Cardinal Fuzz Vinyl & CDs

Review: It's no wonder the Cardinal Fuzz label that is releasing this record have the eye of providence as their logo as they specialise in sensational garage psych and krautrock with mind expanding qualities. Chicago's experimental space punks Plastic Crimewave Syndicate are a case in point: exceptional in delivering fuzzed up throbbing, pulsing guitar-led wig outs and elegiac breakdowns with an improvised feel. This is a record that's impossible to remain still to. Where vocals come in, drenched in reverb, giving the impression he's singing from the bottom of a well it provides an electrifying lift, but it's equally compelling when they're indulging in belligerently shreddy instrumental passages. This is neo-Krautock that can be ranked up there with the likes of Follakzoid and Acid Mother's Temple.

Review: Tomoyuki Trio's second album is now out, featuring Tomoyuki Aoki, Mike Vest, and Dave Sneddon, following their debut album Mars on Riot Season. Tomoyuki Aoki, the founding member and guitarist of the legendary Tokyo psych band UP-TIGHT, leads this powerful trio. Known for their reverence in the Japanese psych-rock scene, UP-TIGHT’s music channels the spirit of icons like Fushitsusha, White Heaven, and the legendary Les Rallizes Dénudés. Shitsuren, the trio’s latest, takes their sound into even darker, heavier territories. With super-fuzzed guitars, melancholic ballads, and grinding, distorted epics, the album plunges deep into stoner psychedelia. Across two sides, the album delivers hypnotic guitar work, numbing rhythms, and a ferocious intensity that demands to be played at maximum volume. This release sees the trio exploring the shadowy depths of their sound, reminiscent of the overwhelming, locked-down intensity found in the works of Okhami No Jikan, Asahito Nanjo, and Musica Transonic. Shitsuren is a relentless, speaker-shattering journey through the darker side of psychedelic excess. The band’s fierce commitment to their craft is on full display here.

Review: Drone music has a unique quality that really pulls you in. Whether it's the haunting vocals of Pandit Pran Nath or the heavy tones of Sunn O))), it shifts your focus to a deep flow. Water Damage's debut LP Repeater perfectly embodies this. With their motto "Maximal Repetition Minimal Deviation," this Austin septet offers thick layers of sound that are mesmerising, mixing two drummers and two bass players for a powerful effect that keeps evolving. This album invites you to settle in and lose yourself in its depths, so relax and enjoy the ride.