SLEEPWULF - SUNBEAMS CURL:

The impatiently awaited follow-up to the Swedish-Scottish quartet's self-titled debut (my AOTY 2020!) once again leaves mouths open in astonishment. The production is warm and vintage and achieved perfection by live recording directly to a TASCAM tape machine. Belong to their trademarks the lyrics deal with occultism, mysticism and alchemy. The music is inspired by Black Sabbath and Jethro Tull, but sounds more towards Witchcraft and Pentagram to me, which is not a disadvantage. 

Despite, or precisely because of the various influences, Sleepwulf's music never sounds exactly like one of their predecessors, thanks to their high recognition value, but rather unique and timeless. 

AOTY contender!

KRYPTOGRAF - THE ELDORADO SPELL:

Kryptograf's second album captivates with an impressive cover, which shows a magician with a warning finger in an enchanted forest. Musically, the band has developed from booming doom towards psychedelic rock with a folk touch and a dark atmosphere. A change that not every fan will like, but the first-class and catchy songs are performed so confidently and casually, as if this band had been inspired by the magician in the enchanted forest. 

Full marks, because it hardly gets any better.