From the banks of the Mississippi, somewhere between the Illinois-Iowa state line, rises four longhaired, dirty-denimed, rock n’ roll creatures, armed with only their guitars and an unrelenting hunger for volume. They call themselves Strange News, and they specialize in a singular retro riff-o-rama that can only be described as rural metal. These dudes (and that is what they are) have been going at it for a couple years now, debuting last year with a two song demo that featured an original (“Death Rides the Winds of September”) and a cover straight out of the stoned age (Mass Temper’s “Grave Digger”). Now, with 2026 on the horizon, Strange News continue to spread their heavy gospel with their debut EP, Liar’s Curse.
Over the course of 4 songs and 21ish minutes, give or take, Strange News traverses the organic stylings of prehistoric doom, wild ’70s metal, swaggering hard rock, and even shirtless classic punk, melding these tropes together in a manner that comes off as more Pentagram than the last Pentagram album. There is not a hint of filler to be found, and although their personnel has changed since the recording of this album (more on that in a bit), the band’s intent remains as clear and focused as ever…well, as clear and focused as a freaker on an acid bender can be, at least.
The opening “MK Baby”, with its conspiracy-crazed lyricism (Does it qualify as “conspiracy” if its been proven correct?), crashing drums, and motörcharged riffage showcases the band’s knack for dirty, over the top metalpunk madness, owing as much to The Stooges as it does Lemmy and company. It’s the perfect tune to push one’s neck muscles to their utmost limit and open up a truly wild affair. The mystical title track follows, featuring vocals from now former singer/guitarist Sara Abrams, who also provided cover art for this release. Between Abrams’ esoteric vocals and the psych-stoner grooves that dominate, one can draw parallels to ’60s staples Jefferson Airplane or Coven, as well as Abrams’ former band, The Obsessed.
The third cut on this EP is a revisit of “Death Rides the Winds of September” off the demo, and truthfully, I’m digging this version, proper production and all, more than the OG. Those Wino-esque twin guitar riffs, tasty leads, and doomy flavorings really shine in technicolor here, grooving along from start to finish with an undeniable old school cool. Speaking of doom, while the closing 7 minute crusher that is “Vinegar Hound” is the most textbook stoner/doom cut on here, it’s anything BUT drab or boring. With a lumbering opening riff that could pass as the bastard offspring of Sabbath’s “Under the Sun”, “Vinegar Hound” brings the EP to a hulking close.
Having already proved themselves with the demo and now EP format, I look forward to hearing what Strange News can accomplish on a full length in the near future. There’s no doubt that many bands today are chasing that same hazy aesthetic as they. The difference is Strange News nails it not because of the instruments they play or the clothes they wear, but the power of their songwriting, which is something far too many of these imitators lack, but you knew that already. That’s old news. THIS is Strange News!
8 out of 10
Label: Independent
Genre: Doom Metal
For fans of: Pentagram, The Obsessed, Black Sabbath