Maybe this won’t be surprising, but I like what I’m seeing from the second Bear Stone Festival announcement for 2026. The Croatian out-in-the-woods-by-the-side-of-the-river heavyfest is getting weirder and more psyched out, and from Greek kingpins Nightstalker to Netherlands-based Altın Gün to German murk-doomers Daevar to Philadelphian instrumentalist doomjazz legends Stinking Lizaveta, the evidence for that comes from multiple angles and geographic centers. There are a few acts in here I’ve never heard — Karma Sheen, The Cyclist Conspiracy, Ambra — and relative newcomers like Upupayāma and Scott Hepple and the Sun Band speak to Bear Stone‘s forward thinking approach to curating.

Couple this with Uncle Acid, Elder, My Sleeping Karma, Planet of Zeus, Travo, Ungraven and others from the first announcement — everybody thus far unveiled is on the poster below — and you get a striking, vibe-heavy picture of what’s going to be taking place those four days by the riverside just outside Slunj. And if you feel like you’re not getting that picture, hit the 2025 aftermovie below for inspiring slo-mo glories.

From the PR wire:

Bear Stone Festival 2026 – Second Lineup Announcement

Bear Stone Festival’s second lineup announcement levels up with Altın Gün, bringing their irresistible blend of Turkish Psychedelic Folk-Rock, a hypnotic collision of deep Anatolian grooves and modern Psych energy.

Joining them are Austin TV with cinematic instrumental Post-Rock, Nightstalker delivering riff-heavy Greek Stoner Rock power and Daevar unleashing crushing, atmospheric Doom-laden Stoner Rock intensity alongside with many other names!

With a rich palette spanning Doom, Psych, Stoner, Punk, Garage, Experimental Noise and beyond, the lineup is set to erupt across three stages nestled in Bear Stone’s one-of-a-kind natural landscape, where discovery, volume, and atmosphere collide into the complete festival experience.

Ticket link: https://weeztix.shop/qgd3dx58

Bear Stone Festival Hard Copy Tickets & Merch: https://shop.bearstonefestival.com/

—

ALTIN GÜN (NL)
[Psychedelic Rock/Psych Funk]

Altın Gün are an Amsterdam-based Psychedelic quintet at the forefront of the modern revival of Turkish-influenced grooves, fusing Anatolian Folk melodies with hypnotic basslines, fuzzed-out guitars, vintage organs, and an ever-evolving palette of synths and rhythms.

Drawing inspiration from 70’s Anatolian Psych-Funk, 80’s Synth-Pop, global Folk traditions, and modern Indie experimentation, their sound moves fluidly between driving dancefloor energy and mind-expanding atmospheres.

Their upcoming fifth album Garip distils that lineage into a focused tribute to Turkish folk legend Neşet Ertaş while revealing a subtler, more exploratory side of the band.

—

AUSTIN TV (MEX)
[Instrumental Post Rock/Indie-Prog]

Austin TV are a cult Mexican instrumental Post-Rock band known for powerful, cinematic songs that move from delicate build-ups to explosive, cathartic climaxes. Blending shimmering melodies with mathy rhythms and progressive dynamics, they create a sound that feels emotional, dramatic, and unpredictable like a film unfolding .

With their mysterious masked aesthetic and reputation for immersive live shows, Austin TV have become one of Latin America’s most distinctive instrumental Rock exports.

—

NIGHTSTALKER (GR)
[Stoner Rock/Desert Rock]

Nightstalker are Greek Stoner Rock pioneers from Athens, widely credited as one of the key bands that helped shape and export the Heavy Rock sound of the Mediterranean underground.

Built on towering fuzz riffs, Blues-drenched rhythms, and streetwise swagger, their music bridges Classic Hard Rock weight with a gritty modern bite.

—

DAEVAR (DE)
[Doom Rock/Atmospheric Sludge]

Daevar are a rising German Stoner Doom trio forging a sound that’s equal parts crushing weight and hypnotic atmosphere. Their songs are a combination of fuzz-saturated stomps, and melodic haze, balancing Doom heaviness with a modern, driving edge.

Their fierce momentum and thick-toned delivery have made them a must-watch name in the new wave of European Heavy Rock.

—

UPUPAYĀMA (ITA)
[Psych Kraut/Cosmic Fuzz]

Upupayāma are an Italian Psychedelic Acid-Folk project blending pastoral melodies with blown-out fuzz and trance-inducing vibes.

Expect music that feels both earthy and otherworldly, equal parts campfire ritual and full-volume psych trip.

—

VOLCANOVA (ISL)
[Stoner Metal/Volcanic Groove]

Iceland’s very own Volcanova hit with a fierce, high-voltage blend of aggressive grooves, sharp hooks, and relentless momentum. Their sound balances heavy punch with dark, modern textures built for sweat-soaked pits and shouted choruses.

Loud, fast, and unapologetically intense, Volcanova are pure adrenaline from the first note to the last.

—

ROADKILLSODA (RO)
[Boogie Punk/Garage Rock]

RoadkillSoda bring a loud, no-frills blast of gritty Hard Rock energy-packed with punchy riffs, swagger, and hooks that hit fast and stick. Their sound rides the line between dirty Garage Rock and sharp modern drive, built for shouting along with a drink in hand.

Raw, rowdy, and insanely fun live, RoadkillSoda turn every set into a full-throttle party.

—

SCOTT HEPPLE AND THE SUN BAND (UK)
[Psych Rock/Acid Rock]

Scott Hepple and The Sun Band deliver a warm, groovy blend of feel-good Soul, Funk, and sunlit Rock built on tight musicianship and infectious rhythms. Their sound is equal parts smooth and punchy, with bright melodies, crisp horns/keys energy, and vocals that keep the room smiling.

Cinematic, addictive, and deeply melodic, Scott Hepple and The Sun Band are built for singalongs under strobe lights.

—

KARMA SHEEN (UK)
[Psych Raga/Fuzz Rock]

Karma Sheen are a UK band forging a striking fusion of Psychedelic Rock and Hindustani classical raga, where hypnotic riffs meet drone, chant, and spiralling melodic improvisation.

Their sound draws on Sufi mysticism and South Asian classical tradition while still hitting with the punch and swagger of fuzzed-out 60’s Psych. Live, it feels less like a gig than a trip: mesmeric, ecstatic, and totally singular.

—

STINKING LIZAVETA (GR)
[Instrumental Noise Rock/Heavy Prog Jazz]

Stinking Lizaveta are a ferocious instrumental powerhouse, fusing crushing Rock heft with the wild freedom of Jazz and the precision of Prog. Their sound is all jagged riffs, thunderous atmosphere, and fearless improvisation that’s tight one moment and explodes the next.

Expect a set that shifts without warning: massive riffs, razor-tight interplay, and moments of pure musical freefall.

—

THE CYCLIST CONSPIRACY (RS)
[Desert Psych/Folk Fusion]

The Cyclist Conspiracy fuse Saharan Desert-Blues spirit with Balkan grit, blending World Music grooves, Rock drive, and psychedelic guitar explorations into a hypnotic instrumental trip.

Their style grows wilder and heavier as it unfolds as an immersive trance-like therapy you’ll want to sink into with your eyes closed.

—

HYPNOTIC FLOOR (AT)
[Psych Rock/Hypnotic Rock]

Hypnotic Floor blend Progressive Rock, Folk, and Psychedelia into reverb-drenched, delay-soaked journeys moving from sprawling improvised jams to tighter, garage-leaning punch without losing their hypnotic edge.

On their latest album “The Friendly Moss Forest Creatures Lives Happily In Perpetual Twilight” they dive deeper into intricate melodies and polymetric rhythms, delivering raw, high-energy Psych Rock.

—

KLAUSTRO/FONIJA (CRO)
[Psycho-Psych Rock/Post Punk Noise]

Klaustro/fonija are a Croatian Psychotic-Psychedelic Rock trio fusing Post-Punk, Noise, Experimental and Electro into a volatile, mind-bending sound.

Known for near-ritualistic live shows packed with vocal freakouts, pounding rhythms, and deep-fried guitars, they released their debut album “Rigged Phantasies” in 2025 via the North Macedonian label Mrtov Konj.

—

AMBRA (SLO)
[Post Punk/Stoner Prog]

Ambra from Slovenia deliver a heavyweight blend of Progressive Stoner Alt Metal, pairing thick, groove-driven riffs with expansive moods and sharp rhythmic turns.

They shift between hypnotic tension and explosive release that is dark, dynamic, and built for big stages where every breakdown hits like a wave.

—

http://www.bearstonefestival.com
https://www.instagram.com/bearstonefestival
https://www.facebook.com/bearstonefestival

Bear Stone Festival 2025 aftermovie

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)

The Obelisk Questionnaire is a series of open questions intended to give the answerer an opportunity to explore these ideas and stories from their life as deeply as they choose. Answers can be short or long, and that reveals something in itself, but the most important factor is honesty.

Based on the Proust Questionnaire, the goal over time is to show a diverse range of perspectives as those who take part bring their own points of view to answering the same questions. To see all The Obelisk Questionnaire posts, click here.

Thank you for reading and thanks to all who participate.

The Obelisk Questionnaire: RoadkillSoda

—

How do you define what you do and how did you come to do it?

Mishu: I guess I can define it as simply creating music or just generally being involved in any kind of music-related activity. I came to do it randomly, I didn’t think much of it even though I liked music, but I met with some friends that were doing music and they wanted someone to write a drum line and I said I’ll try. And after that I guess it just kept on evolving

Byst: I’m glad that I can achieve one of my childhood dreams: to sing and make music, and I think it was a combination of different elements acquired in time that drove me here. Making music for me is a life pressure relief valve.

Panda: I am living my childhood dream. Playing the music I love, with my friends around the world.

Describe your first musical memory.

Mishu: I have a bad memory and the first musical memory was way too many years ago, but I think it was listening to some music player of someone somewhere.

Byst: At my seventh birthday I received a cassette from my uncle with the Judas Priest, Painkiller album, and I was blown away by the album cover and the fact that you could insert the cassette the other way in the case. And when I started to listen to it, a universe opened for me.

Panda: A trip to the seaside with my parents and my brother, when they would put on mixtapes and sing along, this is the first vivid memory that comes to mind. They would harmonize beautifully.

Describe your best musical memory to date.

Mishu: I don’t know what the best would be, most of them are as good as they can be. It can be attending a live show or playing in one or being in the studio and hearing a dope track or chilling with the gang and getting turned up together while listening to music or it can be finally getting to listen to some new music being released after you have been waiting for it.

Byst: In 2010 I saw Korn in Romania and I was with two friends. I think it was my first big concert with one of my favorite bands and the world just stopped when they started playing. It was so intense; we were moshing in the middle of a crazy crowd and singing and it was unbelievable. And after the show we decided to drive back home for like 230 km passing through some narrow roads in the mountains and at one point the driver fell asleep and that could have been the end of the story.

Panda: Highlights from my career would be anytime I would meet one of my musical influences at shows, and getting a chance to talk to them. This includes Slash, Nick Oliveri, Isaiah Mitchell, Chino, the guys from Alice in Chains and so on. It is always amazing to see their way of seeing music.

When was a time when a firmly held belief was tested?

Mishu: I don’t remember exactly but I’ve had a few times it was tested more in the sense that I reacted to certain situations in ways that I wouldn’t have to normally but the belief made me react in that only to confirm my belief.

Byst: Fortunately, I have not been put in a situation like this in recent times, after I started to develop some firmly held beliefs, and I don’t have that many. The ones I have are really hard to be put to the test. I’m a pretty flexible guy most of the time.

Panda: I think as a musician in an underground scene, you get tested pretty much on a daily basis. You believe in what you are doing, and you do it with great passion, and there is always a promoter, a booker, a music expert that maybe isn’t having his best day, and decides to tell you different. Nevertheless, I think sticking to your gut feeling is the best approach.

Where do you feel artistic progression leads?

Mishu: Progression leads to better understanding of the art and how to transpose whatever you want to say or whatever feelings you want to express into the art itself.

Byst: Where progression in everything leads… In the beginning can’t seem like much but after a while thing start to change and evolve. Can’t stop progress.

Panda: I think it’s in our nature to progress. I think once you stop evolving you kinda die inside. Then again, I am a firm believer that doing things just for the sake of not repeating yourself is bad. Change has to come naturally, in order to feel natural.

How do you define success?

Mishu: For me, success would be being able to do whatever you want without having to think about anything else and having all your needs fulfilled so you can only focus on what you really want to.

Byst: I can’t say what success is, ‘cause I don’t know it. And it’s a very loose term, I think it depends on the mentality of people and the society each individual lives in.

Panda: Success is getting people to ask for you, and not the other way around. It is not introducing yourself but being known. It’s being able to have a constant schedule in advance. I don’t think it has anything to do with money. And as my colleagues mentioned, to each his own. For me, it would be to be remembered as someone who did his part right.

What is something you have seen that you wish you hadn’t?

Byst: If I saw something, I learned something from it, so I took all the things I’ve seen as part of my experience and I embraced them all, bad or good.

Panda: If you live and breathe you get constantly into weird situations. As Byst mentioned, the important thing is to react correctly and learn from everything.

Describe something you haven’t created yet that you’d like to create.

Mishu: Electronic music like gabbar or bassline, and maybe music not related to bands or any musical projects, something like making the soundtrack for some anime would be cool.

Byst: It will be a surprise so I don’t want to spoil it.

Panda: For now, the next step for me is to build my house, that will include my studio. So, until I create that physically, it remains on paper, and remains a wish.

What do you believe is the most essential function of art?

Mishu: It’s art, it can be anything but I guess it’s the way it can expand your creativity or how you can just get lost in art.

Byst: To inspire people and make them dream.

Panda: To complement your feelings, your adventures in life. I think we find answers in life to certain thoughts that we cannot explain. I think without art, we would become robots.

Something non-musical that you’re looking forward to?

Byst: At this moment I just want to finish my DIY tiny music/house shack before the winter comes.

Panda: As mentioned, and apparently, it’s a thing with the RoadkillSoda boys, finishing my house, before next winter comes. :)

https://roadkillsoda.bandcamp.com/
https://facebook.com/RoadKillSoda/
https://www.instagram.com/roadkillsoda/
https://www.youtube.com/user/RoadkillSoda/videos
https://shorturl.at/chrtN

RoadkillSoda, “Loud and Proud”

To be perfectly honest with you, I’m afraid to even put a post up saying such a thing because I don’t want to jinx it, but there is a non-zero chance that if Sweden opens its borders to US travelers on Nov. 1, I might be able to go to Fuzz Festival #2 in Stockholm next month. The two-day event runs from Nov. 19-20 and will be headlined by organizers Truckfighters, along with Stoned Jesus, Lowrider and Skraeckoedlan closing out the second night. If it happens — and it’s an IF the size of the ocean between me and Sweden right now — I’d be traveling with the Kings Destroy guys, old friends I’ve not seen for some time — and of course would bring the camera and laptop along for the trip. Fly out Thursday, get in Friday, show Friday and Saturday, fly out Sunday AM is the plan. See? There’s a plan!

I’m sure I don’t need to tell you it’s an utter fantasy at this point, but it’s kept me up at night thinking about it. To see Asteroid or Lowrider — or hell, Kings Destroy — again, or to see Firestone at all, Stoned Jesus, Vokonis, Besvärjelsen for the first time. To party to a Steak set or see Skraeckoedlan and Truckfighters themselves again, and to find out just who The Gristle are that they landed this as their first show ever. There’s a lot to like about the idea, clearly.

The fest finalized its lineup and made day tickets available. You can see the schedule below:

FUZZ FESTIVAL @ Debaser + Bar Brooklyn Nov 19th + 20th

One day passes / Schedule / New bands

The last additions to the line up are:

STONED JESUS
Probably the best band from Ukraine, ever, will enlighten our festival!

VOKONIS
Heavy rock with focused in the doom field.

ROADKILLSODA
Probably the best rock band out of Romaina!

THE GRISTLE
A new fuzzy garage rock duo will do their debut show!

Tickets at TICKSTER: https://www.tickster.com/sv/events/search?q=Fuzz+fest
FUZZORAMASTORE (weekend tickets only): https://eu.fuzzoramastore.com/en/fuzz-fest-ticket-eb.html
FACEBOOK EVENT: https://www.facebook.com/events/606699896853794/

SCHEDULE

(#129304#) = Debaser , (#127797#) = Bar Brooklyn

FRIDAY
(#129304#)22:40 – 00:00 TRUCKFIGHTERS
(#127797#)22:00 – 22:40 VOKONIS
(#129304#)21:05 – 22:00 STONED JESUS
(#127797#)20:35 – 21:05 STEAK
(#129304#)19:45 – 20:35 ASTEROID
(#127797#)19:15 – 19:45 FIRESTONE
(#129304#)18:45 – 19:15 ROADKILLSODA
(#127797#)18:15 – 18:45 THE GRISTLE

SATURDAY
(#129304#)22:40 – 00:00 SKRAECKOEDLAN
(#127797#)21:55 – 22:40 SWAN VALLEY HEIGHTS
(#129304#)20:55 – 21:55 LOWRIDER
(#127797#)20:20 – 20:55 KINGS DESTROY
(#129304#)19:45 – 20:20 ENIGMA EXPERENCE
(#127797#)19:15 – 19:45 BESVÄRJELSEN
(#129304#)18:45 – 19:15 ELDEN
(#127797#)18:15 – 18:45 THE DUNES

*Live music from ca 6pm til midnight.
*Afterparty at Bar Brooklyn until 3am.

The Venue is located on the island of Södermalm, in Stockholm. This is a very nice area in the central parts of town.

Get there with subway or bus to ‘Hornstull’ station.

The festival has two stages, one big and one smaller. The smallest stage (Bar Brooklyn) has a limited space and can take up to 250 people standing. If you want to see a band in our smallest stage, come early! First come first served!

https://www.facebook.com/events/606699896853794/
http://www.truckfighters.com/festival/

Truckfighters, Live in Nantes, France, 2019