Some people just have the knack for hitting gold time after time no matter what the odds may seem to be. For quite a while now, Ripple Music has been an absolute bastion of all things in the modern world of heavy rock and related psychedelia as many of their albums are considered highlights in practically any given year, and it’s with their magnificent split series of “Turned to Stone” that they are able to keep our horizons widened to many other names out there that may not be under the umbrella of the label for main releases. Last year saw the arrival of many new editions of the series with 2023 already being the home to the seventh edition, but it is here with their eighth that we see an entry the likes of which hasn’t been matched since the second with Sergeant Thunderhoof and Howling Giant.

Realistically speaking, any edition of “Turned to Stone” is more than worthy of our attention given the reputation that it has garnered up to this point as being one of the most interesting split series in all of heaviness in my opinion with the bands that are given the spotlight in each of these creations always putting on a good performance even if it is only for a handful of tracks that likely won’t appear anywhere else in a band’s discography. It is here, though, that we’re given a real treat out of the American southwest to the point where if this pairing wasn’t done here it was all but destined for the “Legends of the Desert” series from Desert Records. Both High Desert Queen and Blue Heron have already made quite a name for themselves in the few years that both have been around for, and it’s with this eighth chapter of “Turned to Stone” that we’re given another glimpse of what else these acts are capable of. There are but three tracks per act here, but that’s more than enough time for both of them to make their mark. High Desert Queen takes the lead with a magnificently heavy performance with so much contrast and rhythm within any given minute that one cannot help but become one with the flow of their half. Not ones to let their predecessors have all the glory, Blue Heron’s slightly cleaner yet no less effective breed of stoner rock hits hard with a satisfying amount of fuzz and more than enough riffs to make the latter half of this split not one to play at a low volume for any excuse. Separately, both bands bring enough firepower to make flavorful EPs of their own, but it is together that “Turned to Stone: Chapter 8” takes on a mighty presence that holds nothing back for so much as a microsecond as we’re shown in every subsequent minute that even though High Desert Queen and Blue Heron are new names on the scene, they’re not to be taken lightly whatsoever!

Editions like this are what split series are made for and where they can truly shine the brightest. Already, both of these acts had more than enough going for them with their individual debuts nothing to ignore with the attention that they received more than deserving, and this split should only heighten their reputation to a deservedly higher degree. No matter which name you may come out preferring be it High Desert Queen or Blue Heron, one cannot deny the absolute glory that is on full display in these six tracks.

“Turned to Stone: Chapter 8: The Wake – High Desert Queen & Blue Heron” releases on May 26th via Ripple Music!

LISTEN to an advanced track from “Turned to Stone: Chapter 8: The Wake – High Desert Queen & Blue Heron” on Bandcamp here., or via YouTube below.

LIKE High Desert Queen on Facebook here.

LIKE Blue Heron on Facebook here.