The Swedish band Tidal Wave from Sundsvall were a name I hadn’t come across before they appeared on my radar. Due to a lack of time, I didn’t manage to really delve into the album before Volume Tree topped the Doom Charts for June 2026. That’s usually a pretty clear sign that something’s worth checking out.

It didn’t take long to realise why, either.

Volume Tree is the band’s third album, released on Ripple Music, and here Tidal Wave deliver a heavy, varied and highly compelling offering of doomy stoner rock. There is much here that brings to mind Black Sabbath’s Ozzy era, particularly in the vocals and riffs, but without ever feeling like a mere copy. Tidal Wave draws inspiration from the greats, but uses these references to forge its own sound.

The opening track, “The Orb”, is an instant classic. The song builds slowly, allowing the Sabbath-esque undertones to seep in and setting the mood with doomy riffs and a chorus that sticks in your head. The line “Hidden somewhere in the dark” lingers as a sort of gateway to the dark, heavy universe of the entire album.

“Earth” draws you even more clearly into Black Sabbath territory. The atmosphere, the riffs and the vocals all point in that direction, and it turns out to be entirely deliberate. The band themselves have described the song as an attempt to pay tribute to Black Sabbath, whilst at the same time showcasing their own style. That’s a good description of much of what makes Volume Tree So good: old and new in a single, powerful movement.

At the same time, this isn’t an album that gets bogged down in a single idea. The tracks are powerful and varied, and the themes shift enough to ensure the album never becomes boring. “Hangman” brings in a darker grunge feel, “Temple of Humanity” reveals a more progressive side, and “Sideburns” gives the album a faster and rougher edge. Towards the end, “Manuscript 512” and “Skitliv” add more depth to the album, with the latter rounding it off with a darker, more melancholic feel without losing any of its intensity.

What is perhaps most impressive is just how confident this sounds. Tidal Wave play with great power, but also with excellent control over dynamics, melodies and song structure. The riffs are massive, Alexander “Sunkan” Sundqvist’s vocals have a distinct character of their own, and the production gives each track enough character to make the album feel both heavy and vibrant.

Volume Tree It doesn’t reinvent stoner or doom rock, but nor does it need to. This is an album full of great tracks, powerful riffs and dark energy from a band that clearly knows what they’re doing. For me, Tidal Wave was a new discovery. After Volume Tree They’re definitely a band I’ll be keeping an eye on.

Recommended.