“…Are You Simply Stating That This Is a Morning to Be DOOMED on?”

~ probably misheard words by Gandalf

April was a blur and May is somehow already in the rearview, chock full of new releases to start the mid-year onslaught of music. A glance at the top of this month’s charts is a who’s-who of heavy underground royalty, and that’s only the tip of the iceberg as you dive down the rabbit hole of familiar and fresh new faces that laid down absolute musical gold this past month. Dig in!

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, progressive 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. BLKE – BLKE / NEW!

39. KHYBERNAUT – TALES OF ASHES AND DELUSION / NEW!

38. JOEL H BULSARA – HASTUR THE KING / NEW!

37. LIQUIFY – VOYAGE TO THE OUTER WORLDS / NEW!

36. CORROSION OF CONFORMITY – GOOD GOD/BAAD MAN

35. BONGTOWER – THE COLOR OF POMEGRANATES / NEW!

34. THE OBLIVION EXPEDITION – INTERGALACTIC GATEWAY TO INFINITY / NEW!

33. BLEETH – LÁZARA / NEW!

32. MANTRA MACHINE – ECHOES FOREST / NEW!

31. QLESAAR – STRATORIAN ORACLE / NEW!

30. GOLDFISH KASEEM – FOR A BRYTER FUTURE / NEW!

29. GOODNIGHT SKY – MAGNUM OPIATE / NEW!

28. AYD – AYD / NEW!

27. KROKA – BELIEVE IT / NEW!

26. CROWN LANDS – APOCALYPSE / NEW!

25. SOLAR MANTRA – STATE OF JOYFUL LIGHTNESS / NEW!
870 Points
Stoner Rock, Heavy Psych Rock
Roma, Italy
Argonauta Records

SOLAR MANTRA seems to be very fond of paradoxes. When you see a title as positive as State of Joyful Lightness, what comes to mind? Some hippie thingy from the 60s, all love and flowers? Not at all. Fortunately, the superb cover art by Eli Quinn gives us a clue to the true nature of the tracks. Indeed, this new album from the Roman quartet sounds heavier and darker than their previous works. The hypnotic heavy riffs are still fueled with fuzz, the low-tuned bass rumbles over the pounding drums, and the clean vocals, often warm and very expressive, are a highlight. In the grand tradition of Stoner Rock with a psych touch, this album is 45 minutes of pure pleasure for lovers of the genre.
~ Thierry “Pumpkin-T“ François (Metal Intégral)

24. MOTHER IRON HORSE – MOTHER IRON HORSE / NEW!
980 Points
Stoner/Sludge/Groove
Salem, US
Hellmouth Records

MOTHER IRON HORSE deliver a bombastic, stomping concoction of Stoner Metal infused with Sludge and Groove metal Influences. Their self-titled album is chock-a-block with Fuzz, Frenzy and Force which should cater to more or less all tastes in the Underground Scene. A splendid tour-de-force of Modern Metal!
~ Steve De Rique (Howls from The Hollows, Doomed & Stoned, Stoner HiVe)

23. EL ALTAR DEL HOLOCAUSTO – ECOS / NEW!
1014 Points
Post-Rock, Ambient, Instrumental Doom
Spain
Self-released

I discovered EL ALTAR DEL HOLOCAUSTO during Westill Fest 2023. It was a performance I’d been eagerly anticipating, given their long-standing reputation for live shows. And it was indeed an unforgettable experience, coming just a few weeks before the band announced that they needed to take a break to recharge, though they never stopped performing completely.

As you’ve probably gathered, EL ALTAR DEL HOLOCAUSTO is a band that absolutely must be seen live. But they’re not just a show band, as they prove with Ecos, their new LP arriving seven years after It, their previous LP release. Definitely, their delicate, captivating instrumental post-rock hasn’t lost none of its subtlety or power, quite the opposite. The migratory bird is back, fully recharged, and they’re demonstrating this in the most beautiful way possible.

And you know what? They’ll also be touring soon and returning to Westill Fest next fall for this fresh start. See you there for new homily, guys!
~ Jay Baner (La Capsule Stoner)

22. BRÜLE – BELTANE / NEW!
1022 Points
Doom Metal, Occult, Stoner Rock
France
Southern Dust Records

Beltane is a Gaelic festival ushering in the days of summer, which makes sense that the album was released on May 1st.

My guess is BRÜLE wants this to be on your summer playlist. The album opens with Mr. Crowley, no wait it is the philosophy of Mr Crowley Trélène about leading with True Will. The song is sung in French, so I am not sure if any portals were open.

The remainder of the album sung in English is a solid occult doom affair with heavy riffs, immense rhythms, and classic metal vocals. New blood breathing life into a well-worn subject, and I dig it. I look forward to what BRÜLE brings forth in the future because this is a classic album.
~ Turbo (Rich & Turbo’s Heavy Half Hour)

21. DUST GIANT – DUST GIANT / NEW!
1030 Points
Stoner Rock, Heavy Rock, Fuzz
Williamsburg, Virginia
Self-released

DUST GIANT’s second album of the year. The first came out January 9th so technically, that could be 2025. Where the first was more of an odyssey styled concept album, the self titled album is more about getting down to business and just being a heavy ass rock band. If you liked the atmosphere of the first album the self titled comes across more stripped down and dense with a fuzzy barroom hard rock sound. Worth repeated listens and cranked up loud.
~ Turbo (Rich & Turbo’s Heavy Half Hour)

20. ACID ROW – MAGIC / NEW!
1043 Points
Stoner, Psych, Doom, Noise
Prague, Czechia
Self-released

You know in the movie Dusk Til Dawn when Cheech’s character is standing on the steps of the Titty Twister barking about all the kinds of, ahem, women that are inside. That is how I feel about the latest album from ACID ROW. On their latest release Magic this power trio from Prague are standing on the steps barking. We Got Stoner Rock!, We Got Psych Rock!, We Got Noise Rock!, We Got DOOM!, We got Heavy Riffs!, We Got Thundering Beats!, We Got Fast Grooves!, Slow Grooves, Deep Heavy Grooves!’

In a sense if they ain’t got it. You don’t want it.
~ Turbo (Rich & Turbo’s Heavy Half Hour)

19. CROBOT – SUPERMOON / NEW!
1188 Points
Rock, Stoner
Pottsville, Pennsylvania
Megaforce Records

After dabbling too much in modern, radio friendly rock with a commercial sound in recent years, CROBOT proves on their latest offering Supermoon they’re still capable of making powerful rock with lots of oomph and soul. They immediately deliver the goods with a heavy, up-tempo stoner track. Whichever combination of rock and stoner they throw at you after that and wherever the emphasis lies, this is an album packed to the brim with great songs, to the point arrangements, stellar musicianship and lots of energy (even in the quieter songs). Forget roughly everything they released since 2020. This is the CROBOT you want to hear.
~Ronny Dijksterhuis (Stoner HiVe)

18. PRIMITIVE RING – PRIMITIVE RING / NEW!
1224 Points
Stoner/Proto-Metal
Los Angeles, California, US
Self-released

L.A. trio PRIMITIVE RING burst onto the scene with a self-titled album of fuzzed-out grooves and proto-metal riffage that oozes retro style. From the opening, violin-led “Fire and Brimstone” to the closing chugger “Golden”, PRIMITIVE RING bring their full array of talents to the max!
~ Steve De Rique (Howls from The Hollows, Doomed & Stoned, Stoner HiVe)

17. MÖRKEKRAFT – FRAGMENTS / NEW!
1422 Points
Stoner Rock, Psychedelic Rock
Farsund, Norway
Argonauta Records

MÖRKEKRAFT is a trio from Norway who makes a memorable first impression with their debut album Fragments, giving us eight solid tracks of stony heavy rock peppered with alternative rock energy and bluesy swagger. The powerful, expressive vocals and catchy hooks are the icing on the cake, ensuring you’ll be singing along in no time. However, the grooves on Fragments alternate between bitter and sweet, delivering honest lyrical perspectives on topics such as deception, abandonment, internal conflict, and the supernatural. This is where MÖRKEKRAFT’s trademark emotive intensity comes in, delivering an infectious sound that implores you to listen up and a soul that has the power to resonate with all of us.
~ Stephanie Zalta (DoomCakes, Screaming From The Heavy Underground)

16. GO MAHHH – DOPPELGÄNGER / NEW!
1477 Points
Psychedelic Rock, Garage Rock
Berlin, Germany
Noisolution

Blowing in with grooves as refreshing as a cool breeze on an otherwise stifling day, Berlin-based garage/psych rockers GO MAHHH give us the healing escape we all need right now with their full-length debut Doppelgänger. With golden, desert-baked atmospheres that wash over the listener as reliably as the tides, hypnotic krautrock-inspired repetition that pulses throughout, and an ever-rotating kaleidoscope of richly colored psychedelic tones that naturally and delicately shift the ambience as needed, Doppelgänger is utterly captivating from start to finish. That’s not to say that GO MAHHH spouts sunshine and rainbows 100% of the time…the band makes no qualms in reminding us early on in the album that “hell remains” and “evil reigns”, and around Dopplegänger’s midway point, the aura makes a discernible shift into darker, grittier territory. No matter what mood a song takes on, GO MAHHH consistently delivers a soothing and mesmeric experience that’s blissfully easy to get lost in.
~ Stephanie Zalta (DoomCakes, Screaming From The Heavy Underground)

15. FOSSILE – NO KING / NEW!
1528 Points
Stoner Metal, Doom
Oulu, Finland
Afakasi Records

Finnish stoner metal quintet FOSSILE has unearthed their debut album, the aptly-titled No King, and it’s sure to be one of the most powerful and cathartic releases you’ll hear this year. No King is filled with barreling stoner metal energy, hulking, doomed-out sludgy riffage, and resonating stoner rock melody. However, the most memorable thing about this album is its deeply palpable passion and pent-up frustration. As much as No King delivers an engaging listening experience that’s both deliciously heavy and intensely soulful, it’s also incredibly relevant, arriving at the perfect time.
~ Stephanie Zalta (DoomCakes, Screaming From The Heavy Underground)

14. HYPNOSAUR – AFTERLIFE / NEW!
1610 Points
Stoner Rock, Heavy Rock, Punk Rock
Warsaw, Poland
Self-released

With Afterlife, HYPNOSAUR deliver a highly infectious blend of stoner rock weight, rock’n’roll attitude and punk-fueled energy. The band have a clear talent for writing memorable songs, balancing thick riffs, driving grooves and catchy choruses without sacrificing their raw edge. Tracks like ‘Afterlife’, ‘Lieflower’, ‘Danger’ and ‘World Of Insanity’ showcase a confident approach where heaviness and accessibility work hand in hand. Strong melodies, energetic performances and a vibrant production make Afterlife a thoroughly enjoyable record that stays with the listener long after it ends. A powerful step forward from a band that continues to sharpen its identity.
~ Marek (Dezarbuzator)

13. YAWNING BALCH – VOLUME FOUR / NEW!
1791 Points
Desert Rock, Psych Rock, Ambient
California Desert
Heavy Psych Sounds

Volume Four if you know you know and if you don’t hop on board. Bob Balch and Yawning Man continue the jam they started back in 2022. Two songs and 45 minutes with luscious soundscapes allowing Gary Arce and Bob Balch to transfix you with swirling guitars and pedal effects while the bass and drums lure you into a hypnotic state. Having never been to the deserts out West I can only imagine this music is what it is like to sit, stare, and enjoy the warmth of the sun with a good buzz.
~ Turbo (Rich & Turbo’s Heavy Half Hour)

12. FUZZRIDER – DESERT BOOGIE / NEW!
2145 Points
Dirty Blues, Stoner Rock, Doom
Athens, Greece
Self-released

On the latest album from FUZZRIDER, one has to wonder if they spent a ton of time listening to the band Masters Of Reality. Jim Lord vocalist and guitar player sounds convincingly like Chris Goss to me, which I dig. They album captures what one would believe a Desert Boogie would be a killer groove that ebbs and flows, crunchy guitar work that builds a South California desert feel and a subtle boogie backbone that will have you swaying and bouncing along.
~ Turbo (Rich & Turbo’s Heavy Half Hour)

11. BONG VOYAGE – HEDONISTIC HARD ROCK / NEW!
2964 Points
Hard Rock, Stoner Rock
Oslo, Norway
Ripple Music

Can there be an album with more hard rock anthems than this one? Taking the spirit of the 70’s and supercharging it to electrifying heights, BONG VOYAGE has high-energy songs that are hook-heavy instant classics. Hedonistic Hard Rock is filled with infectious guitar harmonies, catchy melodies, and vocals that pull you into the celebration. Don’t let their good-time vibes, party-rock atmosphere, or wild lifestyle fool you, these guys are seriously here to rock you. After all, for rock ‘n roll they sold their souls.
~ Jon McGough (Stoner Rock Army, Stoner HiVe, Outlaws Of The Sun)

10. SKULL SERVANT – SEVEN TRUMPETS / NEW!
4144 Points
Doom Metal, Heavy Doom, Occult / Ritual
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, US
Self-released

SKULL SERVANT return with Seven Trumpets, delivering a dark, ritualistic slab of doom metal steeped in apocalyptic imagery and cosmic unease. Built on massive, crushing riffs and a dense atmosphere, the album steadily unfolds into a bleak, immersive journey where tension and weight go hand in hand.

The record balances classic doom foundations with a strong narrative drive, creating a cohesive and haunting world that feels both ancient and otherworldly.”
~ Marek (Dezarbuzator)

9. THE QUILL – MASTER OF THE SKIES / NEW!
4758 Points
Stoner, Hard Rock, Doom
Sweden
Metalville Records

THE QUILL has created an album more reflective of the times which to say it is a little darker than their other work. Still hard rock heavy and true with a tightness of a band 35 years into their career. I say this knowing many may not understand, but they made a Led Zeppelin album without sounding like Led Zeppelin. The songs are a bit more experimental, allowed to vigorously breathe on their own. I know people will say, but Sabbathian riffs? Sure, they are there I just hear other things going on that make Masters of the Sky a heavy sonic experience.
~ Turbo (Rich & Turbo’s Heavy Half Hour)

8. GODDESS – RITUAL OF THE CLOVEN HOOF / NEW!
6631 Points
Doom, Blues, Hard Rock, Metal
Stockholm, Sweden
Majestic Mountain Records

There are a few things you can say about GODDESS, first off, they are resilient. The band has endured a change of singers, a global plague, a name change, and even the ravages of time itself, any one of which would have been enough to leave most bands as casualties of circumstance. Secondly, they seem to always be in top form; there’s no watering down, and all of the tracks on Ritual of the Cloven Hoof hit with real force. The band knows how to build songs, exactly when to strike that force for maximum impact, and the build-ups are just as rewarding. As Goatess and as GODDESS, they have firmly established their status and their place in the halls of doom.
~ Jon McGough (Stoner Rock Army, Stoner HiVe, Outlaws Of The Sun)

7. SÖNUS – PLANES OF TORMENT / NEW!
6885 Points
Heavy Metal, Stoner, Doom, Proto
San Francisco, California
Self-released

SÖNUS bring to us a raw and true heavy record if there ever was one in the form of the seven tracks on their new record, Planes of Torment. Raw and true, from how the “live in the studio” sound the recording captured, to the old school feel to the writing, to how the now power trio has gelled, Planes of Torment is like if there was a pick up game for awesome bands and the first three picks were The Cult, Danzig, and The Jimi Hendrix Experience. An underdog Album of the Year candidate that has a serious chance to get there.
~ Rich Piva (Musipedia of Metal, FuzzDoomRip, Rich & Turbo’s Heavy Half Hour)

6. GOZU – GOZU VI / NEW!
10038 Points
Stoner, Heavy Metal, Doom
Boston, Massachusetts, US
Metal Blade Records

GOZU, while always bringing the riffs and the heavy, also has this kind of swing to all the material. That swing and trademarked GOZU sound is ever present on Gozu VI. The combination of the riffs and their understanding of melody and harmonies always makes a new GOZU record special, and they double down on what they do best on these eight tracks that, as usual, all have excellent titles to go along with the killer heavy ass rock. A perfect fit in an already next-level discography.
~ Rich Piva (Musipedia of Metal, FuzzDoomRip, Rich & Turbo’s Heavy Half Hour)

5. RESTLESS SPIRIT – RESTLESS SPIRIT / NEW!
12740 Points
Heavy Metal
Long Island, NY
Magnetic Eye Records

The definition of Heavy Metal can be debated, but to me exhibit A is RESTLESS SPIRIT, and their new, self-titled record, is all I need as the evidence. Filled with raw riffs and rippers that are some of the most real songs you will hear all year. Paired with the band’s sense of melody; with their killer heaviness and catchy-as-hell songs with bridges and choruses stick with you more than ever, RESTLESS SPIRIT have created something special with their new record that will make you bang your head and maybe even shed a tear at the same time, if you are paying attention. You really should, because this is true heavy metal, and some of the best that you will hear in the foreseeable future.
~ Rich Piva (Musipedia of Metal, FuzzDoomRip, Rich & Turbo’s Heavy Half Hour)

4. ROBOT GOD – ONTO THE AFTERLIFE / NEW!
16566 Points
Heavy Psych, Stoner
Sydney, Australia
Kozmik Artifactz & Black Throne Productions

There must be something in the water Down Under as this country has produced a plethora of exceptional artists. One at the top of my list is Syndey’s ROBOT GOD. I caught wind of this trio back in 2020 and they have done nothing but produce solid album after album since. The latest gem Onto The Afterlife maintains this positive trend providing you with 5 fantastic unique tracks all from 6-11 minutes which will assist in getting you through any boring workday. I love how within each song the albums can pivot from a catchy heavy groove into a long psychedelic jam or vice versa. Combine that with nice clean vocals and thoughtful lyrics, this has the making of AOTY material. If you’re looking for a nice heavy psychedelic voyage, look no further than Onto The Afterlife.
~ Hugh Jones (The OG Metal Prophet, The Prophet’s Heavy Underground)

3. MONOLORD – NEVERENDING / NEW!
16632 Points
Doom, Metal
Gothenburg, Sweden
Relapse Records

It’s been over four and a half years since we got a full album from MONOLORD, and what a glorious return it is. The core DNA of the band is still intact, however, MONOLORD is forever changing. The band’s evolution over the years has been strong, and it stands out that they haven’t remained confined to the Empress Rising formula. They push beyond their comfort zone on Neverending with more mood shifts, fluidly, and clarity. We still get the wall of sound and bottom-end, but we also get quieter, stripped-down moments that really showcase the vocals and guitar work. At the other end of the spectrum is the super-heavy title track which closes the album out in a devastating fashion with harsh vocals from Jörgen Sandström of Entombed and Grave fame. Neverending is a release that should satisfy longtime fans while offering plenty to pull in new listeners.
~ Jon McGough (Stoner Rock Army, Stoner HiVe, Outlaws Of The Sun)

2. ALL THEM WITCHES – HOUSE OF MIRRORS / NEW!
22310 Points
Psychedelic Rock, Blues Rock, Stoner Rock
Nashville, Tennessee, US
BMG

ALL THEM WITCHES kept us waiting! 2093 days exactly between the release of Nothing As The Ideal and the new baby: House Of Mirrors. The riffs are a bit louder than usual but the ATM signature that we love so much is still there. A bluesy vibe thanks to Ben’s voice and that unique and soothing atmosphere : all the elements are together to create a great record. What I love about their sound is the Southern folk heritage that the musicians blend with psychedelic, stoner and blues rock. House Of Mirrors takes the best inspiration of American music’s roots and makes a brillant record of modern rock with it. These brillant performers never run out of ideas and deliver a powerful, introspective and addictive album.
~ Edouard Dubuisson (Les chroniques d’Eddy, MetalUniverse)

1. ELDER – THROUGH ZERO / NEW!
45030 Points
Heavy Psych/Progressive Rock/Stoner Rock
Berlin, Germany
Stickman Records, Bird’s Robe, Blues Funeral Recordings

The quartet lead by Nick DiSalvo is back with a new record: Through Zero. It’s one of the records that I was expecting the most for 2026 and the result is way above my expectations. Four years after their masterpiece “Innate Passage”, the musicians are back with a record where everything sounds awesome from start to end. The guitar riffs are crushing and sound heavier than ever and the futuristic effects mixed with the hypnotic grooves send you to the cosmos for a one-way ticket. The melodies are catchier than usual and the progressive patterns take up the perfect space in the new songs. The ethereal atmospherics that only ELDER has the secrets are back with one of their best records so far and probably a strong candidate for the AOTY!
~ Edouard Dubuisson (Les chroniques d’Eddy, MetalUniverse)

Monumental sonic bacchanals unfold on this overwhelming album, featuring complex songs that knock the listener off their feet with a mastery that draws you into an endless spiral. With six powerful, absorbing tracks, their dreamlike landscapes contain the raw energy inherent in a band that shuns stagnation to continue writing its own story. Listeners will find familiar elements, new textures, sequences, and sounds alongside ELDER’s iconic vision of heavy rock. As always, each listen reveals new details. Without a glimpse of their creative limits, each track offers a crucible of nuances that can only be fully appreciated through repeated listening, making Through Zero a sensational album. Its dreamlike, powerful, raw, electronic, and other qualities make it an essential album for any fan of the band. Innovative yet respectful of the most forceful progressive rock orthodoxy, they achieve a catharsis within the heavy metal scene by opening themselves up to new sonic structures that greatly enrich their songs. But despite its progressive soul, ELDER maintains the punch of an unwavering rhythmic base, with bass lines that rumble amidst the meanderings of its guitar duo.
~ 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); Ben Bellum (The Greatest Thing You’ve Never Heard); Bob “Mr. Weird Beard” Baker (More Fuzz Podcast); Bobby Rayfield (Monuments In Ruin, Inherent Records, Mystery Pick);  Bucky Brown (The Ripple Effect); Chris Tighe (The Mighty Decibel); Damien Regnauld (Stoner Freaks Anthology); Edouard Dubuisson (Les chroniques d’Eddy, MetalUniverse); Günther “Doktor420” (Stoner HiVe); Hugh Jones (The OG Metal Prophet, The Prophet’s Heavy Underground); Ioannis Valiakos (Desert Vulture); Jay Baner (La Capsule Stoner); JC Cansdale-Cook (The MotorFuzzin’ Ibex); John Gist, (Vegas Rock Revolution / The Doomed & Stoned Show); Jon McGough (Stoner Rock Army, Stoner HiVe, Outlaws Of The Sun); Jonny Pirie (Hour of the Riff); Joop Konraad (Stoner HiVe); Jukka ‘Shrike’ Kolehmainen (Shrike’s Listens); Justin Wittenmeier (DoomedForMetal); Kyle SB (Good Boy PR, Stoner HiVe); Marc-Eric Gagnon (Stonefly Effects); Marek (Dezarbuzator); Matthew Thomas (Taste Nation); Michael D’Amato (Playgroundz Rocks, D’Amato Production); Mitch Kline (DoomyRiffs.com); Remi VL (Remi Post Too Many Links); Rich Piva (Musipedia of Metal, FuzzDoomRip, Rich & Turbo’s Heavy Half Hour); Rob Hammer (Rob Hammer, Doom/Stoner/Sludge/Psychedelic); Roberto Fuentes (Red House Store); Roberto Lucas (Denpa Fuzz); Rod Reinhardt (Captain Beyond Zen); Ronny Dijksterhuis (Stoner HiVe); Ryan Foster (Slightly Fuzzed); Stephanie Zalta (DoomCakes, Screaming From The Heavy Underground); Stevie Reek aka Steve De Rique (Howls from The Hollows, Doomed & Stoned, Stoner HiVe); Svempa ‘Doomsday Jesus’ Alveving (Cries From The Underworld); Thierry “Pumpkin-T“ François (Metal Intégral); Tom Hanno (Tom’s Reviews, The Third Eye); Tom Schmahl (Rock Circuz) & Turbo (Rich & Turbo’s Heavy Half Hour)

Feel free to send in your albums to stonerdoomcharts@gmail.com where they’ll be delegated to all the Contributors 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 and your favorite albums.