BOG - Incubant (Album Review)

Release Date: May 09th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Incubant - Tracklisting

1.Incubant 06:22

2.Charcoal Monolith 08:36

3.Icarion 07:16

4.Reflections 09:14

5.Nostrum 10:58

Review

Incubant is the debut album from Post-Metal/Sludge Metallers BOG who follow the classic rules of Post-Metal quite closely whilst also injecting their own personality into the mix. This is quite a highly involving and emotionally charged record like all good Atmospheric Sludge Metal albums should be with BOG taking influence from the likes of NEUROSIS, AMEN-RA, CULT OF LUNA and ISIS.

The album has delicate flourishes of Ambient Metal and Post-Rock themes with the layers of progressive melodies overlapping into a vibrant melodic style that can be superbly volatile at the same time. BOG aren’t afraid to move into areas of Alt-Metal, Shoegaze and Heavy Psychedelic soundscapes that allows their core creative focus of delivering a stunning backdrop of Post-Metal grooves.

The mood can be quite eerie and laid back for small sections of individual tracks that allows BOG to show a delicate musical touch that changes the course of the album in places especially on tracks such as Incubant, Charcoal Monolith and Reflections being the most consistently engaging and highly rewarding songs on the record.

BOG are quite adept at experimenting with sonic landscapes, progressive beats and thrash interludes of pure aggression where areas of distortion allows a dark wave of paranoia to creep in which becomes more enlightening and deeply meaningful before the journey fully ends. However, BOG continue to experiment with amplifier distortion and layering different levels of music which adds a sense of uneasiness within the early stages of the record. There are some brief moments of Stoner Metal and Fuzzed Doom surroundings but for the most part BOG keep to their Post-Metal manifesto with supreme conviction which results in some truly outstanding instrumental musical passages forming that leave you wanting more.

The lyrics are sharp with BOG showing a real sense of creative maturity for their debut album and you feel how they use their own personal experiences to shape the whole outcome of the album with the music only telling a small part of the actual story. There’s some wonderful Post-Rock compositions that remind me of Russian Circles in places where one moment the tone is beautifully soulful and cinematic before exploding into a loud area of pissed-off Sludge Metal aggression. Sometimes the music can be long and completely drawn out but BOG know what they’re doing as they’ve learnt from the best within the scene and applied these tricks into their own creative image.

Incubant is another great album to emerge from the underground Post-Metal scene this year and should hopefully allow BOG to establish themselves to the biggest and widest audience possible within the scene. As this is a fucking incredible record from start to finish.

Words by Steve Howe

Links 

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Mars Collision - World Collapse (EP Review)

Release Date: May 10th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

World Collapse - Tracklisting

1.World Collapse 05:39

2.The Second Strike 02:40

3.Enemies 03:40

4.The Destroyer 03:24

5.Black Hole Spirit 03:38

6.Unless Earth 45° 55° 08:08

Members

DRUMS : Johnny The Snake.

BASS Dooxie : Stardust.

GUITARS : John The Wild Goat.

GUEST GUITARS SOLO Unless Earth 45° 55°: Simone Pennucci.

VOCALS : Jet Daughan

Review

World Collapse is the debut EP from Cosmic Stoner Metallers Mars Collision who bring a slightly different Psychedelic vibe into their music especially with the vocals. The music itself is full of the usual Cosmic surroundings you would expect from a record that focuses upon the Spaced Out areas of Psychedelic Stoner Metal. There’s an edgy Fuzz Rock element that soon drifts into classic Hard Rock and Heavy Metal which can be quite over the top but one that fully sells Mars Collision musical vision with pure conviction.

The record does have some great areas of Doom Metal, Space Rock and Psych Rock that taps into the musical eras of the last fifty years with a passionate Stoner Metal dedication that leaves you quite impressed with the multitude of different musical genres Mars Collision employs on this record alone. The band do takes cures from the likes of KYUSS, MOTORHEAD, BLACK SABBATH, MONSTER MAGNET and FU MANCHU with the band developing a NO HOLDS BARRED approach when they fully settle on that dominant Eighties Heavy Metal sound that appears from the very the start.

There’s also some classic Punk Rock sounds that gives the band a snarling attitude which is perhaps inspired by Saint Vitus and The Obsessed when Mars Collision fully venture into the classic Doom/Stoner Metal of music on tracks such as World Collapse, The Second Strike, Enemies and Unless Earth 45° 55°.

The production values of the EP are quite good though a little bit raw and underdeveloped at times but this allows the record to have a distinctive “CLASSIC UNDERGROUND” quality which makes the record that slightly more unpredictable.

World Collapse is full of twisted fuzzed up instrumental solos which can be quite seedy when the band fully transition into their HEAVY METAL personas whilst keeping the mood full of COSMIC ROCK aggression. The EP is very much in your face with Mars Collision playing a pissed off style of Psychedelic Stoner Metal that’s undeniably fun and downright catchy. These guys are the real deal especially if you dig your music that’s happy to be part of the underground HEAVY METAL scene.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links 

BandCamp | Instagram

Progressive Stoner Metallers PLAINDRIFTER Release New Video For Stunning New Song "In Amina" From Forthcoming New Album.

German progressive stoner metallers PLAINDRIFTER have released the second single "In Amina" from their forthcoming second album "Gestalt" which will be released by the mighty Ripple Music from June 19th 2026.

You can watch the epic new single for "In Amina" below with this exclusive premiere thanks to the amazing folks over at Purple Sage PR and Ripple Music.

The track features the excellent vocals from Ryan Garney from the awesome Stoner Rock band HIGH DESERT QUEEN.

The Lowdown

With their 2021 debut Echo Therapy hailed as "a mind-blowing journey" by the Doom Charts and "music for the mind, body and soul" by UK website Outlaws of the Sun, it is clear that Plaindrifter have impressed critics and fans alike, as few newcomers do.

Now, the quartet returns with their forthcoming sophomore album and Ripple Music debut; Gestalt. Pushed by a deep sense of self-criticism and a fear of repeating themselves, Plaindrifter have expanded their signature blend of tempo and key changes with bold new elements, including keyboards by Philipp Seitzer and guest vocals from Ryan Garney (High Desert Queen) and Lena Schneider. The result is an immersive, forward-looking heavy journey born from patience, passion, that should caught the ear of fans of Elder, King Buffalo, Howling Giant and Lowrider. The album was produced, engineered and mixed by Robin Stirnberg, mastered by Dennis Köhne, with a stunning cover artwork by André Tinibel.

PLAINDRIFTER "Gestalt" - Out June 19th on Ripple Music (LP/CD/digital) - Pre-order

TRACKLIST:

1. Moth Murmuration
2. Eternal Season
3. Hyborian Age
4. Respite
5. In Anima
6. Debaser

Hailing from Germany's industrial heartland, the Ruhr Area, Plaindrifter formed in 2017 to forge a brand of heavy psych that refuses to stand still. Blending hypnotic riffs, expansive soundscapes, and the restless spirit of stoner, prog, and post-rock, their 2021 debut Echo Therapy carved out a name in the European underground, winning over listeners with raw heaviness and unexpected melodic depth.

The band entered the studio in June 2025 with engineer Robin Stirnberg, but an unexpected setback forced them to relocate mid-session. Undeterred, Plaindrifter finished recording Gestalt in their rehearsal space. That resilience paid off quickly: through their friends in High Desert Queen (whose frontman Ryan Garney lends guest vocals to the track "In Anima"), the album's master found its way to Ripple Music's Todd Severin, who took the leap and instantly welcomed the band to the label's roster. Now looking ahead with optimism, the band invites listeners old and new to dive into their anticipated new album Gestalt, to be released in the summer of 2026.

Plaindrifter is

Marcel "Uwe" Kloß — Vocals and Drums
Nils Stecker — Guitar
André Tinibel — Bass

Plaindrifter links

Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

Ripple Music links

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the details.

Chicago Doom Blues Unit SHADOW OF JUPITER to release new album "Bones" on Ripple Music this summer; first track "Echo Chamber" streaming!

Midwest-based doom rockers SHADOW OF JUPITER share the crushing debut single off their upcoming sophomore full length "BONES", to be released on July 10th through Ripple Music.

Listen to new single "Echo Chamber" at this location 

Bones weaves together the depth of doom metal, lumbering heavy blues, a searing touch of psychedelia and Middle Eastern magic into a journey that’s as immersive as it is brutal. Its punishing riffs and fiery energy will leave you staggered, yet always drawn back for more.

Though Bones explores a wide spectrum of styles, vocalist John Piotrowski delivers a mind-bendingly soulful performance that ties the whole album story together. From the frantic fury of “Whatever God You Fear” to the Molotov energy of “Riot Dogs,” his voice gives Shadow of Jupiter its signature sound, one that is unmistakable on every song. 

Guitarist Colin Peterson channels the expansive power of late ‘60s and early ‘70s songwriting, filtered through an aggression born from today’s chaotic social and political climate. Bassist Scott Brakebill lurks in the dark underbelly, expanding and commanding the entire framework. Drummer Adam Kazragys drives the band like a bus speeding downhill with no brakes, abusing his kit without mercy yet always holding it together, barely keeping the wheels on the road as each song rips ahead.

Bones will be issued on LP, CD digipack and digital formats on July 10th, with preorders available now through Ripple Music.

SHADOW OF JUPITER "Bones" - Out July 10th on Ripple Music (LP/CD/digital) - Pre-order

Shadow of Jupiter is a Chicago/NW Indiana-based outfit whose roots run deep in the heavy underground. From proto-doom to the heavy, stoner sounds of the 70’s, their unique combination of soulful vocals complements their heavy, riff-driven scores. Author of Sonic Seducer and heavy underground music critic Sunil Singh dubbed their music “Fury Blues”, perfectly acknowledging their blend of Robin Trower’s tasty tones mated with the bleak melancholy of Sabbath and the anger of Corrosion of Conformity.

Their 2023 self-released album, Porta Coeli, placed at #20 on the monthly Doom Charts and #19 on Desert Psychlist’s Best of 2023. These accolades propelled Shadow of Jupiter into the sonic jetstream with incredible shows as the supporting act for many highly acclaimed national and international heavy underground bands touring through Chicago. Shadow of Jupiter also performed at Ripplefest Texas, Rhune Mountain Festival, Grand Rapids Doomfest and HUFR Fest.

Shadow of Jupiter is

John Piotrowski — Vocals
Colin Peterson — Guitars
Scott Brakebill — Bass
Adam Kazragys — Drums

Shadow of Jupiter links

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

Ripple Music links

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the details.

Exclusive Song Premiere Of Cinematic Doom/Post-Metallers BEWARE OF GODS New Song "OCEAN OF TEETH (HAUNTED BY THE GLIMPSE OF A WHITE LIGHT)"

Beware Of Gods is a cinematic sci-fi doom project created by The Archetype, merging crushing low-end heaviness with dystopian mythology, industrial textures, and philosophical storytelling. Drawing influence from Neurosis, Godflesh, ISIS, Ministry, and Swans, the project exists at the intersection of doom metal and speculative fiction — where albums unfold like films and songs function as chapters in a larger mythos.

Rather than focusing on genre alone, Beware Of Gods builds immersive worlds around its music, giving listeners something they can inhabit as much as hear.

This is the final chapter in the Upon Whom The Last Light Descends trilogy, Behead The Oracle completes a sprawling narrative about false prophets, algorithmic gods, and the collapse of meaning in a hyper-controlled future.

Musically, the album expands the project’s sound with heavier industrial elements, ritualistic rhythms, and vast cinematic atmospheres layered over massive doom riffs. The result is an emotionally devastating, visually driven record designed for both underground heavy audiences and fans of art-driven concept albums.

To get you into the mood for this complex, heavy and brooding album, we're beyond excited to premiere the awesome new song "Ocean of Teeth (Haunted By The Glimpse Of A White Light)" from the upcoming new album:

Track Listing:

1. Conflict Code_Cursed Blessed

2. Tectonic Boogie With the Grief Eater

3. The Ghost of A One Armed Comedian

4. Ocean of Teeth (Haunted By The Glimpse Of A White Light)**

5. Secondary Drowning*

6. Dead Radio Daylight

7. Disenchanted Enchanter

8. Behead The Oracle**

9. Correction Code_Pre-Emptive Strikes Against Prophecy

10. Dethroning the Delusion

11. Starve My Eyes That I May See

Available for Download & CD format at: bewareofgods.bandcamp.com from July 10th 2026.

Social Media: 

Facebook: facebook.com/bewareofgodsband

Instagram: @beware_of_gods

TikTok: @bewareofgods

YouTube: @bewareofgodsofficial 

Album Credits

The Archetype: Voices, Words, Melodies, Guitars, Bass & Synth

Feederwire: Sound Design, Sequencing & Synth

Kellii Scott: Drums

Eric Plonka: *Additional Guitars

**Additional Guitars & Backing Vocals

Produced by: The Archetype

Co Produced, Engineered, & Mixed by: Pete Grossmann 

Mastered by: Brad Boatright @AUDIOSIEGE 

Executive Producer: Christopher Dyer

Original Artwork: Unexpected Specter

Art Direction: The Archetype

Recorded at: Bricktop Recording (Chicago, IL.) 

Thanks to Good Boy PR for all of the details.

ỤBỤRỤ - ỤBỤRỤ (Album Review)

Release Date: 15th May 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: CD/DD

ỤBỤRỤ - Tracklisting

1.Butchered 05:55

2.In Tatters 04:02

3.HSPC 03:55

4.Rotting Flesh 05:08

5.Shaman 06:31

6.An Autophage 05:21

7.An Omniphage 05:47

8.Oblivion 08:52

Members

Joe - Guitar & Lead Vox

Isaac - Bass & Additional Vox

Przemek - Drums & Percussion

Review

Death/Doom/Sludge Metallers ỤBỤRỤ is the type of debut album that you can only listen to when you’re completely pissed off at the world or in total despair with the misery going on around you. The record isn’t a pretty sight with ỤBỤRỤ playing a chaotic and violent style of underground metal that revels within its Death Metal atrophy that acts as the brutal creative glue holding everything together.

ỤBỤRỤ play some intense and turbo charged DEATH METAL beats and breakdowns on this record with the horrible vocals coming from Joe and Isaac at different times on the record. The mood is always helped along by a miserable stench of Doom/Sludge Metal with some great moments of Psychedelic kinetic energy which gives ỤBỤRỤ a highly intelligent style of delivering their music to modern day audience.

This is very much a product of the DIY recording scene with the lo-fi recording techniques and production values that the band use to capture their music and it showcases a band who could be classed as a work in progress but at least they have the tunes and threatening grooves to back up their great talent.

The album can be quite progressive within the longer tracks with ỤBỤRỤ showcasing a great style of vivid imagination and musical composition on tracks such as Butchered, In Tatters, Rotting Flesh, Shaman and Oblivion being the main standouts here. ỤBỤRỤ stay close to the EXTREME METAL way of life with brief excursions into Thrash Metal, Crust Punk and the good old fashioned style of modern day Sludge Metal that gives the band an unpredictable quality.

The sound can be quite disjointed, fragmented and superbly distorted but the experimental quality allows ỤBỤRỤ to play like a a force of nature especially within the longer tracks on the album.

The lo-fi production values start to lose their way towards the end, however, there’s still plenty of great moments for ỤBỤRỤ to entice you with before everything is said and done. For a debut album, ỤBỤRỤ have more than enough right to build up a loyal and dedicated following within the Doom/Sludge Metal underground scene. 

Words by Steve Howe

Links 

LinkTree | BandCamp

Weaving Shadows - Existential Decay (Album Review)

Release Date: April 20th 2026. Record Label: Not Metal Records. Formats: CD/DD

Existential Decay - Tracklisting

1.Anguish 05:07

2.Fragile 07:15

3.Kodokushi 09:10

4.Leech 11:45

5.Noctu 09:30

Members

Kyle Androy - Bass & Vocals

Adrian Salcido - Guitars & Vocals

Erik Fichtner - Guitar

Mason Weber - Drums

Review

Existential Decay is the second album from Drone/Doom/Sludge Metallers Weaving Shadows and it’s an emotionally charged record with the band taking a slight experimental approach with their music. The album opens up with a lot of intricate Electronic beats that’s merged against a backdrop of Industrial themes, Droned Out textures and sullen Sludgy surroundings. The record isn’t full on Sludge Metal but offers a slight variation on that style of music with elements of Ambient Metal, Shoegaze, Psych, Drone and Post-Metal that pushes the band into a confident style of “LOW & SLOW” instrumental movements throughout.

There’s a slightly stripped back and restrained approach on how Weaving Shadows play the heaviest sounds on the whole album and they’re quite content in perfecting their Post-Doom and Post-Metal on this aggressive journey. The vocals have an emotional depth to them that weighs heavily on the listener with the bleak and harsh subject tones the band project within their lyrics. 

Existential Decay is never in a rush to reach its eventual destination with the band taking their time allowing their highly volatile melodies to transform into some devastating Post-Metal sensibility that never quite reaches the levels of pure mayhem that some fans may call out for. This is more understated with Weaving Shadows creating their own great style of subtle heaviness that takes influences from the likes of Black Sabbath, CONAN, NEUROSIS, YOB and Primitive Man. One of the main strengths of the album is the ice-cold delivery of the vocals and how the lyrics fully come to life which they demonstrate on tracks such as: Anguish, Fragile and Leech which remain my favourite tracks on the album.

Weaving Shadows are fully committed in playing their highly understated but equally brilliant style of Post-Metal that has a sense of uplifting harmony appearing when you least expect it. The message maybe be quite opaque but the music allows the listener to make up their own minds and come to a conclusion of being mightily fulfilled on the actual journey that Weaving Shadows has taken them upon. 

The progressive sounds, despairing themes and fluid psychedelic movements are perhaps the most unique and standout moments that I will take away from this record that allow this record to be one of breathtaking quality. The production values can be too “LOW-KEY” in places but this works to the band’s advantage as they let their music do the talking and leave you wanting to hear more from this sublime record.

Words by Steve Howe

Links 

LinkTree | BandCamp