The prog band Stoned Jesus have emerged once again, and with them comes a brand new album — and to say I’m excited would be a gross understatement.
Compared to other releases, Songs to Sun entails soul-ripping melodies, heavenly vocals, and the most anticipated breakdowns. Listening to the tracks feels like you’re living a brand-new life, from start to finish, all over again.
This album is so experimental; there are elements of so many massive influences — “Low” being the biggest example. The melodies are soul-ascending yet gut-wrenching at the same time. Just as the listener gets into the groove: BLACK METAL! In the middle of the track, Igor Sydorenko adds this classic black metal segment that overlays the remainder of the song. The first time I heard this fusion, I believe I stopped breathing. Such an unexpected surprise — BUT EXECUTED SO UNBELIEVABLY WELL.
Classic prog rock is known for taking listeners on a year-long journey in the span of six minutes, and this is the case for Songs to Sun. Each track is entirely different, and within those differences are so many similarities. The dark and gloomy aspects are in full force, the crescendoing licks add a level of resolution that is felt in the soul, and the harmonising vocals lead into what can only be described as soul-ascending outros.
This album is the epitome of experimental, expressive prog rock. From the very first note of “New Dawn” to the very literal last breath of “Quicksand,” there’s a sense of burdening heaviness — the kind that is infamous in the progressive genre. The listener is constantly on edge, especially with how quickly the instruments shift without a second’s warning. The switches between segments on any given track are exceedingly heavy, dirty, and downright skull-smashing — the weight of the tone and tempo changes feels like a brick of osmium being launched straight at your cranium.
This album is my absolute favourite release from Stoned Jesus. Not only was it highly anticipated, but Stoned Jesus also gave us prog fans everything we were asking for — plus more. The mind-melting riffs, the fuzzed-out tones we prog fans live for, the psychedelic elements, the downtuned bass — everything is so perfectly pieced together and mixed with genuine intent and purpose. I think I’m hypnotised. I cannot get enough.
Lineup:
Igor Sydorenko – Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Keyboards
Andrew Rodin – Bass, Backing Vocals
Yurii Ciel – Drums, Backing Vocals
Songs to Sun: Season of Mist:19 September 2025
Tracklist:
1. New Dawn (8:53)
2. Shadowland (4:38)
3. Lost in the Rain (7:49)
4. Low (4:09)
5. See You on the Road (5:45)
6. Quicksand (9:52)
