Style: Stoner Rock / Heavy Rock / Retro Metal
For fans of: Clutch, Corrosion of Conformity, Soundgarden, Fu_Manchu
Country: USA
Release: May 15, 2026 (Metal Blade Records)
Gozu IV is an album that takes you back to the late ’70s and early ’80s, when metal was still searching for its identity. The band captures that vibe and ties it to more modern elements, mainly from the ’90s — low tunings, grunge aesthetics and a more “dirty” energy.
The album is essentially split into two “phases”. The first starts with “Corinthian Leatherface”, a track that has all the retro feeling you expect: warm sound, groove, guitars that recall times when music had more character and less production “perfection”. The second phase comes with “Midnight Express”, which stands clearly on ’90s ground — more grunge, heavier, more “muddy”.
Gozu (the name means “Cow Head” or “Ox‑Head” in Japanese mythology) have been building their style since 2007: stoner rock with 70s fuzz, 90s alternative and modern metal weight. And here they show it clearly.
“Corner Lariat” is one of the calmest and most “relaxed” tracks on the album, with nice melodies and a more atmospheric mood. “Banacek” picks up speed and brings heavier elements, with guitar leads that give it character — something missing from many modern bands that are afraid to put in solos.
The interesting thing about Gozu is that, although they play retro music, their themes are modern. They don’t try to do a “revival” — they simply use the old sound to say things that concern today.
The production is warm, full and without excess. You hear the fuzz, you hear the groove, you hear the guitars “breathing”. It’s an album that sounds loud and gives off character.
Gozu IV is an honest, well-played release that will appeal to those who love stoner/heavy rock with a retro mood but also to those who grew up with ’90s guitars. It doesn’t try to be anything else — and that’s its strong point.
