For those not completely in the know, Stoner rock is a musical subgenre which combines elements of heavy metal, psychedelic rock, blues rock, acid rock, and doom metal. The term desert rock is often used interchangeably with the term "stoner rock" to describe this genre; however, not all stoner rock bands would fall under the descriptor of "desert rock."

Further more, Stoner rock is typically slow-to-mid tempo and features a heavily distorted, groove laden bass-heavy sound, melodic vocals, and "retro" production. The genre emerged during the early 1990s and was pioneered foremost by the Californian bands Kyuss and Sleep.

As for the other part of this musical double act, the silent partner (if you will) in Black Sabbath, well, I think we all already know about that band of merry men. That said, if not, here we go: Sabbath are an English rock band, formed in Birmingham in 1968, by guitarist and main songwriter Tony Iommi, bassist and main lyricist Geezer Butler, singer Ozzy Osbourne, and drummer Bill Ward.

The band have since experienced multiple line-up changes, with guitarist Iommi being the only constant presence in the band through the years. Originally formed in 1968 as a blues rock band, the group soon adopted the Black Sabbath moniker and began incorporating occult themes with horror-inspired lyrics and tuned-down guitars.

And now the next generation of stoner and hard rock bands gather together for this epic 2CD salute to the mighty Sabbath! Featuring performances by Pentagram, Cancer Bats, Ulver, Stoned Jesus, Solace, Zakk Wylde (Ozzy / Black Label Society) and Mike Inez (Alice In Chains), and more, Sweet Leaf - A Stoner Rock Salute To Black Sabbath includes fuzzed-out versions of the "stoner" Sabbath cuts such as the title track Sweet Leaf, Into The Void, After Forever, Paranoid, and so many more!

DISC 1:
1. 'Into the Void' - Cancer Bats
2. 'Dirty Women' - Mos Generator
3. 'Changes' - Bloody Hammers
4. 'The Warning' - Wo Fat
5. 'The Writ' - Stoned Jesus
6. 'Hole in the Sky' - Scorpion Child
7. 'Hand of Doom' - Death Hawks

DISC 2;
1. 'Lady Evil' - House of Broken Promises
2. 'Planet Caravan' - Machuca
3. 'Sleeping Village' - Witch Mountain
4. 'Electric Funeral' - Solace
5. 'Solitude' - Ulver
6. 'After Forever' - Pentagram
7. 'Sweet Leaf' - Weedpecker
8. 'Paranoid' - Golden Void
9. 'Iron Man' - William Shatner feat. Zakk Wylde & Mike Inez

In truth, I have reviewed en mass of these "stoner rock" tributes to various heavy metal bands, and yet this new one, Sweet Leaf - A Stoner Rock Salute To Black Sabbath is by far one of the best yet. Chock full of known and unknown artists, and covering much of Black Sabbath's early catalog, whether it be some bands that you may or may not have heard of, if you're a Sabbath fan you'll definitely still enjoy this 2CD collection.

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