Blaak Heat-Shifting Mirrors

Svart Records
2016

With an expected due-date of April 15th, 2016, "Shifting Mirrors" is the latest release from the highly-innovative trio known as Blaak Heat. Formed in Paris, France in 2008 by vocalist/guitarist Thomas Bellier (ex-Spindrift), Blaak Heat began life as Blaak Heat Shujaa before a change in style and location lead to the new and improved moniker. Now somewhat fittingly based in Las Angeles, Blaak Heat is as warm and colorful as their new local woulds suggest with the avant-garde "Shifting Mirrors" obviously soaking up all of the imagination and creativity that L.A. has to offer. Without downplaying the hard and heavy nature of Blaak Heart's third album, "Shifting Mirrors" falls somewhere between desert/stoner rock and anything-goes psychedelic rock. Repeated listens are mandatory if you are to pick up on all of the subtle nuances of this unconventional album, but that's not an issue at all seeing as you are going to want to hit the repeat button on Blaak Heat's new album! This one is most definitely something different, but as always different can be a good thing!

Wake Up Lucid-Gone With The Night

WUL Records
2015

Due to drop in late March, "Gone With The Night" is the forth overall release from L.A. heavy/gutter rock trio Wake Up Lucid. Produced once more by Icarus Line’s Joe Cardamone at his studio, Valley Recording Co. in Burbank, California, "Gone With The Night" is said to be more "focused and realized" than previous Wake Up Lucid recordings although I'll just have to take their word on that one! Especially seeing as band-members/cousins Ryan, Ian, and Jamie offer some reckless, unrelenting and down-right LOUD rock and roll on their latest work! If this is the band having evolved then I would reckon to say that their past work must be really crazy! That said, I say good on these cousins as "Gone With The Night" is nothing if not fun and for my money this slab of unrestrained/anything goes gutter rock is a rather good time all around! The trio behind such gems as "Let It Roll", "I Want" and "Get Fucked" let's it all hang loose all while showing off their new found skills as songwriters/performers. There are so many nooks and crannies crammed into each individual song that you are likely to pick up on something new with each listen. And you'' want to listen to this one a couple of times (at the very least!) as there isn't a dub to be found on "Gone With The Night". With a new LP reportedly in the works L.A.'s Wake Up Lucid sounds as if they will be repeating the benefits of their partner in crime Joe Cardamone so be sure to keep a close eye on this trio in 2015!    http://www.wakeuplucid.com/