Release Date: 08th May 2026. Record Label: Magnetic Eye Records. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl
Restless Spirit - Tracklisting
1.The Burning Need
2.Hallowed
3.Red In Tooth and Claw
4.Desire Lines
5.Desolation's Wake
6.Ember
7.Time And Distance
8.Phantom Pain
Members
Paul Aloisio – guitar, vocals
Jon Gusman – drums
Marc Morello – bass
Review
Doom/Psych/Stoner Metallers Restless Spirit have vastly become one of my favourite bands within the heavy rock underground scene over the last seven years or so with a collection of great albums to their name. The band never disappoint with their hard-hitting blend of Psych, Sludge, Stoner, Doom and Progressive sounds that cut right down to the bone almost every time. Restless Spirit return with their fourth album and it’s their first self-titled release which perhaps shows the band releasing their most honest and truthful record to date.
Restless Spirit have gone under a slight reinvention on this record with the Progressive themes being slightly dialled back for a more Heavy Metal and Post-Doom flavoured sound which still keeps with the bands stunning backdrop of Psychedelic and Sonic based passages. The music here has a tighter and more proficient technical ability compared to their previous records which still allows them to develop intense Sludge Metal passages that opens the door to more transcendent areas of Heavy Psychedelic music.
You could say that Restless Spirit are the heavier versions of ELDER, HOWLING GIANT and KING BUFFALO combined with the free flowing progressive energy of Mastodon and Baroness whilst superbly developing their own original sound. The album is quite cinematic with grounded realism appearing within the lyrics and how the vocals are delivered by the ever present Paul Aloisio (Vocals/Guitar) who excels throughout.
The album is made up of eight tracks that explores the far reaches of modern day Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal with a gritty emphasis on HEAVY METAL. There’s a great creative development of Ambient sounds and Post-Doom structures that appear from the opening track of The Burning Need that allows Restless Spirit to lay down the groundwork for further expeditions into heavier musical waters compared to their previous records.
There’s also an emotional and human quality to the music with Restless Spirit using moments of Shoegaze and Post-Rock in the quieter moments which leave you on the edge of your seat. However, Restless Spirit changes direction for the better where they unleash a torrent of aggressive Sludge/Stoner Metal passages that are absolutely breathtaking to experience.
The standout tracks on the record for me are: The Burning Need, Hallowed, Red In Tooth And Claw, Desolation’s Wake, Ember and Phantom Pain. These are the tracks that offer the heaviest, cleverest, freshest and highly melodic sounds on the whole album with Paul’s intense proggy guitars, Jon Gusman’s ferocious drumming and Marc Morello’s free-flowing bass all joining forces and playing the best music they’ve ever created to date.
The album can be pure carnage and destruction at times but it’s also one that isn’t afraid to show real human emotion which is perhaps its greatest strength. It’s a record that genuinely has something to say but told through the power of music with an understated determination that results in non-stop epic outbursts of dominant Sludge/Stoner Metal grooves of the highest order.
Restless Spirit have once again delivered an ALBUM OF THE YEAR contender with this record which should become essential listening from everyone who is a dedicated follower of the Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal community.
Words by Steve Howe
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