This is the sixth album from Norwegian doom/stoner metal band Kal-El.
I thoroughly enjoyed 2021’s Dark Majesty, so I’m chuffed that there’s a new Kal-El album. More than just this one too, apparently. The first part of an ambitious double album, Astral Voyager Vol. 1 contains 42 minutes of new material from Kal-El. Let’s get stuck right in.
Kal-El have previously shown themselves to be operating in the higher echelons of doom/stoner metal, so will this new album cement their high quality status?
Damn right. Throw together elements of doom, stoner, heavy rock, metal, and blues, and you have the ingredients for one helluva party. Enter, Kal-El.
Kel-El are heavy and fuzzy, owing an obvious debt to the originators of the stoner doom style, while boasting enough of their own flair and personality to impress. The big riffs, (Void Cleaner!), are textured by engaging melody, making for songs that hit the spot. There is more than enough doomgroove fun to go around, but the band offer more than just one gear to get to grips with. Compared to the previous record this new one has a bit less doom and a bit more…I dunno, beauty, maybe? It sounds strange to say it, but there are some gorgeous chunks on this new album. Amidst the filthy sci-fi-themed riffs of course.
The soaring vocals and anthemic singing are one of Kal-El’s many strengths, and as with its predecessor, Astral Voyager Vol. 1 delivers many a fine hook via the vocalist’s capable voice, (albeit in a slow-burning fashion). Despite the band’s obvious talents in this area, I like that they don’t hide behind these vocals though. Kal-EL know when to let the rest of the music do the talking, and are not afraid to let themselves get into the weeds with a beefy instrumental workout or a bit of a psychedelic exploration.
I like Kal-El. In a world where most bands tagged with the stoner label fail to grab my attention, Kal-El are one of the exceptions. They have that certain something that only a few bands in the genre can claim, and it makes me enjoy their work. I’m currently on the fence as to whether I like it more than Dark Majesty or not, (I don’t think so?), but regardless, it’s a cut above the rest, that’s for sure.
Highly recommended.
Wonderbox Metal 