Moonstone - Age Of Mycology (Album Review)

Release Date: November 05th 2025. Record Label: Interstellar Smoke Records. Formats: Cassette/DD/Vinyl

Age Of Mycology - Tracklisting

1.A New Dawn 02:49

2.Crooked One 05:03

3.Glorious Decay 06:46

4.This Barren Place 08:08

5.Disco Inferno 04:53

6.Primordial 03:31

7.Age of Mycology 13:45

Members

Wiktor Kozak - Bass

Jan Maniewski - Guitars/Vocals

Volodymyr Lyashenko - Guitars

Bartek - Drums

Review

Age Of Mycology is the third full length album from Doom/Stoner Metallers Moonstone and sees the band expand their music to bring in a heavy and stylish form of Proto Metal amongst their well known blend of psychedelic heaviness from the underground scene. Moonstone are truly tapping into the Prog Rock/Metal lifestyle with a whole album based on the scientific study of fungi which is the definition of Mycology. Though, Moonstone offers a unique Post-Punk, Gothic and Post-Doom twist with the musical compositions that traverse the listener into their dark world.

I would call this a pure WEEDIAN album with Moonstone playing an abstract style of Stoner Metal with over the top vocals and subtle switches to Post-Punk surroundings. If you like the musical teachings of bands such as CANDLEMASS, SAINT VITUS and TROUBLE then Moonstone inject that classic level of heaviness into their music with some thrilling modern influences being added along the way. The lyrics are seedy, grimy and beautifully organic at the same time with Moonstone playing different styles of Doomed Out Stoner Metal with a heavy reliance on Classic Hard Rock rhythms within the first half of the record.

The opening tracks of A New Dawn, Crooked Dawn and Glorious Decay shows a Proto-Doom based creatie theme merging from the darkness with lead vocalist Jan Maniewski’s vocals revelling with his classic DOOM METAL approach which is superbly theatrical but quite demonic at the same time. The instrumental parts are quite grounded with only Progressive themes only appearing at the right time to provide a few spills and chills along the way.

There are some epic YOB and PALLBEARER influences being felt within the later stages of the record on tracks such as The Barren Place, Primordial and the epic final track Age Of Mycology. These influences were heard on their celebrated 2023 record Growth which was a dark magical opus in itself but this one sees Moonstone transform into Proto-Doom masters with perhaps a slight debt of gratitude to Type O Negative. Though, that could be my ever cautious imagination playing tricks on me.

Moonstone dominates the Doom/Stoner Metal landscape with eerie tales of Post-Winter blues with the starling subject matter of studying FUNGIS and causing untold damage to humanity. Yeah, the main creative outline and story of the record is wholly outlandish but perfectly taps into the OCCULT ROCK aspect that Moonstone superbly splices into the action along the way.

Age Of Mycology is an impressive record on all levels with the storytelling aspects, technical ability of the band themselves and sublime production values making this record superbly original throughout. Moonstone bring a different sound, swagger and sense of originality to the underground Polish Doom/Stoner Metal scene that ultimately leaves you fully rewarded with every listen.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Moonstone for the promo.

Age Of Mycology is available to buy now on CD/Vinyl via Interstellar Smoke Records and Cassette/DD/Vinyl via Moonstone BandCamp Page.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp

Moonstone - Growth (Album Review)

Release Date May 17th 2023. Record Label: Galactic Smokehouse / Interstellar Smoke Records. Formats: CD/DD

Growth: Tracklisting

1.Harvest 02:40

2.Bloom 07:46

3.Sun 08:01

4.Night 05:04

5.Lust 06:16

6.Emerald 06:12

Review

Growth is the new from Doom/Stoner Metallers Moonstone and it’s a different record compared to their 2021 release 1904. Moonstone have changed into a more Psychedelic band compared to that release. Growth has a more transcendent metal approach with influences such as YOB and Pallbearer coming into the mix. There’s a more adventurous sound to this album with Moonstone wisely merging elements of Post-Metal, Heavy Psych, Prog Rock, Doom Metal and Stoner Metal. 

Growth has an array of different QUIET vs LOUD moments of emotionally charged music with Moonstone having a Cosmic feel to their music. The opening songs of Harvest and Bloom showcase that Post-Whatever dynamic with vocals that are full of SORROW and have a DRONE quality to them. The music is cautiously optimistic at times but comes alive when Moonstone brings a more sombre attitude to the heavy grooves that have a hint of melody to them.

Becoming ever more DOOM based on the songs that follow especially on Sun, Night and Lust that allows Moonstone play a more ethereal style of Prog Doom/Stoner Metal with flashes of Cosmic Metal and Occult Doom slowly appearing. The instrumental work is relentless with harsh sludgy sounds being the main order of business for Moonstone to bring new levels of DOOMED OUT HEAVINESS to their creative repertoire. 

The album has its fair share of sublime guitar solos that can be quite flashy at times but it works within the creative confinements that Moonstone have adapted for this album. Growth allows Moonstone to build a more dramatic world compared to their previous releases. The vocals do take some getting used to but they’re delivered with charm and conviction even when they have a more sinister feeling to them on tracks such as Bloom and Sun.

Growth is another winning and spellbinding album from Moonstone that showcases another brilliant band from the famed Poland underground Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal scene. 

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Growth is available to buy now on CD/DD from Galactic Smokehouse and Interstellar Smoke Records.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp

Moonstone - 1904 (EP Review)

Release Date: December 03rd 2021. Record Label: Galactic SmokeHouse / Interstellar Smoke Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl/Cassette

1904 - Tracklisting

1.Magma 14:55

2.Spores 13:48

Review

Poland’s Heavy Atmospheric Doomsters Moonstone come back after a two year absence with their latest EP - 1904. An EP that explores the heavy and fuzzier side of Atmospheric Doom with the music bringing plenty of Psychedelic and Progressive Muscle that has elements of Sludge and Stoner Metal to bury listeners expectations with.

The music draws influence from the usual suspects of Black Sabbath, SLEEP and Electric Wizard but Moonstone add a more Progressive creative flavour to their sound that even may see people hear other bands such as Pallbearer and Bongripper. 1904 feels like a band trying to make their own way into the Sludge/Stoner Metal world on their own creative merits which Moonstone ultimately succeed at doing.

I feel the band takes direct influences from the Polish and Swedish Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal scenes on this, especially with the Psychedelic and Swirling Atmospheric moments that appear on both songs of Magma and Spores. Both tracks run for almost fifteen minutes and fourteen minutes respectively. The vocals/chants that appear are kept down to a bare minimum and it’s the music that’s the real star here. With Moonstone playing a very cool style of slow paced and fast paced grooves that expand the entire modern day Doom/Stoner Metal box of musical tricks.

The slow parts are quite majestic and often goes into Post-Rock territory but still retaining a heavy sound that can be quite heavy and distracting but in a good way. There is also a lot of sonic experimentation and the AMPLIFIER RIFF worship that is becoming quite popular recently. 

The production is excellent with Moonstone giving every chance to shine with the heavy gloomy RIFFS that ultimately make this EP such a winner. I can see why this release is getting a multiple format release. It’s bound to sound great on the whole range of releases that 1904 is getting now and in the future.

1904 is another gloriously EPIC release from Moonstone and showcases another quality band from the Polish Heavy Rock Scene.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

1904 is available to buy on Various Formats from Galactic SmokeHouse / Interstellar Smoke Records

Links

Facebook | BandCamp