THE BEAST

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Crooked Skulls Deliver Desert-Baked Riffs and Doom-Soaked Groove on Midnight Sun

Release Date: March 27, 2026
Label: Electric Desert Records
Pre-Save: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/thecrookedskulls1/midnight-sun

Heavy rock is alive and kicking, and The Crooked Skulls are here to prove it.

The three-piece wrecking crew return with Midnight Sun , a full-bodied blast of desert rock and hard rock swagger set for release March 27, 2026 via Electric Desert Records. Rooted in stoner groove, doom weight, and southern grit, the album plants its boots firmly in tradition while pushing forward with muscle and conviction.

For fans of Black Label Society , Pentagram , and Weedeater , Midnight Sun is built on riffs that feel carved from stone and grooves that don’t quit.

The Crooked Skulls are:

Pete Koretzky – guitar and vocals

Chuck Snyder – drums

Dave Van Auken – bass and vocals

Formed with a simple mission to play music that feels real and hits hard, the band leans into chemistry over flash. Pete’s guitar tone roars through Gibson guitars and Hiwatt and Orange amps, drawing influence from Kyuss and Fu Manchu . He has previously collaborated with Bob Balch of Fu Manchu and recorded a solo for Valley of the Sun on their 2023 track “Where’s This Place?”

Chuck anchors the band with thunderous precision behind his Tama kit, channeling the spirit of Ginger Baker and John Bonham . Dave, originally a guitarist in his teens, drives the low end with Aguilar and Darkglass firepower, pulling inspiration from Crowbar and ZZ Top while locking tightly with Chuck and sharing vocal duties.

On Midnight Sun , the band keeps the spotlight squarely on the riff, but they are not afraid of space or dynamics. The album blends heavy rock punch with stoner groove and doom-leaning weight. Vocals are direct and grounded, cutting through with clarity and emotion. Lyrically, the record explores endurance, reflection, pressure, and personal reckoning without leaning on a strict concept narrative. It is honest, unfiltered heavy rock meant to resonate as deeply with listeners as it does with the band.

Production duties were handled by John Naclerio at Nada Recording Studio , with mastering by Kent Stump at Crystal Clear Studios , ensuring the album hits hard while preserving the raw edge that defines The Crooked Skulls’ sound.

Midnight Sun stands as a testament to what happens when three musicians strip it back to the essentials: riffs, groove, and truth. No gimmicks. No shortcuts. Just heavy rock done right.

Pre-save now and get ready for the heat to rise on March 27, 2026. Pre-Save: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/thecrookedskulls1/midnight-sun

Connect: 

https://linktr.ee/thecrookedskulls

Contact: electricdesertrecords@gmail.com