HÅNDGEMENG - Satanic Panic Attack (Album Review)

Release Date: April 11th 2025. Record Label: Ripple Music. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Satanic Panic Attack - Tracklisting

1. The Cauldron Born

2. Medieval Knievel

3. Satanic Panic Attack

4. A Path Less Traveled

5. Earthwoman

6. The Sundrinker

7. Down Below

8. Supermoon

Review

HÅNDGEMENG returns with a finely tuned and dangerous slice of Blackened Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal that's held together in a superbly entertaining package with Satanic Panic Attack. The KVELERTAK influence is there but with HÅNDGEMENG doing their own thing with their trippy Psychedelic melodies. However, the band doesn’t return to that world that made their debut album Ultraritual so memorable. As HÅNDGEMENG first setup Hardcore Punk structures with a classic NORDIC Blackened RAWK ‘N’ ROLL sound that oozes a more sinister style of “POP” melodies appearing within the stunning opening track The Cauldron Born which even sees moments of vocalized harmonies appearing towards the end of the song.

Satanic Panic Attack sees HÅNDGEMENG offer a lot of vocal word-play with their lyrics that gives them a streetwise and most definitely SATANIC quality to their music on tracks such as Medieval Knieval and Satanic Panic Attack. The music is a classic throwback to Heavy Metal and Proto-Doom sounds with HÅNDGEMENG adding subtle Garage Rock vocals that remind me of THE HIVES in places. Yeah, I know, that does sound mightily strange but if you ever wanted to hear THE HIVES with a devil worshipping twist then the answer is held right here on this very album. The music can be quite progressive when it veers into Sludge Rock dynamics and excellent instrumental solos with a dynamite bass line appearing. 

The music does have a turbo-charged atmosphere compared to its predecessor with HÅNDGEMENG playing at full SATANIC strength with Blackened Stoner melodies bringing their classic style of Psych Doom back into the mix from tracks Satanic Panic Attack and  A Path Less Travelled. The creative themes from Ultraritual start to become more dominant and I’m fully on board with that mission statement as HÅNDGEMENG wisely blends both creative worlds of music for the remainder of the album. 

Sure, it can be quite OTT in places but the band know what they’re doing with trippy OCCULT mysticism and COSMIC / SONIC pastures for the later stages of the record. HÅNDGEMENG are all about REBELLION and CAUSING HELL on this record with their not so subtle NO FUCKS GIVEN attitude bringing a playful energy to the Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal underground scene. 

HÅNDGEMENG could have easily released Ultraritual Part 2 for their sophomore record but they avoided that route and decided to create a heavier, aggressive and muscular record compared to their acclaimed debut. Satanic Panic Attack may take time to find it’s Psychedelic beat but when you see influences as diverse as The Doors, The Hives, Electric Wizard, Black Sabbath and KVELERTAK then you know HÅNDGEMENG are onto an almighty FUCKING WINNER here. 

Other standout tracks to checkout are: Earthwoman, The Sundrinker and Supermoon. These tracks could have easily made the cut from Ultraritual and be considered the best parts of that record. However, they’re more suited for this record with its pitch black and doomed out theatrics, HÅNDGEMENG close the album on almighty DEMONIC high. 

Ripple Music is releasing this great album once again and I’ve said this time and time again. If you have the power or Ripple Music behind you then everything behind the scenes sounds EPIC and Satanic Panic Attack is another winning package from that great label. However, this is HÅNDGEMENG's chance to shine and like their debut album, Satanic Panic Attack is an unmissable slice of Heavy Metal Heaven. 

Awesome. End Of.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the promo.

Satanic Panic Attack will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Ripple Music from Friday 04th April 2025.

HÅNDGEMENG links

Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram | Spotify

RIPPLE MUSIC links

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

Doom/Sludge/Stoner Heavy Riffsters HÅNDGEMENG: new single "The Cauldron Born" out now on Ripple Music

Norwegian doom'n'roll unit HÅNDGEMENG to release new album "Satanic Panic Attack" on Ripple Music; stream new track "The Cauldron Born"

Norwegian heavy and doom'n'roll warriors HÅNDGEMENG return with their new album "Satanic Panic Attack" on April 11th via Ripple Music and unleash their raucous new single "The Cauldron Born" on all streaming services today!

️ Open the gates of Hell with new track "The Cauldron Born" ️

Under the eerie glow of the supermoon, the motorcycle death cult gathers in parts unknown, ready to perform the infamous Ultraritual. As the night deepens, the air crackles with anticipation, and the roar of engines fills the darkness. This is no ordinary gathering; they are here to summon the Cauldron Born, a demon also known as Medieval Knievel, a powerful entity that embodies chaos and fear.

At the center of the ritual, the cult invokes the name of the motorcycle-riding demon, Medieval Knievel. With each rev of their bikes, they channel energy into the night, calling forth Knievel to rise and unleash a wave of satanic panic attacks upon the unsuspecting world. The ground trembles as the demon emerges, a harbinger of dread and madness.

As the denim clad cult members chant in unison, the atmosphere thickens with tension. Those who walk the path less traveled feel the fear they instill spreading like wildfire, and soon, it becomes clear: we are all going down below, drawn into the chaos that the ultraritual has unleashed. The line between reality and nightmare blurs, and in the shadows, the motorcycle death cult revels in the panic they create. Don’t worry, it’s only black magic.

New album "Satanic Panic Attack" was produced, mixed and mastered by Ruben Willem at Caliban Studios. Artwork by Thomas Moe Ellefsrud. It will be released in various vinyl editions, CD and digital on April 11th, with preorders available now through Ripple Music.

HÅNDGEMENG - "Satanic Panic Attack - Out April 11th on Ripple Music (LP/CD/digital)
Bandcamp preorder // US preorder

TRACKLIST:

1. The Cauldron Born
2. Medieval Knievel
3. Satanic Panic Attack
4. A Path Less Traveled
5. Earthwoman
6. The Sundrinker
7. Down Below
8. Supermoon

Five damned dudes, banished from the pits of hell, smelling of brimstone and cheap beer. Brought up on heavy metal and rock n’ roll brewed together with a bad attitude and devil worship, and from that cauldron, Håndgemeng emerges guitars in hand. Get ready to experience the doom n’ roll extravaganza as they play to entertain the devil himself! Riff after riff after riff Håndgemeng will take you from the depths of hell to the farthest reaches of space. Together we will escape prison planet Earth, if just for a little while.

HÅNDGEMENG links

Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram | Spotify

RIPPLE MUSIC links

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for all of the info.

Håndgemeng - Ultraritual (Album Review)

Release Date: March 10th 2023. Record Label: Ripple Music. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Ultraritual: Tracklisting

 1.The Astronomer 04:45 2.Cro-Magnon VS Neanderthal 05:52 3.Visions In Fire 4.Temple of Toke 5.Ultraritual 6.Tales From The Thundra 7.Occulation of Mars

Review

Sludge/Stoner RIffsters Håndgemeng release their new album Ultraritual on the mighty Ripple Music label and it's quite a gloriously hip and thunderous album with the band bringing a sense of Cosmic/Space Rock wonder to the album. However, Hangmadeng bring a sense of Blackened Rock and Roll into the mix with a vibrant and melodic Psychedelic Doom energy that sees the band venture into Ambient and Post-Rock textures for this album.

Imagine if KVELERTAK decided to play more Spaced Out jams with a Progressive Sludge/Stoner Metal attitude .That's what you got with Ultraritual and the album still allows Håndgemeng every opportunity to play their own style of original music with that subtle style of Blackened RAWK N ROLL and Psychedelic Cosmic/Sonic sounds leading the way.

Håndgemeng show their true creative colours on the turbo-charged opening song of The Astronomer that offers Motorhead fast paced bombastic riffs and Kvelertak hardcore metallic vocals but the band come into their own when the Spaced Out attitude of the album appears and allows Håndgemeng to play their own original sound. There's a slight Hardcore vibe to the song that works surprisingly well especially when the band switches to a more riff based delivery on the later stages of the song.

Second song Cro-Magnon VS Neanderthal carries on with the blissfully heavy BLACKENED SLUDGE RAWK style with Hangmadeng wisely adding small elements of Ambient and Psychedelic movements. The song almost comes with a bleak Desert Rock vibe but the harsher underground elements soon appear and Håndgemeng just play an exciting and never-ending style of great sounds that almost touch upon mainstream influences. The subtle use of harsh grooves is the standout part of the track and for the majority of the album especially when the band inject Ambient textures into the mix with a Sludge/Doom Metal backdrop allowing them to play intense strands of melodic, moody and atmospheric music.

Third song Visions In Fire has an almost Occult Doom influence especially with the vocals but the swirling guitar solos warn the listener that heavier and harsher moments are vastly approaching. Håndgemeng then play a classic style of Hard Rock, Sludge Metal and Stoner Metal with that Cosmic/Sonic energy dictating the action. The song can be quite cold and dense in places but it's the sheer bravado from Håndgemeng that make this one of the most inventive tracks on the album. The song becomes more METALLIC and HARDCORE based but the gloomy vocals and trippy atmospherics bring a more forceful nature to the band's music. 

Fourth Song Temple Of Toke is the most WEEDIAN inspired track on the album which you can tell from the title of the track and the excellent lyrics the band have written for this song. Perhaps taking a more FUZZED UP style of 90's based Stoner Metal with a muscular style of down-tuned Psychedelic energy. The song has a more rebellious streak which Håndgemeng plays to perfection. This is perhaps what KYUSS would sound like if they were plagued by BLACK METAL nightmares. This is one of the standout tracks on the album and the use of different styles of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal is just a joy to listen to.

Ultraritual sees Håndgemeng continue on their COSMIC and SPACED OUT journey with mighty WEEDIAN ideas coming into play. The album is always at it's best when Hangmadeng are mixing different sounds and themes together for an unrelentless and unforgiving style of music especially on songs such as: Ultraritual, Tales From The Thundra and Occulation Of Mars. The record comes more experimental with the final two songs of Tales From The Tundra and Occulation Of Mars. 

Stunning Ambient soundscapes with the harsh Sludge/Stoner Metal movements appear but there's a more restrained creative journey being used especially on Occulation Of Mars which has first-rate vocals throughout. The song sees Håndgemeng take some pretty big and bold risks but luckily it all works. The final song may leave the album on a more quieter note but it's a wonderful song packed full of emotion and haunting sounds that leave you wanting to hear more of that kind of music from the band.

Ultraritual is an album that pulls no punches with the creative choices that the band delivers here. This is also a bold decision by Ripple Music to release something different from their acclaimed and iconic roster. This album is destined to become a cult favourite for the Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal underground scene and it's not hard to see why.

This is an incredible album that is bound to become a serious contender for Album Of The Year. It's seriously that good. I'm hoping these guys SOAR to greater heights within the underground scene over the next year or so.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the promo.

Ultraritual will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via via Ripple Music (USA) and Ripple Music (EU) from March 10th 2023.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Norwegian stonercore unit HÅNDGEMENG shares fierce new single "The Astronomer"; debut album "Ultraritual" out March 10th on Ripple Music!

Norwegian stonercore geniuses HÅNDGEMENG unleash a rip-roaring first single taken from their debut album "Ultraritual", to be released on March 10th through Ripple Music. Get at full force by the insane grooves of "The Astronomer" now!

"If you're looking for a particularly spacey brand of hardcore, then you need more Håndgemeng in your life." - Metal Injection

This is high-octane doom'n'roll straight from the Norwegian tundra. A little bit of classic rock inspired by the riff masters of the 70s brewed together with the band's hardcore roots and the fuzzed-laden wizardry of modern stoner doom... Out of the cauldron rises HÅNDGEMENG. Riff after riff, banger after banger, Håndgemeng will take you from the depths of hell to the farthest reaches of space in a blink of an eye. Fasten your seatbelts!

Embrace the stonercore fury of "The Astronomer"

HÅNDGEMENG was formed in Oslo in 2017 by brothers Martin and Filip Wennberg on vocals and bass, Charlie Ytterli on guitar and Ola Holseth on drums. They had played together in various hardcore and punk bands in the early days, but the puzzle pieces didn’t come together until Håndgemeng was formed and the riffs got slower, and the amps got louder. In 2019 they released their first EP “Motorcycle Death Cult” followed by the “Grim Riffer” EP. Playing shows constantly, they became a band to take notice of in the Oslo underground scene. After parting ways with bassist Filip, longtime friend Kim Grannes took over as groovemeister in the band.

Just when they started making their debut album, society collapsed, and the world went into a global lockdown. Coincidence? We think not… Still, from that darkness, the band wrote and recorded "Ultraritual", eight songs that will take you on a forceful, hard-hitting and definitely spacey heavy rock journey over millions of years, that should enthuse fans of Mantar, Kvelertak or Domkraft. 

"Ultraritual" will be issued in various colored vinyl formats, black vinyl, CD and digital on March 10th through Ripple Music. 

New album "Ultraritual"
Out March 10th on Ripple Music
US preorder - European preorder - Bandcamp

TRACKLIST:

1. The Astronomer
2. Cro-Magnon Vs Neanderthal
3. Visions In Fire
4. Temple Of Toke
5. Ultraritual
6. Tales From The Thundra
7. Occulation Of Mars

HÅNDGEMENG is:

Martin Wennberg aka Hellvis Presley - chants and rituals
Charlie Ytterli aka Abuse Springsteen - riffs and mischief
Kim Grannes aka Jeans Simmons - bass lines and coke lines
Ola Holseth aka Motörola - pots and pans

HÅNDGEMENG links

Facebook⎪Bandcamp⎪Instagram⎪Spotify

RIPPLE MUSIC links

Website⎪Facebook⎪Bandcamp⎪Instagram