Review DOMKRAFT ‘Sonic Moons’

Domkraft hail from Sweden and after having released a first EP in 2015, three full-length albums followed with ‘The End of Electricity’ being the debut. With ‘Sonic Moons’ the fourth album is in the pipeline for a release, featuring seven songs that are a blend of psychedelic, doom and stoner. There is also an essence of sludge included on this galactic sound experience.

‘Sonic Moons’ starts with a song called ‘Whispers’ and it isn’t a silent whisper. The Swedes create a slower paced and emotionally laden opener, a nine-minute riff-driven journey through infinity. ‘Stellar Winds’ is heavier than the opener and builds on a thundering riff. There is a strong heavy rock component embedded and it is the interaction between calmer, almost tangible moment with heavy sonic outbreaks which give the song its versatility. In parts I felt a bit reminded of bands like Monster Magnet and Sleep while listening to the track although there are many other influences integrated too.

‘Sonic Moons’ isn’t a happy flow album. Despair is what is part of each of these seven tracks and especially when frontman Martin Wegeland screams his head off the emotional aspect of Domkraft’s music is intense and mighty.

Furthermore, it is the hypnotic minimalism that is reflected in songs like ‘Black Moon Rising’ but also the powerful closer ‘The Big Chill’.

Domkraft’s fourth album is a continuation of a musical journey that started with an EP eight years ago. With having roots in doom, the trio created an album that show a versatile monotony which sound ĺike a contradiction. Anyhow, Domkraft manage to create a bridge between the two and unleash an album that captivates by minimalism and variation.