Craneium channel Roky Erickson on new single ‘Stand for The Fire Demon’

Finnish progressive heavy psychedelic rockers Craneium have just unveiled a brand new music video for their latest single “Stand for The Fire Demon,” a reimagining of Roky Erickson’s underground classic.

Marking the band’s first-ever cover in over 15 years, Craneium take on the legendary track with a deep sense of reverence while fully reshaping it into their own sonic universe, heavier, darker, and soaked in their signature fuzz-laden psychedelia.

As drummer Joel Kronqvist explains: 

“”For our first ever cover, we wanted to make it count. And what could be more fitting than Roky Erickson, the duke of underground psychedelic rock. To us ‘Stand For The Fire Demon’ feels like a cornerstone of dark psychelia, like a gospel of strange tales and we set out to channel it in our own way. We Craneium-ized the arrangements and instantly felt at home in it.”

Vocalist and guitarist Andreas Kaján adds: 

“15 years in and not a single cover song. What better way to celebrate our anniversary than treating people to something new and unusual from the band. The hardest part was not finding our own spin on it, but selecting which Roky song to play. The Evil One is definitely a desert island record for me.”

To push the track further, the band enlisted Andreas Österlund (I, Captain) on additional guitar and Lari Oksala (Malamute) on Hammond organ and synthesizers, expanding the track’s hypnotic and otherworldly atmosphere.

Recorded at V.R. Studio in Turku and mixed and mastered by Kalle Lilja (Welfare Sounds), the track captures Craneium at their most adventurous, bridging ‘70s hard rock spirit, desert psychedelia, and progressive heaviness into a cohesive and captivating whole.

The band have also announced a new European tour, kicking off this June. Check out the  full itinerary below:

CRANEIUM – EUROPEAN TOUR 2025

5 JUNE – Copenhagen, DK @ Lygtens Kro (w/ Dunes, Grinding Eyes)
6 JUNE – Berlin, DE @ Pump Track (w/ Black Magic Tree, Zen Bison)
7 JUNE – Frankfurt am Main, DE @ Ponyhof (w/ The Black Cat’s Eye)
8 JUNE – Göppingen, DE @ Zille (w/ High Priest of Haze)
10 JUNE – Prague, CZ @ Sally O’Neals (w/ The Winter Sounds)
12 JUNE – Leipzig, DE @ Black Label
13 JUNE – Słupsk, PL @ Motor Rock Pub
14 JUNE – Łomża, PL @ Pub “Pod Ratuszem

Known for their ability to seamlessly blend classic riffing with dynamic atmospheres, Craneium explores the ebb and flow of light and heavy, drawing inspiration from ’70s hard rock, ’90s desert psychedelia, and various other musical influences. Their sound stands as both timeless and uniquely their own.

Formed in 2011 in Turku, Finland, Craneium has made a name for themselves with electrifying live performances across the Nordic countries and Europe. Having shared the stage with acts such as Skraeckoedlan (SWE) and Mars Red Sky (FRA), Craneium continues to spread their powerful sound to fans worldwide.

With a new album in the works and live momentum building, Craneium are poised to bring their distinctive blend of progressive fuzz-rock to an even wider audience in 2025.