News...

Our man Dan at Easy Rider Records has been busy as hell working on the first release of Red Desert's cracking album Damned By Fate. The album generated a major underground following upon it release last year, but as of today (9am PST) it will make it's very first physical appearance in the form of a lovely limited press of just 100 cassettes, consisting of four colours - 55 black, 20 red, 15 purple and 10 gold in the form of the diehard version which will consist of all four colours, 12 badges, a digital download and a private first refusal on the vinyl test presses and diehard versions due out around September time. Now if thats not one hell of an incentive then nothing is! Hit up the store now, because these will fly!
In other news our other good friends, STB Records have announced yet another project in the works. Bright Curse's self titled release will be getting a limited release... more info to follow. As for the present, the Spelljammer limited vinyl (75 diehard / 175 regular) is almost finished. Fingers crossed, around this time next week they should be ready and waiting to go. Keep checking back to hit up our review and be the first to know when they go live. 

Once again, and in case you misse it before, we're now on Instagram!
Follow us @RideWithTheDevil and be sure to also follow our guys - @EasyRiderRecords & @STBRecords... They're often running competitions, so you may just win yourself some nice... and we all know how much you all like free shit! 

New Vinyl Releases -

Across Tundras/Lark's Tongue - Split LP (Cavity Records)
Ape Machine ~ Mangled By The Machine  (Ripple Music)
ASG - Blood Drive (Relapse)
Centuries ~ Broken Hymns (This Charming Man)

Colour Haze - She Said (Elektrohasch Records)
Devil - Gather The Sinners  (Emetic)
Ghost - Infestissumam (Universal)
High Priest Of Saturn - Self Titled  (Svart)

Orchid - Mouths Of The Madness  (Nuclear Blast)
Pet The Preacher - Papa Zen & Meet The Creature  (Bilocation Records)
Salem's Pot - Watch Me Kill You (Easyrider Records)
Stoned Jesus - First Communion (Nasoni)
Sunwølf II - Midnight Moon (Speedowax)
Toner Low - III (Bilocation Records)

New Pre-orders/Upcoming Release -

Black Rainbows ~ Supermothafuzalicious (Reissue) (Heavy Psych Sounds)
Black Pyramid ~ Adversarial (Hydro Phonic Records)
Coffins - The Fleshland (Relapse)
Converge - Caring & Killing (Reissue) (Hydra Head)
Discordance Axis - Jou Hou (Reissue) (Hydra Head)
Dopethrone - Dark Foil (Totem Cat Records)

Mars Red Sky - Be My Guide EP (Self Released)

Queens Of The Stone Age - ...Like Clockwork 
Sleep - Dopesmoker (Reissue) (Southern Lord)
Spelljammer - Vol. II (STB Records)

Temple Of The Smoke - The Lost Art Of Twilight (Cosmic Eye)
Thumlock ~ Emerald Liquid Odyssey (Kozmik Artifatz)
Toxic Shock - Daily Demons (Reflections Records)
Wo Fat/Egypt - Cyclopean Riffs (Totem Cat Records)

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One-Man Wolfpack...

Zeppheroin - Howl (2013)

There's something to be said about self-produced music...I don't know what that saying is, but let's just chalk it up to: "It's pretty damn impressive." Tony Maim, aka Zeppheroin, seems to have mastered his vision of do-it-yourself doom, and, on his latest EP, has taken the genre to a deep, dark place that truly displays the talents of the one-man band. Keeping it slow and riddled with riffs, Maim's project never veers off course and focuses in on near drone territory. Maim's gravelly vocals never try and overshadow the well-placed instrumentation or impressive shredding, and with each track clocking in around the 6- to 7-minute mark, Maim makes it abundantly clear that the music is what drives his passion for metal.

Ratcheting down the tempo from his past releases, Maim reveals the versatility of his song-writing and shows that nothing hits home quite like a crushing sound at a sluggish pace. Don't let the tech metal kids and breakdown-saturated, new school shit fool you, Maim is hear to tell you that if it is too slow, then you're too young.

~Joe

For Fans Of; Acid King, Mclusky, Sleep, Dead Meadow, Judd Madden

Website • Facebook • Bandcamp

Howl (303 kbps) • Naked Lunch (320 kbps) • The Atrocity Exhibition (320 kbps)

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Tall And Dusty...

Twingiant - Sin Nombre (2013)

The dusty and gritty deserts of Arizona have brought forth sludge doomers Twingiant, and I for one welcome the dirty bastards with open arms. With their most recent effort, the band have self-produced five hard-hitting tracks that cover the complex realm of desert rock with a twist of metal madness. While keeping in time with the (dare I say) groove and funk of western-style rock, Twingiant’s growling vocals and cataclysmic bass lines spin the effort into a mish-mash of everything right in metal today. Given that the band have an exemplary way of showing how dirty and tough their sound can be, Sin Nombre remains a diamond in the rough amongst doom offerings these days because of the numerous moments of pure instrumental talent that presents itself at the most unexpected times. Short, sweeping guitars often break up the teeth-bashing breakdowns that provide a brief relief before the brutality continues. Interesting sample selections also help the EP grab the listener from the get go, providing substance and perhaps an explanation behind the songs, never overstaying their welcome or making the album seem hokey.

After a few listens, I can’t help but wonder what Twingiant has going on out there in the desert. All I know is, if you dwell anywhere near these guys, get out and support their grungy, grimy and all-around insane sound. Take care not to get too much sand in your nether-regions while you’re at it.

~Joe

For Fans Of; The Ocean, Pallbearer, Black Tusk, Saviours

Website • Facebook • Bandcamp

Sin Nombre (248 kbps)

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Ireland Bound & Down...

Trucker Diablo - Songs Of Iron (2013)

Gotta admit that there isn't a lot that I know about Ireland, except that I like to drink what is brewed over there. That pretty much means it's one of my favourite countries in the world, and Trucker Diablo only enhance that opinion. Their latest release, Songs Of Iron, is a hard rock record perfect for a booze fueled night out at the bar! It's energetic, mean and dirty rock 'n' roll with here and there a glimpse of glam. No need to say it was perfectly to my liking from the moment I first heard it. Actually, hold on, not needless to say, I like it so much I want to say it over and over again, but that would make for a pretty uninteresting review though.
Trucker Diablo tirelessly rock hard throughout the album; here and there they give you a second to let you catch your breath, but mostly they go out balls to the wall shredding guitars, loud drums and incredibly catchy vocals. The band's young (they started in 2008) but they know what they're doing. They've played major festivals like Download, opened for The Foo Fighters and earned recognition by fellow Irish Thin Lizzy, which goes to show how much they have it together.

Now I know this review goes up on a Monday, but even so you should do yourself a favour and grab a cold pint, sit back and turn on Songs Of Iron. Loudly. It'll be a great start of your week. I know I will.

~ Ruben

For Fans Of; Nightstalker, ZZ Top, Truckfighters, Modern Slang, Black Label Society

Website • Facebook • Myspace • SoundCloud • Bandcamp

Songs Of Iron ($7)

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News...

Our good friends over at Easy Rider Records and STB Records have announced some butt clenchingly, awesomely good upcoming releases for the near future. Easy Rider will be putting out the amazing Red Desert - Damned By Fate. Initially to be released on casette (100 copies), then on double vinyl soon after. They also have some new label shirts in the store so go check them out too. 

STB have got Spelljammer's Vol. II almost ready to roll out (50 diehard copies/200 regular), and they have just let slip on two forthcoming titles from Brimstone Coven and Drug Lord, which are obviously going to be killer.

In other less exciting news we're now on Instagram!
Follow/tag us using @RideWithTheDevil / #RideWithTheDevil or just click the big spazzy icon below...

New Vinyl Releases -

Ape Machine ~ Mangled By The Machine  (Ripple Music)

Colour Haze - She Said (Elektrohasch Records)
Devil - Gather The Sinners  (Emetic)
Ghost - Infestissumam (Universal)
High Priest Of Saturn - Self Titled  (Svart)

Naam - The Ballad Of The Starchild  (Tee Pee Records)
Nails - Abandon All Life  (Southern Lord)
Orchid - Mouths Of The Madness  (Nuclear Blast)
Pet The Preacher - Papa Zen & Meet The Creature  (Bilocation Records)
Salem's Pot - Watch Me Kill You (Easyrider Records)
Stoned Jesus - First Communion (Nasoni)
Sunwølf II - Midnight Moon (Speedowax)
Toner Low - III (Bilocation Records)
The Wall - Self Titled (This Charming Man)

New Pre-orders/Upcoming Release -

Across Tundras/Lark's Tongue - Split LP (Cavity Records)
ASG - Blood Drive (Relapse)
Black Pyramid ~ Adversarial (Hydro Phonic Records)
Coffins - The Fleshland (Relapse)
Converge - Caring & Killing (Reissue) (Hydra Head)
Discordance Axis - Jou Hou (Reissue) (Hydra Head)
Dopethrone - Dark Foil (Totem Cat Records)

Mars Red Sky - Be My Guide EP (Self Released)

Queens Of The Stone Age - ...Like Clockwork 
Sleep - Dopesmoker (Reissue) (Southern Lord)
Spelljammer - Vol. II (STB Records)

Temple Of The Smoke - The Lost Art Of Twilight (Cosmic Eye)
Toxic Shock - Daily Demons (Reflections Records)
Wo Fat/Egypt - Cyclopean Riffs (Totem Cat Records)

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Dreaming Of Deserts...

Tumbleweed Dealer - Self Titled (2013)

Tumbleweed Dealer are a fine example of not having to be surrounded by sand and cactus to create a true desert rock tone. Being from Montreal, I suspect they've never actually seen sand (Canada's like 90% snow and ice right?)... Anyway, they proved this once with their first EP Death Rides Southwards last year, and now the duo are back with their first full length album.
Straight from the get go you can hear how the guys have progressed since the EP. Having cultivated their own style of instrumental stoner post blues, this time around they've upped their game and given the whole effort more... body? Everything feels fuller and more layered. Where before they sounded like a duo, now they have taken on ambiance of a full quartet. Post rock harmonics meet the unique desert/southern rock twang more associated with bands from the likes of Tennessee or the west coast. It's like God Speed You Black Emperor meets Yawning Man. It's a pretty flawless display of technical ability, as the entire record evokes a certain surreal, slow and impending feel of slightly upbeat melancholy. It twists, turns and meanders through a truly moody post rock affair but just neglects to succumb to that usual familiar post rock tone. It's unorthodox but it actually works surprisingly well, although I imagine it won't be to everyones liking. As the occasional chugging guitar riff does rear its head, it is used more sparsely that I think most would wish. Which is really a shame because through those few heavy glimmers of thunder the guys do prove that they can really nail a good heavy groove. But who am I to tell them what direction to head in? If you like your bluesy post rock and anything remotely desert rock then I think Tumbleweed Dealer may just tick some of your boxes. Roll up some of the green or throw back a mushroom or two and loose yourself, because this would serve as a fantastic soundtrack.
~ Jay

For Fans Of; Yawning Man, 1000mods, Sungrazer, Palm Desert, Tuber

Facebook • LastFM • SoundCloud • Bandcamp 

Tumbleweed Dealer (320kbps)

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Once You Go Black...

Lilium - Black, Dear (2013)

Italian metal outfit Lilium is wasting little time making a name for themselves as their debut album (dropping Saturday in Europe) is a heavy-hitting affair that leaves a lasting impression on the listener. While at first appearing to stick to the heavier tones and 'chug-uh-lug' guitar structures that have crafted the post-metal scene in recent years, Lilium has mastered a transformation in their music that adds layers of clean but aggressive vocals backed by strong instrumentation all the way around. While perceived as one of the more developed Italian metal bands, Lilium has a familiar sound that speaks to metal fans not only in their home country, but across the globe. That is to say that Lilium is no cookie-cutter set of artists riding the coat-tails of those who have tread the metal path in the past, but a highly-volatile entity that not only slams through your speakers and headphones but also serves as a beacon of where technical and well-written metal will be heading in the future.

Where Lilium really stands out is the subtle ethereal sound incorporated in many of the album's tracks, including "Solitude," a remarkably heavy song with almost eerie guitars and opera-esque keyboards layered throughout. Finding a perfect medium, Lilium pulls off this musical aspect without overdoing it time and again (i.e., Dimmu Borgir and Cradle of Filth). Luckliy, Lilium also pulls no gimmicks when it comes to what they do, which is another breath of fresh air that should earn the band respect amongst its peers.

For those readers who may have the opportunity, Lilium will celebrate the release of Black, Dear this Saturday, May 18 with a live performance at Lab Burrida in Genova (Italy). More info on the show can be found here.

~Joe

For Fans Of: Isis, Pelican, Lento, Celeste, Omega Massif

Facebook • SoundCloud • YouTube • Bandcamp

Black, Dear (320 kbps)

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Diving Deep Into A Shallow Grave...

Shallow Grave - Self Titled (2013)

Oh, the internet, what a marvelous thing. It's brought us videos of unspeakable things, updates on people's lives you don't even care about in the slightest, duckfaces, and good music from the other side of the globe. And so has Shallow Grave come upon me. Which, to be clear, fall upon the latter category. Now ofcourse you're all thinking: 'Ruben, you make the internet seem like so dark, are you gonna present us with a nice little band to make it more of a happy place?' Well, I'm not, because when confronted with Shallow Grave it practically comes down to picking a poison: you either listen to it and get crushed by a heaviness even Atlas would be scared of, or you don't listen to it and it's members come over and kick your face in. 

Now, when you listen to Shallow Grave you'll notice the music is exactly as the name suggests: it's no-nonsense psychedelic stoner metal doom drone. When I gave it my first listen I was a little judgemental about it's sound being so fitting for stoner doom drone, but as the record progressed I realised that the sound covers the genre (seriously, someone come up with a better name for this amalgamation) so perfectly it's something that it's truly soomething I've never heard before. It intrigues me. All genre talk aside though, Shallow Grave's Shallow Grave embodies a depth and complexity (oh, the irony) you wouldn't expect from a band formed as recently as 2009. The band plays so tight together it can hardly believe this is a debut album. The songs are very well layered, leaving you something to discover throughout multiple listens. A lot of listens, because it deserves it, and as usual for a modest price, this time for only 5NZD (and no, I don't know exactly how much that is, but it isn't a lot that I can tell), and there's a CD available too, just check their bandcamp.

~Ruben

For Fans Of; Electric Wizard, Earth, Sunn O))), Sleep, Zoroaster

Facebook • Bandcamp

Shallow Grave (256kbps)

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