Barcelona, Spain’s hard psych rockers SATURNA present the second single and video taken from their forthcoming new album “Light and Shadow”, to be released collaboratively on Spinda Records & Discos Macarras (Europe) and Ripple Music (North America) this fall.
⚡️ Watch Saturna’s new video “Absence” at this location ⚡️
Over the past decade, SATURNA have forged a distinctive sound within contemporary heavy rock, blending the power of hard rock with the expansive textures of psychedelia and the emotional depth of alternative rock. “Absence” showcases one of the band’s most atmospheric sides without sacrificing the intensity that defines their identity. While their previous single Self Told Lies highlighted the band’s most direct and hard-hitting approach, “Absence” reveals a more expansive and emotionally driven side.
Lyrically, the song revolves around the idea of absence as a recurring presence, exploring the lingering feeling of emptiness left behind even after something or someone is gone. During the opening sections, James Vieco’s vocal performance draws a clear influence from Jim Morrison, adding an evocative and haunting dimension to a composition where strength, melancholy and vulnerability coexist. The single release is accompanied by a live performance video recorded at Siete Barbas Estudio, capturing SATURNA in their natural environment: four musicians playing together without overdubs or unnecessary embellishment, allowing the interaction between them to shape the performance organically. The video is part of a broader live session that will be released in the coming weeks.
SATURNA “Light and Shadow”
Out September 17th on Spinda Records & Discos Macarras (EU)
and Ripple Music (North America)
From Barcelona, Saturna have spent over a decade building a distinctive identity within contemporary heavy rock, blending the raw power of classic hard rock with psychedelic atmospheres, alternative rock depth and a strong melodic sensibility. With a sound that is both powerful and emotionally rich, the band has developed a singular voice that resonates with audiences across Europe and beyond.
Across five studio albums, Saturna has crafted a musical language rooted in the balance between heaviness and sensitivity, combining crushing riffs with expansive sonic landscapes. Their previous record, The Reset (2023), marked a turning point: it reached number one on the US Doom Charts, appeared on numerous year-end lists, and strengthened their international profile, leading to extensive touring activity on both sides of the Atlantic. The band’s reputation has been built equally in the studio and on stage. Their live performances are defined by emotional intensity, instrumental precision and a genuine connection with the audience, establishing them as a rising force within the European heavy rock scene.
Saturna‘s upcoming sixth studio album Light and Shadow retains the core elements that define their sound — hard rock, psychedelia and alternative rock — while expanding the Catalan foursome’s sonic palette with new dynamics, renewed energy and greater textural variety. The contribution of Max Eriksson’s compositional input, alongside a desire to explore new sonic territories, has helped shape a record that pushes their sound forward without losing its essence.
Recorded and produced by the band themselves, with Enric Verdaguer handling mixing duties, Light and Shadow embraces a more organic, honest and live-oriented approach. Moving between heaviness and introspection, the album explores a wide emotional spectrum while maintaining the intensity that has always defined their music. Thematically, the record revolves around duality: light and darkness, love and hate, life and death. Its lyrics draw on personal experiences and the contradictions between opposing forces. The artwork is once again created by Jondix, a long-time collaborator of the band internationally known for his work with Tool and other major names in the rock and metal scene.
Saturna is
James Vieco – vocals, guitar
Max Eriksson – guitar
Rod Tirado – bass
Enric Verdaguer – drums
