Barrie four-piece AAWKS dropped their second full-length On Through The Sky Maze after three years of popping up on seemingly every stoner metal bill under the sun (and moon). Getting to share a stage with a who’s who of the sludgey and occult seems to have rubbed off on them, as this record eschews the fuzzy-psychedelic vibe of their debut Heavy On The Cosmic in favour of something more… sinister.

There’s more than a couple hints that AAWKS’s not-so-subtle descent into doom is by design. Opener “Celestial Magick” features a churchbell not unlike the one that opens Black Sabbath‘s self-titled debut. “Lost Dwellers” similarly shouts-out “Children of the Grave”. Add in a few death growls, some voice samples from horror flicks, an eerie violin breakdown on “Wandering Supergiants” and you end up with a mood.

On Through The Sky Maze is an ambitious effort from a band spreading its wings but also unafraid to just rock out. Fans of Sabbath, Torche or Electric Wizard need look no further.

On Through The Sky Maze is available on vinyl, CD and digitally through Black Throne Productions.