Sonic Moon - In Lack Of Clarity (Album Review)

Release Date: November 06th 2026. Record Label: Ripple Music. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

In Lack Of Clarity - Tracklist 

1.Weightlessness 05:51

2.Stay Behind 05:17

3.Remembrance 05:53

4.Stasis 05:12

5.Beneath You 08:38

6.What Doesn't Bloom 04:21

7.Eyes Wide Open 08:09

Members

Oliver Lyngkilde - Vocals

Jeppe Rasmussen - Guitar

Emil Damgaard Andersen - Guitar

Niclas Fritz Sørensen - Bass

Emil Gam Klinkby - Drums

Review

Psych/Doom/Stoner Metallers Sonic Moon return with their second album In Lack Of Clarity with the band transforming into a more meditative and melodic style of music compared to their 2023 debut album. The band bring a foreboding style of Grunge, Shoegaze, Post-Rock and Alternative Rock energy into the record which gives them a heavier and expressive sound that results in some intense bursts of Prog Rock melodies forming. 

The record feels inspired by the likes of YOB, Monolord, Alice In Chains, Soundgarden and HUM with Sonic Moon still developing their own gloomy destructive path which comes out to play on the excellent opening tracks of Weightlessness, Stay Behind and Remembrance. The eerie ambient themes are quite heavy on the mind with Sonic Moon developing some long drawn out Psychedelic and Post-Doom sounds which have a great level of distorted measurement hiding in the background.

The vocals by Oliver Lyngkilde have that great mix of Grunge, Doom and Alt-Rock based styles that superbly changes to match the emotionally wrought mood that appears within the superbly written lyrics. The music from the rest of Sonic Moon is exquisite with its perfectly played slow-to-mid pace that has a grounded sense of realism.

There’s a great Gothic and Romantic element you can hear within Sonic Moon’s music from time-to-time which allows the album to be quite different at the same time. They even add traces of forceful Sludge Rock into the mix that results in some truly powerful AMPLIFIED and DISTORTED fuzzy soundscapes to appear right throughout the album.

There are some parts of In Lack Of Clarity where the guys remind me of DOMKRAFT with similar themes developing thanks to the Cosmic Doom element that’s used masterfully within the darker aspects of the album. Layers of SONIC distortion continue to be developed within tracks Stay Behind, Remembrance, Beneath You and Eyes Wide Open. 

I fully admire Sonic Moon’s commitment into slowly building up their music for richer, fuller and heavier sound. This allows the listener to find common ground with Sonic Moon and equally become part of this great Post-Doom / Post-Stoner journey that has some surprising twists and turns along the way.

In Lack Of Clarity brilliantly utilizes the Space Rock and Shoegaze atmospherics within the most rewarding and highly intimate passages from start to finish whilst still delivering first rate aggressive Stoner Rock/Metal grooves that never feel out of place. 

Sonic Moon are a band destined for bigger and greater things which they may ultimately deliver with this album alone. They have the backing of the mighty RIPPLE MUSIC behind them who are releasing the album and they release amazing records. Though, this is SONIC MOON’s show where they’ve created a record that shows real intelligence and emotional depth throughout.

In Lack Of Clarity is an absolutely wonderful album that I can’t recommend highly enough. It's as simple as that.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the promo.

In Lack Of Clarity is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Ripple Music.

Links

Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram | Youtube

SHAKHTYOR - Simulacron (Album Review)

Release Date: November 06th 2026. Record Label: Moment Of Collapse. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Simulacron - Tracklist 

1.Simulacron 10:20

2.Das sechste Siegel 06:02

3.Alone 03:37

4.Wolfmannsgehau 10:34

5.Letzte Schleuse 03:45

6.Electric H. 10:15

Members

Christian Müller

Nils Langbehn

Christian Herzog

Review

Simulacron is the third album from Instrumental Doom/Sludge Metallers SHAKHTYOR which is their first album in eleven years. I thought SHAKHTYOR split up ages ago but they were just biding their time releasing a heavy and brutal album upon the world. As this is their heaviest and darkest record to date with intense fast-paced grooves that have an almost Blackened Post-Metal approach throughout though there are some brief instances of Post-Rock, Ambient Metal and Stoner Metal within this record.

SHAKHTYOR have developed a heavier, thicker and progressive sound compared to their previous albums which you can fully experience within the stunning opening track Simulacron. There are traces of SHAKHTYOR developing into a more brutal style of music which comes into play within the later stages of the record which gives everything quite an uncomfortable feeling. The mix of fast paced grooves and slow-paced passages is a great way for SHAKHTYOR to express their feelings for the story contained within the album.

If you ever wondered what Russian Circles or Pelican would sound like if they embraced a Pitch Black mentality then Simulacron is about as close you would possibly get. SHAKHTYOR use a wealth of different electronic and vocal samples to get their creative message across which actually blurs the different musical realities that hold everything together within the whole album.

Second track Das sechste Siegel feels like a dystopian nightmare come to life with SHAKHTYOR exploring different themes of Instrumental Metal with gloomy synths, vocal samples and electronic sounds developing into a superbly constructed track that is perhaps one of the band’s best creative works to date. The literal translation means “The Sixth Seal” which gives real relevance to the whole album and how everything plays out.

Whilst technically an instrumental record, there is an excellent guest appearance from Martin Paul (UR) within the standout third track of Alone. This track is the shortest one on the album but it’s one of the heaviest songs on the whole album. Some folks may think I’m crazy for saying that as it’s not HEAVY in the most standard sense. I think it’s one of the heaviest as the band created a song that acts as a warning for today’s ever increasing use of AI and Technology. The harsh vocals from Martin allows SHAKHTYOR to develop eerie synths and despairing instrumental sounds that left me questioning my own sanity. 

The second half of Simulacron continues the dark themes that SHAKHTYOR has created brilliantly and passionately in equal measure. Though, that Post-Black Metal energy touched upon briefly within the first half of the record fully breaks out and sees SHAKHTYOR bring a frenzied approach to their music. There’s elements of Industrial Metal leading the way on tracks such as Wolfmannsgehau and Electric H. 

SHAKHTYOR sometimes play a faster and more extreme style of music that still allows their core Instrumental Doom/Sludge Metal sound to fully retain control with expansive cinematic soundscapes making a welcome appearance. You have to give SHAKHTYOR credit for not giving into a false pretence by playing hopefully instrumental passages as that isn’t their style. They remain fully committed in creating a bleak and highly unsettling musical odyssey that left even myself quite uncomfortable in places. 

This is perhaps one of the most thought provoking, gloomiest and depressing Instrumental albums I've listened to and experienced this year. That’s perhaps one of best things about Simulacron is that it dares to be different and perhaps offer the listener quite an unsettling experience which is told through some thrilling and brilliant instrumental melodies that leave you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. 

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to All Noir PR for the promo.

Simulacron is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via BandCamp (Germany Only) and Moment Of Collapse (Rest Of The World)

Links

https://www.facebook.com/shakhtyorband/
https://www.instagram.com/shakhtyor.band/
https://shakhtyor.bandcamp.com/

AcidSitter - Hall Of Mirrors (SIngle Review)

Release Date: November 06th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Format: DD

Hall Of Mirrors - Tracklist 

Hall Of Mirrors

Members

Filip Franczak

Rafał Klimczak

Tetsuya Nara

Rafał Zając

Review

Psych/Acid/Stoner Rockers AcidSitter return with their latest Hall Of Mirror which tackles real life events on this brilliantly surreal track. It’s best to the band themselves to describe what’s going on:

“from the 2022 invasion of Ukraine to the rise of ChatGPT—into a haunting vision of a bot-flooded future where humanity gets left behind”

This track sees AcidSitter touching upon real life themes and world events but set against a backdrop of Acid Rock, Psych Rock and Stoner Rock. The whole thing is quite frenzied but also naturally real at the same time. The music has a choppy and unapologetic delivery which can be quite outlandish and schizophrenic at the same time.

Though, that’s how AcidSitter plays their music. The vocals are a bit over the place but they have a real aura and presence to them. The music is always engaging and brilliantly heavy even when set against a backdrop of distorted loops, indie rock beats, space rock sounds and kooky Seventies Rock freakouts which makes the whole thing slightly crazy throughout. 

There’s a great message hidden within this track with AcidSitter delivering in their own unique and great way. As they blend Sixties and Seventies based Rock Music to a modern experimental approach which left me wanting to hear more. As the last thirty seconds is where the real magic happens as AcidSitter plays an intense blast of Sludge, Punk, Fuzz, Garage Rock and Stoner Rock grooves that are amplified to HELL. That was a great way to end the track with and proves that AcidSitter knows how to whip up a destructive atmosphere when the mood calls for that type of music to fully appear.

Let’s hope there’s a more substantial record from AcidSittter being released in the near future.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Cult Of Chaga - Ego Death Safari (Album Review)

Release Date: September 23rd 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Format: DD

Ego Death Safari - Tracklist 

1.Not Interested Anymore 08:10

2.Caracal 05:41

3.Go with The Fool (La Noche de Los Búhos) 08:00

4.Godzilla 12:22

Members

Andrea Cima: guitars

Mirko Ciccone: vocals & synth

Fabrizio Paduch: drums and backing vocals

Nico Irace: bass and echoes

Review

Ego Death Safari is the debut album from Psych Stoner Rockers Cult Of Chaga who bring a world weary and supernatural tone to the creative outline to the album which explained by the band themselves below:

“Ego Death Safari” is a shamanic journey into the unconscious of the post-modern man, structured around four ritual stages, each associated with a track. Four animal entities — the Black Devil Fish, the Caracal, the Owl and the Lizard — embody four divine forces that take possession of man on a healing journey through the four human spheres — emotional, material, intellectual and creative/sexual — and the four elements associated with them, in the order of water, earth, air and fire.”

As you can see the record is quite spiritual, ritualistic and quite there but with that aside, Cult Of Chaga have created a thoroughly modern Psychedelic experience that taps into the legendary Stoner Rock scene with some groove orientated Doom Rock and Fuzz Rock passages. There are some great Progressive based elements which delve into the freak-out side of Psychedelic Rock and Classic Rock.

The vocals from Mirk Ciccone are quite hard-hitting with a determined delivery with flashes of Hard Rock independence being his main scope which gives Ego Death Safari a truly aggressive tone. He’s superbly backed up by Fabrizio Paduch who also provides excellent drums along this journey. The record is quite ritualistic with its gloomy synths and shamanic storyline allowing the band to become almost Occult Rock obsessed but still bearing the Stoner Rock/Metal framework. The sound does become slightly off-balance within the tracks Not Interested Anymore and Caracal but it only adds to the great musical experience that Cult Of Chaga brings to the party.

There are great sonic instrumental passages throughout the album that fully develops and explains the out-there story that resides within the album. The record does have a classic sound residing within the production side of things which gives the album such a vibrant and urgent delivery which becomes fully realized within the final two tracks of Go with The Fool (La Noche de Los Búhos) and Godzilla. 

The later stages of the record feels inspired by the likes of KYUSS, FU MANCHU and The Obsessed but also superbly different at the same time. Each track offers an exciting different chapter for the story to fully develop. The eerie Cosmic surroundings add a sense of danger into the music which Cult Of Chaga fully taps into and delivers some of the best and most interesting sounds on the whole album.

This isn’t your typical Psychedelic Stoner Rock album but it’s good to see a band like Cult Of Chaga go with an interesting premise for this album. As it’s quite a surreal and out of body experience at times but it’s the thrilling grounded melodies, grooves and sounds that make this album most definitely worth your time.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram | LinkTree

Take The Tides - All Damned Switches (Album Review)

Release Date: November 02nd 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Format: DD

All Damned Switches - Tracklist 

1.Switch: Low Tide 00:55

2.Sunken 04:29

3.Resurfaced 01:39

4.Lünar Dünes (Slight Return) 06:11

5.Atacama Witchdance 07:35

6.Switch Ezzorah 04:28

7.Escapism 06:08

8.Oannes 06:33

9.Switch: High Tide 03:11

Members

Dominik Kavur - Bass

Nikola Kekez - Drums

Hrvoje Kreč - Guitars

Review

All Damned Switches is the debut album from Take The Tides who play a varied style of Instrumental Rock that explores areas of Psych, Stoner Rock, Desert Rock, Post-Rock and Ambient Rock. The band seem to have every corner and aspect covered of the Instrumental Rock scene. The album is quite solitary in places but soon becomes more warm-hearted and deeply engaging with Take The Tides developing a heavier style of music that could easily be considered Stoner Metal or Post-Metal which comes across superbly well within the tracks Sunken, Lunar Dunes (Slight Return) and Atacama Witchdance.

There are times when the tracks suddenly move suddenly into the next track especially within Sunken and Resurfaced. This is a great tactic which gives the listener an unexpected level of surprise whilst keeping with its core Ambient and Post-Rock delivery that allows Take The Tides to branch out into heavier instrumental waters.

There’s plenty of trippy sound effects spliced throughout the album which can be quite Post-Doom based which was a great surprise as Take The Tides offer a challenging and unique style of Heavy Instrumental music. You can hear influences from the likes of Pelican, Russian Circles, Earthless, Karma To Burn, Monkey3 and ROTOR in places but Take The Tides standout on their own creative ground thanks to their great use of sublime AQUATIC themes heard within their music.

The record is quite progressive and forward thinking when Take The Tides combine different elements of Psychedelic soundscapes which even become fused with Jazz Rock and Space Rock atmospherics. Though, it’s the great use of classic Stoner Rock/Metal templates that makes All Damned Switches such a refreshing experience where a heavier musical presence allows the listener to fully lose themselves and perhaps immerse with the album even more.

Sonic experimentation is another highlight with this record as Take The Tides offer a deep dive into the finer details of Instrumental Stoner Rock on tracks such as Lunar Dives ISlight Return), Atacama Witchdance, Escapism and Oannes. The instrumental passages become more commanding especially when Take The Tides a heavier approach with their music whilst still delivering plenty of soulful Ambient based Post-Rock sounds.

Though, for most of the time, Take The Tides fully reside within the realm of Heavy Psychedelic grooves that can be quite dreamlike and superbly aggressive at the same time. All Damned Switches is such a refreshing and highly original record that left me utterly mesmerized by the intense and superbly played music played from beginning to end. 

The production values are excellent and superbly realized that allows Take The Tides to put in a commanding performance throughout whilst also developing some highly original musical sounds of their own making especially within the later stages of the record.

All Damned Switches is a masterful record that every committed follower of the Instrumental Rock scene needs to add to their collection right now.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Sergeant Thunderhoof - Hoof play the Hits!! The covers album you never wanted, but you're getting it anyway!

Well, hello there, you lovely bunch of Hoof enthusiasts.

We're absolutely stoked to announce that we've got something rather special coming your way this December. The perfect stocking filler for that special someone in your life. You know the one. The person you love more than anyone else. Yourself.

Hot Hits, Heavy Hooves! sees Sergeant Thunderhoof putting our own questionable stamp on some of the songs that have soundtracked our lives, with music from the likes of Black Sabbath, Alice Cooper, Rush, Pink Floyd and plenty more.

11 songs. Almost 80 minutes. Absolutely none of which we wrote ourselves.

All freshly mixed and mastered by the wonderful Josh Gallop, and delivered just in time for the big day.

It's a little something we've put together as a thank you for all the continued love and support you've shown us over the years. We thought it'd be a fun little stop-gap to tide you over while we disappear back into the studio to finish the next album. Think of it as an appetiser before the main course. A musical amuse-bouche, if you will.

Pre-order now on CD & Digital via the link below.

Out 11th December 2026 through Pale Wizard Records.

And before anyone starts sharpening their pitchforks, we've anticipated a few questions...

FAQ's

Q1: "This sucks maaaaan! We wanted new music and you're wasting your time recording covers. What gives, dude?"

A: Chill out, bro. We're literally recording the new album right now. It's due out next summer (assuming we don't all get distracted by something shiny). We just thought this would be a fun little release to keep you lovely people suitably moist until then. You're welcome.

Q2: "Not cool, dude. Where's the vinyl?"

A: We'd love to do vinyl, honestly. Unfortunately, pressing almost 80 minutes of music would mean a double LP, and we're not quite at the stage where we can finance that using loose change found down the back of the sofa. We're keeping our pennies aside for something else. See Q1. It's a very good answer.

Q3: "This blows. Why would I want to hear my favourite songs ruined by a bunch of useless idiots from Somerset?"

A: First of all, rude. Secondly, don't panic. The originals still exist. They're not going anywhere. We haven't stolen them, deleted them or replaced them with inferior Somerset versions. This release probably isn't for you, and that's absolutely fine. There are plenty of other things to be angry about.

Got any more questions?

Fire away! We'll endeavour to answer them in the most condescending and unnecessarily British manner possible.

Much love, and thanks again for sticking with us. You lot are bloody brilliant.

SERGEANT THUNDERHOOF x

CLICK HERE

Links

Website: https://sergeantthunderhoof.bandcamp.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sergeantthunderhoof
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sergeantthunderhoof/

KING BUFFALO Unleash New Single "Ether on the Dark Side" From Upcoming Album Doomsayer

[Photo credit: Mitch Kline]

Psychedelic heavy rock trio KING BUFFALO has unleashed their brand-new single, "Ether on the Dark Side," offering another taste of their upcoming album, Doomsayer. Known for their hypnotic grooves, atmospheric soundscapes, and powerful riffs, the band is gearing up for the release of their highly anticipated seventh studio album.

Doomsayer will arrive on December 4th, 2026, as a self-release in North America and through Stickman Records in Europe. Preorders are available via http://kingbuffalo.bigcartel.com and https://www.stickman-records.com.

"Ether on the Dark Side" is now streaming here:

Four years on from Regenerator, King Buffalo returns with a record shaped by years of international touring and a deepening confidence in their own sound. Recorded in the new studio the band built themselves, Doomsayer finds the trio continuing to reach into the unknown, while bringing a greater sense of focus and intention to their sound. The experience they have gained on the road is evident throughout the album, both in the poise of the material and the confidence of their delivery. Like the pandemic trilogy that preceded it, Doomsayer was made at home, but the band’s new surroundings have given them the freedom to continue exploring and finding new ground, with a maturity they have earned one stage at a time.

“Doomsayer originated in early 2026 out of many hours of jam sessions in our new studio space, playing around and seeing where it took us,” explains guitarist/vocalist Sean Roa, who also produced and mixed the album. “We didn’t really have an end goal in mind of what we were going for. We were simply exploring ideas and seeing what ended up speaking to us the most. So much has happened, both as a band and in our personal lives since our last record, that ended up becoming the inspiration to many of the lyrics on Doomsayer. I think as a result, this is some of our most upfront, direct and riff-driven work to date. We are incredibly proud of it and can’t wait for it to get out into the world.”

[Cover artwork by See Machine]

Doomsayer Tracklist:

1. Battling The Mystagogues
2. The Slick and the Dead
3. Vagabond
4. Hell or High Water
5. Into the Foundry
6. Ether on the Dark Side
7. Doomsayer

The band is currently touring North America with support from L.A. Witch (Oct. 29 to Nov. 21, except Los Angeles), Doom Gong (Dec. 3 to 5 and Dec. 18), and Handsome Jack (Dec. 8 to 12), followed by a European trek in early 2027 with Spirit Mother opening on all dates. Ticket links are available at Kingbuffalo.com/tour.

North American Tour 2026

06.11.26 San Francisco (US), The Independent
07.11.26 Los Angeles (US), Lodge Room
09.11.26 Solana Beach (US), Belly Up
10.11.26 Phoenix (US), Crescent Ballroom
11.11.26 Albuquerque (US), Sister
13.11.26 Dallas (US), AM/FM
14.11.26 Austin (US), Mohawk
17.11.26 Houston (US), Bad Astronaut
19.11.26 Nashville (US), Basement East
20.11.26 Asheville (US), The Grey Eagle
21.11.26 Cincinnati (US), Woodward Theatre
03.12.26 Detroit (US), El Club
04.12.26 Chicago (US), Thalia Hall
05.12.26 Cleveland (US), The Roxy
08.12.26 Toronto (CA), The Mod Club
09.12.26 Montreal (CA), Theatre Fairmount
10.12.26 Boston (US), Brighton Music Hall
11.12.26 New York (US), Le Poisson Rouge
12.12.26 Philadelphia (US), Underground Arts
15.12.26 Richmond (US), The Broadberry
16.12.26 Durham (US), Motorco
17.12.26 Washington (US), Black Cat
18.12.26 Columbus (US), Skully’s

European Tour 2027 with special guests SPIRIT MOTHER

02.03.27 Hamburg (DE), Grunspan
03.03.27 Antwerp (BE), Trix
04.03.27 Haarlem (NL), Patronaat
06.03.27 London (UK), Scala
07.03.27 Manchester (UK), Gorilla
09.03.27 Bristol (UK), Electric Bristol
11.03.27 Paris (FR), Petit Bain
12.03.27 Essen (DE), Zeche Carl
13.03.27 Cologne (DE), Kantine
14.03.27 Stuttgart (DE), Wizeman
15.03.27 Munich (DE), Backstage Halle
17.03.27 Berlin (DE), Festsaal
19.03.27 Copenhagen (DK), Pumpehuset
20.03.27 Gothenburg (SE), Monument
21.03.27 Oslo (NO), John Dee
21.03.27 Stockholm (SE), Debaser Nova
22.03 - Stockholm, SE Debaser Nova

King Buffalo is:

Sean Roa - Guitar, Synth & Vocals
Dan Reynolds - Bass & Synth
Scott Donaldson - Drums & Percussion

Connect with King Buffalo:

http://kingbuffalo.com
http://kingbuffalo.bigcartel.com
For Socials: @kingbuffaloband

Thanks to All Noir PR for the details.