Release Date: May 16th 2025. Record Label: Majestic Mountain Records / Blues Funeral Recordings. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl
Astral Voyager Vol. 1 - Tracklisting
1.Astral Voyager
2.B.T.D.S.C
3.Void Cleaner
4.Cloud Walker
5.Dilithium
6.Cosmic Sailor
Members:
Captain - Vocals
Josh - Guitar
Doffy - Guitar
Bjudas - Drums
Knutsen - Bass
Review
Astral Voyager Vol. 1 is the new cosmic adventure from the legendary Stoner Metallers KAL-EL who solidify their status as one of European scene’s most electrifying bands currently within the scene working today. Their new album sees the band continue their creative journey heard on 2021’s landmark record Dark Majesty which saw the band achieve a new level of heaviness. This time round KAL-EL opt for a classic style of Space Rock, Fuzz Rock and Post-Doom heaviness whilst keeping within the classic sounds of Stoner Metal that easily allows the band to be ranked alongside the greats such as LOWRIDER, MONSTER MAGNET, and TRUCKFIGHTERS.
However, KAL-EL never rest on their laurels with the band trying new things on Astral Voyager Vol. 1 especially with the overlapping vocals from Captain who once again is fine spaced out form. The music itself weaves between slightly distorted areas of Fuzz, Cosmic and Space Rock surroundings with a tendency for Prog Rock passages with a well planned and brilliantly executed story being delivered across six tracks for a fast-paced adventure that delves right into KAL-EL sonic folklore.
The opening track Astral Voyager propels KAL-EL to new heights and if these guys were around in the legendary 1990’s Stoner Metal scene then this album would have easily been considered one of the genre’s defining releases and this track proves that theory. The song runs for almost ten minutes with grizzled Psychedelic textures with an eerie Post-Rock / Post-Stoner vision forming very early on. KAL-EL adds moments of COSMIC noises and trippy sound effects with surreal noises being played in the background. Though, it’s the undeniable instrumental grooves that make you aware that you’re listening to a KAL-EL record with their highly recognisable melodic style bringing a “TAKE NO PRISONERS” mentality throughout the track.
Second B.T.D.S.C. is classic KAL-EL through and through with sludgy aggressive guitars and a stunning rhythm section allowing Captain the perfect time and opportunity to put in a commanding vocal performance with soaring rhythms and catchy melodies. The music is always muscular and quite COCKY at times which allows the heaviest and catchiest riffs to shine right through. KAL-EL sell the full Space Rock musical adventure on this track alone as it’s quite an easy song to remember and immerse yourselves with. I’m happy to admit I was singing along and headbanging along in no time at all to this track on multiple occasions. Though, the heavy and jagged guitars from Josh and Doffy will delight OLD SCHOOL METALHEADS for the sheer bravado their solos bring on this track alone.
Third track Void Cleaner is where KAL-EL are slightly meaner and heavier with their music as things take a darker turn with heavier grooves and a dominant Sludge Rock sound developing courtesy of the sublime rhythm section work from Bjudas on Drums and Knutsen respectively. There is also a wonderful tongue in cheek approach with the lyrics inspired by the likes of Star Wars, Star Trek and FU MANCHU but still being quite original with KAL-EL firing on all cylinders. Heavy pounding FUZZ ROCK sounds and a classic AMPLIFIER based swagger is quite volatile on the senses but always ultimately highly rewarding to listen to.
I’m not going to do an in-depth analysis of the final three tracks as I think I may have spoiled too much already. However, KAL-EL switched things up a bit with lush sounding melodies and Post-Rock based harmonies especially within the opening moments of the exquisite fourth track Cloud Walker. KAL-EL allow themselves the opportunity to step back from the heavy STONER world and play music that will delight fans of KING BUFFALO but with moments of heavy Stoner Rock/Metal attitude never being too far behind.
The final two tracks of Dilithium and Cosmic Sailor allow KAL-EL the perfect opportunity to return to their highly volatile Psych/Space/Stoner Metal world with the heaviest and trippiest moments being played on these tracks alone. They end Astral Voyager Vol. 1 on a thrilling and highly spectacular conclusion where I’m already counting down the days waiting for Vol. 2 to be released.
KAL-EL always deliver the goods on the production side of things and Astral Voyager Vol. 1 doesn’t disappoint with this being one of their heaviest and most distorted records released to date. Once again, KAL-EL have released one of the most important and potentially standout Stoner Metal records of the year.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the promo.
New album "Astral Voyager Vol. 1" will be out on Friday May 16th on Majestic Mountain Records (Europe) and Blues Funeral Recordings (North America)
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