Doomed Confessionary: Wannes, Benjamin, Tom & Jon (Stonemule)
Photo by Filip Vancoillie
Formed in 2014, Stonemule from Bruges, Belgium started as a hardcore/punk band, tearing up local stages in West Flanders. By 2016, they took a break to reinvent their sound, returning in 2017 with a heavier, sludgier style.
Their debut EP, »Dystopian State« (2018), crafted on a tight budget, became well received, fusing hardcore, stoner and doom metal to critical acclaim. Post-pandemic lineup changes led to a two-year hiatus.
»Caught In Paranoia« is the first single from Stonemule’s 2025 series, exploring the harrowing experience of a psychotic state and the struggle of navigating an altered mind amidst mental illness. It’s a powerful blend of alternative, post and sludge metal with a tad of nu-metal edge. A must-listen for fans of Mastodon, System Of A Down and Baroness.
Stonemule are Wannes Breyne (bass, vocals), Benjamin Himpens (guitar, vocals), Tom Schelfaut (guitar) and Jon Huyghe (drums).
Can you please say a few words about your band?
Born in the West Flemish underground, Stonemule erupted onto the scene in 2014 with raw, unfiltered hardcore/punk energy. Following some line-up changes, a more sludgier, doom-soaked sound emerged and resulted in their 2018 debut EP: »Dystopian State«. The pandemic once again hit the reset button and forced a two-year hiatus. Now, 2025 marks Stonemule’s return with a solid new team. Recharged, heavier than ever, and armed with new music the band is ready to convince new fans and conquer new venues.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Our instable lineup has probably been the most challenging aspect of the bind ever since its inception. Finding the right, motivated and talented musicians to complete our current lineup has been a true test of perseverance.
What can you be most proud of so far?
Our first single »Caught In Paranoia« released in our current lineup marks the culmination of our new impetus as a band. It just sounds great, we are proud of every aspect of it.
What was your biggest regret?
Not having found each other sooner 😉
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
Our first try-out show at PrintBaAR. Full house and good vibes. We played an excellent set and received plenty of recognition afterwards.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
For us personally, although as a band we only just got started playing together, on stage it felt as if we had been playing together for years. A very pleasant surprise and a guarantee for a bright musical future.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
The four of us have different musical influences, so our playlist differs a bit. With their unique eclectic sound the Scottish band DVNE has been a nice addition to most of our playlists. The more proggy and psychedelic sound of Elder and the other side projects of Nick di Salvo have been in the rotation for some of us. Our shared interests however reflect what stays in rotation forever: System Of A Down, Baroness and Mastodon.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Enthusiasm, energy and creativity defeats technical mastery and showing off every hour of the day.
What are your guilty pleasures?
Although heavy music is our prime shared interest, we must admit that we have another, cats. Tough heavy metal musicians on stage, crazy cat ladies at home. Pets are awesome!
Can you say something more about the current music scene in Bruges / Belgium?
The post-pandemic era has made it more difficult for underground bands. In Belgium, there is an oversupply of very talented bands, especially in the heavier music scene. Many organizers of local shows have however quit the business during the pandemic, creating a very competitive musical ecosystem. This urges bands to really push the limits of their live performances to stand out and to receive well-deserved exposure.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
Gigs have been scheduled in the major cities of Belgium, including Ghent, Bruges and Antwerp. We are also looking for opportunities to showcase in our neighboring countries and we hope to manage to include some gigs at outdoor festivals this summer.
What are your plans for the future as a band?
Rather sooner than later we would like to move further with the recordings we have initiated and ultimately complete our first full album. Studio time has become very expensive and to finance our recording sessions we hope to play many shows this year. With the release of our first full album, we are convinced we can take it to the next level as a band.
How can people best support your band?
Like us on social media and listen to our music! But foremost important, catch us during one of our gigs. Liked it? Buy some merch, and most importantly: Spread the word!
Do you have any message for your listeners?
We have many cool things happening with the band this year, so stay tuned for more fresh tunes and cool gigs.
Links:
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp | Spotify | YouTube
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well