Release Date: April 11th 2025. Record Label: Ripple Music. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl
Satanic Panic Attack - Tracklisting
1. The Cauldron Born
2. Medieval Knievel
3. Satanic Panic Attack
4. A Path Less Traveled
5. Earthwoman
6. The Sundrinker
7. Down Below
8. Supermoon
Review
HÅNDGEMENG returns with a finely tuned and dangerous slice of Blackened Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal that's held together in a superbly entertaining package with Satanic Panic Attack. The KVELERTAK influence is there but with HÅNDGEMENG doing their own thing with their trippy Psychedelic melodies. However, the band doesn’t return to that world that made their debut album Ultraritual so memorable. As HÅNDGEMENG first setup Hardcore Punk structures with a classic NORDIC Blackened RAWK ‘N’ ROLL sound that oozes a more sinister style of “POP” melodies appearing within the stunning opening track The Cauldron Born which even sees moments of vocalized harmonies appearing towards the end of the song.
Satanic Panic Attack sees HÅNDGEMENG offer a lot of vocal word-play with their lyrics that gives them a streetwise and most definitely SATANIC quality to their music on tracks such as Medieval Knieval and Satanic Panic Attack. The music is a classic throwback to Heavy Metal and Proto-Doom sounds with HÅNDGEMENG adding subtle Garage Rock vocals that remind me of THE HIVES in places. Yeah, I know, that does sound mightily strange but if you ever wanted to hear THE HIVES with a devil worshipping twist then the answer is held right here on this very album. The music can be quite progressive when it veers into Sludge Rock dynamics and excellent instrumental solos with a dynamite bass line appearing.
The music does have a turbo-charged atmosphere compared to its predecessor with HÅNDGEMENG playing at full SATANIC strength with Blackened Stoner melodies bringing their classic style of Psych Doom back into the mix from tracks Satanic Panic Attack and A Path Less Travelled. The creative themes from Ultraritual start to become more dominant and I’m fully on board with that mission statement as HÅNDGEMENG wisely blends both creative worlds of music for the remainder of the album.
Sure, it can be quite OTT in places but the band know what they’re doing with trippy OCCULT mysticism and COSMIC / SONIC pastures for the later stages of the record. HÅNDGEMENG are all about REBELLION and CAUSING HELL on this record with their not so subtle NO FUCKS GIVEN attitude bringing a playful energy to the Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal underground scene.
HÅNDGEMENG could have easily released Ultraritual Part 2 for their sophomore record but they avoided that route and decided to create a heavier, aggressive and muscular record compared to their acclaimed debut. Satanic Panic Attack may take time to find it’s Psychedelic beat but when you see influences as diverse as The Doors, The Hives, Electric Wizard, Black Sabbath and KVELERTAK then you know HÅNDGEMENG are onto an almighty FUCKING WINNER here.
Other standout tracks to checkout are: Earthwoman, The Sundrinker and Supermoon. These tracks could have easily made the cut from Ultraritual and be considered the best parts of that record. However, they’re more suited for this record with its pitch black and doomed out theatrics, HÅNDGEMENG close the album on almighty DEMONIC high.
Ripple Music is releasing this great album once again and I’ve said this time and time again. If you have the power or Ripple Music behind you then everything behind the scenes sounds EPIC and Satanic Panic Attack is another winning package from that great label. However, this is HÅNDGEMENG's chance to shine and like their debut album, Satanic Panic Attack is an unmissable slice of Heavy Metal Heaven.
Awesome. End Of.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the promo.
Satanic Panic Attack will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Ripple Music from Friday 04th April 2025.
HÅNDGEMENG links
