Every now and again you are confronted with the unwelcome news, that a band you have come to cherish and respect, have decided to call it a day.

Such was the case recently with Formes – I had been eagerly awaiting a vinyl release date for their debut album ‘Dysphoria Part 1‘, only to be deflated with an unexpected announcement, signalling the end of the band.

At the time, I prophetically commented that “the phoenix will rise again” – so certain was I, that the fire in these guys would not remain dormant for long. The simmering energy in Formes’ performance at 2014’s Liverpool Psych Fest, a clear indicator for me, of the restless spirits within.

Photo by: Christian Apolo

‘Caballo Negro’ or Black Horse by Sudakistan is an album I was destined to hear.

In the week leading up to Liverpool Psych Fest 2104, if El Lobo first came to me in the guise of ‘Dale Gas’, then ‘Rabia‘ literally injected me with Sudakistan’s rabid frenzy. My pack allegiance was immediately assured.

Luke Reilly, co-founder of PNKSLM Recordings, at the time described Sudakistan as a group of five South American guys, living in Stockholm and as being, “the best live band around today”.

Liverpool certainly fanned the flames of Sudakistan’s glowing reputation, whetting the appetite with the promise of much more to come…

Mamuthones, in concert with their appearance at Liverpool Psych Fest this past weekend, cement their “Street Fighting Man” credentials with the release of their, ‘Symphony For The Devil’ EP.

As the name suggests, Alessio Gastaldello’s cohorts take the Rolling Stones classic, liberally sprinkle it with their trademark, Italian Occult Psychedelic dust, and serve it up in the shape of a revitalised, deranged disco-chic, magickal beggar’s banquet.

MDME SPKR‘s ‘Humanoid’, vinyl is not even in my sweaty little mitts quite yet, but the sense of anticipation on this one goes wwwaaayyy beyond palpable!

The official release date is October 01st, only 4 more sleeps, only 4 more sleeps…

How long have I been waiting for this? Since 13:25 on 11th March 2014, precisely – that’s how long I’ve been waiting for this record, that’s when I first purchased ‘Big Nothing’ and ‘Humanoid // Live’, via the bandcamp platform.

I had been blown away, captivated and ensnared by the incendiary vocals of MDME SPKR aka Laurie Battie aka Lau Betti, when I first heard Lau’s visceral delivery on the Sonic Jesus track ‘Reich‘, some weeks earlier. (An unforgettable live experience, consummated later at Eindhoven Psych Lab 2014).

I have been a fan of Purple Heart Parade since their Manager, 5th wheel and sound-man extraordinaire, Stephen De Sarasola, pointed me in their direction around the happening of Eindhoven Psych Lab 2014.

Stephen led me to Purple Heart Parade, who in turn led me to fellow noise-cohorts Helicon, Helicon then led me to François Sky, François Sky and Guests played at Reverence Valada in 2104, through François I made contact with Jason Fletcher, one half of the dynamic duo, along with Nick Allport, responsible for bringing us the “celebration of the best in heavy psych, stoner and space-rock”, extravaganza, that is Reverence Valada. Reverence Valada brought me and Purple Heart Parade to Portugal on this balmy, 2015 festival opening Thursday evening – everything is connected, what goes around comes around…