Driving Force: Wayne Rudell (Powered Wig Machine)

By: Walter Kovacs

After a small hiatus, Driving Force is back. For this installation of Driving Force, we have an interview with undoubtedly one of the best band out of southeastern Arizona, Powered Wig Machine.

Their infectious blend of hard stoner-rock with a heavy metal chaser is habit forming. Some describe their music as being a fluid mix of Clutch, Queens Of The Stone Age, and Kyuss. If I had to compare them to a mixed drink, I would say that they would be akin to something like a Sazarac, big flavor with a strong powerful kick, a little spice and flair, and a whole lot of satisfying smoothness.

Reviews: TOAD "Rotten Tide"

By: Garviel Loken

Analog tape? Songs tracked live? Vintage gear? TOAD answers definitively yes on "Rotten Tide," a ripping and infectious album that won't leave your memory anytime soon. It is impossible to pause this album, the devil or some lesser demon just won't let you walk away from experiencing the complete work. Besides, before you know it, the music ends. In less than twenty-two minutes spread across five songs, this unholy creation of sound releases all the foul things that dwell in the dark spaces and casts them upon your ears.

Reviews: Methra "EP"

By: Garviel Loken

In a world of ten minute songs with constant tempo changes and staccato, off kilter time signatures, it is a nice thing to settle down with some music that eschews the polished veneer and delivers the bare bones. The newest Methra EP certainly does this, and no better phrase than "straight forward" can be found to describe what is contained in these five songs. So if you don't like to rock out to the not so delicate sounds of doom and sludge, please stop reading this review, dab some angel dust onto your eyes, and go party on with your speed metal. Now, where were we...

On The Road: Winter/Spring 2012

Some of Arizona's heaviest bands will be touring across the United States this spring. Be sure to get your ass off the couch and check some of these guys out. You will not be disappointed.

Seas Will Rise: Facebook

3/2: Las Vegas, NV - Yayo's Tacos
3/3: Salt Lake City, UT - Raunch Records
3/4: Idaho Falls, ID - The Wax House
3/5: Portland, OR - The Know
3/6: Portland, OR - The North Hole
3/7: Santa Rosa, CA - The Transient Lounge
3/8: TBA
3/9: Los Angeles, CA - BIP

Video: Rituals "It Was All Very Sudden"

This is the first video released from Rituals brand new self titled album that is due to be released in March. We will be featuring an review of this entire album right here on the Axe in the coming days. Rituals is one of Arizona's finest bands, bringing us their own brand of desert doom, a many layered masterpiece of emotion and angst. Don't miss out on this band!

Driving Force: David Rodgers (Godhunter)

by: Walter Kovacs

For this installment of Driving Force, I present an interview with David Rodgers.

David is a guitarist and vocalist for the band Godhunter. Godhunter has been a seminal force in the Tucson metal scene for a few years now. Despite some line-up changes, this last year has seen a lot of action for the band. Within this last year they have released their first record, a split 10” with Tucson’s own Methra, as well as the new devastatingly heavy recording “Wolves." Godhunter is a band that is not afraid to piss people off and push the boundaries of heavy music.

Reviews: Godhunter "Wolves"

By: Luther Von Fuzz

I had the chance to sit down and listen to the new release "Wolves" by the Tucson Sludge/Doom band Godhunter. "Wolves" is an elevated saga of fire-eating doom, Philistine in its riffs, and merciless to your ears with astonishing heaviness. The sophomore album is a stalwart follow-up to the "Teargas EP." The album has great "flow" and bang-up production.