Review: Bandcamp / Soundcloud Round-Up pt 5

Haven't done one of these for a while! This round-up has a heavy tinge to it this time.

First up is a doom / sludge band from The Philippines called Hateure, and they are in here for two very good reasons....primarily because they are good!! but also because two of the members (brothers Ronnel and Ronaldo Vivo) are also in The Insektlife Cycle, reviewed earlier in the week as part of the Fruits de Mer 'Friends of the Fishes' singles...small world eh? Hateure have just released their 'Body & Soil' EP and jolly good it is too. I do like a bit of doom, but good doom...there are many bands who think by downtuning their guitars, hanging onto a note and growling they are a doom band, but good doom can elicit some sort of reaction from the listener. 'Body & Soil' starts with the title track which, to be fair, has more of a post-rock thing going on, still decent. The remaining two tracks; 'Reptilian Blues' and 'Koleoptera' are crushingly good examples of what can be done within the genre...the former being anthemic in length and atmosphere and the second just destroying everything in it's path. Like I said I like good doom....I need look no further. The EP can be found and purchased at the band's Bandcamp page...and for a bargain price of $4.



Next up are a couple of beauties from Who Can You Trust? records. First up is 'Evoke' by Pastor, and never has an album title been more apposite....this is straight up seventies hard rock and will no doubt evoke memories of denim and patchouli in more...mature?...readers. It is a cracking album...groove laden and heavy riffs, plenty of boogie rock and the vocals are straight from the seventies...they've taken everything good from that era and updated for the 21st century - rock solid drums, some fab solos and raw riffs - and managed not to sound cliched....great stuff! 'Evoke' can be purchased via the Who Can You Trust? Bandcamp page or the label's website shop . Pre-orders are up for the vinyl LP, released August 17th.

Also coming from WCYT? is a nice little compilation titled 'Sweet Times Vol 4' comprising of 4 tracks from different artists, and is another belter. It will be released as a 7" on August 17th. Pushy's 'I'll Be Gentle' is another seventies tinged rocker, sounding almost glam at times, and is raunchy and dirty! 'Axid Rain' by Comet Control is a fuzzy, noisy psych number...almost bordering on heavy shoegaze. Older Sun give us 'You Better Think About It' and takes us firmly back into the seventies, but this time with a more grungy, garage feel. 'Fuck's Sake' by Over-Gain Optimal Death is my favourite.....loud, fast, heavy with plenty of fuzz and distortion and some great vocals...garage punk and roll at it's best. If this 7", along with Pastor, is a small example of what WCYT? have to offer then it's a label that warrants serious further investigation. 'Sweet Times' can be got via the bandcamp page or the WCYT? website shop.

Plastic Castle are a jam/psych/bluesy band from the City Of Angels. They have just released a teaser track from their upcoming EP 'Bedouin'. 'Black Hole Boogie' has some nice psych / bluesy guitar and a definite 'boogie' feel about it, and maybe a hint of the Night Tripper himself, Dr John. The track is played with some aplomb. The EP is released on August 1st and I'd be interested in checking that out. The band's Bandcamp page also has some live material and Plastic Castle can obviously cut it live.