Stoned Jesus Post HIM Cover “Buried Alive by Love”
I’ve never been a huge fan of HIM‘s records and I’ve never seen the band live, but I do know that Igor Sydorenko of Stoned Jesus is the kind of dude who just might dare to like different kinds of music, let alone different kinds of rock music, so I guess that’s the risk you run for being actually-open-minded (instead of pretend-open-minded, which is what I think most people want to be). Fair enough. Catchy is catchy, songwriting is songwriting, and of course Sydorenko, who’s among the more charismatic of heavy rock frontmen currently working the Euro circuit, can handle the melody.
I don’t know when they recorded it, but the impression I get from the below is it’s the first studio outing from the revamped incarnation of the band, with Andrew Rodin on bass and backing vocals and Yurii Ciel drumming. I was lucky enough to see this incarnation of Stoned Jesus last summer in Budapest (review here) and Europeans will have the chance to catch the band this Spring as they celebrate their 15th — or XVth — anniversary with festivals and club dates ahead of taking off for their first Australian stint this Fall. I could’ve sworn they’d been before. I’ve never been either.
So the cover, the tours, the anniversary, and word of a new album sometime later in 2025 is the deal here. I hope it all pans out without complication. Stoned Jesus are all paid up on dealing with bullshit beyond their control and then some:
STONED JESUS Cover HIM’s “Buried Alive By Love”
Ukrainian psychedelic prog rockers honor kindred spirits with faithful ode to love metal
New album coming in 2025 + return to Hellfest
Having celebrated their 15th anniversary with two reissues last year, Stoned Jesus are turning over a new leaf in 2025. The Ukrainian psychedelic prog rockers are rolling across the European summer festival circuit in heavy anticipation of their upcoming sixth album and first with the band’s new lineup.
To kick off the new year in high gear, Stoned Jesus are honoring their fellow trailblazers HIM with a faithfully heart-pounding ode to love metal.
Listen to Stoned Jesus cover “Buried Alive By Love” on the Season of Mist YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/OHmEGyXHjmM
Though they were already a known force on the international album charts, before “Buried Alive By Love”, HIM were at odds with how they were perceived by the music industry. Igor Sydorenko – the mastermind behind Stoned Jesus – understands the feeling all too well.
“We constantly struggle with the limitations of the genre, having been pigeonholed as a stoner rock band early in our career, so HIM are very relatable to us”, Igor says. “It’s absolutely unfair that such a diverse and interesting band are remembered as this moody, one-dimensional bunch by the general public. I truly consider Ville Vallo one of the most underappreciated rock and metal composers ever. His way of balancing the heavy and dark stuff with the catchiest melodies is very inspiring when I’m busy with my own songwriting”.
With the opening track on 2003’s Love Metal, HIM truly hit upon their signature style. “Buried Alive By Love” shot the album to the top of the Billboard Heatseekers Chart. Now, more than two decades later, the hit single is launching a new era for Stoned Jesus. The band’s new rhythm section add fresh sludge, while Igor’s razor-sharp riff and coolly impassioned pleas match the Finn’s gothic groove drop for bloody drop.
“This is just a phenomenal song”, Igor continues. “Bumping HIM in the van with the new boys on our first tour together sure helped to build and solidify the chemistry that we have now”.
Catch this new era of Stoned Jesus as they relive the band’s greatest hits on their ongoing 15-year anniversary tour. The band are playing shows across Europe with stops at several festivals, including a triumphant return to Hellfest. Later this year, Stoned Jesus are making their long-awaited debut down under with five special anniversary shows in Australia.
Get tickets: linktr.ee/stonedjesusband
Stoned Jesus 2025 XV Anniversary European Tour
March 30 – Lediden, NL @ Interstellar Solar Fest
May 2-3 – Bologna & Venezia, IT @ Heavy Psych Sounds
May 16 – London, UK @ Desert Fest
May 17 – Dublin, IE @ Lost Lane
May 18 – Belfast, UK @ Voodoo
May 21 – Malmö, SE @ Plan B
May 22 – Stockholm, SE @ Bar Brooklyn
May 24 – Helsinki, FI @ Sonic Rites Festival
May 25 – Tallinn, EE @ Kinomaja
May 26 – Riga, LV @ Melna Piektdiena
May 27 – Vilnius, LT @ Loftas
May 28 – Gdansk, PL @ Drizzly Grizzly
May 29 – Wroclaw, PL @ Transformator
May 30 – Prague, CZ @ Rock Cafe
May 31 – Ljubljana, SI @ Menza Pri Koritu
June 1 – Zagreb, HR @ Vintage Industrial Bar
June 21 – Clisson, FR @ Hellfest
June 27 – Oberzenn, DE @ Wasted Openair
June 28 – Passau, DE @ Blackdoor Music Fest
August 3 – Gyongyos, HU @ Fekete Zaj Festival
Stoned Jesus 2025 XV & Debut Australian Tour
September 28 – Perth @ The Rosemount
October 1 – Canberra @ The Baso
October 2 – Sydney @ The Underground
October 3 – Brisbane @ Soapbox Beer
October 4 – Melbourne @ The Leadbeater
Line-up:
Igor Sydorenko – Lead-Vocals & Guitar
Andrew Rodin – Bass & Backing Vocals
Yurii Ciel – Drums & Percussion
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