Release Date: November 21st 2025. Record Label: Ripple Music. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl
Empires Of Stone - Tracklisting
1.Lost in the Storm 06:03
2.Eyehatesociety 05:24
3.Valley of Souls 01:01
4.Empires of Stone 06:37
5.Mount Aras 05:18
6.Desolate Sands 06:58
7.Death Adder 03:51
8.The Devil Lives in Texas 05:40
Lineup
Jon Cosky - Guitar/Vocals
Jude Sisk - Bass/Vocals
Ben Wozniak - Drums
Review
Doom/Stoner Metallers Stone Nomads return with their triumphant third full length album Empires Of Stone which continues the same creative journey heard on their 2024 EP - Beyond The Gates. I would say the band have moved even further into the Groove, NOLA and Thrash Metal arena especially when you hear the dark and grimy tone of the excellent opening tracks of Lost In The Storm and Eyehatesociety.
The music is brutally dark with some classic shades of Heavy Metal intertwined with their brooding Doom and Stoner Metal framework. Everything is played at a ridiculously fast pace with Stone Nomads adding great musical instrumental solos along the way that screams EIGHTIES HEAVY METAL RIFF-FEST.
Though, expect moments of music inspired by the likes of Thin Lizzy, The Obsessed, Saint Vitus and Motorhead. There’s some sudden flashes of OCCULT METAL imagery appearing with certain sound effects appearing throughout which gives this record a gloomier sound. Stone Nomads impress the most when they venture fully into the NOLA and SWAMPEDELIC sound as a vast Psychedelic awareness appears.
The vocals from Jon Cosky and Jude SIsk offer a similar contrast to each other but own delivering their great melodic style. With a vast array of different vocal styles that feels inspired by Phil Anselmo the best of time. Stone Nomads have developed into first-rate storytellers by adding some great lyrics into their mix that manages to avoid the usual cliches of Doom and Stoner Metal with some hard-hitting themes being drawn into the mix.
Empires Of Stone may have an aggressive and muscular delivery but Stone Nomads aren’t afraid to show delicate moments of instrumental music with the excellent third track Valley Of Souls being an instrumental number lasting around one minute with a cool sounding semi-acoustic Doomed out track.
The band return to their usual HEAVY METAL guise with the thundering fourth track Empires Of Stone which combines Post-Doom and Post-Stoner exploration with good old fashioned HEAVY METAL grooves forming at the very heart of the song. There’s a deceptive identity to this song with Stone Nomads showing outbursts of Groove, Thrash and Sludge Metal for one of the catchiest and standout tracks on the album.
Stone Nomads continue their creative journey with even more thrilling and warped moments of Psychedelic insanity merged with heavier instances of Doom, Sludge, Groove and Classic Rock with other standout moments appearing on tracks such as Mount Aras, Desolate Sands and The Devil Lies In Texas.
The second half of the album proves without a doubt how masterful Stone Nomads have become making first-rate modern day Doom/Stoner Metal sounds of the highest order with great songwriting skills to match. The album offers the perfect balance of classic HEAVY METAL sounds that are matched against a brilliant modern day Psychedelic Doom/Stoner Metal landscape.
Yeah, I absolutely adored this record and I can see this only enhancing Stone Nomads reputation even further within the global Doom/Stoner Metal scene. With the power and backing of the mighty Ripple Music behind them, Stone Nomads deserve all the plaudits an rewards hopefully coming their way.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Purple Sage PR and Stone Nomads for the promo.
Empires Of Stone is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Ripple Music
Links
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