“When a man is denied the right to live the life he believes in, he has no choice but to become an outlaw.” -Nelson Mandela

It feels like the end of an era. And it actually is. Cause Bucky is leaving us. No, don’t get me wrong, he’s not ill, sick or dying. The man is just leaving the Doom Charts and the online world. Which will be a big miss for us heavy rock loving fiends. The man has been an ever present presence in the heavy music community for years. And he was one of the cats that was with the Doom Charts from the beginning and when the time came that the ever growing group of contributors needed to be lead and guided, he naturally grew into that role.

Every month we would send him our votes. He’d whip us into action and make sure we delivered votes and blurbs on time. He was there to keep in touch with all the record companies, the PR-firms, the bands and our faithful readers. Juggling all that; on top of everything else that life throws at ya, family, work, moving across country, is one hell of a job. And he did a hell of a job and more! I’ve marveled constantly at his omnipresence. He was articulate, knew his stuff and responded to every question that got asked… He was a gentleman and one you could always ask for advice… Even when it wasn’t about music… He will be missed. Not just because of all the work he did, but because he is one of the good people… And you know… Good people listen to good music…

Bucky Brown, go do your thing, be good to the people around you and keep spinning all that majestic vinyl… Perhaps some of us will meet you one day at a live show going berserk or digging through some crates in a dubious record store in a rundown part of town… And remember… Should you ever need us… For any reason at all… We will be here…
~Joop Konraad

Yep, Joop is correct and I am in tears over here as I head off into the outlaw sunset. Thanks Joop for the kind words, and thank you to everyone who has contributed, followed, shared and participated in the Doom Charts throughout the years. YOU are the heart and soul of the Doom Charts. You’re all in good hands and the Doom Charts remains alive and well, except for on April Fools day 😉 But hey, enough about me, the meat and potatoes lurk below with all the bells and whistles. 24 of 25 brand new albums entering the charts this month of 216 unique albums voted on. As the Stoner Rock Army General says, Rock On! ~Bucky

Welcome to Doom Charts, representing some of the finest bloggers, journalists, radio, podcasters and album 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…

30. ACID MAGUS – WYRD SYSTER

29. HOODED MENACE – THE TRITONUS BELL

28. COMET CONTROL – INSIDE THE SUN

27. CRANEIUM – UNKNOWN HEIGHTS

26. DOCTOR SMOKE – DREAMERS AND THE DEAD

25. WOLVES IN HAZE – CHAOS REIGNS / NEW!
(Metal, Doom, Sludge)
120 POINTS
Göteborg, Sweden

Sweden’s Wolves in Haze have thrown down the AOTY gauntlet. Self-described as “death metal infused rock and bloody roll”, that’s exactly what you get and it’s a winning recipe. Grinding sludge riffs thrash over sharp and vicious drums, which almost steal the show with their booming attack and breakneck pace. Give it a spin and strap in.
~SHASTA BEAST

24. STONE CADAVER – MEMENTO MORI, MOTHERFUCKER / NEW!
(Stoner, 70’s, Doom, Heavy Metal)
120 POINTS
Aarhus, Denmark

They’ve been delivering proto metal and doom metal heaviness since 2013 and they’ve now released their best album to date. It’s called Memento Mori, Motherfucker and is the work of the three Danish Vikings called Stone Cadaver. Ten ton heavy intro tones from opening The Reckoning sets the theme and gets you all riled up for the momentous chugging that leads you into the Realm Of Darkness. With those echoed lyrics, dragging you ever further and that pounding drum preparing to turn the stoner and proto doom into something even more twisted, sludgy and a wild seventies approach by the time the next track Doom Christ arrives. And there is so much more here, with so much to discover, yes, it’s a rich and almost unfathomable universe of heavy rock!
~JOOP KONRAAD

23. SOLARNAUT – SOLARNAUT / NEW!
(Doom, Metal, Sludge, Heavy Psychedelic)
125 POINTS
Bend, Oregon

One man doom machine creating heavy spacey sounds from planet Solarus. An infectious and dizzying array of riffs and themes that would make any “Sleep” fan a bit drowsy. Keep an ear on this guy.
~ADAM WALSH

22. WASTELAND COVEN / NOTHING IS REAL – TURMOIL (SPLIT) / NEW!
(Doom, Metal, Hard Rock, Progressive, Sludge)
148 POINTS
Toledo, Ohio / Los Angeles, California

Who doesn’t love a split? A chance to check out a diversity of artists pitted against each other and showcasing their take on the Underground? This one, however, proves that Opposites attract. WASTELAND COVEN’s seething, dynamic Doom juxtaposed by Multi-instrumentalist and Avant Metallist Nothing Is Real’s broiling cauldron of dark misanthropy. One of the best splits of the year!
~REEK OF STOOM

21. VAN GROOVER – HONK IF PARTS FALL OFF / NEW!
(Desert Rock, Hard Rock, Stoner Rock, Doom)
155 POINTS
Herborn, Germany

Fuck yes, I love new comers like that! I’m not gonna Honk If Parts Fall Off, Parts will fall off for sure, I’m gonna honk long and loud cause the album is highly enjoyable! There’s nothing new but I don’t care, if you like Stoner/Desert rock a la KYUSS, you only have one thing to do. Get in the van, get in the groove!!!
~MARC-ERIC GAGNON

20. THE AGE OF TRUTH – RESOLUTE
(Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Doom, Stoner Rock)
155 POINTS
Philidelphia, Pennsylvania

The Philly brotherhood is back preaching the truth via hard knocked hooks, pulsating rhythm and ferocious harmony. The fab 4 continue on their fight for humanity in the form of this 7 song self-titled with more grease than cheese steak it rode in on.
~BUCKY BROWN

19. PLANET OF THE 8’S – LAGRANGE POINT VOL.1 / NEW!
(Hard Rock, Metal, Alternative Metal, Desert Rock)
165 POINTS
Melbourne, Australia

Planet of the 8s who comes from the land down under creates a cool 6 song EP (includes bumpers on each end) that continues their delivery of super strong desert heavy rocking stuff. This time they mix it up a tad by added various singers from the Australian scene that include King Carrot of Death By Carrot , Diesel Doleman of Duneeater, Georgie Cosson of Kitchen Witch and Jimi Coelli of A Gazillion Angry Mexicans/ Sheriff. Their utilization of exquisite harmonized vocals on Lagrange makes for an easy first listen that draws you back to play this gem again. Planet of the 8s has fortified themselves as a band to keep a keen eye on as they consistently deliver each release (3 total) that draws in fans of the desert scene, Alice in Chains, stoner rock and Queens of the Stone Age.
~JOHN GIST

18. SOLAR MANTRA – AWAY / NEW!
(Stoner Rock, Desert, Rock)
175 POINTS
Rome, Italy

After listening to this album, I thought to myself: “Surely these guys are signed? This album is great!” Well, sorry labels, but Argonauta Records have beaten you all to the punch. From the opening riff on ‘Stone Rider’, through the Sabbath boogie of ‘Candyman’, to the closing self titled odyssey of ‘Solar Mantra’, ‘Away’ is a stoner rock gem which should do the business for all fans of the genre!
~JONNY PIRIE

17. CRYPT MONARCH – THE NECRONAUT / NEW!
(Doom Metal, Occult Rock, Stoner, )
180 POINTS
Costa Rica

The Costa Rican doomers knocked it out of the park on their debut EP, oozing low and slow sludgy doom with touches of psychedelia. Both hypnotizing and relentless, their sound is exemplified by the epic “Morning Star Through Skull”, a slow motion bludgeoning that just never lets up.
~SHASTA BEAST

16. HOUR OF 13 – BLACK MAGICK RITES / NEW!
(Doom, Heavy Metal, Traditional Metal, Shadow Kingdom Records)
205 POINTS
Richmond, NC

After many years in the shadows, Chad Davis returns and he is the sole and supreme sorcerer behind Black Magick Rites. This time he cranks all the instruments and even sing. That late 70’s sound that is perfectly nailed comes with some obvious influences from bands like Sabbath or Witchfinder General. If you love your doom traditional and occult, rejoice yourself since Hour of 13 is back!!!
~MARC-ERIC GAGNON

15. SONS OF ALPHA CENTAURI – PUSH / NEW!
(Desert Rock, Alternative Rock, Instrumental, Post-Hardcore, Exile on Mainstream Records)
216 POINTS
England, UK

SONS OF ALPHA CENTAURI- Push Fresh from their sojourn and subsequent success with YAWNING SONS, Nick Toone’s SOAC hit the High Desert for a gruelling, punishing heat wave of hot licks, mirages and scorpions a-plenty. Delivered with a snarl and as potent as a Mamba on Mamba!
~REEK OF STOOM

14. LOW FLYING HAWKS – FUYU / NEW!
(Doom, Rock, Shoegaze, Sludge, Magnetic Eye Records)
235 POINTS
Earth, Texas

Hailing out of Texas’, Low Flying Hawks have released on Magnetic Eye Records the 3rd LP of the trilogy that began in 2016 with Kõfuku (surrender) part 2 in 2017 with Genkaku (hallucinations) and now FUYU (winter). It is based on the ancient Greek myth of Sisyphos, King of Corinth who was punished by the Olympian gods for acting against their will to eternally push a boulder up on a hill and when reaching the top the boulder to roll down again. Helmed by the 2 guitarist know only as AAL and EHA, Dale Crover on drums (Melvins) and Trevor Dunn on bass (Mr Bungle). They bring their signature doomy shoegaze, post-metal sludgey, stoner sound with those massive drums, ever evolving riffs, and vocals that climb through the atmospheric backdrop of sound these stellar musicians bring.
~MARK PARTIN

13. SIGN OF THE SORCERER – OBSESSIONS OF THE VILE / NEW!
(Heavy Psychedelic, Doom, Metal)
248 POINTS
Knoxville, Tennessee

Filthy sounding fuzz twinned with sinister toned vocals, cleverly buried low in the mix to give them a greater feeling of menace, make “Obsessions of the Vile” not just one the gnarliest proto flavoured doom albums you will hear this year but also one of the finest.
~FRAZER JONES

12. MONOBROW – A DECORATIVE PIECE OF TIME / NEW!
(Doom, Instrumental, Metal, Stoner Rock)
264 POINTS
Ottawa, Ontario

They’re back, they’ve brought trumpets and are even heavier than before! It’s the Canadian three from Monobrow! And their fifth full-sized album A Decorative Piece Of Time. The instrumental trio has always had a keen ear on everything spacious, stoner and psychedelic when it comes to all out heavy trucking, chugging and riffing. But slowly, over the space of all their releases things became darker, doomier and definitely more dangerous. There’s an edge out there; and these cats know exactly what kind of music is playing.
~JOOP KONRAAD

11. HALFAYA – BLUNDERBLUES / NEW!
(Metal, Stoner Metal, Doom, Hard Rock)
273 POINTS
Rosario, Argentina

They identify themselves as an outfit that produces ‘stonercore’… And man, does that fit the bill and then some. And then some wild ruckus, savage noise and beastly riot! We’ve been spinning their new release Blunderblues ever since it came our way and it’s a smash ‘n grab kind of deal from the first track on. The track is called TxOxLxA and starts with a majestically tension building ever growing guitar line that slows down and then speeds up till you go: “YAAAAAAAAH!!!” Man, the four from Halfaya know the deal and know how to give it to you!
~JOOP KONRAAD

10. GREEN LUNG – BLACK HARVEST / NEW!
(Hard Rock, Occult, Metal, Doom, Svart Recrods)
296 POINTS
London, UK

When their highly intoxicating Woodland Rites album rose to the top of the ranks two years ago, I was still fairly new to Green Lung. Not everyone had been so luck as to hear the earlier Free The Witch EP or their demo you see. The growth already displayed their held so much promise for the future. And that future, is here now. Black Harvest is darker, heavier, doomier and even more accomplished. There doesn’t seem to be one note, one sound or one idea out of place and that makes Black Harvest the best follow-up they could have made. And hell, one of the best albums of 2021 for certain…
~JOOP KONRAAD

9. TAXI CAVEMAN – TAXI CAVEMAN / NEW!
(Hard Rock, 70’s Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Fuzz, Piranha Music)
312 POINTS
Warsaw, Poland

When Trup decided to take a break and peacefully rest for a while inside its coffin in rotting soil, Taxi Caveman was born. With only one purpose – taking you for a riff-infused ride – the Polish trio offers a 33-minute journey through the history of their inspiration – deep back to the roots of the stoner rock/metal genre. Of course, there is no good trip without a proper soundtrack and the best one has that spark of nostalgia. Taking a trip with Taxi Caveman you will find yourself in the magical world inhabited by fast and fuzzed solos, red-eyed riffs burnt by the desert sun, furry and furious vocals, you will visit doomy and gloomy planets where everyone worships the ones and only gods of doom from Aston, Birmingham, and the most important thing: it will be fun as hell. This album is an eclectic tribute to masters of the stone-cutting craft from Godfathers of doom, through Californian desert surfers and instrumental stoner pioneers, to psych-trippin’ shamans.
~GRUBY (DOOMSMOKER)

8. THE UGLY KINGS – STRANGE, STRANGE TIMES / NEW!
Heavy Blues, Hard Rock, Garage Rock, Napalm Records)
336 POINTS
Melbourne, Australia

Taking it up another notch from 2018’s superb debut lp ‘The Ugly King,’ hailing from Melbourne the metropolis that has given birth to so many top notch bands have released this their newest studio lp ‘Strange,Strange Times.’ Once again ‘The Ugly Kings’ have raised the bar gifting us this superb album.Sandpaper like punk,which hails back at times to those great 70’s punk rockers and infused,with edgy and dark Hemi-powered Alt/blues laden songs.They are brimming over the top with superb songwriting that keeps the super catchy hooks,habit-forming riffs strong vocals all led by one really top notch rhythm section.an exciting album from start to finish.The only bad part is that it has to end.Want to know more? Check out this interview with Christos Anthanasiason on The Ripple Effect Blog.
~MARK PARTIN

7. WITCHCRYER – WHEN THEIR GODS COME FOR YOU / NEW!
(Metal, Doom, Stoner, Hard Rock, Ripple Music)
473 POINTS
Austin, Texas

Seriously good blend of proto-doom and occult rock fronted by some truly impressive vocals.
~FRAZER JONES

6. THE ANGELUS – WHY WE NEVER DIE / NEW!
(Stoner Rock, Desert Rock, Shoegaze, Alternative, Desert Records)
513 POINTS
Dallas, Texas

This album conjures up a dark foreboding presence tinted with psychedelic and acid Americana. Stoner Rock with desert vibes bring deeply atmospheric sounds to the front, post-rock song structures give an ebb and flow to passages of heaviness. The overriding feel is of melancholy delivered with a powerful sound that is played with restraint but still crushes when it needs to. Vocals are clean but powerful and convey a feeling of loss and regret. This has been on repeat since I heard it – this is the good shit.
~TONY MAIM

5. LUCIFER’S FALL – III – FROM THE DEEP / NEW
(Heavy Metal, Doom, Traditional Doom, Hard Rock)
770 POINTS
Adelaide, Australia

After five full album free but busy years Australian cursed and damned acolytes of traditional doom are coming back “From the Deep” with their third long-play. Armored with “Tridental Steel”, sonic darkens, and satanic spells, they are prepared to spread their apocalyptic sounds and blasphemous terror all over the battlefield. There is no surrender, no coming back, no escape. You can bow to the consuming heaviness and Master of Disguise or die and became a slave of satan. The third Lucifer’s Fall’s grimoire is a filthy masterpiece of heretical eschatology and sacrilegious epicness.
~GRUBY (DOOMSMOKER)

4. SUNCRAFT – FLAT EARTH RIDER / NEW!
(Stoner Rock, Heavy Metal, Progressive Hard Rock, Stickman Records, All Good Clean Records)
820 POINTS
Norway

There’s a lot of cool factor going on in this album’s 35 minutes… A nod to early proto metal, 80’s metal, stoner rock, a tad of grunge, even a smidgeon of prog… all sprinkled in throughout, but mixed up enough so that it tastes fresh. One of those albums that sticks with you long after it’s over and beckons for repeat listens. This being a debut is a damn impressive statement to the bands creative process and I can’t wait to hear what comes next. One of the best things I’ve heard all year, color me a Suncraftian…
~ADAM WALSH

3. TERMINUS – THE SILENT BELL TOLL / NEW!
(Hard Rock, Progressive, Metal, Noise Rock, Stoner, Heavy Fuzz)
1572 POINTS
Fayetteville, Arkansas

Imagine turning on the radio and instead of hearing Miley Cyrus or Ed Sheeran warbling something inane and trite you hear crunching guitar riffs and thundering percussion, not likely I hear you scream, but hold on a minute because if there is one “underground” band who could make that transition then it is Terminus a band who combine a blistering heavy metal attack with melodies it’s hard not to sing along with.
~FRAZER JONES

2. BORRACHO – POUND OF FLESH / NEW!
(Doom, Heavy Rock, Stoner, Repetitive Heavy Grooves Music)
2115 POINTS
Washington, D.C.

A Pound of Flesh dropped in my ears at the beginning of the month and stayed on heavy rotation ever since. Borracho delivers us a darker album which has as for backdrop our socio-political realities. While staying true to their Heavy groove Stoner/Desert Rock DNA, Borracho shows an evolution towards something different and fresh; maybe it’s cause they adopted a more progressive approach this time. Borracho triumphantly returns with another staple album to add to their legendary saga!!!
~MARC-ERIC GAGNON

1. KAL-EL – DARK MAJESTY / NEW!
(Heavy Psychedelic, Doom, Heavy Metal, Majestic Mountain Records)
Stavanger, Norway

Norwegian Noise Druids KAL-EL epitomise the Sound of Doom. Their hybrid influences of BS, EW and CM are worn like proud bandanas, and rightly so! Their new offering “Dark Majesty” encapsulates the band’s ethos: create authentic, credible and exhilarating Doom metal in time-honoured fashion. Not only do they accomplish it, they surpass and raise the standard higher than ever. That classic Sabs background is there, but Kal-El seem to have evolved it…run with it, made it something all of their own – and THAT is the beginning of Legends. No-Brainer for AOTY contention.
~REEK OF STOOM

AUGUST SPOTIFY PLAYLIST

Special thanks to the ongoing contributors to the monthly Doom Chart.  You folks help give voice to the heavy underground:

Aaron Pickford (The Sludgelord); Adam Walsh (Earmunchies); Andy Benson (Nerve Salad); Bill Goodman (The Evil Engineer); Billy Goate (Doomed & Stoned); Bob “Mr. Weird Beard” Baker (More Fuzz Podcast); Bobby Rayfield (Trendkill Radio); Brandon Collins (Super Dank Metal Jams); Bucky Brown (The Ripple Effect);  Clint Willis (Hand of Doom Radio); Chris Beck (Doom Tomb Podcast); Chris Latta (Ghost Cult Magazine);  Chris Tighe (The Mighty Decibal); The Doom Oracle (Spectral Ecstacy); Doomsday Jesus (DoomsdaysJesus); Duncan Evans (Alternative Control); Eric Varasiftsky (Stoner Rock Army); Frazer Jones (Desert Psychlist);  Geoff Leppard (Atom Heart Mutha); Graur Zaur (Crypt Guard); Gruby (Doomsmoker); Günther “Doktor420” (Stoner HiVe); Héctor “Mr. Heavyhead” Hurtado (More Fuzz); Hugo Hulleman (Metalfan.nl,Orange Maze); Jamey Morris (Fistful of DOOM); Jay Morgan (High Desert Valley Radio); Jim Thompson (Heavy in the Hills); John Gist, (Vegas Rock Revolution); Jonny Pirie (Hour of the Riff); Joop Konraad (Stoner HiVe); Ken Elliott (Heavy Planet);  Leanne Ridgeway (Riff Relevant); Magnus Tannergren (Into The Void Radio); Marc-Eric Gagnon (Stonefly Effects); Marc C. Pietrek (VITRIOL, INC / A DARK UNITED FRONT); Mark Partin (The Ripple Effect); Matt Slighter (Cheeto) (Hwy 420, Core of Destruction Radio) Matthew Thomas (Taste Nation); Mathieu Van Der Hert (Dutch European Stoner Rock);  Mel Lie (Sunday’s Heavy Tunes); Mel Lie (Sunday’s Heavy Tunes); Mike Williams (I Talk to Planets);  Pat ‘Riot’ Whitaker (The Ripple Effect);  ‘Papa’ Paul Rote (Doomed & Stoned); Reek of STOOM (Doomed&Stoned, Stoner Hive); Remi (Remi VL); Roberto Lucas (Denpa Fuzz); Roberto Fuentes (La Habitación 235); Robert Pannell (Doom Loom); Rod Reinhardt (Captain Beyond Zen); Roman Tamayo (Doomed & Stoned); Shasta Beast (Stoner HiVe); Steve Howe (Outlaws of the Sun);  Shasta Beast (Stoner Hive); Steve Rodger (God’s Holy Trousers); Steve Woodier (Shrieks From Below); Tanguy ‘Mr Fuzz’ Dupré (More Fuzz); Thierry “Pumpkin-T“ François (Metal Intégral); Tom Hanno (Tom’s Album Reviews); Tom Schmahl (Rock Circuz); Tony Maim (Black Insect Laughter, Stoner HiVe); Tony Van Dorston (Fast n Bulbous); Wombat Tarantino (Wombat Cult)

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.