Nebula

Nebula are one of a number of bands from the last 10 years that have taken up the 70's rock resurgence, often doing it better than the bands from the 70's. If you can't get enough of that kind of music then this is a must buy. If you have a passing interest I would reccomend finding a site that offers Nebula downloads and pick the individual songs you like.

Charged is probably the best Nebula disc but honestly they are so consistent you can't go wrong with any of them.

I was a huge fan of Nebula's "To The Center" album so I rushed out and bought this as soon as it hit the racks. I immediately noticed a distinct difference between the two records. To my surprise this record was much more earthbound than its predecessor. "Charged" is a much more stripped-down high-energy record. It's more "Raw Power" than "Hall of the Mountain Grill"

The reviewer who compares them to Black Sabbath has not done his proto metal research very well. "Charged" takes its cues from old scuzz rockers like Blue Cheer, MC5, and the Stooges. They reference proto metal giants like the Yardbirds in thier lyrics. Their dynamic is more of a power trio sound derived from The Jimi Hendrix Experience and Cream. I don't see a huge Sabbath influence other than a desire for heaviness and distorted riffage.

If you want a more modern comparison, you might say that they sound like a cross between Fu Manchu and The Mooney Suzuki. If you liked the Stooges and Randy Holden cover songs from "To the Center", then you will probably love this record.

I just got home from work. I work at the Majestic in Detroit, and tonight when I got off of work, I decided to go upstairs to have a beer while I waited for a ride home. The headline band was the Bellrays, who I had seen all kinds of press hype about, but they weren't on yet. I decided to watch the band that was playing for a few minutes before getting a beer, and I ended up standing there slack-jawed until they finished their set. They turned out to be Nebula, and they were the greatest live act I have seen since the last show the Laughing Hyenas did before they broke up. That is incredibly high praise from me, as the Hyenas were the greatest live band EVER for my money... I saw the LHs more than forty times, and what's more, I paid to get in for most of those gigs, which is something I have rarely done.
Anyway, Nebula f------ blew me away with their almost unbelievable intensity. The sheer power of this band is just amazing for a three-piece. In terms of style, they fit in quite well here in Detroit; One of the guys I work with, Nick, was standing sort of in front of me, and I tapped him on the shoulder and told him that Nebula reminds me of Funkadelic (i.e. Super Stupid), and he reponded that Black Sabbath and Blue Cheer were what they reminded him of. The thing is, we were both right. Nebula sounds like an amalgam of those three bands, and that's exactly the kind of music we love in this city.
When my band was gigging regularly, between 1990 and 1998, I would frequently play a sort of half-assed bass solo underneath my guitar players when they soloed. That was kind of cool, but what the guys in Nebula do is that whenever the guitar player solos, the bass player does also, and they stomp on their wah-wah pedals and just RIP IT UP!!! That is one of the coolest things I've ever seen any band do. All three members of the band are great players, and coupled with their general intensity and pretty good songs as well, it makes me say GO SEE THIS BAND AS SOON AS YOU GET THE CHANCE & BUY THEIR CDS NOW!!!!!

Dimestore Liam

When I first heard this I laughed so hard I thought I was going to wet myself. I purchased this based on some ravings I read that described Nebula's sound as psychedelic. I hear no psychedelia here - all I hear is three guys trying painfully hard to re-create the sound of early Black Sabbath. The lyrics to these songs are so bad they'd make a dog laugh. Try to imagine a band lead by the school bus driver on The Simpsons and you get a pretty good idea of what this is like. Save your money and get "Volume 4" by Sabbath instead.

Nebula continue to blast out the big riffs and head banging rythums to produce an enjoyable soundtrack for those long jouney's in the car. Air guitar warning! this will also have you juming around the bedroom for a long time! It's only shortcoming is it's muffled production which was surprising after the great production of their former record "To the centre". But minor quibles aside this is a cool effort.

Honestly, this almbum was pretty awesome. I am abig Fu Manchu fan and Amazon suggested I may like this band (Nebula). They were right. Awesome sound to come from only 3 guys. Great riffs, great beats, wicked kicks and crisp 'ozzy'-esque vocals. A good buy if you're into stoner metal with some chilled moments between the riffs.

Believe this to be the band's first full-length CD/lp.I saw these guys out on tour awhile back with Atomic Bitchwax.Nebula is probably one of the better stoner rock bands out there now.Plain and simple,just good riffs and extremely tight musicianship.Cuts I couldn't get enough of were the title track "To The Center","What You're Looking For","You Mean Nothing",their Stooges cover "I Need Somebody" and "So Low".The line-up:Eddie Glass-guitar&vocals,Mark Abshire-bass and Ruben Romano-drums.Will appeal to fans of Atomic Bitchwax,Kyuss,Monster Magnet,Orange Goblin and Fireball Ministry.

wow. this is a solid album. i've listened to dozens upon dozens of "stoner-rock" bands, & find myself either being bored, or unimpressed by the ridiculous kyuss/monster magnet/early sabbath similarities. don't get me wrong - this album unquestionably has some elements of all these bands (what stoner-rock band doesn't), but it's a straight-forward rock n roll album. the tunes all stand apart from one another (not a simple cookie-cutter formula, in terms of song-writing), & the vocals give it the indie/punk feel that sub pop is known for. while i don't think this is a revolutionary album, it DEFINITELY stands apart from the majority of stoner bands you'll come across. the understated blues guitars are great, in that they fit the sound of the band, while being impressive enough to catch your attention, not overtake & detract from the overall sound. the vocals are refreshing in their punk feel, but fear not stoners: there are plenty of "alright!"'s, "yeah!"'s & phased & fuzzy guitars to make us all happy. get this album. i doubt you'll regret it.

nebula,is about as crunchy as they come, lumped into the stoner/doom/cosmic genre, they have definetley made they're mark.eddie glass's vocals/guitar work are amazing.this is they're sub pop debut, and what a debut it is....as good as "let it burn" tracks to watch for : "to the center", "between time", and they even do a stooges cover "i need somebody" if you like heavy music this is a must have

Nebula have been one of my favorite bands ever since Eddie Glass left Fu Manchu. This is their most amazing record yet, but I have seen reviews of it in such major magazines as rock sound, CMJ New Music Monthly, and Metal Hammer, and this is not good for their future. Anyway, the guitar rock of this CD is really great and sunbaked, and the bass is deep and fuzzy. The drums are thunderous as usual, and add a lot more to the music. The best songs here are Freedom, To The Center, So Low, and You Mean Nothing. There are also more acoustic parts and they eventually explode into large riff fests. For fans of Mudhoney and Dozer.

Uh, mmm, yeah; it is Scott Hill you doofus. Nebula is Scott Hill's side project.

This album does not suck. If doom sound with Southern CA lyrical content (chicks, cars, bikes, boards, etc) is your thang then not only is Nebula for you, but Scott Hill's main band Fu Manchu, is for you too.

If this album (or any album for that matter) sounds muddy, you need to turn the bass down (just a wee bit) and the volume up or just get a better stereo that can handle all of the many frequencies created when we play a little frigging rock and roll.

People who want to be depressed by music and think that rock and roll means cutting yourself and wearing make up need not even try listening to this high quality good ol' American hard rock.

That is all.

Nebula is one of those bands that should be much bigger than they are.True,they do have a loyal following of stoner rock and doomheads,but outside of Cathedral and Black Sabbath fans,Nebula is largely unheard of.Let It Burn is a rare album just because it has the sort of down in the pants boogie you just don't find in today's artists at large.For a debut release,this is about as close to flawless as I would most likely ever hear.Truly not a bad tune in the bunch,and enough attitude to keep me interested.Not bad fellas,not bad indeed.41/2 stars.Just keep that hard rock a'comin.

This is an amature wannabe blue cheer knock off that sounds contrived. The CHROME LOCUST record is what this album wants to be.

Awesome debut mini-album from 2 ex-members of acclaimed stoner rockers (I hate that name, so from here on out, I will not use the genre term) Fu Manchu.

The fuzzed-out swirling and furious guitars of Eddie Glass are most prevalent here, making every track almost too enjoyable to listen to! There ain't a bad tune in the bunch (though my copy doesn't have the extra tracks), and "Down the Highway" and "Let it Burn" are the biggest and baddest of the 6 contained here. Also of particular note is "Elevation," which is a completely rocking opener. Eddie also takes on the vocal chores here, and unlike other reviewers, I like 'em. Hill from the abovementioned Manchu'ers he ain't, but that's ok. Nebula has carved out their own little niche in this growing retro-rock genre, and this is merely the starting point for it.

The only downpoint for me, and the reason this is 4, not 5 stars, is the way too long Zeppelin ripoff "Raga in the Bloodshot Pyramid." It's cool for about 90 seconds, then it's 4 minutes too long. Eh, 5 out of 6 ain't bad at all.

If you dig this album (like I do), go get charged. Nebula becomes immaculate.

Two problems with this CD: First it sounds like it was recorded on a casette deck, the quality of the sound is too muddy. This in turn leads to problem two: get someone that can sing, maybe the quality of the recording makes the vocals sound weak but the vocals sound strained. I'm not a stickler for singing ability but its weak. Also don't try to sound like Scott Hill because when you do it reveals your limitations. I will say it was a good effort , I just keep thinking how good this CD could have been.

I started out a huge fan of Fu Manchu, and when I heard about Nebula I checked out some of their audio samples and then had to buy this album. It doesn't dissapoint. If you're into the thick, heavy, fuzzy guitar sounds of the 70's, then you will LOVE this band. I also had the chance to see Nebula live last night at the Viper Room in Hollywood and was blown away. The CD (which is great) doesn't even do the live show justice. My ears are still bleeding!!!! More, more...I want more!

This California power trio is considered "stoner rock," an unfortunate genre term that basically means they sound like psychedelia-influenced early '70s metal bands like Black Sabbath, Dust, etc. I usually hate that stuff, but something about Nebula appeals to me. Maybe it's the energy level, which is high enough that it makes the assumption that they're potheads somewhat unlikely. Maybe it's because singer/guitarist Eddie Glass couldn't possibly be singing "I've got this smokin woman/She's in the back seat of my car/She's got that look in her eyes/Soon I'll be between her thighs" with a straight face. Maybe it's because "Rollin My Way to Freedom" and "Sun Creature" are just plain cool-ass rock songs. Whatever. If you're a fan of the late, great Kyuss and its offshoots, you'll dig this.

Atomic Ritual is one of my favorite albums of the last few seven or eight years, and if it had been released in 1993 or 1994, probably would have brought these guys Dinosaur Jr./Mudhoney-level attention/sales/Lollapalooza slots. And I know everyone compares Nebula to bands in that vein, especially Mudhoney, but I actually like Atomic Ritual more than any Mudhoney album (which is not a slight to the latter).

The whole first half of the album is incredibly catchy - especially "So It Goes" and "Carpe Diem." The band also uses pianos and acoustics here and there to give the songs more of a classic sound. The production is awesome, and the sound holds up on an ipod, or while being blasted from a crappy car stereo with the windows down (which is what this kind of music is made for).

The band stretches out and jams a little more during second half of the album, and it's a very natural transition which works well after the breakneck pace of the early stuff. I could imagine some punk fans being a little turned off by songs like "Paradise Engineer" ... but the rest of us want a break now and then.

Finally, the existentialist/libertarian-leaning lyrics fit the music well. Anyone making a Mad Max-style post-apocalypse flick should consider Nebula for the soundtrack.

While originality is all well and good, there will always be a place for bands like Nebula. These guys are hardly reinventing the wheel with their music, but they've obviously found a niche in the modern hard/stoner rock genre, and they're doing a mighty fine job with it if I do say so myself. Although it's easy to hear the echoes of such stoner-rock icons as Kyuss, Monster Magnet, and Fu Manchu in Nebula's sound, these guys bring an energy and enthusiasm to the table that elevates their work well above the level of a mere ripoff. Fueled by metronomic drum beats, aggressive wailing, and probably lots of alcohol, Atomic Ritual is the kind of heavy, spacey album that's perfect for blasting with the windows open while you're stuck in traffic on the way to another hellish day at the office.

Nebula are greatly aided in their endeavors by the work of Eddie Glass, who's easily among the most unfairly neglected rock guitarists working today. On virtually every song here, the joyous grind of his instrument assumes center stage, and he doesn't disappoint. Although Eddie obviously takes the work of Josh Homme (Kyuss and Queens of the Stone Age, although you knew that already) as a starting point, it's equally clear that he's comfortable borrowing from other styles as well, as his playing often gets rather grungy, and it's even a bit bluesy at times. From the pummelling sludge of the title track, to the uproarious speed metal of So It Goes, to the woozy fuzz of The Beast, Eddie's intricate riffs and searing leads are a testament to the sheer power of the axe at its most unpretentious. There are a lot of guys out there who could learn a few things from him.

As I've already noted, Nebula aren't as original as many of their brethren (think Clutch), but that's no reason not to give them a shot. Atomic Ritual doens't break any new ground, but it's still a varied, confident, and undeniably fun listen. There's little to no irony to be found here, just straightforward, perfectly-played rock that puts all the radio posers to shame. Even the shouts of "Yeah!" and "Alright!" sprinkled throughout the album sound completely necessary because there's some real conviction behind them. When Eddie shouts "Gimme Some More!" at one point it's hard not to sympathize with his sentiment, however simplistic it may sound.

This is really kickass music! Though Nebula doesn't get the brass ring for originality, quality space rock like this just doesn't exist in comparable quality today. It's not slow, plodding, sludgy stoner rock, but spacey, energetic stoner rock/metal. Is there a difference? You bet! Just listen. The rhythms and baselines are tight, the drumming very strong, and the effervescent soloing addictively layered through each song. The songs kick along at a good pace, feeling a little like a heavier 70's Deep Purple, and make for a very enjoyable listening experience; especially with headphones.

I bought Atomic Ritual at random, as I was in the mood for something new. Let me say, this cd is rather interesting. At first listen, Atomic Ritual seems like a another pop rock cd, but multiple listenings reveal the quality of the disc. Sure, some songs do not seem to go anywhere, but some are shimmering with genious. The opener is an awesome song. The lead build up with is an agressive intro. It feels as if you are being pulled through a black hole at warp speed. Nebula takes some time to calm and creates some mellow moments. One of them, Fin, is a rather peaceful instrumental that shows that the band has a flair for melody. Nebula is a great band, although there are defintely other cds worth getting. At times they do not seem to be all original. Still, if you are a fan of Kyuss or even Queens of the stone Age, then Atomic Ritual may be right up your alley. In a time where music like this gets little recognition, Nebula is a welcome addition to anyone's library.

This is one of the best albums of it's kind.
If you're a fan of stoner rock, this is right up there
in quality with Kyuss.
This band has improved immensely from their previous album.
Get it, crank it up and cruise down a desert highway at night.

My first introduction to Nebula and I find it to be pretty straight up 90's style underground rock; great songwriting and playing, a very fun listen.

Nebula offers "Apollo" a pshycodelic trip trhu different states of mind with the bases of acid rock, 70s groove, and Pink Floydesque concepts.
This California trio have explored the stoner rock world since the
Fu-Manchu era, fresh vocals, interesting strings sounds and traditional drums. Nebula needs to explore a little more in the field, but so far the albums released have been awesome.

HM

4.5 STARS...I wanted to write a review for all those NEBULA FANS OUT THERE WHO HAVE BEEN DOWN SINCE DAY ONE. This is one of Nebula's best releases in quite some time in my opinion. Their last CD, "Atomic Ritual," seemed to delve quite a bit in the Stoner Rock sound. This isn't new for Nebula; usually, though, Eddie Glass and Ruben Romano mix it up between this sound and others, most noteably their hard-core California post-punk sound that so many other groups have tried to copy.

With the release of "Apollo," the band has gone back to their roots, so to speak. The stoner rock sound is there, but it is married to all the other sounds that made them the band they are. Much like the approach they took when compiling "To the Center," each song has a different sound and theme to it. Don't get me wrong--I loved "Atomic Ritual." It was a one of a kind release. This new one takes the production sound of Ritual and mixes it with the song writing of the previous 3 CD's. Bringing in another artist to play the bass full time, Eddie is now afforded the luxury of concentrating on the guitar riffs and the late-70's induced lyrics he puts together. This CD has it all--the stoner rock, the hard-core, yet it comes together in a very polished, yet under-produced way. Gone is the 'wall of guitars' sound they delved in back in the mid-90's. Just like their sister band Fu Manchu, they have moved away from the grunge/sludge sound of tuned-down guitars, 14 guitar tracks and massive electrosonic power chords. It seems both bands have gone more toward Foghat- or ZZTop-esque, classic rock riffs with a clean sound.

If you were a fan of "To the Center" Ritual and "Charged" you will be happy with this new release. Watch out, though--there's no heavy metal guitar sound, and there's even a song on this CD that will remind you of Santana...they touch on all the 70's rock influences they could think of when putting these songs together! In my opinion, Center is my favorite Nebula CD, because it was my first, and it is also their most versatile, but I find myself putting this one and Ritual on random-play all the time.

One of the few bands that is carry the stoner torch is Nebula. Their last effort, Atomic Ritual was a solid but albeit derivative effort that relied too much on stoner rock conventions. However, it has improved with time, meaning that the record does not sound out of date a couple of years after its release.

Apollo is a bit more polished and solid. The whole album can be played through with ever having to skip a track. The band seemed to have more fun with this one then their other records. This is evident since the songs do not sound forced or anything. As a result, this records is the kind you can just have a beer to.

If you like stoner rock or just chill out music, pick up apollo. It's nothing too serious, but its of serious quality so it comes highly recommended. Put it on when you have a small gathering of people. They will love for it.

This is the latest Nebula album. It has more of an older Nebula feel to it, in that their songs sound like their early stuff. Atomic Ritual I think showed a great amount of growth and don't get me wrong there are some killer numbers on this album, but it seems thaT the band wanted to get back to thier roots on this one. THIS IS NOT A MONSTER MAGNET RIP OFF. NEBULA HAS THEIR OWN UNIQUE SOUND AND THE LAST REVIEWER OBVIOUSLY ISN'T THAT DEEP INTO THIS MUSIC(stoner rock) IF HE DOESN'T KNOW THAT! If you are a fan of Nebula you will enjoy this album.

Low bass, lots of seventies references, a lot of Sabbath listening in the respective band members' youth. This is good stuff, fun and trippy, not doomy like Sabbath, but heavy and rocking.