Burning Sister - Sunspots (Single Review)

Release Date: 29th April 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Sunspots - Tracklisting

Sunspots

Sunspots (Live Version)

Members

Steve Miller - bass, vox, synth

Alison Salutz - drums

Review

Psych/Sludge/Stoner Rockers Burning Sister return with this excellent new single Sunspots which sees the band transform their great style of “High Downer Rock” even further into the realm of Alt Rock and Shoegaze. This style of music was used heavily on their acclaimed last album “Ghosts” and Sunspots could have easily fitted anywhere within that record.

There’s a seedy and delicate level of intricate Fuzz, Sludge and Stoner Metal building up behind the scenes with Burning Sister using that Shoegaze element to great effect. There’s a great use of Atmospheric Rock, Drone and Psychedelic surroundings that builds into a more fluid style of Progressive melodies that Burning Sister overlaps with Fuzz and Doomed Out passages. 

The added use of Post-Rock and Ambient Rock allows Burning Sister to experiment with different styles of Sonic Distortion with an aggressive Amplified Output being added behind the scenes .The vocals, bass and synths are provided by Steve Miller with Alison Salutz providing the drums that allows Burning Sister to be quite the formidable duo. The second half of the track is perhaps where the real magic happens as the band start playing a more riff-centric style of music that leaves you wanting more.

Burning Sister have added a “LIVE” version of Sunspots which is vastly different to the studio version. As this version is heavier, denser, thicker and way more psychedelic in the heaviest moments. There’s also a stripped back Post-Rock philosophy which allows the song to move into heavier waters. The vocals from Steve are more restrained with the music being the main focus here. Dare I say I prefer this version as it’s rawer, more experimental with a killer Droned Out sound that lasts the whole musical journey.

Sunspots is an excellent song from Burning Sister that once again sees them experiment and transform their music for the better. I’m hoping they’ll release more great songs such as this but I’m still a sucker for the music they created on their amazing 2022 album “Mile High Downer Rock” and this track does offer brief glimpses into that style of music. Though, Burning Sister prove once again why they’re one of the most versatile and creative bands around within the underground scene.

Words by Steve Howe

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Burning Sister - Ghosts (Album Review)

Release Date: November 06th 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD/Vinyl

Ghosts - Tracklisting

1.Brokedick Icarus

2.Stellar Ghost

3.No Space or Time

4.Lethe//Oblivion

5.Swerve (Dead Stars)

6.Dead Love

Members

Steve Miller - bass, vox, synth

Alison Salutz - drums

Review

High Downer Rock practitioners Burning Sister with a new found sound with the band being stripped back down to a duo compared to the mighty power trio stance they took for their 2022 acclaimed debut album Mile High Downer Rock. This time on Ghosts sees the band returning back to basics with a heavier, dirtier, fuzzier and primal sound whilst also containing some of the elements that made their debut album such a great listen.

The album has a distinctive Garage Rock energy with elements of Psychedelic mystery lurking in the background. Burning Sister builds up areas of distorted fuzz and SABBATHIAN and BORIS style amplifier feedback. The record has perfectly been captured by Jamie Hillyer at Module Overload on recording and mixing duties with the legendary Tad Doyle helping out on mastering duties. Burning Sister only enhanced their “High Downer Rock” stance to include elements of Grunge, Noise Rock and Shoegaze with a certain HUM influence appearing within the opening tracks of Brokedick Icarus and Stellar Ghost.

The overlapping influence of Noise Rock aesthetics is quite primal with Steve Miller’s vocals being drowned out by an avalanche of dirty Doomed Out sound effects and gloomy synths. Alison Salutz on drums is a destructive force of nature rising against the tide of Steve’s fuzzy Bass sounds and epic synths. The whole record flows with an impressive magnetic presence with each track telling an important piece of the whole story and outline for Ghosts. 

Burning Sister only become more obsessed by their gloomy Shoegaze musical direction on the other tracks of the record but still allow themselves the time to develop their classic Psychedelic Stoner Metal stance with areas of distorted Fuzz transforming into muscular slabs of Sludge Rock on the excellent tracks of No Space Or Time, Lethe//Oblivion and Dead Love.

The whole sound becomes quite murky and slightly bleak with Burning Sister capturing the heavier and gloomier side of their High Downer Rock mantle. Burning Sister are highly clinical and superbly calculated when moving into areas of twisted Psychedelic Metal that chews the overall sound into a more experimental stance but still having a rich melodic energy emitting from all corners. 

Ghosts is an absolute marvel of a record for folks who like their music down and dirty whilst still having a refreshing modern sonic energy throughout. Burning Sister have done it again by releasing a stunning record that allows them to reinvent themselves for the better. Add this record to your collection at the earliest opportunity and embrace the seedier side of Doom/Stoner Rock that will leave you wanting more destructive heaviness every time you listen to the album.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Burning Sister and Shred Storm PR for the promo.

Ghosts is available to buy now on DD/Vinyl from Burning Sister.

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High Downer Rock Duo BURNING SISTER Return With New Song "Lethe//Oblivion” From Upcoming New Album "Ghosts"

Noise rock influenced psychedelic garage rock meets doom with an old school feel, modern innovation and plenty of swagger.

The band leans more heavily this time into the doom and psychedelic elements of their sound, giving us some of their heaviest music to date.

This is just a little taste to hold us all over until the band release their upcoming album, 'Ghosts'.

"Lethe//Oblivion” has been percolating since our last recordings and was almost lost to the abyss when we decided to continue on as a two-piece. As we were preparing the songs that would eventually become our upcoming album, ‘Ghosts,’ we decided to jam it a bit so it wouldn’t become forgotten to time. With the right fuzz and gain settings and a few tweaks to the composition we were not only stoked that we could pull it off in the studio, but that we’d also be able to make it work in a live setting.

“Lethe//Oblivion” leans heavily into the doom and psych aspects of the band resulting in one of our heaviest tunes. It’s the sound of letting go, exploring the regions beyond space and time, but not caring and finding comfort in the fact that you just might not make it home…  

Steve Miller

About Burning Sister:

Now operating as a bass and drum duo for the first time since 2019 when the band was merely a seed of an idea, Denver, Colorado’s Burning Sister are set to unleash their sophomore full-length, ‘Ghosts.’ Since much of the material found on ‘Ghosts’ was initially conceived with a three-piece in mind, the band was tasked with reconceptualizing their approach to songwriting and performance. 

Despite the challenges and limitations of a two-piece configuration, Burning Sister looked to other pioneering duos for technical inspiration such as godheadSilo, Big Business, and Royal Blood. With a formidable arsenal of bass and guitar amps chosen for their potentiality and tone, an array of effects pedals and ABY boxes, the band was able to embrace and exceed their limitations. 

At its heart, the sound of ‘Ghosts’ delves deeper into the narcotizing haze hinted at on ‘Mile High Downer Rock’—the same haze occupied by space rock veterans Bardo Pond or John McBain-era Monster Magnet. The band’s affinity for doom, noise rock, shoegaze and classic rock heavily informs the six tracks that comprise ‘Ghosts’ as does the repetition-as-psychedelia of “trance rock” greats Loop and Spacemen 3. Burning Sister continues to refine and push their brand of psychedelic downer rock into new and varied dimensions.

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Thanks to Shred Storm PR for all of the details.