UK stoner/doom metal band Son Of Boar return with second studio album »The Hand That Reigns« on November 20th via Pale Wizard Records!
Bradford, UK based stoner/doom metal band Son Of Boar has announced their sophomore full-length album, »The Hand That Reigns«, scheduled for release on November 20th, 2026 via Pale Wizard Records. The first single »In The Eyes Of Hatred« will be premiered on October 30th, 2026.
In the meantime, you can listen to Son Of Boar’s latest single »The Hunt« feat. guest voices by members of Slomatics, Sergeant Thunderhoof, Godthrymm, Green Sabre, Dark Crone & High Priestess.
Tracklist:
01. El Jefe
02. In The Eyes Of Hatred
03. Lord Dope
04. Warning Of The Witch
Courtesy of Memphia Music:
Bradford-based stoner/doom five-piece Son Of Boar return with their second studio album »The Hand That Reigns«, which arrives on November 20th 2026 via Pale Wizard Records.
Formed in 2018, Son Of Boar quickly became an integral part of the UK’s heavy underground scene, carving out a reputation as a formidable live act. Their powerful, groove-laden, riff-heavy sound has seen them share stages with the likes of Conjurer, Sergeant Thunderhoof, Desert Storm, Nebula, Conan and Fatso Jetson while appearances at Bloodstock, Riffolution, Ruination, Hard Rock Hell Fest, Hammerfest, SOPHIE Fest and Masters Of The Riff have firmly established the band within the UK heavy-music circuit.
Drawing influence from NOLA sludge pioneers Crowbar and Down, stoner-rock legends Kyuss, and UK heavyweights Black Sabbath and Paradise Lost, Son Of Boar combine slumberous riffs, harmonised twin guitars and vocalist Luke Oliver’s gravelly, roaring vocals. The band epitomise the ‘Grim North’ from which they emerged. Whether it is the green fields and rolling hills, or the harsh cold stone of their surroundings, Son Of Boar channel their landscape through groove, atmosphere and crushing heaviness, creating a soundtrack to their city and a reflection of the world that surrounds them.
Their self-titled debut album arrived in 2021, showcasing a band unwilling to be confined to a single corner of heavy music. »The Hand That Reigns« takes that approach further, pushing their sound into a darker, heavier and more aggressive territory.
Their forthcoming second studio album »The Hand That Reigns«, recorded at Corner House Studios in Yorkshire with Kurt Wood and mastered by Dave Draper (Ginger Wildheart) emerged during a period in which each member was collectively navigating difficult times. As riffs developed into songs, it became clear that those experiences were influencing the writing, and something darker was taking shape. Each track is infused with a personal honesty that moves fluidly from groove-metal to blasted desert rock and the deepest, darkest doom, showcasing the wide range to the band’s sound.
Reflecting on the creation of the album, vocalist Luke Oliver says, “At the time of writing the album, everyone seemed to be going through a dark time. It quickly became apparent that this batch was darker, heavier, and more aggressive than the previous set. There was no conscious push towards that – we just wanted to write better songs. They came out with all the previous aspects of our sound amplified. We’ve always worked in a cauldron of influences, mixing groove-led desert sounds with grim, heavy riffs and moving tonally from dark to light and back again. On these songs, the heavy sections got heavier, the slow sections got slower, but at the same time the groove got deeper, while the melodies and atmosphere became more developed.”
Across »The Hand That Reigns«, Son Of Boar draw together the elements that have defined their sound while pushing each one further: groove-metal weight, psychedelic desert-rock passages, deep sludge and the slow pull of doom.
Lyrically the album explores themes of alienation, judgement, personal struggles and resilience, examining the barriers people encounter, the frustration and anger that can emerge from them, and the strength required to move beyond them.
“Lyrically the album covers themes of being an outcast in various forms. Drawing on inspiration from world events, personal experiences, documentaries, and life in a band, the songs talk to the barriers we hit in life, how people judge each other, and the frustration and anger that can come from that, but also about drawing on personal strength and inner belief to get past that and try to live a better life,” Oliver adds.
Ahead of the release of the album comes its final single »In The Eyes Of Hatred«, set for release October 30th 2026, a song for the ‘misfits’, the track serves as a call for unity and understanding in a divided world.
Discussing the single, the band state, “»In The Eyes Of Hatred« is a mix of stoner groove and heavy doom that makes our brand of northern fuzz. It is a call to arms for all the misfits and people who ever felt like they don’t fit in, in a divided world its a call for unity and understanding.”
»The Hand That Reigns« is due for release November 20th 2026 and will be available on CD and all major streaming platforms.
»In The Eyes Of Hatred« is due for release October 30th 2026 and will be available on all major streaming platforms.
Live shows:
Oct 18th 2026 – The Devonshire Arms, London
Oct 19th 2026 – Wheatsheaf, Oxford
Oct 20th 2026 – The Tin At The Coal Vaults, Coventry
Oct 21st 2026 – Bannerman’s, Edinburgh
Oct 22nd 2026 – The Underground, Bradford
Oct 24th 2026 – The Gryphon, Bristol
Nov 14th 2026 – The Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham
Son Of Boar are:
Luke Oliver – Vocals
Gareth Bates – Bass, Backing Vocals
Adam Waddell – Guitar, Backing Vocals
Lyndon Birchall – Guitar
Luke Doran – Drums
FFO: Corrosion Of Conformity, Down, Monolord, Pallbearer
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well