Episode
46% of Our Community Voted for This Leafhound Album—Here’s Why They Were Right
- Podcast
- Dig Me Out: 70s & 80s Metal
- Published
- Jan 6, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 3228
- Processing state
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Summary
What if Led Zeppelin had a long-lost twin that nobody remembers? In this episode of Dig Me Out, we unearth Leafhound’s 1971 proto-metal masterpiece Growers of Mushroom—an album that had all the ingredients for greatness but somehow slipped through the cracks of rock history . With a Robert Plant-caliber vocalist, Jimmy Page-inspired guitar tones, and riffs heavy enough to rival Black Sabbath, Leafhound created one of the most compelling “what if?” stories in early 70s heavy rock . Born from the remains of Black Cat Bones—the band that spawned Free’s Paul Kossoff and Simon Kirk, plus Foghat’s Rod Price—Leafhound emerged with vocalist Peter French and a sound that captured the raw, blues-drenched fury of the era . Released on Decca Records in 1971, Growers of Mushroom represents that crucial moment when heavy rock was still finding itself, experimenting with psychedelic tangents, folk influences, and proto-metal darkness before the genre lines were drawn . In this deep dive, hosts Jason, Tim, and Chip explore why this album works so well sonically while examining its fatal flaw: great performances without truly memorable songs . We discuss the album’s massive guitar tones, the Plant-inspired vocal howls, and those adventurous moments where Leafhound breaks from the Zeppelin/Sabbath template to explore jazzy, psychedelic, and Southern rock territories . From the buzzing intensity of “Freelance Fiend” to the eight-minute odyssey of “Work My Body,” this is an album that demands attention—even if it never quite delivers the knockout punch . If you love Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Mountain, Cactus, Atomic Rooster, or Deep Purple, this episode is essential listening. We’re diving deep into the Heavy 70s—that glorious era of custom vans, tinted sunglasses, and amps cranked to…