Release Date: November 05th 2025. Record Label: Interstellar Smoke Records. Formats: Cassette/DD/Vinyl
Age Of Mycology - Tracklisting
1.A New Dawn 02:49
2.Crooked One 05:03
3.Glorious Decay 06:46
4.This Barren Place 08:08
5.Disco Inferno 04:53
6.Primordial 03:31
7.Age of Mycology 13:45
Members
Wiktor Kozak - Bass
Jan Maniewski - Guitars/Vocals
Volodymyr Lyashenko - Guitars
Bartek - Drums
Review
Age Of Mycology is the third full length album from Doom/Stoner Metallers Moonstone and sees the band expand their music to bring in a heavy and stylish form of Proto Metal amongst their well known blend of psychedelic heaviness from the underground scene. Moonstone are truly tapping into the Prog Rock/Metal lifestyle with a whole album based on the scientific study of fungi which is the definition of Mycology. Though, Moonstone offers a unique Post-Punk, Gothic and Post-Doom twist with the musical compositions that traverse the listener into their dark world.
I would call this a pure WEEDIAN album with Moonstone playing an abstract style of Stoner Metal with over the top vocals and subtle switches to Post-Punk surroundings. If you like the musical teachings of bands such as CANDLEMASS, SAINT VITUS and TROUBLE then Moonstone inject that classic level of heaviness into their music with some thrilling modern influences being added along the way. The lyrics are seedy, grimy and beautifully organic at the same time with Moonstone playing different styles of Doomed Out Stoner Metal with a heavy reliance on Classic Hard Rock rhythms within the first half of the record.
The opening tracks of A New Dawn, Crooked Dawn and Glorious Decay shows a Proto-Doom based creatie theme merging from the darkness with lead vocalist Jan Maniewski’s vocals revelling with his classic DOOM METAL approach which is superbly theatrical but quite demonic at the same time. The instrumental parts are quite grounded with only Progressive themes only appearing at the right time to provide a few spills and chills along the way.
There are some epic YOB and PALLBEARER influences being felt within the later stages of the record on tracks such as The Barren Place, Primordial and the epic final track Age Of Mycology. These influences were heard on their celebrated 2023 record Growth which was a dark magical opus in itself but this one sees Moonstone transform into Proto-Doom masters with perhaps a slight debt of gratitude to Type O Negative. Though, that could be my ever cautious imagination playing tricks on me.
Moonstone dominates the Doom/Stoner Metal landscape with eerie tales of Post-Winter blues with the starling subject matter of studying FUNGIS and causing untold damage to humanity. Yeah, the main creative outline and story of the record is wholly outlandish but perfectly taps into the OCCULT ROCK aspect that Moonstone superbly splices into the action along the way.
Age Of Mycology is an impressive record on all levels with the storytelling aspects, technical ability of the band themselves and sublime production values making this record superbly original throughout. Moonstone bring a different sound, swagger and sense of originality to the underground Polish Doom/Stoner Metal scene that ultimately leaves you fully rewarded with every listen.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Moonstone for the promo.
Age Of Mycology is available to buy now on CD/Vinyl via Interstellar Smoke Records and Cassette/DD/Vinyl via Moonstone BandCamp Page.
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