King Potenaz - "Arcane Desert Rituals Vol. 1"
In 2019, in the coastal town of Fasano, Apulia, Italy, King Potenaz arose from a series of jam sessions among three lifelong friends. This was certainly not a group of novices; in fact, members Giuseppe (guitar, vocals) and Francesco (bass) came from the black metal/doom/drone realm of the heavy underground while drummer Piero honed his chops in the punk/hardcore and electronic arenas. With decades of playing experience and a variety of influences between them for inspiration, the members of King Potenaz found their signature sound in psych-drenched stoner/doom.
In 2022, King Potenaz released their demo tape Demo 6:66, and their debut album Goat Rider was released the following year on Argonauta Records. With its scuzzy, fuzzed-out fusion of gritty stoner rock and sinister doom metal, Goat Rider's fantastical tale of a goat-headed biker wreaking havoc through the desert was impossible to resist. The album made a big splash in the heavy underground on a global scale, resonating with fans and critics alike, myself included (you can read a bit more about my first time hearing King Potenaz and the profound effect their music had on my decision to get involved in the scene here).
Though Goat Rider would inevitably be a hard act to follow, follow King Potenaz did. In fact, the band signed with Majestic Mountain Records in 2024 with plans to release two interconnected albums: Arcane Desert Rituals Vol. 1 and Vol. 2. The first volume was released on June 27, 2025 with the second volume slated to follow later in the year.
King Potenaz - Arcane Desert Rituals Vol. 1
1.) Rivers of Death
Rivers of Death begins with spooky synths that create foggy, trepidatious atmospheres, but these first prickles of fear turn to all-encompassing dread with the introduction of booming drums and the weighty, doom-laden trudge of the guitar and bass as the song enters drone territory. Vocals don't appear until almost halfway through the song, but they deliver an intense performance in which terror is palpable as they warn of the "rivers of death".
Rivers of Death is a sprawling, ten-minute song that lumbers through scenes of torment, dripping with overwhelming dismay and hopelessness, which is exactly what doom metal is all about (and King Potenaz harnessed that energy flawlessly here). A little heavy psych groove at the very end of the track provides some light at the end of the tunnel, although even this is still deliciously drenched in sinister tones...and blood.
The official music video for "Rivers of Death"
2.) The Empty Hand pt. 1
The Empty Hand pt. 1 takes a plunge into the heavy psych realm with doom-heavy grooves and mind-bending synth interludes. Giuseppe's vocals are incredibly powerful, as heavy with feeling as they were in Rivers of Death, but this time with more confidence and soul, a different attitude altogether. Pulsing drums kick off a jam session that lasts for the final third of the song, ultimately resulting in haunting synth tones commingling with the crunch of the guitar and the evil groove of the bass in an eerie dance.
3.) Sabbatum Sanctum
Much like Rivers of Death, Sabbatum Sanctum drones its way through a tale of horror, made strongly apparent by the hisses of what could be Lucifer himself punctuating each verse. This time, the attitude toward the situation is a sorrowful one, heard in the beautifully expressed, woebegone notes of the vocals. Sabbatum Sanctum takes a bit of a turn by ending in a hefty but swinging strut, which ultimately smacks as much of the devil as the rest of the song.
4.) Ariande, The Serpent Witch
The final track of the album is an epic one, opening in a deeply moving but bare-bones manner with nothing more than the siren-like vocalizations of guest vocalist Jana Maista and a variety of percussion instruments. This creates a gray, misty atmosphere heavy with gloom, but equally sharp with a keen sense of foreboding.
The electric charge of the synth and thunderous drums roll in next, much like the most ominous storm, followed by the doomy heft of the guitar that covers the scene like a relentless downpour. Midway through, the guitars quiet as Jana sings over the tempestuous drums, the guitar joining in later to echo her notes in a very soulful manner.
Things get eerily quiet once again, before a sharp cymbal roll ushers in what I'd call the highlight of the album: a gloriously doom-filled breakdown filled with Sabbathian riffage, buzzing electric groove, and banshee-like shrieks from Jana.
Final Thoughts
Arcane Desert Rituals Vol. 1 was promised to be King Potenaz's "heaviest and most atmospheric material to date", and it is very much that, but so much more. Those atmospheric tones are so vividly haunting, you can practically see a ghostly vapor rising before you as you listen. Conversely, the heaviness is even more dense and pulverizing, creating palpable, soul-crushing scenes of dread, despair, and... well...doom. The increased presence of drone (as compared to the Goat Rider album), takes time to set an evocative scene while strongly emphasizing the sensation of being overcome and bogged down by ungodly forces.
Furthermore, Giuseppe's stellar vocals on this album are certainly deserving of a few words of praise. While I thoroughly enjoyed his voice on Goat Rider with its unapologetic gruffness so fitting with the theme of the album, I greatly appreciate hearing an entirely new side to it on Arcane Desert Rituals Vol. 1. It seems that no matter how he's singing, Giuseppe completely immerses himself in whatever "role" he's playing, in this case, a harbinger of doom whose delivery moves between fearful, distraught, impassioned, and unhinged without missing a beat. With that said, I also have to say something about the superb choice of Jana Maista as a guest vocalist. While this is my first time hearing her voice, I was majorly impressed with its adaptability, naturally weaving itself into both the tones and instrumentals and the resulting moods they create. And of course, to hear this talented songstress go from haunting alto croon to bloodcurdling shriek is enough to give one goosebumps.
More than anything, it's always incredibly refreshing to see bands branching out while staying true to the core of who they are, and King Potenaz does that very successfully on this album. The band adds in a ton of atmospheric interludes and droning cadences while still pummeling the listener with the bludgeon of sinister and massive riffs we know and love from them. Perhaps most importantly, Arcane Desert Rituals Vol. 1 shows the band weaving captivating tales as only they can: saturated with evil.
More About King Potenaz
King Potenaz Is:
Giuseppe Guarini - Vocals, Guitars
Francesco Pensato - Bass
Piero Schiavone - Drums, Synth
Special Guests on Arcane Desert Rituals Vol. 1:
Jana Maista - Vocals on Ariadne, The Serpent Witch and backing vocals on Sabbatum Sanctum
Marcella Loconte - Lyrics for Ariadne, The Serpent Witch
Album Credits:
Recorded at Sudestudio by Stefano Manca in February 2024
Mixed and mastered by Marc Urselli in May 2024
Cover artwork by Mirko Gastow
You can follow King Potenaz and listen to their music at the following links:
A massive thank you to Viral Propaganda PR and Majestic Mountain Records for the promo, and to King Potenaz for being loyal supporters and valued members of the heavy underground community!
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