(Translated from Portugese)

Considered, not long ago, as the future of doom metal conceptualized by Terrorizer, the British Alunah edited this
summer's second album titled White Hoarhound. Natural Birmingham, birthplace of Black Sabbath, the Alunah clearly show the legacy of his countrymen.

The 7 themes that make White Hoarhound do Alunah of a band of doom metal, as indeed you might have guessed, this sound mix though with some stoner, sludge and groove metal. With the excellent production of Greg Chandler, parade along the hard rhythms and songs in slow tempo with long, dark and gloomy atmosphere, with smaller and weighed tones predominate. A certain melody and some atmospheric music also involves the White Hoarhound, contributing to such performance vocalist and guitarist Soph Day

Certainly lovers of doom metal here are more a "pearl" something lost in the vast universe of metal. Editing is the PsycheDOOMelic Records, which already accustomed us to launch high quality field of doom.

http://www.metalurgiasonora.com/search/label/White%20Hoarhound

(Translated from Italian)

I had not yet happened to run into a doom metal band with female singer and I have to admit that it is a pleasant discovery. The four components are Alunah from Midlands, United Kingdom, and the latter work, "White Hoarhound" is their second album, the first for PsycheDOOMelic Record. Seven tracks for a release that deserves careful listening, in which the atmosphere proposals do not give the listener never excessive and redundant heavy doom.
It happens however that the slow rhythmic and instrumental minimalism is offset by a surprising counterpoint voice. The female voice is definitely a big plus, personality and well adapted to the environment even though it is far from gloomy, but rather powerful and vital. Reverbs and reverse shots blur the edges of an otherwise very decided tone.
I loved the sound of guitars, distorted and dark so that the sound does not be too overwhelming when placed next to an item so energetic. In addition, devices such as solos, rhythms and sped to the synth sound carpets help to dampen the linearity of the slow metal without distorting it. As well as tracks like "Oak Ritual I" represent a moment of breath tight in the mood of the disc, especially appreciated for the office introspective, to which the item was accompanied by the unique sound of clean guitar and keyboard arrangements of the background.

I wonder what influences may suffer most, but I feel obliged to secure the passage by his fellow Black Sabbath, of course, for the lesson of "Paranoid". Mix well the instrumental parts and those sung, the Alunah then reach a result very homogeneous, dare I say almost recognizable style. And I think that smart is the most important result of our English.

http://www.metalwave.it/viewrece.php?id=4346

(Translated from German)

The name Alunah stands for six years now for a mix of stoner and doom metal from Birmingham. Under the label PsycheDOOMelic Records (please what?) The troops posted around singer Soph Day now become her second studio album. Alongside the band is also represented on a total of nine different known compilations.

Why do I, as the true followers of the faster subgenre of metal, I just have such an album rausgepickt for reviewing, can be answered quite simply: It had just gone. And perhaps waiting at the end of the rainbow indeed a pot of gold for me.
 
Here we go with the song of Demeter's grief, as one would expect from just doom metal, slowly begins to slowly and slowly culminates ends. But this must not be the same but bad that even the master of Black Sabbath made it clear in some of their songs. About the, admittedly unspectacular, instrumental build floats the voice of singer Soph Day, which gives the dish but a very tasteful touch.

Belial's Fjord, the third of the seven songs, opens with a brief but atmospheric drum part, which directly at me the pictures of a hunt through a dark forest produces. I should probably go to the shrink some of my confidence. Here,
too, Day's voice floats back almost elfin about the instrumental sounds. However, this song is much more powerful than I would have expected from the beginning of the CD.

With Oak ritual I and II, the album sounds like, as you'd expect: Atmospheric, dark and definitely fits the current fall time - just not quite as moist. With just the solos in the second part of the penultimate song of the album to add a
whole lot of variety.

Conclusion: Alunah deliver with White Hoarhound from an album that at hardcore Doom fans should not be missing on the shelf. Even if the instruments (except for Oak Ritual II) all other sound as great variety, fits through the vocals all together into a coherent whole. The pot of gold at the end of the rainbow I have not found, but at least a piece of
torn clouds on a rainy autumn evening.

(7.5/10)

http://www.time-for-metal.eu/include.php?path=article&contentid=6513

(Translated from Polish)

I tend to have a tendency to przegapiania good, fresh bands. Every man is sitting on some websites, blogs or other webzinach, talking to słuchającymi similar note, and this nasty ailment can not get rid of. Therefore, the "White Hoarhound" is my first contact with Alunah, even though this is the second big album of the operating since 2007, the English crew. I regret that I did not know them before.

I think every fan of stoner / doom sound immediately Alunah likes the new proposal. In "White Hoarhound" consists of a very good compositions, full of heavy riffs, but given the relatively mild as amended, and such playing great, very full of bits and vocal melodies Sophie Day. Imagine Acid King stripped of Hawkwind influence and focused on strictly
stoner / Doom playing. That's how I see this album and I do not think I have to add that it is a compliment. It seems that in the person of singer and guitarist worthy successor Alunah have Lori S, which is something no hurry to release
his new team. The quality of British second album is also confirmed that many of the verses and the chorus is in your head long after listening, it's hard not to hum to himself the perfect title track. Listen, and you will see that i was gonna get this "ailment".

"White Hoarhound" is an album that probably will end up in this year's totals. The reason is simple, it can very quickly charmed, and the feeling is not like a soap bubble bursts. For this album is very smooth, no composition does not stand out from the high-quality whole. I highly recommend it.

(8.5/10)

http://doomsmoker.pl/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1049:alunah-white-hoarhound&catid=7:recenzje&Itemid=18

Formally known as Aluna, (No massive change then) Midlands, UK based female fronted Stoner Doom Metal quartet ALUNAH have unleashed their brand new opus “White Hoarhound”, the follow up to 2010′s debut studio album “Call of Avernus”. Hailing from the birth place of heavy fuzzed up Doom, Alunah seem like the perfect band to take British Stoner Doom forward beyond 2012.

Starting in a slow and calculating fashion, Alunah soon unleash a stream of groove laden beats and melodies to seriously tickle your inner Doomster! Content to amble along at their own down tuned pace, Alunah are seemingly in no rush to up the tempo and their harmonies and riff-age are a joy to listen too, yet when the mood takes them and a little more speed and groove is added to the mix, they become a full on catchy Stoner Doom beast, all topped off nicely with haunting clean female vocals.

What I found whilst listening to “White Hoarhound” is that Alunah don’t exactly take the bull by the horns and grab a hold of your attention the way some bands do. this is a shame but not so much of a problem as the album has a more flowing quality, and as your listening too it you’ll finding yourself sliding deep into a comfortable state of relaxation as the bands music washes over you in waves of groove drenched melodies. Every element of Alunah plays his or her part to the letter and as a result the band appears tight, but on top of that they create nice songs with excellent song structure and never does their out put wander into the realms of boredom.

Some Doom is there to rock your world, to come at you with massive crushing riffs and static fueled fuzz. Alunah though are different. i find their approach to be that of pure entertainers whose sole purpose is to make great sounding songs and be damned if they are not as heavy as some other bands of the same genre. By sticking to what they wish to achieve they have created an album that sounds superb and that should adorn any Doomsters collection! “White Hoarhound” will transport you into the collective psyche of one of the UK’s best Stoner Doom components and leave you floating weightlessly in a sea of good vibes and killer melodies!

[8/10 - LUKE HAYHURST]

http://destructive-music.com/?p=3573

(translated from Norwegian)

Alunah is a quartet from Birmingham, England. They play a good mix of psych, stoner and doom metal. The band consists of two guitarists, Soph Day which is also the vocalist and guitarist Dave Day. Rhythm section consists of bassist Gaz Imber and Jake Mason on drums. Alunah be associated with bands like Orange Goblin, Trouble, Paradise Lost and Witchcraft. In 2010 they came up with the critically acclaimed debut album Call Of Avernus and
is now concerned with their second album, White Hoarhound which came out in September of PSYCHEDOOMELIC Records.

As the scholarly music enthusiast, you probably are, you realize that Alunah parts hometown with THE Black Sabbath from Birmingham, and there is no doubt that Alunah have done our homework. This shows that the degree of White Hoarhound, here they offer good old-fashioned quality doom. Despite a debut album that was praised to the skies, has not Alunah declared themselves satisfied and tops the previous release in every possible way. That's
promise is Soph Day that stands for, she has gone from being an ordinary singer to be in the top echelon of female doom vocalists.

White Hoarhound is a fabulous album of 50 minutes divided in 7 songs. First song up is Demeter's Grief, here's a seductive intro followed by catchy riffs and groovy bass lines. Then comes the title track White Hoarhound with its epic riffs are a bit of a murky affair. The mood is somber, but very alluring and this is clearly the album's highlight.
 
Thanks to the talented musicians who also are skilled in songwriting is White Hoarhound packed with solid songs, which one tops the other. I can name songs that Belial's Fjord, Chester Midsummer Watch Parade and The end comes in dual format, Oak and Oak Ritual In Ritual II. The former acts as a sort of intro to the grand epic in 10 minutes that ends this masterpiece. For it is the Alunah has created with White Hoarhound, an instant classic that will
remain for decades to come.

(9/10)

http://skrikzine.com/2012/10/10/alunah-white-hoarhound/#more-555

(translated from Swedish)

Once upon a time ... So begins the often good stories, this one is no different. It was a long time ago, in the city of Birmingham. Specifically, in the year of  our Lord 1969 that the heavy riff was born. Sure, there had been heavy  riffs before, but this riff was a little darker, a little heavier, a little  meaner. Riff  echoed through the streets of Birmingham, bounced between houses' walls and  eventually become too big for the small town. riff went out into the  world. Some  hearts, which was a little truer, embraced the riff and the love that we had  created more and heavier, darker riffs. Some chose to call this doom riffs. So it happened that in 2006 returned doom-riff to its origin in the city of Birmingham where it took root in the hearts of the people who formed the band named Alunah a quartet from Birmingham.

The band was  formed in 2006 and consists of Soph Day - Vocals and Guitar Dave Day - Guitar Gaz Imber -  Bass Jake  Mason - Drums They have released two full-length album, Call Of  Avernus  and now White Hoarhound and a couple is always fun with good music and for some reason I  always get a little extra happy when it's good music that is kvinnofrontad. Alunah Plays a  natural romanticized psychedelic doom with Pagan influenced texter.Det is much  fuzz, heavy riffs, rumbling bass and drums driven. Above this hovers Soph's  vocals. A winning combo that magazine Terrorizer Magazine proclaimed that "Future of  Doom". Anyway,  the first album was really good. With hand number two takes a step forward and  confirms that it is to be reckoned with. Because this is a really good album composed with very crude dark heaviness and ambience without for that matter become depressed. Really good! The only thing I can complain about is that it feels a little short.

http://spaderess.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/dagens-musiktips-alunah.html

(Translated from Italian)

"White Hoarhound" is the latest effort in the study of British Alunah, Doom Metal project clearly of Old School. Inspired by the mythical Black Sabbath, set off a spiral of ancestral emotions that surround us with magic. Songs by hypnotic rhythms, are the settings of their trademark, given the minimal approach of the tools found there. No virtuosity, only a carpet of soft colors dusted by a very vocal segment chameleon. While we are faced with an unusual (for the genre) female voice, admire his stand at ease in this context. In this sense, we appreciate the
tone, becoming the backbone of the concept of "evocative" of the band. The pieces run off pleasant, thanks to lysergic melodies that will make your heart beat to fans of the genre. The simplicity then can win, thanks to a
charm ancient, but not for this withered"

http://www.stereoinvaders.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&catid=1:cd&id=8049:alunah-white-hoarhound&Itemid=16

Big thanks to Alternative Female Voices Magazine for featuring Alunah in their current issue. Their website can be found at http://www.afvmagazine.com/ and the October issue is out now. We have transcribed the interview with Soph, and their review of White Hoarhound below:

Interview with Soph

To begin with could you introduce Alunah to AFV readers?

We're a heavy rock band from various areas around Birmingham and  Coventry in the English Midlands. We've been described as a doom band, a stoner  band, a heavy psych band... we're all that but mainly a heavy rock  band.

When did the band form and how did you all meet?

We began  in the Summer of 2006, Dave and I have known each other for the best part of 15  years and we met Jake at a Sonic Lord gig (one of Dave's previous bands). Gaz  joined in 2009 to replace our previous bassist, Gaz is a guitarist in General  and we met through playing various shows together on their home turf in Coventry. 

Alunah's an intriguing name,how did you come up with it?

We were originally called Aluna without the 'h' but after a few copyright issues we had to change the spelling. It was originally named after the Mindfunk song of the same name. After reading around the Aluna name we found  that there were many nature based connotations to the name. These subject matters have influenced us, and have helped us evolve the themes around the music. We much prefer the Alunah spelling, like you say, it seems more intriguing somehow.

You're a doom metal band that sound like you have other influences too, what bands do you listen to that have a bearing on your sound?

Yeah we have a wide range of influences outside of the stoner and  doom scenes, from grunge to thrash and from '60s psychedelia to NWOBHM. Between  us we love bands such as Sabbath (obviously), Zeppelin, Maiden, Alice in Chains,  Soundgarden, The Doors, Napalm Death, Dinosaur Jr, The Melvins, Neil Young, Acid  King, Cream... so many to mention but we listen to such a variety and I hope  that does show in the music. We don't just want to be a one dimensional band.

How would you describe your own sound in no more than five words?

Seventies Inspired Heavy Doomed Grooves

Who writes the lyrics and what are the main subjects you write about?

I write the lyrics  and they're based on many different things. The central theme is that of the  natural world and I'm mainly interested in English pagan history and it's  practices, as well as myth and magic. I'm lucky to live in a country
steeped in  such history, our land has experienced a lot in its ancient years and it  intrigues me as to what exactly it has seen. If only the earth could talk to us,  many secrets would be uncovered. For example, Chester Midsummer
Watch Parade is  about a solstice parade which began in Chester in the 1100s whereas Demeter's  Grief is about the goddess of the harvest and the grief she felt for her  daughter Persephone. I'm mainly inspired by interest rather than
experience, the  track White Hoarhound is me merging the two together... I'll leave it at that, I  like people to take what they need or want from the songs.

Tell us all about the new album,the concept behind it, where can people get hold of  it?

There's not a concept as such, lyrically anyway. Musically we knew  the sound we wanted to create and the direction we wanted to go in. Happily, I'd  say we have achieved what we set out to do and we believe the album flows in a  much natural way than our debut "Call of Avernus" did. People can get it from stores such as HMV and also online (digitally and physically) from HMV, Play, Amazon etc. They can also get it from our label PsycheDOOMelic, our online store  and also digitally from our Band Camp page. People can email us at  info@alunah.co.uk for more info about stockists etc.

Do you have any gigs lined up or a tour?

For the rest of this year we have some great  one-off gigs which can be found on our website www.alunah.co.uk. We are in the  process of planning a big tour next year, it is in the early stages at the  moment but it's going to see us visiting places we have never visited before  which is exciting!

You get to hear about all sorts of funny or weird  things happening to bands in the studio or on the road,has anything happened to  you?

Haha well, generally if it's going to happen, it will happen! I  think I've mentioned some of these before but I've had loads of electric shocks  at gigs - one in particular where I've had to sing into a sweaty sock to avoid  the shock (luckily the problem was fixed before too long), we've had live vibes  being killed when being recognised by an ex-
colleague who shouted "are you Dave  from the salad factory", Jake our drummer falling off the back of the stage,  backdrops falling onto Jake, lava projectors falling off stage plunging us into  darkness... all sorts hahaha! 

Each band member gets to choose just  one album to take on a major tour, what would you each pick that you just  couldn't do without?

Great question! Jake said he'd pick "Floodland" by  Sisters of Mercy, Gaz would take "Above" by Mad Season, Dave "Mirror Ball" by  Neil Young and I would definitely take "Cheap Thrills" by Big Brother and the  Holding Company.

Is there anything you'd like to add

Just  to say thanks so much to you guys for the support, and to everyone who has  brought the new album, took the time to write about it or got off their arses to  come see us live. It is very much appreciated, news and updates can be found on  www.alunah.co.uk or www.facebook.com/alunah.doom. Cheers!

White Hoarhound Review

Doom metal can, if the people playing it aren’t careful, sound a bit like a bad school dinner, a stodgy unappetising mess covered in lumpy custard like vocals. So few bands lack the understanding of how far to slow down the pace, how far to take the distortion, how miserable to sing each tune, that even hardened metal fans often shun the genre.  However when it’s done right, when the band have done their sums and when you have a little bit of something new to offer, it can sound superb, as it does here with Alunah coming across like a Sabbath / Cathedral hybrid with the queen of the damned at the mic. Sure the songs are long, but they always stay interesting, yes there’s a shed load of
distortion but it’s never over done and the riffs are just the huge meaty affairs that you need to give everything the gravitas that makes doom really work. Then we come to what gives Alunah and ‘White Hoarhound’ that little bit of stardust, the vocals of  Soph Day. If Ozzy Osbourne had a little sister then this is what she would sound like, particularly on the stand out title track which is simply brilliant. Not a custard covered mess then, this is much more Ferrero Roche, made with dark chocolate of course.

Birmingham, the planet’s epicentre of doom! After the legend that is Black Sabbath and so many others who followed in their footsteps, it’s time for Alunah. With a slow, grooving, slightly psychedelic sound and feel, their the second album ‘White Hoarhound’ is going to take over the world. As this particular style is almost 40 years old, there’s not that many new angles, but it’s like watching majestic mountains or the rolling waves, it’s cut from, and by, everlasting beauty. With sleazy guitars and just a pinch of NWOBHM you’ll easily be drawn in the the lair of Alunah. The band play a style which hasn’t changed since the seventies, but caught in that strange little bubble with them, unaffected by time you will feel the incredible high that is pure uncut DOOM. Like a siren, they’re beckoning you toward your fate, to crash your ship on the rocks of ‘White Hoarhound’. You won’t be able to resist the urge, so all listeners, beware… Martijn Welzen

http://www.massmovement.co.uk/wordpress/?p=19184

Huge thanks to the guys at The Soda Shop for picking White Hoarhound as their Daily Bandcamp album, especially in such a special month for cancer awareness. The Soda Shop reviewed the album back in August:

"Alunah are about to unleash some great doom metal upon the world. White Hoarhound is the third release from the band and the followup to 2010s highly acclaimed Call of Avernus.

The album opens with “Demeter’s Grief” which is a low key, fuzzed out and groovy song.”White Hoarhound” follows next. It’s a bit more upbeat. Soph’s voice really makes this song soar. “Belial’s Fjord” is one of those songs with the epic build up, but just as you think it’s going to explode with drums blaring and guitars slinging everywhere, you get thrown for a curve. The song is actually one of those slow headbanging songs. “The Offering” is heavy and fuzzy but a bit closer to a classic rock track more than anything. It’s probably the least doomy song on the album. For some reason I can’t help but think Alice in Chains when I hear this song. “Chester Midsummer Watch Parade” is a bit mellower tune but still grooves nicely. The guitar solo to end the track is fantastic. The closing tracks are “Oak Ritual I” and “Oak Ritual II.” The first is really soft and mellow. It’s more acoustic compared to the second which returns to the slow, down tuned, and fuzzy doom that the band is known for.

So far, 2012 has been good for female fronted doom and hard rock. There have been great releases by (and not limited to) Christian Mistress, Royal Thunder, and Black Moth. Alunah is certainly on that list. Soph’s vocals are fantastic as always. They add to the atmosphere of the album and really stand out. I’m convinced that there is no Alunah without Soph. Her vocals are the backbone and the personality of the band. Not to take away from the other members of course as they all bring their own style to the band and help keep it from sounding like half the other bands out there. It’s clear that Alunah isn’t trying to sound like anybody but themselves. White Hoarhound was mixed and mastered by Tony Reed (Stone Axe, Mos Generator). Tony has a great ear for production. Once again his work has turned out a winner.Listen to the title track below and get your album as soon as it’s release"

http://www.thesodashop.us/2012/10/16/daily-bandcamp-album-white-hoarhound-by-alunah/

(translated from German)

The band Alunah existed since 2006 and has been a. Already with some of the greats, such as Paradise Lost, on tour An album already exists and goes by the name "Call of Avernus". The second album, "White Hoahound" is already released in the UK on the market and is now in Germany. When the album name I first consulted a dictionary and look to see what that means. Horehound, the translation, is a mint, but why you have to call just one album ... well, yes it is the band left.

The album features good Sludge is played, where you can also discover psych elements from the 60s that anything with distorted bass and classical guitar solos. The song is awesome, if at first perhaps used to. The speed of the whole story is slow, with me then opened, why some of the tracks exceed loose the 7-minute mark. But that is the style of this band. It is building slowly on Klanwände what makes everything very, very tight and seem barely has room for interpretation. The rhythms and chord sequences are almost hypnotic, I can imagine almost even as the guitarists on stage and slowly swing gaaaaanz their hair. Protects the neck, too. At first I can not find any access to this disc, slowly I came even to nod and found the rhythm, the guitars and the vocals well. Despite the massive title lengths. The lyrics deal with plants, rituals, fjords and the midsummer. This is something really more of the Celts and of bands who worship Thor and not other Christian figures. The mixture looks rather interesting and consistent and you will find nothing superfluous, even if I had to find the plate only often go through my head before I could come to this decision. Anyone interested in this now-reviewed disc can all listen on the Bandcamp account the tape and judge for yourself.

5/6 points (J. André)

http://www.scene2act.de/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1702:alunah-white-hoarhond-&catid=40:kritiken&Itemid=97

Having only just been introduced to this band I have come to realise just how great they are and the most exciting thing is that this is their second album – more to discover. If you delve into the world of Alunah you  soon come to realise just how big their fan base is and how much recognition  they have achieved from both of their albums. It is also worth noting that they  have spent the last 6 years building up a reputation for being one the most  hardworking and consistent live bands  - they are certainly looking at a very  successful career ahead of them! 

Their second full length album White  Hoarhound (PsycheDOOMelic Records) is a wonderfully dark and heavy record;  weaving the darkest doom riffs, fuzzy guitars, soaring yet earthy vocals and  occult lyrics – this a delicious mix of witchery. I have to note here that this  isn’t just a few heavy tracks and some samples thrown in for good measure; this  album is the full package. It is atmospheric, dark and laden with references of  the pagan world – even the cover compliments the sounds that are hidden within.  And, it has to be said that Alunah are definitely one of those bands that stand out from the rest if this album is anything to go by. 

So, don't just take my word for it and go purchase this album - http://www.alunah.bigcartel.com/

http://www.blacksundaymagazine.com/2012/10/review-alunah-white-hoarhound.html

IT WAS ONLY A MADE UP TITLE GUYS! Over the last couple of weeks we've had some lovely photos as part of our "Rock Out with your Cock Out" competition. However, it's become quite apparent that a lot of our fans fancy themselves as porn stars... the photos were sometimes pleasant, but most of the time grim (sorry guys)!

So, even though we love seeing your bits, we decided to choose our winner based on who had the best hair and glittery skull...

Sarah from Oxford wins our 'best photo' competition, she had it all.... the best hair (Soph's pretty jealous of this one!), awesome props (glittery skull AND peacock feathers... and is that a Mr Potato Head in the background?), and just basically looks ace in the t-shirt! So, for that she'll get:

1. A limited edition Alunah shirt with a one-off design that no-one else owns!
2. A goody bag of Alunah shit (CDs, Vinyl, Stickers, Badges etc).
3. Any other shit we find lying about! [she may get Jake's boxers]

Cheers for entering everyone... we'll be back soon with another AWESOME competition!