The Mojave Experience festival today announces the full lineup for the first annual event, which takes place from March 20th-21st, 2026 in Joshua Tree, California. The festival is the brainchild of organizer and High Desert native Patrick Brink, frontman of VOLUME and former lead singer of desert rock legends Fu Manchu. Tickets are on sale now for individual days. Tickets are available HERE.
Co-headliners Earthless and Dead Meadow top the bill, totaling 16 bands confirmed to perform over two nights. The lineup includes legends in explorative and countercultural music, as well as future ones now making waves. The full lineup is:
Earthless Dead Meadow John Garcia (ex-Kyuss) Acid King Nick Oliveri's Death Acoustic Yawning Man Hippie Death Cult Rubber Snake Charmers feat. Sean Wheeler Ecstatic Vision Howling Giant Early Moods The Freeks Arthur Seay and the Riff Killers Borracho Insomniac Soft Sun
The Mojave Experience takes place in Joshua Tree, California at the Joshua Tree Lake & Campground. Attendees are encouraged to make use of the camping, hiking and rock climbing in the area while taking in the vast beauty and mystery of the region that birthed the Desert Rock movement.
The Mojave isn’t just a backdrop — it’s the raw, unfiltered stage where music, art, and chaos collide. Out here, under endless stars and brutal sun, the desert strips away the fake and leaves only what’s real.
The Mojave Experience was born from that spirit. It’s not another sanitized festival in a city park, it’s a gathering for the wild ones, the wanderers, the true believers who know the desert doesn’t hand out comfort, only freedom.
This is where local desert legends share the stage with national heavyweights, weaving new stories into the myth of the Mojave. No velvet ropes. No corporate gloss. Just artists, misfits, and seekers coming together for a weekend that won’t be forgotten.
We bring the sound. You bring the fire. Together we’ll carve something into the desert that echoes long after the amps shut down. This is more than a festival — it’s a ritual. A pilgrimage into the heat, dust, and sound that will rattle your bones and rewire your soul.
Release Date: December 05th 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: CD/DD
Neverseer - Tracklisting
1.Between Worlds 06:05
2.Disintegrate 04:36
3.Ouroborean 03:25
4.Prism 04:05
5.To No Return 03:37
Lineup
DAN DREVER
ALI LAUDER
Review
Neverseer is a Progressive Sludge Metal band from Edinburgh, Scotland who focus solely on a modern blend of heavy music that draws elements of Doom, Thrash, Groove and Sludge into a ferocious mix of fast-paced beatdowns, harsh growls and outbursts of grounded melodies. Inspired by the likes of Mastodon, High On Fire, Gojira and Lamb Of God though with Neverseer creating their own vivid style of Progressive musical foundations to build their own music upon.
Their debut self-titled EP is a highly confident and surprisingly technical affair with the music being quite powerful set against Ali Lauder’s dominant vocals. Ali who has also been part of other acts such as Ageless Summoning and Of Spire And Throne knows how to whip the audience into a mighty frenzy with his aggressive vocal style that demands your full attention. The music is written by Dan Drever of Iron Altar fame now branching out into something quite different with Neverseer.
The music here is always grounded and honest with Neverseer keeping to their Groove Metal and Prog Sludge Metal roots. There’s a burgeoning intensity to Neverseer’s music which develops very early on within the outstanding opening track Between Worlds. The song feels twice as long with Neverseer developing a classic narrative that feels inspired by the legendary artists of the modern day Heavy Metal scene.
Second track Disintegrate has a more cautionary effect with Neverseer tapping into areas of Post-Doom authority with the music being dominated by GOJIRA aquatic landscapes and progressive sludge grooves with a passing resemblance to Mastodon but still of their own making. The song is quite violent and beautifully melodic when the epic cinematic Psychedelic surroundings appear on the later stages of the track.
The next batch of tracks of Ouroborean and Prism allows Neverseer to become more influenced by a more outlandish musical style with a classic HEAVY METAL appetite developing with Neverseer still keeping close to their Progressive Sludge Metal surroundings with flashes of pure tech metal appearing throughout both tracks. There is subtle Post-Metal energy that develops along the way which allows Neverseer to play the heaviest moments on this EP.
The final track To No Return allows Neverseer to end the EP the way it started with more grounded THUGGISH melodies that are played at such an intense and emotionally charged pace. The EP delivers a thrilling and action packed finish that Neverseer delivers with supreme authority that you're majorly impressed from start to finish in what the band have brilliantly created here.
BLACK LUNG drop the opening track 'Traveler' as the first single taken from the American heavy psych rockers' forthcoming new full-length "Forever Beyond". The fifth album from the Baltimore, Maryland outfit is scheduled for release on March 6, 2026, via Magnetic Eye Records.
BLACK LUNG comment on 'Traveler': "This song is about relying on one's anxiety and depression -almost like a super power", vocalist and guitarist David Cavalier writes. "You think, its the things that are going to keep you safe and sharp. In reality, it's the complete opposite. The song also touches on the idea of living in a blameless world. Radical acceptance of people and who they are. Musically, this is one of my favorite tracks. We made it as dynamic as possible and each section feels like its own moment."
Tracklist:
1. Traveler 2. Death & Co. 3. Savior 4. Follow 5. Forever Beyond Me 6. Border Hoarder 7. Scum
When you find yourself adrift at zero gravity with a dreamy smile on your face, you've probably booked a flight into space on BLACK LUNG's latest inter-dimensional transport "Forever Beyond".
The veteran trio from Baltimore, Maryland have fine-tuned the recipe of their musical rocket fuel, distilled from stoner doom, psychedelic rock, and other fiery ingredients. BLACK LUNG's unique concoction drives every track with captivating tunes, melodic riffing, pumping rhythms, and the inimitable vocal cords of Dave Cavalier taking it home. Every single song on "Forever Beyond" hits its mark perfectly.
On their fifth album "Forever Beyond", BLACK LUNG complete the hyper jump initiated on their fourth album "Dark Waves", which was already venturing into new sonic galaxies. Undertones of anger and defiance manifest as many of the songs are artistic reactions to the historic political upheaval in the USA, dealing lyrically with the lure of fascism, blind nationalism, and corporate oligarchy.
BLACK LUNG came into being when two founding members of Baltimore's well-established psych rock band THE FLYING EYES, guitarist and organ player Adam Bufano and drummer Elias Schutzman, teamed up with multi-instrumentalist Dave Cavalier in early 2014. The three set themselves apart from the crowded field of psych doom and heavy blues with a sonic interchange of fuzzed-drenched guitars, deep driving drumbeats, and Cavalier’s raw, blues-tinged vocals.
Their self-titled debut "Black Lung" appeared in 2014 and was not just celebrated locally, with the title "Best New Band" awarded by the Baltimore City Paper, but BLACK LUNG also crossed the Atlantic to embark on their first European tour. This was capped with a performance at the prestigious Rockpalast Crossroads Festival, broadcast on German national television.
BLACK LUNG released their sophomore album "See the Enemy" in 2016, building on the strengths of their debut while at times pushing into garage psych territory. The album paved the way for a headlining European tour, notably appearing at Freak Valley Festival and DesertFest Belgium.
In 2019, BLACK LUNG returned with "Ancients". The third full-length channeled years of experience, touring, and songwriting into a more adventurous course, venturing further from familiar doom and psych rock tropes. During the pandemic years, BLACK LUNG managed to push forward with new guitarist Dave Fullerton, which resulted in fourth album "Dark Waves". It was a milestone in the band's career, as they abandoned some of their pet ideas such as eschewing bass guitar live in favour of guitars through bass amps, along with the black and white aesthetics that had dominated their artwork of their first three full-lengths.
BLACK LUNG are openly anti-Trump and anti-fascist to the core and make no secret of it. They have no intention to become dogmatically boring but rather aim for live performances that are both cathartic and fun.
With "Forever Beyond", BLACK LUNG prove that it is possible to rage against injustice with an utmost joyful defiance!
Line-up
David Cavalier – vocals, guitar Dave Fullerton – guitar Elias Schutzman – drums, keyboard, vocals Mac Hewitt (live) – bass
Recording line-up
Dave Fullerton – guitar Elias Schutzman – drums, percussion, mellotron, synth, bouzouki Dave Cavalier – vocals, guitar Charles Braese – bass
Guest musicians
Ms. Sara – vocals on 'Traveler' Robert Karpay – cello on 'Follow'
Recording by Steve Wright at Wrightway Studios, Baltimore, MD (US) Mixing by Steve Wright at Wrightway Studios, Baltimore, MD (US) Mastering by Tony Eichler at Goldtone MasterWorks, LLC, Cape Coral, FL (US)
Cover image courtesy of the NASA/Ames Research Center Cover image hand-coloured by Zarahlena Layout by Łukasz Jaszak
Release Date: December 04th 2025. Record Label: Sonic Centurion / Inverted Grim Mill Recordings. Formats: Cassette/CD/DD
Superfortress - Tracklisting
1.Old Nomad 10:36
2.Superfortress 06:38
3.Ascend 05:43
Lineup
Leo Hancill - Drums
Andy Glen - Bass / Vocals
Review
Drone/Sludge/Stoner Metallers PAK40 awaken from an almost five year slumber with their new heavy pounding release Superfortress which once again sees the band explore a more minimalistic approach with their music. The mood traverses between Doom, Drone, Noise, Sludge and Stoner Metal surroundings with a sound that’s emphasized by stripped back recording techniques and production values. The EP lasts around twenty three minutes that’s spread across three tracks that allows PAK40 tap into areas of music populated by the likes of SUNN 0))), Neurosis, The Melvins and High On Fire in places.
Opening track Old Nomad sees PAK40 deliver a song that’s blessed and cursed by an aggressive Drone Metal mentality before exploding into a loud volume of noise where the music suddenly transforms into a sludgier riffier and meatier sound. You can hear echoes of BIG BUSINESS coming at the best possible opportunity with PAK40 keeping their own monolithic creative attitude appearing within Andy Glen’s outlandish vocals which has shades of DOOMED OUT PROPHECY behind them. The jagged instrumental passages are quite thrilling especially with the calm and measured drumming performance from Leo Hancill who I just featured recently with his other band’s TELEOST sublime release.
The other two tracks of Superfortress and Ascend follow the same destructive pattern with elements of Noise, Psych Rock and even Garage Rock allowing PAK40 to add an eerie melody to their music. The sound is wonderfully violent with high levels of DISTORTED hysteria developing behind the loud levels of distorted soundscapes which one again allows Andy’s vocals to be developed with a true MADMAN persona which he delivers with pure evil relish.
Superfortress has the legendary talents of James Plotkin on mastering duties which shows PAK40 packing some serious power behind the scenes with excellent producing, recording and mixing handled by Niklas Pietsch and Eris Deimel.
PAK40 have delivered the goods yet again with an action packed EP and despite the short running time, they don’t waste a single second in allowing the listener to fully losing themselves within the fucked up chaos that SUPERFORTESS offers from beginning to end.
Release Date: December 04th 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: CD/DD
These Edibles Ain’t Shit - Tracklisting
1.The Escapist 05:18
2.Cleanse The Cur 03:13
3.Meet Your Noisemaker 03:27
4.Uncle Cid 05:52
5.The Cycle 07:06
Review
Stormtoker returns with another outlandish slice of Progressive and Experimental Sludge/Stoner Metal that has moments of freakouts, jazzy instrumental passages and classic heavy metal surroundings. Inspired by the likes of High On Fire, Mastodon and The Melvins but offering a more fucked up and experimental approach that reminds me of PRIMUS dabbling into areas of the Occult especially within the opening track The Escapist.
Stormtoker throws everything but the kitchen sink into this song to see what actually sticks where they just run riot with multiple different styles of Heavy Metal being delivered. The song does feel like you’re coming down from a very bad trip and wondering WHAT THE FUCK is happening with trippy jams, weird vocals and experimental sounds all colliding to scare the hell out of you. The song is quite progressive and leans into the weirdly demented sound that The Melvins and PRIMUS developed back in the day.
Second song Cleanse The Cur feels like it was inspired by Mastodon, PRIMUS and Frank Zappa with violent vocals that don’t make a whole lot of sense at first but Stormtoker manages to make everything work. Harsh and death growls emerge from the harsh Psychedelic Sludge Metal and Jazz Metal grooves for a discerning attack on the senses. So expect lots of different styles of thrash beats and subtle musical changes at the drop of a hat.
Third song Meet Your Noisemaker sees Stormtoker change musical direction yet again with a nightmarish journey into the band’s creative and fucked up psyche. There’s echoes of SYSTEM OF A DOWN at play here with the band perhaps adding too many different elements that the song loses momentum towards the end but for the most part this is a solid track to lose yourself in.
The final two tracks of Uncle Cid and The Cycle allow Stormtoker continue their musical and creative journey into demented and spiritual madness with some epic progressive soundscapes being delivered throughout. This is perhaps the strongest part of the EP as the band play with a “LESS IS MORE” approach and let their music finally dictate the action with some marvellous technical skills being shown by the band.
The Cycle is perhaps the standout track on These Edibles Ain’t Shit with Stormtoker perhaps delivering one of the most offbeat, oddball and superbly confusing releases to emerge this year from the Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal underground scene. This won’t be for everyone but if you’re in the mood for something refreshingly different then Stormtoker are the band for you.
Release Date: November 25th 2025. Record Label: Pepper Shaker Records. Formats: CD/DD
Echoland - Tracklisting
1.The Plants 02:55
2.Setting The Scene For Time To Stand Still 08:46
3.If It Had Wings 05:31
4.Plastic Banquet 05:36
5.Echoland 18:23
Lineup
Paul Attard.........6 strings
Lachlan Paine....4 strings
Frank Attard.......no strings
Review
I haven’t featured Frozen Planet.…1969 on the blog in almost four years where I reviewed their 2022 album Not From 1969. Well, the guys are back with another extraordinarily slice of Psychedelic Rock with massive amounts of Space Rock, Stoner Rock and extended instrumental jams on their latest musical adventure Echoland. The end result is quite subversive and experimental with Frozen Planet…1969 employing many left-field creative turns with their music which can be straightforward and downright confusing at the best of times.
This has always been the case with Frozen Planet…1969 on previous record and they don’t change direction here with different flavours of Psychedelic Rock which is formed against a backdrop of experimental cosmic themes. There’s different feedback loops, noises and gnarly instrumental effects. The whole record is deeply rooted in Sixties and Seventies psychedelic folklore with a splash of modern day interpretation only being used sparingly throughout the album.
With influences ranging from EARTHLESS, KARMA TO BURN, HAWKWIND and CAN being heard on Echoland, the band still manage to keep things quite real and putting their own authentic spin especially within the excellent tracks of The Plants, Setting The Scene For Time To Stand Still and the epic final title track of Echoland. There are shades of Garage Rock and more straight-forward Rock & Roll being added for good measure which results into some epic extended instrumental passages with the right amount of Stoner Rock streetwise credibility.
Though, be prepared for different musical instruments, sound effects and noise effects being thrown in for good measure. If you’re a long time fan of Frozen Planet…1969 then you’ll be use to this surreal experience but for the casual fan, this will be like your mind, body and soul has been transported into an entirely new musical dimension of the band’s own making.
The album can be quite heavy and freakishly loud which makes this one of the most interesting records the band have put out in a long time. Frozen Planet…1969 adapt a whole experimental and cinematic approach which allows their music to feel longer than it actually is. That’s one of the main strengths of Echoland with some hidden and highly deceiving surprises throughout.
The warped use of different sound effects offers a fantastical and science fiction take which is always great to hear but Frozen Planet…1969 manages to keep everything real and grounded and that takes real talent to form a record such as this.
Echoland is a superb slice of Instrumental Stoner Rock who prove once again they’re one of the finest Psych/Stoner Rock exports the Australian Rock scene has to offer at the moment.
Sludge metal, progressive stoner with psychedelic influences
A brief history of the band
Sun Empress is the Swedish duo Henrik Wikner (Vargsol, Caterpillar Ghost, The Distance Between Us) and Christian Fransson (Mon) who started making music together remotely in 2023 as a side project, connected through their common love of slow and explosive heavy music. As the songs grew and morphed from riffs and ideas into a cohesive whole, more effort and time was poured into it as the project solidified into their debut 2025 release, Still Life.
What can people expect from your music?
An uncompromising outlook on life, both the good and bad. A very focused musical endeavour that moves from the gnarly sound of a single locust to the explosive sensation of being stampeded by a herd of elephants.
What is the best release that folks should check out from your band?
Still Life is the first release from the hard-hitting outfit from Gothenburg, Sweden. Moving through the realms of the slow paced heavy musical universe of bands like Yob and Kongh, Sun Empress adds psychedelic and progressive colours to a pitch black canvas. Add to this a distinct sense of melody and an expressive vocal style and Sun Empress sets out on a musical exploration.
