Southern Italy’s King Potenaz return with a scorched-earth sermon of fuzzy, raw, and occult-fueled doom on their long-awaited second album, Arcane Desert Rituals Vol. 1, recently released via Majestic Mountain Records. Formed as a power trio in the deep south of Italy, King Potenaz invoke the classic vibes of Black Sabbath, Electric Wizard, Monster Magnet, Kyuss, and Sleep, blending stoner riffs with cavernous doom and occult psychedelia. Their latest offering is a sonic ritual in six parts, plunging into heavy atmospheres, swirling desert haze, and hypnotic grooves.
Vocals/guitars: Giuseppe Guarini
Bass: Francesco Pensato
Drums/synth: Piero Schiavone
“We’re back with a vengeance, unleashing our long-awaited second album, Arcane Desert Rituals Vol. 1!” Says the band. “This is our heaviest, most intense work yet—a sonic onslaught that’ll blow your mind. We can’t wait for you to crank it up and dive into the chaos!”
For those not in the know, King Potenaz is a pulverizing stoner doom power trio hailing from Fasano, Apulia, Italy, formed in 2019 during a series of raw, riff-fuelled jam sessions. Comprising lifelong friends and scene veterans: Giuseppe Guarini (guitar/vocals), Francesco Pensato (bass), and Piero Schiavone (drums/synths), the power trio channels decades of underground experience.
Giuseppe and Francesco both emerged from black/doom/drone projects like Helvete and Moriendoom, while Piero sharpened his skills in punk/hardcore acts No Exit and Erpice, as well as his electronic solo project PRNX.
After dropping their gritty Demo 6:66 in 2022, featuring tracks like Among the Ruins and Pyramids Planet, the band unleashed their debut album Goat Rider via Argonauta Records in April 2023. Lauded for its filthy, fuzz-soaked blend of stoner rock and doom, Goat Rider hit #12 on the Doom Charts and earned praise for its psychedelic grooves and dark, fantastical narrative centred around a goat-headed biker emissary tearing through cosmic deserts.
In 2024, King Potenaz signed with Majestic Mountain Records for their ambitious second album, Arcane Desert Rituals Vol. 1, with Vol. 2 to follow later this year?…..The new record was mixed and mastered by Marc Urselli, and marks the band’s heaviest and most atmospheric material to date.
Line-Up:
Vocals/guitars: Giuseppe Guarini
Bass: Francesco Pensato
Drums/synth: Piero Schiavone
Special Guests:
Jana Maista (vocals on “Ariadne, The Serpent Witch”; backing vocals on “Sabbatum Sanctum”)
Lyrics for “Ariadne, The Serpent Witch” written by Marcella Loconte
Credits:
Recorded at Sudestudio by Stefano Manca in February 2024
Mixed and mastered by Marc Urselli in May 2024
Cover artwork by Mirko Gastow
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