FOREWORD

Where to start? It is getting beyond hectic to keep pace with the heavy scene here in Australia. It feels like not a week goes by without discovering more new blood from all points of a very wide and talented spectrum. Incredible psych jams (Comacozer, Zong, Pseudo Mind Hive, Frozen Planet…1969), punishing doom and sludge (Merchant, Religious Observance, Summonus, Potion), searing heavy rock (Witchskull, Sumeru, Peeping Tom, Motherslug, Wicked City, Arrowhead) and all points in between, the scene ‘down under’ is literally overflowing and the quality is high.

I’ve always felt a great deal of pride when our bands are heard and recognized around the globe. Recent years have seen bands such as Child, Riff Fist, and Powder for Pigeons playing their way around the festivals in Europe, in fact, one of our most electrifying bands is Hobo Magic and they are about to relocate to Europe and give being a touring band a red-hot crack. Arrowhead and Witchskull signing to Ripple Music and Rise Above respectively. Turtle Skull signing up with excellent Australian label Art as Catharsis. We cheer on every such success for our bands.

There is a long, rich history of heavy music here which fits the ‘Doomed & Stoned’ vibe, and whilst some it has been heard I suspect much of it has flown under the radar over the years. For reference to some of our classic and much revered bands, I refer you to Christbait, Clagg, Dern Rutlidge, Budd, Thumlock, Pod People, Peeping Tom (not the Mike Patton version, this band is waaaay better and were around long before old mate Mike came along!), Pillow, Ahkmed, Warped, Blood Duster, Stiff Meat and Rollerball – a decent starting point anyway, this draws some Oz blood for you.

Great news that accompanies this compilation is the resurrection of Pod People, who were previously signed to Rise Above Records and have been dormant for many years. You will find their track ‘Back to Reality’ here on the compilation, and they will be making a triumphant return at Sun Burn Festival in late 2019.

Time to hit the road and get this into your speakers! A huge hell yeah to all of the bands who have contributed to the compilation, and to Billy at Doomed and Stoned for his support of the Australian scene, and scenes the world over. Thank you to all the bands for your patience, and more importantly, for bringing life and fire to the stages around the country (and beyond!).

Cheers,

Clint Willis
Hand of Doom Radio
Curator, Doomed & Stoned in Australia