PLASMAJET’s “Solastalgia” firmly stakes its claim in the stoner metal realm – an audacious record that wears its influences on its sleeve while refusing to be pigeonholed. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill metal album; it’s a raw, unvarnished exploration of heavy, fuzz-drenched grooves and off-kilter rhythms. Recorded during the harsh winter of 2023/2024, the album encapsulates the bruising weight of loss and the relentless pull of transformation – a theme that runs as deep as the distorted guitar lines echoing the likes of Red Fang, Truckfighters, and Clutch, yet always feels distinctly its own.
From the very start, “Solastalgia” makes it clear that this is stoner metal done differently. The new lineup, featuring Jannik’s unpredictable guitar work and John’s live-wire drumming, channels a rebellious spirit that shuns formulaic precision. Martin Giemza’s production preserves every gritty nuance of the band’s sound, ensuring that the raw energy of stoner metal isn’t sacrificed for polish. Instead, each riff and percussive burst feels organic, breathing life into an album that is as much about emotional catharsis as it is about sonic experimentation.
The artwork by Artless-Prints mirrors the album’s thematic and sonic duality – melding visuals of decay and rebirth in a way that feels both grounded and otherworldly. In “Solastalgia,” PLASMAJET stays true to its stoner metal roots, delivering a collection of fuzz-drenched riffs and off-kilter rhythms that feel unforced and genuine. It’s an honest slice of heavy music, marked more by lived-in energy than by grand declarations. For listeners who value authenticity over lofty reinventions, this record offers a raw, down-to-earth take on stoner metal.
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Released by Octopus Rising on March 14, 2025
Music source for review – Grand Sounds PR
