Holystone Accepting Omega Review
Holystone
Accepting Omega
Self-Released
2026
Holystone is a Stoner/Doom/Psych trio from the Land Down Under, and until a few weeks ago, I'd never heard a note they'd recorded. That changed when their sophomore album, “Accepting Omega”, landed in my inbox.
The first thing that caught my attention wasn't even the music; it was the press kit. For a self-released album, the presentation was first-class. Everything I needed was right there. No digging through social media posts – zero detective work. I simply pressed play, settled in with the press sheet, and let the band do the talking. That's exactly how I like it.
One of the biggest changes on “Accepting Omega” is the addition of bassist and co-vocalist Madi. Since I haven't heard the debut, I can't compare the two records, but I can tell you this much, her presence is impossible to miss. Her bass tone is thunderous, delivering the kind of low-end punch that rattles your chest, while her vocals add an ethereal quality that perfectly balances the album's heavier moments. She isn't just filling space; she's an essential part of the band's identity.
Holystone sticks to the classic trio formula - guitar, bass, drums, and vocals, which can be a dangerous game in Stoner Rock. Too many bands mistake drawn-out jams for songwriting and end up wandering around in circles. Holystone doesn't fall into that trap.
Yes, the album embraces the "Tune Low, Play Slow" philosophy, but every riff has purpose. Every groove moves the songs forward instead of simply killing time. The band also slips comfortably into Desert Rock territory here and there giving the album even more personality without abandoning its Doom-soaked foundation. The guitar work is massive, towering over everything like storm clouds rolling across the horizon, and I couldn't help but catch flashes of the Melvins lurking beneath the surface. It's heavy, hypnotic, and just weird enough to keep things interesting.
Although several songs stretch their legs, only one crosses the seven-minute mark, and by then you're completely invested in the atmosphere the band has created. It feels earned rather than indulgent.
Vocalist and guitarist Wolfe Peterson brings another unexpected element to the record. His voice lands somewhere between Al Cisneros and Chris Cornell, which probably shouldn't work on paper, yet it does. Much of that comes from the chemistry he shares with Madi. Their vocal interplay adds warmth, depth, and melody that elevate the songs beyond straightforward Stoner Rock.
The recording process is equally impressive. Holystone tracked half the album in Seattle with Jack Endino (Nirvana) and finished the other half in Joshua Tree with Dave Catching (QOTSA). Somewhere in the press material it mentioned that one of Kurt Cobain's amps from the “Bleach” sessions was used during recording. Can I hear that particular amp? Honestly...no. But I can hear the care that went into making this record.
Everything sounds intentional. The performances are locked in, the arrangements are thoughtful, and nobody sounds like they're just winging it in the studio. You don't work with producers of that caliber unless you've done your homework beforehand, and Holystone was clearly ready when the red light came on.
What completely blows my mind, though, is the fact that “Accepting Omega” is self-released. Seriously...how?
An Australian band flies halfway around the world, records with legendary producers in iconic studios, delivers an album of this quality...and no label picks it up? Either that's exactly how the band wanted it, or somebody in the Stoner Rock world completely dropped the ball. Either way, Holystone has my full attention now.
“Accepting Omega” is one of the strongest Stoner Rock releases I've heard in 2026, and if this band isn't on a major label by the time the next record rolls around, I'll be scratching my head wondering what everyone else is listening to.
Every song here is a standout, but if you need a place to start, spin "Sleepwalker," "Procession," "Guided By Stones," and "The Oracle Speaks."