The band sHEAVY formed in St Johns Newfoundland,Canada in 1993 as Green Machine which the band later found out the name was already taken by another band.So they opted for the name sHEAVY instead.It started as a band that played around with some Kyuss covers and a few originals.They recorded two demo tapes Reproduction E.P. & Slaves To Fashion in 94-95 and the Dalas tar 7" also came out in 1995.It was also the same year they recorded Blue Sky Mind.After this they signed a 3 album deal with Rise Above records.It was in the summer of 1997 "The Electric Sleep" album was recorded.The reviews for this album in the UK were saying "the best Black Sabbath album in 25 years." This was a great time for sHEAVY they played at the Dynamo festival in the Netherlands.In 1999 the band recorded "Celestial HiFi" in Ren the drummer's parents workshop.This was a great album with the epic doom anthem "Tales from the Afterburner".And then in 2001 the band found themselves in Alberta,Canada and all the way to Belgium to record "Synchronized" which is another great album with a alot of fast punchy grooves! songs about fast cars and whatnot "Firebird 350" etc.This was the last album with original founder/member Ren Squires who silently stepped back.It took a few years for the band to pick up again, but i saw them play live in 2003 here in Moncton and caught the whole set on VHS.the line-up at this show was a rare one and hasn't really been documented as an official lineup. And then in came Kevin Dominic on drums and Tommy Bolin on guitars then "Republic?" was recorded in 2005 along with a live dvd filmed at the Masonic Temple in Newfoundland.Two years later in 2007 "The Machine that won the war" was released.And amazing concept album based on the science fiction book of the same name.It also came with a live dvd concert which is amazing,In 2009 longtime founder/member Dan Moore resigned from his position as guitarist,but not before leaving a contribution to the album the band was in the works of recording at the moment.In 2010 the band issued to albums ''The Golden Age of Daredevils'' & ''Disfigurine''.The band is still rocking hard and also fans of sHEAVY should check out Dan Moores other band Wizards of Kaos.
The band Tchort were from Toronto,Canada and formed sometime in 1992.This band always stayed obscure and even in Canada they were a rare sight to see.Their sound was pretty much a blend of space stoner cosmic doom with some minute elements of alternative/grunge and traditional metal influences.Something the band was known for is their writing abilities to never use the same riffs in a song to much.So in 1992 the first Tchort demo was recorded entitled "Unwritten Doctrines".Also in the early days the band went with a longer name "Tchort the family mantis" in 1996 they recorded the first full length "Nightside of Eden" under this moniker.2 years later "The heavens are showing the glory of Tchort" came out.The band played extensively live for years even prior to this.It was after 1999 when "Love Metal/Government Issue Rock n' Roll" came out the band started playing shows around here in the maritimes.Each time they came i missed them which kinda irks me but ohh well...what can you do ? haha Anyway discovering this band is something a rather invigorating experience, each time you listen you notice new things you hadn't noticed there before.I still remember when much music used to air the "Handsome Gruesome" video.I have this taped on a vhs tape here somewhere lol. still hoping someone will upload this to youtube one day.Anyway here is the video i made to "Ace of Shrooms" from the Nightside album also check out the myspace page.Should also be noted that this band broke up not long after releasing their last ep "Government Issue Rock n' Roll vol 2" in 2002.The Remaining members Nick, Leslie and Mike went on to form the band The Illuminati.The Illuminati broke up in 2006.Lead singer Eric "Tchort" Couke is know known as Ash Lee Blade and still performs with his 80s style metal band under this name.Also worth checking out!
Orchard was formed in late 2007 in Sackville NB,Canada inspired by bands such as Kyuss,Sleep and Cathedral.The original lineup was Marcel B. - Vocals,Bruce Zwicker - Drums,Kyle Arsenault - Bass and Sylvain Francoeur - Guitars.There were many practices during this lineup and songs started taking structure fast,i was there for a few jams and engineered their first recording,pretty soon we were talking about me joining in on second guitar.We tried this out once and i found the songs structures on guitar a bit to advanced for me,though i was certain i could pull the vocals off.As the band covered "Utopian Blaster" by Cathedral and me being a longtime Cathedral fanatic they eventually parted with Marcel and took me in as singer.It was in 2008 that we made the recordings with my cousin Ian Ryan of Slough of Despond days as engineer.Things didn't go all that great with the recording, there were a few complications and we did the best we could with what we had to work with.The end result was really poorly mixed and uploaded on myspace anyway and it did get us some notability.In February of 2009 we played the first and last show with Orchard,not really knowing it was gonna be our last.Though the show that nite had went down extremely well for us,our plays on the myspace player went up a considerable amount and there was a buzz going around the Orchard name for a bit.Bruce and i had done a interview with Earthdog promotions (aka Doommantia) prior to doing the show.Well its really sad to say that Orchard didn't live on to make a full length album as tensions with members arose and a spiraling demise was evident.Bruce and i have continued on playing doom metal with Father,while Sylvain went on to join his cousins band Dischord and Kyle played with These Colors Bled.Recently i put the songs through a small editing process cleaned up what i could and added bass and compression to the mix.I think it turned out ok definitely better then the first mixes so i updated the myspace with the new revamped tracks.Here is a video i made with pictures of the show we played and the song Ride through the decay.
Alright folks a lot has to be said about Cathedral,as some of you know this year will be the last year for Cathedral playing live.After being a band for 22 years the band has decided to call it quits.With 9 studio albums and a handful of ep's and singles the UK doomsters have had quite a prolific career as pioneers of doom metal.I remember hearing Cathedral in around late 1993 for the very first time.The video single for "Midnight Mountain" used to air alongside Monster Magnet's "Twin Earth" on Much Music's Power Hour and i remember really digging it then, i just didn't know where to get this music from at the time being only 13.It was only years later in around 1997 when the "Supernatural Birth Machine" album came out.I read a review of the album in Exclaim a free publication news paper here in Canada.All i remembered and thought to myself,this was the band that i used to sing along to their disco doom style video on tv.So i then proceeded to go out and buy this new album,this is where my interest in collecting and discovering doom metal bands started.I got my friend who was a long time fan since Cathedral started to sell me some of his Cathedral stuff.I basically got all the early stuff that i was missing and after that point i followed and bought each album they released.It also should be mentioned that they opened many doors musically for me.From reading Gaz' cosmic vibes list of obscure 70's proto doom bands, i made it my mission to discover each one of these bands.Each album that i got of Cathedral was always an exciting experience,because i would always want to examine the Dave Patchett artwork while listening to the album.I found that it made listening to the album an experience one doesn't forget so easily.The band has also been a metamorphosing entity right from it's inception in early 1990 to this day.There had been quite a few lineup changes and collaborations over the years,working with names like Pentagram,Trouble,Venom and Repulsion members.In the late/mid 90's they started writing songs based on some of their favorite cult horror movies mostly Hammer horror movies like Witchfinder General and Italian horror trilogy Tombs of The Blind Dead.Some other movies like Planet of the apes and Captain Clegg were also points of inspiration for Cathedral's evolving sound.Since 93' Cathedral had always wanted to produce an album like a YES album,colorful and progressively orientated.It was on 2006 "Garden of Unearthly Delights" and mostly 2010 "The Guessing Game" they finally achieved this concept in my opinion.Both albums were released on Nuclear Blast USA and was a little bit more prog oriented as their previous albums.Last year the band celebrated a 20th year anniversary with two sets @ 02 Academy Islington (London) the first set of which they played the first album with original recording line-up, a second set followed up with current line up.As it stands today from what i read Scott Carlson of Repulsion is back on bass to finish up the last few shows with the band and a new album is in the works for 2012.Until then i will anticipate the release of this last album and i am utterly grateful for having discovered this timeless doom band.Listening to Cathedral broadened my horizons up, from getting into acid folk to 70s proto metal and nwobhm.I am ultimately blessed to have heard their music growing up.And i will cherish my collection until my death,until then i will keep on blasting the utopian sludge.Eventually i will dedicate a whole program on my Doomedimension Radio show as a tribute and celebration to this long lasting UK band.I will make a announcement of this once i organize everything,for 4 hours or more i will try to encompass the whole discography as well as the various rareties and singles.Also as i am posting this last nite was Cathedral's last show in America @ mdf 2011 hopefully we will get to see some decent footage of the doom masters laying down the concrete soonish.I only wish i could have had the chance to see this splendid & majestical band live once, but travelling outside of Canada has always been quite impossible for me to afford.Also was hoping to catch Pentagram in August in NY, but if i couldn't to go to Maryland to see the mighty Cathedral i sure hells cant afford to go to NY to see the mighty Ram's head!! such a doleful feeling knowing that i am missing out so i will end the post with my video edit of Night of the Seagulls.
Slough of Despond formed around late 1997 in Cap-Pele New Brunswick,Canada.The band idea came together when me and a few highschool friends wanting to play psychedelic doom metal in the vein of Cathedral and early Electric Wizard.Got together and started jamming on original material.In November of 1998 we recorded our first 4 track demo with local friend and musician Claude "Krall" Doiron.In 1999 another recording session was done with just me and drummer Ian Ryan we recorded and mixed this session ourselves.Later these songs were added with the 98 November session and named "November's Grief demos 98-99".Unfortunately Slough of Despond was short lived and never played any shows.there was a show with Necropolis that we were supposed to do but it never happened for us.Not long after this the band fell apart one attempt was made in 2000 to reform but didn't work out.Again in 2007 i took decision to reform the band with new members and new sound,with no avail this was a complete disaster.The band again was booked for a show that we didn't play.therefor it was Doomed to begin with another chapter in Slough of Despond history closed.There is still a myspace site with the early demos up and running,you can find the link here at the bottom of the blog page.This is a video Ian and i edited just a few years ago with scenes of Tales from the Crypt's Demon Knight of our song Dragonslayer!!
Necropolis was from right here in NB Canada and formed sometime around early 1997.Featuring my childhood friends Joe and Dale and myself on bass with Seb on drums.The early stages of Necropolis was mostly a thrash speed metal oriented sound.Heavy influences from both Slayer and Sepultura could be clearly heard.We played the first show together at Noise Fest 98.Soon not long after that event the recordings for Destined Regrets began,eventually i was given leave before adding bass tracks and started focusing on my doom band Slough of Despond.Paul who played guitar in Slough of Despond respectfully filled the the bass spot for Necropolis and played in both bands.After the album was finished cd's were made and the band started playing more shows.Some of the bands they played with were local band Earth A.D. and Initial Distrust and later a metal fest in Halifax NS with Quebec technical thrash metallers Martyr.This created a local buzz around the band and a certain mystique around the band name.Everywhere in the local scene people where talking about Necropolis.Eventually the band evolved their sound into a Machine Head type sound and recorded a second demo in this style which was never released.Over the last few years since 2007 Dale and i have been archiving as much stuff as we can and i have helped put together a myspace page and a facebook group page.So here we are 14 yrs later Dale & Joe are still playing in a band called Red Savannah!
In the early mid 90s in a small part of England sprouted a doom metal band called Blessed Realm.Back in early 97 around when i started listening and making my own research on unknown doom metal bands,Blessed Realm was a named that invoked a certain air of mystique and drab gloominess that i certainly approved of.The idea for Blessed Realm came about in mid 1993. Three friends Steve( now Kat), Garry and Johnny from the middle of nowhere North-Eastern England town of Spennymoor had a mutual love for heavy doom metal-doomrock bands such as Saint Vitus,Trouble,The Obsessed,Pentagram,Candlemass,Revelation,Penance,Stillborn,Cathedral etc.and decided that they wanted to play heavy music influenced by bands such as that,Michael (Steve's younger brother) completed the line up in 1994 wihch was Steve Gillham(Vocals) , Michael Gillham (Drums) , Johnny Sugden (Guitar) and Garry Sugden (Bass).The band recorded a handful of demos and played as openers for such bands as Solstice(UK),Rise and Shine(SWE),Cathedral(UK),Mourn(UK) and Orange Goblin(UK).They also had a song featured on the doom metal compilation "At the Mountains of Madness".Very little is known about them even to this day.The constantly evolving sound could have been an undermining factor why this band never got the recognition they deserved.The first demos where a much more traditional sounding doom metal vein,but it seemed some of the songs were hinting at a more stoner sound.The maryland DC doom sound was something very prevalent in their sound which i think suited them more,thus the biker doom look was born!! Certainly this is what traditional doom is about!! I have been corresponding with Kat online for a few years since 2006-07 and have helped with transfering some songs on to youtube.We hope to generate an interest in this often overlooked UK traditional doom band!
here is something different Grindmaster Dead!! Pre-Skyforger band originaly from Latvia.They released a demo in 1994 called "Stronger than Love" very dark sombre death/doom with flutes! This is a video i edited with scenes from the movie Navigator:a medieval story to the song At the wizard's Sabbath.
Here is a band that really kicked my ass when i saw them live in 2009 Zoroaster from Atlanta,Georgia USA.This three piece reminded me of what you would get if you blended The Melvins and Celtic Frost together.They were really heavy!! so heavy i had to step back all the way up to the balcony area!! the wall of Sunn amps and Orange stacks they had really blew my mind.The drummer Dan Scanlan was pounding a sky blue Ludwig vista lite drum kit.They also use a few 70's style moog synthesizer's and oscillator effects live.The guitarist Will Fiore and Bassist Brent Anderson both handle the vocals.I have to say listening to this band months before seeing them live i wasn't really getting it then.But after seeing them live changed my opinion about them totally.When i re-listened to the albums i found many great songs that i like alot.And they are now one of my favorite Stoner/Doom bands!! and a band that gets a lot of airplay on my radio show! Overall Zoroaster has enough fuzz and doom to satiate any doomsters thirst.Make sure to check em out!!
Orodruin is a Traditional Doom Metal band from Rochester,NY USA.For those who don't already know obviously Orodruin is a Lord of the Rings terminology,the mount doom where the ring was forged by Sauron. Originally the band was a 4 piece when they first started in 1998.They issued a few self released demos from 1999-2002 and released their first full length "Epicurean Mass" in 2003.A compilation of early demos and unreleased tracks entitled "Claw tower and other Tales of Terror" 2004.Both of which were released on Hungarian based label PsycheDOOMelic.Not long after this Nick left the band for personal reasons.Now as a 3-piece the band kept on playing shows and doom metal festivals all over the states for a number of years and released a split 7" ep with Finnish doomed legends Reverend Bizarre.In 2007 a live dvd was also released called "The World is a Funeral".There is also an ep they recorded sometime in 2008 around that is being mixed at the moment still awaiting to be released entitled "In Doom", and also currently the band is also working on a second full length album.In 2009 i got to see Orodruin live in Montreal which was one of the most moving shows in doom i have ever attended!! The magic presence that John Gallo provides on stage with his improvised soloing and his stomping feet motions is something to be remembered as long as i may live.Mike Puleo and Mike Waske were amazing to see and hear play live in the same room as i was in also.Such a memorable night! so yea All in all this is probably one of my my most favorite Doom Metal acts out there,if you haven't heard them yet check out there vids on youtube and myspace!! support the circle true doom!!
Here is Gypsy Chief Goliath from Ontario Canada.A heavy bluesy stoner rock band with some serious riffage goin' on! Featuring Al "the Yeti" Bones (Georgian Skull/Mister Bones), Adam Saitti (Georgian Skull), Chris (Salem Saints), Dave (Blood Runs Cold), John (Keef), and Brodie.It's been a few years now they have been at it together. The band is currently putting the final mixes down on their long awaited full length, and should have it out early or mid summer around that time.They will also be doing a Canadian tour which i will post at a later date once the tour schedule is confirmed!! So all in all there are alot of things comin in the near future for GCG! there is also dvd documentary to be released.I will either keep adding stuff to this post or make new ones as news develops on this great indie Stoner Rock band.Everyone come dig that gypsy soup the yeti is brewin'!!
December 4th 2010 i went to Montreal to watch the UK doom metal band Pagan Altar headline at what would initially be the first ever official doom metal festival in Montreal!! I have to say the 14 hour or so ride on the train to Montreal was well worth it.The show Pagan Altar played that night was of megalithic proportions the most epic show i have ever had the chance to see.Pagan Altar played two sets lasting over 2 hours the first set consisting mostly of the newer material and the second set they played 90% of the Vol. I/Judgment of the Dead album.They also did this set with candles,skulls and black cloaks!The amount of people that showed up was intense and when Pagan Altar went up on stage the crowd instantly stopped and kept their hypnotic gaze on the band.Everyone was instantly mystified by the presence of England's most chivalric bands in heavy metal history!
The newest slab from Pentagram is now out on Metal Blade records and is available on both cd and vinyl.Time to place your orders and pay for your sins.This album will have many Ramsters crawling back for more after each listen.The remakes of old Stonebunny/Bedemon era songs like "Call the Man" "Into The Ground" "Windmills and Chimes" and "Nothing Left" really bring back the nostalgia in a respective way.Victor Griffin's mammoth guitar sounds from the relentless days is back and sounding meaner than ever.With Pentagram lined up as headliners for Roadburn this April it's gonna be an eventful summer for the band and the legion of doomed fans out there!!!
PENTAGRAM - LAST RITES - 2011
1. Treat Me Right 2. Call the Man 3. Into the Ground 4. 8 5. Everything's Turning to Night 6. Windmills and Chimes 7. American Dream 8. Walk in the Blue Light 9. Horseman 10. Death in 1st Person 11. Nothing Left 12. All Your Sins - Reprise
Canadian 70's heavy prog band Warpig came from Woodstock, Ontario.Surprisingly enough they didn't sound like any of the typical 70's Canadian bands at the time like April Wine,Rush etc. The sound they had was much more British sounding.Very much along the lines of Black Sabbath,Deep Purple and Uriah Heep.The self-titled Warpig album originally came out in Spring of 1973 and was re-issued in 2006 on cd & 12" vinyl fully re-mastered with extended liner notes! Here we are now 30 plus years later and the songs still keep their unique flavor of 70's hard psych proto-metal.Warpig has also been busy since the re-issue of their album making the long awaited second album entitled "that pillar of fire".With that being said anyone interested in reading more on the band you can visit the official website http://www.warpig.ca/index.php
The great Canadian rock band Offenbach are one of my faves!! i really dig the early 70's stuff they did.This documentary had come to my attention sometime in around 1996 and i had only glimpsed at a few parts and had never seen the whole presentation! I recently found it on youtube and finally got to see every bit of it.Well i guess i should start off by saying if you are not french you probably wont understand a word being said in this film.But it still shouldn't stop you from enjoying this documentary on rock music! from the beginning of the movie it starts off with the band rocking out and not much talking goes on in the first part of the film.The whole thing is basically just them having a party smoking hash and drinking beer being loud at all times even when off the stage.It seems even without instruments they would always find ways of making music with just their mouths and banging on stuff,setting cars on fire and not giving a damn.Overall this is a very good 70's documentary that will make you laugh and cry and maybe even shit your pants.Either way its worth seeing at least one time if you are french and were into the band! one thing for sure the band sure knew how to party!!!
The story of Fable is a enigmatic tale that still hasn't been heard by many.The three piece power trio started as Hellhound in the late 60's early 70's in Victoria B.C. Canada.They then changed the name to Fable.One of the members was quoted saying "We felt that our music was telling stories, that it was taking you on journeys just like fables do."
In 1975 Get the "L" outta here was released.On this album you hear influences from Cream, Jimi Hendrix, Grand Funk Railroad, Robin Trower, Deep Purple, Uriah Heep, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and Sir Lord Baltimore.The recording quality is very good and the songs are catchy,The guitar work on the album this is phenomenal.When members were asked what would describe their sound? They answered "Loud, heavy and aggressive but filled with positive energy and melody." This answer is very much dead on,for an album that came out so early in the 70's there is a surprisingly abundant early 80's NWOBHM feel in some of the songs.Overall this is a very nostalgic sounding record for anyone who feels they might have missed out or overlooked this obscure gem.It definitely brings back similar feelings as discovering vintage Pentagram did or Necromandus.Nearly 30 years later the album resurfaced on cd and is a great piece of rock history to have!
FABLE - GET THE "L" OUTTA HERE - 1975
1.Intro (late again) 2.Kacheena 3.Why is it me? 4.We'll find a way 5.Here me calling 6.Without asking 7.Lady of the night 8.Believe in me 9.Cue Stick 10.Battle of the neon knights 11.And this day 12.The Tramp 13.No way out 14.Kacheena(radio edit version)
In 2010 Rise Above Relics released "AX - You've Been So Bad" a limited edition 10" ep of 600 copies.This obscure 70's Canadian hard psych band from Kitchener,Ontario were around since the late 60's early 70's.Members John Frederiksen, Jack Smith, Gary Gross and Brian Shearer.After 36 long years finally get to have their awe inspiring Sabbath style synchronicities to be heard by all!! And what an amazing tone this ep has, if you liked Warpig,Deep Purple and Uriah Heep you will definitely dig this stuff.Great blues style guitar and vocals that could be compared to a very young Ozzy in his early prime with B. Sabbath.Overall this is most definitely some of the rarest 70's proto metal ever, since this is the first time the songs have been released officially on a label! let's trust Rise Above Records and hope there might be some more rare recordings from AX to be issued in the near future.
AX -YOU'VE BEEN SO BAD / Rise Above Relics 2010
10'' ep
Side A 1.You've Been So Bad 2.It Can Make You Happy
Well i decided to give the blogging thing another try.So i am bringing back the Dimensions of Doom and will link everything that goes on in my life regarding the doom metal community! Also will link up my online radio show to this and will post the times that i will be airing the program.But in general i will try to post more news on the bands that i follow most for example: Pagan Altar,Orodruin,Cathedral,Pentagram and whole multitude of 70's obscure psych and folk rock,NWOBHM & early 80's power trash bands.
St Johns Newfoundland,Canada in 1993 as Green Machine which the band later found out the name was already taken by another band.So they opted for the name sHEAVY instead.It started as a band that played around with some Kyuss covers and a few originals.They recorded two demo tapes Reproduction E.P. & Slaves To Fashion in 94-95 and the Dalas tar 7" also came out in 1995.It was also the same year they recorded Blue Sky Mind.After this they signed a 3 album deal with Rise Above records.It was in the summer of 1997 "The Electric Sleep" album was recorded.The reviews for this album in the UK were saying "the best Black Sabbath album in 25 years." This was a great time for sHEAVY they played at the Dynamo festival in the Netherlands.In 1999 the band recorded "Celestial HiFi" in Ren the drummer's parents workshop.This was a great album with the epic doom anthem "Tales from the Afterburner".And then in 2001 the band found themselves in Alberta,Canada and all the way to Belgium to record "Synchronized" which is another great album with a alot of fast punchy grooves! songs about fast cars and whatnot "Firebird 350" etc.This w
as the last album with original founder/member Ren Squires who silently stepped back.It took a few years for the band to pick up again, but i saw them play live in 2003 here in Moncton and caught the whole set on VHS.the line-up at this show was a rare one and hasn't really been documented as an official lineup. And then in came Kevin Dominic on drums and Tommy Bolin on guitars then "Republic?" was recorded in 2005 along with a live dvd filmed at the Masonic Temple in Newfoundland.Two years later in 2007 "The Machine that won the war" was released.And amazing concept album based on the science fiction book of the same name.It also came with a live dvd concert which is amazing,In 2009 longtime founder/member Dan Moore resigned from his position as guitarist,but not before leaving a contribution to the album the band was in the works of recording at the moment.In 2010 the band issued to albums ''The Golden Age of Daredevils'' & ''Disfigurine''.The band is still rocking hard and also fans of sHEAVY should check out Dan Moores other band Wizards of Kaos.
