B.C.’s SWEETBEAST Conjure Powerful New Music Video “Illusion”

What is real and what is illusion? It’s a weird question to ask in a world where religion and superstition are relegated to the dusty relics of the past, swapped in favor of seemingly more concrete answers from science, industry, and technology. Yet here we are in this strange hall of mirrors where nothing is what it seems, as AI takes over more and more of the online space (now even music and visual media), making it increasingly difficult to scope out what’s real from what’s not – from the news to relationships. Add ubiquitous mind-altering chemicals into the mix and humanity finds itself drowning in a world of illusions.

They’re taking everything you’ve got
They’re taking your damn pride

Kelowna, British Columbia band SWEETBEAST urges us to “wake up from this Illusion” in their sweeping new single. Undergirding the song, which concludes a powerful new album of the same name, is a dire heart-gripping dirge which sounds ominous as hell. Some of you may prefer the familiar standby description badass, because it totally is – especially when you turn up those speakers with full bass. Some real riff worship here. A slow headbanger you’ll want to experience live.

“The closing track, ‘Illusion,’ serves as a wake-up call to awareness,” says the band. “It encourages listeners to confront the deceptive nature of their realities and societal constructs. The repeated urging to 'wake up’ reinforces the theme of breaking free from illusions that cloud perception. The imagery of ghosts and whispers suggests a yearning for truth amidst confusion, creating a sense of urgency to reclaim one’s identity.”

At 3:29 the band breaks its rusty cage and runs through the dense damp forests, seeing red all around as dizzying panic ensues. Then a return to the damning depths of those downtuned guitars as a coven of acolytes vows to burn the witch.

Grungy heavy rock with fuzzy psychedelic twists win the day in 'Illusions’ (2025), tapping a similar vein to bands like Queens Of The Stone Age, Stone Temple Pilots, All Them Witches, Kyuss, and Alice In Chains. While standing distinctly on their own turf, SweetBeast dishes out addictive grooves and punchy lyrical moments. Out February 21st on Humalien Records pre-order here. You can read more details about the album and this track below.

Now get your get on, as Doomed & Stoned brings you the world premiere of the SweetBeast’s music video “Illusions.”

SOME BUZZ

Hailing from Canada’s Okanagan Valley in Kelowna, BC, SweetBeast is gearing up to make its debut full-length “Illusions” heard by the masses this coming February 2025. Unshackling the first single “Dream Eater” this past November, they are offering the next glimpse into their pressurized sludgy psychedelic stoner rock with their new music video for “Illusion”, which features vocal harmonies done by the lovely ladies of Vancouver trio Space Queen.

SweetBeast’s first studio album “Illusions” is a sonic exploration of shifting realities, blending heavy, distorted riffs with introspective lyrics. It invites listeners to journey inward and outward, reflecting the complex relationship between mind, sound, and reality. The record leans heavily on low-tuned guitars, swirling effects, and a tight rhythm section that creates a dense, atmospheric sound. There’s a hypnotic groove throughout, with moments of psychedelic exploration, where riffs evolve into mind-bending progressions. The songs fluctuate between creative riffs and light, airy melodies that offer a contrast, pushing the boundaries of stoner rock.

The album’s closing track, “Illusion” captures the essence of awakening and self-discovery, with fuzzed-out guitars and emotional guitar solos that drive the message home. Space Queen’s vocal harmonies elevate the song to new heights, creating a rich tapestry of sound that invites listeners to explore the depths of their realities. With its haunting lyrics and dynamic instrumentation, “Illusion” serves as both a rallying cry and a moment of introspection.

The band comments on the making of the song:

“We laid down this entire album, live off the floor, in just 2 days. Now of course there were a few overdubs that we plugged in during that weekend but by the end of the 2 days, all that was left was the mixing and mastering. We also added some special treats post-production that made the songs really pop, like vocal harmonies in the song “Illusion” done by our friends in Space Queen, and a few studio effects for added flavor. When we told the studio what we had planned to accomplish that weekend they thought we were crazy, and said it’s usually at least a week of studio time to get all those songs laid out. But we got it done and couldn’t be happier with the results.”