“My god, it’s full of DOOM!“
~ Dave (probably misheard quote from 2001: A Space Odyssey)
We here at the Doom Charts pride ourselves on loving all that the heavy underground has to offer. Not only doom in all its dark and deadly forms, but all the other strains of heavy and metal out there. That being said, to our sinister delight this March turns out to be an especially misbegotten month. From top to bottom, soup to nuts, Ozzy to Dio, this month’s charts are filled with DOOM! Stoner, psychedelic, classic, you name it, it’s here.
Of the hundreds of albums submitted, the one unifying thread everyone could agree upon was the mountain of madness and music that bands had to offer this March. A seemingly bottomless pit of heavy awaits to lose yourself in, and rest assured the below 40 albums are only the tip of the iceberg. Check out the individual contributor’s sites, the band’s pages, the record labels, and more to get your heavy fix.
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…
40. FULL EARTH – CLOUD SCULPTORS / NEW!
39. FRANK NEVER DIES – RED MOON RISING / NEW!
38. WATCHMAN – CURSED / NEW!
37. SKULL SERVANT – SUMMON SORCERESS / NEW!
36. HIJSS – STUCK ON COMMON GROUND / NEW!
35. HYDRA – INTO THE NIGHT / NEW!
34. THE NEPTUNE POWER FEDERATION – GOODNIGHT MY CHILDREN / NEW!
33. PER WIBERG – THE SERPENT’S HERE / NEW!
32. CANCERVO – III / NEW!
31. SONS OF MORPHEUS – FRUITS / NEW!
30. LÅNGFINGER – PENDULUM / NEW!
29. THE WIZARDS – THE EXIT GARDEN / NEW!
28. EMPTY FULL SPACE – FROM THE LIMBO / NEW!
27. DAYTRIPPER – BOOK I: THE TRIP / NEW!
26. OAKFARM – OAKFARM / NEW!
25. CARPET – COLLISION / NEW!2340 Points70’s, Heavy-psych, Progressive-rock, Stoner, Kraut, Jazz-rock, SpaceAugsburg, GermanyKapitän Platte
Maintaining the balance between the complexity of their arrangements, the strength of their riffs, and the hypnotism of their rhythms, the vocal melodies somehow make the difference. A warm and melodious voice that knows how to defend complicated progressive songs, gives shine to tracks with careful details that make them appear captivating for the listener. Transmitting feelings from a soundstage inclined to melancholy, CARPET combines the hard-progressive vibes of the 70’s, with the experimentation of bands like MOTORPSYCHO, to envelop us in their hypnotic psychedelia. The result is seven sophisticated songs with their own identity in a common plot thread. There are many attractions that the listener can find in Collision, from heavy stoner riffs, elegant jazz-rock moments, psychedelic passages that always end in an intricate progressive forest, and a dedication to polishing its sophisticated melodies.~ Roberto Lucas (Denpa Fuzz)See AlsoDOOM CHARTS – SEPTEMBER 2024DOOM CHARTS – NOVEMBER 2024DOOM CHARTS – OCTOBER 2024DOOM CHARTS – JULY 2024
24. THE QUILL – WHEEL OF ILLUSION / NEW!2544 PointsHeavy Rock, Metal, StonerKalmar, SwedenMetalville Records
Veteran rockers THE QUILL return with their follow-up to 2021’s Earthrise and much like that album this one is full of earworms. Soon you’ll be banging your head and singing along to the feel good tunes, as this is the catchiest album of the year.
There are the get stuck in your head type songs such as “Elephant Head”, the Sabbath worshipping title track “Wheel of Illusion”, the emotional “Rainmaker”, and my personal favorite the instant classic “Wild Mustang”.
Simply put, these guys are not only talented but know how to write great material, it’s all about the songs. Even though we all know that rock has never died or been extinguished, this album is not only proof that it exists on a profound level but also that THE QUILL are true keepers of the flame!~ Jon McGough
23. LITTLE ALBERT – THE ROAD NOT TAKEN / NEW!2585 PointsBlues, Psych rockBassano Del Grappa, ItalyVirgin Music, Universal Music Italia
The Road Not Taken is the second album by Alberto Piccolo aka LITTLE ALBERT. You probably know him from his work in the famous Italian Doom band MESSA. Here, Alberto is on another planet where he plays and sings with two friends a classic, true and emotional blues. Fans of the most bluesy songs by LED ZEPPELIN, RICHIE KOTZEN’s solo career or the Australian band CHILD will enjoy… Any fan of blues rock will enjoy it cause it’s a brilliant album. Did I mention this is a blues album? Well, don’t expect anything else but groovy rhythms, clear and tasty vocals, and luminous guitar solos. A big album by this LITTLE ALBERT!~ Thierry “Pumpkin-T“ François (Metal Intégral)
22. MARIO LALLI & THE RUBBER SNAKE CHARMERS – FOLKLORE FROM THE OTHER DESERT CITIES/ NEW!2640 PointsDesert rock, Stoner rock, Heavy psychCaliforniaHeavy Psych Sounds
A who’s-who of desert rock royalty, MARIO LALLI & THE RUBBER SNAKE CHARMERS digs in and rides the laid-back, expansive grooves its members are known for. Featuring Mr. Lalli himself, Brant Bjork, Sean Wheeler, and Ryan Güt, the album is a live recording of a performance in Gold Coast Australia, and you can feel the energy and mastery of craft exuded by the foursome. Sean Wheeler spins his madcap poetry over longform psychedelia that stretches effortlessly outward, creating an iconic debut and enthralling listening experience.~ Kyle SB (Good Boy PR, Stoner HiVe)
21. ACID ROW – POISONED MIND / NEW!2655 PointsStoner-punk, Doom Metal, Grunge RockPrague, CzechiaSelf-released
This phenomenal album is poisonous devil’s sugar doom of the new generation, the “grandson of doom”, through and through! Like a fat bag of sherbet powder that you pour into your mouth, the familiar doom sound tingles and prickles on your tongue (or rather in your ears) at the beginning, which is unleashed in no time in a veritable firework display through this magical, cheeky and snotty mixture of genre and subgenre elements, of fat, 90’s grungy rock and peppery punk metal, which this three-headed devil team wears like a second skin!
There is no doubt that when the singer’s dark and lascivious voice draws you deep into the depths of this rabbit hole, the aura of the band’s longing to break the constricting shackles will capture your soul. … you’ll definitely find mine down there in this intoxicating rabbit hole!~ Mel Lie (Sunday’s Heavy Tunes)
20. TIGERS ON OPIUM – PSYCHODRAMA / NEW!2842 PointsHardrock, Seventies, Proto, Garage, Psych, NWOBHM, StonerrockPortland, USAHeavy Psych Sounds
There’s always been something sleazy and pulp about the TIGERS ON OPIUM sound, the lyrics and the overall vibe. But on Psychodrama both those aspects get toned down in favor of a more honest and emotive approach. You might almost assume the concept of the Psychodrama album is based on their own experience with therapy. What stayed was the hardrock, the proto touch, the seventies swagger and the garage fogginess. This time around there’s also some more metal influences that remind of the eighties when the NWOBHM exploded. There have been times when TIGERS ON OPIUM was all that could get me through the night, and with Psychodrama there will be even more succor for the dark times…~ Joop Konraad (Stoner HiVe)
19. RICKSHAW BILLIE’S BURGER PATROL – BIG DUMB RIFFS / NEW!2940 PointsDoom-Wop, Rock, MetalAustin, TexasSelf-released
The Burger Patrol described the album as, “The opening of PANTERA’s ‘Primal Concrete Sledge’, the breakdown in PRIMUS’ ‘Pudding Time’ — the shit that makes you move and lose your mind. Just that part the whole time.” Given that mission, the album teeters on a concept album, and mission accomplished! There are moments that feel almost like the concept was a modern take on NuMetal. But with no tracks over four minutes, and most tracks even coming in under two minutes, the album is direct and concise. Hear riff, smash face, move on.~ Ryan Foster (Slightly Fuzzed)
18. SKRAECKOEDLAN – VERMILLION SKY / NEW!3465 PointsStonerrock, Progressive, Fuzz, Metal, SludgeSwedenFuzzorama Records
I finally got to see SKRAECKOEDLAN again this year, at the Into The Void Festival at the Effenaar in Eindhoven, Netherlands. Songs from their entire discography passed by, but also their newest single: “The Vermillion Sky” from their then upcoming album Vermillion Sky. But before that majestic song, they premiered “Mysteria”, playing it for the very first time live, they said. Which was very noisy and sludgy as it washed over the crowd. Overloading all the senses and turning the entire venue into a whirling hurricane of sound. It still is on record, but it also seems to glide serenely through a Vermillion Sky . And that’s the magic of SKRAECKOEDLAN, they can make noise and sludge sound like a thrash stampede just as easy as they can make it all feel like a soaring progressive masterpiece. And together with this album, they also released a video game and a book. They can do everything it seems. Well, they might not be as proficient in promo, otherwise it would surely have ended among the Top 3…~ Joop Konraad (Stoner HiVe)
17. MALSTEN – THE HAUNTING OF SILVÅKRA MILL – RITES OF PASSAGE / NEW!3520 PointsDoom metalMalmö, SwedenSvart Records
Just imagine a deserted mill haunted by a lost soul. Its worn to shreds wings catch very little of the wind so the huge millstone rolls slowly, crushing the bones of the noxious rats who died on the granite path. Then you have an explanation of the name MALSTEN which translates to millstone, but also of the slow tempos, the riffs’ heaviness and the horror of the folk legends told in the lyrics of The Haunting of Silvåkra Mill – Rites of Passage. Imho this masterpiece is a serious contender to the Doom AOTY and MALSTEN is the new master among sculptors of vibrations.~ Thierry “Pumpkin-T“ François (Metal Intégral)
16. CLOUDS TASTE SATANIC – 79 A.E. / NEW!4225 PointsInstrumental DoomNew York, New YorkSelf-released
I have never once been disappointed by a CLOUDS TASTE SATANIC release, and their new one, 79 A.E., is no exception. 79 A.E. brings two twenty-plus minutes of outstanding instrumental doom, with all the riffs you would expect and that innate ability to tell a story with their music without the need for pesky lyrics that will only distract from the expertly executed doomy goodness. 79 A.E. is an album that when I have no idea what to listen to is always going to be my default, because every time I hear something different, and it allows me to sit back and really clear my mind with only the riffs and the doomy fuzz to consider. Another instrumental doom masterpiece from CLOUDS TASTE SATANIC.~ Rich Piva (Musipedia of Metal, FuzzDoomRip)
15. FULL TONE GENERATOR – REFUGE OF SINNERS / NEW!4275 PointsStoner, GrungeMelbourne, AustraliaHurricane Music
FULL TONE GENERATOR‘s second album hit me like the namesake of the label they record for, as in it blew me away (get it?). The Australian collective brings a nice mix of desert/stoner rock with all sorts of riffs and fuzzy guitar work with some elements of 90s alt metal and grunge, sprinkled with some punk rock attitude and some catchy as hell and occasionally dirty songwriting to deliver one hell of a punch. The musicianship is top notch and Refuge Of Sinners is an excellent step up from their debut.~ Rich Piva (Musipedia of Metal, FuzzDoomRip)
14. HEKATE – HOUSE OF SOLOMON / NEW!4298 PointsStoner, Doom, 70s RockAustraliaBlack Farm Records
HEKATE return with a superb sophomore effort House of Solomon and immediately pick up where their previous release, Sermons To The Black Owl left off – Highly energetic retro-styled Rock fusing elements of Stoner, Doom Metal and Hard Rock that harkens back to the Golden Years! From the pounding surge of “Cold” to the mean chug of “Trip Wire” and the full-out NWOBHM worship of the title track, House of Solomon delivers everything that both Old School and Modern Metalheads crave!~ Stevie Reek (Howls from The Hollows, Doomed&Stoned,Stoner HiVe)
13. MAX BOOGIE OVERDRIVE – STONED AGAIN / NEW!5025 PointsStoner RockLos Angeles, CASelf-released
MAX BOOGIE OVERDRIVE‘s debut Stoned Again is a riff-packed journey influenced by stoner rock like FU MANCHU and the raw grit of a little MOTÖRHEAD. From “The Devil Knows My Name” to the title track, it’s heavy, groovy, and unforgettable. Described as “mammoth guitar riffs, bellowing vocals, and the swagger of early ’70s Detroit rock nʼ roll — dirty, fuzzy, with just a dusting of doom, and whole lotta boogie (not Disco… Heavy Boogie Rock),” and I would totally agree.~ Ryan Foster (Slightly Fuzzed)
12. PYRAMID – BEYOND BORDERS OF TIME / NEW!5072 PointsDoom, Heavy psych, Jam, Kraut, Psychedelic rock, Space, StonerNuremberg, AlemaniaSubsound Records
The second album by the German trio contains seven instrumental songs that develop in a soundscape in which the psychedelia of bands like COLOUR HAZE, KING BUFFALO, NAXATRAS, ROTOR or ELDER, gravitates over our heads. Beyond Borders of Time offers us songs wrapped in a magical elixir to intoxicate the listener through immersive atmospheres with which, paradoxically, they manage to expand the listener’s mind. Always crossing that threshold guarded by a magical door that takes us to an amazing world full of fascinating sensations, this album is the consecration of a band that had remained silent for too long. Complex and fresh in equal parts, these psychonauts show great creative maturity compared to their debut album.~ Roberto Lucas (Denpa Fuzz)
11. SLOW GREEN THING – WETTERWARTE / WALTHERSTRASSE / NEW!5184 PointsStoner Doom, Stoner Metal, Hard RockDresden, GermanySelf-released
Looking at their name you might expect SLOW GREEN THING to play a lumbering sedate form of stonerized doom and admittedly there are aspects of that style to be found in the bands sound but there are also aspects of their sonic attack that are pleasingly up-tempo and a little more dynamically paced. You will also notice some very cool swirly heavy psych occasionally permeating the lengthy tomes they deliver on this exceptionally enjoyable release all of which are accompanied by hazy, fairly low-key, vocal tones that give everything they touch a strangely hypnotic quality.~ Frazer Jones (Desert Psychlist)
10. IOTA – PENTASOMNIA / NEW!5712 PointsHeavy Psych, RockSalt Lake City, Utah, USASmall Stone Records
Those familiar with the band THE DWELLERS will most certainly recognize the vocal talents of Joey Toscano, who is also on guitar. Andy Patterson and Oz Yosri make up the oustanding rhythm section and round out this very talented three piece. Sixteen years after their debut IOTA have returned with an album that has multiple layers and directions.
Spacey, bluesy, and heavy in just the right places, awakening your cerebral along the way. All roads however lead back to the enchanting vocals and phenomenal heavy psych soaked songs contained within.
The power and tightness of the band especially shows through on the extended jam parts where all members are locked in not only to their instruments but the groove and feel of the song. This is definitely one you’ll want to play over and over with new discoveries upon every listen!~ Jon McGough
9. DAEVAR – AMBER EYES / NEW!5904 PointsDoom, Sludge, MetalCologne, GermanyThe Lasting Dose Records
Power trio DAEVAR follow up their very popular 2023 debut release Delirious Rites with yet another outstanding doom metal opus. Fans of WINDHAND, DEATHBELL and MWWB will find a lot to like here. Amber Eyes is a wonderfully textured and melodic album; alluring vocals spectacularly complement the down-tuned, fuzzy guitar tones and powerful drumming. Even during the quieter moments there is a dramatic sense of foreboding about what doom awaits and in this context that is no bad thing!~ Bob “Mr. Weird Beard” Baker (More Fuzz Podcast)
8. KARKARA – ALL IS DUST / NEW!6066 PointsPsychedelic Rock, Garage RockToulouse, FranceStolen Body Records
ALL IS DUST, from start to finish, completely surrounds the listener with full-bodied, multi-faceted, and ever-changing sound. The album ebbs and flows, skillfully utilizing elements of psychedelic rock, krautrock, garage, fuzz rock, and the musical sounds of the Middle East, taking you on a constantly evolving ride. The vocals do a phenomenal job of communicating emotion and adapting to the frequent style changes, delivering everything from a frenzied punky panic to an ultra-melodic croon to a robotic chant. ALL IS DUST is a great album for fans of other genres of heavy music, such as stoner rock and punk, to dip their toes into heavy psych. There’s something here for everyone. Be aware, however, that this 50-minute album moves incredibly quickly, and is best savored in an environment and mindset that allows you to fully appreciate the complexity and artistry of the journey it provides.~ Stephanie Zalta (Screaming From The Heavy Underground)
7. LEATHER LUNG – GRAVESIDE GRIN / NEW!6698 PointsStoner metal, Sludge, Street DoomBoston, MassachusettsMagnetic Eye Records
On their first full length (following a pair of EPs), Boston sleaze-sludgers LEATHER LUNG impress with riffs dirtier than SABBATH, vocals harsher than WEEDEATER, and an ability to turn their middle fingers to eleven which really gives their extra-nasty brand of street doom that extra push over the cliff. There’s a lot about what they’re doing here that, honestly, shouldn’t work. The fact that it not only works but works on the level of one of the year’s best and most enjoyable albums so far is a testament to LEATHER LUNG’s commitment to and conviction in their craft. Consider this head thoroughly banged.~ Ben Bellum (The Greatest Thing You’ve Never Heard)
6. SONIC WOLVES – III / NEW!7770 PointsDoom, Garage, Heavy Psych, Hard RockAlessandria, ItalyArgonauta Records
SONIC WOLVES‘ third album sees the trio diving deep into the genre pool and immersing themselves in everything from gnarly late 60’s garage rock to trippy heavy psych while managing to skillfully touch base with everything in-between.~ Frazer Jones (Desert Psychlist)
5. O ZORN! – VERMILLION HAZE / NEW!7956 PointsSludge, Stoner, Grunge, Psych, Post-MetalLong Beach, CaliforniaHard Drugs / Seeing Red Records
O ZORN! stunning sophomore release Vermillion Haze takes the classic Grunge sound and transforms this style into an aggressive and bleak driven Sludge/Stoner Metal vision.
The album is brutally frank, honest and open with some of the more daring themes held within the lyrical content. Fuzzed Up Sludgy grooves have a classic ALICE IN CHAINS energy to them. Though, O ZORN! keep things moving to a highly satisfying conclusion which allows Vermillion Haze to be a more optimistic style of Atmospheric Sludge Rock with meaningful moments of Progressive energy
The vocals have a certain AIC and SOUNDGARDEN swagger to them but O ZORN! keep themselves on a course for a highly original and often bruising encounter of powerful grooves throughout. An essential release. End of.~ Steve Howe (Outlaws of the Sun)
4. GOAT MAJOR – RITUAL / NEW!9702 PointsStoner Doom, Doom MetalWales, UKRipple Music
The songs on Ritual feel natural and unforced, and bassist Tom Shortt’s clean vocals add an eerie feel to the fiery riffs and dark, sinister groove. This album hits hard from top to bottom. Whether their childhood years spent in the shadow of the medieval castle in their hometown played a role or not, the three lifelong friends in Wales-based power trio GOAT MAJOR brewed up a potent debut album that quickly establishes them as a force in the modern doom scene.~ Mitch Kline (DoomyRiffs.com)
3. HASHTRONAUT – NO RETURN / NEW!11660 PointsStoner, Doom, MetalDenver, Colorado, USABlues Funeral Recordings
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
2. SCORCHED OAK – PERCEPTION / NEW!13608 PointsStoner, DoomDortmund, GermanySelf-released
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)
1. EARLY MOODS – A SINNERS PAST / NEW!16236 PointsHeavy metal, Classic doomLos Angeles, USARidingEasy Records
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)
EARLY MOODS is back, and dare I say earlier than expected, with a new album chock full of the Iommi worship and killer afros that made us all love their self-titled debut in 2022, even though it seems like it came out more recently since it is still in constant rotation for me. For their sophomore effort the L.A., California band brings us A Sinners Past which is more of the same Sabbath love and riffs that you got from the first record but with even better songwriting and an even bigger sounding record. I would put EARLY MOODS up against any proto doom band out there today, especially with the step forward they take with A Sinners Past.~ Rich Piva (Musipedia of Metal, FuzzDoomRip)
Special thanks to the ongoing contributors to the monthly Doom Chart. You folks help give voice to the heavy underground:
Adam Walsh (Earmunchies); Andy Kovalcik (Bandcamp-NYP-Hard&Heavy); A.S. Van Dorston (Fast n Bulbous); Ben Bellum (The Greatest Thing You’ve Never Heard); Billy Goate (Doomed & Stoned); Bob “Mr. Weird Beard” Baker (More Fuzz Podcast); Bobby Rayfield (Monuments In Ruin); Brandon Collins (Morbid And Miserable Records); Bucky Brown (The Ripple Effect); Chris Beck (Doom Tomb Podcast);Chris Tighe (The Mighty Decibel); Clint Willis (Hand of Doom Radio); Damien Regnauld (Stoner Freaks Anthology); ‘The General’ (Stoner Rock Army); Edouard Dubuisson (Les chroniques d’Eddy); Eric Crowe (Doomsayer Records / Halo Of The Goat Radio); Frazer Jones (Desert Psychlist); Günther “Doktor420” (Stoner HiVe);Ioannis Valiakos (Desert Vulture); James Sweetlove (CaveDwellerMusic); JC Cansdale-Cook (The MotorFuzzin’ Ibex); Jim Thompson (Heavy in the Hills);JJ “HP Taskmaster” Koczan (The Obelisk); John Gist, (Vegas Rock Revolution / The Doomed & Stoned Show); Jon Cosky (Gravitoyd Heavy Music); Jon McGough; Jonny Pirie (Hour of the Riff); Joop Konraad (Stoner HiVe); Justin Wittenmeier (Metal Temple, DoomedForMetal); Kyle SB (Good Boy PR, Stoner HiVe); Lee Edwards (The Sleeping Shaman); Marc-Eric Gagnon (Stonefly Effects); Mats Florstam (Ozium Records); Matthew Thomas (Taste Nation); Matthew Hartnett (Heavy Galaxy); Mel Lie (Sunday’s Heavy Tunes); Mitch Kline (DoomyRiffs.com);Mr Stone (More Fuzz); Nick Pipitone (The Third Eye, Monster Riff); Pat ‘Riot’ Whitaker(The Ripple Effect);Stevie Reek (Howls from The Hollows, Doomed&Stoned,Stoner HiVe); Remi VL (Remi Post Too Many Links); Rich Piva (Musipedia of Metal, FuzzDoomRip); Roberto Lucas (Denpa Fuzz); Roberto Fuentes (La Habitación 235); Rod Reinhardt (Captain Beyond Zen); Ryan Foster (Slightly Fuzzed); Ryan Hilton (Black Throne Productions); Scott Spiers (CleanAndSoberStoner); Stephanie Zalta (DoomCakes, CleanAndSoberStoner, Screaming From The Heavy Underground); Steve Howe (Outlaws of the Sun); Steve Woodier (Anointing The Sick); Thierry “Pumpkin-T“ François (Metal Intégral); Tom Hanno (Tom’s Reviews, The Third Eye); Tom Schmahl (Rock Circuz); Tony Maim (Black Insect Laughter,Stoner HiVe).
Feel free to send in your albums to [email protected] 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.