“Whatever you listen, listen with all your heart…”

~ probably misheard quote by Confucius

We’re deep into November, and soon we will enter December and find ourselves neck deep in the merriment of making Year-End-Lists. Time seems to go faster and faster. Which is something we should talk about one day. But for now, we look back at October, and give you the Peroration Post for October, with 21 amazing albums that will surely end up on some of yours and some of the Contributors Year-End-Lists! Get crackin! Get listening! And

The following are professions of love and adoration by Doom Charts Contributors for albums they could not stop spinning. Each month, the Doom Charts critics submit their picks for the best new doom, sludge, metal, stoner, psychedelic and other sorts of heavy rock albums. The results are compiled and tabulated into the chart which is published on the First Friday of the new month, monthly. However, sometimes a love is so great, but for whatever reason the album unfortunately did not make the published Doom Charts Edition or because there were so many contributors are in love with that one album, that many decided to send blurbs for it, and only one got published… Cause we only publish the one blurb… Well, you can peruse that love here…

7 WEEKS – FADE INTO BLURRED LINES
Heavy Rock, Alt rock, Indie rock, Stoner rock
Limoges, France
F2m Planet

NOT ON BANDCAMP

The more I listen to Fade Into Blurred Lines by 7 WEEKS, the harder it is to stick a label on it. Anyway, it’s pure delight! The genre the band plays is somewhere between stoner rock, alt rock and indie rock. Let’s just call it Heavy rock. The album (or the songs itself) constantly plays on the contrast between powerful and intimate atmospheres. When one track is an electric storm, the next one can be a sweet unplugged melody. By their quality as composers, by the clear, warm and malleable voice of the singer, 7 WEEKS sometimes reminds me of Ghinzu. Go listen to this impossible-to-summarize album and enjoy!
~ Thierry “Pumpkin-T“ François (Metal Intégral)

20 WATT TOMBSTONE – THE CHOSEN FEW
Stoner, Heavy Southern Rock
Wausau, Wisconsin
Self-released

NOT ON BANDCAMP

20 WATT TOMBSTONE is not here to screw around. They are kicking you in the face with their brand of no-nonsense stoner rock with a bit of a boogie too it, call it a Clutch/Raging Slab mass up, and wow am I here for it. Think of a heavier ZZ Top, dirty stoner blues goodness, with some desert rock worship as well. Their latest offering, The Chosen Few, kicks all sorts of ass. The heavy duo from Wisconsin hit on all cylinders on The Chosen Few, and I can’t imagine that this is not going to be a beloved offering to the folks who dig this kind of heavy rock. Southern stoner boogie via Wisconsin for everyone’s enjoyment.
~ Rich Piva (Musipedia of Metal, FuzzDoomRip)

APPALOOZA – THE SHINING SON
Stoner Rock, Grunge, Hard Rock
Brittany, France
Ripple Music

Album three may be APPALOOZA’s best. Stoner grunge goodness is what you are getting with these guys, with an almost world music vibe just lying underneath. Bands such as Kyuss, AIC, Soundgarden and Red Fang are mentioned in their bio and I can get behind all of them, but the band brings their own special (French) sauce to the party to take those influences, mix them around, and create something that is unique to the listener.   I love the fullness of the sound, the drums, the killer vocals and harmonies, the world music vibes, and the step up in the songwriting from the band.  Another great Ripple Music release.
~ Rich Piva (Musipedia of Metal, FuzzDoomRip)

The Shining Son is a sequel to the previous album, The Holy Of Holies. APPALOOZA keeps on telling their strange religious myth about Azazael aka The Horse. This album is filled with infernal percussion, blood-curdling screams, rumbling bass and acid riffs delivered in overdrive mode. Each track is a brilliant alchemy of a very powerful stoner, some tribal primitivism and clear, expressive and melodic vocal lines. Aerial combined with telluric! Sure, this album will delight fans of powerful rhythms, primal energy, smart compositions and catchy melodies.
~ Thierry “Pumpkin-T“ François (Metal Intégral)

BAHBOON – THUNDER APE
Stoner, Doom, Metal
Tokyo, Japan
Self-released

Thunder Ape comes loaded with big crunchy hook, hairy vocals and unrelenting groove. What an absolute ripper of an album!
~ Bucky Brown (The Ripple Effect)

BISMUT – AUSDAUER
Instrumental, Rock, Stoner, Psych, Prog, Metal
Nijmegen, Netherlands
Lay Bare Recordings / Spinda Records

The trio from Nijmegen give another turn to their sound, with what is probably the most experimental album of their career. A unique tortuous musical journey in which they continue to expand their fusion of heavy psych and progressive metal, with moments of virulent post-metal based on improvisation. We could say that BISMUT are a live band, and that their albums are not easy to digest for most mortals, but, even so, they always have the ability to surprise us. Thunderous riffs, long psychedelic developments and a fast-paced rhythm are the band’s main arguments in this new release of heavy psychedelic music. A whole melting pot of various textures comes together in search of finding those moments in which to captivate the listener with a dynamic and rugged story, but also, at times, dreamy.
~ Roberto Lucas (Denpa Fuzz)

THE CYCLIST CONSPIRACY – MASHALLAH PLAN
Folk, Psych, World, Experimental, Seventies, Hardrock
Serbia
Subsound Records

A monumental psychedelic piece set in the landscapes of North Africa and the Middle East, reinforced by magnificent choral songs that make way for powerful Stoner riffs. A subtle and accomplished bridge that unites the forcefulness of the vibrations of the Californian deserts and the intoxicating melodies of the eastern deserts. But not only that, because in this fascinating album, we can find rhythms more typical of Africa, Turkish melodies, and sounds from the Middle East, twinned with hard-rock and desert-rock in a brilliant way. With acid guitars more typical of the West-Coast, a rhythmic base that would make the Rocky Mountains tremble, and a melodic magic that could well have come from the magic notes of a flutist in any souk of an Eastern medina, these guys create a seamless, completely captivating album.
~ Roberto Lucas (Denpa Fuzz)

DROGULA – DROGULA
Stoner, Doom
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Herby Records

Black Sabbath worshippers need to check out the self titled debut from Argentina’s DROGULA. The opening track sounds like a missing jam section from “Under the Sun” from Black Sabbath Volume 4. From there the band stretches out into further depths of doom, displaying a knack for playing catchy doomed fare. Neckbraces suggested!
~ Chris Tighe (The Mighty Decibel)

ENTIERRO – THE GATES OF HELL
Traditional Metal
New Haven, Connecticut
Self-released

ENTIERRO is here to fly the flag of Heavy Metal…and by Heavy Metal I mean the classics; Priest, Mercyful Fate, and Rainbow are all called out in the description of their new album, The Gates Of Hell. The Connecticut band bring their biggest and fullest sounding album with their latest release, a real step forward that will bring these boys some serious new exposure and fanbase. The Gates Of Hell Reminds me of Anthrax or maybe Sacred Reich, or maybe Armored Saint, or maybe all three, and you can’t go wrong there.
~ Rich Piva (Musipedia of Metal, FuzzDoomRip)

FUTUROPACO – FORTEZZA DI VETRO VOL. 1
Psych, Prog, Electronic
Oakland, CA
El Paraiso Records

NOT ON BANDCAMP

Fortezza Di Vetro Vol. 1, the second album from FUTUROPACO, the 1 man outlet of Oakland’s Justin Pinkerton arrives courtesy of El Paraiso Records (if you know, you know) and promptly writhes, slinks, and vibes its way into your soul. I’m not one for electronic leaning music or one man bands, but the mix of electric and acoustic instruments, 70s instrumental soundtrack cool, and undeniable groove here are more than enough to overcome my biases. If you dig bands like Mondo Drag, you will have zero issues here. Forget your preconceptions and just press play; this record will be part of your subconscious before you know what hit you.
~ Ben Bellum (The Greatest Thing You’ve Never Heard)

GRAVEYARD – 6
Hard Rock, Psych Noir, Garage Noir, Blues
Göteborg, Sweden
Century Media

NOT ON BANDCAMP

Like riding through the desert in a luxury 1970s Cadillac Hearse with plush velvet interior, and a thoroughly modern, 500 horsepower V8 engine under the hood, GRAVEYARD purrs in cruise mode, but still has takeoff when the pedal is pushed on tracks like the garage raver “Twice” and “Just a Drop,” which starts at a simmer before boiling over into muscular riffage like GRAVEYARD’s early days. “I Follow” you starts with twangy Western noir guitars before upping the tempo into a chugging rhythm and rhythmic breaks that suggest this desert ride isn’t going to be all smooth. The highlight that’s stood out to me on my first half dozen listens is “Breathe In Breathe Out,” which begins with Nilsson’s voice turned extra husky like a cross between Free era Paul Rodgers and Mark Lanegan, backed by soul vocals. The brooding intro soon opens up into a repetitive rhythm guitar, organ and an extended sad and lonesome guitar solo that recalls The Doors’ “Light My Fire.” “No Way Out” features some soulful, higher register singing from Nilsson that recalls Chris Cornell, and it’s extended crescendo invokes Soundgarden at their best. The four mellow tracks keep the tempos slow and low, a lightly psychedelic mix of garage noir and a touch of lush mid-70s Pink Floyd production. All are stellar, with “Godnatt” serving as a moody intro, “Sad Song” is another strong, emotional contribution from Truls Mörck, closer “Rampant Fields” and another album highlight, “Bright Lights.”
~ Tony Van Dorston (Fast n Bulbous)

HIPPIE DEATH CULT – HELICHRYSUM
Heavy Rock, Doom, Heavy Psych
Portland, Oregon, USA
Heavy Psych Sounds

You may think the change in lead vocalist would change the band’s sound at least a bit, but the new record, Helichrysum is still one hundred present the HIPPIE DEATH CULT sound, a sound you can decipher amongst all the other bands doing proto/psych/doom thing today and makes the band The West Coast’s answer to Ruby The Hatchet. Helichrysum IS a more focused effort with a grander sound, some serious soul, and maybe the one two punch of the year with Red Giant and Toxic Annihilator. Laura on vocals and a more guitar driven sound is exactly what the band needed to take their already killer take on 70s proto/psych/doom to the next level.
~ Rich Piva (Musipedia of Metal, FuzzDoomRip)

LUCID SINS – DANCING IN THE DARK
Psychedelic Rock, Occult Rock, Folk Rock
Glasgow, Scotland
Totem Cat Records

LUCID SINS have with “Dancing In The Dark” made the musical equivalent of “The Wicker Man” or “Midsommar”, folkish psych textured grooves tinted with an element of occult rock bite that are the perfect accompaniment for a sacrificial burning or the crowning of a May Queen.
~ Frazer Jones (Desert Psychlist)

A beautiful album of vintage sounds that drag you to the depths of the forest, where the spirits of ancestors and the darkest stories and legends have their home. beautiful progressive rock songs wrapped in subtle psychedelia and traditional aromas with an amalgamation of styles ranging from rock to folk, through psychedelia, progressive and even jazz. Think of a kettle in which the sounds of bands like JETHRO TULL, BLACK SABBATH, WISHBONE ASH, CAMEL, FAIRPORT CONVENTION, BLACK WIDOW or CAMEL simmer, seasoned by occult spells in a pagan ritual adorned with beautiful melodies, and elements of contemporary bands like DUNBARROW, WITCHCRAFT or UNCLE ACID & THE DEADBEATS.
~ Roberto Lucas (Denpa Fuzz)

MORTAJAS – MORTAJAS II
Doom
Villa Alemana, Chile
Sun and Moon Records

Doom this pure is hard to come by these days. Not a criticism, just an objective fact. No speed, no “epic” caterwauling, no growls, no bullshit. Just true, slow, unadulterated doom metal. If you liked the Second Sun record earlier this year, that’s a fair reference. Ditto early Apostle of Solitude, Warning… maybe the first Pallbearer or last Gates of Slumber records. I know nothing of these guys and, truth be told, only learned of this record last night. But I’m absolutely floored by it. Don’t be surprised if you see it in my top 5-10 albums of the year and if you love doom the way I do, for the love of all that’s (un)holy, don’t sleep on this record.
~ Ben Bellum (The Greatest Thing You’ve Never Heard)

PRONG – STATE OF EMERGENCY
Metal
Queens, New York
Steamhammer Records

NOT ON BANDCAMP

PRONG invented groove metal back in the 80s (Pantera owes you Tommy!) and with their new record, State Of Emergency, I could not ask for anything more from a PRONG album released in 2023.  Tommy Victor is in top form. The riffs and sound are classic, trademarked PRONG, the band he fills out the trio with are next level players, and the songs are killer. State Of Emergency shows that PRONG is still a force to be reckoned with in the metal scene today and will be for even more years to come.
~ Rich Piva (Musipedia of Metal, FuzzDoomRip)

SEPULCHRAL CURSE – ABHORRENT DIMENSIONS
Death Metal
Turku, Varsinais-Suomi, Finland
Transcending Obscurity Records

Abhorrent Dimensions’ is an album that is the definition of how a band should follow up a debut full length—this album is miles better than ‘Only Ashes Remains.’  That says a lot because that album was damn fine in its own right.  But the band improves on every element that one had and ups the game tenfold on this new one.  The atmosphere is even hellish and sulphuric too, making for a journey that is as harrowing as it is engaging. What makes this album so special is that every song offers at least one section that screams, “That was badass and I must hear it again!’  It took me so long to listen to this album in full because I kept rewinding all the ‘wow’ moments that I came across.  That makes the replay factor of ‘Abhorrent Dimensions’ among the best I’ve heard this year.  The fact the band wrote such an extreme album that is also this damn likable is a testament to their songwriting skills.
~ Justin Wittenmeier (Metal Temple, DoomedForMetal)

SOLNEGRE – THE SPIRAL LABYRINTH
Gothic, Death, Doom
Balearic Islands, Spain
Meuse Music Records, Tragedy Productions

SolNegre’s ‘The Spiral Labyrinth’ is so good I almost cried the first time I’ve heard it.  Doom has been on an upswing in recent years.  Just when I think it may have reached it peak (I’m a damn fool, I know), an album like this comes around and completely blows me away.  My love for anything under the doom umbrella isn’t a secret, neither is the fact this style of melodic Gothic death/doom was the type of doom I got into first.  So it isn’t a surprise that I’m giving this such high praise but this work is so grandiose within every element of its genre, it represents its sound so well, that even if I didn’t like doom or wasn’t familiar with the genre, this would still put me down on the floor.  As such, this is an album that even the most hardcore doom fans will love but I also think it could be a great introduction to the genre for people looking to discover it. ‘The Spiral Labyrinth’ has more than enough depth and layers for the critics to keep coming back to over and over to discover something new.  But, despite its length, it flows so smoothly and is emotionally monumental that new fans will find just as much to discover and enjoy.
~ Justin Wittenmeier (Metal Temple, DoomedForMetal)

SONUS MORTIS – OF RED BARREN EARTH
Death, Doom, Symphonic, Black Metal
Dublin, Ireland
Self-released

The early years of the band had a doom sound but as the band grew so did the influences, incorporating symphonic, black, melodic and death metal elements.  ‘OF RED BARREN EARTH,’ returns the project to its doom roots while still retaining all the progression made over the years.  Some of the keys/symphonics even add a folkish flavor to the music, such as the beginning of ‘AMONG THE MARROW AND THE MACHINES.’ One of the most impressive aspects of the album is just how well balanced it is, in terms of all the different elements that it weaves together.  The symphonics are very well integrated, acting as another piece of this musical tapestry instead of just being epic for the sake of it or doing nothing but adding in a backdrop. ‘OF RED BARREN EARTH’ is a shining example of what happens when extra care is given to song writing on a level that plays it all out in an organic, natural way.  SONUS MORTIS are unstoppable at this point and I can’t wait to see what comes next.
~ Justin Wittenmeier (Metal Temple, DoomedForMetal)

THE SILVER LININGS – PINK FISH
Rock, Psych, Seventies, Sixties, Space, Kraut
Málaga, Spain
Spinda Records

There are so many wonderful moments on this album where you just seem to drift and bob along the psychedelic and spacey current, after which a more garage and kraut approach to that amazing heady music takes over. But both aspects all have this stress reducing effect. Relaxation one moment and the perfect amount of stimuli the next to get the good and positive energy flowing. This is music for a sensory overload tank, for enhancing every sensation and positive emotion you can possibly feel. Wild compositions exchanging the spotlight with impeccable instrumentation, it’s all there and then some. Get your bathing suit on, dive head first in these cool and refreshing waters and swim around with Pink Fish!  
~ Joop Konraad (Stoner HiVe)

THE THIRD MIND – THE THIRD MIND 2
Psych, Stoner, Acid
USA
Yep Roc Records / V2 Records

Californian Psychedelic Rockers THE THIRD MIND return with an absolutely gorgeous, languid and hazy sophomore release. “The Third Mind 2” encompasses the vintage West Coast sound of the late 60’s – early 70’s! Airplane, Big Brother and SWEETWATER immediately spring to mind but they also share a kindred spirit with modern bands like LUCID SINS, ALL THEM WITCHES or THE LUCID FURS. Atmospheric and dreamy, glossed with a rich coating of captivating vocals and delightful musicianship across the board – MUST HAVE!!
~ Reek of STOOM (Howls from The Hollows, Doomed&Stoned, Stoner HiVe)

VOKONIS – EXIST WITHIN LIGHT
Stoner, Psych, Prog, Sludge
Sweden
Majestic Mountain Records

Swedish sludge/stoner giants VOKONIS are back with their first new music since their excellent album Odyssey from 2021 with a teaser EP before a new full length in the not-too-distant future.  Exist Within Light gives us three new VOKONIS tracks that continue the sound and style from Odyssey and maybe even a tad bit heavier than the stuff from that killer record, with all three tracks being worthy of your time if you are a fan or are just looking to get into the band. All three songs on Exist Within Light are full album worthy; there are no throw-aways here or leftovers from recording sessions so let’s not let these three excellent songs get stuck in EP oblivion.
~ Rich Piva (Musipedia of Metal, FuzzDoomRip)

WOLF PRAYER – SPELL OF THE CRIMSON EYE
Stoner, Psych
RP, Germany
Barhill Records

I am always down for some German stoner/psych, especially when it incorporates a bunch of organ and it sounds like if The Cure decided to be a stoner rock band. WOLF PRAYER has a unique sound on Spell Of The Crimson Eye, for example the psych jam Oblivion that sounds like if Pink Floyd did a rendition of Neil Young’s Down By The River. This is super cool and different than most of what you will hear this year. If you lean towards the psych rock side of things the new WOLF PRAYER should be near the top of your list to check out.
~ Rich Piva (Musipedia of Metal, FuzzDoomRip)

OCTOBER 2023
PERORATION PLAYLIST

And a special thanks goes out to Günther “Doktor420” (Stoner HiVe) for the cover image…

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); Ben Bellum (The Greatest Thing You’ve Never Heard); Bill Goodman (The Evil Engineer); 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);  Clint Willis (Hand of Doom Radio); Chris Beck (Doom Tomb Podcast); Chris Latta (Ghost Cult Magazine);  Chris Tighe (The Mighty Decibel); Damien Regnauld (Stoner Freaks Anthology); The Doom Oracle (Spectral Ecstacy); Doomsday Jesus (DoomsdaysJesus); Duncan Evans (Alternative Control); ‘The General’ (Stoner Rock Army); Frazer Jones (Desert Psychlist); Fuzzy Cracklins (Fuzzy Cracklins); 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); Ioannis Valiakos (Desert Vulture); James Sweetlove (CaveDwellerMusic); Jamey Morris (Fistful of DOOM); Jasper Hesselink (Weirdo Shrine); Jay Morgan (High Desert Valley Radio); 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); Jonny Pirie (Hour of the Riff); Joop Konraad (Stoner HiVe); Justin Wittenmeier (Metal Temple, DoomedForMetal); Ken Elliott (Heavy Planet);  Kyle SB / Shasta Beast (Stoner HiVe); 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); Matt Hartnett (Heavy Galaxy); Mel Lie (Sunday’s Heavy Tunes); Mike Williams (I Talk to Planets);  Mr Stone (More Fuzz); Nick Pipitone (The Third Eye, Monster Riff);Pat Schober (Monster Riff); Pat ‘Riot’ Whitaker (The Ripple Effect); ‘Papa’ Paul Rote (Doomed & Stoned); Reek of STOOM (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); Robert Pannell (Doom Loom); Rod Reinhardt (Captain Beyond Zen); Roman Tamayo (Doomed & Stoned); Ryan Foster (Slightly Fuzzed); Ryan Hilton (Black Throne Productions); Scott Spiers (CleanAndSoberStoner) ; Silvi Pearl (Doomed & Stoned, Electric Fire Records); Stephanie Zalta (DoomCakes, CleanAndSoberStoner); 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 Hanno (Tom’s Reviews, The Third Eye); 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.