Blab Music
Queen Elephantine Marks 20 Years with Two New EPs, Live ONCE and Amulet
Queen Elephantine, the Philadelphia‑based experimental drone and doom outfit, announced the release of two EPs to celebrate the band’s 20th anniversary. The first, Amulet, drops on July 14, 2026, and the second, Live ONCE, follows on August 1, 2026. Both releases are available digitally on Bandcamp and major streaming platforms.
The band was formed in 2006 in Hong Kong by guitarist and vocalist Indrayudh Shome, who is of Indian heritage. After relocating to Philadelphia, the group has continued to develop a sound that blends psychedelia, doom, drone, noise, free jazz and sacred music from around the world. Their music has been described as a “nebulous worship of heavy mood and time” and a “pilgrimage through cosmic sludge.” Over the past two decades the band has issued six full‑length albums and several EPs, including split releases with Elder and Sons of Otis.
Amulet is a collection of instrumental improvisations that the band refers to as a “coda in spirit to the Tribute to Atrophos series.” The EP was released digitally on July 14 and showcases the group’s penchant for extended, atmospheric passages. Live ONCE is a live studio session of new material that was recorded during the pandemic for a virtual concert organized by Boston’s ONCE group. The EP, released on August 1, includes a video of the track “Starless Wanderer,” which is available on YouTube.
Both EPs are part of the band’s broader strategy to mark its 20th anniversary with new material that remains true to its experimental roots. The releases are distributed through Bandcamp, where the band has historically released its catalog, and through streaming services such as Spotify, Apple Music and Deezer, ensuring accessibility to a global audience.
Queen Elephantine’s touring history includes shows with Oxbow, Insect Ark and other acts that share a similar experimental ethos. The band’s live performances have been noted for their intensity and improvisational depth, characteristics that are also evident in the new EPs.
In the wider context of the music industry, Queen Elephantine occupies a niche that intersects heavy doom, drone metal and avant‑guitar work. The group’s influences and contemporaries span a wide range of experimental and heavy music, including Swans, Om, King Crimson, Earth, Sonic Youth, Desert Sessions, Sun Ra, Miles Davis, Melvins, and the Master Musicians of Jajouka. While the band’s releases do not chart on mainstream lists, they maintain a dedicated following within underground circles that appreciate long‑form, atmospheric compositions.
The 20th‑anniversary releases are the most recent addition to the band’s catalog. No further touring dates or festival appearances have been announced at this time, and the band has not indicated additional releases beyond the two EPs. The digital availability of Amulet and Live ONCE provides fans with new material that reflects the group’s long‑standing commitment to experimental exploration.
As of the latest update, Queen Elephantine’s two EPs are available for streaming and download, and the band remains active in Philadelphia’s experimental music scene. The releases serve as a milestone in the band’s two‑decade career and reaffirm its position as a distinctive voice in the heavy drone and doom sub‑genre.
The band was formed in 2006 in Hong Kong by guitarist and vocalist Indrayudh Shome, who is of Indian heritage. After relocating to Philadelphia, the group has continued to develop a sound that blends psychedelia, doom, drone, noise, free jazz and sacred music from around the world. Their music has been described as a “nebulous worship of heavy mood and time” and a “pilgrimage through cosmic sludge.” Over the past two decades the band has issued six full‑length albums and several EPs, including split releases with Elder and Sons of Otis.
Amulet is a collection of instrumental improvisations that the band refers to as a “coda in spirit to the Tribute to Atrophos series.” The EP was released digitally on July 14 and showcases the group’s penchant for extended, atmospheric passages. Live ONCE is a live studio session of new material that was recorded during the pandemic for a virtual concert organized by Boston’s ONCE group. The EP, released on August 1, includes a video of the track “Starless Wanderer,” which is available on YouTube.
Both EPs are part of the band’s broader strategy to mark its 20th anniversary with new material that remains true to its experimental roots. The releases are distributed through Bandcamp, where the band has historically released its catalog, and through streaming services such as Spotify, Apple Music and Deezer, ensuring accessibility to a global audience.
Queen Elephantine’s touring history includes shows with Oxbow, Insect Ark and other acts that share a similar experimental ethos. The band’s live performances have been noted for their intensity and improvisational depth, characteristics that are also evident in the new EPs.
In the wider context of the music industry, Queen Elephantine occupies a niche that intersects heavy doom, drone metal and avant‑guitar work. The group’s influences and contemporaries span a wide range of experimental and heavy music, including Swans, Om, King Crimson, Earth, Sonic Youth, Desert Sessions, Sun Ra, Miles Davis, Melvins, and the Master Musicians of Jajouka. While the band’s releases do not chart on mainstream lists, they maintain a dedicated following within underground circles that appreciate long‑form, atmospheric compositions.
The 20th‑anniversary releases are the most recent addition to the band’s catalog. No further touring dates or festival appearances have been announced at this time, and the band has not indicated additional releases beyond the two EPs. The digital availability of Amulet and Live ONCE provides fans with new material that reflects the group’s long‑standing commitment to experimental exploration.
As of the latest update, Queen Elephantine’s two EPs are available for streaming and download, and the band remains active in Philadelphia’s experimental music scene. The releases serve as a milestone in the band’s two‑decade career and reaffirm its position as a distinctive voice in the heavy drone and doom sub‑genre.
