Kal-El – Astral Voyager Vol.2
Release Date: 20th March 2026
Label: Majestic Mountain Records / Blues Funeral Recordings
Bandcamp
Genre: Stoner, Doom.
FFO: Kyuss, Lowrider, Dozer.
Review By: Paul Cairney
Cards on the table here, I had already pre-ordered the vinyl of Astral Voyager Vol. 2 by Norwegian stoner/doom outfit Kal-El before we received the promo copy. ‘Astral Voyager Vol. 1’ was my number 1 album of 2025 and so the anticipation for the 2nd half of the story of the cosmic bounty hunter Mica.
Vol. 2 essentially continues the excellence displayed in the previous album. Opening with the first single, ‘Juno’, the immediate fuzz-drenched riff steers the track, but it is a heavy riff and beads of psychedelia are embedded through the track as Captain’s vocals absolutely soar. Any fears that Kal-El took their foot off the gas for the 2nd volume are immediately dispelled.
The 2nd track is ‘The Nine’, and it is a sprawling epic. Over 10 minutes long, the band empty all their stoner/doom/psychedelic/heavy tools, pushing boundaries they have perhaps not had the juice to reach before. The result is spectacular. A 10-minute track has never ended so quickly.
As the album progresses, the quality continues to build. ‘The Prophecy’ begins with a slower stagnated intro, slowing the pace but not the heavy. It is a nice break following the previous track. ‘Juggernaut’ represents its name, perhaps the slowest, doomiest track, it again benefits from soaring vocals. ‘Pan’ has a genuine catchy riff, before it spreads out and the track begins proper. Suddenly, you are at the end of the album with closer, ‘Asteroid’. It is a big track, it is expansive, it is welcoming and it is wonderful.
With Vol.1, Kal-El produced the best album of their career. Vol. 2 may be better, but for best results, you really need to listen to both albums in a row. Vol. 2 is a true continuation and if you view them as a single entity, your mind will be blown.
Quite simply, Astral Voyager Vol. 2 is the album that all stoner/doom bands should aspire to. Borderline perfection, it will enhance any record collection.
(5 / 5)
