Though still well enough situated in their psychedelic wheelhouse — or greenhouse, as it were — the opening cut “Cosmic Tide” from MR.BISON‘s upcoming LP The Garden of Forgotten Dreams is striking in how straightforward the underlying structure is. You wouldn’t call it traditional on balance, but classic heavy rock is a part of what they’re doing, and it blends well with the spacey reach they evoke.

The album was announced last week, but in addition to the song, tracklisting and conceptual details, the cover art is also newly revealed, and since it rules, that probably would’ve been enough on its own for me to post it. Record’s out Sept. 25 through Heavy Psych Sounds, who I swear aren’t the only ones sending news this week, it just seems that way.

From the PR wire:

MR.BISON to release new album “The Garden of Forgotten Dreams” on Heavy Psych Sounds this fall; first track streaming!

Italian heavy psychedelic and progressive rock goldsmiths MR BISON announce the release of their new studio album “The Garden of Forgotten Dreams” this September 25th on Heavy Psych Sounds Records, and present the first single “Cosmic Tide” today.

The Garden: a magical place where lost dreams don’t fade, but grow like silent flowers. Each petal holds an unfulfilled wish, each scent a memory left behind. In this garden, those who enter rediscover parts of themselves they thought lost and understand that nothing should be forgotten if it has touched their heart.

About the album theme, the band comments: “The garden is the image that recurs most frequently throughout the album. We chose it as a metaphor for a refuge, a place where we can nurture our natural inclinations, let them grow and blossom, and where we can also keep our shadows and lights hidden. Where our secrets, our most authentic truths, our aspirations and our dreams, can therefore remain guarded until we are ready to reveal them to those who can contain and appreciate them.”

About this first track, they add: “A dreamy cosmic journey through stars, waves, and infinite space. Blending celestial imagery with themes of freedom, belonging, and self-discovery, the song invites the listener to drift beyond reality and embrace the endless rhythm of the universe. This track represents this new album’s sonic range, sailing between progressive rides, psychedelia and 70’s acoustic parts.”

The album will be issued on September 25th, with LP and CD preorders available now through Heavy Psych Sounds Records.

MR BISON “The Garden of Forgotten Dreams” Out September 25th on Heavy Psych Sounds: https://heavypsychsounds.com/

TRACKLIST:
1. Cosmic Tide
2. The Garden of Forgotten Dreams
3. Bright Shadow
4. Astray
5. Turn to Stone
6. The Sunrise
7. River Moan
8. Old Hue

The Garden of Forgotten Dreams was produced and recorded by guitarist Matteo Barsacchi, mixed by Richard Behrens (Elder, Kadavar) at Big Snuff Studio in Berlin, and mastered by Carl Saff in Chicago and Adam Ayan (Foo Fighters, Pearl Jam) in Portland. The band has already been confirmed to play Stoned From The Underground, Blackdoor Fest and other summer festivals, and will be touring Europe and the UK again in the fall of 2026.

MR BISON is:
Matteo Barsacchi: Guitar
Matteo Sciocchetto: Guitar and Voice
Lorenzo Salvadori : Drum
Davide Salvadori : Synth/Hammond/Acoustic Guitar/Bass

http://mrbison.bandcamp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/mrbison_band/
www.facebook.com/mrbisonband

www.heavypsychsounds.com
heavypsychsoundsrecords.bandcamp.com
https://www.instagram.com/heavypsychsounds_records/
https://www.facebook.com/HEAVYPSYCHSOUNDS/

MR.BISON, “Cosmic Tide”

MR.BISON, Echoes From the Universe (2024)

Not a ton of details here as regards the album itself, but with a title and release date and word of a Fall tour to be announced later, neither would I call it nothing. The new MR.BISON record is called The Garden of Forgotten Dreams, and it will be out on Sept. 25 (my wedding anniversary; 22 years this year) in continued cooperation with Heavy Psych Sounds. As is the label’s wont, they’ve put a signing announcement out although presumably by the time the release date’s being announced and we’re a week out from preorders, the actual ‘re-sign’ took place months ago, but while it’ll be another week until probably there’s cover art, a tracklisting and a first single to go on, I’ll take what’s being given for today. Certainly I’ve made ‘an album is happening’ posts with less.

I consider myself very fortunate to have seen MR.BISON at the start of last year at Planet Desert Rock Weekend V (review here), as doing so gave me a deeper appreciation for the crafted melody that’s part of their psychdelic rock. Their last record was 2024’s Echoes From the Universe (review here), which left no doubt of their ongoing progression, and I look forward to hearing how they’ve pushed themselves in the interim. A Richard Behrens mix probably isn’t going to hurt either.

Yoinked from socials:

!! NEW BAND SIGNING !! *** MR.BISON ***

The Italian heavy psych wizards are coming back with a brand new album

We’re really stoked to announce that our Italian heavy psych riffers MR BISON have signed to HPS for a brand new album !!

NEW ALBUM PRESALE + FIRST TRACK PREMIERE: JUNE 30th

BIOGRAPHY

Mr Bison is a rock band that melts heavy psychedelic sounds with progressive elements and evocative soundscapes. Formed in a small coastal town in Tuscany / Italy, the band has reinvented their sound over the course of four albums from Stoner/Psych Sounds to Heavy Psychedelic Progressive Sounds, firmly establishing themselves in 2018 with the acclaimed “HOLY OAK” and the great concept album “SEAWARD”in the 2020, which suddenly brought them touring around Europe and US many times, attending the best festivals on the scene.

The band released the latest album “ECHOES FROM THE UNIVERSE” in february 2024 via Heavy Psych Sounds playing around all over Europe, a great US West Coast Tour and the UK, more than 120 Gigs and Festival. Echoes from the Universe” ranked as one of the “Best albums” of the year by all international media and critics, especially the prestigious World DOOM CHARTS in which it was positioned among the top places selected from more than 2000 albums released in the 2024.

The band has finally just finished recording their new concept album, THE GARDEN OF FORGOTTEN DREAMS, produced and recorded by the guitarist Mat Barsacchi, mixed by Richard Beherens (Elder/Kadavar/Samsara Blues Experiment) at Big Snuff Studio in Berlin, and mastered by Carl Saff in Chicago and Adam Ayan (Foo Fighters/Pearl Jam/Rolling Stones) in Portland. The album will be released on September 25th via HPS. The band has already been confirmed for Stoned From The Underground, Blackdoor Fest, and other great festivals, and will be touring again in Europe and the UK from October 14th to 15th November.

MR BISON is:
Matteo Barsacchi: Guitar
Matteo Sciocchetto: Guitar and Voice
Lorenzo Salvadori : Drum
Davide Salvadori : Synth/Hammond/Acoustic Guitar/Bass

http://mrbison.bandcamp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/mrbison_band/
www.facebook.com/mrbisonband

www.heavypsychsounds.com
heavypsychsoundsrecords.bandcamp.com
https://www.instagram.com/heavypsychsounds_records/
https://www.facebook.com/HEAVYPSYCHSOUNDS/

MR.BISON, Echoes From the Universe (2024)

Fucking hell, I hope I get to go to Desertfest Oslo. Conan and Dopelord and 16 on top of the likes of Dozer, King Buffalo and Pelican. Even down to Astralplane — their new record is badass, I have it pending for a review — and White Tundra (please don’t put them in the tiny room!), there’s no real letup. Howling Giant, Bottenhavet, Moonstone, Daevar, High Desert Queen. It’s just killer.

I write about a lot of festivals. Feels like especially in the last couple weeks, the Spring season in Europe has really taken shape. Desertfest Oslo 2026 has an essential role in that, as it feeds into the subsequent Desertfest Berlin and Desertfest London, as well as other festivals happening throughout May and into June. And that’s always cool, and I’ll look forward to those tour announcements as well, but my principal insight here is what I said in the first sentence. I was lucky enough to get to Oslo for Desertfest this year, and I very, very much want to go again in ’26.

The now-complete lineup, of course, is a significant part of why. From socials:

DESERTFEST OSLO 2026 – FINAL LINEUP ANNOUNCEMENT

Oh hey, here we are already!

Things have been cooking intensely over the last couple of weeks, and we are finally ready to announce the complete lineup for Desertfest Oslo.

No matter how grey, moist and rainy it feels these days, the sun will soon be turning, and its beams set on Oslo, to light this city of Satan completely on fire May 8th and 9th, 2026.

The lineup is hotter than hell, and we hope it will add some sparkle to your holiday preparations.

Consider it a RIFFmas gift 🔥

A glimpse of light and fuzz.
A state of mind to look forward to.
Beyond the X-mas buzz.
From all of us, to all of you.

Lots of love from your Desertfest Oslo crew!

Please welcome:

🏜️ UK´s doom lords CONAN.

🏜️ Norwegian stoner rock legends THULSA DOOM.

🏜️ Polish fuzz maestros DOPELORD.

🏜️ American sludge beast -16-,

🏜️ Italian stallions MR.BISON.

🏜️ Norwegian cosmonauts ASTRALPLANE.

🏜️ The new HEAVY from Sweden HEXJAKT

🏜️ Rising Italian psych masters GIOBIA.

🏜️ Local Norwegian powerhouses WHITE TUNDRA and BIG RIP.

Secure your tickets and see you in May.

This will be a banger 🔥

Tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.no/event/desertfest-oslo-2026-festivalpass-8-9mai-billetter/931528219

https://www.desertfest.no/
https://www.instagram.com/desertfest_oslo
https://www.facebook.com/desertfestoslo

Conan, Violence Dimension (2025)

16, Guides for the Misguided (2025)

Jam in the Psych Castle won’t be the first music festival hosted at the Öreg Tölgy Kastély-Fogadó, an estate-turned-event-space in Pusztazámor, Hungary. Earlier this year, the grounds hosted a punk and hardcore barbecue that went on for two days, so yes, don’t break a window because the place has weddings in — don’t break a window anyway; don’t be a dick — but there is experience on-site for running sound, lights, and all that other festival-type stuff. The partnership between Para Hobo and Psychedelic Source Records — which will also host a jam session the second day — has put together a lineup that runs a gamut through European heavy psych, with Speck and Obsidian Sea, MR.BISON, the proggy Daliborovo Granje and Poland’s Weedpecker in the headlining spot. By next September, they’ll likely have spent much of 2026 on the road for their impending album, V, due in February.

I’ll make no bones about my interest in Hungary. I’m of Hungarian origin and have been taking language lessons with an eye toward acquiring citizenship through my ancestry. My family and I spent four weeks in Budapest last year and I’ve been trying to figure out how to get back since. I’m proud to have The Obelisk’s logo (especially the metal one!) in good company on the poster above, and while I doubt I’ll be there to see it next year, I hope to be able to watch Jam in the Psych Castle grow in the years to come, as well as to be a part of it physically eventually.

From social media:

Welcome to the Psych Castle!

Event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1390570246035995

Hungary’s first festival dedicated entirely to Heavy Psych, Stoner Rock, Kraut Rock and Doom Metal.

Hand picked bands from all around Europe in a stunning venue.

https://www.facebook.com/oregtolgykastelyfogado

Here no one plays it safe.

We highly encourage bands to jam!

Please keep in mind that this is a small gathering at a very special venue. Our capacity is limited to only 500 people per day. You should buy your ticket as soon as possible if you want to participate!

Shows:
Weedpecker / POL
Daliborovo Granje / HR
Karkara / FR
The Qualitons / HUN (special set)
Mr. Bison / IT
Roadkillsoda / RO
Giöbia / IT
Speck / AT
Supernaughty / IT
Obsidian Sea / BG
Da Captain Trips / IT
Psychedelic Source Records / HUN (with special guests)
Band in the Pit / HUN
Endre / HUN
Azutmaga / HUN
Alas! / HUN
Deley / HUN (Sound System special)

….

More to be announced!

Ticket sale will start on December 8.

https://jaminthepsychcastle.com/
https://www.instagram.com/jaminthepsychcastle/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584425303212

Weedpecker, V (2026)

Daliborovo Granje, Hainin (2020)

Italian heavy psychedelic rockers MR.BISON toured a bit on the US West Coast in January, which feels like at least six lifetimes ago. It wasn’t. They’ve been continuing to support last year’s for-sure-support-worthy long-player, Echoes From the Universe (review here), and have a run of shows lined up for next month to keep the thread going. On July 12, they’re at StonerKras and they’ve got other dates that pick up a few days later in Verona, playing Bums on Wheels in Germany, two acoustic sets in France, and more shows besides.

Not the most extensive tour, but a band who can see through their own ether on stage and give a sense of presence as well as wash. I had a good time watching them at Planet Desert Rock Weekend. You may as well. They’ll also be at Desertfest Belgium and Into the Void Leeuwarden this Fall.

Word on the tour came down the PR wire:

We are really happy and Excited to start our third European tour after the release of the new album “Echoes from the Universe” in February 2024 via Heavy Psych Sounds records!!

In just over a year we have toured our new album for about 80 shows, an amazing US WEST COAST Tour in the beginning of 2025, the UK tour in May 2025 and a lot off gigs around Europe,
playing at magic festivals like “Planet Desert Rock” in Las Vegas, “Desert Fest” in London, “Heavy Psych Sounds” Fest in Switzerland, Berlin, Dresden,

sharing the stage several times with incredible bands like Fu Manchu, Orange Goblin, Unida, Dozer and many others.

We are really happy to start again another wonderful European tour and play in great festivals like “Stoner Kras” in Prosek(IT), Neverending Festival Elba Island (IT), Flanders Chopper Bash (BE), Bums On wheels (DE)

and return again to France playing for the first time at the wonderful Supersonic in Paris and in our favorite breweries 1001 Bieres in acoustic set!!

We are also really excited to have been included in the line up of the wonderful festivals “INTO THE VOID” Leeuwarden (NL) and DESERT FEST Antwerp (BE) this autumn.

Meanwhile, we’re writing new music for our next album, We are experimenting and doing a lot of research in many musical cultures, a lot of really interesting things are coming up!!!

We are confident that we can release the new album by spring 2026, fingers crossed :-)

*** MR. BISON – European Summer Tour 2025 ***
28 June/ Neverending Music Fest – Portoferraio – Elba IT
12 July/ Stoner Kras Fest – Prosek IT
18 July/ Asteroid Secret Show – Verona IT
19 July/ Bums on Wheels Festival – Wasserburg Am Inn DE
22 July/ 1001Bieres Reims -FR (Acoustic Set)
23 July/ 1001Bieres Amiens -FR(Acoustic Set)
24 July/ Supersonic Paris -FR
25 July/ Flanders Chopper Bash Fest – Assenede BE
26 July/ Sunset Bar – Martigny CH
27 July/ OPEN SLOT

Huge thanks to Blotch Heavy Rock Psych Prog Movement, Heavy Psych Sounds Records, all promoters, Club and Festivals Crew for the support and for making this amazing tour happen.

MR.BISON is”
Matteo Barsacchi (Guitar, Bass, Synth)
Matteo Sciocchetto(Guitar, Bass, Voice)
Lorenzo Salvadori (Drum)
Davide Salvadori (Acoustic Guitars, Synth, Hammond, Mellotron, Bass)

www.facebook.com/mrbisonband
https://www.instagram.com/mrbison_band/
http://mrbison.bandcamp.com/

heavypsychsoundsrecords.bandcamp.com
www.heavypsychsounds.com
https://www.facebook.com/HEAVYPSYCHSOUNDS/
https://www.instagram.com/heavypsychsounds_records/

MR.BISON, “The Veil” official video

MR.BISON, Echoes From the Universe (2024)

Admittedly, they had me beforehand too, but had that not been the case, for sure they’d have had me at Acid King doing 2015’s Middle of Nowhere, Center of Everywhere (discussed here, review here) in its entirety. One of the best heavy mellow psych records I’ve ever heard, in addition to being up to Acid King‘s own high standard of riffing. Behold Desertfest Belgium 2025, clearly following on from the last couple years in going big and making the lineup count.

Also in Acid King‘s cohort here are UK prog/post-metallers Wren, ascendant Brooklyn theatre-nerds Castle Rat, Nick Oliveri‘s Mondo Generator, as well as Neptunian Maximalism, MR.BISON and an international assemblage of others — Desert Storm should be listed as ambassadors from Desertfest London — adding to the festival’s already stellar list of names, which you can see in full on the poster below. Obviously they’re not screwing around.

From socials:

Hi Desertheads!

It’s been a while, but my oh my, do we have some ear candy in store for you. These 11 new bands will be gracing the Desertfest Antwerp stages this fall:

Acid King 🌑 Mondo Generator 🌑 Desert Storm 🌑 MR.BISON 🌑 Neptunian Maximalism 🌑 Castle Rat 🌑 Wren 🌑 neànder 🌑 Witchorious 🌑 The Miffs 🌑 Requiem Blues

And what’s even cooler, ACID KING will be playing two nights in a row at Desertfest! ⚡️⚡️

On Saturday they will be performing their classic album ‘Middle of Nowhere, Center of Everywhere’. The album was carved in stoner metal exactly 10 years ago. On Sunday the band will be playing a mix of biting, acid hits for your ears only!

Unfortunately, Bongzilla won’t make it to Desertfest Antwerp due to health reasons and so we wish them a speedy recovery. Earth Tongue had to cancel their gig as well, because they got a great offer to tour the US this fall instead. All the best!

On a brighter side, the day splits will be announced and our day tickets will be available this Wednesday 18th June at 11:00 am CET. Keep an eye on our website and socials!

You can pick up your weekend tickets below:

https://www.desertfest.be/antwerp/information/ticketing/

In the meantime, keep on rockin’…! 🤘
The DF-team!

http://www.desertfest.be/
https://www.facebook.com/desertfestbelgium/
https://www.instagram.com/desertfest_belgium/

Acid King, Middle of Nowhere, Center of Everywhere (2015)

It’s a cool one. I dig the whole vibe here. The way StonerKras comes across to me is so much more like an open party than a typical heavyfest. It’s six bands in 2025, which isn’t nothing, but consider that part of the intention is that the party goes all night for those who’d be mad enough to ever want it to — I know some humans are still in their 20s, and that’s adorable — and a friendly experiential presentation that includes shiatsu massage and vendors selling probably hippie clothes and I don’t know what, as well as the ongoing encourangement toward family attendance, and it seems like it would be a laid back time either way. I don’t know that the kid would make it to the afterparty, but I know for sure I wouldn’t, so there you go.

And the lineup’s good too. Truckfighters were previously announced, but I saw MR.BISON in January and they were expansive despite such solid groove. Them Moose Rush and Zolle are both righteous in completely different ways. I am less familiar with Veuve — though I know they were on Argonauta at one point — and Black Pope, but if you’re going to a thing like this, you go ready to learn. That’s not to say I’ll be there, sadly, but even the hypothetical is fun.

Here’s the announcement:

*** STONERKRAS FEST 2025 *** – 12.07.2025 – Prosek-Prosecco (Trieste, ITA) – IV edition

StonerKras Fest is an open air psychedelic music gathering based on stoner, doom and heavy psych music. The festival has an international footprint but with the aim of enhancing the local heavy scene (both Slovenian and Italian) while attracting spectators from the region but also from neighboring countries.

Youth aggregation and cultural exchange accompanied by good music.

!!! FULL LINEUP ANNOUNCED TODAY !!!

TRUCKFIGHTERS (very exclusive show for Italy/Slovenia/Croatia in 2025)
MR.BISON (heavy psych, ITA)
THEM MOOSE RUSH (stoner prog, CRO)
ZOLLE (lard rock duo, ITA)
BLACK POPE (southern metal, ITA)
VEUVE (heavy psych, ITA)

+ AFTERPARTY DJSET with Alterative Nite + Satisfaction

TICKETS PRESALE:
https://stonerkras.it/tickets.html

– – – – – – – –

** FOOD & DRINKS **
** MARKET STANDS **
** PSYCHEDELIC LIGHT SHOW **
** MASSAGE-SHIATSU AREA **
** FREE AFTERPARTY DJ-SET ***

+ for the first time
** OVERNIGHT AREA **
** SUNDAY AFTERPARTY WITH LIVE MUSIC **

Artwork made by Mirkow Gastow

https://www.instagram.com/stonerkrasfest/
https://www.facebook.com/StonerKrasFest/

StonerKras Fest 2024 Aftermovie

Heads up on a sick bill, though don’t take that to mean I’m claiming to break any news here, as Into the Void posted this lineup announcement for 2025 last week. I’m just always beihnd. In any case, it’s rad. It’s awesome to see Dutch-native bands like DOOL and Temple Fang ascending to headliner positions, most especially because it’s earned by the music/performance, and The Vintage Caravan are always, always, always a good time. Killer top three. In light of Molassesss announcing their ending, to see the Farida Lemouchi-fronted Gott taking part here would seem to signal a renewed focus on that project following their 2022 EP, To Hell to Zion. Curious of course what might be in the works there to be revealed hopefully by September. Hell a new record’s out and I probably missed it, for all I know. I’m doing my best folks. I never said I was good at this.

Cheers and happy travels to Sons of Arrakis, who’ll apparently be making their debut on the Europpean circuit this Fall. I saw them a couple weeks ago and they were great and are at a stage in their progression where every moment they can spend performing will help them grow. These plus Earthship, MR.BISON, Lowen, Haunted, Ggu:ll, Motorowl, Psychonaut, Hippotraktor and An Evening With Knives makes for one hell of a 14-band all-dayer.

From socials:

On September 27, Neushoorn will once again open the gates for Into The Void, where heavy riffs and dark spheres meet. This year, fourteen bands are set to take the audience on a journey through the universe of Doom, Stoner and Sludge.

🔸 DOOL returns to Leeuwarden after a sold out club tour. With their melancholic, layered sound and immersive performances, they manage to leave a deep impression time and time again.

🔸 The Vintage Caravan brings their signature mix of classic rock and heavy psych back to Into The Void. The energy of this Icelandic band always causes a party.

🔸 Temple Fang presents new work. Known for their hypnotizing compositions, the band will take you on an intense musical trip.

🔸 Psychonaut and Hippotraktor prove that Belgium is a breeding ground for heavy, progressive music. Both bands combine powerful riffs with deep dynamics and atmospheric elements.

🔸 Gott the reincarnation of The Devil’s Blood, mixing occult rock and intense, bewitching melodies.

🔸 Lowen a name to watch out for, hails from the UK and brings a combination of doom and atmospheric sounds.

In addition, HAUNTED , An Evening With Knives , Ggu:ll, Sons of Arrakis, Earth Ship, Mr. Bison and Motorowl complete the lineup.

Tickets are now on sale: https://intothevoid.nl/tickets/

https://www.facebook.com/gointothevoid/
https://www.instagram.com/intothevoidfestival/
https://www.intothevoid.nl/

DOOL, The Shape of Fluidity (2024)

Gott, To Hell to Zion (2022)