Whether climbing to doomy peaks or bouldering through a radio-friendly banger, over the course of the past decade and a half, Stoned Jesus have left a mark on the world of rock as true trailblazers. "Five albums in, the band have grown well beyond their monolithic roots", wrote Doom Charts, who named their last album one of the 2023's best.
This year, following a successful showing at Hellfest and ahead of their long-awaited return to Latin America, Stoned Jesus are embarking on their most expansive journey yet. Songs to Sun is the first in an upcoming trilogy of albums that promises to take these heavy progressive rockers to the dark side of the moon and back. While well-marked by their mind-melting heaviness, the album's lead single is haunted by shadows of doubt. But on "Shadowland", frontman Igor Sydorenko and his new mates outrun their demons with fresh twists and the catchiest hooks of their career.
"This song is about finding solid ground amidst the instability of the past few years", Sydorenko says. "The opening hook screams Alice In Chains, while the pulsating verses evoke Mastodon at their poppiest. And the climax is something else entirely!"
Watch the high-speed video for "Shadowland" below.
Songs to Sun comes out September 19, 2025 on Season of Mist.
Pre-order & Pre-save
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Pre-save on Spotify
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Fans of Stoned Jesus will catch nods to Seven Thunders Roar and The Harvest along the heavy path paved by Songs to Sun. Though the video opens with the band only coming into frame, "Shadowland" is clearly their vision. A grungy riff slithers over a mountainous bass line scooped out by newest member Andrew Rodin. Fellow newcomer Yurii Ciel snaps into a hi-hat strut, greasing the way for Sydorenko to slide into the band's catchiest guitar lick since "Here Come The Robots".
"Each album in our upcoming trilogy highlights a different phase to Stoned Jesus", Sydorenko says. "Songs to Sun shows off our heavier, more aggressive side".
Stoned Jesus' new single does ride to a mean, road-burning groove. But "Shadowland" has some new tricks tucked between its blinding hooks. "We love to take influences from other musical genres", says Sydorenko. "I like prog rock, while Andrew and Yurii like everything from black metal to hip-hop and folk". As the band wind their way back to the song's shout-aloud chorus, first, they must sift through a glowing mist cast by a gothic spell of keys.
An existential shadow hangs over Songs to Sun. The album reflects on the unstable ground that Sydorenko navigated after the band's previous lineup dissolved. Like the mysterious figures that creep and crawl around every corner of the video, insecurity looms over "Shadowland"."Ground under my feet is / Turning to quicksand", Sydorenko sings right before the compressed bridge cuts out. But even when shrouded by depression, Stoned Jesus are guided by the spirit of innovation. Right as their new lineup comes fully into focus at the end of the video, the song's closing sprint breaks toward the light with a high-powered fusion of pop melodies and headbanging prog.
"There's a constant sense of instability that seeps through the lyrics of Songs to Sun", Sydorenko says, "but experimenting with the music is what helps give our lives a solid foundation".
The video for "Shadowland" was produced by Pirate Shot (@pirateshotcreation)
Additional video credits
Directed and edited by Olivier Terrade
Camera work by Olivier Terrade and Onur Cinar
Special effects by Nicolas Stenger
Actor - Philip P. Coffey
Songs to Sun is the first album in a forthcoming trilogy that once complete, will stand as the pinnacle of what's been a decades-long trip for Stoned Jesus. While picking up where Father Light left off, Sydorenko and his new mates still nod to Seven Thunders Roar and The Harvest along the way. But by merging metal's fiery intensity with mind-melting grooves, vintage prog and their catchiest choruses yet, they bring the many distinct phases of Stoned Jesus to a bright, burning head.
Lineup
Igor Sydorenko - Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Keyboards
Andrew Rodin - Bass, Backing Vocals
Yurii Ciel - Drums, Backing Vocals
Production Credits
Produced by Igor Sydorenko
Recorded by Ignancy Gruzecki
Mixed and Mastered by Karl Daniel Lidén at Studio Tri-Lamb, Sweden
Recording Studio
Monochrom Studio in Poland
Cover Art
Vadym "Karaska" Karasiov
Pre-order
https://orcd.co/stonedjesussongtosun
Pre-save on Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/prerelease/4CYNwXVJHZn9MMtOIvLApx?si=KvumqJJMQFuZhiPMEA5lBA
Available Formats
Digital Download
CD Digipack
12" Vinyl (Black)
12" Vinyl (Black and White Marbled)
12" Vinyl (Translucent Blue, Black and White Marbled)
12" Vinyl (Silver and Black Splatters)
12" Vinyl (Yellow with Blue Splatters)
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