Release Date June 12th, 2026
Format Digital
Genre Psychedelic/Stoner/Doom/Occult Rock
Origin Italy
King Potenaz is a stoner doom trio from Fasano, southern Italy, formed in 2019 by Giuseppe Guarini on vocals and guitars, Francesco Pensato on bass, and Piero Schiavone on drums and synths. The band first made noise with "Demo 6:66" in 2022, then followed with "Goat Rider" in 2023 through Argonauta Records. Their signing with Majestic Mountain Records in 2024 opened a new chapter, with "Arcane Desert Rituals Vol. 1" helping them carve a stronger name in the underground doom and stoner scene.
"Arcane Desert Rituals Vol. 2" takes King Potenaz deeper into desert doom territory, with a darker, more hypnotic character than their earlier material. The album leans on long riffs, ritualistic pacing, psychedelic shadows, and a low-end presence that gives the songs a serious pull. It has that smoky Black Sabbath, Electric Wizard, Kyuss, Monster Magnet, and Sleep bloodline in its veins.
"Arcane Desert Rituals Vol 2" drops a heavy load of fuzz and slow, hypnotic rhythms that lock into a steady groove. The riffs are cavernous, dragging the listener through dark, atmospheric spaces without rushing the tempo. The bass holds down a deep, low end that locks perfectly with the steady pounding of the drums, creating a rhythmic foundation that allows the guitars to layer psychedelic textures over the occult themes. Vocals emerge from the background like an incantation, matching the slow tempo of the tracks.
The songwriting relies on long, extended structures, where the hypnotic grooves roll on to create a specific atmospheric effect. The tracks move through Sumerian mythologies, dark fantasy landscapes, and cosmic topics, using a raw, unpolished production style that gives the music a very authentic underground edge. It is a very consistent listen that maintains a dark, drug-haze atmosphere from the first minute to the last, avoiding unnecessary technical displays to focus entirely on the power of the slow riff. While the formula sticks closely to established stoner doom traditions, the execution delivers exactly what it promises.
The production by Stefano Manca’s SudestStudio, with mixing and mastering by Marc Urselli, gives the album enough power without sanding away its rough edges. The sound is big, hazy, and heavy, with enough space for the psychedelic parts to open up. The longer songs ask for patience, and some sections could have been trimmed for a harder impact, since the album sometimes stays too long on the same path.
|7.5
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