Name: Population III
Brand: Randy Holden

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

EZRDR140LP

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Colour

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

**Mystery Coloured Vinyl**

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Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2022-07-29

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Forte

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

603111754918

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Total Cap

1 / Extended format: No / LP / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

EZRDR140CD

{"blocks": [{"data": {"text": "EZRDR140CD"}, "type": "paragraph"}]}

603111754925

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1 / CD / Extended format: No / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

Artist

Randy Holden

Genre GB

Metal

Label GB

Riding Easy

Riding Easy is a boutique record label based in Hermosa Beach, California. Since its founding in 2013 by an individual known as [a5118285], the label has been dedicated to producing limited vinyl runs of heavy psych, doom, metal, and rock music. Originally named Easy Rider Records, the label had to change its name to RidingEasy in May of 2014 due to a cease and desist order from the parent company of Easyriders Magazine. With their focus on unique and high-quality releases, Riding Easy continues to be a prominent force in the music industry.
At Riding Easy, we pride ourselves on our commitment to showcasing talented artists who push boundaries within their respective genres. Our carefully curated selection of heavy psych, doom, metal, and rock music offers something for every discerning listener. Whether you're a die-hard fan or new to these genres, our limited vinyl runs provide an opportunity to own exceptional pieces of musical art.
Since our inception, Riding Easy has worked tirelessly to create a platform for both established acts and emerging talent alike. We believe that great music deserves recognition and support from passionate fans like you. By supporting Riding Easy and purchasing *our artists' records*, you are directly contributing to the growth and success of these incredible musicians.

How do you follow up one of the most legendary, yet rarest albums said to signal the birth of doom metal?

If you’re Randy Holden, you give everyone about 50 years to catch up, then casually drop a tastefully modernised reinterpretation of that sound. Population III picks up where Holden’s 1969 solo debut left off, updated with several decades worth of technological advances and personal hindsight.

Following his tenure in proto-metal pioneers Blue Cheer in 1969, the guitarist aimed for more control over his next project. Thus, Randy Holden - Population II was born, the duo naming itself after the astronomical term for a particular star cluster with heavy metals present. Along with drummer/keyboardist Chris Lockheed, Holden created what many say is one of the earliest forms of doom metal.

“Godzilla just walked into the room. People just stood there with their eyes and mouths wide open,” Holden says of the audience’s reaction to their live debut performing with a teeth-rattling phalanx of 16 (sixteen!) 200 watt Sunn amps.

Likewise, their 6-song debut album Population II delves into leaden sludge, lumbering doom and epic soaring riffs that sound free from all constraints of the era. It’s incredibly heavy, but infused with a melodic, albeit mechanistic, sensibility. However, troubles with the album’s original 1970 release bankrupted Holden, who subsequently left music for over two decades. For good reason, it’s widely hailed as a masterpiece, and until finally getting a proper formal release in 2020 on RidingEasy Records, was a longtime Holy Grail for record collectors.

Flash forward 40 years to 2010, we find the guitarist/vocalist quietly coaxed into recording a followup album by Holden superfan and Cactus member Randy Pratt. Joined by drummer Bobby Rondinelli (who has played with Black Sabbath, Blue Öyster Cult, Rainbow), the trio cut the 6-song collection of leaden future blues, Population III. “Randy Pratt had written the basic song structures, he understood my music and where I come from quite well,” Holden says. “He nailed it.”

But the recording was ultimately shelved for over a decade. “A year ago, in 2021 I listened to the songs and was delightfully surprised,” Holden says. “I think it’s the best album I’ve ever done.”

Throughout Population III, Holden effortlessly dishes out squealing, soaring leads and skull-thwacking riffs with his signature low end grit and penchant for Middle Eastern scales. Coupled with Pratt’s pocket-locked bass, the slight flanging effect on Rondinelli’s drums and his pugilistic beats, the album occasionally brings to mind Presence-era Led Zeppelin, particularly on the 22-minute epic “Land of The Sun.” Elsewhere, “Swamp Stomp” echoes more the troglodyte blues of Holden’s older work, with his evermore searing solos showing hints of early Clapton/Hendrix era guitar prowess to drive home the stomp of the song’s namesake. At times, Holden sounds reminiscent of Neil Young leading Crazy Horse’s ruptured grunge as his lilting falsetto vocals push and pull his guitar’s siren’s call. Taken as a whole, there’s a very distinct difference between the way these veterans of hard rock’s formative years carry the songs compared to the more lugubrious riffing of today’s young doom purveyors. Population III is the real deal — a powerful continuation of a sound forged 50 years ago, that almost didn’t happen. Somehow, Randy Holden’s music always finds a way to stand the tests of time. 