I was surprised to discover that France is home to the tallest sand dune in Europe. I mean, surprised from a geographical standpoint. From a music standpoint, I've known since at least 2014 that France is home to some impressive Stoner Metal outfits. One such band is GOATFATHER. On October 24, 2025 they released their third full-length album, "House of the Rising Smoke," via Argonauta Records. It is a smoking pillar of fuzz-infused and psych-inspired tunage. 

It's been about four years since we last heard from GOATFATHER. In terms of trajectory, there seems to be no change—the band remains dead focused on delivering "powerful music based on heavy guitars and smuggled Bourbon." With that said, there has been one lineup change with another WITCHGROVE alumnus, Violeine, joining on bass. Her contributions on this album are solid, with femur rattling basslines as groovy as they are deep. If you need evidence, check out the breakdown in "Night of the Blue Smoke."

Okay, so we're talking six tracks and just about 33 minutes. No fillers on this album, every track and every minute carries its weight. My list of standouts includes the aforementioned "Night of Blue Smoke." The longest track on the album, this one provides loads of soundscape for the band to excavate and sift. "Son of the Witch" also tops my list. A bit of misnomer, this track, as its more about the sister of said son of the witch. She's variably referred to as a voodoo babe, a voodoo girl, a dirty voodoo bitch, or just plain monster. In the band's defense, if you say her real name out loud, she'll rise from the grave and claim your soul . . . but as with so many evil seductresses, it might actually be worth it.

Number three on my list is "Space Weeds and Heavy Trips" a fuzzy Doom number with some locomotive action which slows to a swampy canter midtrack, closing the album with tidal wave of riffs. Have no doubt, the remaining three tracks are notable, especially the opener, "Stoner Dream," which sounds off like a Desert/Doom anthem: "I smoke weed on top of a mountain / I'm gonna trade my god for Tony Iommi."    

And so the GOATFATHER has returned. He roams the psychic dunes of France, travelling across cosmic space and time upon cloven hooves of smoke. The mountain beckons. Answer his call.