Stone Sea Blasts Off: Ad Astra – A Sludgy, Psychedelic Trip to the Stars!

EP Review

STONE SEA

Stone Sea’s journey is one hell of a cosmic ride—from the sun-soaked streets of São Paulo, Brazil, where vocalist/guitarist Elvis Suhadolnik Bonesso birthed the project back in 2014 and laid down their raw debut album Origins (2015), to the rainy vibes of Dublin, Ireland, where he reshaped it into a tight three-piece outfit. After years of lineup shifts and scene-hopping, the band has now landed in sunny Málaga, Spain, with Gonzalo Rubio crushing drums and Pino López locking down the bass grooves. And on January 10, 2026, they dropped their six-song EP Ad Astra—a title that screams “to the stars” and perfectly captures the album’s soaring, introspective push.

Rock At Night is absolutely vibing with this release, and honestly, who wouldn’t? This EP is a delicious swirl of melodic psychedelic stoner rock that hits like a desert mirage laced with heavy distortion and groove. The title track “Ad Astra” is a sludgy beast—those thick, overdriven riffs lumber along with a hypnotic, almost doom-y weight, while Elvis’ lyrics cut through the haze with sharp commentary on today’s fractured world:

Never mind what they steal

It’s just a way to bring news

Another day to see through

Reality and its moods

It’s cynical yet hypnotic, painting a picture of media manipulation and existential fog that feels painfully relevant. The heaviness here is pure stoner gold—think Queens of the Stone Age meets early Black Sabbath, but with a modern edge that keeps it from feeling retro.

Then bam—the energy flips on a dime. Tracks like “Time To Change” and “Alien” crank up the tempo into full-throttle metal territory, delivering blistering riffs and urgent momentum that’ll get your head banging and your adrenaline pumping. It’s that dynamic contrast that makes Ad Astra so addictive: one minute you’re sinking into molasses-thick grooves, the next you’re riding a wave of high-octane fury.

And don’t sleep on the 90s grunge nostalgia woven throughout. Songs like “Left to Be” and “Stain” channel that era’s raw emotion with killer harmonies, fuzzy guitars, and a touch of melancholy melody—evoking Alice in Chains or Soundgarden at their most introspective. Elvis’ vocals soar and snarl in equal measure, blending vulnerability with bite.

Overall, Ad Astra is a killer snapshot of a band that’s evolved without losing its core: fat, riff-heavy grooves infused with psychedelic haze, world music subtlety (those hints of Bossa Nova and Reggae in the rhythms), and lyrics that wrestle with life’s chaos. If you’re a fan of 90s grunge revival, stoner/sludge rock, or anything that bridges heavy riffs with melodic heart, this EP is calling your name. Crank it loud, let the riffs wash over you, and stare at the stars—Stone Sea just launched us into orbit. 🚀

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Chyrisse Tabone, Ph.D.
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