Ten East & Softsun Turn To Stone Volume 10 Review

Ten East & SoftSun

Turned To Stone Chapter 10

Ripple Music

2026

One of the things I’ve always admired about Ripple Music is their knack for pairing bands on split releases. It’s not just a showcase of taste, it carries a distinct Punk Rock spirit, even within a catalog rooted largely in Stoner Rock. Their latest entry in the Turned To Stone series, now reaching its tenth installment, continues that tradition with purpose and vision.

This chapter brings together Ten East and Softsun, featuring musicians with deep roots in bands like Earthless and Yawning Man. On paper, Ten East treads into territory that can sometimes lose me - extended, sprawling passages and open-ended soundscapes. But here, it never drifts into monotony. Instead, the music feels suspended, ethereal and immersive, hovering somewhere between shoegaze, experimentation, and something almost ritualistic. It’s less about direction and more about sensation, like being carried along a slow-moving current.

Softsun’s side introduces vocals, adding a subtle anchor without breaking the spell. The melodies don’t dominate; they weave gently through the instrumentation, giving the listener something to hold onto while still preserving that dreamlike drift. It’s a shift in texture rather than tone, and it complements the overall experience rather than competing with it.

At its core, this split is designed for those who want music that transports - something that dissolves the edges and pulls you into a different headspace. You don’t need any external enhancements to get there; the music does the work on its own, easing you out of the moment and into something far more intangible. 

~Black Angel