I’ve only set foot in a desert once. I don’t own a boogie van. And if I’m being honest, my weed intake is pretty minimal. But every now and then, a record appears like a mirage, pulling me into a sun-scorched world surrounded by swirling sands, where fuzz-drenched riffs rumble like an engine on an endless highway. 2nd Sound by Kaiser is my latest portal to that place—a blistering, riff-fueled escape straight into the heart of the stoner rock wilderness.
Finnish stoner rockers Kaiser are back with their sophomore album, 2nd Sound, out March 7 via Majestic Mountain Records. If their debut, 1st Sound, felt like a declaration of riff supremacy, this follow-up is set to solidify their throne as emperors of all things heavy and fuzzy.
In 2013, Otu (guitar/vocals) and RiQ (drums) bonded over their shared love of molten riffs and soon roped in Pex (bass) to complete their power trio. The chemistry was instant—and loud. Their music is a glorious collision of Black Sabbath’s heavy grooves, Kyuss’s desert vibes, and a dose of Finnish resilience, creating a sound that’s equal parts crushing and hypnotic.
2nd Sound promises to expand on everything Kaiser does best: thick, fuzz-soaked riffs, pounding rhythms, and an undeniable raw energy. Drawing inspiration from the greats like Kyuss and High on Fire, Kaiser doesn’t just wear their influences—they forge them into something uniquely their own.
Why you should check it out
Kaiser’s 2nd Sound hits like a sandstorm of fuzz and thunderous grooves, evoking the first time you cranked up Astroqueen’s Into Submission or Kyuss’s Blues for the Red Sun. But don’t mistake this for a nostalgia trip—Kaiser isn’t just riding the stoner rock wave, blending elements of metal and doom into their sonic arsenal.
What makes 2nd Sound stand out is its ability to stay relentlessly heavy while still capturing that wide-open, desert-cruising vibe—a balance that’s harder to achieve than it sounds. The riffs are massive, the atmosphere is immersive, and the sheer weight of the sound will leave you feeling like you’ve been swallowed by a sonic sand dune. It’s a fresh take on the genre that proves Kaiser isn’t just following in the footsteps of the greats—they’re carving their own groove into the desert floor.
Favorite tracks: Brotha, 1.5 Dozen
What might make it even better
Kaiser is obviously equipped to make some legendary music as they have shown multiple times now. They should explore a few more of those things that might separate them from the rest of the stoner rock pack. For example, I’d like to see Otu show his vocal range a little more. There are moments throughout, like on “Oversized Load” that give a quick glimpse of what he is capable of and I’d love to see them explore it a little more.
About Kaiser
Kaiser is a Finnish stoner rock powerhouse, blending raw energy with thick, fuzz-drenched grooves, they channel the spirit of stoner rock legends while forging their own path.
Kaiser is:
- Otu – Guitar/Vocals
- RiQ – Drums
- Pex – Bass
FFO: Kyuss, Astroqueen, Dozer
About 2nd Sound
- Release Date: March 7, 2025
- Label: Majestic Mountain Records
- Mastered by: Esben Willems, Studio Berserker
Grab your air guitar and prepare for the heat, because Kaiser is here to prove that even in Finland’s frosty climate, their fiery sound reigns supreme. 2nd Sound is not just an album—it’s a testament to the fact that riff worship is alive and well in the frozen north.
