Stoned Jesus - Songs To Sun - review
Stoned Jesus - Songs To Sun - review
Tracklist
01. New Dawn02. Shadowland
03. Lost In The Rain
04. Low
05. See You On The Road
06. Quicksand
A review by
AndyMetalFreak September 23, 2025
There's been a lot of doom and gloom surrounding Ukraine recently, but Stoned Jesus have looked to try and lighten that mood a bit. The trio set the stoner scene ablaze a year after first forming with their debut First Communion, which was followed up in 2012 by their highly praised sophomore Seven Thunders Roar, an album that set the bar high for modern stoner metal. Unfortunately, they also set a high benchmark for themselves at this point, and they've never quite been able to match the standards of that album since.
Stoned Jesus are currently one of the biggest names on the stoner scene right now, perhaps due to their ambitious creativity, which has led them to incorporate a variety of styles and influences ranging from traditional doom and grunge, to psychedelic and progressive rock. This trademark style has helped them stand apart from the crowd, but at the same time doesn't quite match everyone's taste, and I've often found myself included in that group. I remember being slightly underwhelmed by their previous offering Father Light in 2023, but hoped that sixth full-length album Songs To Sun might mark a return to their better form.
The trio, which features two new members in Andrew Rodin and Yurii Ciel, have again taken their approach in a slightly different direction, incorporating a range of new and interesting elements through six mostly lengthy tracks. The tempo is for the most part on the slower side, and the slow sections are shaped by powerful post-rock build-ups that often lead to some of the band's heaviest moments to date. They combine these sections with a range of more moderately paced passages, in which listeners will hear a variety of styles, from distorted 90s grunge and groovy stoner rock, to crushing traditional doom.
The lyrical content is powerful and meaningful despite not following a clear conceptual theme; the album delivers a gripping journey both musically and lyrically that can be as grim as it is uplifting, offering a glimmer of hope and optimism through bleak uncertainty. This may be a reflection on the band's own recent turbulence, both at a personal level and when faced with their nation's unrest. Bandleader Igor Sydorenko is the star of the show, managing to pull off his most powerful and emotional vocal performance to date, while unleashing some masterfully crafted solos. The rhythm section smoothly intertwines with the groovy riffs for an enjoyable and easy-on-the-ears listening experience.
I wouldn't call Songs To Sun one of Stoned Jesus's finest releases, but I believe it's their most powerful and emotive performance to date. It focuses less on memorable grooves, even though there's a few enjoyable headbanging moments, but instead on providing peace in times of dark and unease.
Rating breakdown
| Performance: | 8 |
| Songwriting: | 6 |
| Originality: | 6 |
| Production: | 7 |
Written on 23.09.2025 by
Written on 23.09.2025 by
An honest review that you don't necessarily have to agree with. Hits total: 395 | This month: 12