Over 90 minutes of excellent rock tunes released from January to April, 2026.
These artists are from: Argentina, Australia, Finland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden and the United States
Australian band Devil Electric has released their fourth (third full-length) album today, and I'm really liking it. I pre-ordered it based on the pre-released title track, and here's a new one I really dig:
Devil Electric are:
Pierina O’Brien (Vocals) Christos Athanasias (Guitars) Nicolas Dumont (Bass & Vocals) Mark Van De Beek (Drums)
MONSTERNAUT: APPROACHING DOOM
I loved this Finnish band's prior three albums, so this was an instant pre-order for me. I've been enjoying the pre-released track "Approaching Doom" and have been looking forward to the rest. Today is the day, and here's another one that I like even better:
Small Stone Records may not put out as many records in a year as Heavy Psych Sounds or Ripple Music, but what they lack in quantity, they make up for in quality. This Italian band is new to me, but this album is already one of my favorites for 2026. Great classic fuzz guitar sound and excellent songwriting make this a must-own album for stoner rock fans.
Here are two of my favorites:
Desert Collider are:
Federico Costanzo: guitars, vocals, percussio, synthesizers Federico Gianfanti: vocals, synthesizers Manuel Colucci: bass Andrea Casagranda: drums, percussion
BLACK LUNG: FOREVER BEYOND
Baltimore's Black Lung only put out great albums, so this one was a no-brainer of a purchase for me. Really different songwriting, with a unique sound, every song on this album has wormed its way into my brain and made it a better place. Here are a couple of my faves:
Released yesterday, this album is bound to make a lot of "Best Of" lists at the end of the year.
As quoted from their Bandcamp page...
"Forged across state lines and fueled by sheer riff worship, AXE DRAGGER is the true supergroup heavy metal has been waiting for. Born from the long-distance communion of Fu Manchu guitarist Bob Balch and ex-Pentagram drummer Pete Campbell, the project achieved legendary status with the additions of original Pantera vocalist Terry Glaze and Dark Funeral bassist Fredrik Isaksson.
Soaked in the soaring 80s metal spirit of titans like Riot, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Dio and Armored Saint, and adorned with modern weight and production, their self-titled debut album is a timeless, earth-shaking beast, meticulously crafted crash by crash over a relentless year. AXE DRAGGER reloads the golden age of heavy metal in legendary fashion, staging a full-blown takeover of all headbangers' stereos worldwide. Prepare for the next heavy metal classic!"
Strong words, but this band delivers. Hear for yourself. I have had the pre-released tune "Axe Dragger" stuck in my head for over a week.
Here's another tune with a video:
Bob Balch's playing here, along with his work in the band Slower, shows he's not just a guitar god for stoner rock, but for heavy metal also.
