ALBUM REVIEW: Astral Voyager Vol. 2 – Kal-El
Since 2012, Norwegian quintet KAL-EL have been blending doom, stoner and psychedelic rock into a tight package of engaging riff driven power. They’ve picked up critical acclaim for their inventive blend of sci-fi into their sound and the concepts that they are able to deftly weave into the compositions. 2025’s Astral Voyager Vol. 1 set in motion a cosmic story line of bounty hunters crashing through time and space. It offered up some mesmeric riffs and harmonies and while having its foundations in hard core science fiction as well as doom drenched stoner soundtrack, it was remarkably accessible for the casual listener and was rightfully lauded as one of the band’s finest releases. Astral Voyager Vol. 2 seeks to enhance and complete the narrative concepts and deliver more of the same enthusiastically engaging fuzzed out rock.
Right from the off with Juno, KAL-EL follow up the story from Vol. 1 seamlessly. An irresistible groove with commanding presence delivers catchy hooks and a wonderfully engaging chorus. As an introduction to part two, it’s faultless. Yet more than that, it offers a foothold for a more casual audience who may not be acquainted with the concept laid out in the previous album. From here, the five piece are free to build on both the weaving story but also deliver a captivating stand-alone album that presents all of their strength as musicians and song writers.
At any given point one cares to look, Astral Voyager Vol. 2 offers up moments of joy time and again. The Nine hits home with the hard science fiction of the conceptual story. It could comfortably be placed alongside prog greats by the likes of RUSH or HAWKWIND with its unfolding narrative coupled with intensely layered riff, rhythms and melodies. The band comfortably squeeze out the tantalising elements of the story yet it remains entirely accessible when paired with the driving doom drenched hooks. They also prove themselves adept at producing moments of standout anthemic glory. Juggernaut is immensely entertaining with its bone rattling, bass driven low end being dominant for the most part and then opening out with an enormously appealing sing along chorus.
KAL-EL prove themselves to be both master story tellers as well as capable of understanding how to serve the song structure. Right through to the triumphant closer Asteroid, they generate a compulsion to learn more of the story as well as a very immediate intensity of their sound that is boundlessly enjoyable. They comfortably avoid any negative self-indulgence like becoming too wrapped up in their own creativity. Instead, with the fuzz driven riffs and gorgeous melodies layering with each other, they dazzle from start to finish. Just as they did with Vol. 1. They absolutely nail the connectivity between the two albums and provide a follow up record that is just as powerful and purposeful on its own merit.
Many artists have fallen foul of the double album. Either unable to fulfil a concept narrative satisfactorily or else, spreading out the best compositions between two records. This can then lead to too much filler and leave a listener feeling that while good, the double album could in fact have been an exceptional single release with the chaff cut away. Fortunately, KAL-EL do not fall into either trap. The astral journey is resplendent in its continued narrative on volume two and the compositional excellence that made its predecessor one of the best regarded releases in their catalogue, is displayed gloriously. Astral Voyager Vol. 2 is not only a tremendous sequel, it’s a thunderously great piece of cosmic doom in its own right.
Rating: 9/10
Astral Voyager Vol. 2 is out now via Majestic Mountain Records and Blues Funeral Recordings.
Like KAL-EL on Facebook.