With Saturnalia, Wizzerd drops an album that feels both grounded in classic Stoner/Doom Metal and unexpectedly expansive. This one’s heavy, hazy, and unhurried – basically everything you’d want from doom, but with a spacey, cosmic vibe that adds a whole new dimension. It’s the kind of record that makes you want to just sit back, let the riffs roll over you, and lose track of time.
Musically, Saturnalia has a slow, pulsing rhythm that really pulls you in. The riffs are big and sludgy, layering into thick walls of sound, with each track building up like some massive, crawling beast. The drums and bass give it all a strong foundation – bass especially, with tones so dense they practically rumble right out of the speakers. There’s a hypnotic quality to the pacing, like it’s meant to feel as much as a ritual as a set of songs. And while the intensity builds, it never rushes. The whole thing just settles in and lets you sit in that sound for a while.
Vocally, Wizzerd keeps it subtle. The voice blends into the mix, almost like it’s woven into the riffs, adding this chant-like effect that works really well with the album’s vibe. It’s not in-your-face; instead, it’s more like another layer in this thick, atmospheric soundscape. You get this sense of something distant, almost otherworldly, that just makes the whole thing feel bigger.
There’s maybe a bit of room for variation here. The drawn-out, steady pacing is part of the appeal, but there are moments when a change-up could add a nice punch. The repetition and long grooves definitely hit home for doom fans, though if you’re new to the genre, it might feel a little like treading the same ground. Still, that’s also kind of the magic of it – the steady build and trance-like rhythms make it easy to just sink right into the album.
Saturnalia is a solid journey into the depths of rock. It’s a powerful, immersive listen that’s perfect for zoning out and getting lost in the sound. Wizzerd really captures that heavy, hypnotic feel that makes Stoner/Doom so captivating, while adding their own unique touch. If you’re a fan of this style, this album’s going to feel like a long, satisfying trip into the heavy and the unknown.
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Released by Fuzzorama Records on October 25, 2024
Music source for review – Grand Sounds PR
