Tuesday, April 14, 2026

German Progressive Stoner Metal unit PLAINDRIFTER returns with sophomore album "Gestalt" on Ripple Music this June 19th; first single streaming now!


German progressive stoner metallers PLAINDRIFTER sign to Ripple Music for the release of their sophomore album "Gestalt" this June 19th, and reveal a towering first track with "Moth Murmuration" today!

 Watch new lyric video for Moth Murmuration + listen to the single on all streaming services


With their 2021 debut Echo Therapy hailed as "a mind-blowing journey" by the Doom Charts and "music for the mind, body and soul" by UK website Outlaws of the Sun, it is clear that Plaindrifter have impressed critics and fans alike, as few newcomers do.

Now, the quartet returns with their forthcoming sophomore album and Ripple Music debut; Gestalt. Pushed by a deep sense of self-criticism and a fear of repeating themselves, Plaindrifter have expanded their signature blend of tempo and key changes with bold new elements, including keyboards by Philipp Seitzer and guest vocals from Ryan Garney (High Desert Queen) and Lena Schneider. The result is an immersive, forward-looking heavy journey born from patience, passion, that should caught the ear of fans of Elder, King Buffalo, Howling Giant and Lowrider. The album was produced, engineered and mixed by Robin Stirnberg, mastered by Dennis Köhne, with a stunning cover artwork by André Tinibel.

PLAINDRIFTER "Gestalt" - Out June 19th on Ripple Music (LP/CD/digital) - Pre-order


TRACKLIST:

1. Moth Murmuration
2. Eternal Season
3. Hyborian Age
4. Respite
5. In Anima
6. Debaser

Hailing from Germany's industrial heartland, the Ruhr Area, Plaindrifter formed in 2017 to forge a brand of heavy psych that refuses to stand still. Blending hypnotic riffs, expansive soundscapes, and the restless spirit of stoner, prog, and post-rock, their 2021 debut Echo Therapy carved out a name in the European underground, winning over listeners with raw heaviness and unexpected melodic depth.

The band entered the studio in June 2025 with engineer Robin Stirnberg, but an unexpected setback forced them to relocate mid-session. Undeterred, Plaindrifter finished recording Gestalt in their rehearsal space. That resilience paid off quickly: through their friends in High Desert Queen (whose frontman Ryan Garney lends guest vocals to the track "In Anima"), the album's master found its way to Ripple Music's Todd Severin, who took the leap and instantly welcomed the band to the label's roster. Now looking ahead with optimism, the band invites listeners old and new to dive into their anticipated new album Gestalt, to be released in the summer of 2026.

Plaindrifter is

Marcel "Uwe" Kloß — Vocals and Drums
Nils Stecker — Guitar
André Tinibel — Bass

Plaindrifter links

Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

Ripple Music links


Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the details.