I’ve said it many times before and I stand by it still: to witness a band’s evolution is to bear witness to a transformation the likes of which few experiences can ever truly be compared to. It’s a privilege to watch an act come into its own through whatever means may be utilized in order to achieve an artistic vision that the act can call well and truly their own. As one of the most interesting rising names in all of the promising realms of heavy psych, Pelegrin has more than earned the right to be hailed as such a fascinating act with their forthcoming album cementing their place as a name not to be underestimated.
Despite having but two albums under their belt, it demands to be made clear that Pelegrin is anything but a band that’s fumbling in the dark searching for something to latch onto in order for them to stand out from much of the crowd that is constantly keeping the heavy psych scene moving forward at all times. Rather, Pelegrin set itself apart almost immediately with time only honing their strength to a tremendous degree with their third effort, “The Curse of Nephtar”, solidifying that fact such that it is now undeniable. Continuing their exploration into trippy heaviness while infusing their craft with tantalizing spices of Arabian inspiration to add a mystical and otherworldly nature of their sound, this is a record that’s grounded, poignant, and a downright treat to become lost within. A gripping album that details man’s obsession with fossil fuels and the rise and eventual fall of our kingdoms in the name of such a catastrophic addiction, “The Curse of Nephtar” is befittingly an exploration into the heavier and sharper for Pelegrin with the results simply bombastic from beginning to end. A mystical experience that never shies away from its unsavory inspiration and constantly tempts the listener ever deeper into the magnificence that’s on a constant full display throughout the absolute entirety of this performance.
This is the sort of creation that can be career-defining. Pelegrin has been a rising name for all the right reasons, and there’s plenty of reasons found throughout this effort that show us Pelegrin is not just a name that continues to earn our respects but proves constantly that they are a name that we simply cannot pin down as anything close to predictable. “The Curse of Nephtar” is as timely as it is powerful with every bit of the album coming together for what should honestly be considered as one of the most flavorful efforts of heavy psych that 2026 will see before its end.
“The Curse of Nephtar” releases on September 4th via Ripple Music!
LISTEN to an advanced track from “The Curse of Nephtar” on Bandcamp here, or via YouTube below.
LIKE Pelegrin on Facebook here.
FOLLOW Pelegrin on Instagram here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzjGzDBmas8&list=RDWzjGzDBmas8&start_radio=1