Kal-El Astral Voyager Vol. 2 Review
Kal-El
Astral Voyager Vol. 2
Blues Funeral Recordings
2026
If you’re like us and somehow let Kal-El slip under your radar until now, “Astral Voyager Vol. 2” is one hell of an introduction. We came into this record cold, no deep dive into their back catalog, no familiarity with “Astral Voyager Vol. 1”, and no roadmap to the larger narrative. What we walked away with, though, is a burning desire to go back and absorb everything we’ve clearly been missing.
As the title suggests, this is a continuation, picking up where “Astral Voyager Vol. 1” left off. While we’re not fully versed in the overarching storyline, it’s clear that Kal-El are building something expansive and cinematic... The album feels like the middle act of a Sci-fi cosmic saga: massive in scope, immersive in tone, and unapologetically heavy. Even without the full narrative context, the atmosphere alone pulls you into orbit.
Musically, this is a Stoner Rock fan’s dream realized. The guitars are tuned low enough to rattle the hull of your spacecraft, delivering thick, syrupy riffs that move like tectonic plates. The bass grooves are equally commanding - warm, fuzzed-out, and gloriously prominent in the mix. There’s a physicality to the sound; you don’t just hear it, you feel it pressing against your chest.
What stands out most is the band’s ability to balance weight with momentum. The riffs are colossal, but they don’t lumber. Instead, they surge forward with a hypnotic drive, creating a sense of propulsion that perfectly matches the album’s astral themes. There are moments that lean into Psychedelic textures, letting the songs breathe and expand before diving back into crushing heaviness.
Vocally, the approach complements the instrumentation rather than overpowering it. The melodies ride the waves of distortion, adding an almost otherworldly quality that enhances the album’s cosmic vibe. It all feels deliberately constructed to serve the larger journey rather than individual spotlight moments.
For a band I’d never encountered before, “Astral Voyager Vol. 2” makes a bold statement. It’s the kind of album that not only commands repeat listens but also sends you straight to youtube in search of their earlier releases. If this is a continuation, we can only imagine how epic the full saga must be when experienced front to back.
Simply put, this could be one of the strongest Stoner Rock releases we’ve heard this year. Massive riffs, immersive atmosphere, and enough groove to power a warp drive.
Standouts – “The Nine”, “Juggernaut” and “Asteroid”.