Ancient Warlocks: Seattle's Stoner Rock Heavyweights
Ancient Warlocks is a heavy stoner rock band that emerged from the fertile Seattle music scene. The quartet is celebrated for their fuzzed-out, riff-centric sound and their critically acclaimed 2014 debut album, which solidified their place in the modern rock underground.
Early career
Ancient Warlocks formed in Seattle in 2012, drawing immediate comparisons to the city's heavier legacy. The band quickly honed a potent live show, sharing stages with established acts in the Pacific Northwest. Their initial output was a self-titled EP, which caught the attention of local label Good to Die Records.
Breakthrough
The band's breakthrough arrived in 2014 with the release of their first full-length album, simply titled Ancient Warlocks. Released via Good to Die Records, the album received widespread praise from stoner and doom metal publications for its massive guitar tone and hypnotic grooves. While not a mainstream chart success, the record became a cult favorite, driving extensive touring.
Key tracks
Black Worm — This sprawling, slow-burning epic showcases the band's mastery of atmosphere and weight, often serving as a set closer.
Solar Clothes — A driving, uptempo track that highlights their ability to blend catchy hooks with relentless fuzz.
Dead — A prime example of their signature sound, combining a monolithic riff with melodic, reverb-drenched vocals.
Green Hell — This song demonstrates their punk-inflected energy and has remained a staple of their live performances since the early days.
Following their debut, Ancient Warlocks continued to tour relentlessly, building a dedicated fanbase across North America. They released their sophomore album, II, in 2017, further refining their dense, psychedelic-tinged approach to heavy rock. The band has collaborated with notable producers within the genre and shared stages with acts like Weedeater and Black Tusk.
Fans of Ancient Warlocks' heavy, riff-based sound also frequently enjoy Black Prairie for their shared Pacific Northwest roots and exploratory guitar work. The sludgy intensity of Red Fang offers a similar blend of humor and heaviness. Listeners drawn to the fuzz-drenched tones should explore The Obsessed for a foundational influence in the doom genre. The melodic stoner rock of Monolord also resonates with a comparable sonic weight.
The music of Ancient Warlocks is featured in rotation on a variety of online rock radio streams and independent music radio stations that specialize in underground heavy music. Their tracks are regularly played on specialty shows dedicated to stoner rock, doom metal, and modern psychedelia across the network.
You can hear the powerful riffs of Ancient Warlocks on radio stations featured right here on onairium.com. Tune in to discover their catalog and other heavy artists through our curated selection of dedicated rock radio stations.
