Norwegian cosmic heavy rockers Kal-El are back to launch listeners into deep space with Astral Voyager Vol. 1, the first installment of an ambitious double-album mission. With their signature fusion of bone-crushing stoner doom, psychedelic voyages, and sci-fi mysticism, Kal-El continues to prove why they are one of the most electrifying forces in the heavy underground. This record is an odyssey through towering riffs, intergalactic atmospheres, and headbanging chaos.
From the moment Astral Voyager Vol. 1 kicks off, Kal-El lays the foundation with deep, sludgy grooves before B.T.D.S.C. erupts with scorching, high-energy riffage. The album masterfully balances raw power and ethereal psychedelia, taking listeners through crushing, low-end-drenched soundscapes before soaring into cosmic realms. The Captain’s unmistakable, soaring vocals slice through the fuzz-laden haze, guiding the ship through asteroid fields of distortion, while relentless drumming and tectonic bass grooves keep the voyage on course.
Over the past decade, Kal-El has solidified their status in the heavy rock underground, and Astral Voyager Vol. 1 is yet another triumphant entry in their catalog. This is a must-hear for stoner rock disciples and cosmic doom wanderers alike. Set for release on May 16 via Majestic Mountain Records and Blues Funeral Recordings, this is one trip through the void you don’t want to miss. Buckle up—Kal-El is taking us all to the stars.
Why you should check it out
While the album is rooted in the classic stoner and doom traditions, it never feels formulaic. KAL-EL infuses their sound with cinematic world-building, crafting a listening experience that feels more like a sci-fi adventure than just another collection of heavy riffs. There are moments of pure, slow-burning doom, blistering uptempo rock fury, and passages that drift into hypnotic, spacey textures. Each track is a chapter in a greater cosmic saga, setting the stage for Vol. 2 with epic scale and ambition.
Favorite tracks: Astral Voyage, Cosmic Sailor
What might make it even better
I’ve listened to this album more times than I’d like to admit, trying to find a flaw buried deep somewhere within Astral Voyager. Maybe the only critique I can offer is that it’s only six tracks. It possesses every element needed to make it an absolutely epic Kal-El album, even a potential masterpiece, but by the end I find myself not completely convinced. I need more!
About Astral Voyager Vol. 1
- Release Date: May 16, 2025
- Label: Majestic Mountain Records and Blues Funeral Recordings
- Produced by: Kal-El and Co-produced by Ørjan Kristoffersen Lund
- Mixed and mastered by: Ruben Willem
- Cover Art by: Steven Yoyada
Astral Voyager Vol. 1 tells the saga of intergalactic bounty hunter Mica, who trades in taking down the scum of the universe while dodging The Nine, a control-obsessed consortium that seeks to dominate her as they do the rest of the cosmos. Traveling and bringing in her marks, Mica’s journey is a story of hope, individuality and searching for meaning in the unknown.
About Kal-El
Kal-El is the fuzz-drenched lovechild of hard rock and heavy metal, raised on a steady diet of psychedelic trips, doom-laden riffs, and bluesy swagger. With bass-heavy grooves, detuned guitars, and lyrics that launch your mind into the cosmos, Kal-El crafts massive, immersive soundscapes built for interstellar travel—or at least headbanging under a lava lamp.
FFO: Dozer, Truckfighters, Monster Magnet, Valley of the Sun
KAL-EL is:
- Captain – Vocals
- Josh – Guitar
- Doffy – Guitar
- Bjudas – Drums
- Knutsen – Bass
Over the past decade, KAL-EL has solidified their status in the heavy rock underground, and Astral Voyager Vol. 1 is yet another triumphant entry in their catalog. This is a must-hear for stoner rock disciples and cosmic doom wanderers alike. Set for release on May 16 via Majestic Mountain Records and Blues Funeral Recordings, this is one trip through the void you don’t want to miss. Buckle up—KAL-EL is taking us all to the stars.
Learn more about Kal-El on Bandcamp, Facebook, and Instagram, or check them out on the Slightly Fuzzed Podcast!
