The heavy blues trio BIRDSTONE will release their new album ‘IV’ on October 16th via Harpyes Records. They are unveiling a video for the debut track: "NO ONE ELSE".

Photo credit: Léonard Szakow.

When the power of blues meets heavy rock! French three-piece BIRDSTONE are announcing the release of their fourth album entitled ‘IV’ on October 16th 2026 via their own label Harpyes Records. Debut single and music video "No One Else" are due out on May 29th 2026, however Metalheads Forever are premiering the gem now.

Between ethereal atmospheres, dramatic tensions and impetuous climaxes, BIRDSTONE is crafting a magnetic world. The project fuses the mystical power of traditional blues with all the intensity and texture of heavy rock. 'IV' was recorded live in a family home tucked away in the French countryside of Aveyron, timeless and far removed from noise and daily stress. From this creative setting emerges a raw power, drawing equally from heavy psych, 70s hard rock and blues music. On top of this comes a pronounced taste for the mystical, mythological themes and esotericism. The six tracks on the album exude an organic, almost instinctive coherence. ‘IV’ is an album fuelled by contrasts, embracing and elevating its rough edges.

The album was recorded by Birdstone and mixed by Benjamin Rousseau. The mastering was handled by Thibault Chaumont at Deviant Lab studio. The artwork for the album cover and singles was created by Léa Largeau.

BIRDSTONE new album 'IV' -  Out October 16th 2026 via Harpyes Records.
Formats LP, CD, digital: PRE-ORDER.

Artwork: Léa Largeau.

TRACK LISTING

1. No One Else
2. Blackhand
3. Largo
4. Vultures
5. Fade and Disappear
6. Swell

The Lowdown

French heavy-blues trio BIRDSTONE unite the soulful energy of blues with the power and richness of heavy-rock. At the crossroads of mythological themes, esotericism and simple human passions, they narrates the inner struggles of human beings, as well as their mystical aspirations. Basile, Edwige and Benjamin draw their inspiration from rural life, just as the bluesmen did in the Delta in the late 19th century. Mourning, loneliness, doubt, corruption, but also rage and hope are all impulses and guides in the interweaving of the trio's melodies and lyrics, constantly navigating between grandiloquence and intimacy.

Their debut EP 'The Cage', released in February 2017, establishes the foundations of the band's musical universe: a kind of mystical trance, mixing the fiery spirit of rock with spiritual and religious topics. Their debut album 'Seer' (February 2019) has paved the way for the band's international development.

In 2022, just as the old world was crumbling, Birdstone released a new chapter: ‘Loss’.

Relentlessly and purposefully drawing inspiration from blues, soul and rock, the album ‘The Great Anticipation’ – released in 2024 – takes The Black Angels, Greenleaf and The Devil and the Almighty Blues and puts them through the mill to create a fresh, powerful sound.

The band performed at major festivals such as Hellfest, Terres du Son and the American Tours Festival, as well as supporting acts including Mars Red Sky, TriggerFinger, Monkey3 and King Khan & The Shrines.

BIRDSTONE’s new album ‘IV’ will be released on October 16th 2026 via Harpyes Records.

LINE-UP

Basile Chevalier-Coudrain: vocals, guitar
Edwige Thirion: bass
Benjamin Rousseau: drums

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Thanks to Shake Promotion For The Details.

Willy Kuma - Willy Kuma Vol. 1 (Album Review)

Release Date: June 12th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Willy Kuma Vol. 1  - Tracklisting

1.Intro 02:07

2.Cactus Drop 06:26

3.Horizon 05:25

4.Iguana Bro

5.Before the Storm

6.Last Drop

7.Desert Vibes

8.Quiet Sand

Members

 

Guglielmo Allegro - Everything

Review

Acclaimed multi-instrumentalist Guglielmo Allegro has taken some time away from his main creative projects of Void Sinker and Nightscape. Guglielmo has formed a new solo instrumental venture called Willy Kuma which focuses upon the legendary sounds of the Californian Desert/Stoner Rock scenes. Guglielmo states this project has been influenced by the works of Brant Bjork and Tommy Guerrero. His debut release under this new project is called Willy Kuma: Volume 1 and it’s a light hearted affair with some slightly jazzy interludes along the way.

Truth be told I was expecting something heavier which touches upon the likes of KYUSS and FU MANCHU but I would say whilst there are still some great heavy moments along the way that Willy Kuma is more closely aligned to the quieter works of Brant Bjork and Yawning Man. There’s some cool sounding Funk Rock movements which are a million miles away from the Drone, Sludge and Stoner Metal surroundings of both Void Sinker and Nightscape.

This is a refreshing change of pace with Guglielmo showing a softer side to his creative identity with elements of Post-Rock appearing on different parts of the album. There are massive amounts of WAH WAH guitar effects which gives a cool solitary and shamanic vibe to the album which is part of almost every track with a subdued musical performance from Guglielmo.

This project allows Guglielmo to be completely zoned into the Californian Bohemian lifestyle the legendary Desert/Stoner Rock scene is known for. You can hear moments of Drone Rock in the background which is masquerading as long drawn out Psych and Space Rock passages which is a great way of how the music is fully delivered and implemented right to the listener.

Standout tracks on the album to check out are: Cactus Drop, Iguana Bro, Before The Storm, Last Drop and Quiet Sand. Guglielmo brings a progressive and cinematic quality to these tracks which has an easy going attitude that can easily be classified as CHILL OUT music for the STONER GENERATION. This isn’t the fastest music that Guglielmo has written but it’s great to hear his own perspective on the whole Californian Desert/Stoner Rock scene.

You can hear a fine amount of Seventies Funk music that gives the album such a refreshing change of musical attitude on the later stages of the record. Some of the tracks are perhaps a bit too long but it’s good to see Guglielmo outside of his comfort zone and trying something new, bold and superbly real from start to finish. 

Overall, Willy Kuma Vol. 1 is a richly observed and superbly entertaining record which may even become Guglielmo’s most popular project if he keeps making great records such as this.

Words by Steve Howe

Links 

BandCamp

Danish Sludge/Doom force DYING HYDRA signs with Argonauta Records

Argonauta Records is proud to announce the signing of Copenhagen based sludge/doom trio DYING HYDRA for the release of the band’s upcoming new material.

Says the band: “We are sincerely grateful for being a part of Argonauta Records. It has always been a goal for us to grow and develop our music further and better, so this is a great opportunity for us to do this. We are looking forward to what will come and will enjoy it all the way.”

Emerging from the Danish underground with crushing heaviness and a ritualistic approach to sound, DYING HYDRA have forged a distinctive identity built on massive low end, abrasive distortion and hypnotic atmosphere. Blending raw aggression with emotional depth, the band delivers immersive compositions that move across sludge, doom, stoner and heavy psych territories with remarkable intensity.

Formed in 2018, the trio features Lars Pontoppidan on guitar and vocals, Patrick Fragtrup on guitar and vocals, and Tejs Kyhl on drums. Through relentless live activity, DYING HYDRA have become a respected presence within the Scandinavian heavy scene, performing at events such as Copenhagen Metal Fest, Colossal Weekend, Sonic Ritual and Blacksworks Tattoo Convention, while sharing the stage with acts including Bongripper, Primitive Man and Konvent.

Their critically acclaimed albums “Of Lowly Origin” and “Strange and Beautiful Things” established the band as one of the most compelling emerging names in contemporary sludge and doom, combining monolithic riffs, haunting atmospheres and destructive sonic weight into a sound both punishing and deeply immersive.

For fans of YOB, Neurosis, Mastodon, High on Fire, Conan, Dopelord and Dopethrone.

More details about the collaboration and upcoming album will be revealed soon.

https://dyinghydra.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/dyinghydra
https://www.facebook.com/ArgonautaRecords

Thanks to Grand Sounds Promotion for the details

Goodnight Sky - Magnum Opiate (EP Review)

Release Date: May 27th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Magnum Opiate - Tracklisting

1.Shiva 02:43

2.Sex Marks The Spot 03:01

3.Revenge Ritual 04:56

4.Miracles Are Lies 03:12

5.Apocalypse Now 03:48

6.Glue 04:00

7.End Of Days 03:15

8.Shame 06:49

Members

 

Ted Levin - Vocals, guitars

Bill Peluso - Drums

Stas Poletaev - Bass

Review

Magnum Opiate is the latest record from Psych/Grunge/Sludge/Stoner Rockers Goodnight Sky with the band treading a fine line between Doomed Out grooves powered by the likes of Black Sabbath, Uncle Acid, Soundgarden, Alice In Chains, Restless Spirit and King Buffalo. The grunge attitude of Goodnight Sky’s music gives them a grounded feeling which allows their music to off-shoot into heavier directions. There’s a sense of psychedelic melody that holds everything together with gloomy soundscapes being used at the right moment which allows the record to be more direct.

The songs can be considered quite commercial in places but in the best possible way as the sound is quite clean allowing the record to be considered expertly produced from all creative angles. The record is very multi-layered with the different styles of music that Goodnight Sky have at their disposal. Magnum Opiate works best when Goodnight Sky ventures into the murky depths of Sludge Rock and when the lyrics take a darker turn than you initially expect.

The vocals from Ted Levin are delivered expertly well with elements of Grunge, Doom and Post-Stoner surroundings allowing him to have a deeply engaging persona on this record alone. There’s something soothing and trusting behind Ted’s delivery but there’s also a dangerous side to Ted’s vocals which comes to life on standout tracks such as Sex Marks The Spot, Revenge Ritual, Glue and Shame.

The other members of the band also excel bringing their atmospheric presence to the record with Bill Peluso on Drums and Stas Poletaev on Bass providing a thrilling backline where the heavy Doomed Out and Trippy Psychedelic movements come into play. Ted’s sludgy guitars move from the backdrops of classic Grunge and inject a gloomy modern day psychedelic energy with Bill’s epic drumming and Stas’s intricate bass playing allowing Goodnight Sky to become a formidable power trio in their own right.

Magnus Opiate runs for a tight and compact thirty minutes but actually feels longer which is one of the main strengths of the record. As Goodnight Sky don’t fuck around with overplayed and overlong Progressive instrumental beats where they get straight down into playing a thrilling style of modern day Psych Stoner Metal.

This is a superb EP which is full of great songs from a band that I’m hoping becomes more well known within the underground scene.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links 

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

INDIANA STONER ROCKERS FAERIE RING DELIVER SONIC REBIRTH THROUGH KING VOLUME RECORDS IN SELF-TITLED ALBUM

INDIANA STONER ROCKERS FAERIE RING DELIVER SONIC REBIRTH THROUGH KING VOLUME RECORDS IN SELF-TITLED ALBUM MASTERED BY TORCHE’S JONATHAN NUÑEZ, OUT AUGUST 21, 2026

“Faerie Ring” Unlocks New Emotional Depth With Tighter Songwriting Inspired By Personal & Global Conflict And Powered By Revised Band Lineup; FFO Queens of the Stone Age, Mondo Generator, Monolord, Torche

EVANSVILLE, IN - Faerie Ring, the hard-rocking, retro-tinged stoner rock band out of Evansville, IN, has announced their third album: a self-titled effort through King Volume Records that marks the band’s sonic rebirth—one that emphasizes tighter songwriting, blistering hooks, and a new emotional depth that was assisted through the mastering process by Torche guitarist Jonathan Nuñez.

“Our last album, Weary Traveler, was happy-go-lucky,” says band guitarist, vocalist, and primary songwriter James Wallwork. “But so much has happened since that came out in 2023, both in our personal lives and in the rest of the world. Songs like “Lost Boy” reflect the furious, “I don’t even care” attitude I felt after my divorce, while “Gargoyle” is a doomed-out perspective of realizing you’ll grow old alone. “No Surrender,” meanwhile, was inspired by the latest Israel-Palestine conflict, and it’s written from the perspective of someone living in Gaza during the war. Ultimately, Faerie Ring is a cathartic album that acknowledges that death is real, but so is love. This is an album about love and triumph in a time of existential dread.”

One of the biggest influences behind the band’s revitalized sound was the addition of multi-instrumentalist songwriter and new Faerie Ring drummer Matt McGuyer. “With Matt on drums, it’s almost like a completely new band,” says guitarist Kyle Hulgus. “Matt cracked our sound wide open. He’s such a talented musician. He’s a guitarist, he’s a vocalist, and, obviously, he’s an incredible drummer. His input was so valuable, and he helped us spread our wings.”

Once again, the band returned to Postal Recording in Indianapolis to record and engineer their third album in full analog. As essential as owners Alex Kercheval and Tyler Watkins were to capturing the band’s evolving sound, they were also critical to shaping it. “Alex played an underlying synth on many of the songs to help beef up the tracks,” says Wallwork, “but he also cooked up the sounds on ‘Fattest Witch.’”

Adding Torche guitarist Jonathan Nuñez to the mastering process proved equally impactful. “I’ve been a lifelong fan of Torche,” says Wallwork, “so having him involved is insane to me. He drastically changed this record. It’s much more akin to how we present ourselves live.” Huglus agrees: “Listening to his mastering was like hearing the album for the first time. We loved the original version of the record, but he completely changed it for the better.”

Like much of Faerie Ring’s work, their self-titled album is difficult to pigeonhole, with equal influences from stoner rock, doom, punk, blues, and other genres. “We didn’t want to limit ourselves to a single sound,” Hulgus says. “We let go of all creative limitations for this one, and this new record is a sound only Faerie Ring can create. You’ll hear influences from bands like Boris, The Scorpions, Torche, Thin Lizzy, and Crowbar, but this is a Faerie Ring album at the end of the day.”

That renewed creative freedom is reflected in the tongue-in-cheek album artwork by Ricardo Diseño, an artist hand-picked by Hulgus. “Yes,” Wallwork says, “it looks like a classic underground metal album cover at first glance, with themes of sex and drug use, but it’s a metaphor for the toxic love in our lives. The guy in the picture loves being boiled alive, but once his head goes under the water, that’s it.” Hulgus adds: “We’re all the guy in the cauldron. We torture ourselves all week at our blue-collar jobs so we can play music. This self-titled album is another labor of love.”

To learn more, follow Faerie Ring on social media (Facebook, Instagram) or check out King Volume Records (website, Instagram).

Album Details

Album Release Date: August 21, 2026

Album Personnel

Band:

James Wallwork - Guitars, Vocals
Kyle Hulgus - Guitars
Alex Wallwork - Bass, Vocals
Matt McGuyer - Drums

Guests:

Alex Kercheval - Keyboards, Synth
Vincent Yetsko - Harmonica

Mastering: 

Jonathan Nuñez

Recording: 

Alex Kercheval
Tyler Watkins

Engineering:

Morgan Satterfield

Label:

King Volume Records

Thanks to Pat at Poetica Marketing for the details.

Stoner metal trio 10,000 YEARS to release new album "Esox Lucifer" on Ripple Music this summer; new video "Two Million Stones" available!

Swedish stoner metal berserkers 10,000 YEARS return with their new album "Esox Lucifer" on Ripple Music this August 7th, and present the rip-roaring first track "Two Million Stones" today.

Watch new 10,000 Years video Two Million Stones below and stream the single on Bandcamp

10,000 Years return with their eagerly awaited new album to once again pummel the world into oblivion! Delving deep into existential dread and dark lore, Esox Lucifer drifts through deep space with the same sci-fi, horror, and fantasy obsessions that have always fueled the band.

 
Esox Lucifer delivers the riff-centric, melodic stoner metal that 10,000 Years has become known for, all driven by Erik Palm’s guitar wizardry and searing solos, the thunderous anchor of Alvin Risberg’s drums, and Alex Risberg’s fuzzed-out bass and fire-driven howls. The result is the band’s most ambitious work to date — one that will easily win over fans of Torche, High On Fire, The Sword and Kylesa!

It was produced by the band themselves with Erik Palm engineering, recorded in four months at their own Pine Hill Studios (drums cut at Studio Fluff in Västerås by Andreas Morén), mixed by Robert Lamu of Skraeckoedlan, and mastered by Magnus "Devo" Andersson at Endarker Studio.

10,000 YEARS "Esox Lucifer" - Out August 7th on Ripple Music (LP/CD/digital)

TRACKLIST:

1. Beasts Of The Northern Wild
2. Pursuit Special
3. Fleur de Sledgehammer
4. Church Of The Red Museum
5. Alien Tactics
6. Two Million Stones
7. Paranoidium
8. Esox Lucifer

Formed in the plague year of 2020, 10,000 Years has wasted no time forging their signature brand of skull-crushing stoner metal. Across three records in as many years — including II, which earned them a nomination for Best Metal at the Swedish Independent Grammys (Manifest) — the band has proven relentless.

Their 2024 release, All Quiet On The Final Frontier, saw the Riff still reigning supreme, but with a newly melodic edge described as "an experience that’s as heavy as it is spiritual" by The Sleeping Shaman and "the psychedelic-stoner embodiment of science fiction" by Ghost Cult Magazine. The album marked their debut on Californian label Ripple Music, introduced powerhouse drummer Alvin Risberg on wax, and locked into perfect symmetry with Erik Palm's guitar wizardry and Alex Risberg's thundering bass and howling vocals. A massive leap forward into new and hugely exciting territory, which will be sealed with their upcoming album Esox Lucifer, coming in the summer of 2026.

10,000 Years lineup

Erik Palm – Guitars
Alex Risberg – Bass/Vocals
Alvin Risberg - Drums

10,000 Years links

Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

Ripple Music links

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the details. 

Risin Sabotage - Revived (Single Review)

Release Date: May 28th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Revived - Tracklisting

Revived

Review

Revived is the latest single from Ukrainian Psych Stoner Rockers Risin Sabotage which was meant to be included on their excellent 2017 full length album The Planet Dies. The track has remained unreleased since then but the guys have decided to release int 2026 and it couldn’t fit more perfectly within the Post-Stoner Rock landscape dominated by the likes of ELDER, WEEDPECKER, HOWLING GIANT and KING BUFFALO. Risin Sabotage adds a gloomy Post-Doom sound  to the track with subtle flashes of Grunge and Fuzz before the track moves fully into the Doom Metal stratosphere.

The song is heavily reliant on a distorted and slightly amplified presence that adds a cautionary sound which could even shine a light within the horrible situation going on in the Ukraine. As this song has a haunting socially aware message showing within the lyrics and the emotionally charged vocals add a powerful and cautionary tone to the whole track.

Risin Sabotage have been one of Ukraine's leading Psych/Stoner Rock bands for over the past decade and they’ve demonstrated their true worth to the actual underground scene by powering through troubling times and still releasing great music such as this. This maybe an unreleased track but this has a timeless feel and musical aura that leaves you wanting to hear more. The subtle flashes of Space Rock sounds and Classic Hard Rock grooves that appear at the end adds another layer of quality to the whole experience.

Words by Steve Howe

Links 

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram