Monsternaut |Approaching Doom |Heavy Psych Sounds Records

Release Date March 27^th, 2026
Format CD/Vinyl/Digital
Genre Stoner Metal
Country Finland

Monsternaut is a stoner metal trio from Finland, formed in 2012 by guitarist Tuomas Heiskanen and bassist Perttu Härkönen. Fueled by the power of Fu Manchu, Corrosion Of Conformity, and Down, the band deals in heavy grooves, hard hitting riffs, and hooks built for pure head banging. On stage, Monsternaut keeps it loud and straight to the point, delivering a high energy set with no filler. After two early demos, the band released their self-titled debut in 2016 through Heavy Psych Sounds Records, followed by "Enter The Storm" in 2018. They traveled across Europe and later crossed the Atlantic for shows in Los Angeles and Las Vegas, backing up their reputation as a live band worth witnessing. Drummer Patrik Kuitunen joined after the second album, bringing new rhythmic fire and pushing the music toward massive riff ideas. That momentum led to "Approaching Doom", their heaviest album to date, tracked entirely on analog tape with no digital editing and capturing Monsternaut as they are: loud, raw, and locked in. Notable Finnish producer and sound engineer Anssi Kippo, known for his extensive work with Children Of Bodom, also added valuable expertise to the sessions and strengthened the process. Set for release in 2026 through Heavy Psych Sounds Records, "Approaching Doom" shows the band darker and more focused than ever.

Monsternaut unleashed their third album, "Approaching Doom", and it absolutely rips. Tuomas Heiskanen and Perttu Härkönen plug in and tear through these tracks with massive aggression. The production embraces the unedited, tape-driven sounds of the early nineties. Anssi Kippo captured the trio as they sweat and bleed in the room. This release relies on pure musicianship and deafening volume.

Patrik Kuitunen steps behind the kit and completely obliterates his drums. His rhythms give the riffs a massive structural upgrade. The grooves on "Approaching Doom" strike the listener straight in the ribs. Tracking to analog tape means every snare crack and bass thump registers organically. The boys bash through these songs using sheer muscle. The guitar tone is totally vicious. Tuomas Heiskanen churns out riffs designed for maximum neck damage. Underneath those riffs, Perttu Härkönen drives a massive, fuzz-drenched bass tone. They lock into sinister, headbanging rhythms. The analog tape saturation adds a serious layer of sonic dirt to the entire mix. No digital correction exists here.

The lyrics drag the listener into darker territory. The vocal delivery perfectly matches the sinister atmosphere of the riffs. Songs like "Cold" and "Evicted" (super heavy) pack a serious punch. "Black Blizzard" and "Human Stew" stomp out a heavy, relentless groove. The band keeps the adrenaline high through the entire tracklist. "Approaching Doom" delivers total metal supremacy. Monsternaut created an uncompromising audio assault. The lack of editing leaves the human elements completely exposed. Fans of heavy music will blast these tracks at maximum volume until the speakers blow. The band simply plugs in, turns up, and destroys.

Score: 8.0