Norwegian heavy rockers Håndgemeng return with their second full-length album, “Satanic Panic Attack”, released on April 11, 2025, via Ripple Music. It’s a wild, riff-soaked ride through the depths of heavy metal, stoner rock, and crusty punk energy — an album that proudly embraces its chaotic roots while pushing the boundaries of genre conventions.
Like many listeners, I was initially drawn to the album by its provocative cover art: a surreal and striking image featuring naked, corpse-painted metalheads. I’ll admit — I hadn’t heard of the band before this release, but the artwork alone made it impossible to ignore.
While the cover might suggest a descent into pure black metal, the reality is quite different. Apart from a few fleeting blackened elements on the opening track, the album firmly plants its flag in the stoner and hard rock territory. The foundation is a gritty, groove-heavy stoner rock sound, layered with echoes of classic heavy metal and flashes of ‘70s hard rock swagger. It’s a dynamic blend, and Håndgemeng pull it off with style and conviction.
The production, helmed by Ruben Willem at Caliban Studios, hits a sweet spot between rawness and precision. There’s a live, unfiltered energy to the record.
Lyrically, however, the album is a bit of a mixed bag. The occult themes, satanic references, and over-the-top esoterica come off as a little tongue-in-cheek or perhaps unintentionally cartoonish (even if it is a concept with a reference to the Satanic Panic in the USA in the 80s). In 2025, singing about Satan with a straight face can feel like a missed opportunity for more nuanced writing. That said, if these lyrics are meant as a loving nod to the theatrical excesses of early proto-metal acts like Astaroth, Pentagram, or Coven, then they make sense in context and add to the retro charm.
Ultimately, “Satanic Panic Attack” is a powerful, riff-driven statement from a band that knows exactly what it wants to be: loud and heavy.
Band’s links: Bandcamp, Instagram
