Stoner Metal
Norway

Released 20th March, 2026

The second chapter of the Stavanger quintet’s space faring adventure continues our intrepid protagonist’s tale, set to a mind expanding soundtrack.

I’ve learned a lot since I reviewed KAL-EL’s 2025 album, ASTRAL VOYAGER, VOL. 1, and yet, I still have questions…

They can wait.

The last time we spoke of KAL-EL, I learned that Mica, our space fairing bounty hunter is a badass, but she has made enemies, and they are now on her trail with a hunter of their own.

This is where Vol. 2 starts. Every heroine needs a nemesis and JUNO best describes this with vast amounts of fuzz and wicked drums.
Ståle Rodvelt delivers a rich narrative throughout the album clearly and with soulful melody. You can’t not make comparisons with the late Ozzy when he goes full voice, but he has a soothing husk as well.

That is as many spoilers as you’ll get here, although it appears that VOL. 2 is at the story’s ‘Empire Strikes Back’ stage.

With the ten minute THE NINE, we get down to the nitty gritty of stoner (and even grunge) tropes of persuasive guitar work from both “Doffy” Ranaweera and “Josh” Bisama as they set the temperature of the scenes that are elevated by Bjørn Knutsen’s bass and Bjørn Storn’s drumming.

Speaking of Mr Storn. The drums on the intro to THE PROPHECY is superb. The song comes across like a cleaned up Crowbar track. Dripping in groove and swing, until the track JUGGERNAUT launches. It’s a slight return to the doom days of KAL-EL’s Dark Majesty era with an added, gorgeous bridge section and solo.

The album ends with PAN and ASTEROID, and to divulge further would be to ruin the experience (although ASTEROID is a stunning jam of licks and hooks). Needless to say, you don’t often get to hear such a sci-fi leaning bit of metal without a ton of whacky pedals and effects. KAL-EL have accomplished their space opera without gimmicks or tricks. You get to hear solid riffage and brilliantly structured songs for the casual listen and an immersive, rewarding whole for a deep dive.

If there are to be more chapters, we have plenty to chew on with the double bill KAL-EL presented thus far and I, for one, can wait patiently and happily with what I have.

ASTRAL VOYAGER, VOL. 2 is out now via Majestic Mountain/Blues Funeral Records on major streaming sites.

Also available on digital and physical formats through the KAL-EL Bandcamp.

North American version, click here.

For the Scandinavian/European version, click here.