Abissi - Paramagia (Album Review)

Release Date: February 27th 2026. Record Label: Octopus Rising. Formats: CD/DD

Paramagia - Tracklisting

1.Funerale in Messico 03:19

2.Pizzo 02:01

3.Le Chiese 03:59

4.Grabovoi 03:52

5.Sequenze 02:34

6.Cemento 03:42

7.Madama Cristina 03:06

8.3424 03:37

Review

Psych/Stoner Rockers Abissi weave a dark and destructive style of Heavy Rock with their music that touches upon areas of Grunge, Doom, Sludge, Alt Rock, Noise and even New Wave. The end result is a highly satisfying mix of different sounds and movements on their stunning new album Paramagia. The record lasts for under thirty minutes but Abissi demonstrates a wealth of highly original grooves that keeps quite grounded even when the Psychedelic surroundings almost transports the music into a different realm on the later stages of the record.

The vocals are sung in Italian so I can’t say much about the lyrical aspect of the album but they’re delivered with a commanding performance that bridges the gap between Hard Rock and Heavy Metal. You can hear influences from the likes of Alice In Chains, Soundgarden, The Cure and KYUSS throughout the album with Abissi still retaining their own identity. The majority of the songs are quite short which allows Abissi to play a grizzled and fast-paced sound with bouts of aggressive musical energy providing a sludgy backdrop to keep the volume levels at a frenzied pace. 

Standout songs on the album are: Funerale In Messico, Le Chiese, Grabovo, Cemento and 3424 with Abissi playing the heaviest, trippiest and catchiest grooves on the whole record. Though, the album is packed full of great tracks from start to finish. There’s a wicked sense of sonic distortion at play with the grunge aspects of the album providing some epic musical solos along the way.

Paramagia is a thrilling record with Abissi firing on all cylinders and leaving you wanting to hear more. It would have been cool if the album had a couple extra tracks just to make it last a little bit longer but that doesn’t stop this being an excellent record and perhaps allowing Abissi becoming one of the best bands that Octopus Rising (Record Label) have released to date. 

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Grand Sounds Promotion for the promo. 

Paramagia is available to buy now on CD/DD via Octopus Rising (Argonauta Records).

Links 

https://www.facebook.com/Abissimusic
https://www.facebook.com/ArgonautaRecords

https://abissimusic.bandcamp.com/

Norwegian Stoner Rock stalwarts WOLFNAUT introduce new lead guitarist and return with “Book of Wolfnaut” and “Wall of Sound”.

Forged in the sounds of early hard rock and metal, and the desert and stoner rock scene that exploded in the mid-1990s, WOLFNAUT has since its debut in 1998 inhabited the musical landscapes where melodic and catchy heavy rock meets sludgy and doomy stoner rock. "Book of Wolfnaut” and “Wall of Sound” continues in that tradition, incorporating power vocals, swinging riffs, wide-open desert spaces, fast shuffle, slow-burn tension and crushing weight in a meaty package.

Listen to new single  Book Of Wolfnaut below

 

 WOLFNAUT spent the first half of the decade as a trio. Last January the band invited renowned Norwegian guitar slinger Jo Inge “Jengt Castral” Hemstad to join the fold. The chemistry was instant. Hemstad is a seasoned veteran of the Nordic heavy and stoner scene, spending years on tour with heavy rockers Svölk, that released two acclaimed albums on Napalm Records in the early 2010s. His first appearance on stage with WOLFNAUT was at Desertfest Oslo in May last year. “Book of Wolfnaut” and “Wall of Sound” are WOLFNAUT’s first releases of original material featuring Hemstad on guitar.

Listen to new single “Wall of Sound”

"Book of Wolfnaut” and “Wall of Sound” was recorded at Audioskop studio, Sofiemyr, Norway, in July 2025. Production was handled by the band, with invaluable help from Ruben Willem and Bjørn Barstad. Mix and mastering was done by Ruben Willem (Kal-El, Håndgemeng, Gluecifer, The Good, The Bad and The Zugly). Photos by Sverre Houmb and cover design by Jo Inge Hemstad. "Book of Wolfnaut” was released on all streaming and download platforms 9 January 2026. “Wall of Sound” will be released 6 February 2026. Both singles are released on the band’s own label, Fuzzpanzer, and distributed internationally by The Orchard.

WOLFNAUT (formerly known as Wolfgang) started life in the mid-1990s in the town of Elverum, a two-hour drive northeast of the Norwegian capital Oslo. Their energetic live shows and debut album, «Welcome to the Cactus Mountains», became the stuff of legend in their hometown, and the album even garnered a solid review in Kerrang! WOLFNAUT reformed again in 2013, and the band released its second album, «Castle in the Woods», to raving reviews in 2016. The band’s third album, the aptly titled “III”, was released in 2022. “III” brought the band’s blend of catchy tunes and heavy stoner riffs to a larger international audience. Fourth album, “Return of the Asteroid”, was released by US based label Ripple Music in 2023. Both “III” and “Return of the Asteroid” was voted top 10 releases on the Doom Charts.

WOLFNAUT is

Tor Erik Hagen – Bass
Jo Inge «Jengt Castral» Hemstad - Guitars
Ronny «Ronster» Kristiansen - Drums & Theremin
Kjetil Sæter – Guitars & Vocals

WOLFNAUT links

Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram | Spotify

Introduce Yourselves: Draconic Fire

What is the name of your band?

Draconic Fire

What is the genre of music that you play?

Stoner, Hard Rock, Doom Rock and Garage Rock.

Can you give a brief history of the band of how it came together and where it is today?

Draconic Fire came about in October 2025 in my own home studio in mid-west Norway while exploring guitar tones and riffs wanting to create something inspired by great albums and bands. Such as Sleep,  Black Sabbath, Electric Wizard, Pentagram. And Hard Rock and Experimental bands such as King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard.

What can people expect from your music?

You can expect a broad exploration of rock and metal anchored down in groove, noisy fuzz, bass and riffing.

What is the best release that folks should check out from your band?

The best release is yet to come as Draconic Fire will always strive to outdo itself. But the debut, Demonic Romance (release date 2nd March 2026) is a great starting point.

Where can people find you on Social Media?

You can find Draconic Fire on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/draconicfireband/

Doom/Stoner Metallers NEW DAWN FADES Release New Song MEET ME AT SUNDOWN From Upcoming New Album

New Dawn Fades is a heavy rock band from Philadelphia, blending doom, grunge, and metal influences from bands like Soundgarden, Corrosion of Conformity, Down, Black Sabbath, High on Fire, Queens of the Stone Age, and Mercyful Fate. The band features vocalist and guitarist GFA (Ritual Earth, Halo of Snakes), guitarist Corey Pettingill (Blackhand), bassist Algar (Green Meteor), and drummer Steve Roche (Saetia, Off Minor). Together, they deliver music that’s both heavy and dynamic, combining crushing riffs, strong grooves, raw energy, and melodic vocals with memorable hooks.

Their upcoming album, LORES, set for release in March 2026, is a focused collection of eight tracks that showcase the band at their most commanding. “Villains Come to Light” is an explosive opening track, featuring thrash-tinged riffs and relentless momentum, paired with lyrics that confront hidden threats and the challenge of facing betrayal head on. “Meet Me at Sundown” follows with swinging, driving rhythms and layered guitars, while the lyrics explore confrontation and resilience. “True Till Death” leans on heavy grooves and swagger, paired with lyrics about loyalty, defiance, and unwavering commitment. “Souls” is a bit more fuzzed-out and bass heavy, with hypnotic riffs underscoring lyrics that grapple with loss, personal damage, and inner struggle.

Thanks to the amazing folks over at Good Boy PR, we're excited to premiere the new single Meet Me At Sundown.

Links:

Bandcamp | Instagram | Facebook | Band website

Thanks to Good Boy PR for all of the details.