GODS & PUNKS

"A Shrine by the Sea" (Electric Valley Records; 2026)

Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton

Interestingly, in my review of Gods & Punks' 2024 EP, "Mountains of Garbage," I mentioned the fact that there were only three tracks included but it was enough to interest me in the band's upcoming releases. So, when "A Shrine by the Sea," hit my inbox, I was a little disappointed to see that their first "long-play" only included two tracks: "Poseidon" and "The Lighthouse." Upon closer investigation, however, I discovered that those two tracks each run over twenty minutes, and are apparently made up of a series of sub-tracks. So, there are really ten tracks here, not just two, and many of them are divided into "waves," e.g., "Poseidon (Wave 1)", etcetera.

I don't know why I wrote that all down. It's unnecessary explanation. All you have to do is plug this album into your favorite player, punch the PLAY button, and sit back and let the world of Gods & Punks surround you.

Like "Mountains of Garbage," "A Shrine by the Sea" is not only a collection of fuzzy/stoner/doom tunes, defined by their thick, smoky sound and slow-grind vocals, it's a world-building atmospheric record that's best listened to in complete silence, with the lights off, and some sort of THC product in your immediate vicinity.

Like all stoner/doom/fuzz rock bands, Gods & Punks isn't for everyone. Some listeners just want to get their ass kicked by the music (Judas Priest, Metallica). Others want to grow horns (Black Sabbath, Slayer). Still others want their metal soaked in a little art solution (Deep Purple, Dream Theater). Gods & Punks is slow, syrupy story-telling, and it does that well. Listener focus is the key here. I really wouldn't recommend listening to "A Shrine by the Sea" when you're driving or you're at a party. It's music that requires concentration and contemplation. Everyone wants what they want, and that can vary day by day so, if you're winding down for the day and just want to let your mind sail, this might be the album for you.

For more information, check out https://godsandpunks.bandcamp.com/album/mountains-of-garbage-ep.

"Mountains of Garbage" (Self-released; 2024)

Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton

There's only three tracks on Gods & Punks' EP, "Mountains of Garbage," but there's enough here to draw your interest to the band and their atmospheric/stoner/doom sound.

The title track is up first, and it starts out with a fuzzy riff that hooks you from the very beginning. The song rambles through its remaining five minutes with a crawling, beckoning sound that while it never really kicks in, easily holds your attention throughout. The second track, "Dinosaur Feathers," begins with a bluesy lead that blends into an almost eerie vocal performance that really packs on the atmosphere. The song crescendos into a pretty solid rocker about half way through. "Purple Moon," the final (and shortest track) plays like a lost Black Sabbath tune with its loopy Tony Iommi riff and lots of fuzzy guitar throughout. By far, my favorite track on the EP.

I'm not 100% sold on Gods & Punks based on the three tracks here but there was plenty enough to draw my interest to look forward to their future releases. Which is what an EP should do, right?

Gods & Punks: Alexandre C. - Vocals; Pedro C. - Bass; Rodrigo B. - Guitars; Gabriel S. - Drums.

For more information, check out https://godsandpunks.bandcamp.com/album/mountains-of-garbage-ep.

Rating Guide:

A classic. This record will kick your ass.

Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.

So-so. You've heard better.

Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.

Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.

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