US heavy blues/stoner rockers Malkasian premiere new single and music video »Occult 5«; new album »Heavy Blues« out October 22nd!

Denver, Colorado based heavy blues/stoner rockers Malkasian premiere new single and music video »Occult 5« taken from their upcoming album, »Heavy Blues«, set to release on October 22nd, 2025.

Tracklist:
01. Occult 5
02. Hedonic
03. Flails
04. Long Pig
05. Do You? Spoonful
06. Lament Blues
07. Collapse Inside

Courtesy of Desert Bloom PR:

Denver’s dark and bluesy rock and roll band Malkasian premiere new single and music video for »Occult 5« on No Clean Singing!

“As we sometimes do, we’re going off most of our well-beaten paths with the song and video we’re about to premiere. No shrieking or guttural growling this time, but only singing. No blast-beats or brutality, but only the blues. But lest you think we’ve completely lost our way, these blues are very heavy – just as promised by the title of the album that includes the song – and very devilish too.” – No Clean Singing

»Heavy Blues« is more despondent and apathetic. Yearning to feel something when you haven’t been able to feel at all.

This record attempts to honor the essence of the blues while embracing grit, chaos, and indifference to conventions like the heavy alternative scene. It was made because it had to be, “just because….” Tropes about “being born under the blood red moon” and other cliches won’t cut it. The words and feelings are for here and now.

Coming out of the release of »The Macabre« in 2023 there was an urge to have a “band record.” It’s more about the playing and improvisation than song craft this time around. It captures what happens at the live show. Recruiting drummer and collaborator Jordan Bettner, his cousin, Sam Rucker on bass and good friend Dave Rosenberg on harmonica; they started rehearsing songs from »The Macabre«. Some of these jams on old songs spawned new ones in the spirit of “contrafact.” How many times did the bebop standard »I Got Rhythm« get a refresh in the 1940’s? Between the synergy of a new ensemble and show opportunities in Denver we arrive at »Heavy Blues«. A record made by players and for players, at least in contrast to »The Macabre« which is much more produced and carefully constructed. »Heavy Blues« was made because it had to be. Its meant to convey the exercise and act of working through ones thoughts, reservations, and need to evolve through music.

Malkasian is:
Sean Malkasian – Guitars and Vocals
Jordan Bettner – Drums
Sam Rucker – Bass
Dave Rosenberg – Harmonica

FFO: Queens Of The Stone Age, Pride & Glory, Clutch

Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well