Release Date April 10th, 2026
Format Vinyl
Genre Heavy/Punk Rock, Stoner Metal
Origin Norway
Rising from the cold streets of Oslo back in 2017, Suncraft started out as another group of fuzz-obsessed worshippers of the mid-tempo stoner groove. Their 2021 debut, “Flat Earth Rider”, put them on the map, but it was just a warm-up. By the time they hit the studio with Ruben Willem to craft their follow-up, they decided to set their old boundaries on fire. Now, “Welcome To The Coven” is getting a fresh vinyl treatment through All Good Clean Records, marking the moment these Norwegians stopped playing it safe and started throwing everything from Scandirock to blast beats into the blender.
If you were expecting a simple rehash of desert rock, Suncraft is here to ruin your day in the best way possible. “Welcome To The Coven” is a frantic, high-speed pile-up of styles that somehow stays on the tracks. It’s got that classic rock arrogance mixed with the kind of speed that usually belongs in a basement punk show. When they decide to kick things into a higher gear, you get flashes of black metal intensity that make the typical stoner rock band look like they’re standing still. The energy is high, and the riffs are drenched in enough fuzz to satisfy any gear-head, but the songwriting is actually doing the heavy lifting here.
The lyrics aren't about wizards or space; they’re dealing with the garbage fire of modern life, targeting the tech-obsessed culture and the vultures profiting from it. Tracks like “Ragebait” go for the throat with a thrashy edge, mocking the digital algorithms that keep everyone at each other's throats. On the other end of the spectrum, “High On Silence” slows the pace down to a somber crawl, trying to find a moment of quiet in a world that never shuts up. It’s a smart move that gives the album some much-needed variety instead of just redlining the engine for 40 minutes straight.
The musicianship is decent across the board, with the triple-guitar attack of Vebjørn Rindal Krogstad, Sigurd Grøtan, and Jens Henrik Kverndal creating a thick wall of sound. Rasmus Skage Jensen handles the bass and vocals with a raw, honest delivery that fits the frantic nature of the songs. Tobias Paulsen’s drumming is what keeps the whole thing from falling apart, especially when the band decides to pivot from a stoner groove into a sudden burst of speed. The production is professional and clear, which might actually be a slight downside for those who prefer their rock n’ roll a bit more unhinged and dangerous.
Overall, “Welcome To The Coven” is a decent step up that shows Suncraft has more to offer than just slow riffs and recycled ideas. It’s a fun, creative ride that switches gears often enough to keep you paying attention. While it’s a strong showing, it sometimes feels like it’s trying to please too many crowds at once, the punks, the metalheads, and the stoner rock crowd. It’s a good record that will sound great on vinyl, even if it doesn't quite reach that level of absolute carnage.
Score: 6.8
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