Kal-El – Astral Voyager Vol. 2
Kal-El – Astral Voyager Vol. 2
Majestic Mountain Records/Blues Funeral Recordings
Release date: 23/03/2026
Review by Alun Jones
9/10
OK, this review is gonna be no nonsense, in and out and done ‘cos – yeah, you guessed it – we’re well past the release date already. But I wanted to give you Ever Metal readers a heads up on this new album by Norwegian Doom Metal space warriors Kal-El, ‘cos it’s pretty damn good. Look at it this way, the album is already out, so you can go and buy a copy right now! I’m basically doing you a favour.
“Astral Voyager Vol.2” is the name of the album, though sadly I’m not familiar with Volume 1. That’s an omission that I’ll gladly catch up with sooner rather than later. Let me tell you that this is a concept album, with a sci-fi based story spanning time and space. You don’t need to know the full story though to enjoy this music, I didn’t. It’s still kind of cool to be transported to distant realms on a cosmic adventure.
Musically, the songs tick all the boxes that any universe travelling Doom/Stoner fan would want. Huge fuzzed out riffs, a pummelling rhythm section, plus soaring vocals that reach for the outer wastelands. Opening track ‘Juno’ does all that with a punch. Our second track, ‘The Nine’, is a 10 minute-plus behemoth that expands the narrative and adds a whole new level of epic, with several different segments building and flowing together.
With a total of six tracks, you’ll be glad to know that all the songs here are lengthy work-outs with meaty, compelling riffs and shining, celestial grooves. ‘Juggernaut’ couldn’t be more aptly titled, and ‘Pan’ will rattle your bones like a command module breaking apart on re-entry.
Kal-El’s “Astral Voyager Vol. 2” is a supremely solid piece of work. It’s convinced me to get out there and find out more of what these galaxy riders from Norway have to offer. Doom Metal and Stoner Rock haven’t sounded this crushing or as interstellar for a while. I just wish they were called Peter Parker instead.
TRACKLISTING:
01. Juno
02. The Nine
03. The Prophecy
04. Juggernaut
05. Pan
06. Asteroid
LINKS:
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