“The bigger, the better… In Everything”

Freddy Mercury

Festival season is upon us! Finally! Oh, how we missed all those live shows… Which means many of the Contributors are out of bounce and bouncing hard to all those heavy tunes everywhere! Don’t worry, they all delivered their votes; but perhaps the blurbs are written by a lot of the same cats this month. It happens… But it happens exactly on the month that the Doom Charts crazies did something crazy once again… Indeed, we’ve extended the list to 40. There are multiple reasons to do so. But… We weren’t sure if we should. I mean, we could just post the total list of 299 albums that received votes this month. But then, that would defeat the purpose of the chart, we reckon. No, the main reason is the fact that the amount of albums released on a monthly basis, continues to grow and the sheer brilliance of many of those albums continue to shock and awe. Not so long ago albums could easily carry over a month. Or even two… You know, Lore by ELDER made the list three months in a row. This does not happen anymore, NOT because the albums aren’t that good, but because there are more and more albums THAT good. The amount of voters might also have something to do with that or perhaps that some promos are sometimes a bit too much ahead of the actual release date… Anyway… We’ve extended the list by ten… Should we keep it that way? Or go back to thirty? Let us know… O’ and let us know which albums you dug the most! Cause it might just be our next favorite album as well! Check’m out! Check’m all out!

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. SAMAVAYO – PAYAN

39. MIZMOR & THOU – MYOPIA / NEW!

38. ABSENT IN BODY – PLAGUE GOD / NEW!

37. OUT OF THE EARTH – II / NEW!

36. DHIDALAH – SENSORIA / NEW!

35. HELMS ALEE – KEEP THIS BE THE WAY / NEW!

34. KILL THE KINGS – KILL THE KINGS / NEW!

33. THE FLOOD – LOVE LIFE / NEW!

32. MESSA – CLOSE

31. END BOSS – THEY SEEK MY HEAD

30. GROS MENÉ – PAX ET BONUM / NEW!

29. GEEZER – STONED BLUES MACHINE / NEW!

28. THE RING – IMAGINATOR / NEW!

27. COMA HOLE – COMA HOLE / NEW!

26. TWIN VOID – FREE FROM HARDTIMES / NEW!

25. EVERT SNYMAN & THE AVIARY – PRUNING IN THE DARK / NEW!
(Alternative Rock, Stoner Rock)
(Johannesburg, South Africa)
716 Points

With a keen sense of musicality and a deep-rooted love of rock music, EVERT SNYMAN‘s ‘Pruning In The Dark‘ boasts a dizzying array of hook-laden tracks, inspired by a varied assortment of ’90s rock music, while also marking a singular showcase of the collaborative state-of-mind of the electrifying South African rock scene.
~ Crypt Guard

24. BLUES WEISER – OBEY THE BOOZE / NEW!
(Rock, Stoner, Alternative, Blues, Psych, Soul)
(Spain)
736 Points

BLUES WEISER are pushing the pedal to the carpet! I wonder which is fuzzier, the pedal or the carpet? Sure thing, a carpet is very useful to mop up all this booze spilling all over because the atmosphere is at the party! Under soul /funk vibes you can hear some Hendrixian influences at times and it does not disappoint! Obey The Booze is a festive album that will please all Stoner Blues lovers!!!
~ Marc-Eric Gagnon

23. KING GIZZARD & THE LIZARD WIZARD – OMNIUM GATHERUM / NEW!
(Heavy Psych, Garage, Everything)
(Melbourne, Australia)
750 Points

The Australian alchemists return with yet another in their prolific output and, as ever, the sheer craftsmanship and flawless ability to shift between genres and morph juxtaposing sounds is what makes them such a unique and vibrant force in the Underground. “Omnium Gatherum” is 16 tracks of stunning, exotic, swirling and brainstorming tunes that melt your brain into a sticky puddle of plasma!
~ Reek of STOOM

22. 10,000 YEARS – III / NEW!
(Stoner, Doom)
(Västerås, Sweden)
780 Points

Swedish Stoner/Doom ensemble 10,000 YEARS bring their singular brand of Stoner, Doom and Thrash metal to the masses once again with their third Full-length album. Expect crunching, debilitating riff, vehement delivery and a totally uncompromising approach to their craft… definitely on the radar for AOTY!
~ Reek of STOOM

21. LIMOUSINE BEACH – LIMOUSINE BEACH / NEW!
(Glam Rock, Pub Rock)
(Pittsburgh, USA)
920 Points

Every year, I always find at least one record that becomes my “party-rock record of the year”. The record that I always want to put on, always puts me in a good mood, when the sun is shining and the beers are flowing, this is the record I want to hear. The quasi-supergroup out of Pittsburgh earn that stop with their mix of glam rock, power-pop, and pub rock. Throw in some banger classic metal licks, some pedal to the metal punk rock ragers, weirdo Melvins-y chord progressions, and vocal harmonies up there with the best of ’em, this should be on all your stereos all summer long!
~ Remi VL

20. KAMRU – KOSMIC ATTUNEMENT TO THE MALEVOLENT RITES OF THE UNIVERSE / NEW!
(Occult, Doom, Rock)
(Denver, Colorado, USA)
945 Points

KAMRU are Denver’s new prophets of Occult Doom! Kosmic Attunement to the Malevolent Rites of the Universe is packed with evil ballads and thunderous rhythms that have only one purpose; to drag your soul straight in Hell! These mighty and commanding vocals are just perfect for summoning demons. Consider yourself warned. Now, light up your darkest candles and join the cult!!!
~ Marc-Eric Gagnon

19. CONIFER BEARD – ACTION HERO / NEW!
(Desert Rock, Heavy Blues Rock, Stoner Rock)
(Yelabuga, Russia)
966 Points

This hard rocking trio from Russia should appeal to fans of good old, solid, desert/stoner hard rock. Fu Manchu, COC and Clutch come to mind and that’s some damn good company to be in. If you think the cover looks cool and you wouldn’t mind being right there this album is definitely for you.
~ Andy Kovalcik

18. SLOWTORCH – THE MACHINE HAS FAILED / NEW!
(Stoner Rock, Hard Rock)
(Bolzano, Italy)
996 Points

Italy’s incendiary ignitors of fiery rock intensity, SLOWTORCH, throw a monkey wrench into the cogs of music mediocrity with their latest. “The Machine Has Failed” brings it all crashing down with its explosive take on napalm imbued heavy music. With a consistent hard aural barrage and blasting battery of riffs and rhythms, this quartet detonate in ways that must be heard to fully appreciate.
~ Pat ‘Riot’ Whitaker

17. DOMKRAFT / SLOMATICS – ASCEND / DESCEND / NEW!
(Sludge/Doom)
(Stockholm/Belfast, Sweden/Ireland)
1278 Points

Looking at the crushingly heavy output of Stockholm’s DOMKRAFT and the trudging poundage of Belfast-based SLOMATICS, one would think that the sheer heaviness of both combined would cancel each other out. But thankfully that math doesn’t check out as ‘Ascend/Descend‘ hits like a heavy-duty bulldozer. It’s the psychedelic sludge behemoth that riff-worshippers and sound hounds have been wishing for and a true artifact from the heavy underground. This split album is the yield that has developed through the apparent connection that has fostered between both groups over the years.
~ Crypt Guard

16. DECASIA – AN ENDLESS FEAST FOR HYENAS / NEW!
(Heavy Psych, Stoner Rock)
(Paris, France)
1332 Points

An impressive album that draws from the past, but looks to the future with new eyes. Without a bad song, all its content is a gift for any lover of heavy psychedelia. His songs are built on true heavy-psych whirlwinds to provide the listener with a unique journey through the lands and the cosmos. An entire immersion in the particular universe of DECASIA, a space in which the French trio quickly sweeps us away with its psychedelic rock sound nuanced with almost narrative stoner instrumental passages. His shocking melodies and the vestiges of 70’s rock are the basis on which his fascinating psychotropic developments are based.
~ Roberto lucas

15. AMBASSADOR – INSATISFACCION / NEW!
(Heavy Rock, Blues Rock, Stoner Rock)
(Buenos Aires, Argentina)
1368 Points

I will never miss the pleasure of savoring a slice of true heavy rock’n’blues, especially when the lyrics are in Spanish – I love it! Worthy heirs of Manal or Pappo, AMBASSADOR master the subtleties of the genre. There’s no cheating, just guitar, bass, drums and Maximiliano’s fairly low, rocky voice. On 3 tracks from Insatisfacción, guests come to record sax, Hammond organ and slide guitar. The lyrics are dark but the groove is omnipresent. 100% authentic!
~ Thierry ‘Pumpkin-T’ Francois

14. MANO DE MONO – CHAMELEON TONGUE / NEW!
(Desert Rock, Stoner Metal)
(Sardinia, Italy)
1377 Points

Is it because of global warming that the Mediterranean countries are becoming the new lands of desert? Anyway, Chameleon Tongue by MANO DE MONO from Italy is an excellent first album. Very good riffing of the guitar with a saturated sound, powerful rhythm section pounding on slow and mid-slow tempo, no doubt this is a nice opus of desert/stoner and the very virile vocals, quite low, a little scratchy, fits perfectly with it. On the album, the 8 dusty tracks are important and each of them brings different vibes to prevent the listener from getting bored. Try it and dig it!
~ Thierry ‘Chameleon-T’ Francois

13. IGMO – TAKE IT OVER / NEW!
(Hard Rock, Stoner, Heavy Psych)
(Kediri, Indonesia)
1568 Points

Imho Take It Over by IGMO is the freshest debut album of the year. While some tracks are real heavy psych rock, others are more in the traditional hard rock genre. However, each composition is pure pleasure. I detect in IGMO a propensity for curiosity, the sign of great creators. Icing on the cake, their singer is a future star. Such a voice! Now I’m looking forward to their next 2 full lengths which are already composed.
~ Thierry ‘Pumpkin-T’ Francois

12. HÄLLAS – ISLE OF WISDOM / NEW!
(Hard Rock, Adventure Metal)
(Jönköping, Sweden)
1578 Points

Immersed in their particular fantastic story in which ancient myths and legends are dressed in progressive rock, with folk and heavy-rock moments, HÄLLAS present their third album following their personal style called by the band itself: ‘Adventure rock’. If on their two previous albums we found more moments of pure heavy-rock, on ‘Isle of Wisdom‘ the Swedes definitely feel seduced by the hard-progressive of the 70’s. With bands like Yes, Nektar, Eloy, Genesis or Deep Purple in the spotlight, but without giving up the hard-rock and proto-metal echoes, the guitars are splendid under the cozy mantle created by those vintage keyboards, keyboards , which, together with the delicate melodies, are the plot axis of the entire álbum…
~ Roberto lucas

11. MOUNTAIN OF SMOKE – IMPRINTED / NEW!
(Sludge, Doom)
(Dallas, Texas, USA)
1806 Points

The perfect doom metal movie soundtrack. Crushing, cinematic and trippy. All we need now is the movie to go with it.
~ Jonny Pirie

10. WEEDEVIL – THE RETURN / NEW!
(Sludge, Doom
(São Paulo, Brazil)
1830 Points

São Paulo Psychedelic Doomers WEEDEVIL are back; stomping through swampy, sludgy riffage, cauterized by the alluring vocals of Lorraine Scar. A five track extravaganza of Doomed riffs and dark overtones, “The Return” showcases the rebirth of WEEDEVIL as a band and as a solid force in the Undeground.
~ Reek of STOOM

9. SATURNA & ELECTRIC MONOLITH – TURNED TO STONE CHAPTER 4: HIGHER SELVES / NEW!
(Stoner Rock, Psych, Grunge)
(Barcelona, Spain)
2061 Points

Ripple Music hit the bull’s eye with the 4th instalment of its “Turned to Stone” series, bringing together two bands in one EP that sound as if they naturally belong together. I personally love the sound of SATURNA and James Vieco’s voice (you really want to check out their “Times of Trouble” and Soundgarden covers). That said, the four songs on the first half of the EP are a brilliant hybrid specimen of Temple of the Dog-era grunge, modern desert rock and melodies that can travel you back to the mighty Lynyrd Skynyrd. On the second half of the EP, ELECTRIC MONOLITH deliver five songs, on what sounds as their best work to date. Their Sabbathesque song-writing has its roots in classic tunes like “National Acrobat” and “Solitude”, creating songs that look eye to eye with Sleepwulf and Green Lung. Do not sleep on this EP, I bet it sounds brilliant on wax! Highly recommended!
~ Ioannis Valiakos

8. INCHE KAI CHE – INCHE KAI CHE / NEW!
(Stoner, Psych, Blues, Rock)
(Curico, Chile)
2160 Points

There is a time and place for everything! And this month’s time and place on the Doom Charts, is CHILE! Many bands from that majestic country have been delivering awesome albums for a while; but it almost seems like they decided to release another one all at the same time… The stoner force is big there! And on the self titled release by INCHE KAI CHE we are treated to the stoner in full force; with old blues roots, psychedelic meandering and gritty fuzz sauce that just oozes off all those fat sounds… Intense, tight and exceptional!
~ Joop Konraad

7. GREAT RIFT – UTOPIA / NEW!
(Rock, Psych, Doom, Stoner, Prog)
(Austria)
2556 Points

At it for five years, these psychedelic hard rockers lay down some classic, guitar laden, thick and full grooves. As noted, the unique vocals are a compliment to the 70s blues and 90s stoner influences. This is a must listen in my opinion.
~ Andy Kovalcik

6. DEMONAUTA – LOW MELODIES ABOUT CHAOS / NEW!
(Rock, Stoner, Psych, Doom, Metal)
(Santiago, Chile)
3444 Points

Are you in dire need for something extremely fuzzy? Want to get hit by an almighty groove? Those sandy riffs; that sun bleached sound straight out of the Chilean wastelands? Well, you’ve come to the right place. DEMONAUTA’s new release Low Melodies About Chaos has it all and more! You will surely be transported to the DEMONAUTA domain by all that proggy brilliance! Stunning album!
~ Joop Konraad

5. SOMALI YACHT CLUB – THE SPACE / NEW!
(Space Rock, Heavy Psych)
(Lviv, Ukraine)
5278 Points

Established as one of the standout bands on the European heavy psych scene, their sound has become the yin and yang of the scene. Capable of plunging you into cold caves where post-metal hits with all its heaviness, but also prepared to lift us to cottony surroundings with its delicate and velvety celestial melodies. Skillfully using both lysergic elements and the most exuberant post-rock, they create an album presided over by melancholy. A new escape route, in which the Stoner riffs take new creative routes.
~ Roberto lucas

4. CARSON – THE WILFUL PURSUIT OF IGNORANCE / NEW!
(Rock, Stoner)
(Lucerne, Switzerland / New Zealand)
5730 Points

CARSON came out of nowhere for me even though somewhere in those dark recesses of the mind their 2017 release Drown The Witness still lingered. But what a grand surprise this new album is! Just check out opener Dirty Dream Maker; and it’s massive mother sludge approach to stoner rock and you will know what we mean. It was also an eye opener to all that great music that their label Sixteentimes Music release and al lot of other Swiss bands doing great things. But for now we will stick to trying to come to grips with The Wilful Pursuit Of Ignorance…
~ Joop Konraad

3. STEAK – ACUTE MANIA / NEW!
(Stoner, Desert, Rock)
(UK)
6976 Points

Acute Mania is undeniably STEAK’s most ambitious creation. They’re pulling us into an immersive, Progressive, Desert Rock journey. Always moving and expanding, the songs are built in a progressive fashion. They are interspersed with some more introspective moments that help ease the tension, but don’t worry; it’s only to bring it up stronger. These heavier passages are always groovy and the build up explodes into a climax of muscular riffage. Acute Mania is a AOTY material!!!
~ Marc-Eric Gagnon

2. ALUNAH – STRANGE MACHINE / NEW!
(Rock, Classic, Stoner, Seventies)
(Birmingham, UK)
7582 Points

The rise of Midlands-based Stoner/Rockers ALUNAH has been swift and evident from their gigs, either headlining or supporting such luminaries as PARADISE LOST along with an appearance at this year’s DESERTFEST LONDON. “Strange Machine” shows a band reaching a new level of writing and execution, expanding their sound from the Doom-tinged heaviness of yore to encompass Psychedelia, Funk undertones and hard-rocking tunes all brimming with invention, passion and dedication to maintaining their easily-accesible sound. An excellent release from a band that are going to soar over Doom Skies for many a year!
~ Reek of STOOM

1. GREENBEARD – VARIANT / NEW!
(Rock, Hard, Stoner, Desert, Classic, Metal)
(Austin, Texas, USA)
11254 Points

The classic and blues-tinged heavy rock, stoner infused Variant album is the newest release by Austin, Texas quartet GREENBEARD. But it’s not just that simple… For the way they implore all the different heavy rock elements make them move ever more away from the trodden path and into a wild, strange and definite desert rock adventure. Sometimes even reminiscent of Masters Of Reality the album dares to swim with the wind and dive behind veil of existence. Soulful and warm, the seven tracks of Variant, with blissful saxophone work at a few moments can easily and instantly be recognized as an amazing album and one that will ring on for a very long time to come…
~ Joop Konraad

If you listen, it will doom…

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); Andy Kovalcik (Bandcamp-NYP-Hard&Heavy); 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); Fuzzy Cracklins (Fuzzy Cracklins); Geoff Leppard (Atom Heart Mutha); Graur Zaur (Crypt Guard); Gravitoyd HM (Gravitoyd Heavy Music); Gruby (Doomsmoker); Günther “Doktor420” (Stoner HiVe); Héctor “Mr. Heavyhead” Hurtado (More Fuzz); Hugo Hulleman (Metalfan.nl,Orange Maze); Ioannis Valiakos (Desert Vulture); Jamey Morris (Fistful of DOOM); Jay Morgan (High Desert Valley Radio); Jim Thompson (Heavy in the Hills); JJ “HP Taskmaster” Koczan (The Obelisk); 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); Martin Doomed Desbois (Le Mellow Man, Metal Alliance Magazine) 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); Mike Williams (I Talk to Planets);  Mr Stone (More Fuzz); Pat ‘Riot’ Whitaker (The Ripple Effect);  ‘Papa’ Paul Rote (Doomed & Stoned); Reek of STOOM (Doomed&Stoned, Stoner HiVe); Remi VL (Remi Post Too Many Links); 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); Steve Rodger (God’s Holy Trousers); Steve Woodier (Deathrattle Podcast); Tanguy ‘Mr Fuzz’ Dupré (More Fuzz); Thierry “Pumpkin-T“ François (Metal Intégral); 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.