Norwegian stoner rock stalwarts WOLFNAUT introduce new lead guitarist and return with “Book of Wolfnaut” and “Wall of Sound”.
Forged in the sounds of early hard rock and metal, and the desert and stoner rock scene that exploded in the mid-1990s, WOLFNAUT has since its debut in 1998 inhabited the musical landscapes where melodic and catchy heavy rock meets sludgy and doomy stoner rock. "Book of Wolfnaut” and “Wall of Sound” continues in that tradition, incorporating power vocals, swinging riffs, wide-open desert spaces, fast shuffle, slow-burn tension and crushing weight in a meaty package.
WOLFNAUT spent the first half of the decade as a trio. Last January the band invited renowned Norwegian guitar slinger Jo Inge “Jengt Castral” Hemstad to join the fold. The chemistry was instant. Hemstad is a seasoned veteran of the Nordic heavy and stoner scene, spending years on tour with heavy rockers Svölk, that released two acclaimed albums on Napalm Records in the early 2010s. His first appearance on stage with WOLFNAUT was at Desertfest Oslo in May last year. “Book of Wolfnaut” and “Wall of Sound” are WOLFNAUT’s first releases of original material featuring Hemstad on guitar.
"Book of Wolfnaut” and “Wall of Sound” was recorded at Audioskop studio, Sofiemyr, Norway, in July 2025. Production was handled by the band, with invaluable help from Ruben Willem and Bjørn Barstad. Mix and mastering was done by Ruben Willem (Kal-El, Håndgemeng, Gluecifer, The Good, The Bad and The Zugly). Photos by Sverre Houmb and cover design by Jo Inge Hemstad. "Book of Wolfnaut” was released on all streaming and download platforms 9 January 2026. “Wall of Sound” will be released 6 February 2026. Both singles are released on the band’s own label, Fuzzpanzer, and distributed internationally by The Orchard.
WOLFNAUT (formerly known as Wolfgang) started life in the mid-1990s in the town of Elverum, a two-hour drive northeast of the Norwegian capital Oslo. Their energetic live shows and debut album, «Welcome to the Cactus Mountains», became the stuff of legend in their hometown, and the album even garnered a solid review in Kerrang! WOLFNAUT reformed again in 2013, and the band released its second album, «Castle in the Woods», to raving reviews in 2016. The band’s third album, the aptly titled “III”, was released in 2022. “III” brought the band’s blend of catchy tunes and heavy stoner riffs to a larger international audience. Fourth album, “Return of the Asteroid”, was released by US based label Ripple Music in 2023. Both “III” and “Return of the Asteroid” was voted top 10 releases on the Doom Charts.
WOLFNAUT is
Tor Erik Hagen – Bass
Jo Inge «Jengt Castral» Hemstad - Guitars
Ronny «Ronster» Kristiansen - Drums & Theremin
Kjetil Sæter – Guitars & Vocals
WOLFNAUT links
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