Stoner Rockers GEHENNA SOUR Release New Song SHINE A LIGHT From Upcoming New EP

Gehenna Sour, hailing from Tampere, Finland, will release their new single Shine a Light on October 7th 2026. This will also be the first single on their upcoming EP, Sour Taste of Heaven.

In a previous chapter Gehenna Sour were seen speeding full throttle across a dusty desert. Now the band, worse for wear and with parched throats, have clawed their way out of the desert and into a concrete jungle. Ruthless boogie and post-midnight groove are still present, and the choruses will park permanently in your brain. Here’s what vocalist Kyy has to say about the song:

“This is like a modern day Romeo and Juliet set in the seedier part of East Helsinki. Jarmo and Irma are trying to find the true meaning of love. Obviously it doesn’t work out that great.”

The song was recorded in June 2026 at Studio Watercastle, Punkalaidun. Recording, mixing and mastering by Arttu Sarvanne. On keyboards a long time collaborator Grande Voix, additional recordings by Henri Virsell.

Shine a Light available on:

Youtube: https://youtu.be/F_5yPg0z2yU

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/2N96Okt3B0jF7wJrl0lYU1?si=04362b5ad2664807

Social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gehennasour/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gehennasour/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GehennaSour
Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/artist/1z5ElQtg0p6XT5w9KPdJz2?si=rXRc1SOcSDqtOh-0M0UUmQ

Exclusive Album Premiere Of Psych/Fuzz/Stoner Metallers HUMULUS Stunning New Album - SMUGGLER'S CAVE

Smuggler’s Cave marks HUMULUS’ fifth LP and their second outing with vocalist/guitarist Thomas Mascheroni. Following 2023's Flowers Of Death, the band spent two years traversing Europe’s stages, and it was in the cracks between tours that the improvisations for this record took root. True to form, the band returned to the rehearsal room for marathon sessions, capturing hours of raw interplay, isolating the sparks and forging new songs from the embers.

The riffs might hit harder than ever before, yet HUMULUS’s sonic hallmark remains intact with a deft pivot from rhythmic, classic stoner crunch into more psychedelic and introspective depths. Leading the listener through mysterious settings, tales of wizards, cemetery dreams, damned souls and the shade of dark forests, this high-voltage new delivery fills the air with electricity and will compel anyone who worships at the altar of Dozer, Truckfighters, Lowrider and Greenleaf. 

Thanks to the amazing folks at Purple Sage PR and Ripple Music, we're excited to premiere the whole album in full below:

The Lowdown

Humulus is an Italian psych-stoner power trio formed in Brescia, Italy in 2009. Born from the heavy lineage of Kyuss, Karma to Burn and Orange Goblin, they quickly built a reputation across southern Europe with their crushing debut on Go Down Records.

A lineup shift in 2015 flipped the script. New frontman Andrea Bellicini pushed the band into trippier, more dynamic territory through longer songs, richer atmospheres and a sound that outgrew stoner orthodoxy. The years that followed saw Humulus touring non-stop with European festival runs (Freak Valley, Desertfest Belgium, Up In Smoke), and a string of acclaimed LPs that veered from doom-laced riffage to sprawling psychedelic meditation. Another mutation came in late 2022 with the arrival of Thomas Mascheroni, reigniting the band’s chemistry and leading to a fresh creative burst. They hit the road again, sharing stages with heavyweights like Colour Haze and Monkey3, while steadily forging new material.

When founder Giorgio Bonacorsi stepped back in 2026, the remaining core members enlisted Fabio Giacomini to complete the lineup and write their most ambitious work yet.

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the details.

Smuggler’s Cove is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Ripple Music.

Humulus links

Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

Ripple Music links

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

Psych/Desert/Stoner Rockers CERVUS Announce Debut Album Due For Release On November 13th 2026

Behold, Cervus.

Prepare yourself for a monolithic blend of desert rock, heavy psych and crushing stoner doom.

Weaving the mythical with raw, personal themes like loss and grief, the band delivers a wall of sound that is both aggressively direct as well as deeply atmospheric and cinematic. Live, they present a sonic journey like no other. Debut album Axis releases on November 13.

For fans of Queens of the Stone Age, Rezn, Lowrider, Soundgarden and Elephant Tree.

Band members

Jan Woudenberg - Lead / Rhythm Guitar
Tom Mourik - Bass Guitar
Dennis de Bruin - Lead / Rhythm Guitar
Rogier Henkelman - Drums
Tom van der Linden: Main vocals
Thomas Robinson - Keys en synths

Bio

Formed in Amsterdam in 2016, Cervus has spent the better part of a decade in the bowels of Amsterdam working on their unique sound; a blend of desert rock, heavy psych and crushing stoner doom. From the fiery, hardrocking beginnings of the Ignis EP (2021), to the more psychedelic leaning wanderings of Shifting Sands EP (2023), the band returns in 2026 with their debut album Axis. With this 55-minute epic sonic journey dealing with loss, grief and the fragility of life under their belt, Cervus is ready to take on bigger stages and crowds. Doom on!

Links

Official | Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

STEAK - STEAK (Album Review)

Release Date: October 09th 2026. Record Label: Ripple Music / Stickman Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

STEAK - Tracklist

1. Cometh

2. Luxury Junk

3. Dust

4. Two By Two

5. Aether

6. Infinite

7. Knucklehead

8. Short Arms

Members

Chris Haley – Vocals
Reece Tee – Guitar
Dean Deal – Drums
James Cameron – Bass
Tom Cameron – Guitar and Vocals

Review

Psych Stoner Rockers STEAK return with their fourth album which is actually a self titled release this time round and one that arrives four years since their last celebrated effort. This time away has benefited STEAK superbly well both musically and creatively speaking. As they embrace heavier, darker and bolder styles of Doom Rock that you would expect to hear from the likes of ELDER and KING BUFFALO. However, STEAK played with a heavier metallic style with slight expeditions into areas of Grunge, Doomgaze, and Post-Metal within the album.

STEAK have come a long way since their earliest releases which saw the band operate closer to the likes of CLUTCH, KYUSS and ORANGE GOBLIN. That’s not a bad place to be but this album shows how the band have matured over the last fourteen years especially within the opening tracks of Cometh, Luxury Junk and Dust. The storytelling aspect is rooted in Nineties sensibilities with the music moving between different musical timelines of where the Desert/Stoner Metal scene was fully starting to form.

The vocals from Chris Haley and Tom Cameron have a great rhythm to each other with the delicate tones offering a warm hearted nature especially within the subdued moments. Though, the rest of the band are perhaps quite restless at times by focusing upon an aggressive style of Doom, Psych and Cosmic based landscapes which move along at an intense pace.

There is a sense of grounded atmospherics being used here which reminds me of Sergeant Thunderhoof at times with both bands firmly established favourites of the UK’s burgeoning Doom/Stoner Metal scene. STEAK continues to develop waves of different sonic delivery whilst applying some classic fuzzed out movements throughout the album. 

I admire how STEAK obviously stick closely to their musical roots on this record where the listener can expect to hear a classic muscular slice of Stoner Rock/Metal set amongst the dominant Cosmic and Psychedelic sounds that brings the heaviest and most enjoyable sounds on the whole album.

Other great tracks to check out are: Take By Two, Aether, Knucklehead and Short Arms - where STEAK find a cool sludgy rock dimension and gritty Desert Rock attitude which is just the icing on the cake for listeners to wholly appreciate. 

STEAK’s fourth album is a resounding success on every level with this being the bands most technically impressive record to date. The whole record is expertly played and produced from everyone involved and showcases why STEAK are one of the most vastly underrated bands we have within the Stoner Rock/Metal underground scene. However, this is the album that will perhaps change all that for STEAK and propel them onto greater things.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the promo.

STEAK is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via- Ripple Music (North America) and Stickman Records (Europe/UK)

Links

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

Saturnian Grief - Ghost Ship (EP Review)

Release Date: October 02nd 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Format: DD

Ghost Ship - Tracklist

1.Ghost Ship 09:10

2.Possessed 05:19

3.Laments of the Fallen Titans 10:01

Members

Vocals: Matthias Péro
Guitars: Julien Prüm
Bass: Maxime Blanchard
Drums: Florentin Bricout

Review

Ghost Ship is the debut EP from Death/Doom Metallers Saturnian Grief who focus melodically on the Doom Metal aspect of their music with the vocals taking the full impact of the Black/Death Metal arena. However, there are moments where Saturnian Grief develops an impactful style of Cosmic themes within their bleak style of distorted environments.

There’s a fine level of grime and fuzz that develops into a violent assortment of Sludge/Stoner Metal grooves. However, Saturnian Grief is mostly about developing that brutal style of Death/Doom Metal that gives their music a more lasting and meaningful impact with a haunting atmospheric drive appearing especially within the excellent opening title track of Ghost Ship.

The vocals from Matthias Péro are delivered with real menace and they’re quite easy to understand which is always a good thing for me. Saturnian Grief adds small Psychedelic movements and gloomy surroundings which last throughout the whole EP with some clean vocals being added along the way. Ghost Ship is quite claustrophobic, giving the record a sense of urgency where the band can try their hand at playing different styles of Doom Metal especially on the other two tracks of Possessed and Laments Of The Fallen Titans.

I was quite surprised to hear some small areas of Ambient and Ethereal soundscapes starting to develop which gives Ghost Ship a slightly uplifting quality but Saturnian Grief perhaps want that Blackened/Death Metal approach to their music to offer a more violent and nightmarish energy to their music. They succeed in accomplishing that mission within the other two tracks Possessed and Laments Of The Fallen Titans.

The music can be described as Post-Metal in places with that sudden influx of Atmospheric Doom emerging from the darkness. There’s a sense of urgency with how Saturnian Grief delivers their music but it’s still played at a very cool sounding slow-to-mid pace with some great instrumental solos being played along the way.

Ghost Ship is a highly intriguing slice of modern Death/Doom Metal that has a few hidden surprises along the way to make you appreciate how superbly talented that Saturnian Grief actually are. As they create some highly original sounds you don’t expect especially within the later stages of the EP.

My advice is to EMBRACE THE DARKNESS with this outstanding debut EP.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Humulus - Smuggler's Cave (Album Review)

Release Date: October 09th 2026. Record Label: Ripple Music. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Smuggler’s Cave - Tracklist

1.Standing in the Sun 

2.Rise and Fall 

3.Pines

4.Smuggler's Cave

5.Cemetery Vision

6.Blue Wizard 

7.Cursed Man

Review

Smuggler’s Cave is the fifth album from Psych Stoner Rockers Humulus with the band moving closer the likes of Lowrider, Dozer, Truckfighters and KYUSS where the band blend the ice-cold Psychedelic Stoner Rock attitude of the Swedish Stoner Metal scene with the gritty energy of the legendary Californian Stoner scene. This is a great mix especially with Humulus originating from Italy. 

The record is a fast-paced mix of different Doom, Desert and Stoner Rock sounds with trippy interludes appearing within the whole album as a great union of Post-Rock and Post-Doom form a winning musical alliance. This seems to spur Humulus to try different things with their music as traces of Grunge and Ambient melodies form when you least expect this.

Humulus starts playing areas of music influenced by the likes of ELDER and KING BUFFALO in the heavier aspects which is quite an exciting creative direction on the first half tracks such as Standing In The Sun, Rise And Fall and Pines. The vocals are delivered superbly throughout as Humulus employ different styles with chants, clean vocals and ethereal tones aligning everything together.

The great use of Psychedelic, Ambient and Space Rock effects adds an aggressive attitude into the whole recording aspect which allows Humulus to start forming strands of Fuzz, Shoegaze and Space Rock which becomes quite adventurous when a thrilling Sludgier direction appears. Even when the record offers a stripped back sound, Humulus never fails in transporting the listener into a more subdued Spaced Out landscape on tracks Smuggler’s Cave, Blue Wizard and Cursed Man. 

The themes become more heartfelt and emotionally haunted with that blissful Post-Rock and Post-Stoner landscape bringing that superb style of uplifting quality into the later stages of the record. The vocals yet again are first rate which have a great storytelling energy to them with Humulus creating a soulful and emotionally charged record that’s not afraid to bring a gritty sense of determined pure raw heaviness to the party. As Humulus rely upon bursts of intense FUZZ and DISTORTED MELODIES within the second half of the album.

Smuggler’s Cove is a superbly entertaining and brilliantly realized album with HUMULUS once again delivering a masterclass of modern day COSMIC and PSYCHEDELIC grooves from start to finish.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the promo.

Smuggler’s Cove is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Ripple Music.

Links

Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

Hexecutioner to release new LP of Ritualistic, Heavy Psych & Doom With "Ascension Rock" due out October 23rd

The Pacific Northwest's enigmatic Hexecutioner are back. 2025's lauded "Tornit" EP brought the heavy with filthy, lower-than-thou guitar tones, thunderous bass and drums, and crushing grooves amid suitably larger-than-life tales of sasquatches, bigfoots, and more.

Having riffed Terra Firma into oblivion with Tornit's earthy brutality, Erin Gravina and crew set their sights to otherwordly skies on the new full-length "Ascension Rock". The album drops October 23rd, and lead single & music video "Shapeshifter" is out now.

Staring into the depths of the unknown, sensing the unseen forces at play. Energies of the dark and the light, of the old and new, are cloaked in secrecy. Wormholes to other dimensions, bending time and space, high strangeness surrounds Ascension Rock. The manifestations appear during the sound frequency ritual.

Praise for Tornit:

"Gravina‘s vocals have character and poise, the tones are rich and concrete-grey and the groove they lead is engrossing and so very, very much the focus... heavy on nod and light on bullshit. There are few combinations more welcome coming out of my speakers." - JJ Koczan, The Obelisk

"an album full of breathtaking and bone-crunching grooves to play over, over and over again. Hexecutioner are the real deal and they’ve released an album of real quality. Outstanding stuff." - Steve Howe, Outlaws Of The Sun

"For those amongst us who like all things sludgy and doomy, with a bass sound that is as filthy as it comes, then you need to look no further" - Matthew Williams, The Razor's Edge

Hexecutioner - Ascension Rock

Album out October 23rd, 2026
Vinyl, CD, Cassette, Digital
Self-released
Seattle, Washington, US
FFO: Goatsnake • OM • Acid King • YOB
Artwork by Erin Gravina

Hexecutioner is:

Erin Gravina - Guitar and Vocals
Daniel McManus - Bass Guitar
Bryce Hebner - Drums

Tracklist:

1. Shapeshifter (5:52)
2. Usurper (5:57)
3. Manifested (7:10)
4. Star and Stone (4:42)
5. Sink or Swim (5:22)
6. Billionaires (4:45)

Credits:

Music and Lyrics by Erin Gravina
Produced by Hexecutioner
Recorded, Mixed, Mastered by Dylan Wall at 7Hills Studio, Seattle WA

Links:

Band website | Bandcamp | Instagram | Facebook

Thanks to Good Boy PR for the details.