You are about to experience one of the strangest meetings ever convened — a joining of […] the most unusual people on Earth! Sit quietly in the shadows of this clandestine conference and observe it well! For from it shall soon be born … The DOOM PATROL (Arnold Drake)

Welcome to Doom Charts, representing some of the finest bloggers, radio and podcasters and album reviewers from the doom-stoner underground around the globe. Each month, our critics submit their picks for the best new doom-sludge metal and stoner-psychedelic 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.

25. Prophets of Saturn – ‘Retronauts’
    Released July 17, 2015

On the new album Retronauts the Leicester formation Prophets of Saturn seem to want to pay tribute to an amazing array of bands, genres and legends. Which we could name and offer the same appreciation. But it might be wiser to dive headfirst into their very own realm of heady, occult and ancient lust for something sinful. They stomp on the terra like an antique copper golem and wield immense power with which they can choose to destroy or build. Simply stunning! GET IT! – Joop Konraad (Stoner HiVe)

24. Luna Sol – ‘Blood Moon’

Released August 14, 2015

Luna Sol is a new ship captained by Dave Angstrom. You know. The cat from bands like Supafuzz and Hermano. This one sounds a lot like his former project Asylum On The Hill. Catchy, wicked, dark and ominous and with help from longtime friends like Dandy Brown, John Garcia and Nick Oliveri. An amazing album it is! GET IT!– Joop Konraad (Stoner HiVe)

23. Glowsun – ‘Beyond The Wall Of Time’

Although “Beyond the Wall of Time” is an almost instrumental album and there are hardly any lyrics, the album title, the cover artwork and track titles very much indicate that Glowsun play around with the concept of time here. The intro track “Arrow of Time” starts with sounds of a ticking clock and heartbeats and creates a tension right from the start. From here a thick and deep soundscape slowly evolves and expands and soon you’ll know what this album is up to – its up to entangle your mind and take you into spheres of timelessness. This album is a perfectly balanced hybrid of psychedelic stoner rock that gets you stoned as well as high. It drags you through the dry desert sand with fuzz-laden earthy heaviness, entrances you with hypnotic, driving rhythms and lets you fly high on playful melodies with spiraling loops and arcs, just to pull you back to the ground with gloomy, doomy sounds. The outro track “Endless Caravan” carefully carries you back into time picking up the clock-ticking sound from the beginning.

“Beyond the Wall of Time” is trippy and spacey, rooted deeply in stoner soil and it’s the perfect soundtrack to a mild summer night to crack a beer, rip a bong and forget the meaning of time. TICK TOCK -Ulla Roschat (Wicked Lady)

 

22. Libido Fuzz – ‘Kaleido Lumo Age’

Rewinding the clock back to the 1970’s, which is the generation we all wish we were a part of, Libido Fuzz construct trippy melodies, with Zeppelinesque sensibilities leaving the listener feeling at ease and in awe. Libido Fuzz truly lives up to their band name with the perpetually sexual stoner rock display on Kaleido Lumo Age. PUMP UP THE VOLUME!

21. Khemmis – ‘Absolution’
    Released July 7, 2015

Khemmis burst onto the scene with the power to reign in all fans of southern sludge and traditional doom metal with their debut album Absolution. Absolutely crushing melodies backed by churning riffs oozing like pristine glaciers carve through hilltops. Some may say Absolution is this years Foundation of Burden (Pallbearer). DECIDE FOR YOURSELF

20. Electric Valley – ‘Multiverse’

The thickest, fuzziest, desert rawk you’ll find this side of Sky Valley. The bourbon-drenched vocals team nicely with the fat groove and Hendrix-like solos. For fans of Brant Bjork, Fu Manchu, Soundgarden. BUY IT

19. Obsidian Sea – ‘Dreams, Illusions, Obsessions’
    

After just being edged out last month, Obsidian Sea make their chart debut with what is arguably one of the strongest Doom Metal albums of the first half of the year. No frills, gimmicks or “psychedelic” meandering here, Obsidian Sea are solid. They’re the real deal. DREAM ON! – LK Ultra (You May Be Dead & Dreaming)

18. Gorgantherron – ‘Second Sun’

As the light fades after dusk, the crickets begin to chirp, predators plot their kill, and Gorgantherron takes the sky. ‘Second Sun’ illuminates a path through thick, sludgy bogs of despair, guiding towards pearly gates of musical luster with it’s rays of groovy blues, and warmth of the stoniest desert. Crushing melody reflect upon the molten riffage to create a sense of bearing amongst  fans of doom, stoner, sludge, and all around heavy metal. Gorgantherron debuts at #18 with ‘Second Sun’ that will blind you during the darkest depths of your trippiest nightmare with the power of the allmighty riff. -GORGETYOUSOME! -Bucky Brown (The Ripple Effect)

17. GodSleep – ‘Thousand Sons of Sleep’
    

Godsleep starts the show with “The Call,” going all the way back, summoning forth ghosts, wringing up cosmic echoes of 1968 to 1971. For me “Thousand Sons of Sleep “really brought up memories of Noel Redding’s post Hendrix band “Road,” it just has that vibe to it although Godsleep covers a fair amount of musical territory on this record from stoner to metal to southern boogie & blues even. I love the interplay of the music and the vocals in Godsleep. I think the reason why the record works so well is the musical chemistry which is fantastic. “Thousand Sons of Sleep” is a deep and complex record with a lot to offer. I’m recommending buying this record, the boys in Godsleep are quite good at what they do and this record proves it well.  DON’T SLEEP -Steve Howe (The Sludgelord)

16. Black Space Riders – ‘Refugeeum’
    Released July 24, 2015

Refugeeum maintains a completely esoteric vibe throughout its 60 minute duration riding from deep outer space landing at #16 of this months Doom Charts. A latent energy presents itself, lurking between psychedelic meanderings and hypnotic vocal chants. The mildly distorted rhythm and bass lines palpitate like an industrial revolution transforms a nation. Gargantuan riffs linger in the background while a cryptic theme washes away your mind. Seamless layers of atmospheric harmony, tribal groove and metallic rhythm collide to create a sonic avalanche of emotion. THINK ABOUT IT -Bucky Brown (The Ripple Effect)

15. Snowy Dunes – ‘Snowy Dunes’

The album spirals around you like the tones of a hazy minaret trumpet player in a sweaty desert where the sun goes down, the red light fades and the nighttime blues commences. Makes no mistake. These psychedelic string maniacs running wild produce the blues, hazy blues and absolute golden blues that has you bopping along with a bottle of dubious quality rum and barely enough ice to make it through! Snowy Dunes, with enough sand to build majestic musical castles! ”  GET IT –Joop Konraad (Stoner HiVe)

14. My Sleeping Karma – ‘Moksha’

Psychedelic eastern instrumental trance inducing vibes abound on My Sleeping Karma’s back catalogue. On their latest offering ‘Moksha’ you are getting more of the same, and that is most definitely not a bad thing at all. Kick back, crank the volume, and descend into the melodic swirling rhythms and mood shifts of a band that has crafted a very cool niche’ and signature sound. CHECK IT –Clint (Hand of Doom Radio)

13. Elder – ‘Lore’

Elder are becoming Lore at the Doom Charts. For the 5^th consecutive month, Lore crack the top 25 making the only album to appear on every chart since the beginning of the 2015 Doom Charts. Dropping a few slots to lucky #13, Elder ensure high odds for overall album of the year on many listeners lists. THIS IS YOUR GOD

12. The Atomic Bitchwax – ‘Gravitron’

If I can get personal for a minute here, this is been one of my favorite albums of the year. Make that of the past three years. There’s no fucking around on this record, it’s just rock n roll at a steady clip with big hooks that stick. Leave it to the veterans to show the world how it’s done.  GET IT.

11. Plainride – ‘Return Of The Jackalope’
    July 24, 2015

71 mins. Excessive? Yeah. Ambitious? Yeah. Exciting? Hell fucking yes. Plainride combine desert rock riffs against a stunning blues rock backdrop. Watch these guys soar!!!! If you dig Clutch, Orange Goblin and Kyuss then these stoner rock outlaws are for you. DRINK UP! -Steve Howe (The Sludgelord)

10. Knife Ritual – ‘Old Earth’

The debut full-length by Michigan’s Knife Ritual is doomy, dirgy, and dark as all hell. The vocals are unstated (reminding me of some of Kurt Cobain’s more angsty moments), juxtaposed against heavy riffs and an uncompromising rhythm section. All this sound the work of just two musicians: Ryan Hagan (Guitar, vocals) and Nolan Potter (drums, vocals, percussion & synth) who managed to take cut into well-travelled musical territory and serve up something soul-stirring. GET IT – Billy Goate (Doomed & Stoned)

9. Ten Foot Wizard – Sleeping Volcanoes

One of the grooviest, grittiest, most badass hard rock albums of the year. Addictively melodic riffs, tantalizing vocal chops, and soaring atmospheric blues erupt into a cloud of psychedelic solos galore. For fans of Clutch, Black Cowgirl, Grifter, Bonehawk, etc….. Be sure to check this band out. AWAKEN  -Bucky Brown (The Ripple Effect)

 

8. Grusom – ‘Grusom’
   Released July 31, 2015

After pumping all of us up with their promising Demo released on bandcamp last fall, Grusom answer the critics with their debut full length being released on Kozmikartifactz Records and jump three slots this month to #8, with their killer fusion of Danish blues and gothic psych.  Word just in that Grusom will be released on vinyl pre-orders available. HOP ON IT

7. Sweat Lodge – ‘Talismana’

Released August 7, 2015

With their debut release, out on Ripple Music in August, Talismana waste no time in bringing the energy. Opener ‘Tramplifier’, not only has an eerie ring to it, but will have your head bobbing instantly with a circulating fuzz based riff leading into electrified vocals summoning forth all fans of Ozzy Osborne.  Groovy guitar lines drip with distortion like hot candles at a swinger’s party. The Zeppelin-esque vocals croon along to the beat of a water bong, while the guitars inhale and exhale euphoric riffs of felicity. Keep your eyes out for Sweat Lodge, as they have proven they can hang with the big dogs of the underground rock and roll. BOOK IT!

6. Demon Eye – ‘Tempora Infernalia’
   

From the very first track on Demon Eye’s sophomore record, you know you’re in for something out of the ordinary. Beautifully recorded, Pentagram and Deep Purple-influenced, up-tempo retro occult, doom, and heavy metal! Enough adjectives for ya? Well, the Raleigh, North Carolina trio live up to each and every one of them. We’ll be talking about this album well into the year. GET IT– Billy Goate (Doomed & Stoned)

Leaps and bounds from their debut album. Demon Eyes’ newest offering “Tempora Infernalia” has hints of classic heavy metal with dark melodies concocted with a more modern edge. This album is something special. -Emmit (wonderock.com)

5. Dopethrone – Hochelaga

The gun toting trio from Montreal just kicks ass, like always.  ‘Hochelaga’ brings some of the best lyrics and riffs that Dopethrone has ever produced.  Spin this record, drink all your beer, go get some more, get high, watch horror movies and blast this at 11. Dopethrone delivers again. GET SOME, GET HIGH! – Frank Heredia  (Doomed & Stoned)

4. Demon Head – ‘Ride The Wilderness’

Infectious hooks, genuine groove, an authentic  70’s vibe – this is a sound quite a number of bands have strived for in recent years to varying degrees of success (or failure…). Demon Head have achieved this and more in spades with ‘Ride the Wilderness’, a swaggering collection of impossibly catchy songs that get stuck in your head from first listen. The album is bookended with the opening discordant notes of ‘Undertaker’, and finishes with a blistering solo fading into the distance on ‘Worthless’. Absolutely everything in between is a triumphant proto metal stomp delivered with vitalty, intent and outright brilliance. I wholeheartedly commend this album to your collection! RIDE IT! –Clint (Hand of Doom Radio)

3. Freedom Hawk – ‘Into Your Mind’

Freedom Hawk swoop in clawing the #3 spot with ‘Into Your Mind’, the long awaited follow up to their critically acclaimed album ‘Holding On’.  Fans of that album, fans of Small Stone Records, as well as new fans alike, will be struggling to clear their mind of the potently catchy groove. Serious contender for best of the year in the straight up, hard rawk-n-roll category Small Stone Records is known for representing. The artwork alone is out of this world. OPEN YOUR MIND!

“Exploding out of the gates with a throwback sound of decades long gone, Freedom Hawk pounces on the listener with a potent mix of catchy vocal hooks and swinging riffs on their latest album Into Your Mind” –(Doomed & Stoned)

 

2. Goatsnake – ‘Black Age Blues’

Holding strong at #2 the Goatsnake is still blue!

“Not only did Goatsnake outdo every last one of my expectations, I do not have a single complaint. I really don’t. With ‘Black Age Blues’, the band has crafted the perfect brew of riffs, rhythm, fuzz, and catchy hooks, along with a never-ending flow of groove. This is absolute soul-satisfying music, and yet…I feel we still haven’t seen the best from the highly influential foursome.” GET IT. -Melissa (Doomed & Stoned)

1. High On Fire – Luminiferous

“God is an astronaut who smokes pot. You are a slave, under the rule of sideways blinking, trans dimensional lizard aliens. Wake up from your  “Consume and conform coma” and dig the riffs!!! You have been warned if you miss this record you are missing the most important guitarist since Hendrix at his finest. A veritable Lycanthropic paganini with riffs that can change your life and close portals into alternate realities.  Play this record loud, the future of the planet depends on it.” -Gram Pola (Dirty Denim)

“As Matt Pike himself anticipated with his statements, Luminiferous is certified as a vehement album, apocalyptic and explosive from the very beginning to the end. A war axe thrown by the colossal Oakland trio that dominates us with devastating doses of adrenalin sounds and dragging massive arrangements that fibrillate your skull. Luminiferous is the diabolic creature born by the fusion between High On Fire’ past, present and future, an epic anointment of their huge personality that is close to perfection.”   –Mari Knox Knox (Doommabbestia)

PIKE FOR PRESIDENT!

Contributors to The July Doom Chart:

A.S. Van Dorston (Fast n’ Bulbous); Bill Goodman (The Evil Engineer); Billy Goate (Doomed & Stoned); Blasting D (Blasting Days); Bucky Brown (The Ripple Effect); Cam Crichton (Motherslug); Clint (Hand of Doom Radio); Doktor420 (Stoner HiVe); Doombeard (DoomBeardZine); Double A Doom (The Sludgelord); Emmit (wonderock.com); Gram Pola (Dirty Denim); Lucas Klaukein (Stoner HiVe, The Sludgelord, You May Be Dead & Dreaming); Joop Konraad (Stoner HiVe); Lyk (Phantasmagoria); Mari Knox Knox (Doommabbestia); Melissa (Doomed & Stoned); Mr. Fuzz (More Fuzz); Pat Harrington (The Electric Beard of Doom); Paul Rote (Doomed & Stoned); Rod Reinhardt (Captain Beyond Zen); Skip (Ride With the Devil); Soggy Bob (Soggy Bog of Doom); Steve Howe (The Sludgelord); Steve Miller (Vertical Chamber Apparatus); Steve Woodier (Pull The Legs Off The Spider, Tear The Wings Off The Fly); Tony Maim (Stoner HiVe); Ulla Roschat (Wicked Lady); and Vasilis Durden (All the Heavy Lifting).

This July 2015 edition of The Doom Chart edited by buck09brown