Restless Spirit drop new advance single »Desolation’s Wake« taken from forthcoming self-titled album; out May 8th via Magnetic Eye Records!

Long Island, New York based stoner/doom metal trio Restless Spirit has unveiled new single »Desolation’s Wake« taken from their forthcoming self-titled album, set to release on May 8th, 2026 via Magnetic Eye Records.

Tracklist:
01. The Burning Need
02. Hallowed
03. Red In Tooth And Claw
04. Desire Lines
05. Desolation’s Wake
06. Ember
07. Time And Distance
08. Phantom Pain

Courtesy of All Noir PR:

Restless Spirit present the final advance single, »Desolation’s Wake«, taken from their forthcoming self-titled album. »Restless Spirit« is chalked up for release on May 8, 2026, via Magnetic Eye Records, available for pre-order at THIS LOCATION.

In further news, Restless Spirit have announced a massive co-headling US-tour with Gozu to take place in May & June this year.

Restless Spirit comment: “We’re beyond excited to take the new songs on the road after working so hard to create what we feel is our best album to date,” vocalist and guitarist Paul Aloisio states. “We’re already curating a setlist that will cater to fans of all eras of the band, both old and new. By joining forces with Gozu there will be an abundance of heaviness each night and that we know for a fact!”

Restless Spirit comment on the new single: “With »Desolation’s Wake« we present the fastest song our new record”, Paul Aloisio writes on behalf of the band. “This track is pure energy and fury, and it comes with one of my favorite choruses that we’ve ever written. Interestingly, »Desolation’s Wake« was pretty difficult to nail despite it being one of our simpler tracks – at least , we thought it was that! Everyone will be able to hear it live on the upcoming US tour that we’re co-headlining with Gozu.”

Photo credit: Paul Aloisio

With their self-titled full-length, Restless Spirit have reached a point in their career where the band of friends from Long Island, New York knows exactly who they are and where they stand. As the eight tracks on »Restless Spirit« are the most distilled version of what the trio is about, they saw no need for further explanation in the title.

So, what are Restless Spirit about? Pure metal, no more, no less. Born from the steel mills of Birmingham this musical style has deep English working class roots that the East Coast outfit translates into an American sonic slang with elements from desert and stoner metal and even the occasional progressive flourish. As a result, they seamlessly merge classic heavy solos with roaring guitars and a pinch of psychedelic fuzz.

Restless Spirit also share a down to earth outlook with the British pioneers that values honesty and a no-nonsense approach to songwriting and lyrics. »Restless Spirit« mainly deals with the idea of perseverance through hardship, of pushing through and starting over when everything seems bleak. This makes the album a companion piece to its predecessor »Afterimage«, which revolved around descending into and giving in to growing despair.

Restless Spirit grew out of childhood friendship. Frontman Paul Aloisio and bass player Marc Morello first met back in the summer before Kindergarten and grew up discovering music together. Influenced by such greats as Black Sabbath, Type O Negative, and The Sword, Restless Spirit officially started out in 2019 when their album debut »Lord Of The New Depression« was released. At the time, their sound fit equally well into the stoner, doom, and sludge moulds. On the following »Blood Of The Old Gods« (2021), the three-piece evolved stylistically into a more varied, melodic approach with added complexities.

With the stated mission of never wanting to sound exactly like before, Restless Spirit resorted to shorter, sharpened shocks that hit straight home on their acclaimed third album, »Afterimage«, in 2024. This album was driven by tragedy and personal loss with singer and guitarist Paul Aloisio putting his heart and soul into it.

In hindsight, the massive punch to the gut delivered by »Afterimage« set the trio onto a course that led directly to »Restless Spirit«. Trimming away all sonic fat, focusing on the essentials, and refining their sound and songwriting down to its heaviest core has yielded a record that promises to be timeless.

Restless Spirit are throwing out a rescue rope to all headbangers and particularly those dealing with all the cruelty that life can bring. »Restless Spirit« is a call to persevere in the face of others not understanding or even outright rejection. This album is about living on one’s own terms, which was and is the essence of metal.

Recorded by John Forrestal at The Animal Farm, New Jersey (US).
Mixed by John Forrestal at The Animal Farm, New Jersey (US).
Mastering by Jon Markson at The Animal Farm, New Jersey (US).
Cover art & layout by Solomacello.

Restless Spirit is:
Paul Aloisio – Guitar, Vocals
Jon Gusman – Drums
Marc Morello – Bass

Restless Spirit on tour w/ Gozu:
5/24/2026 Alchemy – Providence, RI
5/26/2026 Photo City – Rochester, NY
5/27/2026 Centennial Hall – Erie, PA
5/29/2026 The Green Door – Lansing, MI
5/30/2026 Reggies Music Joint – Chicago, IL
5/31/2026 7th St Entry – Minneapolis, MN
6/02/2026 The Record Bar – Kansas City, MO
6/03/2026 HQ – Denver, CO
6/05/2026 The Shredder – Boise, ID
6/06/2026 The Funhouse – Seattle, WA
6/07/2026 High Water Mark – Portland, OR
6/09/2026 Cafe Colonial – Sacramento, CA
6/11/2026 Knucklehead – Los Angeles, CA
6/16/2026 The Lost Well – Austin, TX
6/17/2026 Siberia – New Orleans, LA
6/18/2026 Eastside Bowl – Nashville, TN
6/19/2026 Bogg’s Social & Supply – Atlanta, GA
6/20/2026 New Brookland Tavern – West Columbia, SC
6/21/2026 Chapel Of Bones – Raleigh, NC
6/23/2026 The Camel – Richmond, VA
6/24/2026 Metro Gallery – Baltimore, MD
6/25/2026 Gold Sounds – Brooklyn, NY
6/26/2026 Nikki Lopez – Philadelphia, PA
6/27/2026 Middle East Upstairs – Cambridge, MA

Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well