Review: Golden Void - Berkana

Golden Void, one of several projects featuring Earthless shred master Isaiah Mitchell, offers elements of Earthless’ psychedelic freak-out style, but does so in a groovier, bluesier way, that gives the music more structure, and ultimately more might. After gaining attention with their impressive self-titled debut in late 2012, the band is finally back with Berkana, a stellar work that should only solidify their reputation as one of the best psychedelic bands in the country. Read more on About.com.

Slight Hopscotch Wrap Up

Lesser Life

Suppressive Fire

Wahya's

Soon

Shitty Boots

Solar Halos

 MAKE

Hopscotch was this past weekend in Raleigh, and even though the line up was really good, I ended up not seeing as many shows as I originally intended to see. I did manage to see the killer MAKE, Vattnet Viskar, Locrian lineup at the Metal Lunchbox day show at Neptune's on Saturday, as well as the Primitive Ways day show at the Pour House on Thursday. My favorite show may well have been Nuggets-style psych rockers Shitty Boots on Friday at Slim's. It was also cool to catch free day party sets by Guardian Alien, The Bronzed Chorus and Nest Egg (Krautrockers from Asheville).

One big thing did happen for me over the weekend: My camera's hot shoe was destroyed when it fell off a monitor while I was capturing video of Vattnet Viskar. That was pretty upsetting, but I've been contemplating upgrading for a while, so I think it's going to happen sooner than later.

Review: Kadavar's "Berlin"

German retro-rockers Kadavar have always sounded like the band who got kicked out of the commune for being too bluesy (and maybe too good), got sucked into a psychedelic space warp, then plopped right back down in Berlin just as it became the coolest city in Europe. Unlike other bands that have adopted the retro-rock mantle, nothing about Kadavar ever feels contrived. Read the rest of the review at About.com Heavy Metal. 

Photos of Helgamite at Slim's

On Saturday (Aug. 15), I had the pleasure of finally seeing Helgamite, a really fantastic psychedelic doom band from Rileyville, Va. I discovered them on Bandcamp a while back, but was reminded of them when I randomly met guitarist Casey Firkin and his wife Deanne Goode during the Ufomammut show at the Deathfest, and we all ended up hanging out for the rest of the fest. They're good people, and it was cool to see them again.

Valkyrie at Slim's

I love a musician who knows how to give a good rock face, and brothers Pete and Jake Adams from Valkyrie definitely have that skill down. Meanwhile bass player Alan Fary and drummer Warren Hawkins (truly Valkyrie's secret weapon) are in the back, laying it down and providing a solid rhythm that can stand up to the Adams brothers intricate riffing.  Their latest album, Shadows,  is one of the best albums of the year. Their show on Friday at Slim's was only the second time I've seen them, but it was intense and good. Looking forward to seeing them again. See more photos here.