Fuzzing Nation - Mothertruck (Album Review)

 

Release Date: March 27th 2026. Record Label: Octopus Rising Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl.

Mothertruck- Tracklisting

01. Burning Roads 3:42

02. Mothertruckers 3:26

03. The Open Wound 5:21

04. Dead Old Tree 6:20

05. The Elder’s Code 3:58

06. I Don’t Believe 2:59

07. Fallen Angel 4:09

08. The Core Machine 4:19

09. Turn The Key 4:53

10. I Don’t Care At All 3:57

Members

Angel Ioannidis – Vocals, Guitars

Steve Giannakos – Bass

Terry Moros – Drums

Review

Greek Stoner Rockers Fuzzing Nation release their debut album Mothertruck and it has all of the right ingredients for making a truly spectacular debut album if you like your Stoner Riffs more MAMMOTH SIZED with fast-paced aggression leading the actual charge. The band hone their musical craft being influenced by the likes of KYUSS, FU MANCHU and TRUCKFIGHTERS though I would also add KOMATSU to that great list as well. Fuzzing Nation shares many musical similarities with that great band. The vocals are quite similar and they have a similar aggressive sound that almost goes into heavy Doomed Out waters. 

Though, Mothertruck has a highly impressive array of Nineties Stoner Rock/Metal melodies with a refreshing Grunge outlook when it’s really needed though the first couple tracks of Burning Roads and Mothertruckers follows the old school Desert/Stoner Rock template down to a fine art. There’s flashes of Psych Rock surroundings being played with Fuzzing Nation moving between different areas of HEAVY RAWK. The band perfectly balances classic eras of Stoner Rock laid down over the last forty years or so. 

Things change within the standout third track of The Open Wound with Fuzzing Nation experimenting with sonic dimensions and post-stoner passages which allows some of the heaviest and intense sounds to fully appear. There’s still a grounded aspect heard within the band’s music where the guys add a certain Greek Stoner Rock flavour into the mix that reminds me of 1000MODS, Nightstalker and Planet Of Zeus. The music can be slightly Progressive in places which shows a new wealth of creativity starting to emerge for the later stages of the album.

Fourth track Dead Old Tree does become slightly outlandish with the vocals that have a certain Bruce Dickinson energy to them. The album doesn’t go into NWOBHM territory but there’s a wicked Doom Rock sound emerging from behind the scenes which isn’t too surprising with Angel Ioannidis and Steve Giannakos being part of Greek Doomsters SORROWS PATH. Terry Moros was once part of Power/Heavy Metallers InnerWish. So they guys are seasoned pros but it’s perhaps with this track where the band fully solidifies this as an excellent Doomed Out Stoner Rock album of sublime instrumental passages and subversive psychedelic imagery throughout.

The rest of the album sees Fuzzing Nation continue to explore their musical horizons with Post-Stoner and Sonic surroundings which can be quite distorted from time-to-time. Though, the majority of the music is pure STONER ROCK magic that KYUSS and FU MANCHU first laid down the groundwork at the start of the legendary nineties scene. You can detect a rebellious Punk Rock attitude on tracks such as The Elder’s Code, Fallen Angel, The Core Machine and Turn The Key.

Mothertruck has all the makings of becoming a real firm favourite within the global underground scene as there’s enough outstanding sounds to allow Fuzzing Nation to become more well known in the future. And with the full power and backing of Italian Powerhouse Record label ARGONAUTA RECORDS behind them though released through their parallel label OCTOPUS RISING then I expect big things to happen for FUZZING NATION in the years to come.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Grand Sounds PR for the promo..

Mothertruck is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Octopus Rising (Argonauta Records).

Links 

Official | Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Psych Stoner Rockers WHITE TUNDRA reveal full details of their new album “Stories from the Dark” and release new single and video “Kultarberget”

Norwegian heavy rock voyagers White Tundra announce the release of the new single and videoclip for the song "Kultarberget". The track anticipates the band’s upcoming album “Stories from the Dark”, out on April 24th 2026 in deluxe vinyl and digital formats via Octopus Rising / Argonauta Records.

“Kultarberget” represents a powerful new chapter in the sonic journey of White Tundra, blending hypnotic riffs, massive grooves and evocative atmospheres rooted in Scandinavian mystique. The song expands the band’s signature sound, balancing dusty desert rock influences with darker doom laden tones and a strong sense of narrative tension.

“Stories from the Dark” marks the second full length release by White Tundra and follows their acclaimed self titled debut from 2023. The album was written and recorded between 2024 and 2025 and captures a period of transformation and consolidation for the band.

White Tundra comment on the album:

“We started working on this album early 2024 when Kjell Andres joined on lead guitars. He had been piling up ideas for a while and came into the band with fresh blood and energy. After a while, Øyvind joined on bass and we really started to focus on writing in the summer of 2024.

Rhys Marsh at Automnsongs Recording Studio, where we recorded our first album, contacted us around this time and we decided to continue the work with him as a producer for the next album.

Many songs were in the loop for this album, but we settled on these final six tracks as the ones who fit best together. The winter and spring were used for demoing and pre productions, and Ola hit the studio first, recording the drums in mid July. Bass, guitar and vocals were recorded during two consecutive weeks in August.

The music has partly been written after the lyrics, often starting with creating the chorus and main mood of the songs and building on the songs from there. Other songs were partly finished musically before the lyrics fell into place.

Ola has written all the lyrics for this album, with the help from singer Steven to adapt them to the music. Thematically it takes off where the previous album ended, with lyrics about escaping from society, the unknown around us and a bit of local folklore. The album ending track White Tundra tries to explain the whole soul and story of the band, describing the journey from the inspirational desert rock, ending in the white, stormy Tundra.”

“Stories from the Dark” was produced and mixed by Rhys Marsh at Automnssongs Recording Studio and mastered by Joona Hassinen at Studio Underjord.

Tracklist

Healer 04:43
Huset 05:38
Riderless Horse 06:51
Kultarberget 04:56
The Lake 05:27
White Tundra 08:44

With “Stories from the Dark”, White Tundra further define their identity as one of the most compelling voices in the modern heavy underground, delivering a cohesive and atmospheric album that connects desert rock roots with Nordic darkness and folklore driven storytelling.

Watch Kultarberget official video here:

Links

https://www.facebook.com/WhiteTundraBand
https://whitetundra.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/ArgonautaRecords

Thanks to Grand Sounds Promotion for the details.

ALT ROCK/GRUNGE ROCKERS "SUN FALL DOWN" SIGN WITH OCTOPUS RISING AND UNLEASH NEW SINGLE “BURN”

Octopus Rising, the eclectic imprint of Argonauta Records, is proud to announce the signing of Italian alternative rock outfit Sun Fall Down. The Milan based band joins the roster with a sound that blends grunge tension, alternative rock atmospheres and dark metal shades, expanding the sonic spectrum of the label with a distinctive and emotional approach.

Formed in 2022, Sun Fall Down channel the restless spirit of the nineties into a modern and cinematic vision. Their music moves between introspective moods and explosive dynamics, combining heavy guitars with melancholic melodies and a strong narrative identity. The band’s aesthetic revolves around the figure of the Astronaut, an interstellar traveler symbolizing the human search for meaning through different phases of life.

To celebrate the new partnership, Sun Fall Down release the powerful new single “Burn”. The track showcases the band’s ability to merge grunge driven energy with dark, atmospheric tension, delivering a song that is both emotional and impactful. “Burn” moves between fragile moments and massive riffs, reflecting the inner conflicts and transformations that define the band’s sonic universe. 

Listen here https://song.link/sunfalldown_bn

Recorded, mixed and mastered at Magnitude Recording Studio in Seregno under the artistic direction of Matteo Magni, “Burn” represents a key step forward for Sun Fall Down, capturing their raw identity while pushing their sound into a broader, contemporary dimension.

Sun Fall Down are

Mauro Gilardi, vocals and guitars
Christian Gorla, guitars and backing vocals
Daniele Granella, bass and synth
Christian Dellavedova, guitars
with the collaboration of Matteo “Bonzo” Bonassi on drums

INFO:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572588665654
https://www.facebook.com/ArgonautaRecords

Thanks to Grand Sounds Promotion for the details.

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

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/

Exclusive Album Premiere Of Heavy Psych/Stoner Rockers ABISSI New Album PARAMAGIA

Italian psychedelic heavy rockers ABISSI reveal the full details of their new album Paramagia, set for release on January 30th 2026 in CD and digital formats via Octopus Rising / Argonauta Records. To celebrate, the band shares the second single Madama Cristina, now available on all digital platforms.

With Paramagia, ABISSI return with a record that feels like a sonic altar, where the weight of rock collides with liquid visions, occult tensions, and melodies sharp as glass. The guitars pull the listener into a hypnotic state, shaping a sound that is heavy, ritualistic, alive. Born in Milan, Paramagia channels the urban intensity and creative flow of the city, presenting the band’s own idea of what rock should be: physical, visionary, vibrant.

We're excited to premiere the whole album in full below thanks to the amazing folks over at Argonauta Records and Grand Sounds Promotion.

The Lowdown

ABISSI formed in 2018 in Milan. The project was shaped by Francesco Menghi (former frontman of Veracrash), Luca Ibba (ex-ODE), and Agostino Marino (Little Pig). The lineup later welcomed bassist Alessandro Stranieri, whose new wave and goth background helped refine the group’s evolving identity. Their music, sung in Italian, blends psychedelic heavy rock with influences that move through stoner, doom, alternative, grunge, noise and new wave.

The band first introduced their world with the single Interzona in 2020. Their debut album, Oltre, followed in 2022. In 2025, ABISSI released the single Pizzo, offering the first glimpse into this new chapter. Now, with Madama Cristina, they open the gates wider, inviting listeners deeper into Paramagia.

Tracklist - Paramagia

1 Funerale in Messico 3:20
2 Pizzo 2:01
3 Le Chiese 3:59
4 Grabovoi 3:52
5 Sequenze 2:35
6 Cemento 3:43
7 Madama Cristina 3:07
8 3424 3:37

Links

https://www.facebook.com/Abissimusic
https://www.facebook.com/ArgonautaRecords

https://abissimusic.bandcamp.com/

Stoner Rockers FUZZING NATION Release New Song/Video For BURNING ROADS From Upcoming New Album

Greek Heavy Rock Trio Fuzzing Nation have officially joined our parallel label Octopus Rising, and are unveiling their first single under the label, "Burning Roads", accompanied by an explosive official music video which you can watch below:

Formed in late 2022 in Athens, Fuzzing Nation emerged from a spontaneous studio jam between three seasoned musicians, Angel Ioannidis (Vocals, Guitar), Steve Giannakos (Bass) and Terry Moros (Drums) quickly evolving into a full-fledged powerhouse of fuzz-heavy riffs, desert-driven grooves and raw heavy rock energy.

Drawing influence from the heat-baked sound of Kyuss, Fu Manchu’s groove-laden drive and the spirit of the early Palm Desert scene, the band has carved a niche with their warm, gritty, and riff-focused stoner rock, perfect for open roads and endless horizons. Their earlier releases, the self-titled EP (2023) and “Into the Desert” (2024), showcased both raw intensity and growing songwriting sophistication, earning accolades including an 8/10 from the Greek edition of Metal Hammer.

"Burning Roads" marks a new chapter for Fuzzing Nation, highlighting their signature desert-fuzz sound while paving the way for the upcoming worldwide release of their concept album “Mothertruck”. The track’s official video captures the relentless energy and hypnotic groove that have become synonymous with the band’s live performances.

With a growing fanbase of dedicated “Mothertruckers” and a packed live schedule across Greece and Europe, Fuzzing Nation are ready to ride further into the global stoner rock scene, armed with heavier riffs, louder amps, and a sound drenched in desert dust.

More details on the album will be revealed soon.

Links

Official | Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Thanks to Grand Sounds Promotion and FUZZING NATION for the details.

Norwegian Heavy Rockers Mörkekraft Sign To Octopus Rising (Argonauta Records)

Norwegian trio Mörkekraft announce their signing to Octopus Rising / Argonauta Records. Formed in Southern Norway, Mörkekraft have developed a powerful combination of heavy riffs, atmospheric melodies and straightforward rock. Drawing from punk roots, Scandinavian rock and experimental influences, the band blend weight and melody into a style that has been described as “a depressed Thin Lizzy”, combining emotional tension with classic rock sensibility.

In January 2025, the band entered Bridge Burner Recording in Stavanger with Ørjan Kristoffersen Lund (NAG), recording three tracks, which were mixed by Lund and mastered by Steven Grant Bishop (Satyricon, Karavan, Sløtface). These first releases gained airplay on Norwegian national radio NRK P13, featured on shows hosted by Thomas Felberg and Totto Mjelde.

Mörkekraft returned to the studio in May 2025 to complete five additional songs, bringing the total to eight tracks. The full album was mixed by Ørjan Kristoffersen Lund and mastered by Steven Grant Bishop, and will form the band’s forthcoming full-length album.

Ahead of the signing, Mörkekraft released the single and official video “Ghosts”, offering an early glimpse into their sound and direction:

With the album completed and new plans underway, Mörkekraft now begin a new chapter with Octopus Rising. Further details on the release will be revealed soon.

INFO:

https://www.facebook.com/morkekraft
https://www.facebook.com/ArgonautaRecords

Thanks to Grand Sounds Promotion for the details.

Mount Palatine - Wormholy World (Album Review)

Release Date: February 06th 2026. Record Label: Octopus Rising (Argonauta Records). Formats: CD/DD

Wormholy World - Tracklisting

1.The Sands 

2.Whispers of the Holy Land

3.The Dreaming

4.Panther Eyes

5.Ethereal

6.Newborn Sun

Members

Jean the Baron (guitar & vocals)

Count Boogie (bass)

Lord of the Groove (drums)

Review

Heavy Psych/Stoner Metallers Mount Palatine release their sophomore album Wormholy World and to make matters slightly confusing, the guys actually released their debut album Cockroach Conquest back in 2024 under their original name of The Paladin. This time round the band offer a more vibrant, progressive and surreal Psychedelic journey compared to their celebrated debut album. The echoes of that band still remain slightly with Mount Palatine playing areas of Psych Stoner Metal influenced by the likes of Mars Red Sky, Alice In Chains, King Buffalo and ELDER.

Wormholy World allows Mount Palatine to draw upon influences from the likes of YOB, UFOMAMMUT, OM and Mastodon with the music being more mature with explosive melodic themes traversing with heavy sludgier grooves which comes across the epic opening track of The Sands. Cockroach Conquest had a surreal sense of humour running within the main storyline but the band played everything seriously with the lyrics, vocals and instrumental passages offering a more grown-up creative theme. The vocals change from chants, harsh vocals and to a grizzled clean vocal delivery which adds a sense of gritty realism to Mount Palatine. With elements of Grunge, Doom and Space Rock attitude appearing towards the end of the song, this gives Wormholy World a truly cinematic and adventurous environment throughout.

Second song Whispers Of The Holy Land offers Meditative Doom movements and sludgy surroundings for a song that has an abstract Ambient and Post-Rock quality. The song is quite slow at first with the moody instrumental sounds giving time to breathe and expand into a heavier MASTODON-ian vibe with a haunting Cosmic Rock flavour never dominating the musical landscape. The vocals can be quite raw-sounding in places within the reflective parts of the song. Lead vocalist Jean The Baron moves between areas of Grunge, Psych and Stoner Metal dynamics which can be quite considered as SHAMANIC in places. Mount Palatine are quite philosophical with their lyrics that offer an endearing and highly engaging vibe into the record.

Third track The Dreaming sees Mount Palatine move into a chaotic style of Heavy Psych with flashes of distorted Progressive passages and experimental themes which do take time to fully settle down within the thrilling Post-Doom backdrop pushing the album further down the Space Rock vortex. There’s some heavy Ambient and Sonic distortion that can be slightly disjointed and fractured from reality but this is one of the standout tracks of the record. As Mount Palatine chop and change their musical direction with real dramatic flair that allows the PROG METAL flow to fully take control for the rest of the song. 

For the second half of the album, Mount Palatine pays homage to the likes of TOOL, SOUNDGARDEN and LOWFLYINGHAWKS where the record fully sees the band hit their creative and cinematic stride where everything becomes heavier, bolder, grander and more adventurous. The final three tracks of Panther Eyes, Ethereal and Newborn Son easily matches to the genuine of Psychedelic excitement and bombastic heaviness the first half of the album achieved with perhaps even more outlandish melodies and highly intense grooves that leave you wanting more throughout.

Wormholy World perhaps feels like the “real” or “true” debut album from Mount Palatine as this record is on another level compared to their previous album. With better production values and a brilliantly fleshed out vision, this album is an unmissable experience that will leave you breathless. This will easily be considered one of the year’s best albums when the year is finally over.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Mount Palatine and Grand Sounds Promotion for the promo.

Wormholy World is available to buy now on CD/DD via Octopus Rising (Argonauta Records).

Links:

https://mountpalatine.bandcamp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/mountpalatine/
https://www.youtube.com/@mountpalatine
https://mountpalatine.com
https://linktr.ee/mountpalatine

Greek Stoner Heavy Rockers Fuzzing Nation announce their signing with Octopus Rising/Argonauta Records

The Greek Stoner Heavy Rockers FUZZING NATION announce their signing with Octopus Rising/Argonauta Records. The power trio is ready to unleash their desert-forged sound to a global audience. What began as a spontaneous studio jam between three seasoned musicians in late 2022 quickly evolved into a full-fledged powerhouse of fuzz-soaked riffs, desert grooves, and raw Heavy Rock energy.

FUZZING NATION made up from Angel Ioannidis on vocals and guitars, Steve Giannakos on bass and Terry Moros on drums, each bringing experience from acclaimed acts such as Sorrows Path, InnerWish and Crystal Clear. Drawing inspiration from Kyuss’ heat-baked tone, Fu Manchu’s groove-laden drive and the early Palm Desert scene, the band delivers a warm, gritty and riff-focused stoner rock sound built for open roads and endless horizons.

Since their self-titled debut EP in 2023, recorded live in the studio to capture their raw energy, FUZZING NATION have steadily honed their craft. Their 2024 follow-up EP "Into the Desert" showcased more intricate songwriting and a broader sonic palette, earning acclaim from Greek Metal Hammer among others, and establishing them as one of Greece’s most exciting new stoner/desert rock acts.

On stage, FUZZING NATION build a hypnotic, high-voltage wall of sound: pounding desert-style drums, heavy low-end grooves, and riffs that roll like heatwaves. Their performances are immersive journeys under the blazing sun, captivating audiences and growing their dedicated fanbase, affectionately known as the “Mothertruckers.”

With their signing with Octopus Rising/Argonauta Records, FUZZING NATION are gearing up for an expanded run of live shows across Greece and Europe. Armed with heavier riffs, louder amps, and a sound soaked in desert dust, the band is set to leave a lasting mark on the global stoner rock.

Links

Official | Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Thanks to Grand Sounds Promotion and FUZZING NATION for the details.

SLEEPING GIANT announce debut album “The Beauty of Obliteration” out February 6th 2026 on Octopus Rising / Argonauta Records

Following the announcement of their signing with Octopus Rising / Argonauta Records and the release of the crushing first single “Conqueror”, Icelandic heavy psychonauts SLEEPING GIANT now unveil full details of their long awaited debut album “The Beauty of Obliteration”, set for release on February 6th 2026 in CD and Digital formats.

To further mark this new chapter, the band also reveals a brand new video for the track “Mobilizer of Evil”, a relentless burst of groove driven heaviness that perfectly showcases the band’s raw and uncompromising vision.

Watch the video below: 

Recorded in 2024 at Stúdíó Paradís, The Beauty of Obliteration captures SLEEPING GIANT in their most authentic form, harnessing the power of the band as a tight and ferocious live unit. The album features six carefully selected tracks from the band’s catalogue, refined and forged into a cohesive statement of intent that blends Stoner, Doom, Thrash, Death and Sludge Metal into a massive and distinctive sound.

Lyrically rooted in classic Doom Metal aesthetics, the album explores mankind’s hubris, inner darkness and self destructive flaws. Musically, the record is built around sinister yet memorable riffs, heavy and groovy drums, and commanding vocal performances, all coming together in a dense and immersive listening experience.

Album tracklist

01. Conqueror 06:10
02. Mobilizer of Evil 04:25
03. The Monk 07:24
04. Slay the King of Hell 04:48
05. Venom Ripper, Gorgon Blaster 02:52
06. Abysmal Flame 09:48

Credits

Árni Björn Björnsson rhythm guitars
Ásmundur Jóhannsson drums, recording, mixing
Einar Darri Einarsson bass
Finnbogi Jökull Pétursson lead guitars, backing vocals
Guðmundur Hrannar Eiríksson lead guitars
Oddur Freyr Þorsteinsson vocals

Mixed at Stúdíó Paradís by Ásmundur Jóhannsson
Mastered at Stúdíó Paradís by Jóhann Ásmundsson

With The Beauty of Obliteration, SLEEPING GIANT finally awaken in full force, delivering a debut that is as oppressive as it is hypnotic. February 6th 2026 marks the rise of a long dormant Giant.

INFO:

https://www.facebook.com/SleepingDoomPungur
https://www.facebook.com/ArgonautaRecords

Thanks to Grand Sounds Promotion for the details.

MOUNT PALATINE Announce Full Album Details and New Single with Videoclip

Finnish heavy psych metal trio Mount Palatine reveal full details of their upcoming album Wormholy World, to be released on February 6th 2026 through Octopus Rising / Argonauta Records on CD and digital formats. Preorders will follow soon. Along with the announcement, the band presents their new single and official videoclip Newborn Sun.

“Newborn Sun is the closing song of Wormholy World. This massive hypnotic piece is more than ten minutes long and is living proof of how creativity can strike at the perfect moment. By spring 2024 the recording date for the rhythm tracks was already set, yet one song was still missing. In the middle of a jamming session, the missing piece appeared almost naturally, and two songs took shape. Newborn Sun flowed out nearly in the same form it appears on the album. The lyrics came just as effortlessly with the chorus calling for mantra like channelling. At its core, Newborn Sun proclaims a universal vision of the eternal cycle of life while carrying a deeply personal resonance.”

Founded in Helsinki, Mount Palatine grew from long term musical chemistry and years of playing together. What started as casual jamming in 2020 soon evolved into a powerful creative force driven by improvisation and instinct. The trio features Jean the Baron on guitar and vocals, Count Boogie on bass, and Lord of the Groove on drums. Their sound moves from crushing sludge charged riffs to hypnotic psychedelic atmospheres, from fierce screams to ethereal clean passages. Every song becomes an immersive journey shaped by groove, weight and transcendental moods.

Drawing inspiration from doom, stoner, sludge, progressive metal and psychedelic rock, Mount Palatine create a signature blend that is intense yet fluid, spiritual yet grounded. Operating first under the name The Paladin, they released their debut album Cockroach Crusade in 2024. As their identity grew clearer, the band embraced their new name as a symbol of expansion and artistic rebirth.

Lyrically and thematically, Wormholy World explores cosmic and spiritual domains, reflecting on existence, creation, decay and the mysteries of the universe. Their music resonates on visceral and contemplative levels, inviting listeners to drift between the physical and the infinite. Fans of Elder, Stoned Jesus, Mastodon and Down may find familiar elements, though the band remain unmistakably their own.

The band says:

“Wormholy World is an ultimate trip through destruction and recreation, the chaos of life and the universe itself. Musically, the album builds on the psychedelic heavy jams that define our sound. Through years of ensemble playing we have developed our own style of heavy psych metal, combining doom, stoner, sludge, psychedelic rock and progressive metal. These chaotic trips form a cosmic dance where fragile melodies break under crushing riffs only to reform into triumphant harmony. The vocals shift from ethereal choirs to harsh growls.

Like our debut Cockroach Crusade, the album was born from intense jam sessions. All songs were created and arranged through continuous riffs and live interplay in our own rehearsal space and home studio at Saarni Music. After the main tracks were captured, we added many layers of guitars, synths, effects and vocals until the songs reached their final cosmic form. The final touch came from Mactus the Magemaster at Saarni Music, bringing clarity and life to the recordings. While the debut explored many influences, this album brings a stronger sense of cohesion and focuses clearly on the artistic vision we want to pursue.”

Mount Palatine, with their combination of visionary songwriting, cosmic heaviness and raw energy, are now ready to open the next chapter of their journey and invite listeners into the depths of Wormholy World.

Tracklist

1 The Sands 10:32
2 Whispers of the Holy Land 07:59
3 The Dreaming 08:40
4 Panther Eyes 06:08
5 Ethereal 09:28
6 Newborn Sun 10:38

Links

https://mountpalatine.bandcamp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/mountpalatine/
https://www.youtube.com/@mountpalatine
https://mountpalatine.com
https://linktr.ee/mountpalatine

Thanks to Grand Sounds Promotion and MOUNT PALATINE for the details.

Vast Pyre - II: Bleak (Album Review)

Release Date: November 28th 2025. Record Label: Argonauta Records (Octopus Rising). Formats: Cassette/CD/DD/Vinyl.

II: Bleak - Tracklisting

1.Begotten

2.Tenebrosity's Path

3.Beneath the Surface

4.The Untold

5.Perdition Fatal

Lineup

Ch. Wallstein – Vocals/Drums

A. Först – Guitar

Review

Psych Doom/Stoner Metallers Vast Pyre return with their second full length album II: Bleak that harnesses the same crushing Doomed Out power from the likes of YOB, MONOLORD and SHRINEBUILDER with a sense of aggressive murkiness emitting from all corners. The record continues the same destructive path as their 2024 debut album which established the band as a force to be reckoned with. There is a haunting DOOM & GLOOM attitude emerging within the opening track of Begotten with Vast Pyre slowly establishing a well placed Progressive attitude with a stripped back energy appearing within the darkest corners of the song.

With a hard-hitting and slow-to-mid pace melody transmitting a distorted AMPLIFIER FEEDBACK flow that soon transforms into an element of COSMIC DOOM and full on sludge metal dominated areas of Space Rock just for good measure. The song becomes faster and with razor sharp precision appearing within the Psychedelic landscapes that become more Post-Metal obsessive along the way with a haunting YOB-esque music delivery appearing towards the very end of the track.

Second track Tenebrosity's Path continues with the Sonic and Cosmic Doom trajectory with flashes of psychedelic imagery appearing amongst the down-tuned instrumental passages that have a more dangerous aura behind them. The sound is quite abstract with moments of heavy reverb leaning right into the mix that allows Vast Pyre to demonstrate a highly destructive style that is pure classic DOOM METAL theatre in places with a vivid Electric Wizard influence appearing but still very much part of the underground scene. The mood moves from fast-paced to Sludge Rock rhythms to an unsettling modern aesthetic style of LOW & SLOW instrumental passages.

Vast Pyre are a highly talented duo where they feel they have more members in their ranks which they use to their full advantage delivering a HUGE and DEVASTATING sound throughout the whole album and showcase a more cerebral sound within the excellent third track of Beneath The Surface. This is the shortest track on the album and allows Vast Pyre to bring in a Drone Metal attitude into the album which becomes part of the action for the remainder of the album. Matching this against a Post-Drone and Ambient Metal sound allows this to be one the heaviest and interesting tracks on the record. 

The final two tracks of The Untold and Perdition Final channels that Drone Metal and Ambient aspect again throughout the almost nineteen minutes runtime with Vast Pyre emerging from the ice cold Post-Doom surroundings of the previous track into a heavier, aggressive and destructive style of modern day Stoner Metal with waves of crushing Psychedelics. The warped vocals have a classical PROTO-DOOM delivery when matched against the long drawn out sonic passages that Vast Pyre harnesses and projects into the SPACE ROCK stratosphere with a real sense of urgency that develops with The Untold. 

The album leans heavily into the COSMIC HORROR arena for the second half which gives I!: Bleak a more challenging and highly destructive attitude you first initially anticipated. Vast Pyre have delivered an absolutely devastating Doom/Stoner Metal record that doesn’t shy away in delivering all the thrills, chills and spills you ever want from a first rate record such as this.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Vast Pyre and Grand Sounds Promotion for the promo.

II: Bleak is available to buy now on DD/Vinyl via Argonauta Records.

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