Fuzzy is swimming in a sea of amazing psych rock concept albums this year (LOOT THE BODY, MELLOW BEAST are just a couple of them), and the new "Astral Arcade" by GHOST FROG sails this psychedelic ocean at the top of its class. Ghost Frog is a little edgier than the others with extra layers of dreamy synths, and fuzzier vocals, both of which serve to set Ghost Frog apart from the others. Some might call it shoegaze which I can't argue with, but every psych rock fan will want to check out "Astral Arcade" on Bandcamp:

The tone takes a sharp turn when we get to "Bio Break" with the drums coming way up in the mix and the pace slowing way down. It's the lone instrumental song on the album, and serves nicely as the interlude between the two acts.

So what's the concept of the album? Kinda sorta life in the future at a video arcade where both the games and the players seem to taking things to the extreme. In a possibly dystopian authoritarian society with some aliens thrown in. One thing that is critical in a concept album is for the theme of the lyrics to fit with the theme of the music, and Ghost Frog have nailed it. The frenetic yet catchy riffs with futuristic effects are the perfect match for the stories being told in the vocals. 

The second thing I always ask myself when I'm listening to a concept album is, "Does the story add anything to the music?" and the answer is a resounding YES because when you dig into the lyrics, you are find more details for the entire album. And, there is something about a good concept album which really just makes you want to start at the beginning, and listen all the way through. "Astral Arcade" has that nailed.

Only gripe I have is, this could use another song or 2. Not practical given the album is on vinyl, but I was enjoying the high-energy vibe so much that when it ended, it was a bit startling. Maybe the last song needed to let me down a little easier. Just one gator's opinion, and very minor niggle at that. But concept albums live to a higher standard than just a collection of songs, and need to take into account the overall sonic flow of the album.

Fuzzy's Favorite track: "Astral Arcade" is such a strong album that picking out a single as the favorite feels like nit-picking, so I'll pick "Agent Provocateur" as the track I would suggest to a new listener who only has time to listen to a single Ghost Frog song. This one captures the essence of the band's big energy, dreamy sound, and fuzzed-out vocals. 

From the band: 

We’re a space rock band from Portland, OR called Ghost Frog. We play heavy psychedelic stoner rock that combines doomy riffs with punk energy, while also evoking themes derived from sci-fi/ horror film and literature as well as all things paranormal. The result is what we call “paranormal stoner punk,” a retrofuturistic brand of nebulous noise rock that sounds like it was made by angry aliens on acid. We just released our third album. It’s called “Astral Arcade,” and it’s a sludgy (cyber)space rock opera about extraterrestrial life, the universe and video games.

FFO: The Black Angels, The Lancasters, Loot The Body, Mellow Beast. 

Ghost Frog is from Portland with members:

• Quinn Schwartz - rhythm guitar, vocals
• Karl Beheim - lead guitar, synth
• Archie Heald - bass
• Evan Leikam - drums

"Astral Arcade" is on digital at Bandcamp and also 12" black vinyl.

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What better way to send off 2020 with a big "Fuck you!" than with 2 nasty tracks on a 7" split with a 28 page zine to back them up? SEUM and FÁTIMA drop covers of each band's songs on December 24. The digital download on Bandcamp includes the zine in PDF format, and there will be a limited number of 7" vinyls with custom popup art by comic artist Gorka Uztarroz. 

Seum kicks it off with their cover of Fátima's "Saliva Bath" and then Fátima returns the favor with their cover of Seum's "Raining Bricks." The biggest difference from the originals to the covers is with the vocals, with Seum slathering gritty dirty vocals on their song, and Fátima dropping a grunge interpretation. 

To me, a great split not only sounds great, but makes you want to dig into the other band's music. For me, hearing the sludgy take of "Saliva Bath" with its drawn-out ending was enough to get me to head over to Fátima's "Turkish Delights" from earlier this year, and hear the original. Much more in a grunge style and got me listening to the whole album. 

Don't miss the 28-page PDF zine included with the digital download! Art, lyrics, backstory, inspiration for the split, detailed recording info -- this is a music lover's delight. There's even a section dedicated to the album's art and cover.

Each band has made their cover into their own creation. 2 great covers, a killer zine, and a popup 7" make for a great send-off to a shitty year!

Follow the bands to get the split & 7" vinyl when it drops on December 24 -- 

Seum on Bandcamp

Fátima on Bandcamp

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Fuzzy has long said that Spanish is the language of stoner music. (Russian is for sludge, English is for psych, and French is for prog, in case you were wondering.) So when INFEROUS sent me their new album to check out, and I cast an eye on the Spanish lyrics, I was ready to get excited. And their new album "Somos la Noche" (we are the night) proves that Fuzzy was right all along -- these vocals must be in Spanish to support the massive slabs of fuzz that are contained on this album. Inferous blends heavy psych into their stoner doom in a way that pounds your head down into the underground, while at the same time freeing your mind to soar into outer space. Guitar solos rip over walls of distortion, with the Spanish singing weaving them together. Check out "Somos la Noche" on Bandcamp:

Dig how the instrumental opening track rips straight into the next song, where the Spanish vocals explode onto the scene. The continuity continues again into the next song, and I found the album was well into the third song before I realized the 2nd had finished. I dig this effect because it gives the album a flow which demands you listen from start to finish. Keep your manos off the pause button! 

The album clocks in at nearly an hour. Dig it!

Fuzzy's Favorite: "Infierno verde" (green inferno) but really this album is meant to listen from start to finish in a single massive session of fuzz. With Spanish vocals.

From the band:

Inferous is a 3-member band from Rosario, Argentina, playing since 2018, but members of the band played in several bands from Rosario since 1994, like Testa, Knockout, Unanime, etc. The Music is a Doom/metal/stoner under influences of Dopelord, Sleep, High on Fire, Belzebong, and Black Sabbath.

"Somos la Noche" will be released on cassette tape and CD by Psycho Records. 

Follow Inferous on Bandcamp to stay in touch with their merch, news, and music. 

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Fuzzy's interview with LOOT THE BODY is below. The band just released their 2nd album "The Barrier Peaks Songbook" on Bandcamp. This is a psych rock concept album based on the Dungeons & Dragons module of the same name, but you don't need to play the game to dig this incredible album. Loot the Body blends 70s psych with 00s indie rock to deliver an album with catchy riffs, floating vocals and melodies, and a flow that plays out in ebbs and flow just as any great concept album should. 

Pop rock goodness, layers upon layers of vocals, and cleverness to the lyrics which only adds to the killer music. Some songs are more prog rock, some are more late Beatles pop, and every fan of psych rock will want to check this out. Highly recommended!

Fuzzy's favorite: "Robot Police" but mostly I play the whole album on repeat. 

FFO The Lancasters and Mellow Beast (read Fuzzy's review here)

Follow Loot The Body on Bandcamp to keep up with their music and news. 

Watch the new video for "Froghemoth" on YouTube:

INTERVIEW WITH LOOT THE BODY

FUZZY: Is your music only for D&D fans?

Honestly, no. I have found that liking D&D doesn't mean that you'll like the music. But I do think that the D&D connection makes it so D&D players are at least curious. That helps get some people through the door but in the end music has to be enjoyed on its own merits.

FUZZY: Why the Barrier Peaks? What's in this module that piqued your interest?

I am a big fan of classic fantasy and I'm a big fan of retro sci-fi. The idea that your typical Tolkien-esque adventuring party is making their way through a crash landed spaceship ticks a lot of boxes for me. And the fact that the module was written in 1980 means that all the technology is wonderfully dated. I'm still more inspired by an old Tandy computer than I am by nanotechnology.  I actually didn't set out to write a concept album. I was working on my last album Random Encounters and I found that a few songs kept coming that were exclusively inspired by Barrier Peaks. After I had 4 or so I realized I needed to set them aside because they were becoming their own thing. Being a fan of old school prog-rock and psychedelia the idea of making it into a concept album was too much to resist.

FUZZY: Was it confining or liberating to get the music and lyrics to fit the theme?

It was liberating because it was driven by inspiration. I think if someone had given this to me as an assignment it would have been a drag. It was easy to figure out the set-pieces that would make good songs. This adventure has a very specific feeling in my mind. Writing the songs was a matter of getting myself in that place and trying to capture it in music.

FUZZY: You have a lot of great videos! What's your production process like?

One of the core principles of Loot the Body comes from the gaming term itself. You pick up something that was discarded and put it to use. In that way my process is very much like collage. I try not to be too literal. Instead I try to find contrasting or complementary images and fit them with the music. Sometimes this means using old archival footage, old movies or images that I've made myself. The video for Caught in a Gelatinous Cube from my last album was mostly me shooting D&D minis with a macro lens behind a greenscreen. All of the music is very visual to me so the video is almost an extension of the original inspiration.

FUZZY: What are your plans for the new album?

I plan on releasing videos for all or most of the songs. I'll be doing that for the next couple of months. Hopefully this will help people find the music. In the new year I'll submit the album to streaming services. Hopefully it'll help others find the music. When I do that I'll upload a songbook to my Bandcamp page as a reward to all the folks that found me there. It'll have exclusive art, lyrics and chords. I like the idea of having an actual Barrier Peaks Songbook.

FUZZY: Froghemoth VS Froglord -- who would win in a Swamp Royale? (This is only a thought experiment -- IRL, Froglord only attacks humans)

The funny thing is, this doesn't have to be a thought experiment. in the world of D&D every creature gets stats and it's pretty easy to tell who would win. Off the bat Froghemoth has a 14 Armor Class and 184 Hit Points. He is resistant to fire and lightning and his passive perception is 19. He's got tongue, tentacles and bite actions but he's not unbeatable. We may have to stat up the Froglord and let the D20 decide.

SWAMP KREWE PROMOTION PACKAGE!!  Fuzzy has over 150 super fans in The Swamp Krewe subscription on Bandcamp. Send album codes to fuzzycracklins@gmail.com and if your music is KILLER then I'll share them with The Swamp Krewe. They have a lot of their own followers, so your album will get into the collections & feeds of many Bandcampers very quickly. It's FREE! Contact fuzzycracklins@gmail.com

CD OF THE MONTH MAILERS!! Fuzzy mails out 100 CDs to super fans in the USA and around the world every month. They love to hear about new bands and new music, so send Fuzzy your stickers, printed album codes, promo CDs, whatever you want. Any number is good. Fuzzy is already paying the postage, and The Swamp Krewe loves swag and frequently posts to Instagram, so contact fuzzycracklins@gmail.com to make it happen! Bands, labels, podcasters, radio show DJs, bloggers, reviewers, get at me! It's FREE! 

The Swamp Krewe CD of the Month

Exclusive limited Swamp editions every month

with swag (stickers, posters, coasters, patches, pins, postcards, and more)

Vinyl and CD

Subscription to The Swamp Records™

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So you've got your new album up on Bandcamp in pre-release, and it's got your new CD or Tape or Vinyl on pre-order. 

Now what??

ACT NOW!!

The 2 weeks between the pre-release and the full release is when most of the buzz is going to happen. Don't wait until after the full release date to start promoting your music. START IMMEDIATELY!!

MERCH

Your CD or Vinyl is your album page and waiting for fans to buy it.... so make sure they know it's there! And ship it to them as soon as they buy it! Don't make them wait for the full release date. You want your fans to post their photos before the release date, so get those CDs into their hands as soon as possible. Worried your merch will sell out before the full release? THAT'S GREAT! Order some more and let fans know it will be back in stock in a couple of weeks. Let them keep ordering as a pre-order -- DON'T let the item get to SOLD OUT.

BANDCAMP

Send a message to your Bandcampers. Keep it fun and interesting! Let them know your new single is ready to stream and the album is available to order, and tell them the CD is also ready. Thank them for their support, and remind them how important their support is (especially right now) because it's not possible for the band to play gigs (where you would normally sell your merch).

EPK + CODE

When you contact the media, send them 2 things: a link to your EPK, and ALSO a code for the album on Bandcamp. This gives them the option to choose whichever format they are more comfortable with. It's free to set up an EPK with your bio, photos, and album song files. And your codes on Bandcamp are only $3 per 100 (here's how to make them) or they are FREE for your first 100, and also they are FREE if you are on a label (so ask your label manager for some free codes!). Be sure to include a brief bio of your band and your Bandcamp link in your email.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Get on your social media! Post photos of the CD, tell fans about the artist who did the cover, play a clip of the pre-release single. And always remind your fans to follow your band on Bandcamp. 

PARTNERS

Make a square graphic of your album cover with "Pre-Order Now!" or "Out on Dec. 4" or whatever. Send it to your friends in other bands and ask for a repost or share to a story. Remember to return the favor when their band has a new release. 

REVIEWS / BLOGS

It is very hard to get reviews, but it is easier when you submit your album before the release date. As early as possible, send your EPK link and a Bandcamp code to blogs that post reviews for your style of music. When you get a review, be sure to post it to your social media, and also to your album page. Need a list of blogs to contact? Check out Fuzzy's blog list at the bottom of this page: https://www.fuzzycracklins.com Also check out the list of submitters to the Doom Charts -- the list is at the bottom of each month's list at https://doomcharts.com And don't be shy about asking fans for feedback and comments! 

PLAYLISTS / PODCASTS / RADIO

There are so many great playlists, podcasts, and radio shows, and they love to get music early! Send them an MP3 of your pre-release song, and tell them about your band and the upcoming release date. Include a Bandcamp code so they can grab the album. 

VIDEO

Now is the time to post a video for the pre-release single. Post it to your Bandcamp page. Post it to IGTV. Send it to Mr. Doom on YouTube. Ask Fuzzy to post it. Remember -- a video does NOT need to cost you any money! Find an old movie or some public domain footage. Ask a friend who is good with video editing. The important thing is to get something out there before the full release date. 

QUESTIONS? COMMENTS? SUGGESTIONS?

Fuzzy would love to hear from you! Contact me at FuzzyCracklins@gmail.com

Right on!!

Fuzzy is sending a CD mixtape of new music to The Swamp Krewe in December, and Crow Ballard is helping me pick the songs. "Enpsychlopedia Crowtanica volume 3" lands in their CD collections in December. 

Does your band have a new single coming out next month? New album release? Get it on here, and Fuzzy will mail a copy of the CD mixtape to the Swamp Krewe in their monthly mailer. 

Is your song already released, but you think The Swamp Krewe will dig it? Submit it, and if there's room on the CD mixtape then me and Crow will try to get your song on there. 

The Swamp Krewe digs new music, and they are supporters of the Underground scene, so here's a chance to get your music into their CD player. 

All songs will make it onto the digital comp on Bandcamp. The comp will be released on December 15 as NYP for fans to stream and download for free. Fuzzy will provide download codes to all bands to share with their fans. 

Only 79 minutes of music will make it onto the CD mixtape.

I'm expecting at least 50 copies to be mailed on December 15.

HOW TO SUBMIT 

Email a link to the WAV file or a Bandcamp album code to FuzzyCracklins@gmail.com and tell me which song your band is submitting. No MP3 files. No Soundcloud or Spotify links. Unreleased or Pre-Release songs are OK. 

Subject line in the email is "CD MIXTAPE"

Bonus points if you include some info about your band and why you think The Swamp Krewe will dig your song. 

Ultra bonus points if your music is being released on CD. 

Mega Ultra bonus points if your song is being released in December. 

DEADLINE IS NOVEMBER 15. 

Questions? Contact FuzzyCracklins@gmail.com

SWAMP KREWE PROMOTION PACKAGE!!  Fuzzy has over 151 super fans in The Swamp Krewe subscription on Bandcamp. Send album codes to fuzzycracklins@gmail.com and if your music is KILLER then I'll share them with The Swamp Krewe. They have a lot of their own followers, so your album will get into the collections & feeds of many Bandcampers very quickly. It's FREE! Contact fuzzycracklins@gmail.com

CD OF THE MONTH MAILERS!! Fuzzy mails out 100 CDs to super fans in the USA and around the world every month. They love to hear about new bands and new music, so send Fuzzy your stickers, printed album codes, promo CDs, whatever you want. Any number is good. Fuzzy is already paying the postage, and The Swamp Krewe loves swag and frequently posts to Instagram, so contact fuzzycracklins@gmail.com to make it happen! Bands, labels, podcasters, radio show DJs, bloggers, reviewers, get at me! It's FREE! 

The Swamp Krewe CD of the Month

Exclusive limited Swamp editions every month

with swag (stickers, posters, coasters, patches, pins, postcards, and more)

Vinyl and CD

Subscription to The Swamp Records™

Digital Music on Bandcamp

Music Reviews by Fuzzy Cracklins

Music Submissions and Contact The Swamp Records™

TheSwampRecords@gmail.com

The Swamp Records™ on Instagram 

@TheSwampRecordsUSA

Maorey cover (artwork by Győző Mesterházy)

It's no secret that Fuzzy digs heavy psych (read my MERLOCK review) and improvisational jams (CROW CRASH RADIO), so when KAJGŪN sent me their debut album "Maorey", you know I was reaching for the PLAY button before I was finished reading their email. And this 4-piece from Hungary delivers the "real deal" in metal improvisation with extended guitar jams, saxophone, theremin (the most psychedelic of all instruments), and most importantly, experimentation. To me, psychedelic music represents not only guitar work and effects that send your mind off into outer space, but it should be done with a delivery that is not afraid to try a new and unique approach. Have a listen to KAJGŪN's debut album "Maorey" on Bandcamp: 

Watch the first single "Raawm Dhe Snaayeef" on YouTube: 

Photo credit: Bands Through The Lens https://www.facebook.com/bandsthroughthelens/

Photo by Péter Szalontai, edited by Győző Mesterházy

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"Instrumental psychedelic with a progressive edge" is how Fuzzy describes the debut album "Sage" by Poland's Wąż. A blend of stoner, prog metal, and ambient all tied together with a psychedelic sound. This is instrumental stoner music with a lot going on. Check out "Sage" by Wąż on Bandcamp: 

The songs range from prog metal (the title track "Sage) to mellow ambient ("Solaris") and a blend of both ("Prism") yet the variety really works here. There is a flow and a cohesion to the songwriting that makes for an enjoyable trip across the various styles of music.

Fuzzy's favorite: "Prism" really gets its groove going with its 10-minute run, while "Sage" seems to capture the essence of Wąż's sound, and was a good choice for the title track. The entire album delivers a solid 47 minutes instrumental prog & psych. 

Check out the CD and follow Wąż at https://wazband.bandcamp.com/album/sage 

and 

https://galacticsmokehouse.bigcartel.com/product/waz-sage-2020

Wąż was founded in late 2014 in Cracow by Arek Kaus (gr) Bartek Szeląg (bs) Kamil Łazorczyk (dr) and Paweł Piecha (voc). In 2016 band released on Youtube two singles: Demons in my Head & Revolution. Later on Kuba Szyma joined Wąż on drums and the band evolved into an instrumental trio. Music of the group is a mix of progressive metal compositions, stoner rock grooves and psychedelic trip passages.

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With a band like THE LANCASTERS in The Swamp, it ain't no secret that Fuzzy digs psych rock. So when JAMES BUTTON BAND sent me their new psych rock album, "Desert Revelations" you know I was down to dig it. As in, Fuzzy TOTALLY digs it! Every song has a catchy riff, layered vocals, and that magic blend of psychedelic and rock that only a band with a love for late 60s "Cosmic American Music" (as the band says) or music from the later Beatles albums (Fuzzy's take on James Button Band). Dig "Desert Revelations" by JAMES BUTTON BAND for yourself on Bandcamp:

Fuzzy's Favorite: OK this is a tough choice, since all 7 tracks are solid psych rock. I would say the organ and guitar work in "Good day, time" are absolute psych rock magic, and for a flat-out riffy rocker, Fuzzy's choice is "Powderhorn Blues." No wait -- "Hot Burrito #4" has that slow, bluesy sound which can sometimes be captured so well by psych rock. Or what about the boogie woogie of "Quarantine Days" ? OK, I can't really pick one favorite ... but I'm glad to play this album from start to finish, and then over again. 

"Desert Revelations" by JAMES BUTTON BAND is easily one of the best psych rock albums of the year. 

James Button Band is from Szczecinek, Poland with members: 

• Jakub Legan - guitar, lead vocals
• KArolina Baworowska - bass, hammond organ, piano
• Kamil Kondała - drums, backing vocals

From the band: 

Rock'n'Roll band from Szczecinek (Poland), founded in 2012.  Their music combines Rock, Blues, Psychedelic Rock and Progressive Rock. Inspirations are late 60's/70's and a present day's vibrations. 

Since 2018, they direct their music to listeners outside their country. This year, due to the lockdown, the band locked themselves in the studio and used the concert adrenaline in their studio work. The resulting album combines the inspiration of Cosmic America Music, created by artist Gram Parsons, with their own raw Rock'n'Roll.

The band has a CD available. Contact the band at jamesbuttonband@gmail.com

Follow JAMES BUTTON BAND on Bandcamp at https://jamesbuttonband.bandcamp.com

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