ICYMI: at some point in the latter half of 2024, Syrup Moose Records officially announced that they were taking a well-deserved break during 2025. After averaging at least one release (digital and/or cassette, sometimes CD and/or vinyl too) for their first 2-1/4 years in existence, they have hit the pause button on anything new over the course of this whole year.
Honestly, I think this is a brilliant idea and more people should follow suit. It might give me a slight fighting chance to eventually one day dig myself out of the pile of stuff on my to-do list I have been compiling over the past dozen or so years, stuff I’ve heard and enjoyed enough to write something about to share with the folks who come here to read these words, but which I’ve failed to find the time and energy to do so (yet).
Anyway, because they’ve never half-assed anything, Syrup Moose closed out last year with one hell of a bang: their latest and greatest compilation V — the fifth in a series (not including their first anniversary Year of the Moose) — which tips the scales at a whopping 108 tracks (yes, you read that right, one hundred eight), totaling roughly EIGHT HOURS of material as varied as the label’s first two years of releases have been.
Various Artists – V (Syrup Moose Records, 27 December 2024)
V features contributions from: Ice (USA), Vatermord (Germany), Dragon Siege (Canada), Vulgaris (UK), Touching Grass (USA), Baffald (Canada), Mutated (Canada), Zordiac the Diminisher (UK), Am I In Trouble? (USA), Infectious (Canada), Kapnas (Canada), Through Mists (Canada), Vægtløs (Denmark), Flagburner, Non Serviam (France), Ancst (Germany), Synastry (Canada), Immortal End (USA), Sunless (Canada), Mystryl (Netherlands), Sweat Collector (USA), Ka’Bael (USA), RIPPINGDEXD (UK), Thelema (USA), Dark Valley (Canada), Intoxicated Zen (USA), Excisio (Brazil), Imrryr (USA), Caged Ape (USA), HÄRVERK (Sweden), Injera to All (Canada), Eight.Fold.Path (USA), Paranormal Arson (Canada), We Broke the Weather (USA), Well God (UK), Hippo (Australia), Shadows Ascending (USA), Unliving Deity (USA), Tenebrae Annex (USA), Dead Rights (Canada), Gregfilth (USA), GUILE (Canada), Stochastic Reaper (Czechia), Ruby Rockatansky (USA), The Human Veil (USA), Dom Mechty (USA), Kittyrotica (Canada), Ivan M. Brown (USA), Grumm Trencher (Canada), MEGAFAUNA (Canada), Fire to the Prisons (Australia), The Warhorse (USA), Botched Pneumonectomy (USA), A Room Full of Hummingbirds (USA), Retrofit (USA), Vodi Mizoc (Australia), Brer D. (USA), Ourobonic Plague (Australia), Duncan Evans (UK), A.GUY (Philippines), Gate Theory (Canada), Column of Trout (UK), Azul (USA), Ahles (Australia), Anchorite Magus (USA), Rigor Mantra (Brazil), Selbstverlust (Germany), Dry (USA), Crumble (Canada), Vortigan King (UK), Growth (France), Suture (Sweden), One Eyed Ancestor (UK), Starmourning (UK), Viscerialis (Finland), Abbi Cadaver (USA), Mordran (Sweden), Ingräte (Brazil), Trail of Giants (Canada), the [ v ø ïï d ] // messïïah (USA), Gloomthread (USA), Wooden Vessels (USA), Quietist (USA), aNonymous fRiends (USA), Prime Birds (Canada), Scoured (USA), Double Hell Death Match (USA), D-Class (USA), Antoine Guigan (France), Comprador (USA), Martin Francs Trollope (UK), Awren (USA), R. Gordon (UK), kerchiefs (UK), Shallow Grass (France), Humans as Totems (Canada), Even the Horses Had Wings (USA), Chvrchbvrner (Finland), Besna (Bratislava), TH Speedball (USA), Espi Kvlt (USA), M.D (USA), NODINE & Xadaa (USA/Canada), Markkheim (USA), Born From Pain (Canada), Gorse Mother (UK), Global Extinction Enterprises (USA), Blut auf dem Eis (USA).
The compilation — featuring that fabulous cover art by Worm — is on sale right now, for as little as a dollar (Canadian), or for as much as you care to spend (again, EIGHT HOURS of music!), with all proceeds benefitting Middle East Children’s Alliance:
If you have a Microsoft 365 subscription, you might’ve been told your fees are going up by $5 a month or $50 a year. But the fees aren’t actually changing – you’re just being upsold.
[…]
On face value, a price hike of around 30–40% for a half-hearted implementation of an AI tool seems like a bad deal – at least for some of the tens of thousands of 365 subscribers in Aotearoa.
[…]
Log into your Microsoft account at account.microsoft.com. Find your 365 subscription and select “Manage”. Then select “Cancel subscription”.
If you have the right kind of subscription, a new option will miraculously appear – Microsoft 365 Classic, which has no price increase or Copilot AI.
Just like with Adobe, this did not work for me. After I cancelled my $69.99 subscription, the only alternatives were more expensive plans. After over an hour of chat support, I was told that you cannot switch to the Classic plan until it’s time to renew the current plan, even though Microsoft’s own forum had recommended the same thing as Gelling. Maybe too many people were downgrading—the support person seemed prepared to argue with me that I really do want Copilot AI.
The other dark pattern I noticed is that the new plan is $99.99/year or $9.99/month, and it claims that the former is a savings of 41%.
Live Activities
Now you can opt to have Live Activities start automatically when precipitation is in the area! They’ll be started via a notification about 15 minutes before rain or snow begins, then you’ll continue to receive updates until precipitation stops, at which point the activity will be automatically removed.
CarPlay App
View weather along your driving route, right from your car’s dashboard! The CarPlay app functions as a GPS app, so you can input your destination and get directions from CARROT in her typically snarky style – plus, you’ll get to see all the weather along the way, including live radar, severe weather alerts, and more.
I have wanted a weather CarPlay app for years. CARROT isn’t first to this, but given it’s the weather app I use every day, it’s an instant-add to my truck.
We’ve been following the rebuilding efforts of Asheville, North Carolina, home of Burial Beer / VISUALS Wine, since the devastation of Hurricane Helene on September 28. The Ritual of Senses series will be returning on February 7, but in the meantime, Asheville’s XOR (now capitalized), who brought us last summer’s May the Forest Outlive Us, is releasing the multi-media Moss and Mud on Bannik Knob Editions. The release, a single track, is accompanied by an 80-page zine of Appalachian photography and memoir from Mica Rutkowski, tracing her love of nature from its early beginnings through the hurricane and early aftermath. Moss and Mud was originally “written for the Ambient Farm Stroll portion of Swannatopia’s How Do We Mark the Flood? installation at Warren Wilson farm, part of a larger exhibition, Deer Freaks and Decoys, with the Black Mountain College Museum,” focused on the impact of the hurricane.
The zine is a treasure, filled with charm and love, not only for nature and place, but for cats and dogs and XOR (Matthew Boman), whom Mica (spoiler alert!) marries on page 46. There is so much specific beauty chronicled in the indigenous flora and fauna that the knowledge of the ecosystem becomes a bulwark against the upcoming disaster. “We had always been told that the Mountains would protect us from hurricanes,” writes Rutkowski, “and it was easy to believe.” And then the disaster hits: homes gone, lives lost, a community forever changed. After reading about nature in the early part of the zine, the grief section is a (necessary) gut punch. The essay is a testament to community, fragility and hope; this first-hand, real-time scene report is invaluable, an historical document with enduring value.
In the context of the disaster, it’s easy to project images upon the music of Moss and Mud, which was originally performed live as Rutkowski read portions of her essay. Played patiently, the banjo is a warm presence, a consolation in a time of loss. As the modular synth begins to surge forth – even if this were not the original intent – one pictures rising waters, the slow awareness that the mountains will not offer the promised protection. The composition grows denser as it progresses, reverberations arriving in waves. At 3:27, the banjo momentarily disappears, leaving a plunging stomach moment; will it ever come back? Will life – normal, messy, irritating, wondrous life – return? Thankfully it does. As brighter chords arrive, they suggest the return of the sun and the cessation of the wind.
Asheville, Black Mountain and surrounding areas are in the process of rebuilding. This multi-media release is a testament of their resilience. (Richard Allen)
Welcome to the Doom Charts Top 100 albums of 2024...
How many times can we state the obvious? The amount of amazing heavy albums released every year is staggering. What follows is the Doom Charts Top 100 of 2024. It’s comprised of all the votes that were cast throughout the year. Our Tallymaster Remi VL keeps score of everything and everyone and after doing the math, these are the results. In total, 2083 albums received votes this year. We bow before all those bands and thank them for giving us their wonderful music. We thank the labels and PR companies involved for spreading the music and the good word. And we thank all the Doom Charts Contributors for everything they do throughout the year. We can’t thank everyone enough. You included! Thank you for following along and being part of the Heavy Underground. So, without further ado, dive into the Doom Charts Top 100 of 2024, find your favorites, discover your new favorites and let everyone know if your favorite isn’t there. Cause it might be someone else new favorite album after that…
Welcome to the Doom Charts Top 100 albums of 2024...
Welcome to Doom Charts, representing some of the finest bloggers, journalists, radio, podcasters and reviewers from the heavy underground around the globe. Each month, our critics submit their picks for the best new doom, sludge, metal, stoner, psychedelic and heavy rock albums. The results are compiled and tabulated into the chart below. This is a one-stop shop for the best new albums in the world…
50. ROBOT GOD – PORTAL WITHIN 12957 Points Rock, Psych, Space, Stoner, Prog, Fuzz Sydney, Australia Kozmik Artifactz
With a unique combination of intricate melodies, ROBOT GOD explores elements of psychedelic rock and metal underpinned by stoner vocals of electrifying energy. With four long songs in which heavy psychedelia borders on high levels of brilliance, the trio knows how to conquer the listener with their fascinating use of Stoner and blues elements, incorporated into their sensational lysergic developments. Solid and heavy tracks in which psychotropic developments become entangled in authentic heavy-psych orgies that are difficult to resist. Making everything flow smoothly, each track contains twists that make its intensity oscillate in a fluid narrative. Its hazy atmospheres are nourished by a 70’s aroma that includes echoes of Hendrix, Pink Floyd and the eternal Sabbath, making them irresistible. Building monumental walls of sound ROBOT GOD do not limit themselves in their creativity, making their songs full of force gravitate over sandy dunes as well as cosmic dunes. ~ Roberto Lucas (Denpa Fuzz)
MOUNT HUSH returns with the follow-up to their highly acclaimed and beloved self-titled release from 2020, with ‘II’. The new album sees the band returning with the signature sounds we’ve become accustomed to but with a deeper dive into heavy psych and even an expansion into a space rock sound. MOUNT HUSH are additionally known for their bluesy fundamentals, while prevalent throughout, the track aptly titled ‘Blues For The Dead’ captures the band’s affection and incorporation of the genre. Another favorite is the single ‘All I See’ which has a very psychedelic mood to it, a mixture of The Black Angels meets Revolver era Beatles. The whole album has a dreamy hypnotic state to it, creating a mind-expanding listening experience you won’t want to let go of. ~ Jon McGough (Stoner Rock Army, Stoner HiVe, Outlaws Of The Sun)
48. REZN – BURDEN 13475 Points Doom, Psych, Rock Chicago, Illinois, USA Sargent House
Burden by REZN delivers another massive slab of psych soaked doom. There are many directions one can take heavy music. By not remaining traditional there is a risk of pushing some fans away while gaining others. REZN manages to continue blending the most powerful elements of sludge and doom with outer elements of rock, psychedelia and a touch of ambient space. These songs allow time to breathe, build upon an urging emotion and deliver appropriately. When the time to strike arrives, it crushes all its path like a mountain crumbling. The clean vocals level the chaos to a welcoming tone. The result is a very palatable presentation to the heaviest of moments. ~ Bobby Rayfield (Monuments In Ruin)
Hard-driving, crunchy riffs, fuzzy groove, scorching guitar, gritty, powerful vocals, and a healthy dose of bluesy psychedelia form the foundation for HIGH DESERT QUEEN’s heady, infectious “Texas Desert Rock” sound. The Austin, TX quartet stormed onto the scene with their outstanding 2021 debut, Secrets of the Black Moon. Three years later, the band sounds as confident as ever, showcasing their broad dynamic range on sophomore full length, Palm Reader. Gaupa vocalist Emma Näslund infuses an ethereal mood to “Death Perception.” The simmering spoken word passages of “Tuesday Night Blues” build into an explosive heavy blues headbanger. And standouts “Head Honcho” and “Solar Rain” extend past the nine minute mark. Palm Reader is an instantly memorable album that just gets better with each listen. ~ Mitch Kline (DoomyRiffs.com)
PALLBEARER is a strange band to review after you just lost a loved one, but what better way to experience the beautifulness of their version of doom, a version that has become less and less heavy instrumentation wise but never loses its punch. Mind Burns Alive is barely a metal album, but it is going to be tough finding something heavier and more emotional than this record. The perfect mix of raw emotion and heaviness lyrically and musically that creates a dark and beautiful soundscape that only this band can deliver in this form so effectively. ~ Rich Piva (Musipedia of Metal, FuzzDoomRip)
If it seems to you that ROBOT GOD may have just released an album, don’t worry your mind isn’t slipping, the band did put out the album ‘Portal Within’ just this past April. You have to love it when a band’s creative juices are flowing so well that they drop two monster albums in just a year’s time, especially a high caliber band like ROBOT GOD. Whereas ‘Portal Within’ was spacey and ethereal, Subconscious Awakening is a heavier, more rock and riff-oriented album. It’s filled with explosive time changes, an intense vocal delivery, and mind melting lead guitar with the shortest song coming in at over eight and a half minutes. ROBOT GOD continue along their path of inventiveness and ambition creating an album that will expand your cerebral, unlock your subconscious, and awaken you from this mundane existence and the physical world that holds you in chains. ~ Jon McGough (Stoner Rock Army, Stoner HiVe, Outlaws Of The Sun)
I know we throw “Album of the Year” around pretty loosely but this is a top ten, nah, top 5 contender. Supremely heavy, Sacrifice Darkness and … Fire stands like a monolithic stone temple in a dark forest, casting its shadow between the trees and into the landscape and deafening all within its reach with a sonic blanket of doom. This album is expertly crafted and recorded. BLACK CAPRICORN really throw their weight around on this album. ~ S Patrick Brooks (The Heavy Underground Farm Report, Outlaws of the Sun)
43. HAZEHOUND – MACRODOSE 14880 Points Garage Rock, Heavy Psych, Stoner Rock Montreal, Quebec, Canada From the Urn Records
HAZEHOUND‘s “Macrodose,” is a mind-blowing blend of Jimi Hendrix and Black Sabbath with a touch of modern sleaze. The album explores every facet of psychedelic blues rock with gritty confidence. At moments, HAZEHOUND is also able to showcase their more unique identity, infusing punk edges to that bluesy garage rock sound. ~ Ryan Foster (Slightly Fuzzed)
42. HORSEBURNER – VOICE OF STORMS 14976 Points Stoner, Sludge, Progressive, Metal Parkersburg, West Virginia, USA Blues Funeral Recordings
All paths and the many roads traveled have led HORSEBURNER to this point as they continue to cultivate and expand their craft, bringing their brand of progressive sludge stoner metal to the masses. I swear the riff on ‘Heavens Eye’ with that little stutter and guitar harmony sounds like it could seriously be on either of the classic Baroness albums Red or Blue, while the seven plus minute assault of ‘Hidden Bridges’ contains everything that HORSEBURNER is within one track. Excellent vocal hooks, melody, and chorus make for a extraordinary tune. The dynamic bass runs and hard hitting drum flourishes are the backbone, while the twin guitars attack from the front. Harmonic leads but also a focus on the riff, and if you’re a fan of solos, there are three! Voice of Storms is a reflection of HORSEBURNER‘s maturity in musicianship along with songwriting and I feel it’s their most accomplished album to date, so do yourself a favor and check it out. ~ Jon McGough (Stoner Rock Army, Stoner HiVe, Outlaws Of The Sun)
41. SPIRIT MOTHER – TRAILS 15316 Points Heavy Rock, Psychedelic Rock Los Angeles, California, USA Heavy Psych Sounds Records
SPIRIT MOTHER‘s highly-anticipated second album, Trails, maintains the band’s base of folk and retro rock, swirling with strong notes of psychedelia, alternative, and wisps of occult magic. This time, their music is covered in a noticeable veil of darkness, resulting in an album that’s both haunting and enthralling, with the power to both soothe and enchant with trance-inducing tones. That is, until the occasional throaty, bloodcurdling scream from the vocals jars you in the most delightful way. Trails is a savory experience, a winding path meant to be hiked slowly with wonder and appreciation, composed of various terrains, twists and turns. My favorite thing about this album is the vivid imagery it evokes in my mind as I float along on its spooky vapor, sending me to the edge of a dense forest at sunset, the chill air and acrid smell of wood smoke burning in my lungs as I journey down the tangle of trails within. ~ Stephanie Zalta (DoomCakes, Screaming From The Heavy Underground)
Perception has been my most anticipated album for a while: pretty much since Withering Earth’s last notes reverberated through my headphones. Perception annihilated expectations. In my mind, it puts SCORCHED OAK in the same league as HOWLING GIANT, RITUAL KING, SATURNA, and STEAK as one of the best bands in the scene. Every member of the German 3-piece gets their moments, but Linda practically steals the show with her soaring vocals and deceptively wicked bass playing. A definite must for fans of All Things Heavy. ~ Scott Spiers (CleanAndSoberStoner)
This third album is simply a massive magic roller coaster ride, heavily inspired by all the things we truly love in music, some 80’s vibe here and there, on repeat for me since day one. This album in my book is their best work to date, I just love it musically and lyrically. If you really love hard rock then this one is for you, without hesitation will seriously become a cult classic. ~ ‘The General’ (Stoner Rock Army)
38. LORD BUFFALO – HOLUS BOLUS 16250 Points Desert Rock, Dark Americana, Neo Folk Austin, TX, USA Blues Funeral Recordings
Against the backdrop of a billboard-nation that fell so madly in love with its own mythology it has been repackaged and rebranded to the point of obsolescence, Austin’s LORD BUFFALO continue to evoke the primitive sounds and aeons-old wisdoms of the wild prairies they call home. Much like its namesake suggests, Holus Bolus’ immersion is instantaneous: from the moment the needle hits the wax, and the eponymous opener lets loose its scathing diatribe – turning its back against mountains of glass – stirring winds and violin strings cut right to the bone, tidal grasslands sway between fingers and toes, and a violent euphoria swells and crashes with every overwhelming surge. A powerful lament against such destructive transformation before their very eyes, Holus Bolus, at its heart, is desert music. As raw and as organic as the ground beneath their feet, this haunting yet meditative pièce de résistance is more real than any story, long since discombobulated, the country dares try to sell you. ~ JC Cansdale-Cook (The MotorFuzzin’ Ibex)
From the opening guitar parts, you’ll realize that Vestiges of Verumex Visidrome is a headbanger with infectious riffs and evolving changes. Also, within the first few minutes you’ll discover the oddity and weirdness (I promise in a good way) that is GNOME. I don’t believe anyone else sounds quite like them, they’re like a Qotsa/Primus illegitimate GNOME baby that grew up dropping acid and listening to 90’s Stoner Rock. The grooving drums, funk filled bass, and killer riffs navigate through the progressive- stoner framework and righteous jams all while having a tongue in cheek approach and tons of fun along the way. These guys are all over the place (again, in a good way) with spunky time changes to keep you on your toes, serious stoner hooks to head nod to, great vocals to sing along with, but also their own quirky additions that will put a smile on your face. Who expected a saxophone solo? I mean damn! While GNOME may not take themselves too seriously, this is a seriously great album, Vestiges of Verumex Visidrome is highly addictive and you’ll find yourself listening to it on repeat. Another way for GNOME to say, hooray! ~ Jon McGough (Stoner Rock Army, Stoner HiVe, Outlaws Of The Sun)
I’m not always a super fan of supergroups but in the case of BIG SCENIC NOWHERE I’m all in. Tony Reed’s vocals are at the top of his game and his bass work is mesmerizing. The progressive song structure is sublime giving me all sorts of Mastodon meets Baroness vibes. Absolutely stunning! ~ Bucky Brown (The Ripple Effect)
This Denver quartet play a massive style of stoner doom that’s quite entrancing! The crushing stoner riffs and solos will put you in a daze as the heavy and clean mixture of vocals suspend in the air above you. While you’re floating through these musical soundscapes the devouring bass and exploading drums will beckon you further. As you’re being pulled towards the event horizon of the black hole, you realize the HASHTRONAUT has landed and there is No Return! ~ Jon McGough
34. LUNA SOL – VITA MORS 18147 Points High Desert Heavy Blues Denver, Colorado, USA Ripple Music
Some albums are just special. You can tell from the first few notes that there is something happening that will be with you for a long time, maybe even the rest of your life. I have had a few experiences with albums that immediately stuck and never left rotation, even though the years and shifting personal tastes. The record becomes a part of you, it touches you, it makes you feel something every time you spin it. I think I found the next album for me that does that, the new record from LUNA SOL, Vita Mors. You will know Dave Angstrom most likely as the guitarist from Hermano, but do not sleep on LUNA SOL as just another side project. This version of the band is completely different from other incarnations, but keeps the spirit of the original idea alive. This is heavy blues rock perfection filled with filthy riffs, excellent songwriting, Dave’s best vocal performance ever, and just an overall vibe of love for what they all do to create music together. There is so much love on Vita Mors, be it Dave leveraging all of his influences, the inclusion of his family on interludes and even in songs, the personal touch in all of his lyrics, and love just woven into the fabric of the 15 tracks on this new classic. A generational record. ~ Rich Piva (Musipedia of Metal, FuzzDoomRip)
Another excellent debut record in a year with a whole bunch of them, ERRONAUT has made a huge splash with The Space Inbetween. My only real complaint is the spelling of the title, as Inbetween is making my spell check go crazy, but other than that, this record is chock full of heavy riffs, excellent grungy heavy slow burns, and some serious space via post rock to combine together to create what will be one of the debut records of the year. ~ Rich Piva (Musipedia of Metal, FuzzDoomRip)
EARLY MOODS kicked everyone’s butts in 2022 w/their self titled debut full length, landing high on our end of year doom list here at the Mighty Decibel. So, it’s no surprise that their sophomore A Sinners Past tops our doom list for March. Similar to the debut, the LA, California act steer close to the old school doom blueprint, following in the steps of the masters … BLACK SABBATH, WITCHFINDER GENERAL and TROUBLE. ~ Chris Tighe (The Mighty Decibel)
Yeah, Wino is back! After the first reunion album “Sacred” (2017), which was really good, “Gilded Sorrow” is now the second album since the reunion and here too, how could it be otherwise, Wino does not disappoint his fans. The first part of the long player impresses with bluesy classic rock tracks like the cool opener ‘Daughter Of An Echo’, the groovy ‘It’s Not OK’ or the straight-riffy ‘Realize A Dream’. In the last 20 minutes it gets doomier and the magnificent ‘Stoned Back To The Bomb Age’ alone justifies buying this album. If you like something slightly weird and psychedelic, ‘Yen Sleep’ is perfect for you. Wino delivered again, albeit only for 37 minutes. ~ Tom Schmahl (Rock Circuz)
MAGICK POTION, the trio from Baltimore is the real deal, from their sound to their look, these guys came from their time machine where they were on a bill with Blue Cheer, stopped to see a Grand Funk show along the way, and picked up a couple Zeppelin 8 tracks before dropping these eight killer tracks that capture that era of music better than pretty much any other band out there today. There are a lot of bands out there who try to copy the sounds of yesteryear. Some successfully, others terribly but somehow find a fan base, but MAGICK POTION does it as good or better than any of them. Yes, even the ones who somehow fill arenas. MAGICK POTION is the most real and raw new rock band out there today who really gets it. Yeah, the sound is from the past, but this is true rock and roll, as true as anything I have heard all year. ~ Rich Piva (Musipedia of Metal, FuzzDoomRip)
29. DUEL – BREAKFAST WITH DEATH 20100 Points Seventies, Hard rock, Psych, Fuzz, Stoner Rock, Stoner Metal, Metal Austin, TX, USA Heavy Psych Sounds Records
Heaviest DUEL to date. Kickass Texas rock and roll. DUEL is reaching new heights with Breakfast With Death. This is no simple 2 eggs and toast, this album cooks up a full meal of heavy riffs, great vocals, killer songs and a side of bacon (ok not the bacon). ~ S Patrick Brooks (The Heavy Underground Farm Report, Outlaws of the Sun)
28. EMU – EMU 20376 Points 70’s, Retro, Psych, Blues, Classic Rock Sunshine Coast, Australia No Groove No Good Records
Killer self-titled debut here from the jamming, proto metal, power trio, EMU. Unlike the birds that are their namesake, EMU takes flight early and often; providing the kind of free-wheeling heavy rock fun that made the late 60s and early 70s the most significant era in heavy rock history. Of course, there will be a well-earned tendency to compare EMU to their countrymen in Seedy Jeezus, but they’ve got just as much in common with that band’s collaborators in Earthless… effectively blending San Diego psych sounds with Australian boogie. It’s a rare treat these days for a band to come out the chute fully formed and firing on all cylinders, but that’s exactly what EMU manages to achieve here. ~ Ben Bellum (The Greatest Thing You’ve Never Heard)
Houston’s FOSTERMOTHER returns with Echo Manor, and album that keeps haunting me to listen more. This album delivers an exceptional experience in doom-laden, heavy psychedelic, and sludgy stoner rock and metal. Prepare to be captivated by this new release. The ghostly whispers keep calling, “You think you would? could? you?” ~ Michael D’Amato(Playgroundz Rocks, D’Amato Production)
After a 4-song EP published five years ago, we must admit that we didn’t expect much from the new album from OLD HORN TOOTH. However, what a slap in the face! In four brilliant heavy doom songs (which last between 14 and 21 minutes!), the London trio offers us a real true monster. No words strong enough can describe what I felt when I first listened to this album. When I discovered the song “Mourning light”, I haven’t felt like this since… Empress rising from Monolord… 10 years ago… So, thanks to OLD HORN TOOTH for creating this goosebumps machine who will accompany me for a long time. ~ Damien Regnauld (Stoner Freaks Anthology)
THE LUNAR EFFECT is a million times more interesting than the actual solar eclipse that happened in parts of the US this month, and will have way more staying power and overall impact, as Sounds Of Blue And Green is a serious top 20 AOTY contender. This is a killer heavy and fuzzy stoner heavy blues mix with some elements of psych thrown in that is super catchy and uses keys extremely effectively and at times remind me of what Faith No More did on the track Edge Of The World, which gets immediate love from me. Sounds Of Blue and Green blocks out more than the sun, try the whole universe. ~ Rich Piva (Musipedia of Metal, FuzzDoomRip)
PHANTOM HOUND’s sophomore album, From Boom Town to Ghost Town, delivers a potent mix of heavy rock, doom psych, and sludge metal, showcasing the band’s growth and musical evolution. ~ Michael D’Amato(Playgroundz Rocks, D’Amato Production)
While thought-provoking words and sounds are par for the course when it comes to progressive rock such as that created by MAMMOTH VOLUME, I greatly appreciate this band’s refreshing take on the genre. MAMMOTH VOLUME combines 70s prog and stoner rock, a fusion that, while often airy, soothing, and whimsical, delivers some weightier moments in all the right spots. The sepia-tinted retro sound works together with lovely vocals and harmonies, immersive storytelling, clever instrumental progressions, and a varied but flowing composition to provide a cozy but entrancing listen. Raised Up By Witches plays out a bit like a dream, and it’s one you’ll want to get lost in more than once. ~ Stephanie Zalta (DoomCakes, Screaming From The Heavy Underground)
The Paths of Time Are Vast defies generic descriptions of any kind. This is an exceptionally powerful album, and BLACK PYRAMID is clearly up to the task. None of the concepts are above their ability to play, and their concepts are as vast as the title suggests. I can’t help but think that the Universe insisted that this album be made: exactly when, how, and why seems like an epic tale I’ll never get tired of hearing. ~ Scott Spiers (CleanAndSoberStoner)
Rarely do bands make it this far in their careers, let alone with the consistency of high-quality releases that VALLEY OF THE SUN have been able to do in theirs. You could easily pick up any of their albums and introduce them to someone for the first time and they would be surprised they had never heard of them before. They have a high standard of excellence they always seem to live up to, Quintessence being no exception. It’s surreal that the first day of recording was during the total eclipse that North America experienced back in April, which made for the perfect inspiration behind the album. Quintessence takes you on a vast journey across the far reaches of the solar system, spouting fuzzy riffs like coronal mass injections, luminous lead guitar, soaring vocals that release gamma-ray intensity, and tight rhythms that are locked in like the twin dance of the earth and moon. Not only does the album have the stoner/desert sounds we’ve come to expect from VALLEY OF THE SUN, but there are also the more thoughtful and dreamy tunes such as ‘Where’s This Place?’ and ‘Palus Somni’ that brings a little more dimension to the album. Don’t be discouraged as there are plenty of rockers on the album as well, ‘Graviton’, ‘Theia’, and the title track ‘Quintessence’ are all stand out tracks in their own rights. I feel like even these heavier songs themselves have more depth and meaning while still maintaining their hard rock qualities. VALLEY OF THE SUN adds to their already impressive catalog with Quintessence and it’s one that you’ll want to pick up and add to your collection! ~ Jon McGough (Stoner Rock Army, Stoner HiVe, Outlaws Of The Sun)
A prismatic journey that explores the notion of freedom and destiny through Norse mythology and weaves a majestic sonic tapestry filled with liquid riffs, elegant psychedelia, progressive grandeur and vibrant vocals. A modern and rewarding space journey that should please fans of bands such as Yes, King Buffalo, Elder, Naxatras and especially Motorpsycho. The weight of the keyboards makes the sound that until now we knew about them dissipate into new routes in which to expand their compositions. In this way the band embarks on a new path in its musical creation to a much more complex sound space, moving away in some way from the blues and stoner arguments present in its previous albums. Although the live band dispenses with the bass, here, the bass and keyboards make their songs appear more complex and rich in nuances. ~ Roberto Lucas (Denpa Fuzz)
HIGH ON FIRE needs no introduction. The band has been serving up their devastating sonic stew of apocalyptic metal for over twenty years now. On Cometh The Storm, the band’s ninth proper studio album, Matt Pike (for President), bassist Jeff Matz, and drummer Coady Willis, the latest addition to the band, sound as tight, inspired, and furious as ever. The noticeable Middle Eastern influence simmering amongst the trademark pummeling sonic assault, including the standout mid-set instrumental “Karanlik Yol” that follows the murky title track, makes this album worth at least one listen. But let’s face it, you’ll likely be back for more. ~ Mitch Kline (DoomyRiffs.com)
18. MAGMAKAMMER – BEFORE I BURN 26516 Points Stoner, Doom, Psych, Rock Oslo, Norway Kozmik Artifactz / Evil Noise Recordings
My goodness, we had to wait a long time for the follow-up to the great album Mindtripper. Six years is a long time, but the wait was definitely worth it, because the new long player Before I Burn is terrific. MAGMAKAMMER from Oslo are very reminiscent of the super cool Uncle Acid And The Deadbeats – this is just to give you an idea of what the band from Norway sounds like and to give you a rough idea. If, like me, the last Uncle Acid… disappointed you, you absolutely have to listen to this work, although you can’t go wrong by buying it without having heard it – you should also get the predecessor at the same time. The 44 minutes of the album start with the famous “Doom Jive”, which booms out of the speakers so beautifully – wonderful guitar sounds, cool melodies and a high intensity put a smile on your face. This is followed by the slow, doomy “Cyanide Fever” with great organ and wonderful leads towards the end. The title track that follows starts off wonderfully psychedelic, then picks up speed halfway through and becomes a really forward-moving rocker. Finally, I would like to recommend the very interesting number “Cult Of Misanthropy”. The track starts off very sparsely, bluesy, calm in a great atmosphere. It builds up with riffy guitars until the psychedelic vocals come in, although the basic riff of the song remains. Now the drums are banging and if you don’t have to bend your head along to this, you’re not a real music lover – sensational title. The four tracks not mentioned are up for you to discover for yourself. I can’t say at the moment whether I like Before I Burn or Mindtripper better. But one thing is clear: if you love the doom charts, you’ll love this album. ~ Tom Schmahl (Rock Circuz)
Hands down album of the month here at The Mighty Decibel is All Quiet On The Final Frontier by Sweden’s 10,000 YEARS. After completing the conceptual trilogy of their first three records, the band decide to go the standard non-conceptual route this time out. Musically, the band still delivers head crushing stoner doom with exquisite guitar work, but this time out the band introduces some more melody and rock’n’roll swagger making it even more compelling. A must buy for stoner doom heads. ~ Chris Tighe (The Mighty Decibel)
Smokestacks roar and the landscape is layered with stoner ash as Sorrow’s Pyre by OCCULT WITCHES ignites everything within earshot as it passes. With a foot firmly fixed to the gas pedal, this vehicle is fully fueled and ready to burn through your stereo. If you want rock, you’ve got it! These riffs are bathed in the blood of heavy blues rock legends and are not afraid to use this vehicle as a catalyst to forge new roads of their own. The blistering riffs will cut down anything in the path, leaving only charcoal, unsettled earth and burnt speaker cones. This record is not a joke. The next time someone questions the modern music landscape, show them the smoldering embers from Sorrow’s Pyre. ~ Bobby Rayfield (Monuments In Ruin)
1000MODS is back with another quintessential album in Cheat Death. What a ride this is, scorched with rhythmic fury, melodic hook and dusted with a crusty angst. The progression of songcraft carries effortlessly throughout the album and comes crashing to a triumphant close on the track Grey, Green Blues. Absolutely and undeniably EPIC!!! ~ Bucky Brown (The Ripple Effect)
FREE RIDE has mastered the art of balance with its sonic exploration into the human psyche, carefully extracting the inner dark side of the soul, tapping into a little light of hope where our cleaner and purer thoughts are met with dirty resistance. In this journey, the prettier things get, the fuzzier they become. Balance is everything, and FREE RIDE has the formula. Perhaps we all need some more Acido Y Puto. ~ Michael D’Amato(Playgroundz Rocks, D’Amato Production)
Damn, that was heavy. That was my initial response when I listened to the new BLUE HERON record, Everything Fades, for the first time. It is also the reaction after the first dozen or so, and every other one after, because this bad boy is a crusher. Everything Fades is nine tracks that are the definition of heavy in stoner rock today and should be the prototype for bands who want to bring it. The riffs, the vocals, the subject matter, the tone, the vibe, the title…there is nothing not heavy about this Everything Fades. The drum work on this album is fantastic too, really pushing that heavy button, so I need to call out how awesome Ricardo Sanchez’s work is here. BLUE HERON and it is here to crush your skull and your soul with Everything Fades, and everything does, except how awesome this record is. ~ Rich Piva (Musipedia of Metal, FuzzDoomRip)
The Greek hairy pachyderm returns to the present with his new album. The fourth album by the band from Atenas is loaded with narcotic fuzz and a vintage spirit more typical of the heavy bands of the 70’s. Revering the legacy of Black Sabbath, with thunderous rhythms and enormous strength sprinkled with peculiar voices, ACID MAMMOTH unleashes the storm. A storm commanded by the riff, in an ungodly celebration of the heavy sounds of the 21st century, but with all the ingredients that created the genre in the past. An album that crushes you with an unusual force to become an evil, explosive beast whose Holy Grail is fuzz. Walking the path in the opposite direction, the doom vocation looks to the past to offer us an album established in the roughest and most forceful proto-doom. An occult celebration that little by little introduces us to an intriguing world in which disturbing lysergic passages are nourished by the heaviness that the band loves so much. ~ Roberto Lucas (Denpa Fuzz)
11. SACRI MONTI – RETRIEVAL 31556 Points Psychedelic rock, stoner rock, hard rock, rock San Diego, CA, USA Tee Pee Records
The San Diego scene produces some of the best heavy underground bands in the world and SACRI MONTI carries on the southern California stoner psych tradition with Retrieval. Huge in scope, excellent songwriting propels this album into the upper stratosphere of the heavy underground scene. Killer guitar solos, thrilling drumming and clockwork bass lines give off 60s/70s hard rock vibes while still sounding completely modern. A triumph! ~ S Patrick Brooks (The Heavy Underground Farm Report, Outlaws of the Sun)
10. SONS OF ARRAKIS – VOLUME II 31806 Points Stoner, Desert, Doom, Sci-Fi Rock Montreal, Québec, Canada Black Throne Productions
The Montreal based sci-fi rock/stoner/doom sensation SONS OF ARRAKIS is back with Vol.II, two years after Vol.I. Vol.I has been a favorite for lots of Doom Charts reviewers. Inspired by the universe of Frank Herbert’s novel Dune, SONS OF ARRAKIS has a unique sound identity, deep and powerful as hell. Epic guitar riffs, desertic atmosphere and a hint of psychedelism, it all comes together to spend more than half an hour of a galactic trip. The album is even better than the previous one. Especially the melodic side and the pace of the songs. The voice of Frédéric Couture is also a highlight that draws my attention. After 5 listens, I’ve been transported by that fantastic universe that the four musicians have created together. You can feel the alchemy between them and the result is a masterpiece of the genre and probably in the top 5 of my albums of the year. ~ Edouard Dubuisson (Les chroniques d’Eddy, MetalUniverse)
Fuzzed out, desert-drenched groove from Swedish heavy psych legends LOWRIDER merges with haunting psychedelic doom from London-based ELEPHANT TREE on their intense and emotional seven song split, The Long Forever. These two bands are in peak form, and their contrasting sounds come together perfectly on the intoxicating collaborative closer “Long Forever.” This is the split that broke my “no splits” rule. ~ Mitch Kline (DoomyRiffs.com)
8. SLIFT – ILION 39643 Points Rock, Metal, Psychedelic, Progressive, Garage, Kraut, Space, Stoner, Doom Toulouse, France Sub Pop Records
An overwhelming album that does not falter in any of its disturbing songs. Overwhelming in the development of their songs, their complex experimentation of sidereal space requires an open mind and a willingness to be surprised. His progressive forays may not be easy to digest, but the excellence of his compositions challenges the listener. ‘ILION‘ is a monumental and complex album, which reflects the evolution of a band that moves away from the conventional and that, without any shame, explores intricate sound scenarios in which the progressive is adorned with metal hits, thus enriching its proposal. heavy-psych. These massive sounds take us to an epic tale in which anything can happen. ~ Roberto Lucas (Denpa Fuzz)
I was totally blown away by Visitations, the first album from SUNDRIFTER, released six years ago. This month, Boston guys offer us nothing more than a better one, full of crazy riffs, incredible horny moments where your head and feet will move uncontrollably. I’m not ready to get tired of it and I won’t be able to recover from such a musical slap. Dear Craig, Paul and Patrick, thanks for spreading such love, beauty and fucking good music to people ! ~ Damien Regnauld (Stoner Freaks Anthology)
SLOMOSA knew that they wanted their sophomore album to be a natural continuation of their highly successful debut, while incorporating some darker elements and more melody to represent their emotional side. The band accomplishes this and then some on Tundra Rock, named for their specific heavy riffing yet impassioned brand of stoner/desert rock. SLOMOSA‘s sound is expanded upon even further here, their gritty stoner/desert textures gathering even more depth and dimension, surrounding the listener like a sandstorm (or perhaps a blinding blizzard). Rather than settle for playing one genre incredibly well, SLOMOSA ambitiously (and successfully) adds in a hint of grunge and even experiments with the pacing of techno on one song. However, my favorite thing about Tundra Rock remains my favorite thing about SLOMOSA as a band: hearing their soaring, relatable, heartfelt melodies against a massive wall of sound, a combination that gives me cold chills every time. To say that the sky is the limit for SLOMOSA would be a massive understatement. ~ Stephanie Zalta (DoomCakes, Screaming From The Heavy Underground)
The Return Of Tomorrow by FU MANCHU reminds us why they are the masters of fuzz. When it comes to good time, fuzzed out rock and roll ala stoner rock legends, FU MANCHU has long been a go to name to reference such. They are always on brand with their signature sound and are consistently able to write a new batch of riffs that fit right in the pocket of the monolith discography they have crafted over a thirty year stretch. It’s such a treat to hear a new album from the veteran musicians that sparks as much excitement to the listener as the many albums before this one have. FU MANCHU have delivered another sermon from the desert sands and we give them thanks as we soak up the sun. ~ Bobby Rayfield (Monuments In Ruin)
Using fuzzed out riffs, ORANGE GOBLIN assault 2024 with a treacle thick sound that swirls into the atmosphere with feedback, sound effects and tunes that were birthed in a swamp somewhere. With a lot of the songs under 6 minutes, ORANGE GOBLIN use the track lengths to fully explore the dark/seedier side of 60’s/70’s psych with lashings of stoner rock that are laid upon a doom foundation and served up with extra creepiness. This experience is not about being cowered into submission with aggression or decibels but is more concerned with tones, colour, a human touch or emotions. Vocals are a prayer that are offered up in the vain chance that the dread and despair in life are eased but from the wails and croons, you can know there will be no help offered. Fuzz drenches everything with its sonic embrace, making these distorted jams epic anthems which are dedicated to the higher beings who dwell in the Church of Riffs. These voodoo sex mantras have huge outbursts of slow, thick-toned solos running through them with hex like properties making it impossible not to nod out to them. Take a dark, slow, sleazy trip into the minds of ORANGE GOBLIN – but beware – this cult will be very hard to escape from – and would you want to? ~ Tony Maim (Black Insect Laughter, Stoner HiVe)
Do I get my stoner rock fan club membership revoked if I say that I prefer GREENLEAF to Dozer overall? We can all agree that GREENLEAF is not a side project anymore given that their new album, The Head & The Habit, is album number nine, right? Don’t get me wrong, I love both of these bands and the other bands connected to the current and former members of GREENLEAF, but for whatever reason, especially over the past decade, my go to out of almost any band in the genre seems to be GREENLEAF. The Head & The Habit cements them as in the top echelon of the genre for sure. These nine tracks are exactly what a fan of this band would expect and more; amazing musicianship (with a huge hat tip to the drum work), riffs, catchy songs, on point production, and great lyrics. GREENLEAF simply rules and should be looked at as on of the best bands out there today. ~ Rich Piva (Musipedia of Metal, FuzzDoomRip)
Hail the electric fuzz-power of the new Swedish masters! The Head & The Habit by GREENLEAF offers me everything I expect from heavy rock : irresistible hypnotic rhythms, 70s hard rock / proto-metal riffs by fuzzed guitar, below-sea-level tuned bass, unstoppable rock’n’rollin’ drums, bluesy groovy jams and good vocal melodies. Any heavy rocker could tell you TH&TH is his ultimate quest of an album, anyway it’s mine – trust the pumpkin! ~ Thierry “Pumpkin-Trust“ François (Metal Intégral)
For everyone that might have been a little worried about what the stunning new Dozer album Drifting In The Endless Void from 2023 might mean for the side-project that GREENLEAF originally was, have no fear, you can rest easy, there’s already a new GREENLEAF album for you to enjoy! Their former Echoes From A Mass album from 2021 felt like the perfection of the sound the band had been searching for since its formation back in 1999. Especially after vocalist Arvid Hällagård joined the band back in 2014. Ten years later, The Head & The Habit is full album number nine and the fifth with Hällagård. Soundwise the albums feels like a continuation of that perfect and incredibly groovy stonerrock sound they achieved on Echoes. Lyrically, Hällagård responsible for the lyrics, found inspiration in his other job, helping people in mental difficulties and addictive forms of dependancy. It gives the album more gravity and those swirling, addictive vocals, show us that Hällagård, like the other four, is the most important part of GREENLEAF. Indeed, every single member is the most important one and it feels like GREENLEAF cannot exist without them anymore. Singular in delivery and presence, the four are more than their number. A stand-out band that continues to deliver outstanding albums! ~ Joop Konraad (Stoner HiVe)
SERGEANT THUNDERHOOF just redefined whatever I thought was possible for a rock band to do in 2024. The Ghost of Badon Hill is everything great about the band, but with more focus, intensity, and restraint. It’s epic without being bloated and heavy without weighing itself down. There is simply no band in the Stoner/Doom/Heavy Underground doing it better than these guys. ~ Scott Spiers (CleanAndSoberStoner, Monster Riff)
The most highly regarded band on the heavy psych/stoner/doom scene in recent years, Elder, has influenced a ton of bands. Some recognizably borrow from their sonic signature, but even more positively, others have taken the queue to push boundaries outside of the typical subgenre confines, such as King Buffalo, Vitskär Süden and SERGEANT THUNDERHOOF. The band has been around for a decade, releasing their first EP in 2014, but really made a move to stand out with This Sceptred Veil (2022). As they’ve expanded the scope of their sound palate, they’ve also grown more ambitious in songwriting and concepts, this time tackling The Battle of Badon, the accounts of the 5th century clash between Britons and Anglo-Saxons were hazy and fragmented with Arthurian legend mixed in. Prime material for a progressive psych metal album. While the band’s earlier work had been aligned with stoner doom, like Elder, Pallbearer and Anathema, they’ve evolved beyond those boundaries into an elegantly moody, melodic territory that could be comparable to bands outside of their genre confines, like Radiohead and Elbow. ~ A.S. Van Dorston (Fast n Bulbous)
The Ghost Of Badon Hill is amazing once again. The less is more principle seems to work for the songs, turning the compositions into carriers of a longer arc, a story and a history. Dismissing the extra riffs, leaving off some of the fills, the extra lyrics and everything that wasn’t necessary to tell the tale. The result turns their progressive side into something highly engaging and compulsive, for once opening track Badon begins, you cannot help but listen to the entire legend once again. We’ve said it before, if you want to tell a story, it’s about setting the scene. And some bands are true masters in that respect. And with The Ghost Of Badon Hill, SERGEANT THUNDERHOOF has become one of them. As the wind gushes around you on that fateful hill, and the acoustic medieval-touched guitar is punctuated by a forlorn whistle, you will be swept up by the mist and carried away to another time and place. That song becomes so much more though, riddled with enchanting harmonies and powerful strides. Slowly building, with wistful vocals and a warrior’s drum march. And then that drum, like a subdued cannon blast echo from the past launching the composition forwards and into thundering metal, unhurried but so forceful. The guitars get to soar, to lift off, to fly. And so do the vocals. Which is possible due to the bass work and drums that accentuates every detailed rise minutely and in that fashion, lifts every tone to a higher plane of existence. No longer fleeting, the tones seem to linger and stay with you as the others wash over you, burying you, like the sands of time.. ~ Joop Konraad (Stoner HiVe)
1. PSYCHLONA – WARPED VISION 63612 Points Stoner Rock, Desert Rock, Psychedelic Rock Bradford, United Kingdom Magnetic Eye Records
Warped Vision, the fourth full-length album from UK stoner/psych masters PSYCHLONA, leans heavily into the band’s psychedelic influences while continuing to evolve into a more atmospheric sound. Make no mistake, PSYCHLONA is still as riff-driven as ever, keeping things heavy and immersive but never bogged down. PSYCHLONA expertly harnesses the contrast between the delicacy of psychedelic rock and the burliness of stoner, with their songs as wispy and flowing as smoke one minute and barreling across the desert with massively heavy riffage the next. The most notable difference on Warped Vision is its lyrical deep dive into some tougher topics, which is executed in a very open and honest way. This feels like a very personal album for PSYCHLONA, filled with fond memories, heartache, and frustrations, but Warped Vision takes plenty of time to celebrate the good times too. ~ Stephanie Zalta (DoomCakes, Screaming From The Heavy Underground)
PSYCHLONA delivers a collection of songs that feels both timeless and forward-thinking. With Warped Vision this release cements their place as a formidable force in the psychedelic desert rock scene. ~ Michael D’Amato(Playgroundz Rocks, D’Amato Production)
They hail from the haunted forests of Bradford and have already graced our ears with three wonderful albums. And now the PSYCHLONA four are back with their fourth record: Warped Vision. Two members left, but a new guitarist and bassist were soon recruited so the PSYCHLONA ship could move forward. For move they do! You and me and the Earth itself. Even though the sound of these cosmic stonerrockers got a hue of blue and a spot of bluesy influences, they still psych and space out whenever they can. If the energy is right, they allow their sound to fly away on a magic carpet towards the furthest planet known to man. I’m game! Let’s Go! ~ Joop Konraad (Stoner HiVe)
The Doom Charts membership ebbs and flows and the following people have moved on to other projects or are only part of it in a different way. We thank them for their contributions to what the Doom Charts are today:
Feel free to send in your albums to stonerdoomcharts@gmail.com where they’ll be delegated to the crew above to determine their thoughts and gather the votes at the end of the month. Leave us comments below and let us know what you think about the Charts.
Log in
