It’ll be a few months before Chicago-based doom metal band the Skull releases their sophomore album, The Endless Road Turns Dark, so your first chance to hear a selection of tracks may be when they play Soda Bar on June 15. Founded in 2012 by the singer and bassist from well-regarded metal band Trouble, alongside the two guitarists from Sacred Dawn, the fact that they’re named after Trouble’s second album makes it clear that they originally planned to stay in that same Sabbath-inspired dark metal mode. Several ensuing lineup shifts resulted in the birth of a markedly more brutal, sludgy, and downright bloodthirsty ensemble, beginning with their 2014 debut album as the Skull and continuing through the tour they had to partially cancel earlier this year, due to their British drummer having trouble obtaining a U.S. visa (an increasingly common problem for traveling musicians hoping to tour America).

The bill includes Maryland’s Earthride, a band with over 20 years of history, whose recent single “Witch Gun” previews a new album due later this year. At this writing, Soda Bar also lists on their website, and on the show flyer, Kansas City, Missouri sword and sorcery stoners Hyborian, still touring in support of their twice-released debut full-length, Volume 1. However, the Skull’s website indicates that Hyborian will not be in San Diego, so if they’re the main attraction for you, best check with the venue first.