“My god, it’s full of stars”
– David Bowman, 2001: A Space Odyssey
The Doom Charts is an underground movement. It is the gathering of dedicated people from all around the world that really loves the music and are not shy to tell the world about it in blogs, podcasts and playlists. Music unites people. It is a thing of beauty. It is not done for monetary profit. It is not done for fame. It is done to show the world all the great music that is released far below the radar of mainstream media. Each month the contributors submit 25 albums that have made an impact on their life the last few weeks or months. The number of albums submitted usually ends up with a list of around 200 – 300 unique titles in total. Do you realize now how much undiscovered music that is out there in the heavy underground? It’s like looking into the monolith and discover that it is full of stars.
~Magnus Tannergren (Into The Void Podcast)
Welcome to Doom Charts, representing some of the finest bloggers, journalists, radio, podcasters and album reviewers from the doom-stoner-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…
25. BACKWOODS PAYBACK – FUTURE SLUM
300 POINTS
(West Chester, Pennsylvania)
The new Backwoods Payback album ‘Future Slum’ slips the mind toward nostalgia, yet hurls you blissfully forward in its modernized heavyweight angst. Wrapped up in no sense of nonsense, ‘Future Slum’ is genuine smiles through trails of gasoline tears. Pure fire.
~ Leanne Ridgeway (Riff Relevant)
24. THOU – MAGUS / NEW!
345 POINTS
(Baton Rouge, Louisiana)
Thou continue to push the boundaries of what heavy music can offer. The use of uniquely original riffs somehow weave their way out of other genres and find a home safely within the bands delivery. At times it feels like these passages could potentially find their home in a post rock environment. Instead, the canvas Thou paint upon has been ripped, torn and repurposed. Delivery is always distilled down to a destructive foundation and presented in a commanding and compelling way. If you wish to feel the walls crumble around you, this is the album choice for your afternoon.
~Bobby Rayfield (Trendkill Radio)
23. WE HUNT BUFFALO – HEAD SMASHED IN / NEW!
350 POINTS
(Vancouver, British Columbia)
We Hunt Buffalo have managed to lay down the foundation for their very own sound in the space of eight years. You can count on these cats to deliver a steady current and heavy barrage, full of masterful riffs and intense hooks. Accompanied by grand choruses and wicked lyrics. On the new Head Smashed In they continue this triumphal march and become even more progressive at times and even more emotional. For all the loud bursts and wild atmosphere, We Hunt Buffalo is, without a doubt, delicate and precise. And with every listening session, with every moment of bliss Head Smashed In keeps opening up to your heart more and more.
~Joop Konraad (Stoner HiVe)
22. WITCHSKULL – COVEN’S WILL
435 POINTS
(Canberra, Australia)
Coven’s Will is relentless & passionate stoner doom. It picks right up where their highly acclaimed first LP left off. The only let down on this album is when it’s over.
~‘Papa’ Paul Rote (Doomed & Stoned)
21. RIVERS OF GORE – RIVERS OF GORE
456 POINTS
(Mexico)
Rivers of Gore self-titled debut brings the heaviest of heavy, hardest of hard sludgy stoner rock music from Mexico City. 3 Earthless-length tracks giving birth to searing Riff after Riff and darkness that comes upon you with punishing percussion, growling bass and heavy rock guitar that just grows and grows. Much of the spirit of Rivers Of Gore’s album comes from conspiracy theories inspired by Clutch.
~Mark Partin (The Ripple Effect)
20. SPACEMETAL – SHROUD / NEW!
498 POINTS
(New Orleans, Louisiana)
Space themed bands are extremely common at the moment, but these Louisiana Rockers know how to land their brand of Rock and Roll into your listening ports. Shroud is an impressive(as well as their debut self-titled album) and stunning display of catchy tunes. My first impression was that any of these songs could have been classic rock hits from the 70’s or 80’s. I think a lot of that has to do with the apparent love for Ozzy/Black Sabbath because you can definitely hear the influence in the vocals and songwriting. Anyone who says Rock is dead has not heard Spacemetal, and I think ya’ll need to pay attention to these guys because I predict they have broken through the barrier and are on their way to a knowable name in this generation of underground music.
~Jason Roach (Indy Metal Vault)
19. ALL THEM WITCHES – ATW / NEW!
564 POINTS
(Nashville, TN)
One of the most important bands in the realm of current rock music return with yet another incredible leap of redefining proportions. Always ones to further their sonic spell of genre-melding magic and aural wizardry, All Them Witches cast an album that’s impossible to resist and only a fool would rebuke.
~Pat ‘Riot’ Whitaker (Riff Relevant)
18. ARTEAGA – VOL III NECROMANCE / NEW!
582 POINTS
(Santiago, Chile)
This trio lurks in the vast metropolis known as Santiago de Chile and have been exploring the forbidden realm of diabolism or more precisely, fornication with the dead. Necromance, or VOL III is the third electric ritual Arteaga have delivered to fans in a short period of time. In contrast to their previous offerings I’m experiencing stronger psychedelic vibrations on this album paired with turbulent clandestine style vocals. The doomiest track is the instrumental ‘Ritual Electrico’ if you’re craving that strain of melody, otherwise this is acid stoner rock. My favorite is Necrodance thanks to its bottomless modulations that caravan seamlessly throughout the ten minute auditory adventure. Find romance in Necromance with Arteaga.
~Melissa Spence, (Stoner Witch Radio)
17. GRUSOM – II / NEW!
594 POINTS
(Svendborg, Denmark)
Take a pinch of Doors like psychedelic blues stir in some Deep Purple-ish classic rock, blend with a good helping of Swedish retro flavoured stoner/hard rock and sprinkle with just a smattering of old school doomic dankness and you might, just might come close to recreating the delightfully decadent and deliciously dynamic sound Denmark’s Grusom bring to the table with their soulful voiced, Hammond swirling, riff roaring opus “II”.
~Frazer Jones (Desert Psychlist)
16. LA CHINGA – BEYOND THE SKY / NEW!
644 POINTS
(Vancouver, BC)
Perhaps one of the most exquisite hard rocking bands out there. Giving AC/DC a run for their money while paying their entry with raunchy riffs, bone shaking rhythm and heavily distorted funk hopped up on beer margaritas and LSD.
~Bucky Brown (The Ripple Effect)
15. MAGMAKAMMER – MINDTRIPPER / NEW!
714 POINTS
(Oslo, Norway)
Magmakammer unleash a chamber of molten rock with their second recording, boiling just under the surface of greatness. Taking Iommi’s bit of finger and channeling in a concussion of proto-doom and lo-fi brilliance. From the layered vocals: akin to Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats to the psychedelic keyboard breaks, “Mindtripper” Creates a creepy, spooky and engaging listen, one I keep returning to over and over again.
~Adam Walsh (Earmunchies)
14. 1968 – BALLADS OF THE GODLESS
721 POINTS
(Cheshire, UK)
1968 arrive to show 2018 what heavy rock is all about with the molten riff-powered “Ballads Of The Godless“..striking songs constructed with nuances of blues, psychedelia and metallic elements that deliver a full tilt boogie on this magnificent rock record
~Pat ‘Riot’ Whitaker (Riff Relevant)
13. FUZZ EVIL – HIGH ON YOU / NEW!
744 POINTS
(Sierra Vista, AZ)
Imagine Scott “Wino” Weinrich and Red Fang walked into a bar wearing fluorescent spandex, mullets and sweet Oakley Blades. Yes, and imagine they then took the stage and hammered out fuzz filled riffs and anthem crumbling choruses. Are You In or Out?
~Bucky Brown (The Ripple Effect)
12. DEMONAUTA – TEMAUKEL, THE SPIRIT BEFORE TIME
791 POINTS
(Santiago, Chile)
It seems that they release just a few days ago their previous album “Tierra del Fuego” that went into the best albums of 2016. Now they comeback with an album as exciting and as hard. The best fuzz rock of the Andes. Unique and emotional passages of heavy psych. Highly recommended!!
~Roberto Fuentes (La Habitación 235)
11. DRUID – THE SEVEN SCROLLS / NEW!
792 POINTS
(Athens, Ohio)
In 2014,some guys got together who are superb musicians that harken back to the days of the 1960’s and ’70’s writing and recording the best of Psychedelic and progressive rock music with the best equipment offering the most advanced technology, then you arrive at the band Druid. This Prog/Rock trio has the best of Yes, Opeth and Hawkwind. Friends have told me the live show is not to be missed,loud like Blue Cheer,but a band you never once check your watch.
~Mark Partin (The Ripple Effect)
10. PSYCHIC DOSE – MALEFICIUM VOLUME 1: DEATH OF THE SORCERER / NEW!
888 POINTS
(Fort Meyers, Florida)
With black gifts and ceremonial riffs, Florida’s Psychic Dose have enhanced our quality of life with ‘Maleficium Volume 1: Death of Sorcerer‘. The vocal spectrum Amanda Howell delivers is the crowning achievement for me and solidifies this third full-length into my albums of the year list. More importantly this is a concept album with a narrative on the black musings of a Witch manipulated by a immoral sorcerer. The tale is deliciously told over incredibly expressive occult rock, blues, doom and heavy psych soundscapes that swarm around the intense ever-changing vocals. The band has extracted their absolute best qualities and arranged them into a truly wicked listening experience. I could gush forever about this record but will leave it for you to explore and enjoy.
~Melissa Spence, (Stoner Witch Radio)
9. APE MACHINE – DARKER SEAS / NEW!
931 POINTS
(Portland, Oregon)
Ape Machine have generated an ominous current of angular riffs, intricate dynamics, well refined rhythm, and groove heavy enough to sink the Titanic. Darker Seas pulls us beneath the mainstream surface once again with its virulent flood of dark harmony and neck snapping rigor.
~Bucky Brown (The Ripple Effect)
8. PLAINRIDE – LIFE ON ARES / NEW!
1112 POINTS
(Cologne, Germany)
Fuzz driven rock’n’roll stoner from Germany that dips a drunken foot into NOLA vocals and sound. The production has given Plainride a massive sound that demands to be played loud. The tunes are as tight as fuck with everything played with urgency and a ferocious lack of disregard for delicate passages within the song compositions. This rocks like a bastard.
~Tony Maim (Black Insect Laughter, Stoner HiVe)
7. DUNBARROW – DUNBARROW II / NEW!
1260 POINTS
(Haugesund, Norway)
The band is quite simply one of the best true seventies sounding doom bands out there. The sophomore album picks up on the Pentagram worship of their debut but with more of a Witchcraft vibe this time. So you end up with Pentagram worship via Witchcraft. Yes, there’s occult overtones throughout the entire album.
~Papa’ Paul Rote (Doomed & Stoned)
6. BRANT BJORK – MANKIND WOMAN / NEW!
1341 POINTS
(Palm Desert, California)
The Son of the Desert escapes from the bowels of the dusty sounds to fly freely in the construction of “Mankind Woman“, where he creates what could be a contemporary classic. Brant Bjork uses elements of blues and funk followed with swamp-rock roots and wraps them into a classic rock package; achieving a sonic fusion somewhere between 21st century version Cream and Tony Joe White. A voodoo ritual where Hendrix’ spirit comes back to mesmerize us with a sonic brew that is not an exercise in nostalgia, just draws inspiration in the golden age of rock, without the intention of imitating it or forcing a retro sound.
~Roberto Lucas (Denpa Fuzz)
5. BRIMSTONE COVEN – WHAT WAS AND WHAT SHALL BE
1672 POINTS
(Wheeling, West Virginia)
Brimstone Coven: I was fairly concerned for Brimstone Coven’s future when they decided to continue as a trio after lead vocalist Big John Williams’s departure. The West Virginia band’s sweeping vocal harmonies made them a standout in the occult rock scene, and the other guys do have smooth voices, but could the rest of the snake retain the charisma without its head? Fortunately, a headless snake has become a hydra. Bassist Andrew D’Cagna proved to be a talented frontman in his own right with Ironflame’s 2017 debut and shares that spark with guitarist/co-vocalist Corey Roth on What Was and What Shall Be.
~Chris Latta (Indy Metal Vault)
4. CONAN – EXISTENTIAL VOID GUARDIAN / NEW!
1770 POINTS
(UK)
While Conan has already cemented their place in the doom / sludge hall of fame, their newly minted fifth album is like a summary or showcase of everything the band does: Pounding, bludgeoning riffs, punctuated by thunderous, ponderous rhythms and otherworldly shouted vocals. It just so happens that Existential Void Guardian showcases those elements in the best form possible. This is a creative peak for the band, one that will seem impossible to follow-up until some new sonic element is introduced.
~Lucas Klaukien (Outlaws of the Sun)
3. CLUTCH – BOOK OF BAD DECISIONS / NEW!
2046 POINTS
(Frederick, Maryland)
Clutch‘s 12th album may just be their finest yet. Take parts of ‘Earth Rocker,’ ‘Pure Rock Fury,’ and ‘Jam Room’ and you get an album that has killer song writing, groovy riffs, and great organic flow from song to song. In other words, it rocks!
~Bill Goodman (The Evil Engineer)
2. FORMING THE VOID – RIFT
2688 POINTS
(Lafayette, Louisiana)
It wouldn’t surprise me if Rift ends up being the best-known album of Forming the Void’s career. The revamped dynamic results in the group’s most accessible songwriting and their musicianship retains the power that made Relicso enjoyable. I do wish they had squeezed “To the Wolves” or another similarly direct chugger in here, but that’s hardly a deal-breaker. The band is getting bigger every day and it doesn’t look like the momentum will be stopping anytime soon.
~Chris Latta (Indy Metal Vault)
1. THE SKULL – THE ENDLESS ROAD TURNS DARK / NEW!
3380 POINTS
With all that ‘Doom Godfather’ Eric Wagner has achieved in his career it’s a bold statement to say; this may be his best work yet . The Endless Road Turns Dark may be the most psychedelic yet. This is acid doom. The guitar work shreds like it’s right out of 1972 highlighting the psychedelic melodies and doom riffs. But the highlight is that legendary emotion evoking voice of Mr. Wagner.
~Papa’ Paul Rote (Doomed & Stoned)
Special thanks to the ongoing contributors to the monthly Doom Chart. You folks help give voice to the heavy underground:
Adam Walsh (Earmunchies); A.S. Van Dorston (Fast n’ Bulbous); Bryan Coffey (Indy Metal Vault); Bill Goodman (The Evil Engineer); Billy Goate (Doomed & Stoned); Rob Blasko (VolumeForever.com); Bobby Rayfield (Trendkill Radio); Brandon Collins (Super Dank Metal Jams); Bryan Coffey (Indy Metal Vault); Bucky Brown (The Ripple Effect); Clint Willis (Hand of Doom Radio); Chris Latta (Indy Metal Vault); Doktor420 (Stoner HiVe); Doombeard (DoomBeardZine); Frazer Jones (Desert Psychlist); Gram ‘Son of Sam’ Pola (Dirty Denim); Héctor “Mr. Heavyhead” Hurtado (More Fuzz); Hugo Hulleman (Metalfan.nl); Ken Elliott (Heavy Planet); Leanne Ridgeway (Riff Relevant); Lucas Klaukien (Outlaws of the Sun); Jason Roach (Indy Metal Vault); Jay Morgan (High Desert Valley Radio); Joe Eldridge (Shadebeast Records); Jim Thompson (Heavy in the Hills); Joop Konraad (Stoner HiVe); Lyk (Phantasmagoria); Magnus Tannergren (Into The Void Radio); Marc C. Pietrek (VITRIOL, INC / A DARK UNITED FRONT); Marcus Greybeard (FuzzHeavy Podcast); Mari Knox Knox (Doomed & Stoned); Mark Partin (The Ripple Effect); Martin Petrov (Rawk’n’Roll); Matt Slighter (Cheeto) (Hwy 420, Core of Destruction Radio) Matthew Thomas (Taste Nation); Matheus Jacques (October Doom); Mathieu Van Der Hert (Dutch European Stoner Rock); Melissa Marie (Doomed & Stoned); Melissa Spence, (Stoner Witch Radio); Mike Williams (I Talk to Planets); Pat Harrington (Electric Beard Of Doom); Pat ‘Riot’ Whitaker (Riff Relevant); ‘Papa’ Paul Rote (Doomed & Stoned); Roberto Lucas (Denpa Fuzz); Roberto Fuentes (La Habitación 235); Rod Reinhardt (Captain Beyond Zen); Samir Asfahani (Super Dank Metal Jams); Skip (The Burning Beard); Steve Howe (Outlaws of the Sun); Steve Miller (Vertical Chamber Apparatus); Steve Woodier (Shrieks From Below); Tanguy ‘Mr Fuzz’ Dupré (More Fuzz); Tony Maim (Black Insect Laughter, Stoner HiVe).
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.
This September 2018 edition of the Doom Chart was tallied and edited by Bucky Brown.
Doom Charts 
Keep up the good work, guys. Here’s an LP I think you might have missed: “Come & Chutney,” by Chubby Thunderous Bad Kush Masters. Like a cross between Dopethrone and Truckfighters. Check it out, if you haven’t already. Good stuff.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Why never some Funeral Doom? Too Doom to be true?
LikeLiked by 1 person
No reason why, other than it rarely gets enough votes from our contributors to make the list. Perhaps it such a niche subgenre, that the volume or amount of material worthy of the charts isn’t out there? Everything has a shot, just comes down to votes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maybe the contributors should listen more to Pantheist, instead of La Chinga (?), to have another appreciation of Doom. Currently I don’t think it is such an obscure niche. Bell Witch released one of the best Doom albums of 2017, for example.
LikeLike
Maybe you have the wrong contributors, man. Just saying..
LikeLike
Thanks for writingg
LikeLike