Temptation’s Wings – StormForged

 

Temptation’s Wings – StormForged
Self released – 2025
Rock, Metal, Southern, Stoner, Doom, NWOBHM
Rated: ***

We were honored to premiere the video for Aquatusk last Thursday and were riding the crest of the StormForged EP wave for a while. They are a trio now. And a change within a band makes a new release extra interesting to dive into! Even more so, in my humble and possibly weird opinion, when it’s called StormForged and hints of elemental themes and mythical fury of Leviathan beasts! Southern metal voyagers Temptation’s Wings plunge into dark, uncharted waters now, and deliver a four-track EP that crashes like monster waves that drag you with it into the depths. They blend classic metal with an undercurrent of sludge and that makes their sound churn with the force of a rising tide… 

Opening track, Aquatusk, breaches the surface like some ancient sea creature, massive and unpredictable. Its riffs roll in like storm surges, each one pounding with the weight of the deep and with an elemental force. From there, the band navigates treacherous sonic currents, weaving in NWOBHM harmonies, thunderous grooves, and lyrics steeped in myth and saltwater lore.

Following tracks Brother of the Storm and The Calm/The Fury shift from crushing heaviness to eerie, melodic calm, and give you the sensation of having to navigate safely between deadly whirlpools and siren songs. Psychedelic undertones ripple beneath the surface, adding texture to the sound without ever breaking the heavy, ocean-floor foundation. And then there's the battleship closer Hell-Ene, which opens like a fabled superstorm and then opens up to leave room for the survivors to grab hold of the wreckage... 

What sets StormForged apart is its raw, weather-worn authenticity. The stripped-back production doesn’t polish the barnacles, it offers them up for all to see, giving the record a rugged, sea-beaten edge. Sure, some deck swabbing might add a bit of extra spice and a grade of shine. And that same spice might give the vocalist an added edge and besides power more control. But still, every riff sounds like it was dredged from the ocean floor and every lyric feels like a tale sung by sailors who’ve seen too much.

With StormForged, Temptation’s Wings have crafted an EP that doesn’t just make waves, it shows that they might just become the storm. And once that happens, they will surely pull your under…  

(Written by JK)

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Video Premiere - Temptations Wings – Aquatusk

 

Video Premiere

Temptations Wings – Aquatusk 

On the very edge of being released… The brand new four-track EP StormForged by Asheville, North Carolina, USA’s trio Temptation's Wings! The first single is called Aquatusk and they have now produced a video for that marvelous track. And we are damn well flattered to be able to premiere it for you all right now!  Shot in their rehearsal space it gives insights into their dank mobility, their expert playing and cool collection of stickers and posters! Ho ho! We also get to see the ugly Aquatusk mug in all its glory! 

Aquatusk, breaches the surface like some ancient sea creature, opens the EP and kicks things off with thick, swaggering riffs and a raw, proto-metal vibe. Doom toned and absolutely powerful, it locks into a confident groove early, channeling their Southern roots through high-octane rhythms and a fierce, no-frills approach. For its riffs roll in like storm surges, each one pounding with the weight of the deep. From there, the band navigates treacherous sonic currents, weaving in NWOBHM harmonies, thunderous grooves, and lyrics steeped in myth and saltwater lore… 

You want to read more? Check back soon for the full EP review! 

But right now, you’re about to do battle with the mythical Aquatusk! 



PR Wire: 

Formed in the mountains of North Carolina in 2007, Temptation's Wings has been striving for musical excellence since its inception of Micah Nix and Jason Gardner and the shared love for all things metal!

"StormForged" is an EP about the power of water and the effects the Tropical Storm Helene had on our area. We went for a raw stripped-down sound for this recording using minimal overdubs and tracking and keeping the vibe more than striving for perfection. The experience of a life changing storm wasn't pretty and neither is the sound of this ep. It's dedicated to all who lost something whether it was your car, a pet ,your house or even a loved one or neighbor. Everyone involved in this project had some experience in the storm and it was fun to bring in some outside influences into the overall project.

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Stoner HiVe’s Quick Fire Weekend

 

 

Stoner HiVe’s Quick Fire Weekend

No no no, you can’t do that! It’s not Friday! You can’t just suddenly do a whole weekend of Quick Fire posts… Sure we can… And why the hell not? Weird those discussions that go on in one’s mind. Even weirder sharing them with the world. Better not share all them discussions or thoughts. I know some do. But that will never make the world a better place. Avoid twitter at all cost. Stick to your guns. Stick to music! Stick to all that good and heavy stuff! It’s what we love and what keeps us sane! So, in light of all that and in light of all those amazing bands, albums, singles and demos that are sent our way on a daily basis. We will do two massive posts. Filled with so much heavy goodness, even full albums. One today. One tomorrow. For the first ever Quick Fire Weekend! And we know, we know, the albums and bands deserve more than the few words we will jot down here. More attention and more of our time! But there is so much out there and we just simply cannot ever do it all justice. So here it is. The first ever Stoner HiVe Quick Fire Weekend! And it burns even hotter... Hot like molten lava!

Sheev – Mind Conductor

Don’t forget about Sheev! We haven’t! Mind Conductor is one hell of an album and had a rightful place at Number 12 of the Doom Charts of October. Will it have it's rightful place on your year end list? It’s prog, it’s stoner and that’s just awesome! The three from Berlin, Germany know how to carve out a groove as well as how to weave intricate rhythms into a wild tapestry! They will paint your sky and they will conduct your mind!

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Temptations Wings – Marauders of The Killing Moon

Did you notice, we’re not just mentioning singles, demos or EP’s. Also awesome full-sized albums on this very first three day run of the Quick Fire Weekend round. Next up is the new album by North Carolina based foursome Temptations Wings. Marauders of The Killing Moon features eight stoner metal tracks that move just as easy towards classic metal, doom and power! Out on Electric Talon Records the album is damn well structured, executed and powerful! Something epic is lurking around the corner on every track! Thank you Davide Pulito and Metallist PR for bringing this to our attention!

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Sloth Cult - Every Ism Ends In Cannibalism

Up for some droning noise anyone? If so, check out Sloth Cult and its Every Ism Ends In Cannibalism release. If not, check it out anyway, cause it will drown out all your excess baggage, thoughts and emotions. It feels like a cleansing ritual. And will make you hungry…

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IAH – Omines

More full albums? Why not. IAH, has been spinning here since their debut in 2017. And Omines is already their fourth release, instrumental, mental post rock and stoner prog. The three from Córdoba, Argentina know exactly how to operate between the walls of the genre and do that so exceptionally well. No wonder they were already 24th on the October Doom Charts. Or as Frazer Jones says: “IAH mesmerise, brutalize and traumatize all in the space of one mind-blowing album.” Damn right Mr. Jones!

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Bicycle Thief – A Man Like Me

As an avid biker I was not looking forward to mention this track, cause if there’s one thing that should never be stolen, it’s a bicycle. Hoho. Sorry. Anyway, this is Bicycle Thief, a one man project by Brisbane, Australia resident Jon Alpitsis. Not, The Bicycle Thief from the late nineties. Well anyway, his latest single A Man Like Me is a lo-fi, dreamy, light psych ballad that will surely make your drift off or cruise away.

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Sound Animal – Epigenetic Roadtrip

One woman project Sound Animal has been putting out a highly diverse catalogue of music. This newest EP is ambient drone, psych noise and highly experimental art. It’s a winding road into the deep dark reaches of mankind’s DNA. Like a tribal ritual, a shamanic ayahuasca ceremony filled with earliest memories of things one cannot even know; you will not come out of this unscathed or whole. You will be changed, altered and something deep within will be unfurled. Or you will switch the EP off after about thirty seconds…

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Thus Live Humans – Light of Ancient Times, Vol. 2

It’s a duo that operates from Toulon, France and invites all kinds of different artists to jam and create with. This Light Of Ancient Times, Vol.2 is a hardrock, bluesrock that conveys a story between nightmares and hopes for a new light to shine. Thus Live Humans, know how to sound classic and know how to stay classy. It’s the blues rock of yore done damn freakin well!

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