Stoner rock thrives on heavy riffs, hypnotic rhythms, and a touch of spiritual exploration – and Ze Stoner delivers all this with their unique twist. Formed in Israel, the duo draws clear inspiration from genre legends like OM and Sleep, channeling their influence into a blend of meditative psychedelia and inspiring heaviness. In this Q&A, Alexander and Dor share their journey, from their first impromptu performance in the woods to crafting their didgeridoo-laden, desert-inspired soundscapes. Dive into their story to discover the heart of their music and their vision for stoner rock’s future in Israel and beyond.
Can you tell us about the formation of Ze Stoner? How did the band come together, and what inspired the name?
Alexander: The project began when we met at a show of another band I play in, Methuselian. Dor was blown away by the heavy music and drumming and suggested we play together in a duo format, like OM. I told him I’d think about it, and from there, we started talking more about stoner music, stoner bands, and the whole genre. Eventually, we met for a rehearsal before our first spontaneous show, which took place in the woods as part of a stoner-themed birthday gig for a friend. From that point on, it developed into regular rehearsals and performances.
The concept for the name came from the basement days of the Blaze Club in Jerusalem, through nights of music and the journeys I experienced there. I used to say, about anything funny, inspiring, or unconventional, “That’s stoner.” That’s how the idea and name for the band came about – it perfectly fits the vibe and vision we wanted to create.
Dor: I remember seeing a post on Instagram by chance about Methuselian, and I told myself that I have to go see them, especially after I found out they were playing in Tel Aviv.
Alexander and I started talking at that show, and I felt like I was talking to someone I had known before. Over time, I heard the amazing story behind our name, and it truly is Stoner I think.
What’s the story behind the name of your new EP? How does it connect to the music and themes you’ve explored on it?
Alexander: Over the past year, I’ve experienced a spiritual awakening. I began exploring the world of spirituality, meditation, life after death, death and rebirth, and the life that exists in between. I delved into healing traumas and emotional scars through energy work, connecting with my higher self, and understanding what it’s guiding me toward to fulfill my purpose on Earth.
As some of you may know, I’m a former religious, so I’ve always been exposed to spiritual teachings, but I never felt truly connected or free in that framework. For many years, I was addicted to alcohol and various substances. At some point, I came across Buddhist books and teachings, and I was deeply inspired by their philosophy, their path, and their teachings. I’m particularly connected to the idea that each of us is ‘God’ and ‘Buddha’ and has the potential to reach enlightenment in this lifetime.
The music in this EP reflects this journey. It tells the story of someone who has awakened and embarks on a quest to explore their inner self and discover their purpose here. It’s not unlikely that this person would choose to journey into the desert, drawn to its vastness, spirits, and entities they might encounter along the way. The EP’s three parts represent this process: Awakening, The trip, and Enlightenment.
And beyond that… the desert is very “stoner.” One album that has deeply influenced both of us is Dopesmoker by Sleep, which itself is an epic stoner journey through the desert.…
Dor: I really connected with the name of our album. To me, it describes a person dealing with many layers and going through a journey. I feel like it relates to me in many areas of my life.
Ze Stoner. Picture: Lee A Art
Besides bands like OM and Sleep, what are some of the other key musical influences that shape your sound?
Alexander: The great machine, Monster magnet, Weedeater, The gyuto monks tantric choir, Lama gyurme, Heilung.
Dor: I’ve been listening to OM every day since I discovered them a little over a decade ago. Other bands I love and that have inspired my sound, bass riff writing, and vocal style include: Sleep, Electric Wizard, Monolord, Acid King, Black Sabbath, The Great Machine, Weedeater and Motörhead.
And of course, my favorites in Israel, who are like family to me—Methuselian.
Can you walk us through your songwriting process? How do you balance the psychedelic and heavy elements in your music?
Dor: We love combining meditative and heavy music. I write all my bass riffs in a notebook, and then Alexander immediately knows what kind of drumming will fit. It’s really a dialogue between two people with very similar musical tastes.
Through Ze Stoner, I’ve also gotten to know more effects, like shimmer reverb, which creates a unique atmosphere and blends well with the didgeridoo. This is how we’ve learned to combine calm, heavy, and psychedelic elements in our music.
What is your perspective on the Israeli stoner rock scene? How has it evolved over the years, and where do you see it heading in the future?
Alexander: I think there’s a really high-quality and beautiful stoner community in Israel, made up of people of all ages, religions, and backgrounds who connect to the message, love, and freedom that the genre brings. Over the years, it’s been slowly growing, with more and more people and cultures here being exposed to the genre.
One of the pioneering bands in this scene in Israel, who have been active for many years both locally and internationally, are our friends The Great Machine. They’re also one of my inspirations for how a drummer in this genre should sound.
I believe that with time, the genre will continue to grow, and more people will discover what it represents. I hope that in the future, we’ll see regular stoner festivals here in Israel featuring international bands, as well as Israeli bands flourishing abroad and playing at festivals. This country is a cultural melting pot of people and traditions, so it’s something that will take time to mature, especially for those seeking deeper meaning in music or exploring sounds that are more interesting and unconventional than what’s often played in the mainstream radio.
Dor: I really love the rock, metal, and stoner scene in Israel. It’s always there during tough times, and I’ve met many friends thanks to our amazing scene.
Do you have a favorite venue in Israel to perform at? Are there any standout shows or moments that have left a lasting impression on you?
Dor & Alexander: Levontin 7 Tel Aviv is our favorite place, we had an amazing show there with the amazing bands: Hazer & Warp, two years ago before we added the Didgeridoo to Our tool repository
What challenges do you face as a band in Israel, both creatively and logistically? How do you overcome them?
Alexander: There are challenges, such as people in our immediate or wider circle sometimes raising an eyebrow at our music and not really understanding it – and that’s completely okay. The country we live in is like a pressure cooker because of the situation here, and people often don’t have the mental space, peace, or time to truly listen, understand, and explore what lies behind the music.
For me personally, these challenges only make me appreciate even more what I’ve been exposed to here in Israel – the bands and people who are part of this genre. I value every single one of them and the logistical support the community here offers each other. Whether it’s lending equipment or giving rides – like my bandmate Dor, who has driven me to many shows and gigs not even related to our band – it’s all incredibly meaningful.
I think we have a great community here, full of people who genuinely want to be artists, free and liberated from prejudices and agendas of any kind.
Ze Stoner. Picture: Tamar Ofir
The didgeridoo is a unique addition to your sound. What drew you to incorporating it into your music, and how does it complement your musical vibe?
Alexander: The story of the didgeridoo began with the band Methuselian, where the vocalist and bassist was my partner for a year. One day, he brought his mother’s didgeridoo and said, “From now on, you’re doing a ritual with this before every show.” At the time, we were looking to bring a unique Tibetan and Trixie sound to our music, but I didn’t think I’d be the one to do it, haha. I looked at him like he was crazy, but I tried it, fell in love with its deep and meditative sound, and started practicing and taking lessons to perform with it in the band.
My dream was always to play with pedals and effects. I’ve always loved effects that create fat, distorted, and deep sounds, and I thought one day I should combine fuzz with the didgeridoo to make it sound heavier.
My duo partner Dor had also just begun to experiment and dive deep into bass effects and sound (we had taken a break from stoner music for about a year at this point), and slowly the dream started taking shape. We went together to buy an Orange amplifier, but then I realized it wasn’t helping me much, so I gradually moved on to effects, and Dor helped me complete my pedalboard and sound.
This is when I decided to incorporate the didgeridoo into the music of Ze Stoner, to be more based on psychedelic and healing frequencies, alongside heavy bass and drums. It became another project and band where I could express myself with the celestial sound of this instrument. The didgeridoo is like one big experimental lab, with no beginning or end
It really complements the musical existence because it’s such an unconventional instrument and very “stoner.” It adds an energetic, celestial sound that draws the listener into a journey of transcendence and the future, allowing them to live in the moment.
Where do you see Ze Stoner in the next few years? Are there plans for new music, tours, or collaborations?
Alexander & Dor: We see ourselves progressing as much as possible and eventually reaching Europe and the rest of the world. This is what we want to do for the rest of our lives—continue creating and collaborating with the big bands in the stoner genre. Our big dream is to open for and see OM live. We absolutely love performing and watching people get absorbed into the music.
If you had to introduce Ze Stoner to someone who’s never heard your music, which song would you recommend as the perfect entry point, and why?
Dor & Alexander: We recommend starting with Part 2 – “The Trip”. It features a combination of all our instruments: didgeridoo, bass, drums, and vocals. But we recommend listening to the entire piece in its entirety, from start to finish, for the full experience. The suggestion for Part 2 is only for those who haven’t been exposed to this genre and these types of musical frequencies yet.
*