Tummler's biography states that their objective is to understand how the universe has evolved, to learn how life began on Earth and to see if life exists elsewhere through vigorous testing and increased exploration of moon rock. Clearly we're dealing with some seriously spaced cadets here.

Taking time out from their comprehensive strategy for space exploration, Tummler have recorded this striking demo for our terrestrial consumption and thank Christ they did. The three tracks here are heavy, involved, thoughtful, with a reach for the stars attitude and retaining a raw, aggressive edge. It's genuinely accomplished stuff.

Opener, Armadillo launches with an explosive, blues fuelled riff and develops into a rampaging stoner stomp with other worldly vocals floating above. It's a self-assured, vibrant way to start things off, and things take a turn for the cosmic with track two, The Burning of West Memphis. A real mood piece, this is clearly the highlight, with an aquatic intro developing into an epic as waves of Kyuss-esque guitars flood in taking you to the song's enormous, seven minutes-plus climax.

This large scale take on things is reprised on the final track, Lost Sense of the Cosmic, which has a retro, Solarized feel and is another trippy, head nodding classic.

Tummler is definitely a band that is destined for great things, and with a full length due on Man's Ruin, they're possessed of exactly the right credentials to maintain the high standards of that great label.(9)

[www] www.tummler.com