Whatever solace the protagonist seeks within this debut full-length album from Stavanger, Norway-based psychedelic/stoner doom metal quartet FORGOTTEN KING is ultimately found within themselves, a self-directed fortitude gained through raw introspection. From honest dirtbag in reveal through a journey of downed-and-outright frustration ‘The Seeker‘ drags the listener along hills and valleys, some which speak to internalized dramatism and others which wear their reality on their sleeve, and all of this conveyed through an appreciably expressive form of stoney, groove-ridden doom. Humble and niche specific as some of these sounds are the vocal performances and general moodiness of each work conveys quite a bit more than your usual fare, making for an above-average showing with plenty of potential on display out the gates.

Conceived as a solo project via current Kal-El guitarist Azul Joshua Bisama circa 2023 Forgotten King is still somewhat tentative in presence as their work has been limited to a two song demo (‘Journey/The Now!‘, 2023) and this impending full-length album, each of which are digital only at the moment. The intent of the artist centers around Bisama‘s own lucid vision of atmospheric, fairly serious toned psychedelic/stoner doom metal which conveys self-examination concerned with spirituality, psychic dread, and seems to address human egotism. Though their early recordings were somewhat generic, unfocused outside of their lyrics, the early singles for this album suggested a far more connective trod which is still rooted in sub-genre specific niche but sustains a tone of self-extraction, almost tragedian reveal of the self. Some of this is simply the theatre of doom metal tradition though the nuclear stoner-doom guitar work gives ‘The Seeker‘ some formidable shape.

‘The Seeker‘ is essentially a do-it-yourself affair from what I’ve gathered. Though they’ve suggested that they are a quartet at this point the press materials cite two members (including Svend Strisland of Kaos Manifest) and the credits for this record are all solely set as Bisama‘s own work in terms of writing, performance, and production. This general one-man operation and its overall quality speaks well enough to the potential of this project, a vision from a likely self-directed learner with some considerable experience now applying those skills in practicum. That idea appears to intend a personal but not-so tirelessly detailed experience in its purpose. For “stoner” music not taking oneself too seriously or overworking the moment is practically requisite though it often dulls the edges of meaning quite a bit, I wouldn’t consider this record toothless or cheaply performative in what it explores lyrically though it ain’t that deep either.

The vision is there and the stylized sound is ninety percent there without aiming too high beyond the usual dread n’ drift as we sit in the meditative pool of ‘The Seeker‘ and examine each of these six songs which average about six minutes a piece. “Deadbeat” gives it to us straight with a steady rambler, a slow trotting piece of bluesy stoner rocking self-examination that wouldn’t be all that out of place on a 2000’s Witchcraft record. This might give the wrong impression up front beyond the general tone of this album as much of Forgotten King‘s work centers around drained, detached spiritus but this easy-riding piece ain’t a proper opener and might’ve been better set further along the horizon line. We get the drop into doom with single “Lost” where that big, dreary-assed Windhand level riff saunters in. Though this piece isn’t exactly Lord Vicar in its dread-filled traditional doom tones and not quite as stoney as Dozer‘s slowest the main attraction here is the expressive, somewhat tragic expression of Bisama‘s vocals which aren’t perfect in terms of consistent well-trained performance yet those roughened edges translate to some manner of emotional downpour here. This might be softly spoken-sung verses in a deadpan drift or even some harsher sludge-toned uproar (“Drag”) as the artist feels their way along the padded walls in the dark but either way it is clear the core connectivity of this album is going to be the vocals and the lyrics attached.

The step between easier stoney jogs (“Deadbeat”, “Around the Corner”) and slower, introspective doom metal pieces (“Lost”, “Drag”) is effective enough as we pass through those first four songs and get to know the general dramatism driving Forgotten King‘s sound though it isn’t until they’ve combined those two core experiences on “The Sun” that this album begins to make sense as a cohesive thought, an oeuvre conveyed through somewhat memorable pieces. Though the harsh vocals help to bring some extra color to this peaking moment on repeated listens I’d found myself mostly stuck on the slower doom metal oriented songs. On that same note closer “The Watcher” smartly gives us a different-dimensional shade of doom where a more sombre start leads to the breakthrough take that ends the album’s overall thought. Though it is a satisfying conclusion it might take a bit of patience to finally get there as the second half of the album rolls along slow beyond “Drag” and lingers.

As a first stab and a largely do-it-yourself undertaking ‘The Seeker‘ is an impressive showing in this particular niche, conveying enough of a vulnerable soul through its vocal work that it stands out. Otherwise all parts are functional, moving together with the essence of stoner and doom metal classicism enough that Forgotten King‘s sound is both familiar and somewhat unique in its serious-faced presentation. Though the production values and general instrumentation applied here don’t need any sort of rework or refinement to be effective the real potential going forward as I see it is in the ambition of the vocal performances and what they are able to convey as the sub-genre fusion occurring here naturally iterates. This debut shows great promise and knack enough that I’d felt it worth recommending now with hopes that they continue on with this already impressive momentum built. A moderately high recommendation.

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