Stoned Jesus Announce New Album 'Songs to Moon' And Release New Song/Video For VELVET

After 15 years of trailblazing across doom metal, grunge, psychedelic and art rock, no height is too steep a climb for Stoned Jesus. The heavy progressive rockers are reaching a new creative peak with their forthcoming album trilogy. Its opening chapter, Songs to Sun, rose atop best of 2025 lists at Doom Charts, Rock Hard, The Obelisk and other critical institutions. 

Now, frontman Igor Sydorenko and his two bandmates are cycling into the darkest, most daring and deeply moving territory of their career with Songs To Moon.

 "We started The Songs trilogy last year with Songs to Sun, which is a loud and heavy album that's big on choruses and meaty riffs" Sydorenko says. 

"While still heavy and catchy, Songs to Moon follows a similar trajectory to Led Zeppelin III, Opeth's Damnation or Jar of Flies by Alice In Chains. The songs are recognizably Stoned Jesus, but they are bolder, more haunting and introspective than anything we've done before". 

Today, Stoned Jesus are announcing Songs to Moon with a '90s-style music video for the album's lead single. While floating endlessly amidst uncertainty, the doomgaze of "Velvet" hits hard with one of the band's biggest hooks. 

"This song answers the question: What if Nirvana was shoegaze?", Sydorenko teases. 

Watch the music video for "Velvet" below:

Recording Lineup:

Igor Sydorenko — Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Keyboards
Andrew Rodin — Bass, Backing Vocals
Yurii Ciel — Drums, Backing Vocals

Guest Musicians:

Renie Fiske (Dungen) - Guitar Solo on "Syzgy"

Live Lineup:

Igor Sydorenko — Vocals, Guitar
Andrew Rodin — Bass, Backing Vocals
Ihor Biriuchenko — Drums, Percussion

Production Credits:

Producer — Igor Sydorenko
Sound Engineer — Andy Rosczyk
Mixing and Mastering Engineer — Karl Daniel Lidén
Recording Studio — Goblin Sound Studio in Cologne, Germany
Mixing and Mastering Studio — StudioTri-Lamb, Sweden

Cover Art:

Vadym "Karaska" Karasiov

Pre-order & Pre-save: https://orcd.co/stonedjesussongstomoon

Available Formats:

CD Digipak
12” Vinyl Jacket (Black)
12” Vinyl Jacket (Turquoise vinyl)
12” Vinyl Jacket (Blood moon marbled)
12” Vinyl Jacket (Natural transparent, green and purple marbled)

Follow Stoned Jesus:

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/stonedjesusband
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/artist/stoned-jesus/396799004
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/23lyMLxYNPS15hpVvFNptR
Instagram: instagram.com/stonedjesusband
Facebook: http://facebook.com/stonedjesusband
Twitter: twitter.com/stonedjesusband
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@stonedjesusband
YouTube: youtube.com/c/StonedJesus
Bandcamp: stonedjesus.bandcamp.com

Thanks to Season Of Mist for the details. 

Faerie Ring - Faerie Ring (Album Review)

Release Date: August 21st 2026. Record Label: King Volume Records. Formats: CD/DD/Tape/Vinyl

Faerie Ring - Tracklist

1.NEW GODS

2.FATTEST WITCH

3.BIGGIEST HIT

4.LOST BOY

5.FLAIL

6.DRAGGIN

7.HOWLING AT THE MISTY MOON

8.GARGOYLE

9.NO SURRENDER

10.CHAMPION

Members

James Wallwork - Electric Guitar/Vocals

Kyle Hulgus - Electric Guitar

Alex Wallwork - Electric Bass Guitar/Vocals

Matt McGuyer - Drums & Cymbals

Review

Faerie Ring made quite a name for themselves with their first two records which showed the band had a mighty promise for all things Doom, Sludge and Stoner Rock that was lovingly wrapped in a cocoon of distorted slice of psychedelic heaviness. However, it feels the band have gone back to basics for their third album and went straight back to the drawing board. For a start, this is a self-titled album which opens a new chapter for the band. They’ve stripped their music down to the bare essentials and you’re left with a quintessential vintage sounding record that’s main creative strengths lies within its great use of modern day technicolour melodies and cinematic flair.

The album sees Faerie Ring use elements of Seventies Hard Rock, Proto-Doom and Heavy Metal whilst adding a backdrop of modern day Prog Metal, Sludge Rock, Stoner Rock and Fuzz Rock grooves. There’s a wicked style of Garage Rock ferocity that’s used for the creepy level of distortion that’s hidden in the background and pulling all the strings for when the heavy sounds fully appear.

Taking cues from the likes of The Sword, Mastodon, Thin Lizzy, The Obsessed, King Buffalo and ELDER whilst creating an album solely in your own image is no small feat but Faerie Ring pulls this off magnificently. The band opens up with the stunning opening tracks of New Gods and Fattest Witch which allows them to lay down their new found creative credentials with a massive melting pot of WEEDIAN SMOKE buried amongst those vintage burning amps and distorted sludge metal surroundings. 

They add a great fantastical style of storytelling into their lyrics which is epic in scale with massive amounts of OVER THE TOP themes just allowing the listener to fully go along with the whole record. Faerie Ring slowly start changing their music through every track with a stubborn musical energy being played that makes them simply unbeatable on the day on tracks such as Biggest Hit, Flail, Draggin, Howling At The Misty Moon, Champion and No Surrender.

Faerie Ring aligned themselves more to the burgeoning modern day Psych Stoner Rock scene championed by the likes of ELDER, King Buffalo and Howling Giant on the later stages of the record. However, I also noticed instances of TORCHE based Doom Pop atmospherics which isn’t surprising with Jonathan Nunez on mastering duties on this record which I only discovered until very recently. 

This is the type of album that I wanted The Sword to continue making to this day instead of some of the more mainstream efforts they actually released. This record is going to be a game changer as it’s heartfelt when it matters and DOOM AS HELL when that heavy slab of DOOMED OUT aggression is needed. 

As I stated previously in this review, this record has a core Seventies Heavy Rock aesthetic embedded within its whole DNA and the way how the music is played and wholly delivered, this record feels like it was recorded over fifty years ago but finally being discovered in the modern age for the very first time. The album has that huge vintage feeling but with a superb modern based delivery at the same time.

Faerie Ring’s self-titled album is an absolute breathtaking record from beginning to end and one that’s packed full of classic sounding tracks throughout. This could actually be a game changer for the band and even elevate them to the same status as King Buffalo and Howling Giant in the next eighteen months or so. 

This is another ALBUM OF THE YEAR contender. Add this record to your collection now. END OF!!!

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Pat at Poetica Marketing for the promo.

Faerie Ring is available to buy now on CD/DD/Tape/Vinyl.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Mean Green - Castle (Album Review)

Release Date: August 14th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD/Vinyl

Castle - Tracklist

1. Castle (3:45)

2. Sludge Puppy (4:33)

3. Employee Of The Month (6:23)

4. Wild Bill (4:30)

5. Slack Jaw (5:26)

6. Cyclone (5:01)

7. Wasteland (5:16)

Members

Jake Helms - Guitar, Vocals

Alex Wierback - Bass

James Matthews - Drums

Review

Castle is the sophomore album of WEEDIAN Metallers Mean Green and sees the band expand their heavy filthy hallucinogenic sound even further compared to their acclaimed 2023 self-titled debut album. Mean Green have always leaned more heavily into the Sludge Metal camp with sludgy passages influenced by the likes of HIGH ON FIRE, WEEDEATER and BONGZILLA. 

The added layers of Doomed Out FUZZ allows a slight Electric Wizard and Church Of Misery vibe to slowly creep in. Mean Green allows some trippy SONIC experimentation flow through their music with shades of Classic Rock Legends such as Cactus, Blue Cheer and Saint Vitus spliced throughout this vicious sounding record. The LOW & SLOW grooves have a calculated and methodical delivery to them which sees some of the heaviest AMPLIFIED surrounding melodies developing on the album thanks to tracks such as Castle, Sludge Puppy, Employee Of The Month and Cyclone.

Mean Green have really improved their technical ability in handling their Psychedelic and Space Rock creative themes as this record is more definitely more drugged out with trippier sonic passages emerging from the down tuned catacombs that the band expertly construct. With a thrilling progressive sound allowing Mean Green to move into the Southern Metal arena with epic outbursts of NOLA aggression changing the album into a faster style of delivery which is where the real magic happens. 

The vocals from Jake Helms haven’t changed much from the band’s acclaimed debut album but they have grown up with a violent delivery that oozes confidence from start to finish. Jake feels more comfortable here and he fully owns the demented front-man role he plays with absolute demented relish here. Add his intense guitar performance which allows Alex Wierback on Bass and James Matthews on Drums to fully commit to their violent rhythm section for some of the meanest, thickest and violent sounds that they brilliantly deliver.

Castle becomes a more violent Sludge Metal based journey with continuous levels of filth keeping everything brutally real with some of the thickest sonic passages you ever want to lose yourself in. The lyrics show a real violent flair which are quite close to the likes of WEEDZILLA and CHURCH OF MISERY but it fully sells the twisted vision of Castle that even allows Mean Green to indulge some mighty fine Progressive Sludge/Stoner Metal musical solos along the way that would make MASTODON green with envy!!!

Mean Green have expertly avoided the dreaded sophomore / second album curse with Castle. As this record alone feels like a statement of intent from the band that they mean business and they’re going to be around for a very long time to come. With a non-stop supply of WEEDIAN grooves to drown your hearing with, Mean Green have come of age with this outstanding record. Accept no substitute, these guys are the real fucking deal.  

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Good Boy PR for the promo.

Castle is available to buy now on DD/Vinyl.

Links

Facebook | Instagram | BandCamp

Heavy Prog Rockers MR.BISON share new single "Bright Shadow" from upcoming new album "The Garden of Forgotten Dreams" out September 25th on Heavy Psych Sounds

Italian heavy prog goldsmiths MR.BISON present their haunting new single "Bright Shadow", taken from their upcoming studio album "The Garden of Forgotten Dreams" to be issued this September 25th on Heavy Psych Sounds Records.

Watch new video "Bright Shadow" below + listen to the single on all streaming services

"A haunting and dreamlike song about lost memories, unrealized possibilities, and the echoes of the past. Set within a mysterious garden of light and shadow, it explores regret, longing, and the fragile boundary between dreams and reality...”

The Garden: a magical place where lost dreams don't fade, but grow like silent flowers. Each petal holds an unfulfilled wish, each scent a memory left behind. In this garden, those who enter rediscover parts of themselves they thought lost and understand that nothing should be forgotten if it has touched their heart.

Sprawling psychedelia collides with prog precision on MR.BISON's new album "The Garden of Forgotten Dreams", all propelled by swirling melodic scales that ascend into the stratosphere and dynamics that breathe with volcanic intensity. This sixth studio album is undoubtedly their most epic and immersive album yet, one that will win over fans of Elder, King Buffalo, Weedpecker, Naxatras.

About the main album theme, the band comments: "The garden is the image that recurs most frequently throughout the album. We chose it as a metaphor for a refuge, a place where we can nurture our natural inclinations, let them grow and blossom, and where we can also keep our shadows and lights hidden. Where our secrets, our most authentic truths, our aspirations and our dreams, can therefore remain guarded until we are ready to reveal them to those who can contain and appreciate them." Check out the album's debut single Cosmic Tide!

MR.BISON "The Garden of Forgotten Dreams" - Out September 25th on Heavy Psych Sounds

TRACKLIST:

1. Cosmic Tide
2. The Garden of Forgotten Dreams
3. Bright Shadow
4. Astray
5. Turn to Stone
6. The Sunrise
7. River Moan
8. Old Hue

MR BISON is a rock band that melds heavy psychedelic sounds with progressive elements and evocative soundscapes. Formed in a small coastal town in Tuscany, Italy, the band has reinvented their sound over the course of four albums from stoner rock to heavy psychedelic and progressive sounds, firmly establishing themselves in 2018 with the acclaimed Holy Oak and the great concept album Seaward in the 2020, which suddenly brought them touring around Europe and US many times, attending the best festivals on the scene. The foursome released Echoes From the Universe in February 2024 via Heavy Psych Sounds, reaching many international Best Albums lists — including a top spot on the prestigious Doom Charts — and followed by touring across Europe, the US West Coast Tour and the UK and numerous festival appearances.

Their new concept album The Garden of Forgotten Dreams was produced and recorded by guitarist Matteo Barsacchi, mixed by Richard Behrens (Elder, Kadavar) at Big Snuff Studio in Berlin, and mastered by Carl Saff in Chicago and Adam Ayan (Foo Fighters, Pearl Jam) in Portland. The band has already been confirmed to play Stoned From The Underground, Blackdoor Fest and other summer festivals, and will be touring Europe and the UK again in the fall of 2026.

MR.BISON is

Matteo Barsacchi - Guitar / Synth
Matteo Sciocchetto - Voice / Bass
Davide Salvadori - Guitar / Synth
Lorenzo Salvadori - Drums

MR.BISON links

Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS links

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram | Youtube

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the details.

Holystone - Accepting Omega (Album Review)

Release Date: July 17th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Accepting Omega - Tracklist

1.The Prophecy (Jaws of Victory) 04:10

2.Brave Design 02:51

3.Guided by Stones 05:01

4.Procession 06:32

5.Sleepwalker 03:50

6.The Accomplice Pt.I (The Offer) 01:42

7.The Accomplice Pt.II (Father's Funeral) 05:38

8.Cavitation 05:34

9.The Oracle Speaks 04:21

Members

Drums - Jonny Pickvance

Bass - Jack Bratt

Extra bass - Madi Morris

Guitar - Wolfe Peterson

Vocals - Madison Morris & Wolfe Peterson

Review

Doom/Grunge/Stoner Metallers Holystone return with a heavier and spacier sound compared to their 2024 debut album East of the Sun, West of the Moon. Their second record Accepting Omega operates in the same vicinity of the likes of TORCHE and FLOOR with a sludgy melodic soundscape developing from very early stages. However, there are still familiar musical steps of Grunge, Psych and Doom Metal that were first laid down on their excellent debut album.

There’s a deeper scope on melody, aggression and spaced out surroundings that feel more fully fleshed out which is perhaps down to the inclusion of new band member Madison Morris who is now on Bass and Vocal duties though I think previous bassist Jack Bratt lends a hand here on some of the tracks. Accepting Omega is a sludgier excursion in darker, deeper and heavier territory whilst keeping an epic style of modern “Doom-Pop” landscapes. 

You can feel influences such as Soundgarden, The Melvins and HUM lending a creative hand which still allows Holystone to still sound downright original in their own right. The DOOM & GLOOM aspect does give way to more melodic passages that gives Madison a great chance to shine on the emotionally charged vocal passages that appear from time-to-time. With some screeching guitars and levels of distorted feedback giving an uneasy feeling at times, Holystone aren’t afraid to to develop a heavier and threatening style of Space Rock and Cosmic Doom with some intense instrumental passages moving into the DRONE stratosphere.

The lyrics can be quite “POPPY” and “INDIE” based with the surrounding Post-Whatever elements transforming into a faster style of music where different psychedelic vibes transform into ethereal extended instrumental jams that will sure delight fans of the mighty MELVINS and SOUNDGARDEN.

Sometimes the album does sound like it has two different approaches with how the music is fully delivered which isn’t surprising since half of the album was recorded by Jack Endino (Tracks - 1, 2, 4, and 8) and Dave Catching (Tracks - 3, 5, 6, 7 and 9). However, this works to the album’s favour as this record keeps you on your toes as you don’t know what to expect next. Holystone has delivered an actual record that feels like the actual elements are battling against each other but in an amazing “QUIET vs LOUD” or “HEAVY vs CALM” dynamic. 

This is about the third time I’ve written a review for this album and previous versions focused on track-by-track analysis which I wasn’t fully happy with. All I can say is to go into this record and expect a journey that takes many unexpected twists and turns throughout the whole Grunge, Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal dynamic. Accepting Omega feels like a record broken down into individual chapters where the parts don’t necessarily fit the way you expect and you have to make your own conclusions. Though, the end result is a journey that’s absolutely hypnotic and superbly breathtaking to listen to with Holystone delivering classic RIFFS through every track going.

The vocals are superbly delivered throughout with Madison and Wolfe Petersen working brilliantly well together but also sometimes against each other in the most adventurous moments of the whole album. This record has a completely destructive cinematic feel which allows Holystone to be absolutely fearless with their music especially on tracks such as: The Prophecy (Jaws Of Victory), Brave Design, Procession, The Accomplice II (Father’s Funeral) and The Oracle Speaks.

Accepting Omega is an absolute joy to listen with Holystone blending those intense gloomy aesthetics to a non-stop energy of modern day Doom/Stoner Metal that ultimately dares to be completely different.

This is a record you seriously need to listen to right now. As Holystone may be primed to become one of the next breakout acts to emerge from the underground scene. 

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the promo.

Accepting Omega is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Sludgers Mean Green drop new single "Employee Of The Month" and a ripping live cover video of "War Pigs"

Following lead single "Wasteland", Mean Green have just dropped "Employee Of The Month", a crusher the band hold close to their hearts.

The band states, "[former bandmate] Alex wrote this one. It meant a lot to him and us. Unfortunately he’s not playing with us for the time being, but he may return one day. This one goes out to him."

Adds guitarist/vocalist Jake Helms, "The solo that starts at 4:20 (nice) has a good story behind it. While recording the album we were away from home for a week. On the tail end of recording, one night my girlfriend who lived with me called me up and said she was leaving and taking my dog with her. The solo you hear in the song is the first take of the session the next morning straight off the dome, she’s gone but I kept my fucking dog (his name is Riff). So thanks for the inspiration behind that one Emily.”

War Pigs

Not ones to rest easy, in addition to Castle's new riffs Mean Green have also just dropped a live recording of an extra nasty cover of "War Pigs".

While on tour and wanting to pay tribute to the late Ozzy, the band put together a sludged-out take on "War Pigs". The last piece of the puzzle fell into place when roadie Logan Felder, also of North Carolina blackened crust punks VRAS, hopped on vocals, and lightning in a bottle was captured.

Mean Green is a three-piece sludge outfit with all the subtlety of a rusted-out square body with glass packs - and the fortitude of a rabid opossum in heat. Armed with riffs as thick as a bowl of cold grits, the band blends crushing sludge, classic rock swagger, and raw Southern grime into a live show built to hit hard and leave a lasting mark.

Mean Green released their self-titled debut album to wide acclaim in 2023, and are proud to present their sophomore LP, “Castle”.

Fusing the crushing weight of High on Fire and Sleep with the gritty, blues-soaked swagger of ’70s rock acts like Foghat, Cactus, and Cream, Mean Green deliver the heavy goods on “Castle”.

Leading the charge is single "Wasteland", a ripper of a track where crushing tone and gravel-chewing vocals set the foundation for a dark, psychedelic journey. Notes guitarist and vocalist Jake Helms, “I wrote this when I was tripping on acid watching 2001 a space odyssey on a broken tv with no volume".

Get lost in the Wasteland on July 23rd and get stoked for the full album "Castle" out August 14th.

Second single "Employee Of The Month" drops Friday, July 31st.

Mean Green will also be headlining the Wicked Doom Festival August 29th in Worcester, Massachusetts alongside Sundrifter, Worshipper, Üga Büga, and more.

Mean Green - Employee Of The Month (single)

Single out July 31st
Album "Castle" out August 14th
Self-released (Digital, Vinyl)
Boone, North Carolina
Mastered by Steven Raets
FFO: Weedeater, Buzzoven, Toke, Telekinetic Yeti, Bongzilla

Castle album credits:

Jake Helms - Guitar, Vocals
Alex Wierback - Bass
James Matthews - Drums

Mean Green is:

Jake Helms - Guitar, Vocals
Cole Franklin - Bass
James Matthews - Drums

Tracklist:

1. Castle (3:45)
2. Sludge Puppy (4:33)
3. Employee Of The Month (6:23)
4. Wild Bill (4:30)
5. Slack Jaw (5:26)
6. Cyclone (5:01)
7. Wasteland (5:16)

Links:

Facebook | Instagram | BandCamp

Thanks to Good Boy PR for the details.

Swedish Doom/Sludge/Stoner Power Trio Vulture Neck announce debut S/T album out September 4th 2026

Vulture Neck dwell in Stockholm, Sweden and have been riffing together since 2018. They’ve done a handful of live performances and released three digital EPs/singles. The music has elements of old school Doom, Sludge, Heavy Metal and Hard Rock, once even described as a mix between Venom and ZZ Top! This rather broad and crooked path has been a conscious choice from the band to make their sonic trip more interesting. The lyrics are composed by singer Magnus Öhrn and convey an atmosphere reflective of our inevitable, impending doom.

Lyrical concepts like drowning, the Black Plague, Death (in the form of Phantom Carriage by Selma Lagerlöf), scavengers and volcanoes befit the rawness of the music. The debut self-titled full-length is recorded and mixed by the band themselves and professionally mastered by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege.

First out the gate is lead single “Raining Fire, Raining Stones”. A driving, fist-pumper of a track that grinds forward with filthy fuzz. Amidst the assault the band take moments to step back and expand into dark, doomy psychedelia, before diving back into sludgy fury.

“Raining Fire, Raining Stones” will be available on streaming August 21st, and the debut self-titled album drops September 4th.

Vulture Neck - S/T

Album out September 4th, 2026
Self-released (Digital)
Stockholm, Sweden
FFO: Cities of Mars, Them Crooked Vultures, Masters of Reality, Hot Ram

Vulture Neck is:

Östen Jäderberg (ex-I 11:e Timmen, ex-Tranquilizers) - Drums
Magnus Öhrn (Kungens Män, ex-I 11:e Timmen) - Vocals, Bass
Martin Sällström (Blissful Stream, ex-I 11:e Timmen, ex-Pest (Swe)) - Vocals, Guitar

Tracklist:

1. Höst (2:46)
2. Rat Riders (7:03)
3. Phantom Carriage (5:16)
4. Raining Fire, Raining Stones (3:44)
5. Bright Lights Descending (5:53)
6. Hand Of A Drowning Man (5:55)
7. Abyss Made Of Stone (7:06)

Links:

Bandcamp | Instagram | Facebook | Spotify | Push.fm

Thanks to Good Boy PR for the details.