“In a hole in the ground there lived the Doom Charts. A nasty, dirty, wet hole full of worms and oozy smells”

~ probable misheard quote by JRR Tolkien

The Doom Charts crew once again were swamped with an outpouring of new albums this May from the Heavy Underground, far too many to give all their deserved attention, but we dig on into the mound and are thrilled to present a whopping FORTY albums for the May Peroration post! Crawl into our hole of dark delights and find a new favorite album or 40…

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 and metal albums. The results are compiled and tabulated into the chart which is published on the First Friday of the new month. 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 in love with that one album, that multiple blurbs were written, and only the one got published… Well, you can peruse that love here…

八十八ヶ所巡礼 – 八 + 九
Progressive Alternative Rock
Tokyo, Japan
PPR (Psychedelic Progressive Revolution)

On studio album number nine (a double album) Japanese progressive alternative rock trio 八十八ヶ所巡礼 [88Kasyo Junrei] again makes their music sound like easy listening, even though it’s complex as hell, especially in the bass and guitar department. Astonishing lick after astonishing lick with the drummer (no slouch himself!) easily shifting between rock, funk and jazz-infused backdrops, while the songs incorporate everything from pop, funk and soul to jazz, rock, psych and even a touch of metal without losing coherency for even one second. That their music is so much easier to handle than one would expect, can for a significant part be credited to bass player/singer Margarette Hiroi’s clean voice and melodic vocal lines that act as a point of recognition and comfort within all the madness. Just listen closely to this album and unravel everything that’s going on: each heavy riff, every subtle switch and even the fast, complex guitar noodling as well as a genuine drum solo on one of the slower tracks. The album title translates to ‘8 + 9’ and is a true gem that gets even better after repeated spins. A strong candidate for album of the year.
~ Ronny Dijksterhuis (Stoner HiVe)

A FLOCK NAMED MURDER – INCENDIARY SANCTUM
Black metal, atmospheric, heavy
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Hypaethral Records

Equally cold and hot in nature, this album is built with icy screams of suffering. Screams straight from the crypt of a classic black metal atmosphere. Meanwhile a lurking gloom is always at the ready. Prepared to rip through that chaotic fog. Song after song blisters flesh with the scorching heat of progressive metal riffs and heavily weighted passages. It melts glaciers and will crush the most heady of metal fans.
~ Bobby Rayfield (Monuments In Ruin, Inherent Records, Mystery Pick)

AAWKS – ON THROUGH THE SKY MAZE
Doom, psych, sludge
Barrie, Ontario, Canada
Black Throne Productions

As though we have summoned the beast of our own damnation from space, the slow ripping and tearing of flesh serves no purpose beyond the absolute destruction of our being. As limbs are stretched and torn, we begin to feel the mind erupt with a strange sensation of our mortality and an existence beyond this earth. Sparks shoot across our vision and the strain becomes cathartic.
~ Bobby Rayfield (Monuments In Ruin, Inherent Records, Mystery Pick)

ABYSMAL RITES – RESTORING THE PRIMORDIAL ORDER
Primitive sludge, doom, hardcore
Tampere, Finland
Wormholedeath Records

Bludgeoning soundscapes and aggravated vocals are the backbone of ABYSMAL RITES’ structures. The trio manages to sound massive, even if their instruments are quite mangled with distortion, it’s a cohesive mess that has a purposefully mean gait. This album is the hymnal for mankind to march unto their unavoidable end, twisted visions and morbid fables as our only company.

They mold their sludge with bits of hardcore, dashes of black metal and heapfuls of doom to round it all up. It’s a bleak concoction, but for those of us who prefer their audal treats with cuts, burns and frost bites, it is a boon.
~ Jukka ‘Shrike’ Kolehmainen (Psychotropic Caravan, Abhorrence, Shrike’s Playlists)

BEWARE OF GODS – UPON WHOM THE LAST LIGHT DESCENDS II: AMNESIA ISLAND
Post-Metal, Industrial Doom Metal, Progressive Doom
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Self-released

BEWARE OF GODS have gone and completely upended the Post-Metal applecart. I thought I knew what to expect from a post-metal album. I’ve been consuming this genre for well over twenty years after all, however The Archetype had some surprises up his sleeve for this outing. There were hints of what to expect on Part one of this project, but here, on Amnesia Island, The Archetype fully succeeds in creating a thoroughly original, artistic statement while including sonic signatures we’ve all come to love after decades of experiences in this genre. I could gush for hours about this music, but I’ll be succinct: This is right up there with Shadow of Jupiter’s Porta Coeli and King Bastard’s It Came From the Void as my favorite record of this decade. It is simply perfect, and there’s nothing else quite like it out there. Amnesia Island is currently running away with my Album of the Year and is about to lap the runner-up. This isn’t exaggeration, this isn’t hyperbole. The album is that damn good!
~ Jacob ‘Reverend Fuzzcut’ Baker (CleanAndSoberStoner, Monster Riff)

BLACK HONEY CULT – BLACK HONEY CULT
Garage Punk, Psychedelic Rock
Los Angeles, California, United States
Heavy Psych Sounds

BLACK HONEY CULT is an enigma that’s been taking shape since the early 90s with a foundation of friendship and creative bonds that have stood the test of time. Now, in 2025, this deliciously groovy band is formally introducing their infectious sound to the world with their self-titled debut. Filled to overflowing with the vibrancy and noise of garage rock, the trippy qualities of psychedelia, energetic punk, hypnotic krautrock, and an ever-present vein of darkness from start to finish, this album is a memorable encounter you’ll make fast friends with.
~ Stephanie Zalta (DoomCakes, Screaming From The Heavy Underground)

BLEETH – MARIONETTE
Noise rock, sludge, doom, post-rock, experimental
Miami, Florida, United States
Seeing Red Records

Marionette is a unicorn of an album. Poignant, aggressive, crushing, out-there, BLEETH weave a mind-bending array of sounds into a laser-focused assault that loses none of its complexity. The themes are powerfully personal, the musicianship is top notch, and oh yeah, the riffs are freaking HUGE. Get at it.
~ Kyle SB (Good Boy PR, Stoner HiVe)

The rumbling under foot is only a short notice for the massive landslide that is headed toward the listener. The sound delivered here crumbles stone and breaks open dormant volcanic activity. Not melting red hot like a pyroclastic flow. This is more as though the mountaintop is coming down and carving the path for what is to follow.
~ Bobby Rayfield (Monuments In Ruin, Inherent Records, Mystery Pick)

BURNDY – BURNDY
Industrial, noise, post-punk
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Self-released

There is a subtle beauty to this album that can turn on you at any moment. Like a brittle sandpaper that, when gently brushed by the fingers, can feel full of texture, interest and somewhat welcoming as a new sensation to our usual encounters. There is also an underlying knowledge that too much pressure or a sudden shift in balance could find this same texture capable of ripping the flesh from bone.
~ Bobby Rayfield (Monuments In Ruin, Inherent Records, Mystery Pick)

CADAVER SHRINE – INTO THE HORRIBLE DEPTHS
Death metal, doom
The Netherlands
Chaos Records

As soon as CADAVER SHRINE’s latest mucked up my speakers with its filthy, claustrophobic death metal and doom, I knew I’d found a winner. Into The Horrible Depths is as vile as its name implies, plodding along with menacing weight as it drags you down with massive, quaking riffs and monstrous vocals that meld perfectly with the grimy distortion. This is my favorite kind of death plus doom metal, and CADAVER SHRINE knocks it out of the park with an enormous sound.
~ Kyle SB (Good Boy PR, Stoner HiVe)

CASTLE ATOM – THE YEARS OF BLOOD
Garage Rock, Indie Rock
Elkton, Maryland, United States
Self-released

CASTLE ATOM is one of the most refreshing bands I’ve stumbled upon in a while. This highly underrated group scratches every imaginable itch for this die-hard alt rock fan by combining vibrant garage rock, murky grunge, and poetic indie with some whispers of punk rock energy here and there. Their new album The Years of Blood seamlessly moves between hard rocking, somber, dreamy, and jubilant tones. However, my favorite tracks on the album are those that combine all of these moods at once, resulting in an overwhelming outpouring of cathartic emotive chaos, simultaneously painful and beautifully relatable. Because of this, I can already tell that The Years of Blood will be an album that’s going to stick with me, one that I can pull out to both rock out to and connect to on a deeper level, much like an old friend who knows you inside and out.
~ Stephanie Zalta (DoomCakes, Screaming From The Heavy Underground)

CAVERN DEEP – PART III – THE BODILESS
Doom, doom metal, heavy psych, post metal, psychedelic rock, psychedelic doom, stoner metal
Umeå, Sweden
Bonebag Records, Majestic Mountain Records

The most grandiose and expansive album in the series to date. Dark, dense, crushing, disturbing, and brimming with high drama, the songs serve as a tool to build a disturbing narrative with doom as its protagonist. The archaeologist’s story takes on tragic overtones with these songs that reflect despair amidst atmospheric heavy-psych passages and the depths of pure doom. This descent into the depths offers the listener the band’s characteristic slow and hypnotic riffs and their cavernous atmospheres.
~ Roberto Lucas (Denpa Fuzz)

CAVERN DEEP’s Part III -The Bodiless brings to a close the story started on the bands self-titled debut and which was then continued on the bands second release Part II – Breach, a story that began in Lovecraftian territory but has since crossed over into the realms of the metaphysical and otherworldly. Any good story will start with a spot of scene setting that will then be followed by passages of plot development that in turn will then eventually lead to a climatic finish and Part III – The Bodiless is the CAVERN DEEP saga’s climatic finish, a collection of powerfully atmospheric songs, delivered via the mediums of doom and heavy psych, documenting an entity’s battle to reach something/somewhere it is not even sure exists. There is also a twist to be found in this tale but you will have to listen to the album to find out what that is.
~ Frazer Jones (Desert Psychlist)

CLAMFIGHT – CLAMFIGHT
Stoner Metal, Sludge Metal
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Self-released

Why a self-titled album? Because it is the CLAMFIGHT’s 20th anniversary album. The opus focuses on the band itself, the relationships between musicians and their environment. It’s still an impressive, confusing and powerful blend of stoner and sludge. This album is an incredible example of the balance between precise constructions, tenacious melodies, and unbridled madness. It hunts across vast and rugged terrains that stretch from psychedelic stoner to extreme metal. The risky challenge is brilliantly met!
~ Thierry “Pumpkin-T“ François (Metal Intégral)

CRYSTAL SPIDERS – METANOIA
Doom, Stoner, Psych
Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
Ripple Music

So why is the new record from CRYSTAL SPIDERS, Metanoia, so great? First, force of nature Brenna Leath is back doing all of the amazing things she does on bass and especially with her vocals, that somehow sound better than ever. It may have something to do with the addition of the harmonies to the songs that work so well. Second, Mike Dean is back behind the board, crafting the sound that CRYSTAL SPIDERS were meant to deliver. Next, Brenna has her band now, with Reid Rogers on guitar and Aaron Willis on drums. Rogers, who has played in a bunch of cool bands, brings a different vibe on guitar, leveraging his work in NWOBHM/Maiden style groups but also his love of bands like The Beach Boys to incorporate those harmonies and even more melody into the seven tracks while Willis is not just a drummer; he is a multi-instrumentalist who is the second part of those harmonies that you are hearing, and a talent whose ideas have been incorporated into what resulted in Metanoia. A true group effort and a band that has all the pieces in place to make their album of the year candidate record.
~ Rich Piva (Musipedia of Metal, FuzzDoomRip, Rich & Turbo’s Heavy Half Hour)

DUSTY ROSE GANG – A-ONE FROM DAY ONE
Hard Rock, Retro, Blues
Detroit, Michigan, United States
RidingEasy Records

Damn does this one pack a punch with its blues-based vintage sound and a scorching lead guitar that could melt butter from two blocks away! Taking a page from classic rock pioneers of yesteryear DUSTY ROSE GANG goes the straightforward route, stripping the bells and whistles, going back to the basics of rock ‘n’ roll. A heavy thumping rhythm section, excellent lead guitar, a vocalist that has charisma and range, and the power of the song are not only the bedrock from which giants stood but also the foundation of this amazing debut from these Detroit rockers.
~ Jon McGough (Stoner Rock Army, Stoner HiVe, Outlaws Of The Sun)

DUSTY ROSE GANG sound like they are stuck in the 1970s in all of the best sort of ways. They also sound like they are from Detroit, which they are and which is why a band like MC5 comes up all the time when describing the eight tracks on their debut record, A-One From Day One. MC5 is not their only influence, as you here all the greats of that era, specifically I hear bits of Sabbath, Grand Funk, Thin Lizzy, The Stooges, and even a bit of Kiss. These are no crappy rehashes of a foregone time however; these songs kick all sorts of ass and are a fresh take on one of the best times for rock and roll. Killer, dusty, and dirty American rock and roll that leverages all of the best influences of the 1970s, A-One From Day One will prove to be one of the best debuts of 2025.
~ Rich Piva (Musipedia of Metal, FuzzDoomRip, Rich & Turbo’s Heavy Half Hour)

EL SAGUARO – ENTHUSIECSTACY
70s Rock, Psychedelic Rock
Lisbon, Portugal
Pink Tank Records

Influenced by giants such as Grand Funk Railroad, Jimi Hendrix, Cream, Black Sabbath, and Led Zeppelin, EL SAGUARO harnesses the psychedelic groove and confident swagger of decades past to create an authentic retro rock sound while making it all their own. In addition to their vibrant single Ticket to Ride, the band proves on their debut EP Enthusiecstacy that they’re equally capable of concocting a more heartfelt and soulful tune on which their impressive instrumental aptitude paints palpable emotion. However, even the most woebegone track always ends in a hard rocking jam of epic proportions. If the four-track Enthusiecstacy is a mere snapshot of what we can expect from EL SAGUARO, I can’t wait to see what they’ll come up with next!
~ Stephanie Zalta (DoomCakes, Screaming From The Heavy Underground)

ENTHEOMORPHOSIS – PYHÄ KUILU
Psychedelic, metal, drone
Finland
Svart Records

Consisting of members of Dark Buddha Rising and Mr Peter Hayden/PH/Enphin, of Wastement collective, ENTHEOMORPHOSIS is as hard to compress into words as their name is to remember. Making of this album has been a long process, most of it recorded over a year before its release, thus evolving well past the snapshot state it was at that time.

Pyhä Kuilu (eng. Holy Chasm) is difficult to put into words, so the label’s blurb of “an immersive sonic purge that plunges into the depths of transformation, spirituality, and cosmic dissolution” will have to do. It has the doom, drone and psychedelia, but it’s also much more on the art side of sonic rituals. I had the chance to see the band perform it live, where it felt very cohesive and purposeful, after which the album feels to me as if it is still looking for its final shape. It’s a massive album, art in its own right, which will benefit from live performances.
~ Jukka ‘Shrike’ Kolehmainen (Psychotropic Caravan, Abhorrence, Shrike’s Playlists)

EXDIRECTORY – VITAMINE
Rock, psych, improv jams
Cologne, Germany
Self-released

There is an unexplained moment that occurs within a musical group when they submit and become in tune with the spirit of improvisation. A quality that is more about chemistry than it is about luck. To call out at the specified time and sense another person’s response is a special moment. It shows there are ears on the wind and open minds sending and receiving transmissions. Neurons are firing and impulses take control. The beauty in these moments are often unheard by the masses, as they occur in closed jam rooms around the world.
~ Bobby Rayfield (Monuments In Ruin, Inherent Records, Mystery Pick)

EXDIRECTORY is an instrumental psychedelic quintet strongly influenced by stoner and progressive rock. While you’ll find that these heavier muses lead to trippy, distorted guitars, vibrant crescendos, and soundscapes as steadfast as they are malleable, an ethereal lighter layer also floats past. Here, you’ll notice the impact of Krautrock and dream pop on EXDIRECTORY ‘s style, carving out an infinite number of pathways for unexpected twists and turns. Contrast is key, and EXDIRECTORY allows their songs to naturally drift into atmospheres both jubilant and morse, moody and groovy, apprehensive and serene. It only makes sense that for their new EP Vitamine, the band live-recorded three completely improvised jams, allowing the listener to fully experience a vibe that could previously only be felt at one of the band’s spellbinding live shows.
~ Stephanie Zalta (DoomCakes, Screaming From The Heavy Underground)

FROGLORD – METAMORPHOSIS
Sludge, Doom, Stoner Metal
Bristol, UK
Self-released

Within their existence as a band FROGLORD has become a consistent and constant power within the heavy underground. The saying is there’s no rest for the wicked and the band embrace this theory, once again awakening the swamp with their sludgy blend of stoner metal while furthering the tales of ancient frog lore that came before Metamorphosis. The amphibian collective use various vocal styles and musical approaches through the album continuously entertaining with heavy riffs and solid grooves. Though their concept may be sticky tongue-in-cheek, FROGLORD has something seriously special here, making Metamorphosis a fun enjoyable listen.
~ Jon McGough (Stoner Rock Army, Stoner HiVe, Outlaws Of The Sun)

GRAILS – MIRACLE MUSIC
Experimental, progressive, psychedelic
Portland, Oregon, United States
Temporary Residence

Being a fan of GRAILS is a consistent adventure. Pulling on the emotions in a way that is better to be felt, not explained. At times a wholesome light shining down upon our face after a cool rain storm. A feeling of hope and beauty that lay ahead. Other times it can feel like a swirling darkness. The ice storm that will never again relinquish its grip to the following season.
~ Bobby Rayfield (Monuments In Ruin, Inherent Records, Mystery Pick)

HEXECUTIONER – TORNIT
Doom, Sludge, Stoner, Psych
Seattle, Washington, United States
Self-released

HEXECUTIONER is a fuzzy, sludgy doom trio out of Washington State who are tuned down way low to bring you some very cool and heavy psych-tinged goodness with the four tracks on their new record, Tornit. The record has an almost trance-like vibe to it, with a rhythm section that doubles down and vocals from Erin Gravina that are hauntingly beautiful in the most sludge possible way. A brand of pure heavy that a band like Ufomammut would be proud of, HEXECUTIONER have gone a long way in perfecting hypnotic doom sludge with the four tracks on their new and excellent record.
~ Rich Piva (Musipedia of Metal, FuzzDoomRip, Rich & Turbo’s Heavy Half Hour)

The band’s style is Doom with a capital DOOM. It embraces the elements of the genre without shame—and bludgeons my ear drums with them. The songs are mid-paced and built upon RIFFS, RIFFS, RIFFS, and more RIFFS. Oh and some RIFFS too.

The band’s approach is both classic and hypnotic—they take one riff, run with it, and hammer it over and over until I realized I had head banged so much I turned into a worm. But that’s just fine with me, because the next riff arrived and pulled me back together—and the process repeats. I don’t get high but if I did, I could see myself listening to this and then waking up three days later naked in the woods.

The tone and fuzz of these masterful notes, the bass included, laces their brand of doom with a filthy layer of sludge. It’s heavy as a really heavy thing and abrasive as gargling with steel wool. Most importantly though? It’s fun, catchy, and more than worthy of slapping the repeat button over and over again. The album’s runtime is just over 36 minutes across four songs and each of them is worthy of your time—then worthy of your time again and again.
~ Justin Wittenmeier (DoomedForMetal)

JUSOLIS – JUSOLIS
Heavy rock, stoner, grunge
Santiago, Chile
BYM Records

Big sound, moderate paced heavy rock riffs, smoldering amplifiers and vocals delivered with a style that 90’s era Sub Pop would be happy to call their own. This feels like a time warp into a lost classic. Very well executed and could land in the stereo at most gatherings that hope to pick the party up a couple notches and keep rolling into the night.
~ Bobby Rayfield (Monuments In Ruin, Inherent Records, Mystery Pick)

If the nostalgic sound resonating from JUSOLIS’ self-titled album sounds like it flew in on a time machine straight out of 1994, that’s because it did. Formed in Chile in the early 90s, JUSOLIS was a young band fueled by the pent-up rage and newfound freedom they experienced following the oppressive dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet Ugarte. The band developed an angst-ridden signature sound swirling with notes of stoner rock, metal, and grunge, and they quickly found themselves with both a loyal fan base and a record deal. However, life quite literally took the members of JUSOLIS to different corners of the globe only a few years after their formation, and they had no choice but to disband. Amazingly, thirty years later, the band reunited to record their first “proper” album. Within its six heavy tracks, you’ll be mentally transported back to the heyday of bands like Fu Manchu, Corrosion of Conformity, Helmet, and Kyuss, lost in a sound as incredible as the inspiring story behind it.
~ Stephanie Zalta (DoomCakes, Screaming From The Heavy Underground)

KAL-EL – ASTRAL VOYAGER VOL. 1
Stoner Rock, Space Rock
Stavanger, Norway
Blues Funeral Recordings, Majestic Mountain Records

Even long-time fans of the band that already have a favorite album will realize the grand scope of this record, and I can almost guarantee that album will be replaced by this one. KAL-EL have hit the pinnacle of their sound, pushing everything to new levels. The fuzzy space infused stoner riffs and the out-of-this-world vocals of the front man, combined with the stunning production have KAL-EL never sounding better. Astral Voyager Vol. 1 may very well be the stoner rock album of the year, and in strong contention for AOTY. With that being said, we still have the second half of this space odyssey on the horizon with Vol. 2 to hit later this year.
~ Jon McGough (Stoner Rock Army, Stoner HiVe, Outlaws Of The Sun)

The band has a knack for world building, letting the music act as storytellers as well. The way the guitars build up the opening moments of the title track is nothing short of special. Once the whole band joins, the song becomes a space dirgy, laced with catchy melodies before spiraling down into a riff fest. The Captain’s vocals offer up a catchy chorus that took days to leave my head. KAL-EL has managed to combine such a sprawling, adventurous sound with songs that are truly memorable and this opening song fires right out of the gate. It only gets better from here.

KAL-EL’s Astral Voyager Vol. 1 is a trippy journey through the cosmos that’s as heavy as it is psychoactive. I recommend this to any fan of this style but even if you aren’t really into this normally, the album still offers enough to give it a chance. As for me, I’m an instant fan and can’t wait to see what Vol. 2 brings.
~ Justin Wittenmeier (DoomedForMetal)

KAL-EL knocks us out with what is possibly their best album. A mind-blowing expedition and the first chapter of an ambitious double album that seeks to tear apart space and time. With a crushing heaviness thanks to a bass that provokes seismic oscillations, KAL-EL takes care not to neglect the melodies, treating them with delicacy. Generating authentic hooks that will test your neck, their catchy choruses, hordes of fuzz and a martial rhythm give us an unforgettable experience. Revering the legacy of both Sabbath and Scandinavian Stoner pioneers like DOZER, KAL-EL will drive you crazy..
Roberto Lucas (Denpa Fuzz)

KILLIAD – KILLIAD
Doom, sludge, stoner
Asheville, North Carolina, United States
Self-released

A rock solid release I was shocked to see was a debut, KILLIAD’s self-titled is a rollicking, fully fuzzed-out trip into the groovier side of doom, stoner, and sludge. Balancing heavy riffs and pummel with earworm licks and melodies, the album nails just how fun the heavier sides of the heavy underground can be. The cherry on top is the bright, distorted vocal delivery that adds another layer to the sound’s magnetic personality. Keep a close eye on these guys.
~ Kyle SB (Good Boy PR, Stoner HiVe)

LANA DEL RABIES – LE TEMPS VIENDRA
Alternative, Drone, Doom, Experimental
Los Angeles, California, United States
Self-released

LANA DEL RABIES has been delivering the goods for quite some years now, operating in the pitch-black twilight zone between experimental electronic music and the harsh, metallic and repetitive reality of a unique take on drone and doom metal. Her new ep Le Temps Viendra is no exception. It’s 24 minutes of slow and haunting experimental darkness. Some kind of reverse magical blessing that paints a picture of what skid row would look like when situated in the outskirts of our beloved heavy underground. So, dive in and discover the endless depth of this bottomless well.
~ Ronny Dijksterhuis (Stoner HiVe)

LINNEA HJERTÉN – BLODMÅNE (SINGLE)
Meditative, somber, folk
Stockholm, Sweden
Nordvis Produktion

As chanting voices moan in beautiful chorus, the slowing heartbeat as despair of isolation weighs heavy upon those lost in sail. As though they have seen the darkness ahead and now, with sorrow, welcome it to ease the burden they now carry. A welcome fresh light that may erase the oppressive misery. A slow reflection of life lost for pointless gain. A life that would now trade every cent of wealth for a final taste of fresh water.
~ Bobby Rayfield (Monuments In Ruin, Inherent Records, Mystery Pick)

MASTER CHARGER – POSTHUMOUS RESURRECTION
Trad doom
Midlands, England
Octopus Rising / Argonauta Records

If you’re on the prowl for some heavy ass doom let’s go to England for Posthumous Resurrection, the 6th full length from MASTER CHARGER.

There’s a definite reference to Black Sabbath in the writing, but the band have enough individuality to create their own sound. Here MASTER CHARGER dowse their material in extra walls of sludge and a howling vocal to create one hell of a din that’ll make your innards and sub-woofers suffer if turned up appropriately. We’re all doomed!!
~ Chris Tighe (The Mighty Decibel)

MOGWAI – THE BOMBING OF PAN AM 103
Soundtrack, instrumental, post-rock
Scotland, UK
Rock Action

My music library has always found a new MOGWAI album to be a pleasant and welcoming moment. The delicate sounds of Pan Am 103 is no exception. With the ability to immediately set all nervousness to ease, the listener is slowly and with compassion swept away into the light and airy world the band can so easily manage.
~ Bobby Rayfield (Monuments In Ruin, Inherent Records, Mystery Pick)

NECHOCHWEN – SPELEWITHIIPI
Folk, acoustic, instrumental
West Virginia, United States
Nordvis Produktion

The eyes slowly open to a new day’s sun. There is a moment of thanks to be given for such a blessing. As the body rises, there is a memory of those who have been lost. A moment of reflection and appreciation for the many who have fallen before us. The night has been won. The ritual of the morning now begins. The taste of victory is never short of a bitter warning.
~ Bobby Rayfield (Monuments In Ruin, Inherent Records, Mystery Pick)

PARALYZED – RUMBLE & ROAR
Heavy Blues, Stoner, 60s and 70s Rock
Bamberg, Germany
Ripple Music

I think it is too easy to just throw The Rolling Stones and The Doors out there when discussing the new record from the excellent Bamberg, Germany band PARALYZED, but it is inevitable that these legendary bands will be brought up when listening to their new record, number four overall and first for Ripple Music, Rumble & Roar. Yes, there are a few riffs and passages that sound very much like The Stones. Yes, Michael Binder’s vocals can lean very much towards Mr. Morrison. However, there is so much more to the band than the influences they bring to the nine songs on Rumble & Roar, but they are there, so instead of pretending they are not, let’s jump in, embrace it, and enjoy the next level and amazing 70s inspired goodness that this record brings.
~ Rich Piva (Musipedia of Metal, FuzzDoomRip, Rich & Turbo’s Heavy Half Hour)

PARALYZED is back with Rumble & Roar, a new piece of brilliant Heavy Blues/powerful Stoner. Since the band’s creation, the four musketeers are still united and live studio recording remains their rule. Please, do not change nothing! Rumble & Roar is literally rumbling and roaring. Note, however, that these are concentrated on the A side of the album, while the second is more surprisingly calm, deep and surreal without denying the big sound that has characterized the band since its beginnings. Excellent rock music, lively production and an exceptional singer make this album a must-have!
~ Thierry “Pumpkin-T“ François (Metal Intégral)

Rumble & Roar shows beloved heavy blues and retro rock quartet PARALYZED baring their souls while boasting a much cleaner production. Undoubtedly the band’s most raw release yet, this highly anticipated album delivers wisdom and confidence that can only be gained with time and experience. The warm retro rock instrumentals are more adept than ever at pulling the listener in with their bluesy soul and heaviest groove to date. Once you’ve been enticed, the powerful but gravelly, impassioned howl of the vocals hook you on an emotional level, their unfettered performance resonating deeply in your soul. What’s more, you’ll find some more melodic tracks peppered among the heavy rock numbers, showing a new and softer side of the band. All in all, Rumble & Roar shows that PARALYZED is not a group to rest on their laurels and continues to challenge themselves and grow as a band. This is a must-listen!
~ Stephanie Zalta (DoomCakes, Screaming From The Heavy Underground)

SKYJOGGERS – 12021: POST-ELECTRIC APOCALYPSE
Psych, Space Rock
Tampere, Finland
Supernatural Cat

Tampere, Finland’s SKYJOGGERS are as space rock as space rock gets these days. A heavier, crunchier Hawkwind is what you will find on their new full length, 12021: Post-Electric Apocalypse. This is oversimplifying the controlled chaos that these four songs in 36 minutes brings to this intergalactic trip. Give me heavy psych space rock any day, especially when it is executed as it is on 12021: Post-Electric Apocalypse. The trio makes so much frantic, chaotic noise for just three players, and I love every second and every note that floats out into space.
~ Rich Piva (Musipedia of Metal, FuzzDoomRip, Rich & Turbo’s Heavy Half Hour)

TAO OF LUCY – LAWLESS LANDS
Experimental Rock, Doom, Space Rock
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Self-released

TAO OF LUCY is an experimental rock quartet with a passion for the DIY arts and “old fantasy operas” who utilize what they aptly call “psychedelic doom blues rock” in some delightfully bizarre storytelling. The band’s new album, Lawless Lands naturally incorporates trippy psychedelia, clever movement between ethereal and dense atmospheres, and the dread-fueled trudge of doom while spinning yarns about “kicking up the dust of suns, living a life of Zen”. However, the incorporation of dirty, gritty blues and gruff vocals really make TAO OF LUCY stand out in this arena and, truth be told, makes their story seem much more authentic. What is a wild race for your life through the cosmic unknown if not rugged, sweaty, and heart-pounding? TAO OF LUCY is brilliantly successful at bringing this vivid imagery to life in a unique, immersive, and memorable way.
~ Stephanie Zalta (DoomCakes, Screaming From The Heavy Underground)

TELLEMAHOOKAH – TELLEMAHOOKAH
Doom, Stoner Rock
England, UK
As The Crow Flies

On their debut self-titled EP, UK stoner trio TELLEMAHOOKAH goes above and beyond with their promise to bring “a raw thick wall of fuzz to your ears”, delivering an intoxicating blend of trippy, psychedelic doom, stoner metal, and even a dash of proto metal. There’s never a dull moment across the four tracks found here, as TELLEMAHOOKAH’s tones move from droning and atmospheric to heavy psych grooves to blistering heavy metal interludes. However, the scuzzy density of the fuzz-heavy guitar and the low electric buzz of the bass are ever-present, a constant reminder of that defining sound we know and love here in the realm of stoner/doom.
~ Stephanie Zalta (DoomCakes, Screaming From The Heavy Underground)

TIER – BACKWOOD BLUES
Heavy Blues, Stoner Rock
Trier, Germany
Pink Tank Records

TIER specializes in what they very aptly call “Dark-Western-Stoner”. From this framework, the band creates ultra theatrical, layered songs that evolve into cinematic tales, often with an important message. On their full-length debut Backwood Blues, you’ll quickly notice TIER’s clever use of contrast within these sonic tapestries, employing dense and gritty stoner metal, heavy blues, and southern rock between finer threads of 70s rock. Perhaps best of all, the band utilizes rich vocal harmonies, which range from bone-chilling to ethereal depending on the mood. All of these elements work together to act out each and every tale and set vivid scenes for the listener. However, TIER isn’t all over-the-top theatrics and dark cowboy tunes; the band also knows how to concoct a bright and catchy stoner alternative song, a few of which you’ll find among the darker numbers. Bottom line: TIER does many things, and they do them all exceptionally well, appealing to a wide variety of heavy music fans in powerful, memorable ways.
~ Stephanie Zalta (DoomCakes, Screaming From The Heavy Underground)

TUMBLE – LOST IN LIGHT
Heavy Psych, Proto Metal, Heavy Blues
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Echodelick Records

Lost in Light from TUMBLE possesses not only an authentic late 60s/early 70s rock and proto metal spirit, but it also contains soulful notes of blues, groovy psychedelia, and a delightful garage rock noisiness that gives their sound a special energy. This five-track EP flies by in just nineteen minutes, but that’s more than enough to give you both a memorable first impression of TUMBLE and an insatiable craving for more.
~ Stephanie Zalta (DoomCakes, Screaming From The Heavy Underground)

TURTLE SKULL – BEING HERE
60s Psych Pop
Sydney, Australia
Art As Catharsis/Turtle Skull

The Australian band TURTLE SKULL is back with a new line up and new record, Being Here, and it is a poppy psych trip with so much beautiful stuff going on within its eight wonderful songs. I am such a sucker for anything that leans on 60s psych and this record sure does, but it is not just a retro trip, as TURTLE SKULL brings all sorts of amazing bits to what is one of the best psych leaning records of 2025.
~ Rich Piva (Musipedia of Metal, FuzzDoomRip, Rich & Turbo’s Heavy Half Hour)

WITCHCRAFT – IDAG
Occult Rock, Stoner Rock, Doom
Örebro, Sweden
Heavy Psych Sounds

For their highly-anticipated seventh album Idag, beloved occult doom band WITCHCRAFT surprised fans with an eclectic collection of songs unlike any they’ve ever created, naturally leading to some mixed reactions. With half of the tracks sung in frontman Magnus Delander’s native tongue of Swedish, the album feels very raw, intense, and unfiltered, yet warm and cozy. While there are certainly some more rollicking moments on the album, its foundation is built upon acoustic interludes, often heart-wrenchingly dark musings, deeply palpable emotion, and even a few whispers of jazz and blues. Idag is incredibly beautiful, a true artwork, and strikingly candid. At its core, I get the overwhelming feeling that this is the poetic essence that gave rise to WITCHCRAFT’s previous albums, bottled up in an intensely concentrated form. When approached with an open mind devoid of certain expectations, Idag submerges the listener in the potency of WITCHCRAFT’s spirit, allowing for the purest look at the band we’ll have the honor of hearing.
~ Stephanie Zalta (DoomCakes, Screaming From The Heavy Underground)

WEEDIAN – TRIP TO GERMANY
Stoner Rock, Stoner Metal
Germany
Various Labels

If you’ve been immersed in the stoner rock scene for any amount of time, you’re well aware that WEEDIAN creates some of the best compilation albums out there, showcasing deserving underground artists from various countries all around the globe. However, as the super unofficial American Ambassador for German Stoner Rock, I am more than happy to add my stamp of approval to Trip to Germany, a massive trove featuring more than 180 bands. Some of my favorite bands are represented here, compiled to create a collection that’s as extensive as it is diverse. I highly recommend this album to any fan of stoner/doom and its subgenres, but this is an especially great place to start for anyone just beginning to dip their toes into the German stoner scene!
~ Stephanie Zalta (DoomCakes, Screaming From The Heavy Underground)

WHITE HOVSE – THE MIGHTY ONE
Sludge Rock, Stoner Rock
Tasikmalaya, Indonesia
Olympia Music

The Mighty One, the full-length debut from WHITE HOVSE, is a gem from start to finish, featuring a sophisticated blend of sounds both atmospheric and gritty. After laying a foundation of barreling stoner/desert rock, the band balances things out with fluid psychedelic rock on one end and their weightiness of doom and sludge on the other, covering nearly the entire spectrum of heavy music in one fell swoop. However, my favorite characteristic of WHITE HOVSE’s sound is an undeniable grunginess, made known primarily in the vocals with their melodic yet murky tone that pairs incredibly well with the variable instrumentals. This album is sure to make a lasting impression on many heavy music fans.
~ Stephanie Zalta (DoomCakes, Screaming From The Heavy Underground)

ZIG ZAGS – DEADBEAT AT DAWN
Metal, Punk, Crossover Thrash
Los Angeles, California, United States
RidingEasy Records

The new ZIG ZAGS is filled with a no fucks given attitude delivered through some killer crossover punk and metal, that also shows the band maturing as a unit. If you like early Bay Area thrash, mixed with Motörhead, The Ramones, the first couple Suicidal Tendencies records, and other crossover thrash bands go listen to Deadbeat At Dawn and try not to get all fired up.
~ Rich Piva (Musipedia of Metal, FuzzDoomRip, Rich & Turbo’s Heavy Half Hour)

ZQKMGDZ – LIVE IN HAMBURG
Stoner Rock, Krautrock
Lübeck, Germany
Pink Tank Records

ZQKMGDZ is one of my favorite bands from the unparalleled German stoner rock scene, delivering the most imaginative, mind-bending, spacey tunes on the planet (and beyond)! In May, the band surprised their fans with the release of Live in Hamburg, a high quality and comprehensive recording of some of their most beloved songs. Most notably, the energy of this concert is not only palpable, but undeniably infectious, simultaneously filling me with warm fuzzies (pun intended) and a bit of dismay that a vast expanse of Atlantic Ocean prevented me from seeing the show myself! This is a great album for seasoned fans of ZQKMGDZ and newcomers alike, as it provides a perfect snapshot of some of the band’s best songs as well as their unique style.
~ Stephanie Zalta (DoomCakes, Screaming From The Heavy Underground)

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:

Adam Walsh (Earmunchies); Andy Kovalcik (Bandcamp-NYP-Hard&Heavy); 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, Inherent Records, Mystery Pick); Brandon Collins (Morbid And Miserable Records); Bucky Brown (The Ripple Effect); Chris Beck (Doom Tomb Podcast); Chris Tighe (The Mighty Decibel); Damien Regnauld (Stoner Freaks Anthology); Edouard Dubuisson (Les chroniques d’Eddy, MetalUniverse); ‘The General’ (Stoner Rock Army); Frazer Jones (Desert Psychlist); Graur Zaur (Crypt Guard); Günther “Doktor420” (Stoner HiVe); Ioannis Valiakos (Desert Vulture); Jacob ‘Reverend Fuzzcut’ Baker (CleanAndSoberStoner, Monster Riff); JC Cansdale-Cook (The MotorFuzzin’ Ibex); Jim Thompson (Heavy in the Hills); JJ Koczan (The Obelisk); John Gist, (Vegas Rock Revolution / The Doomed & Stoned Show); Jon Cosky (Gravitoyd Heavy Music); Jon McGough (Stoner Rock Army, Stoner HiVe, Outlaws Of The Sun); Jonny Pirie (Hour of the Riff); Joop Konraad (Stoner HiVe); Jukka ‘Shrike’ Kolehmainen (Psychotropic Caravan, Abhorrence, Shrike’s Playlists); Justin Wittenmeier (DoomedForMetal); Kyle SB (Good Boy PR, Stoner HiVe); Lee Edwards (The Sleeping Shaman); Marc-Eric Gagnon (Stonefly Effects); Mel Lie (Sunday’s Heavy Tunes); Mitch Kline (DoomyRiffs.com); Remi VL (Remi Post Too Many Links); Rich Piva (Musipedia of Metal, FuzzDoomRip, Rich & Turbo’s Heavy Half Hour); Roberto Fuentes (Red House Store); Roberto Lucas (Denpa Fuzz); Rod Reinhardt (Captain Beyond Zen); Ronny Dijksterhuis (Stoner HiVe); Ryan Foster (Slightly Fuzzed); S Patrick Brooks (The Heavy Underground Farm Report, Outlaws of the Sun); Scott Spiers (CleanAndSoberStoner, Monster Riff); Stephanie Zalta (DoomCakes, Screaming From The Heavy Underground); Steve Howe (Outlaws of the Sun); Stevie Reek (Howls from The Hollows, Doomed & Stoned, Stoner HiVe); Thierry “Pumpkin-T“ François (Metal Intégral); Tony Maim (Black Insect Laughter, Stoner HiVe); Tom Schmahl (Rock Circuz).

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.