ELDER - 'LIMINALITY / DREAM STATE RETURN'

Formats

• PSYCHOBABBLE140 - LP (COLOURED)

  4015698758801

Details

**LTD ONE-SIDED 180G TRANSLUCENT VINYL W/ ETCHING ON B SIDE** At the end of 2024, Elder looked back on an unusual period in their now near 20-year career. A few years ago, the band had released their most progressive record yet, 2022's highly acclaimed Innate Passage, followed by the usual heavy touring schedule, including a 24-show arena tour supporting Tool. The band then took a year-long sabbatical to recharge their creative batteries, which, instead of rest, culminated in the release of multiple albums by side projects. Convening in the winter of that year for a two-week songwriting session at Big Snuff Studio in Berlin, the band set a goal of knocking off the rust and putting together ideas for the next record. While combing through an archive of old sketches, they hit upon an outline of a song from somewhere between 2020's Omens and its successor Innate Passage, abandoned then for reasons now inscrutable. Picking up the pieces with fresh ears, Elder fleshed out a new version of the track, which is firmly rooted between those two albums but with an identity of its own. Building on the song's ending, a swirling tower of synthesizers, chugging guitars, and almost tribal drumming was constructed during lengthy in-studio jams. Liminality/Dream State Return can be seen as a bridge between eras in Elder's creative universe: one foot is planted in the highly melodic and sometimes alternative/grunge-tinged riffing of Omens, the other in Innate Passage's dreamy prog soundscapes, with its head in the clouds looking toward Elder's upcoming LP 7. Vinyl comes as a one-sided, 180 g translucent LP with etching on the B side, including a download.

Tracks

Tracklist: 1. Liminality / Dream State Return

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THE BEAST OF ENGLAND - 'ASTRODOMINA'

Formats

• UFO004 - LP

  199284141674

Details

***In the catacombs beneath San Francisco, a vast, labyrinthine maze stretches out in every direction. Illuminated only by the light of 1,001 Lava Lamps, there lies a network of tunnels, tunnels that connect the city by the bay to myriad alternate dimensions. Heavy Rock lifers and Stoner Doom cosmonauts, The Beast of England, make their home in this cosmic underworld, and they’re only too happy to give you the grand tour. Sitting by the banks of the Sea of Infinite Riffage, they will sing songs and regale you with tales of adventurers driven mad by the ravages of space and time. Those tales are collected here, on their full length vinyl debut, “Astrodomina”. If they offer you anything to eat, drink or smoke, you may want to think twice but, hey, you only live once. Or do you?

Tracks

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FRACTION - 'MOON BLOOD'

Formats

• EZRDR169LP - LP

  603111764214

• EZRDR169CD - CD

  603111764221

Details

US Black Friday 2025 Release. There are very few albums in the psych/punk/hard rock/private presses strata that garner the sort of universal awe and accolades that Fraction’s almighty Moonblood LP does, and even fewer records in the world that could be dubbed ‘Christian Rock’ incur such fierce devotion. Indeed some records just meteorically lift themselves out any genre tag with brilliance and sheer defiance--and Moonblood is surely one of them. Based in LA, Fraction was a ragged collection of working-class musicians--the line-up was ringleader Jim Beach--vocals; Don Swanson--lead guitar, Curt Swanson--drums, Victor Hemme--bass, and Robert Meinel--rhythm guitar. Beach himself describes those early days: “The guys met through various acquaintances that we had in LA. All of us had been in bands before, but were seeking something with more teeth. We had a small studio in an industrial complex in North Hollywood and started practicing sometimes as early as 4:30 AM. We all had day jobs, so we did what we could.” Amazingly the recording sessions for the album were recorded similarly on the fly, as Beach further states: “The Moonblood recording took place at Whitney’s Studio in Glendale, CA, early in 1971. On a strict budget, these songs were recorded in less than three hours—all of them “one takes.” We played, all 5 of us, simultaneously-- there were no studio effects, no overdubbing or any additional sound effects added. Basically what you hear is considered ‘old school’ recording.” This workmanlike description in no way prepares one for the pure tortured genius the session wrought. Particularly noteworthy is Beach’s vocals—as commonly stated, the spirit of Jim Morrison is conjured in his deep baritone, which gives way to unparalleled pained howls, at times bathed in delay which trails into the abyss. Fascinatingly enough, Beach cites the much punker Love as his fave LA band over the Doors, and also gives influence-nods to proto-everything rockers The Yardbirds and to Dylan, whose dark word tapestries surely inspired Beach’s lyrics (though lines from The Doors’ “L’America” pop up on the LP) Whatever the case, the man clearly has a vision, as even the stark sleeve concept is Beach’s own. Equally as integral to the Fraction sound is lead guitarist Don Swanson—his blown-out fuzz riffs set a template for what is now commonly known as “stoner rock” or “acid punk,” and his solos consist of jagged, wah-wah-ed shards of notes, with his amplifier clearly pushed to the limit. Beach says: “Don’s guitar was always my driving force and he did everything he could to keep it over the top. You’d never know that (his sound) was coming from an old, broken down Esquire. Don kept it alive!” The other members contributions shouldn’t be underappreciated though-- drummer Curt Swanson keeps things at a constant simmer, and then boils over when the whole band launches into snarling glory. The band and LP as a whole equals something indescribably intense from start to finish—comparisons to the Detroit late 60s high-energy bands like The Stooges and MC5 abound, as well as the sort of late 60s damaged spirit lurking in biker clubs and disgruntled Vietnam vets. The song cycle on side 1 of the LP in particular cuts to the emotional core, with severely charged dark lyrics like “Extend your thumbs and burn the darkness out of her.” Which brings us to the Christian aspect--it often can confuse listeners. The Fraction/Beach world of religion is complex and perhaps a bit pagan/sinister than most---fire and brimstone, temptation, and the truth-seeker being burned by this hell on earth—or perhaps as Beach himself best put it: “Speaking for myself, as a believer, it’s been a progressive experience since my childhood. I think we’re all basically driven to live more than religion.” The album was pressed in a run of but a few hundred to little attention in the day, but now inferior bootlegs flood the marketplace, and originals of Moonblood command thousands of dollars. So enjoy this all-inclusive reissue, which also features for the first time on vinyl, 3 lost tracks-- like the more acoustic-minded “prisms” and “dawning light,” as well as the proto-metal choogle of “Intercessor’s Blues.” 

Tracks

1. Sanc-Divided 2. Come Out Of Her 3. Eye Of The Hurricane 4. Sons Come To Birth 5. This Bird (Sky High) 6. Prisms (bonus track) 7. Dawning Light (bonus track) 8. Intercessor's Blues (bonus track)

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MOTORPSYCHO - 'AHSOL CARAVAN'

Formats

• NFGS0325 - CD

  9008798703074

Details

There are all kinds of summits, but the Mountains of Madness top all others. The Ahsol Caravan was the ultimate challenge, and together they found the highest high. But also the deepest depths. Considered a lost film for close to 50 years, Theo Buhara’s AHSOL CARAVAN can now finally be experienced as the independent movie masterpiece it is, and as a true cinematic phoenix, with a spectacular soundtrack to boot, written by Motorpsycho, the very same band that scored his neo-spaghetti western THE TUSSLER in the early 90’s.

Tracks

1- Have You Got It Yet? ( Theme From Ahsol Caravan)
2- Prince Rupert's Holy Mountain
3- The Sicle Girls
4- Gong Phishin'/ Edgar's Bathtub
5- Sonic Cherrox / The Visions of St. Ephy Seim
6- The Coming of Prince Rupert / Ahsol Caravan
7- Intermission
8- The Ecstacy of Christian Block (The Witch)
9- Yeni the Yeti & the Lonely Droner/ Other Voices
10- Kailash Ascended (Death in The Ice)
11- Florian's Final Flowering
12- Theme From Ahsol Caravan (Slight Return)

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JERRY GARCIA BAND - 'Live At The Warfield: March 1st, 1991'

Formats

• JGFRR1063 - 4LP BOX

  880882668310

Details

The second installment in the Live at The Warfield vinyl series presents the Jerry Garcia Band's complete performance from March 1st, 1991 considered by at least one critic as "one of the [band's] best and most interesting shows of the '90s. It's presented here on 5xLPs housed in gatefold packaging. The band--Jerry Garcia, John Kahn, Melvin Seals, David Kemper, Gloria Jones, and Jacklyn LaBranch--locks in immediately with a punchy "Cats Under the Stars" and keeps the energy flowing throughout both sets. Standouts include a gritty, reawakened version of "He Ain't Give You None," emotional takes on "Forever Young" and "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down," and a second set full of surprises--like the return of "Money Honey" and "Positively 4th Street" after more than a decade on the shelf. At the heart of it all is a sprawling journey through "Don't Let Go," where Garcia channels blues, jazz, and full-on psychedelia in a masterclass of vocal and instrumental improvisation.

Tracks

SET ONE:
Side A: TUNING / HOLD YOUR HEAD UP

CATS UNDER THE STARS


Side B: HE AIN'T GIVE YOU NONE

STRUGGLING MAN


Side C: FOREVER YOUNG

RUN FOR THE ROSES


Side D: THE NIGHT THEY DROVE OLD DIXIE DOWN

LAY DOWN SALLY


SET TWO:

Side E: THE HARDER THEY LOVE

MONEY HONEY


Side F: AND IT STONED ME

RUSSIAN LULLABY


Side G: DON'T LET GO


Side H: POSITIVELY 4TH STREET

EVERYBODY NEEDS SOMEBODY TO LOVE

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JERRY GARCIA BAND - 'Live At The Warfield: March 2nd, 1991'

Formats

• JGFRR1064 - 5 LP BOX

  880882668419

Details

Live at The Warfield: March 2nd, 1991 closes out the run on a high note, with the Jerry Garcia Band raising the roof on the old place. The night flows front to back through heartfelt ballads like "I Shall Be Released" and "Mississippi Moon" to a rousing "Tore Up Over You" and a blistering "Let's Spend the Night Together.” Set Two delivers a double dose of Dylan with a haunting “Señor" and a spirited "Tangled Up in Blue," and more high points from across the band's repertoire--including "Struggling Man," "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love," and "That Lucky Old Sun." Pressed to 5 LPs and housed in gatefold packaging, Live at The Warfield: March 2nd, 1991 is a fitting farewell to three unforgettable nights at the JGB's Bay Area home.

Tracks

SET ONE:

Side A: HOW SWEET IT IS (TO BE LOVED BY YOU)

I SHALL BE RELEASED


Side B: YOU NEVER CAN TELL (C'EST LA VIE)

MISSISSIPPI MOON


Side C: TORE UP OVER YOU

MY SISTERS AND MY BROTHERS


Side D: LET'S SPEND THE NIGHT TOGETHER


SET TWO:

Side E: THE WAY YOU DO THE THINGS YOU DO

SE?OR (TALES OF YANKEE POWER)


Side F: STRUGGLING MAN

MONEY HONEY


Side G: EVERYBODY NEEDS SOMEBODY TO LOVE

EVANGELINE


Side H: THAT LUCKY OLD SUN


Side I: TANGLED UP IN BLUE

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