Belgian post-metal trio Psychonaut is set to release their third full-length album, "World Maker," on October 24, 2025. The new record marks a significant departure from their previous cosmic themes, delving into a deeply personal narrative shaped by a year of profound loss and new life for the band members.
Known for their expansive soundscapes inspired by bands like Tool and Pink Floyd, Psychonaut has grounded their latest work in raw human experience. The album was written and recorded during a period where vocalist-guitarist Stefan De Graef welcomed his first child and both he and bassist Thomas Michiels lost their fathers to cancer.
Key Takeaways
- Belgian band Psychonaut will release their third album, "World Maker," on October 24, 2025, via Pelagic Records.
- The album's lyrics are intensely personal, focusing on the birth of a child and the death of the band members' fathers.
- Musically, the album retains the band's signature dynamic post-metal style but with more concise song structures.
- Tracks like "Stargazer" and "Endless Currents" directly address the emotional contrast of grief and joy.
A Shift from the Cosmos to the Cradle
Psychonaut first gained recognition with their albums "Unfold The God Man" (2018) and "Violate Consensus Reality" (2022), which explored themes of intergalactic travel and transcendent consciousness. Their music, a blend of driving post-metal and psychedelic rock, often took listeners on sprawling sonic journeys.
With "World Maker," the band turns its focus inward. The catalyst for this change was a series of life-altering events. In January 2024, Stefan De Graef's son was born. However, within the same year, both De Graef and co-vocalist Thomas Michiels experienced the loss of their fathers.
This emotional whiplash—the simultaneous experience of welcoming new life while mourning the end of another—became the album's central theme. The band channels this complex duality into their music, creating a work that is both powerful and deeply vulnerable.
The Belgian Post-Metal Scene
Psychonaut emerged from a thriving Belgian heavy music scene known for its atmospheric and emotionally intense bands like Amenra and Stake. This environment has fostered a generation of artists who blend aggressive instrumentation with introspective and often philosophical themes, a tradition that "World Maker" continues with a uniquely personal focus.
Translating Life into Music
The album's tracklist serves as a map of the band's emotional landscape. The song "Stargazer," named for the stargazing birth position, captures the awe of new fatherhood. De Graef's lyrics describe his newborn son as "so frail yet godlike" while also addressing his late father, urging him "towards the sky."
Musically, the track reflects this contrast, opening with a powerful metallic section before shifting into a more subdued, atmospheric haze reminiscent of Pink Floyd, a notable influence on the band. De Graef has even named his son David, in honor of guitarist David Gilmour.
Another key track, "Endless Currents," contains a poignant line intended as a dual message. The lyric, "Lead the way! Soar! Everlong!" acts as both a final farewell to their fathers and a message of encouragement for the new generation.
Music for Three
Despite being a trio, Psychonaut's sound is remarkably vast. Their new single, "And You Came With Searing Light," demonstrates their ability to build complex soundscapes. The song evolves from quiet, ambient passages with dual vocals into a massive crescendo of layered guitars, showcasing a dynamic range that feels larger than the sum of its parts.
A New Chapter for Psychonaut
While the song run-times on "World Maker" are reportedly more concise than on previous albums, the emotional weight and musical complexity remain. The band's ability to translate such profound personal experiences into their music gives the album a spiritual resonance that is both immediate and powerful.
The current heavy music landscape has shown a strong appetite for bands exploring cosmic and philosophical ideas, with acts like Blood Incantation and Dvne gaining significant traction. Psychonaut has always been part of this conversation, but "World Maker" introduces a raw, terrestrial element that sets it apart.
By grounding their expansive sound in the universal experiences of birth, death, and grief, Psychonaut has crafted an album that is not only musically ambitious but also intensely relatable. It's a work of art that feels both vast and intimate, navigating the space between the stars and the deeply personal realities of life on Earth.