Oxford Rockers Desert Storm are a band that should have already been in my life WAY before I finally picked up on them, but after a experiencing a stunning live performance recently when in tow with Leeds finest Bongcauldron it’s about time to get properly acquainted.

So they have two releases proper, the most recent being 2013’s “Horizontal Life” Delving back further in 2010 they released “Forked Tongues”.

Both of them are sublime slabs of southern stoner/heavy blues rock with a major influence of Clutch (no bad thing) as well as the usual peers.

There all the RIFFS you can shake a stick at plus a prevalent and suitably uber funky bass heavy groove in place.

Vocalist Matt Ryan has a ridiculously OTT gravelled delivery (especially on “Horizontal Life”) which rather than being jarring actually adds another level of charm and flavour to proceedings.

Tracks like “Shadow of an Eagle” “Astral Planes” are proper dance floor stompers but this band are no one trick pony as “Enslaved In The Icy Tundra” and “Forked Tongues” amp up the heaviness into menacing sludge territory while “Cosmic Drips” and “Ol Town” positively drip with the soulful vibes.