AZKEN AUZI formed in the aftermath of the year of our plague in 2021. I think this is significant to what this band is about—there is an uneasy sense of contagion about their music, like you might catch something dire and lethal just from listening to it . . . which is a good effect if you're a band dedicated to creating evil-ass Sludge/Doom metal. Their sophomore full-length album, "Infernau," dropped on March 6, 2026 via Argonauta Records.

Track by track, "Infernau," has a curious theme about it, something to do with different shades of damnation. From a lifted monologue from the 1992 film Scent of Woman in "Deep Hell" to the words of Colonel Kutz from Apocalypse Now in "Black Mass" to the lifted dialogue from the 2001 film adaptation of Moore and Campbell's From Hell graphic novel in the track "From Hell." All of this plays out against the backdrop of sonorous and discordant down-tuned riffs as thick and heavy as swampland mud. And if you want to get an idea of what that looks like—as opposed to what it sounds like—just take a good long look at that album cover. Three ravens patiently waiting on a dead tree in the middle of marsh amongst skulls and a blood red moon. Perfectly captures the album's vibe.

So, doom metal has been around for a very, very long time—one might argue as long as BLACK SABBATH's debut in 1969. Now, some 50 years later, it serves more as a flavor for most bands while for a stalwart few it is the main course. AZKEN AUZI is one of the latter. Doom isn't a twist to what they do, it is all they do. What they may lack in originality—again this subgenre has been around for over 50 years—they make up in consistency and quality. With that said, my go to tracks include "Reptilian" which features guest vocalist Nico (VOIDOZER). This is an immersive track with a few tricks of its sleeves, like riffs that drop like flashbacks transporting you from the hell to another.

"SK" is another standout track. This one excels for its sharp edges and blackened atmosphere. I have no idea what SK actually refers to. Maybe someone's initials, maybe 'spawn kill.' Either way, I dig the track, especially for the psych break mid-track. One part, total distress; one part meditative. I also really enjoyed "See You Next Tuesday." No idea what is so awful about Tuesday, but they make it sound ominous as all hell. Bit of a traditional doom track, this one, but nothing wrong with tradition.

AZKEN AUZI brings us more sludgy doom from France with their sophomore album, "Infernau." If you're already invested in doom, you won't lose anything with this one and, in fact, may have plenty to gain. Good stuff, this one.