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/

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

Members

Piotr Dobry – guitars, vocals, synths

Zbigniew Promiński – drums

Piotr Kuks – bass

Piotr Sadza – synths

Tomasz Walczak – synths

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/

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.

Introduce Yourselves: Bloodmoon Rite

What is the name of your band?

Bloodmoon Rite

What is the genre of music that you play?

Heavy metal/Epic doom metal.

I would say more heavy metal than doom metal, but a huge part of inspiration comes from doom, and especially epic doom. Such bands as Candlemass and Solitude Aeturnus. Another big influence is Black Sabbath, mainly the Dio era and Heaven & Hell. That said, I like early Sabbath as well.

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

Bloodmoon Rite is a one-man project led by Denis Shipilov — singer, composer and multi-instrumentalist. It’s me.

Before Bloodmoon Rite, I played in many bands and genres. There was a blues period, then I was making instrumental music and probably would have continued. But a couple of years ago I started to sing myself. I was honestly just tired of instrumental music and was searching for a singer to join the band. That didn’t work out, so one day I decided to try singing myself. I made a couple of tracks with my own vocals and realized I didn’t really need bandmates anymore.

What can people expect from your music?

Fat sound, massive drums and fuzzy guitars. Immersive soundscapes and the atmosphere of ancient rites. For those who like to dig deeper, there is a whole Bloodmoon Rite universe filled with ancient manuscripts and prophecies. Composition-wise, it’s traditional metal, but I use modern mixing practices (as of 2026) to make the sound really big. At the same time, it doesn’t sound like modern metal.

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

At the moment there is only one single available, and I hope the best release hasn’t been released yet. There is also something called the Prophecy of the Ninth Seal. According to it, the first single, “Omen”, is the entrance to the Bloodmoon Rite universe, so it’s best to start there.

Where can people find you on social media?

Bandcamp: https://bloodmoonrite.bandcamp.com/album/omen
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BloodmoonRite
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1to64cs7Q5hYNyfqfnmUCL
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bloodmoonrite/

What is the Prophecy of the Ninth Seal?

I tried to encode Bloodmoon Rite future plans as ancient prophecy, so the Prophecy of the Ninth Seal is it. It’s important as a project roadmap but if we talk about lore, it is not the central part of the lore there are more important artefacts of the Bloodmoon Rite universe than the Prophecy.

What will happen when the Prophecy will be revealed?

We’ll see. It will definitely be the end of a chapter, but not the end of the Bloodmoon Rite story.

What’s your plans for 2026?

Release of 4 singles more and start of the long play recording.

Weedpecker - V (Album Review)

Release Date: February 27th 2026. Record Label: Heavy Psych Sounds. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

V - Tracklisting

1.Intro

2.Fading Whispers

3.Ash 

4.In the Dark We Shine

5.Mirrors

6.The Last Summer of Youth

Members

Piotr Dobry – guitars, vocals, synths

Zbigniew Promiński – drums

Piotr Kuks – bass

Piotr Sadza – synths

Tomasz Walczak – synths

Review

Weedpecker return with V and this is perhaps their most impressive record since II and III. Even though I enjoyed the last record immensely I felt it didn’t reach the creative heights of their predecessors. However, Weedpecker feel like a band reborn with their now established lineup adding multiple levels and different styles of Synths for this album. This adds a dreamlike flow and psychedelic mentality that made Weedpecker such a truly groundbreaking act when they released their second album “II” back in 2015.

V contains the familiar strands of Post-Rock, Psych Rock, Doom, Stoner Rock and Progressive melodies with a richly executed style of Classic Rock and Folk based interludes which the listener will fully experience and passionately embrace with open arms within the stunning opening tracks of Into and Fading Whispers. Taking a similar musical journey from the likes of ELDER, PELICAN and YAWNING MAN with the band demonstrating their own great style of Heavy Psychedelic music that becomes quite warm-hearted. Though, Weedpecker starts exploring themes of Post-Doom and Post-Sludge surroundings that start to form within the heaviest parts of the record.

The vocals from Piotr Dobry are simply majestic and even their clean throughout, that doesn’t stop Piotr adapting an aggressive and confident style we haven’t experienced from him before. The ambient movements that hold the free-flowing Psychedelic, Cosmic and Space Rock melodies instantly transport the listener into a different galaxy of musical plane of existence. 

 

Weedpecker drift an aura of mystery into their music which develops within the outstanding second track Fading Whispers and moves onto deeper levels throughout tracks Ash, In The Dark We Shine and Mirrors. These tracks see Weedpecker rewrite the rules of Heavy Psychedelic music within their own image and [lay some epic instrumental solos that opens the door to areas of Eighties Shoegaze, Classic Hard Rock and Nineties Alt Rock movement to fully take over.

V is quite thought-provoking and deeply personal to the band which you can tell within the lyrics but also how Weedpecker delivers this delicious Heavy Psychedelic grooves which even sees the band experiment with SONIC DISTORTION for an intense aggressive sound. However, there’s a lasting “UPBEAT” effect which is created within the more sombre and laid back moments that the band constantly delivers. 

When the final track The Last Summer Of Youth appears you can’t help but be impressed once more by the sheer beauty of the record even when Weedpecker plays the heaviest and progressive sounding passages on the whole album. There’s an epic “STORYTELLING” flow which shows the band have matured not only as songwriters but as musicians as well. 

Weedpecker have come back to proclaim their place as one of the most essential Heavy Psychedelic Rock acts the musical world currently has right now. V only solidifies that statement and this will no doubt become one of the standout records of the Stoner Rock/Metal scene before the year is finally over.

Unmissable. End Of.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the promo. 

V is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl from Heavy Psych Sounds.

Links 

Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

Doom/Psych/Stoner Rockers FRIENDSHIP COMMANDERS announce extensive tours in the United States & Europe!

FRIENDSHIP COMMANDERS have delivered one of the finest alternative/heavy rock albums of 2025 with their latest full length "BEAR", which was released on October 10, 2025, via Magnetic Eye Records (get the album HERE).

These outstanding American musicians have just announced the first concerts of their highly anticipated 2026 tours in support of the new album with a first leg in the US starting this winter and European dates for late spring into early summer. Please see below for a list of all currently confirmed shows.

FRIENDSHIP COMMANDERS comment on both tours: "We’ve been working toward the goal of making it to Europe for years now; and we're ecstatic that the time has finally come!", vocalist Buick Audra writes on behalf of the duo. "We can hardly wait to see the community over there, to bring what we do to those stages, and to take in the music and culture of all the places we're touring through. We believe that music is a conversation, and we're thrilled to be engaging with new voices. See you very soon, friends! May it be the first time of many. Of course, we're very much looking forward to seeing folks at our upcoming US dates throughout February, March, and April as well! Spines will vibrate; it's our guarantee!"

US TOUR 2026

08 FEB 2026 Houston, TX (US) Black Magic Social Club
19 FEB 2026 Baton Rouge, LA (US) Mid City Ballroom
20 FEB 2026 New Orleans, LA (US) Siberia
21 FEB 2026 Mobile, AL (US) Alabama Music Box
22 FEB 2026 Gainesville, FL (US) The Atlantic
24 FEB 2026 Tampa, FL (US) Deviant Libation
25 FEB 2026 Miami, FL (US) Las Rosas
26 FEB 2026 Orlando, FL (US) Will's Pub
27 FEB 2026 Jacksonville, FL (US) Hard Love
28 FEB 2026 Savannah, GA (US) Totally Awesome Bar
01 MAR 2026 Athens, GA (US) The World Famous
03 MAR 2026 Atlanta, GA (US) Boggs Social
04 MAR 2026 Asheville, NC (US) The Odd
05 MAR 2026 Richmond, VA (US) Cobra Cabana
06 MAR 2026 Durham, NC (US) Pinhook
07 MAR 2026 Charlotte, NC (US) Snug Harbor
08 MAR 2026 Chattanooga, TN (US) JJ's Bohemia
04 APR 2026 Nashville, TN (US) TN Brew Works
10 APR 2026 Chicago, IL (US) Reggie’s Music Joint

EUROPEAN TOUR 2026

16 MAY 2026 Coevorden (NL) MFC
19 MAY 2026 Barberaz (FR) Le Brin de Zinc
23 MAY 2026 Cottbus (DE) Galerie Fango
25 MAY 2026 Bratislava (SK) Koncerty na Garážach
27 MAY 2026 Radebeul (DE) Barnyard Club
28 MAY 2026 Münster (DE) Rare Guitar
29 MAY 2026 Hagen (DE) Werkhof Hohenlimburg
30 MAY 2026 Asendorf (DE) Kulturhaus B.O.
02 JUN 2026 Hamburg (DE) Hafenklang
03 JUN 2026 Hildesheim (DE) Club VEB
06 JUN 2026 Esch-Alzette (LU) MK Bar

The Lowdown

FRIENDSHIP COMMANDERS are not just any band within the wider musical cosmos of heavy rock and stoner metal. Artistic excellence, reflected in the two Grammy wins of singer, songwriter, and guitarist Buick Audra as well as the status of drummer and bass player Jerry Roe as one of the most sought after studio percussionists, paired with outstanding lyrical intelligence have once again flown together organically to shape their forthcoming album "BEAR".

"BEAR" was written around the realisation that Buick Audra had essentially been kicked out of womanhood. This album is a documentation of her awareness also while cataloguing other areas of human connection: art, outsider culture, and dark rock venues – all places where empathy and creativity grow wild. Audra and Jerry Roe arranged and performed the fourth full-length of FRIENDSHIP COMMANDERSalbum to have two sides to it, musically: heavy and light, salt and sugar, fire and air, and lost and found.

Although hailing from Nashville, Tennessee these denizens of the 'Music City' kindly beg to differ. FRIENDSHIP COMMANDERS' sound draws from sludge, doom, heavy metal, and grunge with roots in punk and hardcore, among other guitar driven styles.

FRIENDSHIP COMMANDERS were originally conceived as a side project by the two industry veterans Buick Audra and Jerry Roe, whose accolades have already been mentioned above. When the duo found common ground, they were able to bring all their combined musical excellence, perspectives, precision, and power to their new band.

Their early works, the EPs "GARFIELD" (2015) and "JUNEBUG" (2017) as well as the debut full-length "AVE" (2016) were all self-recorded as well as self-produced in their own studio, Fort Knockout, and supported live with regional tours.

FRIENDSHIP COMMANDERS' sophomore album 'BILL' (2018) was co-produced by the band with Steve Albini and engineered at his Chicago studio, Electrical Audio. Working with Albini proved a pivotal experience for the duo, both personally and professionally. "BILL" reached a notably larger audience and allowed national touring. Following Albini's passing in 2024, the band released his original analogue mixes of the project, "BILL- The Steve Albini Mixes".

Although the duo's members maintained other ventures, FRIENDSHIP COMMANDERS had developed into a focal endeavour for them both. Their again self-produced 2020 EP, "HOLD ON TO YOURSELF", was the beginning of their by now years-long collaboration with Kurt Ballou, who mixed the record. He also mixed their self-produced pandemic-era singles "STONECHILD/ YOUR REIGN IS OVER" (2020), "ALTAR / LAND OF MEN" (2021), and "AND IF MY BODY" (2022). These were later compiled on a limited vinyl release entitled "RELEASE OF THE REST" (2022). The singles also marked a departure from the duo's previous punk and hardcore leanings while introducing a heavier, sludgier sensibility.

FRIENDSHIP COMMANDERS recorded and co-produced their third album "MASS" again with Ballou at his GodCity Studio in Salem, MA. Audra recorded and produced her vocals at her Nashville studio, and Ballou then mixed the tracks. With "MASS" (2023), a concept album about memory, language, and the state of Massachusetts, the duo took the important next step of reaching a global audience.

"BEAR" was again co-produced by band members Buick Audra and Jerry Roe. The duo returned to Salem to work along once more with their longtime collaborator, Kurt Ballou, who also tracked the instrumental performances and mixed the record. As a result, the songs with a huge range of musical ideas and expressions are unified in sound as well as in theme, which runs throughout the record in various ways: the ever-elusive idea of belonging, where it occurs, and where it absolutely does not.

With "BEAR", FRIENDSHIP COMMANDERS present a rare sparkling gem of an album, heavy yet captivating, shiny yet dark, and songs that brim with important meaning. "BEAR" is easy to get into, but beware, this album will draw its listeners into fascinating and thought-provoking depths!

Tracklist:

1. KEEPING SCORE
2. DRAIN
3. DRIPPING SILVER
4. MELT
5. NEW
6. X
7. MIDHEAVEN
8. IMPERFECT
9. FOUND
10. DEAD & DISCARDED GIRLS

Line-up

Buick Audra – songs, guitar, vocals, co-producer
Jerry Roe – drums, percussion, bass, synths, co-producer

Links

https://www.friendshipcommandersband.com
https://www.facebook.com/friendshipcommanders
https://www.instagram.com/friendshipcommanders

Thanks to All Noir PR and Magnetic Eye Records for the details.