“All right, Doom Charts here! Get your hands above your heads, get on the bar, and get off the wall!”

~ probably misheard quote by Jimmy ‘Popeye’ Doyle

That’s right! The Doom Charts are here. The brand new first edition of 2024! It’s the January Edition and the amount and quality of releases is stunning from the get-go! 220 albums received votes this month and it feels like there was some big scheme going on, some smuggling operation to get the word out on all that good stuff that has some sort of French Connection… Go listen to the forty below and see what we mean… And we’d better not catch you Picking your feet in Poughkeepsie…

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. HEAVE BLOOD & DIE – BURNOUT CODES / NEW!

39. HUNDEN – A CALMING PRESS / NEW!

38. CHEDDAR – PSYCHE / NEW!

37. MOHAMA SAZ – MÁQUINA DE GUERRA / NEW!

36. SCAVENGER MT – FERAL / NEW!

35. RED SUN SERMON – QUEEN OF SWORDS / NEW!

34. DUST MICE – ROOM WITHIN A ROOM / NEW!

33. TEEN MORTGAGE – TEEN MORTGAGE / NEW!

32. GOZD – UNILATERALIS / NEW!

31. GUHTS – REGENERATION / NEW!

30. HEXEREI – NIHIL I CELANDUM / NEW!

29. MOON WIZARD – SIRENS / NEW!

28. SPECTRAL SORCERY – DUNGEONS OF DOOM / NEW!

27. BAGUAL – INHVMAR / NEW!

26. TANGLED HORNS – LIGHTER / NEW!

25. ANCIENT VVISDOM – MASTER OF THE STONE / NEW!
1232 Points
Doom, Occult, Rock
Cleveland, OH, USA
Argonauta Records

Not on Bandcamp

An interesting doom rock outing where metal heft tracks are mixed with acoustic guitar dirges all wrapped in an occult heavy atmosphere brought home with some psychedelic lead vocals. Embrace the evil!
~ Chris Tighe (The Mighty Decibel)

24. THE ENDLESS – THE ENDLESS / NEW!
1260 Points
Instrumental, Post Metal, Progressive
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Self-Released

There’s a journey here. Something for you to partake in. We talk about adventures and trips and going places through music many times per month. But with THE ENDLESS you have absolutely no say in this. The five tracks on their self-titled debut album are captivating and will paint you wide open vista; towering walls of ice filled with shimmering reflections and howling winds shapeshifting into beastly figures. THE ENDLESS have produced something boundless and eternal; and given it its rightful name…
~ Joop Konraad (Stoner HiVe)

23. CRACKED MACHINE – WORMWOOD / NEW!
1304 Points
Instrumental, Post Rock, Progressive, Psychedelic, Stoner
U.K.
Kozmik Artifactz

Without losing the essence shown in their first albums, CRACKED MACHINE delves into the depths of psycho-progressive spaces and post-rock in their most complex album so far. ‘WORMWOOD‘ advances the sound of a band that does not need a singer to transmit the wide range of sensations that its songs contain. The inspired songs show images of madness with melodies that show us a new horizon in the evolution of a band that until now had offered us very pleasant sensations. They incorporate synthesizers into their cinematographic story CRACKED MACHINE, making their songs lean into an expansive space with which to make the listener participate in their particular musical story. Drinking in equal parts from the source of post-rock, as from the spring of desert rock, the psychedelia of the British acquires its own personality through these striking progressive developments.
~ Roberto Lucas (Denpa Fuzz)

22. SLOWREPEAT – ABRA CANNABRA / NEW!
1323 Points
Stoner Doom,Stoner Metal, Heavy Psych
Israel
Herby Records

Never has a band been so appropriately named, SLOWREPEAT is the bands name and slow repeated refrains is their jam. Do not however expect a lack of variety in the grooves the band present us with here as there is plenty going on around those refrains to engage the listeners interest with elements of heavy psych and space making their prescence felt throughout the albums six tracks, elements that give what could have been just another crushing riff fest an unexpected but thoroughly welcome feeling of haziness.
~ Frazer Jones (Desert Psychlist)

21. MOUNTAIN CALLER – CHRONICLE II: HYPERGENESIS / NEW!
1376 Points
Stoner, Rock, Doom, Metal, Prog, Psych, Instrumental
London, UK
Church Road Records

Instrumental Doom/Stoner Rockers MOUNTAIN CALLER New album is one full of wonderful creative storytelling with the band building upon their provocative sounds heard on their acclaimed debut album. Taking upon a more progressive sound that has flavours of bands such as Pallbearer and Russian Circles to call from. Though, MOUNTAIN CALLER play an eerie Post-Doom style which sees the band move further into Ambient/Stoner Rock territory which only highlights the Psychedelic energy that shines through on outstanding tracks such as Daybreak, Dead Language and Hypergenesis. If you want a more soulful style of Instrumental music but one that has a heavy and doomed out cinematic vision then MOUNTAIN CALLER delivers on all fronts.
~ Steve Howe (Outlaws of the Sun)

20. TEMPORAL DRIVER – A TREATISE OF SORCERY: THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO MYSTICISM IN MAGIC / NEW!
1400 Points
Desert Metal, Stoner Rock, Doom
Denver, Colorado, USA
Self-Released

This album boasts a title more akin to something you might expect to find gracing the shelves of a wizards library rather than a record collection but what a majestic musical feast this is, a heavy rocking opus packed to spilling over with resounding riffage, searing guitar solos, growling low end and punchy powerful percussion, oh and lets not forget the vocals which are delivered in distinctive goth-like tones.
~ Frazer Jones (Desert Psychlist)

19. SANTACREU – CANÇONS D’AMOR, DOL I ENYORANÇA / NEW!
1440 Points
Melodic Post, Doom Metal
Barcelona, Spain
Self-Released

A monumental, achingly poignant tongue of emotion lashes deep into your marrow with ruggedly, rhythmic riffs, deeply melancholic melodies and breathtaking, yearning, clean vocals to spin your soul from there into an immensely, scintillatingly multi-faceted soundscape of glistening light and shattering shadow. The excellent guitar work, the raging drums and the mystical Catalan vocals of these three musicians merge into an intense, hypnotic and addictive groove that takes your soul on a emotionally moving, cathartic journey with personal introspection, deep roots to their homeland and a cinematic, sophisticated songwriting. The debut album by these three Catalans is a gorgeous gem which leaves a deep footprint in my music-junky soul!
~ Mel Lie (Sunday’s Heavy Tunes)

18. NAKE – NAKE / NEW!
1472 Points
Progressive Rock
Copenhagen, Denmark
Self-Released

Danish Supergruppe NAKE bestow an intricate yet seriously heavy and impacting smorgasbord of Proggy Platinum with Their debut full-length. Nostalgic and yet obviously modern in sound, “NAKE” captures the pomp and decadence of Happy The Man and Hands but marries them with the unique Art – Rock of Nephew to create a compelling, morphing aural excursion! Sublime!
~ Stevie Reek (Howls from The Hollows, Doomed&Stoned, Stoner HiVe)

17. AYE MAMMOTH – RETURN / NEW!
2002 Points
Desert, Stoner, Doom
Murfreesboro, Tennessee, USA
Self-Released

AYE MAMMOTH, rising stars in the stoner rock scene have returned with their latest sonic journey, a quick 15 minute EP. Building blocks of heavy riffs, hypnotic rhythms, and a pervasive sprinkle of stardust. Redeeming their position as a force to be reckoned with in the stoner music landscape, resurrecting their ability to seamlessly blend sludgy and hazy atmospheres. Reclaiming the essence of the genre while injecting a fresh energy that keeps listeners engaged from start to finish. Imagine QOTSA wrestling a grizzly bear, or a (uh…) mammoth.
~ Adam Walsh (Earmunchies)

16. THAT SHIP HAS SAILED – KINGDOM OF NOTHING / NEW!
2112 Points
Heavy Rock, Stoner Rock
California, USA
Sailed Ship Records

Traditional Stoner! Is that a thing like Traditional Doom? If not, it is now. THAT SHIP HAS SAILED is proving that the stoner rock ship has not sailed actually. With vibes resembling the pioneers of the genre, namely Kyuss, they keep the party going strong. This is no cheap imitation. Being chosen as a top 25 album this month from a pool of over 200 albums is proof of that. You’ll wanna play this one loud.
~ Andy Kovalcik (Bandcamp-NYP-Hard&Heavy)

15. ONE EYED MOON – WASTELAND / NEW!
2310 Points
Stoner, Doom, Psych
Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Self-Released

The extremely prolific one-man Space/Stoner juggernaut ONE EYED MOON is back with Wasteland, 14 tracks of heavy goodness that hits a bunch of different genres while planet hopping, giving us goodness across the heavy rock universe, including stoner, doom, psych, sludge, and even some punk and garage rock. This fuzzy astronaut never takes his hands off the throttle, delivering chunky riffs, catchy melodies, and one of the surprise releases of the month. Blast off!
~ Rich Piva (Musipedia of Metal, FuzzDoomRip)

14. LORD DYING – CLANDESTINE TRANSCENDENCE / NEW!
2401 Points
Progressive, Sludge
Portland, OR, USA
MNRK Heavy

Metallic prog and filled with distressed emotion. Crushing riffs, occasional blast beats and some solid, chugging steamroller segments that tend to stay up-tempo with a mix of guttural and clean vocal presence. Solid song breaks help take the listener on a nice journey. As the band clearly states in the lyrics, “The dreamer stands before the cosmic eye”. If you are willing to step into their dark world, the band will deliver you a well-developed metal record.
~ Bobby Rayfield (Monuments In Ruin)

13. GREENGOAT – A.I. / NEW!
2509 Points
Stoner, Grunge, Sludge
Madrid, Spain
Argonauta Records

The Madrid duo GREENGOAT presents their album ‘A.I.’, demonstrating that they are a band with character, a band capable of playing different things, and doing so with their own personality. Making good use of the progressions of their rhythms, distortion and fuzz, they create smoky and mysterious atmospheres, in an environment of darkness. Its dense stoner, and some progressive moments, are nourished by brilliant harmonies and strong rhythms, as well as careful melodic arrangements. This makes them appear as a different and unique band. Through immersive sequences and dreamlike landscapes, the duo continues to renounce metal elements and especially doom, as the main argument of their sound proposal. Trying to convey to the listener their power live, these songs contain sequences that will be transferred to their live performances to achieve an experience of authenticity.
~ Roberto Lucas (Denpa Fuzz)

12. RITUAL EARTH/KAZAK – TURNED TO STONE: CHAPTER 9 / NEW!
2805 Points
Stoner, Doom, Psych
Philadelphia, PA & Italy
Ripple Music

Another year, another killer volume from the Turned To Stone series from Ripple Music. These records never disappoint, and nothing has changed quality wise with Volume 9, with Philadelphia, Pennsylvania’s RITUAL EARTH, one of my favorite doom bands out there today, and atmospheric doom newcomers from Italy, KAZAK. RITUAL EARTH rules, so you know what you are getting from their three tracks: amazing psych doom (Doom Floyd?) with some grunge chunkiness (Psychgarden?) and one of my favorite vocalists in the business today, George Chamberlin. KAZAK brings the Doom Floyd vibe as well, but less on the heavy, more of the atmospheric doom with unique rhythms, some interesting (Prog Doom), and unique vocal patterns that make KAZAK more than worthy of hanging with some of the other Italian doomsters in that killer scene.
~ Rich Piva (Musipedia of Metal, FuzzDoomRip)

11. BUFFALO BUD BUSTER – EL DIABLO LOCOMOTOR / NEW!
3360 Points
Hard Rock, Stoner Rock 
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Self-Released

This is pure, high octane heavy rock that’s got more momentum than a locomotive. This is a great introduction to the band, and capitalizes on their previous release titled XX from March of 2023. Dont sleep on this one.
~ Ryan Hilton (Black Throne Productions)

10. HORSE GOD – GIRAFFATRON / NEW!
3520 Points
Stoner Rock, Prog Metal, Hard Rock   
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Self-Released

Why is Giraffatron by HORSE GOD ranked at the top of my own January Doom Chart vote list? The main reason is that the music of this Chicago trio is the most creative I’ve heard from a heavy rock band in a long time. Of course, we’ve already heard all the elements they use: powerful and crushing guitar riffs, a really agile rhythm section, a complex architecture of songs, long and delicious musical jams, a voice capable of crooning or growling or even to sound epic. However, the result is unique and always unexpected. This group is as impressive in doom atmospheres, as in delicate psychedelia, as in tumultuous metal thunder. You can’t miss this masterpiece. No way!
~ Thierry “Horse-T“ François (Metal Intégral)

9. THE SLOW AND EASY – HAND ME DOWN / NEW!
3616 Points
Seventies, Blues, Hard Rock, Psychedelic, Retro, Stoner
Toronto, Canada
Self-Released

A trip into the surreal filled with distortion, sensual vocals and immersive instrumental textures. Supporting their songs on the passion and drive of their singer Kel Bennet, the band applies the ‘less is more’ formula to their songs. Because these simple but fascinating five tracks are based on the acid blues of the early 70’s. That sound that was popularized by luminaries like Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Free… and that in the new millennium is rescued by bands like Blues Pills or even Lucifer, in their calmer moments. Taking place in a retro setting, the songs flow between beautiful, sensual vocal passages and diffuse instrumentation drenched in cannabis smoke. Its moving rhythms and fantastic groovy captivate the listener from the first riff in a party of vintage sounds enriched with fuzz and stoner riffs, giving them enormous strength. Without a doubt, an honest, simple job, with a magnetism that you won’t be able to resist.
~ Roberto Lucas (Denpa Fuzz)

8. ONE-EYED MONSTERS – AMBROSIA / NEW!
3816 Points
Heavy Psychedelic
Fort Worth, TX, USA
Self-Released

The vibe is relaxed and loose on Ambrosia, the second LP from ONE-EYED MONSTERS. Slow, heavy, stoner riffs melt into bluesy, jammed-out passages. The songs patiently build, vocals are subdued, organs creep in and out of the mix, and there’s a hazy psychedelia hanging over the whole affair. Vintage heavy Seventies (and weed worship!) are on full display here. If your tastes range from early Grateful Dead and Pink Floyd to Black Sabbath, roll one up and take this album for a spin. 
~ Mitch Kline (DoomyRiffs.com)

7. LUCIFER – LUCIFER V / NEW!
3984 Points
Hard Rock, Doom, Occult Rock
Sweden
Nuclear Blast

LUCIFER are present day dooms answer to cult doomic pioneers Coven only a little bit darker and a touch more dank. Big choruses, meticulous melodies and more hooks than a pirates convention are what this band deliver with their fifth album and never has a delivery been more gratefully recieved.
~ Frazer Jones (Desert Psychlist)

6. SLOWER – SLOWER / NEW!
4074 Points
Doom, Stoner, Covers
Worldwide
Heavy Psych Sounds

Let’s see… a Slayer covers album, done in the style of doom, with haunting female vocals, members of Monolord, Lowrider, Kyuss(!), Kylesa, and Year Of The Cobra, and Bob freaking from Fu Manchu ripping it up? Where do I sign up and how quickly can you deliver the goods? On paper this sounds amazing, but to some Slayer purists this has the potential to be a polarizing release, but the band known as SLOWER (such an excellent band name for this project) absolutely crushes this unique concept by making these classic metal tracks their own but never disrespecting the master that birthed these songs from the depths of Hell. Oh, and Mr. Balch is simply shreds on the self-titled debut. The playing on here is incredible, especially Balch, and the arrangements of these metal classics are so unique and creative that I could not recommend this more. Let’s hope that this was not just a one-off project, because there is so much awesome Slayer stuff to explore that can be transformed like they are on this record.
~ Rich Piva (Musipedia of Metal, FuzzDoomRip)

5. THE CLAMPS – MEGAMOUTH / NEW!
6656 Points
Stoner Rock, Heavy Psych, Retro Rock
Rome, Italy
Heavy Psych Sounds

Fans of Motörhead will have plenty to rejoice with this album – track after track of snarling, reckless, high-energy rock n’roll.  They never let up and nor should they!  I’ve always enjoyed this attitude soaked, aggro take on stoner rock, and THE CLAMPS really nail it on Megamouth.  Production-wise it’s everything you want with this high-octane sound – Loud, bombastic and thick, yet clear and totally in your face with just enough fuzz to keep everyone happy.  No doubt an album bound for regular rotation especially for those of us who worship at the altar of Lemmy!
~ Jon Cosky (Gravitoyd Heavy Music)

4. QILIN – PARASOMNIA / NEW!
6832 Points
Instrumental, Doom, Stoner
Paris, France
Self-Released

The boys from QILIN did a wonderful job with this one. Four years passed since the last album and I am not disappointed with PARASOMNIA, a collection of well crafted jams from the very excellent first song to the last. You’re in for a sonic rollercoaster ride, ranging for soft grooves to brutal jams. This one is a must for all instrumental stoner doom lovers!
~ ‘The General’ (Stoner Rock Army)

3. LES MOONTUNES – ELEPHANT WIZARD / NEW!
7565 Points
Progressive Rock, Jazz, Fusion
Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada
Self-Released

LES MOONTUNES, creative geniuses that they are, have produced the only jazz fusion album that a stoner/doom fan will ever need. This conceptual masterpiece utilizes jazz (of course), progressive rock, psychedelic rock, doom, classical, lounge, and more to create an out of this world sonic experience. The jazz influence dominates the album with the elements of the genre that one would expect; standout groovy bass lines brass/woodwind instrumentals, classical piano, and velvety smooth vocals. Much as I imagine a real elephant wizard would be, LES MOONTUNES has a sound that is larger than life, surprising, majestic, a bit of a trip, magical, and frankly, a bit inspiring.
~ Stephanie Zalta (DoomCakes, Screaming From The Heavy Underground)

2. HAZEHOUND – MACRODOSE / NEW!
14007 Points
Garage Rock, Heavy Psych, Stoner Rock
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
From the Urn Records

HAZEHOUND‘s “Macrodose,” is a mind-blowing blend of Jimi Hendrix and Black Sabbath with a touch of modern sleaze. The album explores every facet of psychedelic blues rock with gritty confidence. At moments, HAZEHOUND is also able to showcase their more unique identity, infusing punk edges to that bluesy garage rock sound.
~ Ryan Foster (Slightly Fuzzed)

1. SLIFT – ILION / NEW!
35802 Points
Rock, Metal, Psychedelic, Progressive, Garage, Kraut, Space, Stoner, Doom
Toulouse, France
Sub Pop Records

Imagine a worm hole suddenly opens in the cosmos and a group of creatures who have been roaming through space and time have inevitably discovered our world. With the power of psychedelia and ability to give us visions and warp our minds with sound, they slowly descended upon our Mother Earth. Are they here to claim it as their own? Do with it what they will? Will they enlighten the human race or erase our existence from eternity or, maybe, show us worlds and ways we never thought possible? Their next decision depends upon our reaction to their arrival. Any misstep on our part will not be a concern because mankind will be left behind in the state it so chooses. If this sort of Armageddon storyline is something you can openly imagine then you could also imagine that SLIFT Ilion is a showcase of the sounds blaring from their craft in celebration of their mission to our planet as they drift further away from earth again and into the unknown darkness of universes beyond our ability to comprehend. Meanwhile, we slowly wake to a new world, with a seed of their existence secretly planted, if we are so deserving. RIYL: Guapo breeding with Neurosis while listening to Emerson, Lake and Palmer.
~ Bobby Rayfield (Monuments In Ruin)

An overwhelming album that does not falter in any of its disturbing songs. Overwhelming in the development of their songs, their complex experimentation of sidereal space requires an open mind and a willingness to be surprised. His progressive forays may not be easy to digest, but the excellence of his compositions challenges the listener. ‘ILION‘ is a monumental and complex album, which reflects the evolution of a band that moves away from the conventional and that, without any shame, explores intricate sound scenarios in which the progressive is adorned with metal hits, thus enriching its proposal. heavy-psych. These massive sounds take us to an epic tale in which anything can happen.
~ Roberto Lucas (Denpa Fuzz)

The Doom Charts Mixtape…

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

Adam Walsh (Earmunchies); Andy Kovalcik (Bandcamp-NYP-Hard&Heavy); A.S. Van Dorston (Fast n Bulbous); Ben Bellum (The Greatest Thing You’ve Never Heard); 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); Chris Beck (Doom Tomb Podcast); Chris Tighe (The Mighty Decibel); Clint Willis (Hand of Doom Radio); Damien Regnauld (Stoner Freaks Anthology); ‘The General’ (Stoner Rock Army); Frazer Jones (Desert Psychlist); Günther “Doktor420” (Stoner HiVe); Ioannis Valiakos (Desert Vulture); James Sweetlove (CaveDwellerMusic); Jamey Morris (Fistful of DOOM); 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); Kyle SB (Stoner HiVe, Good Boy PR); Lee Edwards (The Sleeping Shaman); Marc-Eric Gagnon (Stonefly Effects); Mats Florstam (Ozium Records); Matthew Thomas (Taste Nation); Matthew Hartnett (Heavy Galaxy); Mel Lie (Sunday’s Heavy Tunes); Mitch Kline (DoomyRiffs.com); Mr Stone (More Fuzz); Nick Pipitone (The Third Eye, Monster Riff); Pat ‘Riot’ Whitaker (The Ripple Effect); Stevie Reek aka 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); Rod Reinhardt (Captain Beyond Zen); Ryan Foster (Slightly Fuzzed); Ryan Hilton (Black Throne Productions); Scott Spiers (CleanAndSoberStoner); Stephanie Zalta (DoomCakes, CleanAndSoberStoner, Screaming From The Heavy Underground); Steve Howe (Outlaws of the Sun); Steve Woodier (Anointing The Sick); 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).

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.