Sweden’s own Doom and Stoner Metal brigade is back with a (light-bearing) monster of an album, drifting through deep space with the same Sci-Fi, horror, and fantasy obsessions that have always fueled the band.

Once again pummeling the world into oblivion, delving deep into existential dread and dark lore, Västerås, Sweden’s own Doom/Stoner Metal brigade 10,000 Years returns with their eagerly awaited fourth studio album, titled Esox Lucifer (a metaphorical representation of a fierce, dark “light-bearing monster,” chosen by the band to represent their heavy, riff-centric music, which often delves into Sci-Fi and horror-inspired lore), the follow-up to their 2024 opus All Quiet on the Final Frontier. Recorded at Pine Hill Studios (with drums recorded at Studio Fluff), engineered by Erik Palm, mixed by Robert Lamu at Doomhead Productions, mastered by Magnus “Devo” Andersson at Endarker Studio, and displaying a Stygian artwork by Ryan T. Hancock, the new album by Alex Risberg on vocals and bass, Erik Palm on the guitars, and Alvin Risberg on drums drifts through deep space with the same Sci-Fi, horror, and fantasy obsessions that have always fueled the band, resulting result is their most ambitious work to date, one that will easily win over fans of Torche, High On Fire, The Sword and Kylesa.

Alvis kicks off the band’s melodic yet heavy and visceral journey in Beasts of the Northern Wild, a groovy intro that sets the stage for Pursuit Special, where Erik keeps slashing his axe nonstop, offering Alex exactly what he needs to deliver his high-pitched rockin’ vocals. The trio once again brings forward a wild fusion of Doom, Stoner and Sludge Metal in Fleur de Sledgehammer, flowing smoothly yet exhaling electricity until the very end; and Alex’s rumbling bass walks hand in hand with the mighty riffs by Erik in Church of the Red Museum, a hard hitting rock and metal feast perfect for their live concerts, with Alvin hammering his drums nonstop for our absolute delectation.

The same Alvin kicks off the also groovy and melodic Alien Tactics, alternating between heavier moments and faster Rock N’ Roll passages led by the striking riffs and solos by Erik. After such a wild metallic ride, the band slows things down a bit and invests in a more cadenced riff-oriented sound in Two Million Stones, followed by Paranoidium, where they get back to a more visceral sonority showcasing another blast of the killer riffs and thrilling solos by Erik. Finally, the massive bass lines by Alex ignite the title-track Esox Lucifer, a seven-minute beast where their heaviness goes through the roof, not to mention his vocals also exhale despair and insanity, darkening the skies and leaving us eager for more of their music in a not-so-distant future.

In a nutshell, 10,000 Years nailed it once again with Esox Lucifer, smashing our cranial skulls riff after riff without forgetting to add a high dosage of horror and fantasy as the background of each and every song from the album. If you’re curious to know more about such an amazing trio hailing from Sweden, you can find those guys on Facebook and on Instagram, including their awesome live performances, stream their bold, reverberating creations on YouTube and on Spotify, and above all that, purchase Esox Lucifer from their own BandCamp, as well as from Ripple Music’s BandCamp or official site (or simply click HERE for all things 10,000 Years). Put differently, simply sit down, relax, and let your soul be consumed by the band’s brand new (light-bearing) monster of an album.

Best moments of the album: Pursuit Special, Church of the Red Museum and Esox Lucifer.

Worst moments of the album: Two Million Stones.

Released in 2026 Ripple Music

Track listing
1. Beasts of the Northern Wild 2:03
2. Pursuit Special 3:53
3. Fleur de Sledgehammer 5:50
4. Church of the Red Museum 4:59
5. Alien Tactics 4:14
6. Two Million Stones 3:23
7. Paranoidium 3:38
8. Esox Lucifer 7:12

Band members
Alex Risberg – vocals, bass
Erik Palm – guitars
Alvin Risberg – drums