From Bandcamp, “STONED JESUS are true trailblazers. Though often associated with the stoner crowd, front man Igor Sydorenko has dabbled with folk, prog, pop and alternative rock amidst familiar doses of doom. But the upcoming “Songs to Sun” trilogy finds them setting off for even more expansive creative peaks. The album, still orbits around the band’s mind-melting heaviness. But whether shrouded by depression, amidst a break-up or navigating the grind of tour, Stoned Jesus are guided by the spirit of innovation.”

The album has six songs, and “New Dawn” is first. There is a slow lead-in of blues based guitar, and some sultry, sauntering tones. The vocals are gentle and slow at first, and I picture the smoky haze of a nightclub in the wee hours past midnight. The hardened riff that follows however definitely fits in the Stoner/Doom genre. “Shadowland” is a little shorter, and although the main riff is simple, you can’t deny the gentle hooks. The riff is sturdy enough to eat you, but they prefer smaller bites. “Lost in the Rain” conjured images of the rain filling the sky as well as clouding your vision. I prefer “a compass swallowed by the storm,” and carries deep, somber tones.

“Low” is curiously short, and the angled riff comes with a straightforward and quick energy. I get shades of FIREBALL MINISTRY here, although I’m not sure which band came first. The real burst come towards the end as the song sprints to the finish line. “See You on the Road” has firm but catchy tones, and that is one thing that the band does very well on the album…drive the sound straight into your skull. They grab the riff by the scruff of its neck, and drive it home. “Quicksand” is the final offering, and it’s a near 10-minute beast. Beginning with light tom drums and heavy bass notes, it hangs out for a while, watching the local color. It rises a couple of times with some anger, but retreats back to the shadows once more.

This was an album that I could groove with, and one that is high with personal artistry. To call it Stoner/Doom Metal is too simple of a label, for the band has a wide variety of other elements in the music. Each song has a distinct groove, and hook, and the impression lingers long after the album is played through.