightly bounce. The jammy, psych-drenched swagger leans as much into heavy rock and stoner realms as it does dour doom. LuckyFree’s beguiling pipes boast an undeniable appeal and hooky charm. And while perhaps not the most unique female vocalist in the biz, she holds her own and supplies plenty of earwormy hooks atop a solid foundation of hefty rhythms and fat, swaggering riffs.

    Right off the bat, the opening title track lays a groovy path, riding a thick, simplistic central groove and catchy vocal flow, enlivened by Wino’s easy-on-the-ear lead work. Similarly, bluesy, hard-rocking fare and juicy hooks feature prominently (“Free Like a Pirate,” “Summon the Wheel,” “Road Burnt,” and “Judgment XX”) to fun effect, nestled between doomy, heavier fare. These are solid examples of Ritual Arcana’s formula; however, the most interesting material leans deeper into their doomy roots. “Mistress of Change” possesses an ominous atmosphere and lurching, drunken gait, highlighted by LuckyFree’s slightly unhinged vocal performance. Similarly impactful bursts of rugged doom, molten riffage, and rawer vocal turns feature on the highlight-worthy “Subtle Fruits.” There are no blatant weak points, just certain tunes that hit harder and stick for longer. Ritual Arcana do the bluesy hard rock stuff well, yet it’s the brooding doomier forays that sustain greater interest.

    What they perhaps lack in innovation, Ritual Arcana compensate through lean and tightly wound songwriting, solid musicianship, and familiar yet delightfully catchy songs. Wino is an iconic metal legend, and even minus the gruff, well-lived presence of his vocals, he makes a punchy impact through his accomplished guitar work. The well-worn riffs carry a fresh, catchy edge; however, it’s the flashier leads and psych-drenched embellishments that complement the no-frills riffs. And as cool and effective as LuckyFree’s vocals are, it is a tad disappointing that Wino’s grizzled voice doesn’t pop up in cameo or dueting form. Meanwhile, the production may be a little clean for some tastes; however, it’s easy to appreciate the clarity and chunky tones.

    Ritual Arcana is a likable, gratifyingly catchy exercise in seasoned doom and psych-riddled occult rock from experienced hands. It plays things a little too safe at times, and as enjoyable and undeniably infectious as the songwriting on this debut platter proves to be, it rarely hits truly outstanding levels. Regardless, this style of doom/occult rock has an infectious charm, and when in the hands of veterans and a legend like Wino, it is difficult to fuck up. Ritual Arcana is a cool example of the saturated style and perhaps a precursor to greater things to come from this unit.

    

    Rating: 3.0/5.0
    DR: 6 | Format Reviewed: 304 kbps mp3
    Label: Heavy Psych Sounds | Bandcamp
    Websites: facebook.com/ritualarcana
    Releases Worldwide: January 23rd, 2026

    #2026 #30 #AmericanMetal #CastleRat #DoomMetal #HardRock #HeavyPsychSoundsRecords #Jan26 #JessAndTheAncientOnes #Moth #OccultRock #Review #Reviews #RitualArcana #SabbathAssembly #SaintVitus #SpiritCaravan #TheBlackLips #TheObsessed #Wino #WitchMountain
  3. Ritual Arcana – Ritual Arcana Review By Saunders

    I’m a tad slow out of the blocks to kick off the new year. Though in reviewing terms, it seems par for the course for yours truly. Time spent enjoying a break from the everyday job grind, catching up on the bounty of overlooked 2025 releases, and, as per tradition, enjoying the comfort of personal favorites and metal classics has occupied my time. As we plunge on through a wild, erratic, and intermittently sweltering Aussie summer, some hard-rocking doomy fun seems like a suitable seasonal pastime. Thus, while wading through the promo sump, I stumbled across the self-titled debut of fresh project, Ritual Arcana. Soon discovering this seasoned power trio features none other than the legendary Scott ‘Wino’ Weinrich (Saint Vitus, The Obsessed, Spirit Caravan), wielding his scuzzed-up axe alongside Sharlee LuckyFree (ex-Moth) on bass and vocals, and drummer Oakley Munsen (The Black Lips).

    Rather than a stoned cruise through the desert, Ritual Arcana play a raucous, bewitching blend of hard slugging doom and occult-tinged rock, fit to appeal to fans of nostalgiacore retro rock, Wino’s various projects, and other smoky doom persuasions such as Sabbath Assembly, Jess and the Ancient Ones, Castle Rat, and Witch Mountain. Imbued with dark, alluring vibes and a riff rumbling bluesy edge, Ritual Arcana features the requisite doom-laden heft and freewheeling grooves to accompany songs that rock and rumble with a sprightly bounce. The jammy, psych-drenched swagger leans as much into heavy rock and stoner realms as it does dour doom. LuckyFree’s beguiling pipes boast an undeniable appeal and hooky charm. And while perhaps not the most unique female vocalist in the biz, she holds her own and supplies plenty of earwormy hooks atop a solid foundation of hefty rhythms and fat, swaggering riffs.

    Right off the bat, the opening title track lays a groovy path, riding a thick, simplistic central groove and catchy vocal flow, enlivened by Wino’s easy-on-the-ear lead work. Similarly, bluesy, hard-rocking fare and juicy hooks feature prominently (“Free Like a Pirate,” “Summon the Wheel,” “Road Burnt,” and “Judgment XX”) to fun effect, nestled between doomy, heavier fare. These are solid examples of Ritual Arcana’s formula; however, the most interesting material leans deeper into their doomy roots. “Mistress of Change” possesses an ominous atmosphere and lurching, drunken gait, highlighted by LuckyFree’s slightly unhinged vocal performance. Similarly impactful bursts of rugged doom, molten riffage, and rawer vocal turns feature on the highlight-worthy “Subtle Fruits.” There are no blatant weak points, just certain tunes that hit harder and stick for longer. Ritual Arcana do the bluesy hard rock stuff well, yet it’s the brooding doomier forays that sustain greater interest.

    What they perhaps lack in innovation, Ritual Arcana compensate through lean and tightly wound songwriting, solid musicianship, and familiar yet delightfully catchy songs. Wino is an iconic metal legend, and even minus the gruff, well-lived presence of his vocals, he makes a punchy impact through his accomplished guitar work. The well-worn riffs carry a fresh, catchy edge; however, it’s the flashier leads and psych-drenched embellishments that complement the no-frills riffs. And as cool and effective as LuckyFree’s vocals are, it is a tad disappointing that Wino’s grizzled voice doesn’t pop up in cameo or dueting form. Meanwhile, the production may be a little clean for some tastes; however, it’s easy to appreciate the clarity and chunky tones.

    Ritual Arcana is a likable, gratifyingly catchy exercise in seasoned doom and psych-riddled occult rock from experienced hands. It plays things a little too safe at times, and as enjoyable and undeniably infectious as the songwriting on this debut platter proves to be, it rarely hits truly outstanding levels. Regardless, this style of doom/occult rock has an infectious charm, and when in the hands of veterans and a legend like Wino, it is difficult to fuck up. Ritual Arcana is a cool example of the saturated style and perhaps a precursor to greater things to come from this unit.

    

    Rating: 3.0/5.0
    DR: 6 | Format Reviewed: 304 kbps mp3
    Label: Heavy Psych Sounds | Bandcamp
    Websites: facebook.com/ritualarcana
    Releases Worldwide: January 23rd, 2026

    #2026 #30 #AmericanMetal #CastleRat #DoomMetal #HardRock #HeavyPsychSoundsRecords #Jan26 #JessAndTheAncientOnes #Moth #OccultRock #Review #Reviews #RitualArcana #SabbathAssembly #SaintVitus #SpiritCaravan #TheBlackLips #TheObsessed #Wino #WitchMountain
  4. Ritual Arcana – Ritual Arcana Review By Saunders

    I’m a tad slow out of the blocks to kick off the new year. Though in reviewing terms, it seems par for the course for yours truly. Time spent enjoying a break from the everyday job grind, catching up on the bounty of overlooked 2025 releases, and, as per tradition, enjoying the comfort of personal favorites and metal classics has occupied my time. As we plunge on through a wild, erratic, and intermittently sweltering Aussie summer, some hard-rocking doomy fun seems like a suitable seasonal pastime. Thus, while wading through the promo sump, I stumbled across the self-titled debut of fresh project, Ritual Arcana. Soon discovering this seasoned power trio features none other than the legendary Scott ‘Wino’ Weinrich (Saint Vitus, The Obsessed, Spirit Caravan), wielding his scuzzed-up axe alongside Sharlee LuckyFree (ex-Moth) on bass and vocals, and drummer Oakley Munsen (The Black Lips).

    Rather than a stoned cruise through the desert, Ritual Arcana play a raucous, bewitching blend of hard slugging doom and occult-tinged rock, fit to appeal to fans of nostalgiacore retro rock, Wino’s various projects, and other smoky doom persuasions such as Sabbath Assembly, Jess and the Ancient Ones, Castle Rat, and Witch Mountain. Imbued with dark, alluring vibes and a riff rumbling bluesy edge, Ritual Arcana features the requisite doom-laden heft and freewheeling grooves to accompany songs that rock and rumble with a sprightly bounce. The jammy, psych-drenched swagger leans as much into heavy rock and stoner realms as it does dour doom. LuckyFree’s beguiling pipes boast an undeniable appeal and hooky charm. And while perhaps not the most unique female vocalist in the biz, she holds her own and supplies plenty of earwormy hooks atop a solid foundation of hefty rhythms and fat, swaggering riffs.

    Right off the bat, the opening title track lays a groovy path, riding a thick, simplistic central groove and catchy vocal flow, enlivened by Wino’s easy-on-the-ear lead work. Similarly, bluesy, hard-rocking fare and juicy hooks feature prominently (“Free Like a Pirate,” “Summon the Wheel,” “Road Burnt,” and “Judgment XX”) to fun effect, nestled between doomy, heavier fare. These are solid examples of Ritual Arcana’s formula; however, the most interesting material leans deeper into their doomy roots. “Mistress of Change” possesses an ominous atmosphere and lurching, drunken gait, highlighted by LuckyFree’s slightly unhinged vocal performance. Similarly impactful bursts of rugged doom, molten riffage, and rawer vocal turns feature on the highlight-worthy “Subtle Fruits.” There are no blatant weak points, just certain tunes that hit harder and stick for longer. Ritual Arcana do the bluesy hard rock stuff well, yet it’s the brooding doomier forays that sustain greater interest.

    What they perhaps lack in innovation, Ritual Arcana compensate through lean and tightly wound songwriting, solid musicianship, and familiar yet delightfully catchy songs. Wino is an iconic metal legend, and even minus the gruff, well-lived presence of his vocals, he makes a punchy impact through his accomplished guitar work. The well-worn riffs carry a fresh, catchy edge; however, it’s the flashier leads and psych-drenched embellishments that complement the no-frills riffs. And as cool and effective as LuckyFree’s vocals are, it is a tad disappointing that Wino’s grizzled voice doesn’t pop up in cameo or dueting form. Meanwhile, the production may be a little clean for some tastes; however, it’s easy to appreciate the clarity and chunky tones.

    Ritual Arcana is a likable, gratifyingly catchy exercise in seasoned doom and psych-riddled occult rock from experienced hands. It plays things a little too safe at times, and as enjoyable and undeniably infectious as the songwriting on this debut platter proves to be, it rarely hits truly outstanding levels. Regardless, this style of doom/occult rock has an infectious charm, and when in the hands of veterans and a legend like Wino, it is difficult to fuck up. Ritual Arcana is a cool example of the saturated style and perhaps a precursor to greater things to come from this unit.

    

    Rating: 3.0/5.0
    DR: 6 | Format Reviewed: 304 kbps mp3
    Label: Heavy Psych Sounds | Bandcamp
    Websites: facebook.com/ritualarcana
    Releases Worldwide: January 23rd, 2026

    #2026 #30 #AmericanMetal #CastleRat #DoomMetal #HardRock #HeavyPsychSoundsRecords #Jan26 #JessAndTheAncientOnes #Moth #OccultRock #Review #Reviews #RitualArcana #SabbathAssembly #SaintVitus #SpiritCaravan #TheBlackLips #TheObsessed #Wino #WitchMountain
  5. Ritual Arcana – Ritual Arcana Review By Saunders

    I’m a tad slow out of the blocks to kick off the new year. Though in reviewing terms, it seems par for the course for yours truly. Time spent enjoying a break from the everyday job grind, catching up on the bounty of overlooked 2025 releases, and, as per tradition, enjoying the comfort of personal favorites and metal classics has occupied my time. As we plunge on through a wild, erratic, and intermittently sweltering Aussie summer, some hard-rocking doomy fun seems like a suitable seasonal pastime. Thus, while wading through the promo sump, I stumbled across the self-titled debut of fresh project, Ritual Arcana. Soon discovering this seasoned power trio features none other than the legendary Scott ‘Wino’ Weinrich (Saint Vitus, The Obsessed, Spirit Caravan), wielding his scuzzed-up axe alongside Sharlee LuckyFree (ex-Moth) on bass and vocals, and drummer Oakley Munsen (The Black Lips).

    Rather than a stoned cruise through the desert, Ritual Arcana play a raucous, bewitching blend of hard slugging doom and occult-tinged rock, fit to appeal to fans of nostalgiacore retro rock, Wino’s various projects, and other smoky doom persuasions such as Sabbath Assembly, Jess and the Ancient Ones, Castle Rat, and Witch Mountain. Imbued with dark, alluring vibes and a riff rumbling bluesy edge, Ritual Arcana features the requisite doom-laden heft and freewheeling grooves to accompany songs that rock and rumble with a sprightly bounce. The jammy, psych-drenched swagger leans as much into heavy rock and stoner realms as it does dour doom. LuckyFree’s beguiling pipes boast an undeniable appeal and hooky charm. And while perhaps not the most unique female vocalist in the biz, she holds her own and supplies plenty of earwormy hooks atop a solid foundation of hefty rhythms and fat, swaggering riffs.

    Right off the bat, the opening title track lays a groovy path, riding a thick, simplistic central groove and catchy vocal flow, enlivened by Wino’s easy-on-the-ear lead work. Similarly, bluesy, hard-rocking fare and juicy hooks feature prominently (“Free Like a Pirate,” “Summon the Wheel,” “Road Burnt,” and “Judgment XX”) to fun effect, nestled between doomy, heavier fare. These are solid examples of Ritual Arcana’s formula; however, the most interesting material leans deeper into their doomy roots. “Mistress of Change” possesses an ominous atmosphere and lurching, drunken gait, highlighted by LuckyFree’s slightly unhinged vocal performance. Similarly impactful bursts of rugged doom, molten riffage, and rawer vocal turns feature on the highlight-worthy “Subtle Fruits.” There are no blatant weak points, just certain tunes that hit harder and stick for longer. Ritual Arcana do the bluesy hard rock stuff well, yet it’s the brooding doomier forays that sustain greater interest.

    What they perhaps lack in innovation, Ritual Arcana compensate through lean and tightly wound songwriting, solid musicianship, and familiar yet delightfully catchy songs. Wino is an iconic metal legend, and even minus the gruff, well-lived presence of his vocals, he makes a punchy impact through his accomplished guitar work. The well-worn riffs carry a fresh, catchy edge; however, it’s the flashier leads and psych-drenched embellishments that complement the no-frills riffs. And as cool and effective as LuckyFree’s vocals are, it is a tad disappointing that Wino’s grizzled voice doesn’t pop up in cameo or dueting form. Meanwhile, the production may be a little clean for some tastes; however, it’s easy to appreciate the clarity and chunky tones.

    Ritual Arcana is a likable, gratifyingly catchy exercise in seasoned doom and psych-riddled occult rock from experienced hands. It plays things a little too safe at times, and as enjoyable and undeniably infectious as the songwriting on this debut platter proves to be, it rarely hits truly outstanding levels. Regardless, this style of doom/occult rock has an infectious charm, and when in the hands of veterans and a legend like Wino, it is difficult to fuck up. Ritual Arcana is a cool example of the saturated style and perhaps a precursor to greater things to come from this unit.

    

    Rating: 3.0/5.0
    DR: 6 | Format Reviewed: 304 kbps mp3
    Label: Heavy Psych Sounds | Bandcamp
    Websites: facebook.com/ritualarcana
    Releases Worldwide: January 23rd, 2026

    #2026 #30 #AmericanMetal #CastleRat #DoomMetal #HardRock #HeavyPsychSoundsRecords #Jan26 #JessAndTheAncientOnes #Moth #OccultRock #Review #Reviews #RitualArcana #SabbathAssembly #SaintVitus #SpiritCaravan #TheBlackLips #TheObsessed #Wino #WitchMountain
  6. 📰 New Special Clip for 'The Obsessed' Anime Film Showcases 'Ai no Uta' Melody

    Anime enthusiasts have a reason to celebrate as a special clip from the anime film 'The Obsessed' has been unveiled, featuring the emotive insert song 'Ai no Uta.' Since its debut in Japan on November 7, the film has been turning heads with its intri...

    🔗 Read more: animenewsdaily.us/articles/440

    #AnimeNews #CRUNCHYROLL #TheObsessed

  7. Wino – Create or Die Review

    By Steel Druhm

    Everything is coming up Wino! We were blessed with a new album by The Obsessed last year, and in 2025 we get his fourth solo outing. I’ve filled reams of pages here at AMG about what an important figure Scott “Wino” Weinrich is to the metalverse, so I’ll resist the urge to make the entire review another summary of his career and legacy. Suffice it to say, his work founding The Obsessed and later fronting Saint Vitus helped shape the American doom scene and gave it an essential shot of street-level toughness and integrity. His solo output has been more about 70s rock with occasional Americana and country influences, but the doom ethos still oozes in through the cracks of his craggy psyche. Create or Die is no different, drawing inspiration from 1970s psych/acid rock, folk, and country, all boiled down and filtered through the perspective of a man who lived a hard-scrabble, tumultuous life, struggling to realize his artistic visions while knowing that the public will never embrace them. In a sense, he’s a feral version of Bruce Springsteen, writing paeans to those who toil in obscurity to eke out a sparse living. There’s a raw beauty to his writing, and on Create or Die, his ragged soul is worn on his tattoo sleeve for all to see.

    Things open with the very 70s rock-centric “Anhedonia,” which pulses with Wino’s gritty retro guitar work and soulful vocals. The sound isn’t far from The Obsessed circa The Church Within, though Wino’s riffs have more than a little Spirit Caravan spice too. It’s a burly dose of 70s rock with Wino’s rough charms selling it like a gently used Buick Skylark. “New Terms” places banjo and bodhran center stage for something you’d hear outside some backwoods distillery in Appalachia, and it works like a charm. One of the early highlights is the poignant and earnest “Never Say Goodbye.” It’s the kind of soulful song Wino excels at, and there’s a simple, comforting humanity to it. The sound isn’t far from what Bruce Springsteen was during his Nebraska era, and it touches some of the same heartstrings. “Hopeful Defiance” brings a metal edge back to the workshop, sounding like an urgent variant of The Obsessed, and Wino rants against the establishment like a dirty 60s hippie.

    The back half of Create or Die is where Wino really comes into his own. “Us or Them” is another standout, bringing emotion but keeping things lean and mean. Wino’s stripped-down riffing echoes his Saint Vitus days, and his vocals perfectly suit his defiant lyrics. There’s a coolness factor here that few other than Wino can impart to a song, and it radiates gravitas. “Lost Souls Fly” is a melancholic, pensive piece that rambles over 7 minutes, but the journey never feels challenging. You just drift along as Wino narrates tales of life and death, lessons learned, and losses accepted. It’s oddly beautiful and compelling, though things are kept very minimalist. Penultimate track “Bury Me in Texas” almost sounds like something Clutch might come up with it, with steel guitars meshing with Wino’s lived-in vocals. It’s like Americana with a metal edge and it has an authenticity that puts it over. There are no tracks here I dislike, and you get a sharp, diverse collection of moods and ideas from across Wino’s career.

    Wino is an old soul, and the same kind of songwriter as Towns Van Zandt, Johnny Cash, and the aforementioned Springsteen. He writes from the perspective of his own life, but in the process speaks to some universal truths about life. Apparently, he’s been working on some of these songs for years, trying to get them into just the right shape, and that kind of dedication to songcraft is rare these days. His lyrics are rarely upbeat, but there’s always an appeal to love and beauty in his lines. He’s blessed with a very distinctive voice, and it’s just as well-suited to acoustic folk as it is heavy doom. He brings a shabby elegance and weary eloquence to it all that few can match, and that’s why he’s such a pleasure to listen to. His guitar work across Create or Die is smart and satisfying, sometimes heavy, other times soft and calming, always recognizably Wino.

    Whether it’s one of Wino’s numerous projects or his solo material, you know you will get good music full of passion and emotion, and that’s what Create or Die delivers. As the man ages and meditates on life, he sounds more and more like the voice of a lost age, with sage wisdom he needs to pass to the young. Though I’m far from young myself, I will always listen and absorb what Wino has to say. You should too. Treasure the greats while we have ’em, folks.

    Rating: 3.5/5.0
    DR: 7 | Format Reviewed: Lossless
    Label: Ripple Music
    Website: facebook.com/scottweinrich
    Releases Worldwide: October 24th, 2025

    #2025 #35 #CreateOrDie #FolkRock #HardRock #Oct25 #Review #Reviews #RippleMusic #TheObsessed #Wino

  8. Wino – Create or Die Review

    By Steel Druhm

    Everything is coming up Wino! We were blessed with a new album by The Obsessed last year, and in 2025 we get his fourth solo outing. I’ve filled reams of pages here at AMG about what an important figure Scott “Wino” Weinrich is to the metalverse, so I’ll resist the urge to make the entire review another summary of his career and legacy. Suffice it to say, his work founding The Obsessed and later fronting Saint Vitus helped shape the American doom scene and gave it an essential shot of street-level toughness and integrity. His solo output has been more about 70s rock with occasional Americana and country influences, but the doom ethos still oozes in through the cracks of his craggy psyche. Create or Die is no different, drawing inspiration from 1970s psych/acid rock, folk, and country, all boiled down and filtered through the perspective of a man who lived a hard-scrabble, tumultuous life, struggling to realize his artistic visions while knowing that the public will never embrace them. In a sense, he’s a feral version of Bruce Springsteen, writing paeans to those who toil in obscurity to eke out a sparse living. There’s a raw beauty to his writing, and on Create or Die, his ragged soul is worn on his tattoo sleeve for all to see.

    Things open with the very 70s rock-centric “Anhedonia,” which pulses with Wino’s gritty retro guitar work and soulful vocals. The sound isn’t far from The Obsessed circa The Church Within, though Wino’s riffs have more than a little Spirit Caravan spice too. It’s a burly dose of 70s rock with Wino’s rough charms selling it like a gently used Buick Skylark. “New Terms” places banjo and bodhran center stage for something you’d hear outside some backwoods distillery in Appalachia, and it works like a charm. One of the early highlights is the poignant and earnest “Never Say Goodbye.” It’s the kind of soulful song Wino excels at, and there’s a simple, comforting humanity to it. The sound isn’t far from what Bruce Springsteen was during his Nebraska era, and it touches some of the same heartstrings. “Hopeful Defiance” brings a metal edge back to the workshop, sounding like an urgent variant of The Obsessed, and Wino rants against the establishment like a dirty 60s hippie.

    The back half of Create or Die is where Wino really comes into his own. “Us or Them” is another standout, bringing emotion but keeping things lean and mean. Wino’s stripped-down riffing echoes his Saint Vitus days, and his vocals perfectly suit his defiant lyrics. There’s a coolness factor here that few other than Wino can impart to a song, and it radiates gravitas. “Lost Souls Fly” is a melancholic, pensive piece that rambles over 7 minutes, but the journey never feels challenging. You just drift along as Wino narrates tales of life and death, lessons learned, and losses accepted. It’s oddly beautiful and compelling, though things are kept very minimalist. Penultimate track “Bury Me in Texas” almost sounds like something Clutch might come up with it, with steel guitars meshing with Wino’s lived-in vocals. It’s like Americana with a metal edge and it has an authenticity that puts it over. There are no tracks here I dislike, and you get a sharp, diverse collection of moods and ideas from across Wino’s career.

    Wino is an old soul, and the same kind of songwriter as Towns Van Zandt, Johnny Cash, and the aforementioned Springsteen. He writes from the perspective of his own life, but in the process speaks to some universal truths about life. Apparently, he’s been working on some of these songs for years, trying to get them into just the right shape, and that kind of dedication to songcraft is rare these days. His lyrics are rarely upbeat, but there’s always an appeal to love and beauty in his lines. He’s blessed with a very distinctive voice, and it’s just as well-suited to acoustic folk as it is heavy doom. He brings a shabby elegance and weary eloquence to it all that few can match, and that’s why he’s such a pleasure to listen to. His guitar work across Create or Die is smart and satisfying, sometimes heavy, other times soft and calming, always recognizably Wino.

    Whether it’s one of Wino’s numerous projects or his solo material, you know you will get good music full of passion and emotion, and that’s what Create or Die delivers. As the man ages and meditates on life, he sounds more and more like the voice of a lost age, with sage wisdom he needs to pass to the young. Though I’m far from young myself, I will always listen and absorb what Wino has to say. You should too. Treasure the greats while we have ’em, folks.

    Rating: 3.5/5.0
    DR: 7 | Format Reviewed: Lossless
    Label: Ripple Music
    Website: facebook.com/scottweinrich
    Releases Worldwide: October 24th, 2025

    #2025 #35 #CreateOrDie #FolkRock #HardRock #Oct25 #Review #Reviews #RippleMusic #TheObsessed #Wino

  9. Wino – Create or Die Review

    By Steel Druhm

    Everything is coming up Wino! We were blessed with a new album by The Obsessed last year, and in 2025 we get his fourth solo outing. I’ve filled reams of pages here at AMG about what an important figure Scott “Wino” Weinrich is to the metalverse, so I’ll resist the urge to make the entire review another summary of his career and legacy. Suffice it to say, his work founding The Obsessed and later fronting Saint Vitus helped shape the American doom scene and gave it an essential shot of street-level toughness and integrity. His solo output has been more about 70s rock with occasional Americana and country influences, but the doom ethos still oozes in through the cracks of his craggy psyche. Create or Die is no different, drawing inspiration from 1970s psych/acid rock, folk, and country, all boiled down and filtered through the perspective of a man who lived a hard-scrabble, tumultuous life, struggling to realize his artistic visions while knowing that the public will never embrace them. In a sense, he’s a feral version of Bruce Springsteen, writing paeans to those who toil in obscurity to eke out a sparse living. There’s a raw beauty to his writing, and on Create or Die, his ragged soul is worn on his tattoo sleeve for all to see.

    Things open with the very 70s rock-centric “Anhedonia,” which pulses with Wino’s gritty retro guitar work and soulful vocals. The sound isn’t far from The Obsessed circa The Church Within, though Wino’s riffs have more than a little Spirit Caravan spice too. It’s a burly dose of 70s rock with Wino’s rough charms selling it like a gently used Buick Skylark. “New Terms” places banjo and bodhran center stage for something you’d hear outside some backwoods distillery in Appalachia, and it works like a charm. One of the early highlights is the poignant and earnest “Never Say Goodbye.” It’s the kind of soulful song Wino excels at, and there’s a simple, comforting humanity to it. The sound isn’t far from what Bruce Springsteen was during his Nebraska era, and it touches some of the same heartstrings. “Hopeful Defiance” brings a metal edge back to the workshop, sounding like an urgent variant of The Obsessed, and Wino rants against the establishment like a dirty 60s hippie.

    The back half of Create or Die is where Wino really comes into his own. “Us or Them” is another standout, bringing emotion but keeping things lean and mean. Wino’s stripped-down riffing echoes his Saint Vitus days, and his vocals perfectly suit his defiant lyrics. There’s a coolness factor here that few other than Wino can impart to a song, and it radiates gravitas. “Lost Souls Fly” is a melancholic, pensive piece that rambles over 7 minutes, but the journey never feels challenging. You just drift along as Wino narrates tales of life and death, lessons learned, and losses accepted. It’s oddly beautiful and compelling, though things are kept very minimalist. Penultimate track “Bury Me in Texas” almost sounds like something Clutch might come up with it, with steel guitars meshing with Wino’s lived-in vocals. It’s like Americana with a metal edge and it has an authenticity that puts it over. There are no tracks here I dislike, and you get a sharp, diverse collection of moods and ideas from across Wino’s career.

    Wino is an old soul, and the same kind of songwriter as Towns Van Zandt, Johnny Cash, and the aforementioned Springsteen. He writes from the perspective of his own life, but in the process speaks to some universal truths about life. Apparently, he’s been working on some of these songs for years, trying to get them into just the right shape, and that kind of dedication to songcraft is rare these days. His lyrics are rarely upbeat, but there’s always an appeal to love and beauty in his lines. He’s blessed with a very distinctive voice, and it’s just as well-suited to acoustic folk as it is heavy doom. He brings a shabby elegance and weary eloquence to it all that few can match, and that’s why he’s such a pleasure to listen to. His guitar work across Create or Die is smart and satisfying, sometimes heavy, other times soft and calming, always recognizably Wino.

    Whether it’s one of Wino’s numerous projects or his solo material, you know you will get good music full of passion and emotion, and that’s what Create or Die delivers. As the man ages and meditates on life, he sounds more and more like the voice of a lost age, with sage wisdom he needs to pass to the young. Though I’m far from young myself, I will always listen and absorb what Wino has to say. You should too. Treasure the greats while we have ’em, folks.

    Rating: 3.5/5.0
    DR: 7 | Format Reviewed: Lossless
    Label: Ripple Music
    Website: facebook.com/scottweinrich
    Releases Worldwide: October 24th, 2025

    #2025 #35 #CreateOrDie #FolkRock #HardRock #Oct25 #Review #Reviews #RippleMusic #TheObsessed #Wino

  10. Wino – Create or Die Review

    By Steel Druhm

    Everything is coming up Wino! We were blessed with a new album by The Obsessed last year, and in 2025 we get his fourth solo outing. I’ve filled reams of pages here at AMG about what an important figure Scott “Wino” Weinrich is to the metalverse, so I’ll resist the urge to make the entire review another summary of his career and legacy. Suffice it to say, his work founding The Obsessed and later fronting Saint Vitus helped shape the American doom scene and gave it an essential shot of street-level toughness and integrity. His solo output has been more about 70s rock with occasional Americana and country influences, but the doom ethos still oozes in through the cracks of his craggy psyche. Create or Die is no different, drawing inspiration from 1970s psych/acid rock, folk, and country, all boiled down and filtered through the perspective of a man who lived a hard-scrabble, tumultuous life, struggling to realize his artistic visions while knowing that the public will never embrace them. In a sense, he’s a feral version of Bruce Springsteen, writing paeans to those who toil in obscurity to eke out a sparse living. There’s a raw beauty to his writing, and on Create or Die, his ragged soul is worn on his tattoo sleeve for all to see.

    Things open with the very 70s rock-centric “Anhedonia,” which pulses with Wino’s gritty retro guitar work and soulful vocals. The sound isn’t far from The Obsessed circa The Church Within, though Wino’s riffs have more than a little Spirit Caravan spice too. It’s a burly dose of 70s rock with Wino’s rough charms selling it like a gently used Buick Skylark. “New Terms” places banjo and bodhran center stage for something you’d hear outside some backwoods distillery in Appalachia, and it works like a charm. One of the early highlights is the poignant and earnest “Never Say Goodbye.” It’s the kind of soulful song Wino excels at, and there’s a simple, comforting humanity to it. The sound isn’t far from what Bruce Springsteen was during his Nebraska era, and it touches some of the same heartstrings. “Hopeful Defiance” brings a metal edge back to the workshop, sounding like an urgent variant of The Obsessed, and Wino rants against the establishment like a dirty 60s hippie.

    The back half of Create or Die is where Wino really comes into his own. “Us or Them” is another standout, bringing emotion but keeping things lean and mean. Wino’s stripped-down riffing echoes his Saint Vitus days, and his vocals perfectly suit his defiant lyrics. There’s a coolness factor here that few other than Wino can impart to a song, and it radiates gravitas. “Lost Souls Fly” is a melancholic, pensive piece that rambles over 7 minutes, but the journey never feels challenging. You just drift along as Wino narrates tales of life and death, lessons learned, and losses accepted. It’s oddly beautiful and compelling, though things are kept very minimalist. Penultimate track “Bury Me in Texas” almost sounds like something Clutch might come up with it, with steel guitars meshing with Wino’s lived-in vocals. It’s like Americana with a metal edge and it has an authenticity that puts it over. There are no tracks here I dislike, and you get a sharp, diverse collection of moods and ideas from across Wino’s career.

    Wino is an old soul, and the same kind of songwriter as Towns Van Zandt, Johnny Cash, and the aforementioned Springsteen. He writes from the perspective of his own life, but in the process speaks to some universal truths about life. Apparently, he’s been working on some of these songs for years, trying to get them into just the right shape, and that kind of dedication to songcraft is rare these days. His lyrics are rarely upbeat, but there’s always an appeal to love and beauty in his lines. He’s blessed with a very distinctive voice, and it’s just as well-suited to acoustic folk as it is heavy doom. He brings a shabby elegance and weary eloquence to it all that few can match, and that’s why he’s such a pleasure to listen to. His guitar work across Create or Die is smart and satisfying, sometimes heavy, other times soft and calming, always recognizably Wino.

    Whether it’s one of Wino’s numerous projects or his solo material, you know you will get good music full of passion and emotion, and that’s what Create or Die delivers. As the man ages and meditates on life, he sounds more and more like the voice of a lost age, with sage wisdom he needs to pass to the young. Though I’m far from young myself, I will always listen and absorb what Wino has to say. You should too. Treasure the greats while we have ’em, folks.

    Rating: 3.5/5.0
    DR: 7 | Format Reviewed: Lossless
    Label: Ripple Music
    Website: facebook.com/scottweinrich
    Releases Worldwide: October 24th, 2025

    #2025 #35 #CreateOrDie #FolkRock #HardRock #Oct25 #Review #Reviews #RippleMusic #TheObsessed #Wino

  11. Wino – Create or Die Review

    By Steel Druhm

    Everything is coming up Wino! We were blessed with a new album by The Obsessed last year, and in 2025 we get his fourth solo outing. I’ve filled reams of pages here at AMG about what an important figure Scott “Wino” Weinrich is to the metalverse, so I’ll resist the urge to make the entire review another summary of his career and legacy. Suffice it to say, his work founding The Obsessed and later fronting Saint Vitus helped shape the American doom scene and gave it an essential shot of street-level toughness and integrity. His solo output has been more about 70s rock with occasional Americana and country influences, but the doom ethos still oozes in through the cracks of his craggy psyche. Create or Die is no different, drawing inspiration from 1970s psych/acid rock, folk, and country, all boiled down and filtered through the perspective of a man who lived a hard-scrabble, tumultuous life, struggling to realize his artistic visions while knowing that the public will never embrace them. In a sense, he’s a feral version of Bruce Springsteen, writing paeans to those who toil in obscurity to eke out a sparse living. There’s a raw beauty to his writing, and on Create or Die, his ragged soul is worn on his tattoo sleeve for all to see.

    Things open with the very 70s rock-centric “Anhedonia,” which pulses with Wino’s gritty retro guitar work and soulful vocals. The sound isn’t far from The Obsessed circa The Church Within, though Wino’s riffs have more than a little Spirit Caravan spice too. It’s a burly dose of 70s rock with Wino’s rough charms selling it like a gently used Buick Skylark. “New Terms” places banjo and bodhran center stage for something you’d hear outside some backwoods distillery in Appalachia, and it works like a charm. One of the early highlights is the poignant and earnest “Never Say Goodbye.” It’s the kind of soulful song Wino excels at, and there’s a simple, comforting humanity to it. The sound isn’t far from what Bruce Springsteen was during his Nebraska era, and it touches some of the same heartstrings. “Hopeful Defiance” brings a metal edge back to the workshop, sounding like an urgent variant of The Obsessed, and Wino rants against the establishment like a dirty 60s hippie.

    The back half of Create or Die is where Wino really comes into his own. “Us or Them” is another standout, bringing emotion but keeping things lean and mean. Wino’s stripped-down riffing echoes his Saint Vitus days, and his vocals perfectly suit his defiant lyrics. There’s a coolness factor here that few other than Wino can impart to a song, and it radiates gravitas. “Lost Souls Fly” is a melancholic, pensive piece that rambles over 7 minutes, but the journey never feels challenging. You just drift along as Wino narrates tales of life and death, lessons learned, and losses accepted. It’s oddly beautiful and compelling, though things are kept very minimalist. Penultimate track “Bury Me in Texas” almost sounds like something Clutch might come up with it, with steel guitars meshing with Wino’s lived-in vocals. It’s like Americana with a metal edge and it has an authenticity that puts it over. There are no tracks here I dislike, and you get a sharp, diverse collection of moods and ideas from across Wino’s career.

    Wino is an old soul, and the same kind of songwriter as Towns Van Zandt, Johnny Cash, and the aforementioned Springsteen. He writes from the perspective of his own life, but in the process speaks to some universal truths about life. Apparently, he’s been working on some of these songs for years, trying to get them into just the right shape, and that kind of dedication to songcraft is rare these days. His lyrics are rarely upbeat, but there’s always an appeal to love and beauty in his lines. He’s blessed with a very distinctive voice, and it’s just as well-suited to acoustic folk as it is heavy doom. He brings a shabby elegance and weary eloquence to it all that few can match, and that’s why he’s such a pleasure to listen to. His guitar work across Create or Die is smart and satisfying, sometimes heavy, other times soft and calming, always recognizably Wino.

    Whether it’s one of Wino’s numerous projects or his solo material, you know you will get good music full of passion and emotion, and that’s what Create or Die delivers. As the man ages and meditates on life, he sounds more and more like the voice of a lost age, with sage wisdom he needs to pass to the young. Though I’m far from young myself, I will always listen and absorb what Wino has to say. You should too. Treasure the greats while we have ’em, folks.

    Rating: 3.5/5.0
    DR: 7 | Format Reviewed: Lossless
    Label: Ripple Music
    Website: facebook.com/scottweinrich
    Releases Worldwide: October 24th, 2025

    #2025 #35 #CreateOrDie #FolkRock #HardRock #Oct25 #Review #Reviews #RippleMusic #TheObsessed #Wino

  12. Heute mal JOMO (Joy of Missing Out)..

    Zum Glück kann ich immer noch von Montag zehren (The Obsessed in der Zukunft 😍).. War das schööön mit den alten Herren.

    theobsessed.bandcamp.com/track

    #radio27 #music #TheObsessed #Doom #HardRock #HeavyMetal #StonerMetal #ProtoStoner

  13. Heute mal JOMO (Joy of Missing Out)..

    Zum Glück kann ich immer noch von Montag zehren (The Obsessed in der Zukunft 😍).. War das schööön mit den alten Herren.

    theobsessed.bandcamp.com/track

    #radio27 #music #TheObsessed #Doom #HardRock #HeavyMetal #StonerMetal #ProtoStoner

  14. Heute mal JOMO (Joy of Missing Out)..

    Zum Glück kann ich immer noch von Montag zehren (The Obsessed in der Zukunft 😍).. War das schööön mit den alten Herren.

    theobsessed.bandcamp.com/track

    #radio27 #music #TheObsessed #Doom #HardRock #HeavyMetal #StonerMetal #ProtoStoner

  15. Heute mal JOMO (Joy of Missing Out)..

    Zum Glück kann ich immer noch von Montag zehren (The Obsessed in der Zukunft 😍).. War das schööön mit den alten Herren.

    theobsessed.bandcamp.com/track

    #radio27 #music #TheObsessed #Doom #HardRock #HeavyMetal #StonerMetal #ProtoStoner

  16. Pentagram – Lightning in a Bottle Review

    By Steel Druhm

    Pentagram don’t get the respect they deserve considering their place in metal history. Rising from the primordial ooze of the Virginia music scene in 1971, they can arguably claim to be the first American heavy metal band1 and it’s indisputable that they were the first American doom act. Despite this rarefied standing, they remain a truly underground act to this day. Their 1985 self-titled debut is a minor classic in the doomverse, showcasing a rough, gritty take on the classic Black Sabbath sound, earning them the descriptor of “street doom.” The 1987 follow-up Day of Reckoning was more polished and features what may be the single greatest doom song ever (“Burning Savior”). Despite talent and a unique sound, internal turmoil, endless lineup changes, drug dependency issues, and incarcerations slowed Pentagram’s roll to a crawl and eventually, a stall, with only 5 full-lengths released between 1988 and 2015. Lightning in a Bottle is the first album in 9 years and long-time guitarist Victor Griffin (Place of Skulls) is sadly absent, leaving only founding vocalist Bobby Liebling to steer the ship. With the band his to do with as he pleases, what does Pentagram sound like in 2025? That’s the big question here.

    While Pentagram’s sound profile has shifted around over their 50-plus year career, they were always at their best when merging 60s and 70s hard rock with the doom sounds made famous by Sabbath. Lightning in a Bottle finds them moving away from the doom side of their sound somewhat to embrace the retro rock elements more directly. While there are moments that remind of Sabbath, Trouble and The Obsessed, the bulk of the material feels more akin to bluesy biker rock from the late 60s. At times it even reminds me of Clutch, which I was not expecting. Rowdy opener “Live Again” sets the tone with a raucous, hard-rocking charge chaired by a lively performance by Bobby L. There’s a macho swagger to the music not far removed from C.O.C. and Down and the greasy, gritty riffs are easy to enjoy. “In the Panic Room” marries Sabbath riffage with a hard rock ethos that’s very Clutch-y. Even Bobby’s vocals sound vaguely Neil Fallon-esque at times. “I Spoke to Death” is the most like classic Pentagram, with a simple looping doom riff carrying the show. It sounds like a lost cut from Day of Reckoning and it’s very nostalgia-inducing.

    Other interesting moments arrive with the dark, moody rock of “Lady Heroin” and the simple but satisfyingly heavy “Thundercrest.” Unfortunately, the album’s back half is considerably weaker than the front, with too many so so rock-based cuts that don’t stick with me. The biggest obstacle for me is the lack of a tangible connection to the sound I’ve come to associate with Pentagram. It seems clear Bobby wanted to go back to his musical roots and away from pure doom, which in itself is fine. Sadly, too much of the material feels like second-rate carbon-dated rock. It’s okay, but not much more, and even the better tracks feel somewhat lukewarm. After such a long wait since 2015s Curious Volume, I hoped for much more than that.

    With Bobby as the sole survivor of the endless lineup shuffles, he provides the only true link to the band’s sound. His voice has aged surprisingly well considering the self-destructive life he’s lived. He generally sounds vibrant and vital, and though I miss his creepy evil ghoul vocals, what he does suits the burly rocking material just fine. Tony Reed of Mos Generator does an impressive job channeling the sound of past guitarists like Victor Griffin and Joseph Hasselvander. He freely references the 60s and 70s and of course, Tony Iommi. Sadly, the Iommi-isms are less prominent than I want. Long-time Saint Vitus drummer Henry Vasquez steps in to deliver a manful performance on the kit, thundering away on the skins with fervor. The band is tight and well-traveled. It’s the writing that lets them down.

    How much one appreciates Lightning in a Bottle will come down to what they expect to find. I wanted a classic doom album, but this doesn’t really qualify as such. Pentagram will always have a special place in metal history and I’ll always cherish their early output, but I think it’s safe to say their best days are far behind them. There’s some respectable granddad rock here, but not enough to bring me back. Even the legends run out of steam in the fullness of time.

    Rating: 2.5/5.0
    DR: 7 | Format Reviewed: 300 kbps mp3
    Label: Heavy Psych Sounds
    Websites: pentagramusa.com | facebook.com/pentagramusa | instagram.com/pentagram_usa
    Releases Worldwide: January 31st, 2025

    #25 #2025 #AmericanMetal #BlackSabbath #Clutch #CuriousVolume #DoomMetal #HeavyPsychSoundsRecords #Jan25 #LightningInABottle #MosGenerator #Pentagram #Review #Reviews #SaintVitus #TheObsessed #Trouble

  17. Pentagram – Lightning in a Bottle Review

    By Steel Druhm

    Pentagram don’t get the respect they deserve considering their place in metal history. Rising from the primordial ooze of the Virginia music scene in 1971, they can arguably claim to be the first American heavy metal band1 and it’s indisputable that they were the first American doom act. Despite this rarefied standing, they remain a truly underground act to this day. Their 1985 self-titled debut is a minor classic in the doomverse, showcasing a rough, gritty take on the classic Black Sabbath sound, earning them the descriptor of “street doom.” The 1987 follow-up Day of Reckoning was more polished and features what may be the single greatest doom song ever (“Burning Savior”). Despite talent and a unique sound, internal turmoil, endless lineup changes, drug dependency issues, and incarcerations slowed Pentagram’s roll to a crawl and eventually, a stall, with only 5 full-lengths released between 1988 and 2015. Lightning in a Bottle is the first album in 9 years and long-time guitarist Victor Griffin (Place of Skulls) is sadly absent, leaving only founding vocalist Bobby Liebling to steer the ship. With the band his to do with as he pleases, what does Pentagram sound like in 2025? That’s the big question here.

    While Pentagram’s sound profile has shifted around over their 50-plus year career, they were always at their best when merging 60s and 70s hard rock with the doom sounds made famous by Sabbath. Lightning in a Bottle finds them moving away from the doom side of their sound somewhat to embrace the retro rock elements more directly. While there are moments that remind of Sabbath, Trouble and The Obsessed, the bulk of the material feels more akin to bluesy biker rock from the late 60s. At times it even reminds me of Clutch, which I was not expecting. Rowdy opener “Live Again” sets the tone with a raucous, hard-rocking charge chaired by a lively performance by Bobby L. There’s a macho swagger to the music not far removed from C.O.C. and Down and the greasy, gritty riffs are easy to enjoy. “In the Panic Room” marries Sabbath riffage with a hard rock ethos that’s very Clutch-y. Even Bobby’s vocals sound vaguely Neil Fallon-esque at times. “I Spoke to Death” is the most like classic Pentagram, with a simple looping doom riff carrying the show. It sounds like a lost cut from Day of Reckoning and it’s very nostalgia-inducing.

    Other interesting moments arrive with the dark, moody rock of “Lady Heroin” and the simple but satisfyingly heavy “Thundercrest.” Unfortunately, the album’s back half is considerably weaker than the front, with too many so so rock-based cuts that don’t stick with me. The biggest obstacle for me is the lack of a tangible connection to the sound I’ve come to associate with Pentagram. It seems clear Bobby wanted to go back to his musical roots and away from pure doom, which in itself is fine. Sadly, too much of the material feels like second-rate carbon-dated rock. It’s okay, but not much more, and even the better tracks feel somewhat lukewarm. After such a long wait since 2015s Curious Volume, I hoped for much more than that.

    With Bobby as the sole survivor of the endless lineup shuffles, he provides the only true link to the band’s sound. His voice has aged surprisingly well considering the self-destructive life he’s lived. He generally sounds vibrant and vital, and though I miss his creepy evil ghoul vocals, what he does suits the burly rocking material just fine. Tony Reed of Mos Generator does an impressive job channeling the sound of past guitarists like Victor Griffin and Joseph Hasselvander. He freely references the 60s and 70s and of course, Tony Iommi. Sadly, the Iommi-isms are less prominent than I want. Long-time Saint Vitus drummer Henry Vasquez steps in to deliver a manful performance on the kit, thundering away on the skins with fervor. The band is tight and well-traveled. It’s the writing that lets them down.

    How much one appreciates Lightning in a Bottle will come down to what they expect to find. I wanted a classic doom album, but this doesn’t really qualify as such. Pentagram will always have a special place in metal history and I’ll always cherish their early output, but I think it’s safe to say their best days are far behind them. There’s some respectable granddad rock here, but not enough to bring me back. Even the legends run out of steam in the fullness of time.

    Rating: 2.5/5.0
    DR: 7 | Format Reviewed: 300 kbps mp3
    Label: Heavy Psych Sounds
    Websites: pentagramusa.com | facebook.com/pentagramusa | instagram.com/pentagram_usa
    Releases Worldwide: January 31st, 2025

    #25 #2025 #AmericanMetal #BlackSabbath #Clutch #CuriousVolume #DoomMetal #HeavyPsychSoundsRecords #Jan25 #LightningInABottle #MosGenerator #Pentagram #Review #Reviews #SaintVitus #TheObsessed #Trouble

  18. Pentagram – Lightning in a Bottle Review

    By Steel Druhm

    Pentagram don’t get the respect they deserve considering their place in metal history. Rising from the primordial ooze of the Virginia music scene in 1971, they can arguably claim to be the first American heavy metal band1 and it’s indisputable that they were the first American doom act. Despite this rarefied standing, they remain a truly underground act to this day. Their 1985 self-titled debut is a minor classic in the doomverse, showcasing a rough, gritty take on the classic Black Sabbath sound, earning them the descriptor of “street doom.” The 1987 follow-up Day of Reckoning was more polished and features what may be the single greatest doom song ever (“Burning Savior”). Despite talent and a unique sound, internal turmoil, endless lineup changes, drug dependency issues, and incarcerations slowed Pentagram’s roll to a crawl and eventually, a stall, with only 5 full-lengths released between 1988 and 2015. Lightning in a Bottle is the first album in 9 years and long-time guitarist Victor Griffin (Place of Skulls) is sadly absent, leaving only founding vocalist Bobby Liebling to steer the ship. With the band his to do with as he pleases, what does Pentagram sound like in 2025? That’s the big question here.

    While Pentagram’s sound profile has shifted around over their 50-plus year career, they were always at their best when merging 60s and 70s hard rock with the doom sounds made famous by Sabbath. Lightning in a Bottle finds them moving away from the doom side of their sound somewhat to embrace the retro rock elements more directly. While there are moments that remind of Sabbath, Trouble and The Obsessed, the bulk of the material feels more akin to bluesy biker rock from the late 60s. At times it even reminds me of Clutch, which I was not expecting. Rowdy opener “Live Again” sets the tone with a raucous, hard-rocking charge chaired by a lively performance by Bobby L. There’s a macho swagger to the music not far removed from C.O.C. and Down and the greasy, gritty riffs are easy to enjoy. “In the Panic Room” marries Sabbath riffage with a hard rock ethos that’s very Clutch-y. Even Bobby’s vocals sound vaguely Neil Fallon-esque at times. “I Spoke to Death” is the most like classic Pentagram, with a simple looping doom riff carrying the show. It sounds like a lost cut from Day of Reckoning and it’s very nostalgia-inducing.

    Other interesting moments arrive with the dark, moody rock of “Lady Heroin” and the simple but satisfyingly heavy “Thundercrest.” Unfortunately, the album’s back half is considerably weaker than the front, with too many so so rock-based cuts that don’t stick with me. The biggest obstacle for me is the lack of a tangible connection to the sound I’ve come to associate with Pentagram. It seems clear Bobby wanted to go back to his musical roots and away from pure doom, which in itself is fine. Sadly, too much of the material feels like second-rate carbon-dated rock. It’s okay, but not much more, and even the better tracks feel somewhat lukewarm. After such a long wait since 2015s Curious Volume, I hoped for much more than that.

    With Bobby as the sole survivor of the endless lineup shuffles, he provides the only true link to the band’s sound. His voice has aged surprisingly well considering the self-destructive life he’s lived. He generally sounds vibrant and vital, and though I miss his creepy evil ghoul vocals, what he does suits the burly rocking material just fine. Tony Reed of Mos Generator does an impressive job channeling the sound of past guitarists like Victor Griffin and Joseph Hasselvander. He freely references the 60s and 70s and of course, Tony Iommi. Sadly, the Iommi-isms are less prominent than I want. Long-time Saint Vitus drummer Henry Vasquez steps in to deliver a manful performance on the kit, thundering away on the skins with fervor. The band is tight and well-traveled. It’s the writing that lets them down.

    How much one appreciates Lightning in a Bottle will come down to what they expect to find. I wanted a classic doom album, but this doesn’t really qualify as such. Pentagram will always have a special place in metal history and I’ll always cherish their early output, but I think it’s safe to say their best days are far behind them. There’s some respectable granddad rock here, but not enough to bring me back. Even the legends run out of steam in the fullness of time.

    Rating: 2.5/5.0
    DR: 7 | Format Reviewed: 300 kbps mp3
    Label: Heavy Psych Sounds
    Websites: pentagramusa.com | facebook.com/pentagramusa | instagram.com/pentagram_usa
    Releases Worldwide: January 31st, 2025

    #25 #2025 #AmericanMetal #BlackSabbath #Clutch #CuriousVolume #DoomMetal #HeavyPsychSoundsRecords #Jan25 #LightningInABottle #MosGenerator #Pentagram #Review #Reviews #SaintVitus #TheObsessed #Trouble

  19. omg people doing #GroupMetalAOTY2024, tooting great albums, and i'm slowly working my way through 2022 stuff. here are 5 new records that made this grumpy asshole happy in 2024 so far, no particular order:

    Thy Catafalque - XII: A gyönyörü álmok ezután jönnek
    Oranssi Pazuzu - Muuntautuja
    The Obsessed - Gilded Sorrow
    Exist - Hijacking The Zeitgeist
    Ulcerate - Cutting the Throat of God

    honorable mention: Deep Purple =1. the new guitarist is fire and gillan's voice as good as it ever was

    #ThyCatafalque #OranssiPazuzu #TheObsessed #Exist #Ulcerate

  20. omg people doing #GroupMetalAOTY2024, tooting great albums, and i'm slowly working my way through 2022 stuff. here are 5 new records that made this grumpy asshole happy in 2024 so far, no particular order:

    Thy Catafalque - XII: A gyönyörü álmok ezután jönnek
    Oranssi Pazuzu - Muuntautuja
    The Obsessed - Gilded Sorrow
    Exist - Hijacking The Zeitgeist
    Ulcerate - Cutting the Throat of God

    honorable mention: Deep Purple =1. the new guitarist is fire and gillan's voice as good as it ever was

    #ThyCatafalque #OranssiPazuzu #TheObsessed #Exist #Ulcerate

  21. omg people doing #GroupMetalAOTY2024, tooting great albums, and i'm slowly working my way through 2022 stuff. here are 5 new records that made this grumpy asshole happy in 2024 so far, no particular order:

    Thy Catafalque - XII: A gyönyörü álmok ezután jönnek
    Oranssi Pazuzu - Muuntautuja
    The Obsessed - Gilded Sorrow
    Exist - Hijacking The Zeitgeist
    Ulcerate - Cutting the Throat of God

    honorable mention: Deep Purple =1. the new guitarist is fire and gillan's voice as good as it ever was

    #ThyCatafalque #OranssiPazuzu #TheObsessed #Exist #Ulcerate

  22. omg people doing #GroupMetalAOTY2024, tooting great albums, and i'm slowly working my way through 2022 stuff. here are 5 new records that made this grumpy asshole happy in 2024 so far, no particular order:

    Thy Catafalque - XII: A gyönyörü álmok ezután jönnek
    Oranssi Pazuzu - Muuntautuja
    The Obsessed - Gilded Sorrow
    Exist - Hijacking The Zeitgeist
    Ulcerate - Cutting the Throat of God

    honorable mention: Deep Purple =1. the new guitarist is fire and gillan's voice as good as it ever was

    #ThyCatafalque #OranssiPazuzu #TheObsessed #Exist #Ulcerate

  23. omg people doing #GroupMetalAOTY2024, tooting great albums, and i'm slowly working my way through 2022 stuff. here are 5 new records that made this grumpy asshole happy in 2024 so far, no particular order:

    Thy Catafalque - XII: A gyönyörü álmok ezután jönnek
    Oranssi Pazuzu - Muuntautuja
    The Obsessed - Gilded Sorrow
    Exist - Hijacking The Zeitgeist
    Ulcerate - Cutting the Throat of God

    honorable mention: Deep Purple =1. the new guitarist is fire and gillan's voice as good as it ever was

    #ThyCatafalque #OranssiPazuzu #TheObsessed #Exist #Ulcerate

  24. :megaphone: DEMNÄCHST!
    *Zusammenfassung 02.08. bis 02.09. für München

    The O'Reillys And The Paddyhats
    02.08.2024 Augsburg / Gaswerk

    The Picturebooks
    02.08.2024 München / Backstage

    Wolfmother
    02.08.2024 München / Backstage

    Blutgott
    03.08.2024 München / Backstage

    Chaosbay
    03.08.2024 München

    Classic Rock Night
    03.08.2024 Traunreut

    Debauchery
    03.08.2024 München / Backstage

    Lionheart, Pro-Pain, Havok, Evergreen Terrace, Arrow Minds
    04.08.2024 München

    Pro-Pain, Havok, Evergreen Terrace, Spiritworld, Arrow Minds
    04.08.2024 München / Backstage

    The Obsessed
    04.08.2024 München

    Cancer Bats
    06.08.2024 München / Backstage

    Hatebreed
    06.08.2024 München / Backstage

    #APlaceToBuryStrangers #Augsburg #Backstage #Blutgott #CancerBats #Chaosbay #ClassicRockNight #Debauchery #Gaswerk #Hatebreed #Lionheart #Milla #Munchen #ProPain #TheOReillysAndThePaddyhats #TheObsessed #ThePicturebooks #Traunreut #Wolfmother #SteelFeed #SteelFeedSoon

  25. :megaphone: DEMNÄCHST!
    *Zusammenfassung 02.08. bis 02.09. für München

    The O'Reillys And The Paddyhats
    02.08.2024 Augsburg / Gaswerk

    The Picturebooks
    02.08.2024 München / Backstage

    Wolfmother
    02.08.2024 München / Backstage

    Blutgott
    03.08.2024 München / Backstage

    Chaosbay
    03.08.2024 München

    Classic Rock Night
    03.08.2024 Traunreut

    Debauchery
    03.08.2024 München / Backstage

    Lionheart, Pro-Pain, Havok, Evergreen Terrace, Arrow Minds
    04.08.2024 München

    Pro-Pain, Havok, Evergreen Terrace, Spiritworld, Arrow Minds
    04.08.2024 München / Backstage

    The Obsessed
    04.08.2024 München

    Cancer Bats
    06.08.2024 München / Backstage

    Hatebreed
    06.08.2024 München / Backstage

    #APlaceToBuryStrangers #Augsburg #Backstage #Blutgott #CancerBats #Chaosbay #ClassicRockNight #Debauchery #Gaswerk #Hatebreed #Lionheart #Milla #Munchen #ProPain #TheOReillysAndThePaddyhats #TheObsessed #ThePicturebooks #Traunreut #Wolfmother #SteelFeed #SteelFeedSoon

  26. :megaphone: DEMNÄCHST!
    *Zusammenfassung 02.08. bis 02.09. für München

    The O'Reillys And The Paddyhats
    02.08.2024 Augsburg / Gaswerk

    The Picturebooks
    02.08.2024 München / Backstage

    Wolfmother
    02.08.2024 München / Backstage

    Blutgott
    03.08.2024 München / Backstage

    Chaosbay
    03.08.2024 München

    Classic Rock Night
    03.08.2024 Traunreut

    Debauchery
    03.08.2024 München / Backstage

    Lionheart, Pro-Pain, Havok, Evergreen Terrace, Arrow Minds
    04.08.2024 München

    Pro-Pain, Havok, Evergreen Terrace, Spiritworld, Arrow Minds
    04.08.2024 München / Backstage

    The Obsessed
    04.08.2024 München

    Cancer Bats
    06.08.2024 München / Backstage

    Hatebreed
    06.08.2024 München / Backstage

    #APlaceToBuryStrangers #Augsburg #Backstage #Blutgott #CancerBats #Chaosbay #ClassicRockNight #Debauchery #Gaswerk #Hatebreed #Lionheart #Milla #Munchen #ProPain #TheOReillysAndThePaddyhats #TheObsessed #ThePicturebooks #Traunreut #Wolfmother #SteelFeed #SteelFeedSoon

  27. The Obsessed – Gilden Sorrow Review

    By Steel Druhm

    Every album we get from Scott “Wino” Weinrich at this stage of his career feels like playing with house money. As a living legend in the American doom scene, Wino had his fingerprints on so much music over the decades that trying to quantify it all can make your head spin. As the founder of early doom act The Obsessed in the 1970s, he helped shape the sound of the genre in America along with Pentagram, Trouble, and Saint Vitus. His time as the frontman for Saint Vitus from 1986 to 1991 was also very influential and albums like Born to Late and V are stone-cold classics. Then there are his Spirit Caravan, The Hidden Hand and Shrinebuilder efforts, and so much more. 2017 was the last time he gifted us with new music from The Obsessed, and as usual with new Wino material, I was very eager to get into it. Gilden Sorrow is about what you expect from Wino at this point. It’s gritty, bluesy 70s hard rock with varying degrees of doom influences seeping in. It’s music for sketchy dive bars and biker clubs where you get hard drinks and cracked molars. That’s what brings Steel to the prison yard.

    Things open with the classic Wino track “Daughter of an Echo.” It’s the kind of rough-hewn 70s rock Wino lives and breathes and his crunchy, fuzzy riffs feel like an old friend back in town with a bottle of pricey bourbon. It sounds like The Obsessed and sometimes like any number of his other projects—tough, stripped-down, and sincere as fuck. In short, it’s exactly what I want from Wino. From there he drags you through the various influences that shaped his sound over the long years. “It’s Not OK” is pissed-off, cynical Wino shaking his fist at the world. The title track is the album centerpiece —an extra doomy plodder with dismal emotions aplenty and a kind of shabby grandiosity that only Wino could pull off. It shares some core DNA with Saint Vitus but it’s distinctly The Obsessed.

    Other highlights include “Realize a Dream,” which is a more urgent, upbeat hard rocker with some signs not everything is bleak in the man’s mindshare these days. It has a subtle Southern rock swagger that reminds of me of early Lynyrd Skynyrd, and that’s always a plus. “Stoned Back to the Bomb Age” is a vintage Wino product full of piss, vinegar, and pruno. I want a whole album of stuff just like this for nights when I need to hit the bottle with ne’er-do-well friends and shady associates. The heavy riffage is a joy and Wino spits some real venom vocally, sharing his disgust with aspects of the modern world. “Wellspring – Dark Sunshine” is also a fine conveyor of The Obsessed sound, forever stuck in the 70s and thrilled to be there. Wino’s playing is especially sharp and mean here. While no song is without merit, “Jailine” feels like something Unto Others (Untoothers) might have done and it’s a bit too light for my tastes. At 36 minutes and change, Gilden Sorrow is very concise and all too brief. It’s also not an instant kind of album. It requires some time spent letting it marinate your brain meat. I found things a bit underwhelming on the first spin, but with repeat listens the material blossomed and revealed itself. That said, this is a slightly less impactful collection of tunes than what we heard on Sacred and it can be a bit sleepy.

    With only drummer Brian Costantin returning from the Sacred days, Wino assembled a new unit with Jason Taylor on guitar and Chris Angleberger on bass. Wino takes the lead on guitar and his riffing and moody, 70s-centric soloing is as good as ever. The man has always played with great feeling and continues to do so here. His moldy 70s-inflections are everywhere and drench the music in an old-timey, hard-edged vibe. His vocals are still strong and muscular. His lyrics may come across as world-weary but his voice remains vital and angry. I never get tired of his soulful crooning and rougher-edged bellowing and the man exudes an outlaw gravitas just as he did in the 80s.

    I grew up with Wino regaling me with tales of hard living, lost souls, and dark places, and he’s still delivering the same goods. Gilden Sorrow is a fine addition to his catalog though it isn’t as crushing as Sacred. House money is house money though, and I’m going to spin the hell out of this thing in the coming years. You should too. It’s drinking music for olde, unkillable bastards made by the same.

    Rating: 3.0/5.0
    DR: NA | Format Reviewed: Lossless
    Label: Ripple Music
    Websites: facebook.com/theobsessedofficial
    Releases Worldwide: February 16th, 2024

    #2024 #30 #AmericanMetal #BikerDoom #DoomMetal #Feb24 #GildenSorrow #HardRock #Review #Reviews #Sacred #SaintVitus #TheObsessed

  28. The Obsessed – Gilden Sorrow Review

    By Steel Druhm

    Every album we get from Scott “Wino” Weinrich at this stage of his career feels like playing with house money. As a living legend in the American doom scene, Wino had his fingerprints on so much music over the decades that trying to quantify it all can make your head spin. As the founder of early doom act The Obsessed in the 1970s, he helped shape the sound of the genre in America along with Pentagram, Trouble, and Saint Vitus. His time as the frontman for Saint Vitus from 1986 to 1991 was also very influential and albums like Born to Late and V are stone-cold classics. Then there are his Spirit Caravan, The Hidden Hand and Shrinebuilder efforts, and so much more. 2017 was the last time he gifted us with new music from The Obsessed, and as usual with new Wino material, I was very eager to get into it. Gilden Sorrow is about what you expect from Wino at this point. It’s gritty, bluesy 70s hard rock with varying degrees of doom influences seeping in. It’s music for sketchy dive bars and biker clubs where you get hard drinks and cracked molars. That’s what brings Steel to the prison yard.

    Things open with the classic Wino track “Daughter of an Echo.” It’s the kind of rough-hewn 70s rock Wino lives and breathes and his crunchy, fuzzy riffs feel like an old friend back in town with a bottle of pricey bourbon. It sounds like The Obsessed and sometimes like any number of his other projects—tough, stripped-down, and sincere as fuck. In short, it’s exactly what I want from Wino. From there he drags you through the various influences that shaped his sound over the long years. “It’s Not OK” is pissed-off, cynical Wino shaking his fist at the world. The title track is the album centerpiece —an extra doomy plodder with dismal emotions aplenty and a kind of shabby grandiosity that only Wino could pull off. It shares some core DNA with Saint Vitus but it’s distinctly The Obsessed.

    Other highlights include “Realize a Dream,” which is a more urgent, upbeat hard rocker with some signs not everything is bleak in the man’s mindshare these days. It has a subtle Southern rock swagger that reminds of me of early Lynyrd Skynyrd, and that’s always a plus. “Stoned Back to the Bomb Age” is a vintage Wino product full of piss, vinegar, and pruno. I want a whole album of stuff just like this for nights when I need to hit the bottle with ne’er-do-well friends and shady associates. The heavy riffage is a joy and Wino spits some real venom vocally, sharing his disgust with aspects of the modern world. “Wellspring – Dark Sunshine” is also a fine conveyor of The Obsessed sound, forever stuck in the 70s and thrilled to be there. Wino’s playing is especially sharp and mean here. While no song is without merit, “Jailine” feels like something Unto Others (Untoothers) might have done and it’s a bit too light for my tastes. At 36 minutes and change, Gilden Sorrow is very concise and all too brief. It’s also not an instant kind of album. It requires some time spent letting it marinate your brain meat. I found things a bit underwhelming on the first spin, but with repeat listens the material blossomed and revealed itself. That said, this is a slightly less impactful collection of tunes than what we heard on Sacred and it can be a bit sleepy.

    With only drummer Brian Costantin returning from the Sacred days, Wino assembled a new unit with Jason Taylor on guitar and Chris Angleberger on bass. Wino takes the lead on guitar and his riffing and moody, 70s-centric soloing is as good as ever. The man has always played with great feeling and continues to do so here. His moldy 70s-inflections are everywhere and drench the music in an old-timey, hard-edged vibe. His vocals are still strong and muscular. His lyrics may come across as world-weary but his voice remains vital and angry. I never get tired of his soulful crooning and rougher-edged bellowing and the man exudes an outlaw gravitas just as he did in the 80s.

    I grew up with Wino regaling me with tales of hard living, lost souls, and dark places, and he’s still delivering the same goods. Gilden Sorrow is a fine addition to his catalog though it isn’t as crushing as Sacred. House money is house money though, and I’m going to spin the hell out of this thing in the coming years. You should too. It’s drinking music for olde, unkillable bastards made by the same.

    Rating: 3.0/5.0
    DR: NA | Format Reviewed: Lossless
    Label: Ripple Music
    Websites: facebook.com/theobsessedofficial
    Releases Worldwide: February 16th, 2024

    #2024 #30 #AmericanMetal #BikerDoom #DoomMetal #Feb24 #GildenSorrow #HardRock #Review #Reviews #Sacred #SaintVitus #TheObsessed