W2TS Free 98 Page PDF. 1331 Music List, Art, Poems By Stu Tovell

Been a while since I wrote the novella 'Blood Stained Mask' which was published over a year ago now.

I wanted to put something fun together, so I have updated the 616 weird and wonderful record list to now number 1331 !

I threw in some updated articles I wrote years ago on performance art, the human condition and the pioneers of recording and electronic music.

Added a few bits of my surreal poetry and loads of pictures.

Enjoy, feel free to share the link around as much (or as little) as you want. 

Sample pages:

 GET FREE PDF HERE:

W2TS PDF

Misty Grey - Chapter II (CD Review)

01. Spellbound
02. Strangers On A Train
03. Psycho
04. Rebecca
05. Frenzy
06. The Wrong Man
07. Among The Dead

Juan (Guitar)
Javi (Drums)
Robin (Bass)
Bea (Vocals)

Spanish group Misty Grey have tried to capture their passion for classic doom metal and it would seem the movies of Alfred Hitchcock for their latest album.

The band formed back in 2011 from the ashes of ‘Simon Del Desierto’ a doom band with a passion for the surrealist Luis Bunuel.

The ideas of film inspired music continued and with their original vocalist Malicia, they released a self titled album in 2016, song titles included ‘High Noon’ and ‘Dead Zone’. Earlier releases were a mixture of movie inspired songs and cover versions from some of their influences including ‘Pentagram’ and ‘Witchfinder General’.

With new vocalist ‘Bea’ they have set out to create an entire album with a single movie theme, in case you are thinking that “Hitch” never did a film called ‘Among The Dead’ it is in fact the title of the book that ‘Vertigo’ is based on.

What do we get by way of tribute to Mr Hitchcock?
Well seven slabs of amazing sounding proto-doom meets occult Psychedelia, superbly executed growling fuzzed out guitar playing, pounding bass and drums.

Very much in that early 1970’s style, not the clinical modern doom or some death growled funeral style, this all flows, yes it has the classic rhythms but with hints of heavy metal, classic rock and psychedelic rock all carefully added.

As to the vocal style, it is haunting, dare I say almost witch like, evil yet seductive.
My personal favourite is ‘Frenzy’, one of the albums slower tracks, great guitar work and then slows down enough to allow an exceptional vocal performance to ring out, full of menace and suspense.

Rating 9/10
For fans of: Blood Ceremony, Purson, Electric Wizard, Pentagram  

The Sabbathian - Latum Alterum (CD Review)

01. Requiem…
02. The Brightest Light
03. Liti Kjersti
04. Head Of A Traitor
05. One Night Of Cruelty
06. Embrace The Dark
07. Evig Hvile Libera Me…

Anette Uvaas Gulbrandsen (Vocals)
Joey Downs (Guitars)
Chad Davis (Guitars/Bass/Drums)

Guest
Liv Kristine (Vocals)

 US-Norwegian project The Sabbathian, formed by Chad Davis (Hour of 13) and Anette Uvaas Guldbrandsen (Nàttsòl), released their debut EP Ritual Rites on Svart Records in 2014.
Their debut album is scheduled for release on January 25th on LP, digital and limited double CD (including Ritual Rites EP on CD for the first time).
The album is a considerably darker affair compared to the EP, a step away from the origins of doom metal and towards the heavier sounds of bands such as Bathory or Candlemass.
Vocalist Anette describes the album thus: "The overall theme can be described as slightly morbid, as it is very much about passing over to the other side - latum alterum. The odd one out is the song Embrace The Dark, which retains the sound of the EP.”

Well after the first play of what seemed to be a stunning mix of epic symphonic doom mastery I completely forgot to write any notes, so looks like I shall have to play it again and try to avoid just cranking up the volume and enjoying this quite so much.

With an intro that sounds like something ‘Clannad’ would produce we are then lead into
‘The Brightest Light’ which has this raw and alive sound of guitar and drums at full volume pounding out this superb Doom laden wall of energy. Then cutting through this is just the most amazing melancholic and beautiful vocal.
This absolute perfect mix of energy and melody continues track after track.

‘Embrace The Dark’ has a much darker feel, very “occult psych” in it’s stunning delivery and then the final song also gives us a slightly different sound, symphonic goth doom perhaps? I’m not sure but it’s as amazing as every other track.

To be honest you can tag this with whatever genre you want to as long as the tag says AWESOME!

I have listened to a lot of music that’s calls itself Doom, Occult Rock etc over the years and this is by far the best I have heard.

Rating 10/10
For Fans Of: Coven, Alunah, Blood Ceremony, Devil’s Blood, Lucifer, Death Penalty

Chalice - Chalice EP (Cassette Review)

01.Witchfynder
02.Gaudete
03.Merlin's Lament
04.Raise Your Chalice


Joshua
John
Matthew
Hagthorn


Traditional heavy/doom metal band from the misty mountains of Vermont, there is little information on them, in fact i recieved none at all and their facebook page was no help either, still this is a limited edition cassette release of just 95 copies from the 'War On All Fronts' label.

Coming out with some pure NWOBHM sounding music on 'Witchfynder', solid riffs, pounding drums and some quality screaming vocals.

'Gaudete' is a mixture of neo pagan folk and NWOBHM doom, beautiful vocals really make this one something a bit special.

At 11 minutes 'Merlins Lament' starts with a slow and simple guitar strum, soon turning into another occult/folk song, the heavy side of things is more up to date, a crushing but melodic heavy metal workout that towards the end borderlines some proto thrash.

Finally a symphonic beginning greets 'Raise Your Chalice', this one is reminiscent of early 70's guitar lead rock blending the power of say Blackmore and the dual guitar sounds of early wishbone ash, then somehow ends up like Judas Priest.

Totally brilliant little EP, sure they are looking back for their influences but have produced a solid modern heavy metal record (err sorry tape).
One to look out for this year.

Rating 10/10
For fans of: Amulet, Blood Ceremony, Cathedral, Crystal Viper, The Oath

FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/ChaliceMetal

Albez Duz - The Coming Of Mictlan (CD Review)

01.Heaven´s Blind
02.Fire Wings
03.Mictlan
04.Feathered Snake
05.Drowned
06.Servants Of Light
07.Twist In My sobriety


Impurus (Instruments)
Alfonso Brito Lopez (Vocals)

German occult/doom band formed in 2002 by Impurus initally as a side project to his other band 'Dies Ater'.Eventually in 2009 it became a full time band.
The blurb from the record company says:
"Accordingly diversified are the influences Albez Duz assimilates for their unique Occult Doom Rock: early Paradise Lost, Tiamat and My Dying Bride provide for a melancholic yet powerful felling whereas bands like Pink Floyd, Hawkwind or Black Widow were the inspiration for the spiritual impact. The band considers itself as unity that consequently abstains from any names and rather focuses on their artistic performance than on image and personality cult. Albez Duz is not about being innovative at any cost but about bridging towards the past, a path back to instinctiveness and the picking up of a nostalgic atmosphere".


The opening song 'Heaven's Blind' is an ambient and atmospheric composition of simple sound effects, drum and spoken word and haunting backing vocals.

'Fire Wings' on the other hand is a modern gothic doom workout, heavy riffs and pounding drums, layered keyboards and a vocal reminiscent of Peter Steel.

With some epic heavy organ playing 'Mictlan' has an almost late 1960's proto doom feel.
Again with the vocals and you cannot help but draw that Peter Steel comparison again, especially when the music picks up the pace its "Type O", great psych guitar solo and some swirling synth thrown in as well, this one pretty much has everything you could want!

'Feathered Snake' offers more of the same and then comes the very floydian 'Drowned' almost the opening chords to wish you were here, but this is darker and nothing short of stunning!

Weird synth sounds for 'Servants Of Light', give way to tortured screams, huge drum sound and then a full on heavy rock riff comes in and takes the music in a different direction for a while before down turning into a slow doom laden piece complete with a sitar.

You know for years i always thought that Tinata Tikaram's goth folk song 'Twist In My Sobriety' could be turned into a heavy doom song and now they have done it, and yes it is bloody epic!!!

Rating 10/10
For fans Of: Type O Negative, Cathedral, My Dying Bride, Tiamat, Blood Ceremony

Majestic Downfall & The Slow Death - Split Album (CD review)

Majestic Downfall
01.The Dark Lullaby
02.Renata
03.Obsidian

Jacobo Córdova (All instruments)


The Slow Death
04.Criticality Incident I
05.Criticality Incident II
06.People Like Me

Stuart Prickett (Guitar/keyboards/Vocals)
Mandy Andresen (Vocals/keyboards)
Gregg Williamson (Vocals)
Yonn McLaughlin (Drums)
Brett Campbell (Guitar)
Dan Garcia (Bass)


So split album means i have to mess with my usual layout for reviews, here goes..
Majestic Downfall

After playing for more than 10 years in Mexico´s ANTIQUA, a Death/Doom band that toured

all over the country. Jacobo decided to part ways with the band in august 2006 and form a new Doom Metal project that would be a One Man journey to recapture the feeling of the 90s European Doom Metal scene, while mixing it with some more modern Doom Metal overtones.

'The Dark Lullaby' mixes death metal vocal with doom/stoner guitar to create a 13 minute song laden with melodic riffs and doomy powerchords, the pace is quite upbeat for a doom song, the same applies to 'Renata'.

'Obsidian' at times is more full on death metal with frantic drumming and riffs over screaming vocals, the song has some nice breakdowns in the mix over some sludge chords.

Rating 8/10
For Fans Of: Wolvserpent, Serpetine Path, Dread Sovereign


The Slow Death

Australian band formed in 2007 by Stuart Prickett, Mandy Andresen (Ex Murkrat)and Gregg Williamson as a doom/death recording project. The first self titled cd was recorded and released in 2008 to good reviews. In 2010 Yonn Mclaughlin joined as drummer and the second album recordings began. 'II' was again, self released in April 2012. In November 2012 Dan Garcia and Brett Campbell joined the band, and writing of the 3rd album was completed.

Opening like an old Pink Floyd track 'Criticality Incident I' is a melodic prog epic, stunning and haunting vocals from Mandy, the drums keep the slow doom pace, matched by the solemn guitars, then this dark evil male vocal kicks in, after which the pace suddenly picks up to create some awesome prog metal sounds.

'Criticality Incident II' opts for a more traditional doom sound, but with some symphonic keyboards mixed in, again it is the vocals which really stand out.

'People Like Me' has a dark psychedelic/doom vibe, beautiful sounds come through the speakers, real quality from this band!

Rating 10/10
For Fans Of: Blood Ceremony, Purson, Coven, Cathedral, Bloody Hammers

Blood Ceremony - The Eldritch Dark (CD Review)

01.Witchwood
02.Goodbye Gemini
03.Lord Summerisle
04.Ballad Of The Weird Sisters
05.The Eldritch Dark
06.Drawing Down The Moon
07.Faunus
08.The Magician


Alia O'Brien (Vocals/Flute/Organ)
Sean Kennedy (Guitar)
Lucas Gadke (Bass)
Michael Carrillo (Drums)

Canadian doom metal band formed in 2006, their "flute tinged witch rock" harking back to late 60's occult band's Coven and the early 70's british band Saturnalia, mixed with the early doom of Black Widow and the folk of Jethro Tull has made them quite unique.

Since the release of their highly acclaimed 2011 album, Living With the Ancients, Blood Ceremony has been recognised as an internationally regarded live act. Having played main support to Ghost on the majorly successful '13 Dates of Doom' US tour, they concluded their debut headline European tour with a sell-out show in London.

After these live performances, Blood Ceremony enclosed themselves within a dank, tomb-like chamber to begin preparations for their third album. After a mind-numbing spell in the analogue womb of Toronto's ProGold Studios, the band is now ready to unveil their newest, and most accomplished, musical offering: The Eldritch Dark.

Recorded and mixed by producer Ian Blurton (Cauldron, Cursed) and mastered by Canadian recording legend Nick Blagona (Deep Purple, Rainbow, Crazy World of Arthur Brown), The Eldritch Dark is a full-length paean to the darker corners of folklore and legend. Containing eight tracks of black magic rock 'n' roll, the album crackles with the excitement of a nocturnal ritual.

Tales of witch-cult gatherings in wooded glens, pacts made in torch-lit abbeys and Victorian magic are accompanied by vintage-style hard rock riffs, snaking bass lines and stirring flute melodies.

The Eldritch Dark also sees the band exploring a more folkier side of their sound; most evident in the hymn-like 'Lord Summerisle' and the murderous early Fairport Convention tinged folk-rock epic 'Ballad Of The Weird Sisters'.

'Goodbye Gemini' is almost psychedelic bringing to mind Jefferson Airplane, similar in style is 'Drawing Down The Moon' where the Doors seem to be jamming with Tony Iommi.
19th century sorcerer, Oliver Haddo, makes a return appearance in the riff-hypnotic album
closer 'The Magician' an 8 minute epic worthy of any Jethro Tull fans attention.

Rating 10/10

For Fans Of : Purson, Black Widow, Jethro Tull, Coven, Fuchsia

Purson - The Circle And The Blue Door (CD Review)

01.Wake Up Sleepy Head
02.The Contract
03.Spiderwood Farm
04.Sailor's Wife's Lament
05.Leaning On A Bear
06.Tempest And The Tide
07.Mavericks And Mystics
08.Well Spoiled Machine
09.Sapphire Ward
10.Rocking Horse
11.Tragic Catastrophe

Rosalie Cunningham (Vocals/Guitar)
George Hudson (Guitar)
Samuel Shove (Organ/Mellotron/Wurlitzer)
Barnaby Maddick (Bass)
Jack Hobbs (Drums)

Rosalie Cunningham is an English singer-songwriter who started in the band Ipso Facto in 2007 who released a number of records till they split in 2009.

Cunningham has also been working with other bands such as Magazine as a backing vocalist, appearing on stage with them on tours and the BBC Electric Proms and on Later... with Jools Holland.
She also played keyboards from January to May 2010 with These New Puritans on their tours of the album, Hidden.

In 2011 she formed the self styled "Vaudeville Carny Psych" band Purson and began working on recordings and playing gigs, though she found time in 2012 to play guitar with Willy Moon, as the support act for Jack White's UK tour.

This album has presented me with a number of problems, im not usually short of things to say, but such is the complexity and damn right brilliance of this work that im not sure what else to say!

I have seen a few other reviews of this and often seen Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple mentioned, not sure why really maybe because their is an old keyboard sound or perhaps the folk element present in some of the songs?

Sure as hell isnt for any other reason, i mean here is an album released in 2013 that sounds like it was made 40 years ago, so its not so much a new album looking back but in some weird twist of time related weirdness an album from 1973 that is looking forward.

From the opening of 'Wake Up Sleepy Head' with its haunting vocals, sweet acoustic guitar and what sounds like a flute blended with organ and wurlitzer, which then leads into a Hawkwind-ish bass line for the next song 'The Contract', its all mellow and purely in that classic acid-folk genre as bands like Tudor Lodge, Comus, The Trees etc.

Heavy freak out guitarwork and keyboards greet 'Spiderwood Farm' this one rubs shoulders with Coven, Saturnailia and Savage Rose.
Then comes the whimsical 'Sailor's Wife's Lament' very reminiscent of Sandy Denny and the kind of thing All About Eve tried to achieve with their Martha's Harbour ep many years ago.

The next song is the most commercially accessible (hence the video release) called 'Leaning On A Bear' its like Shocking Blue jamming with Curved Air.

'Tempest And The Tide' rocks a folkish vibe with a degree of etheral strangeness Pentangle meets Atomic Rooster perhaps?

For 'Mavericks And Mystics' the vocal reminds me of an old King Crimson song, whilst the music could be early Tyrannosaurus Rex.The bit at the end is weird just throwing in a touch of Fifty Foot Hose.

I recognise a Doors keyboard riff running through 'Well Spoiled Machine' and some Jefferson Airplane in the songs overall concept.

'Sapphire Ward' has a funky rock feel, definately a touch of Jill Seward (Fusion Orchestra) fronting early Judas Priest.

More haunting sounds for 'Rocking Horse', great vocals and some amazing phased instrumentation.

Ending with 'Tragic Catastrophe' that occult-psych feel returns.
Perhaps more importantly the title sums up my attempts to review this with any real clarity!?

Rating 10/10

For Fans Of (Every band i have mentioned in the review) AND : The Devils Blood, Jex Thoth, Blood Ceremony


FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/pursontheband