As the band name and album title hint strongly, this is another band playing those stoner-desert-eventually-it-all-comes-back-to-Sabbath vibes. Baltimore's Black Lung is on the propulsive side of this sound, which is my preference as well. The heavy psych influence also begs the question: Is this rock or metal?

Black Lung Forever Beyond (Sonic Age Records)

I'm tired of meandering over and around that debate. Black Lung has the solid riffage and straight-forward movement of many European rock bands that allow themselves to get as heavy as they like. And about once a song there's a pretty direct nod to the Sabs. So . . . I don't care. This is the band's fifth album, and yes, the simple competence earned by experience is a big deal.

But Black Lung is far more than competent. These songs soar in unexpected ways, and they don't always follow the expected path. There's even some political content for those who dig that ("Border Hoarder" pretty much explains itself).

Every once in a while it feels good to strip naked and blast music like this real loud. TMI? Don't knock it if you haven't tried it, but please, don't do it at your kid's preschool. Back in the day there was a myth about driving a car to its limits to "clear out the carbon". That was bogus, but Black Lung at 11 will give you a far better cleanse than whatever Cilantro Acai Wheatgrass thing you're drinking. Cheers!

Jon Worley