Back catalogue: Psych/Garage Rock

Review: The convergence of Nebula and Black Rainbows for their split album In Search Of The Cosmic Tale: Crossing The Galactic Portal is a monumental event in the heavy psych scene. Released under Gabriele Fiori's Heavy Psych Sounds label, this collaboration marks the 300th entry in its catalog, making it a significant milestone for both bands. The album features three tracks from each band, offering a potent dose of heavy rock spanning 32 minutes. Nebula, revered pioneers of heavy psych, contribute three newly recorded songs that build upon their recent releases 'Holy Shit' and 'Transmission From Mothership Earth.' Meanwhile, Black Rainbows unleash three tracks selected from their sessions for the acclaimed Superskull album, released in 2023. Their contribution includes two blistering stoner rock tracks and a heavy space-infused tune. The cover art, crafted by the talented Simon Berndt, perfectly encapsulates the cosmic atmosphere of the album. With its raw energy and sonic exploration, In Search Of The Cosmic Tale: Crossing The Galactic Portal promises an exhilarating journey through the depths of heavy psych rock. This collaboration is a rare treat for fans within the genre.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Original sleeve is missing so LP is in a generic sleeve, otherwise in excellent working condition***


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There's a gritty but spatial feeling to Vyvyd. One minute you're disorientated by walls of guitar, bass and vocals that seem to be capable of translating strobe lighting into audio, another moment things are floating along on an ethereal plane, passing by gentile twanged melodies and wavy vocals en route to somewhere most likely gated and pearly

The Venetian alternative rock outfit have certainly found their stride in the last decade or so, with this latest effort arguably the most personality packed. Of course, it has debts we're well-versed in, but this is more a case of considering established genre lines rather than regurgitation or repetition. A murky, cosmic but ultimately commanding take on tough-yet-loose distorted rock 'n' roll, it packs emotions every bit as powerful as the understatedly epic and expansive instrumentation.

Review: Nick Nicely, born as Nickolas Laurien, stands as a strange anomaly in the British music annals, no less than one of late twentieth century psychedelia's single greatest 'one who got away'. Despite a baffling lack of success, he's been creating strange and unique lysergically-fried avant-pop sporadically ever since, and Space Of A Second marks a rare full-length album of new material in a career chequered by both genius and inertia. Something like an otherworldly collaboration between Robyn Hitchcock and Mark Hollis, yet with a beguiling and soft-focus-styled production oddly redolent of modern-day innovators like Ariel Pink, this is a strange and fascinating transmission from a rare talent and an eternal outsider.

Review: Don't worry, if this is the first encounter with Nolan Potter's Nightmare Band. Take it from us the troupe are anything but the stuff hiding beneath the bed and in the closet. In reality, they're nothing short of overtly-positive, life-affirming, and celebratory, calling on vast walls of sound and to create commanding avant-folk and psychedelic rock overtures. Stylistically, there's a mythological undercurrent, like being transported to some strange alternate dimension, where nymphs play Fenders and wizards a Wurlitzer. Quite where the inspiration comes from is anyone's guess (well, OK, a little research will tell you plenty), but let's not get bogged down in conceptuality. Songs such as "Seahorse Retreat" are perhaps the best examples of the act's ability to make surrealism feel universally accessible, ode to joy and love and happiness. "Pity In The City" is a jangling combination of acoustic and plugged-in guitars, Potter's vocals lilting atop incredibly complex arrangements.