Ashes To Ashes (Norw) – Cardinal VII (DVS Records) Norwegians Ashes To Ashes have returned with a new album their first for the dutch label DVS Records, their debut from 1998 Shapes Of Spirits was self released, a review of that album is found a few editions back. Shapes Of Spirits is in my mind quite a challenging album to listen to, from progressive wellplayed powermetal to outrageously heavydoom and symphonic elements baked in as well, a great album check it out if you dont have a copy. After have tracked down Cardinal VII quite extensively lately I feel that Ashes To Ashes have progressed a lot since Shapes Of Spirits, there is new ground covered definitely. Gregorian influences, Bombastic powertunes, wonderful orchestral arrangements quite a theatrical sounding album, a bit like King Diamond, Savatage 80s period,Blind Guardian and dark melodic doom metal. The tracklist turns Cardinal VII into a powerhouse package thats for sure, there is quite a few extraplus here but the standouts are the 13 + minutes wonderful doom mourner Sic Transit Gloria Mundi and the madly theatrical New World Obscure, Ashes To Ashes have made a essential release and a disc that will please fans of traditional wellmade metal. Order/info at www.dvsrecords.com mail info@dvsrecords.com Ashes To Ashes Web www.atoa.net

Atomic Bitchwax (US) – Spit Blood (People Like You Rec/Meteor City) Ed Mundells spinoff when MonsterMagnet are taking a break. Atomic Bitchwax have issued their third album Spit Blood, I havent heard their previous efforts but after have heard and read about them in reviews and interviews its been a lot of raving about this powertrio so of course I had expectations but after have turned this disc in and out over the past few weeks, I am dissapointed. There isnt too much that this album offers me Ed and his mates can play that is no question they have a groove and a concept, but the album feels most of the time like a endless jamsession going around in a circle with very few suprises one of them is Get Your Gear a catchy groover with a terrfic hookline definitively the best track on the album and one of the few vocal tracks on the disc. Some parts of the instrumentals have pretty cool psychedelic overdubs but thats it.Mundells guitarwork is pretty distinct something that I missed on the latest MonsterMagnet album. the Magnet hardcore mob will get this album and those who have their previous records but I dont think that Spit Blood will attract new fans for Atomic Bitchwax, overall Spit Blood doesnt kick ass and I find it pretty lame, not even the cosmic bonuscover of Ac/Dcs old buster Dirty Deeds saves it, sad but true. Nice albumcover though. Order at www.peoplelikeyou.de (europe) www.meteorcity.com (us) Bitchwax web bitchhome

Earthride (US) – Taming Of The Demons (Southern Lord) Old school biker doom are the concept for Earthride, a new Maryland band that are the latest signings for Southern Lord. I have been keeping an eye on this unit for quite a few years ever since I first heard about them through the underground channels, in this team there is two players that previously have made an impact skinbasher Eric Little, original drummer for Internal Void and basher for their epic Standing On The Sun and Dave Sherman, former Wretched frontman and Spirit Caravan bassman, the rest of the team is guitarist Kyle VanSteinburg and bassist Joe Ruthvin those are new to me. After have tracked Taming Of The Demons quite extensively lately is this album quite a promising debut, it is old school doom in the vein of Pentagram, early Obsessed, Trouble and Vitus but it is also a dose of Down and some early Motörhead vibes. The tracklist is impressive, extraplus for the pumping opener Volume 10 and the awesome titletrack, a great mourner and a track to play til the demons come home. The only minor problem I have with the disc are Sherms vocals, I know he is a great singer he has proved that in Wretched and Spirit Caravan but here he tries to imitate Lemmy but he ends up sounding like Phil Anselmo, to sound like Lemmy must good old Sherm be under a heavy abuse of vodka and a lot of smoking and he isnt there yet. Taming Of The Demons is not the first release, the band have previously made a self released Ep that came out in 2000. Earthride have been Sherms sidekicks for quite some time but after Spirit Caravans tragic departure are Earthride the mainthing. I just cant get over it that Spirit Caravan have called it a day, one of the best fucking bands on the planet. Earthride isnt a good substitute to ease the pain, but they are damn sure a enjoyable band and their disc is a nice ride down the doombound trail.  Order www.southernlord.com mail southernlord@yahoo.com Earthride Web/Info/News www.earthride.net

Eternal Elysium (Jap) – Share (People Like You Rec/Meteor City) Light that pipe and turn on. Eternal Elysium one of the most fascinating bands coming out of the Japanese scene in the past two three decades have made a new tripping disc for Meteor City/People Like you and for those who are familiar with their previous albums Spiritualized D and their first Faithful knows what this unit are cabable of. Share is after a couple of turns a more spread out and progressive album compare to Spiritualized D not only the tracklist are impressive the production helps to boost up the base. The intro of Shizy and Feel The Beat are uptempo heavy psyched out acid mayhem, the same with Love Is All.Movements and Vibes are the hitsingle of the album, a close to commercial straightforward number very moving and emotional, if this track turns up on the radio I guess that it will be some heavy airplaying. A great track. Waiting for the sun and No Answer is fantastic dark melodic doom metal. In Dogma the band have another stomper a doomy heavy freaked out track with Indian overdubs, the final Fairies Never Sleep is just a psychedelic adventure. The only minus are Machine that have a pretty good groove and are different from the rest of the album, but in my mind the track just dont fit in, it doesnt kick ass and I find the piece a bit lame, Share is offering quality, satisfaction and a load of impressive wellmade psychedelic heavy rock,a modern classic. Order at www.peoplelikeyou.de (europe) and www.meteorcity.com (US) bandinfo www.soybean.co.jp/ee see my recent interview with mainman Yukito at lillie/eternely.html

Generous Maria (Swe) – Command Of The New Rock (Lunasound Rec.) Another great release from Lunasound Recordings, Stuart the labelboss have a excellent taste Backdrafts debut are already a infamous release, the label have also signed Sir Hedgehog one of the best bands to come out of the Canadian woods in a long time, and here is Generous Marias debut Command Of The New Rock a very strong first album from the Gothenburg heavyrockers who previously made a pretty good Ep Strict Nurse and a split on Alone Records. I have spent quite some time so far listening to the disc, backwards and forwards and I find new things for every listen. First of all have Generous Maria made a giant step forwards from Strict Nurse musically, there is heaps better playing here a more dynamic and distinct performance and there is a red line through the whole thing and there is not a dull moment on the album either. Generous Marias strength how I see it are the songs like most of the great bands out there that puts a lot of soul and effort in it instead of jumping on the latest bandwagon. From the opening stomper Big Shiny Limo, the psychedelic aura of A bed at the edge of the universe, the wonderful spirit of Soulflight and the doominess of Bridge Out Of Time is just some of the examples of enjoyment you will find on Command Of The New Rock. Extraplus also for the stunning artwork by Malleus. Command Of The New Rock is a essential album for every fan of well made good sounding heavyrock. Lunasound have made it again. Order at www.lunasoundrecording.com mail info@lunasoundrecording.com GM info at www.riffrock.com/generousmaria mail generousmaria@hotmail.com for more info see my interview with frontman Göran at lillie/genmar.html

Grovjobb (Swe) – Under Solen Lyser Solen (Garageland Rec.) Anyone with a knowledge of the early Swedish heavy prog movement will hear what Grovjobbs (roughwork) major inspiration are coming from bands like Kebnekajse, 30 åriga Kriget (Thirtyyearswar) and Träd Gräs & Stenar, progressive rock of fine quality mixed with folkmusic, mideastern, Indian to mention a few of the rhythms. Under Solen Lyser Solen (Under the sun Shines the sun) are the bands latest offering issued by Garageland Records. I saw them live recently at a local pub in Gothenburg and got blown away by their impressive performance,major thanks to guitarist/Sitarist Jerry Johansson for providing me the disc. Jerry and flutist Simon Krarup Jensen are the mainfigures of the album, backing section Wolfechel and Arold does a great job but Jerry and Simon are bringing this album to a level that is very eyecatching or earcatching should I say. Simons fantastic flutearrangements, he plays like he was born with the flute, a incredible player a kind of a young version of Ian Anderson(J.Tull),just check out Blomkrukans Sång (Flowerpot Song) a +14 minutes mindtripping opus that blows a few cells out of my head a wonderful piece emotional and very sensitive, Jerrys Sitar performance in the title track is also fantastic he is like a young Ravi Shankar, not as fast but a great feel for the instrument, its hard to play a sitar I have tried once and it is too many strings to handle, the rest of the album Resor & Näsor (Travels and Noses) Polkahäst (polkahorse) and Reflection of Ravi is also a incredible delivery in fine artrock style as some people label this kind of rock. Grovjobb have also vibes of the later Swedish heavy prog movement bands like Änglagård and Anekdoten. There is a moody heavy feel over Under Solen..and a fantastic production. So check out this disc, have a listen, close your eyes and dream away to a world far beyond the solar system. Definitely the best instrumental heavy band Sweden can offer right now. Order at go.to/garagelandrecords mail garageland@home.se Grovjobb info listen.to/grovjobb mail grovjobb@telia.com

Honcho (Norw) – Corporate Rock (Waterdragon Rec.) Debut from these Norwegian Rockers who previously have made some noise on Molten Universe II and the comp that I found them the Waterdragon release Volume One where Honcho had the best sound alongside Rise Above signed Retro Kings Grand Magus. Beside material to these the band have also made previously a Ep titled Evil Woman. I have tracked Corporate Rock a dozen times now and I find the album pretty good all over the line, Honcho rocks hard thats for sure but I dont find the red line here, the opening of Grebo Mentor and In The Woods makes me dancing madly backwards definitely my faves on the disc along with Loco Steam a great boogie stomper with nice swing, Dark Tunnel of Love have a great psyched out vibe and the final cracker Snake Eyes makes me move. The rest is good but uninpiring retro to listen to, an average record in my mind. Honcho are at their best when they set for a cosmic boogieride but that isnt happening too much on Corporate Rock. Early Soundgarden, light Grand Magus and The Awesome Machine are the leading lights for this album. Corporate Rock is however a promising kick off, hope that Honcho are able to come up with a more heavier and dynamic concept next time, those 4 tracks mentioned here are a good starting point. Not quite on the same level as Sparzanzas debut, but Waterdragon keep the standard of being one great label for good sounding retrorock.Order at welcome.to/water_dragon info/Honcho News at on.to/honcho mail honcho-norway@usa.net

Josefus (US) – Dead Man aLive (Hookah Rec.) Extremely rare recordings have finally seen the living daylights. Josefus the legendary band from Houston Texas who made one of the best albums to come out of the US underground in the late 1960s Dead Man, a hard outrageously evil looking beast that still today after 33 years causes headaches. Josefus had a short career back in their heydays but thanks to bootleggers, 70s freaks and collectors and various labels have they reached a wider audience, back then it was only the Texas people that knew about them and those who were passing through that spread the word, the band didnt do anything outside of the state. Mainstream had Janis Joplin at the time signed them after their first self-released Lp but instead of push the band they ruined the band and brought them down the drain after the release of their second album. The Josefus tale was over late 1970, later the band tried a few times to return but the circumstances at the time put the band on hold. In 1990 they relased Son Of Dead Man, a limited edition Lp through Paradise Lost Records, and now the band have made a new return and this time they will remain on the scene for quite some time cause this is a serious attempt. Dead Man Alive is divided into 3 parts. Kicking off with a session from 1967 where the origins of what would be Josefus are larming through the wall. Musically it is very affected by the time Pretty Things, Who, Kinks,13^th Floor Elevators that kind of vibe, a excellent recording extraplus for I Love You, pure psychedelic acid mayhem. Next up is a awesome liveperformance from 1969 where the monumental titletrack Dead Man are longer than the album version, it is Josefus answer to Black Sabbaths Black Sabbath one of the most doomiest tracks ever recorded, the rest of the liveshow are a total mindtrip absolutley stunning, incredible sound it is directly from a mastertape so it's a clean outcome. The final set are from 1978 where the band tried to get back but couldnt make it cause of the disco situation that was on at the time, of the three pieces I give my plus to Cosmic Man the only track with a vibe of the early fire from the Dead Man days, the rest is a bit too soft for me. Dead Man Alive is definitely the most rare album to come out this year, please get a hold of this album cause this is a disc that is going to stand the test of time for years on end. In case you missed Dead Man is this album also a good introduction to Josefus. 70s fans will get this, heavyrockfans will get this and those who are looking for a alternative are this disc a perfect choice. A timeless release by a essential band. More info on Josefus check out my huge interview at josefus.html. Order Dead Man Alive and other Josefus stuff at www.josefusmusic.com mail info@josefusmusic.com

Motörhead – Hammered (Spv) The song remains the same, one of the most unconventional bands on the planet strikes back with Hammered. Motörhead celebrates 27 years in the business after have formed as Bastards in 1975. With Lemmy at the helm, former King Diamond skinbasher Mikkey Dee and former Persian Risk 6-stringer Phil Campbell have Motörhead had a stable unit for over a decade now and the albums in this time Bastards, Sacrifice, We are Motörhead for example are well made albums, it is basically Overnight Sensation and March Or Die that I feel are a bit crappy and doesnt have the "headish" rock n´roll tempo. Hammered is another creative album its not a new Bomber or Overkill but it's a damn fine album and a natural follower to the last album We are Motörhead, looking at the lyrical concept Lemmy keep up with times this side of the millennium especially in Brave New World but the most stories are the usual Love and War. Hammered proves that there is still life in the old tank, a simple charming straight ahead rock and roll album, extraplus for the speedbullet Red Raw definitely a new "Burner". For info and news www.imotörhead.com

OJM (Ita) – Heavy (Beard Of Stars) Since the releases of Thunderstorms Sad Symphony, Warheads Sand´son for instance two great pieces of classic doom metal especially the Thunderstorm disc my view of the new Italian breed have reached a new level. UfoMammut and Skywise are two coming bands for example, so I had expectations on OJMs debut Heavy issued by Beard Of Stars another fact is that Italian doomguru Paul Chain are at the production helm,but I am pretty disspointed with Heavy, to face the facts after listening to the disc a dozen times Heavy doesnt kick ass, OJM have the same problem as Atomic Bitchwax they are pretty good players but the disc just becomes a endless jamsession, most of the tracklist are pretty uninspiring to listen to a kind of a scratch on the surface, though there are some stuff that saves the album from being a complete sleeping pill, the best track on the whole album and I wish every track could be like that is the ultimate doomstomper You Come, when that track is coming out its like hearing a different band compare to the rest of the album here is power, here is a dynamic feel and it is outrageously heavy and psychotic, also the cover of The Stooges T.V Eye is pretty functional but the original is better and the last number the instrumental Theorem is also pretty charming with good string arrangements. But if it wasnt for You Come would this album go down the drain, sad but true. Please OJM make it more dynamic next time. Order/Info at www.vinylmagic3.it mail bos@vinylmagic3.it

Pawnshop (Norw) – Cruise O´Matic (Beard Of Stars) Unconventional glamboogie tapping from the Norwegian fjords. Pawnshop is back with a new album on Beard Of Stars, their first Aloha from Return was a pretty charming disc and this one is a natural follower but this one are more straightforward and more intense. Cruise O´Matic is a pretty good ride,fuzzed out guitarwork and a pretty good tracklist, a good package but there is one minor problem I have that is what I have said it tend to be too much glam in some parts here in the vein of Backyard Babies, Hanoi Rocks and Guns N´Roses not my cup of tea, beside that is this album a pretty good piece, there is 2 pieces that differs Coma Cluster a more psyched out heavytrip and the final Living Zombie a more moody melancholic piece, my faves on the disc. I wouldnt reckon Pawnshop on the same level as fellow countrymen cosmic doomsters Gate 9 but they sure have a good concept -straightforward adrenaline boogierock, my hopes for the next album is to skip the glamparts and focus on a more dymanic sound that would make Pawnshop a much better band. Order at www.vinylmagic3.it mail bos@vinylmagic3.it Bandinfo www.pawnshop.no

Penance (US) – Alpha & Omega (Martyr Music Group) Jesus, I have been waiting for 3 years, 3 long years for a new Penance album. Ever since the 1999 self released masterpiece Proving Ground that still knocks out a few cells in my head have my patience almost runned out, luckily an Ep Turn For The Worse came last year as a taster for this album and those 4 killer tracks are featured here, that stilled my hunger and since Alpha & Omega arrived in the mailbox I have been under a heavy Penance overdose again, for those who have heard it and got it read the next one and for those who have the previous Penance albums but not this one and for newcomers read on. Alpha & Omega is the first album for a label since 1994 (!) when Penance released the masterpiece Parallel Corners for Century Media, in my mind one of the most stunning albums released in the mid-90s and one of the best in that decade. A heavy psyched out doomy beast. A lot of water have flowed under the bridge since then of that lineup it is only Mike Smail and Terry Weston left. The lineup of Penance today is the best lineup ever in my mind. Since Proving Ground the band have got bassplayer Mary Bielich and second guitarist Matt Tuite, frontman Butch Balich came onboard in 1997. Martyr Music Group have made a lot of good things for Penance so far and the band needs it cause I have been waiting for the break for a decade since Rise Above relased the debut The Road Less Travelled, and judging by the tracklist here have Penance made their most progressive album so far, compare to the last album for example Proving Ground that had maximum doominess and so far the heaviest album from the Pittsburgh doomsters. There is a massive wall of intense classic vintage doom metal here too, just check out stuff like the opening uptempohits Wizards Of Mind and New Machine, slow mourners like Misery Song and Love Dies,old school Saint Vitus/Pentagram/Trouble doom, there is also some wonderful melancholia and moodiness in stuff like Eden Fallen and Drown Me In A Sea Of Empty and the emotional nervebreaking epical monsterhit See The Light that gives me goosebumbs. Frontman Butch Balichs vocal performance are close at times to a young Blackie Lawless (WASP) and the musical performance are heavy, intense and stunning. Chris Kozlowski the infamous producer is responsible for the first 5 tracks on the album and the rest is from Turn For The Worse. On the album Penance are helped out by digiridoo (m) player Duane Dandy who adds a psychotic and mystical vibe to the album. Alpha & Omega is a masterpiece I have no other way to put it. For everyone into classic heavydoom, heavyrock and alternative are this album a perfect choice, I am damn sure that you will dig it. Order at www.martyrmusicgroup.com Penance Web/info/News www.penancemusic.com

Teeth Of Lions Rule The Divine(US/UK) - Rampton (Southern Lord) In the last review section I tracked down Sun O)))´s latest album. The duo behind it Stephen O´Malley and Greg Anderson doesnt spare the gunpowder, here they are in a new project Teeth Of Lions Rule The Divine like Sun O))) also released by Southern Lord. Stephen and Greg have this time teamed up with fellow brittish doomsters Lee Dorrian and Justin Greaves of Cathedral and Iron Monkey fame. Along with the infamous Billy Anderson at the productionhelm have they created an album that I would consider a classic piece of morbid, devestating mournful doom . Here is 3 tunes spinning over a playingtime for almost an hour. My first impression when I heard Rampton are the references to the first Cathedral demos that came out around 1990 extremely slow depressive and suicidal but there is more to it, Rampton feels very intensive at the same time and it is enjoyable to listen to, Dorrians lyrical themes is a trip out in the cosmic centerfield and the performance on Rampton makes this disc into a memorable experience, here is wonderful wellplayed doom, cosmic escapades, various great noises and insanity here and there. This is music for the mourners and for the masses. For more info check out the interview with Stephen at lionsdiv.html. Rampton are recommended. Order at www.southernlord.com mail southernlord@yahoo.com

Thumb (Austr) – Strange Kept Plain (Thumb Publishing) Second self released album from this Aussie trio, Strange Kept Plain is my first meeting with Thumb and after have plugged the album quite a few times over the past few weeks I am not dissapointed with the performance here but I am not thrilled either. The Ewing brothers and drummer Chase are good musicians that is no question, but I am a bit pussled over the concept that Strange Kept Plain have, I would like to say a combination of heavy alternative rock and progressive melancholia that is the best description I can give to this album, Strange Kept Plain are spread out here is uptempo heaviness in Feeling Alright, Behringer and Heaven In You but the most part are more or less in the same direction of TOOL, Nirvana and Kings X and a few hints from Sixteen HorsePower, one of my fave bands from the alternative scene, Strange Kept Plain are pretty functional to listen to there is a few suprises along the way but sometimes the band gets a bit lost in the creativity that lacks a bit of power in the performance but overall are Strange Kept Plain an album with a difference that is the main thing with it, its definitely a piece to check out. Order/info at get.to/thumb mail abewing@bigpond.com

By Gabriel Lilliehook