Hexecutioner - Ascension Rock (Album Review)

Release Date: October 23rd 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Format: CD/DD/Tape/Vinyl

Ascension Rock - Tracklist

1. Shapeshifter (5:52) 2. Usurper (5:57) 3. Manifested (7:10) 4. Star and Stone (4:42) 5. Sink or Swim (5:22) 6. Billionaires (4:45)

Members

Erin Gravina - Guitar and Vocals

Daniel McManus - Bass Guitar

Bryce Hebner - Drums

Review

Ascension Rock is the third album from Doom/Stoner Metallers Hexecutioner with the band adding a grounded cosmic energy into their music. The record itself is quite grimy and stripped back which gives Hexecutioner a heavier approach compared to their previous albums. This allows Hexecutioner to align themselves closer to the likes of OM, SLEEP and Acid King throughout this album. 

There is also a killer Proto-Metal and Garage Rock delivery being used on huge parts of the record but it’s that COSMIC DOOM sound that makes the most lasting impression which is brought superbly into life within the excellent opening track of Shapeshifter. The sound is quite down-tuned and led by moments of amplified distortion which still forms an epic style of sludge melodies amongst the gritty atmosphere that develops in the background. 

Erin Gravina works creative overtime on this record by playing guitars, delivering vocals and writing the lyrics and music for this record alone. However, this feels like a real team effort with Daniel McManus (Bass) and Bryce Hebner (Drums) forming a powerful rhythm section that allows Erin to play some intense grooves that remind me of Acid King and Shrinebuilder.

Ascension Rock does allow Hexecutioner to move into areas of Progressive Rock and Spaced Out dimensions along the way on tracks such as Usurper, Manifested, Star And Stone and Billionaires. The stripped back production values work surprisingly well for the more COSMIC aspects of the album but Erin has written some great lyrics to keep the mood human and superbly real. I adored the Punk Rock aesthetic that the album delivers so well with this record, perhaps showing you how the band actually sound like in the real world.

There’s some great Post-Doom and Post-Punk elements that start to develop on the later stages on this record which Hexecutioner have used on previous albums but this is perhaps when they’re fully fleshed out and the music becomes a more thrilling experience because of how everything plays out.

Ascension Rock has allowed HEXECUTIONER to re-invent themselves for the better with an album that’s bound to become a firm favourite within the underground rock scene and allow the band to become more well known at the same time. 

This record is an absolute blast from start to finish with seedy FUZZED OUT grooves and psychedelic soundscapes that’s highly addictive with massive amounts of violent grooves emitting from your speakers that will leave you a shivering wreck!!!

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Hexecutioner and Good Boy PR for the promo.

Ascension Rock is available to buy now on CD/DD/Tape/Vinyl.

Links:

Band website | Bandcamp | Instagram | Facebook

Nightscape - The Great Beyond (Album Review)

Release Date: October 16th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Format: DD

The Great Beyond - Tracklist

1.Tired Morning 07:20

2.Trembling Paradox 06:46

3.Floating Mind 07:30

4.Freedom of Knowledge 07:16

5.Polluted Crisis 07:44

6.Painted Stars 06:54

7.The Great Beyond 06:36

Members

Guglielmo Allegro - Everything

Review

Guglielmo Allegro aka Nightscape returns with The Great Beyond which is a more Droned Out affair compared to the last album Sakura with this record having a heavier and aggressive approach as well. There are similarities between The Great Beyond and Sakura though Nightscape relies heavily more on Psychedelic textures and Ambient sound effects with the music having a Post-Metal identity throughout the album.

The songs are quite long and very intense when Guglielmo applies massive amounts of Distorted Drone against a backdrop of fuzz, reverb and amplified textures which you can violently experience throughout the albums opening tracks of Tired Morning and Trembling Paradox. There’s a sense of isolation and detachment that I experienced with this album which  I never experienced with previous Nightscape records. I appreciate the creative energy and focus that Nightscape needed for this album but there are some great uplifting moments when the music shifts to a cerebral style of Ambient Rock, Cinematic Rock and Post-Rock.

However, the most exciting parts of the album is when Nightscape solely focuses upon creating and delivering those sudden bursts of Drone/Doom Metal exploration where the mood becomes bleak and aggressively violent which left me wanting to hear more. The majority of the tracks run near for around seven or eight minutes in length and if you’re accustomed to the works of SUNN 0))), BORIS, Bongripper and EARTH then you know what to expect but this is perhaps more riff-driven.

Standout tracks for me include: Tired Morning, Floating Mind, Freedom Of Knowledge and Polluted Crisis. These are the tracks I found myself most emotionally engaged with. The level of Psychedelic and Droned Out passages is quite euphoric despite the sense of isolation that I mentioned earlier in my review. Another great aspect of the album is the actual journey that Guglielmo takes you upon which he does on every Nightscape album but he manages to offer a different journey for each album. 

The journey may be slow and highly methodical but you can’t deny the huge talent and creative vision that’s behind The Great Beyond with Guglielmo once again showing why he’s one of the best “solo” instrumental artists the scene currently has right now. 

This is another masterful release from Nightscape and perhaps my favourite album yet from this creative project. 

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Facebook | BandCamp

Clegane - Ocean Of Black Thoughts (Album Review)

Release Date: October 02nd 2026. Record Label: Almost Famous. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Ocean Of Black Thoughts - Tracklist

1.Abandoned Temple Fate 09:48

2.Luminose 06:31

3.Mutt 03:49

4.A Room Full of Strangers 08:12

5.Sun Decay 05:31

6.Ocean of Black Thoughts 08:24

Review

Ocean Of Black Thoughts is the third album from Doom/Grunge/Sludge Metallers Clegane and is my first experience with the band and I’m massively impressed from this record alone. As Clegane combines classic Grunge elements with a violent style of Doom, Sludge and Post-Metal which is superbly dark throughout the album. There is a bleak and unrelenting vision that appears from every angle of this record where the band’s intense vocals and violent lyrics pulls no punches to whoever listens to the album.

There are diverse influences such as Alice In Chains, Soundgarden, Monolord and Melvins which you can hear but Clegane still maintain their own great identity within the album especially within the more grounded Grunge sounds and themes on tracks such as Abandoned Temple Fate, Luminose, Mutt and Sun Decay. I also admire how the band switched from playing long drawn out instrumental passages to a more direct riff-centric approach with an epic “DOOM & GLOOM” delivery holding everything together.

The vocals are another highlight where Clegane employs a wide array of different styles with clean vocals and harsh growls all being fully utilized for maximum potential. Clegane embraces a sinister Post-Punk and Post-Doom attitude within the more stripped back elements of the album where you fully appreciate the classic Nineties Heavy Rock/Heavy Metal attitude that appears at different times of the album. 

The record can be deliberately slow at times but this allows Clegane to experiment with different Post-Punk atmospherics that soon transform into a heavier style of Post-Metal that becomes quite relentless and highly unforgiving. Clegane also has a great way of creating SONIC based soundscapes which adds a layer of surreal level of psychedelic energy to make things slightly over the top at times but it works superbly well.

Ocean Of Black Thoughts is quite a dark and vicious album but one that is emotionally rewarding when everything is said and done. Clegane offers no apologies for delivering a highly uncomfortable record but it’s one that’s packed full of massive grooves of the highest order which can be quite jaw-dropping to hear at times. 

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Ocean Of Black Thoughts is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Almost Famous.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Doom/Stoner Metallers SON OF BOAR Sign To Pale Wizard. Announce Upcoming New Album And Release New Song EL JEFE

We’ve known these lads for years. Going back to the tour we did in 2022 for Sergeant Thunderhoof’s ‘This Sceptred Veil’ album…. these boys magically kept appearing on the bill! And we quickly developed a deep friendship and respect for them… partly due to the awesome noise that they made, but also due to the fact that they’re absolutely top lads. Hard working, loyal, respectful, appreciative and humble. Anyone who has met Son of Boar will know what we’re talking about.

So when they contacted us a few months back to say they had finished recording a new album, we really wanted to see what we could to help them. Well here it is…. The Hand That Reigns. A dark, brooding, heavy masterpiece of a record. Diving deep into the occult, witchcraft and terrible histories of the west.

We’re very proud to present to you this new album on Digital and CD. 

Check out the first track now and consider pre ordering your copy!

The Lowdown

Formed in 2018, Son Of Boar's powerful, groove-laden, riff-heavy sound has seen them share stages with the likes of Conjurer, Sergeant Thunderhoof, Desert Storm, Nebula, Conan and Fatso Jetson, whilst appearances at Bloodstock, Riffolution, Ruination, Hard Rock Hell Fest, Hammerfest, SOPHIE Fest and Masters Of The Riff have firmly established the band within the UK heavy-music circuit.

Their forthcoming second studio album 'The Hand That Reigns', recorded at Corner House Studios in Yorkshire with Kurt Wood and mastered by Dave Draper (Ginger Wildheart), emerged during a period in which each member was collectively navigating difficult times. As riffs developed into songs, it became clear that those experiences were influencing the writing, and something darker was taking shape. Each track is infused with a personal honesty that moves fluidly from groove-metal to blasted desert rock and the deepest, darkest doom, showcasing the wide range to the band's sound.

Lyrically, the album explores themes of alienation, judgement, personal struggles and reilience, examining the barriers people encounter, the frustration and anger that can emerge from them, and the strength required to move beyond them.

"Lyrically the album covers themes of being an outcast in various forms. Drawing on inspiration from world events, personal experiences, documentaries, and life in a band, the songs talk to the barriers we hit in life, how people judge each other, and the frustration and anger that can come from that, but also about drawing on personal strength and inner belief to get past that and try to live a better life," vocalist Luke Oliver says.

You can find the band online here:

Website: https://sonofboar.bandcamp.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SonOBoar
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/son_of_boar
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3MvIo59LEuFXrQ7U6AnuoO?si=pdeJaMjlQmOdqJneZJKtPw
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/gb/artist/son-of-boar/1490688507
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/artists/B082K9NRW1

Thanks to Pale Wizard and Memphia Music PR for the details.

DOMKRAFT drop new advance track 'Aurora' taken from forthcoming album "Night Songs

Photo by Fredrick Francke

DOMKRAFT release the sizzling track 'Aurora' as the final advance single taken from their forthcoming new full-length "Night Songs". The fifth album by the Swedish heavy psychedelic rockers is slated for release on November 20, 2026, via Magnetic Eye Records. The album is available for pre-order at THIS LOCATION.

Listen to 'Aurora' here:

DOMKRAFT comment on 'Aurora': "This track revolves around two riffs, one sharp and airy, the other gravelly, muddy and downright dirty", vocalist and bass player Martin Wegeland writes. "In a way, this song comes with a slightly new kind of groove for us. Then again, at the same time, it somehow connects all our albums into one track. 'Aurora' has all the lumbering beats, the open structures and the fist-clenching intensity that we aim for."

Tracklist

1. Unnamed
2. Lights On
3. Aurora
4. Void Runner
5. Eclipse (Outlast the Night)
6. Dead Rocket
7. Tunnels

Personal experience of any kind has always inspired artists. It is therefore hardly surprising that the traumatic medical crisis which DOMKRAFT guitarist Martin Widholm faced in 2025 has found an echo on the Swedes' fifth album "Night Songs". Although his band mates didn’t have to undergo several complicated surgeries as he did, they were of course also affected as bystanders in less threatening but nonetheless meaningful ways.

Their collective outlook on life and what is truly important shifted during this period of terror. When the band started working on new songs during Widholm’s long phase of recovery, many contradictory feelings surfaced in both the music and the lyrics. From fear bordering on panic, the pendulum swung to cautious relief. And through sadness and joy, hope and despair, they went all the way to finally arrive at the humbling realisation that they were still able to do what they dearly love: creating music.

The album title, "Night Songs", partly stems from the Swedes' experiences during the past year, but also crosses into the broad idea of darkness versus light. This can mean personal hardships, the present state of the world, or the concept of actual night itself. The night may turn into a time of regret, solitude and insomnia but also into the opposite, as a calm phase of relief, relaxation, and even debauchery. All of this happens at night. And just maybe, these "Night Songs" could foremost deal with resilience.

Nordic trio DOMKRAFT have always been true to their musical course, but also grew audibly in maturity with each new release, honing their considerable songwriting skills on each outing. Gradually and through determination and small tweaks and nuances, their stylistic range shifted from towering doom anthems towards heavy rock with psychedelic influences.

DOMKRAFT sprung into being when singer and bass player Martin Wegeland, guitarist Martin Widholm, and drummer Anders Dahlgren realised that they had firmly bonded over a mutual love of bands such as SPACEMEN 3, MONSTER MAGNET, SLEEP, and HAWKWIND.

DOMKRAFT's monolithic 2016 debut album, "The End of Electricity", drew equally from the heaviness, psychedelia, and hypnotic minimalism of their influences. Building on this foundation and with a curious lust for experimentation, the trio explored different sonic angles and musical avenues while building an ever-growing audience and continued critical acclaim with each following release: "Flood" (2018), "Seeds" (2021), and "Sonic Moons" (2023).

DOMKRAFT furthermore established an excellent reputation as a considerable live force and audience magnet on both sides of the Atlantic. The trio performed at such prestigious festivals as four Desertfests (BE, DE, UK & US), Psycho Las Vegas (US), Blow Up (FI), Sonic Whip (NL), Høstsabbat (NO) ArcTanGent (UK), and many more.

"Night Songs" was recorded at the renowned Studio Gröndahl in Stockholm by David Castillo (OPETH, CANDLEMASS, KATATONIA et al.). Karl Daniel Lidén (GREENLEAF, LOWRIDER, BREACH) was asked to maintain DOMKRAFT's sonic identity by again mixing and mastering the album.

"Night Songs" should be enjoyed like a feverish, dream-like cocktail that is expertly mixed from equal parts deafening quiet and soothing loud noises, then sprinkled with insomnia, relief, contemplation, and a dash of red-hot anger for raw spice.

Line-up

Martin Wegeland – vocals, bass
Martin Widholm – guitars
Anders Dahlgren – drums

Recording by David Castillo at Studio Gröndahl, Stockholm (SE)
Mix & mastering by Karl Daniel Lidén

Artwork & layout by Björn Atldax

Live

23/24 OCT 2026 Oslo (NO) Kulturkirken Jakob, Høstsabbat
8-10 JUL 2027 Erfurt (DE) Stoned from the Underground Fest

Links

Facebook | Instagram | BandCamp

Thanks to All Noir PR and Magnetic Eye Records for the details.

Doom pop power duo SIXYEARHEX announce debut full-length "Liminal Space Cadet", out November 13th

Following 2024's “Under The Glow” EP and a string of singles this year, North Carolina’s doom pop power duo SIXYEARHEX are ready to unleash their debut full-length, “Liminal Space Cadet”.

The tag is no misnomer: SIXYEARHEX deal in inescapably catchy hooks built on a foundation of gravelly crunch and soaring riffs. Early QOTSA and Lanegan-esque grunge can be glimpsed among the grooves, and the rolling powerhouse drumming of Derrick Brown builds a meaty bedrock beneath the crisp, charisma-packed vocal performance of Rob Broyhill.

IN THE BAND'S OWN WORDS:

Rob - "I'm excited to put this first full-length album out into the world. The ‘Under The Glow’ EP was me doing everything, just trying to introduce SIXYEARHEX to the heavy underground. But this time around it was great to step back, not be an engineer, and just focus on the performances and collaborating with a like-minded individual. That collaboration process took the songs to places they wouldn't have been able to go otherwise. I'm very proud of this album and think it's a strong statement for our first chapter and sets a clear foundation for where we're going next."

Derrick - "I couldn't be happier to collaborate with Rob on this two piece project. I feel that the album combines a lot of our shared philosophical ideas lyrically about the modern world and exemplifies key elements of our musical backgrounds and tastes."

WHAT'S NEXT:

"We have the next album already locked and loaded. It's just a matter of organizing and getting videos completed / artwork finalized / promo stuff sorted, etc. and a timeline. In the meantime we'll continue to play live and try to expand our regional footprint."

SIXYEARHEX - Liminal Space Cadet

Album out November 13th, 2026
Self-released (CD, Cassette, Digital)
North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, US
FFO: Torche • early QOTSA • Clutch • Mastodon
Artwork by Rob Broyhill
Original photograph by Justin Driscoll

SIXYEARHEX is:

Rob Broyhill – Guitar, Vocals
Derrick Brown – Drums, Vocals

Tracklist:

1. Midnight Incantation (4:45)
2. Control (4:21)
3. Original Sin (4:54)
4. All Is Well (5:08)
5. When The Darkness Shines (3:25)
6. Existential Blues (4:53)
7. God Luck and Good Speed (3:44)
8. Exile (3:27)

Links:

Bandcamp | Instagram | Facebook | Spotify | YouTube | Hypeeddit

Thanks to Good Boy PR for the details.

Doomhjälpen, a charity event with Domkraft, Doomherre, Hexjakt, Kaiser and Ordos (December 5)

Doomhjälpen 2026 - Doom bands team up for charity in Stockholm

On Saturday 5 December, Kollektivet Livet in Stockholm opens its doors for Doomhjälpen, an independent charity night where musicians from the doom scene raise money for Musikhjälpen, Sweden's annual charity campaign.

Five bands - Ordos, Kaiser, Doomherre, Hexjakt and Domkraft - take the venue's main stage, and every one of them is playing for free. Doom Girls from FLOW Stockholm add a dance show created exclusively for the night, and Domkraft will be celebrating the release of their new album.

No fees, no glamour, just artists and fans doing something together. Kollektivet Livet is lending the venue and Backline Sthlm the equipment, so that as much of the ticket money as possible goes to the cause.

After VAT, fees and hotel costs for two of the bands, the goal is to raise 60,000 SEK (approx. €5,500). Donations can also be made directly through the Doomhjälpen fundraising page, and the night will be livestreamed on YouTube for anyone who can't make it.

"The doom community is incredibly welcoming and the scene is really tight-knit, so doing something for people who need help felt like a no-brainer. We also wanted as many people as possible to be able to join us, so there are three ticket prices, from 150 to 400 SEK. Whichever one you pick, you're supporting Musikhjälpen," says Max Collin of Doomherre.

Facts

When: Saturday 5 December 2026, [doors / start time]

Where: Kollektivet Livet, Stadsgårdsterminalen, 116 45 Stockholm, Sweden

Playing: Ordos (Uppsala), Kaiser (Finland), Doomherre (Stockholm), Hexjakt (Arboga) and Domkraft (Stockholm - headliners, with a new album out). Doom Girls (Stockholm).

Tickets: 150, 250 or 400 SEK via Billetto: billetto.se/e/doomhjalpen-2026-biljetter-2023055

Donations: bossan.musikhjalpen.se/doomhjaelpen

More information: doomhjalpen.se

About Doomhjälpen

Doomhjälpen is an independent initiative raising money for Musikhjälpen. It is organised by Max Collin, Toni Åkerman and Anna Dahlqvist, who are all active in the Swedish doom, sludge and stoner scene.