French heavy psychedelic rock trio Pelegrin released their third studio album, The Curse of Nephtar, on 4 September 2026 through Ripple Music. The seven-track record follows the critically acclaimed Al-Mahruqa (2019) and Ways of Avicenna (2023), which earned comparisons to Elder, King Buffalo and Slift.

Produced by Arthur Lauth at Brown Bear Recording and mixed by François Roze at Majortone, the album was mastered by Kent Stump at Crystal Clear Sound. Artwork is by Jo Riou. The band — François Roze (guitar, vocals), Jason Recoing (studio bass), Nacim Virieux (live bass) and Antoine Ebel (drums, percussion) — recorded between Nantes and Paris.

The album tells the story of Nephtar, a black orb that rises from the prehistoric Tethys ocean to subdue all life, serving as an allegory for fossil fuels and the resource curse. The band describes it as their most ambitious work, shifting toward catchier, heavier riffs while retaining their signature proggy, ambient songwriting with Arabian-tinged melodies. Eons was released as the first single with an official lyric video.