Doomcakes’ Most Listened: December 10th

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! 

The holiday season? What?! No! I’m talking about best albums of the year lists! 

I have been slowly compiling my own list since I started this gig, knowing that the fateful day was coming when I would be tasked with making this one, the most epic of lists. And let me tell you, I am so excited I could scream. I’m sure I have screamed at various times during this process. As much as I want to go ahead and give little hints at my (undoubtedly awesome) choices, I’m going to be good and wait til the actual end of the year. Who knows what deliciousness could be released between now and then, right? 

This week has been a bit of a busy one when it comes to music stuff. Of course I’m always listening out for new music for the Doom Charts, but I’m also going back over all of my favorite albums that came out this year for that aforementioned end of year list. Oh yeah, and jamming to some old stuff in the interim. You guys know how I roll. 

Doomcakes’ Most Listened: December 10th

Witch – Witch

I probably don’t have to tell you nor convince you that Witch’s 2006 self-titled debut album is an absolute essential for any stoner/doom fan. There is an undeniable Black Sabbath influence on this record, especially when you compare it to their punkier follow-up album, Paralyzed. You also can’t help but notice the incredibly versatile vocals of Kyle Thomas (King Tuff), who was recruited by Witch founder and former Dinosaur Jr. guitarist J. Mascis to front the band. King Tuff came from the psych/folk band, Feathers. These two influences came together to create this awesome combination of psychedelic rock and doom. 

Favorite track: Rip Van Winkle

Doublestone – Wingmakers

Doublestone, a stoner rock trio from Copenhagen, Denmark, is one of my favorite retro rock-influenced stoner bands. With that retro tone and the lyrical subject matter, Doublestone definitely has an occult rock vibe. I appreciate their ability to make occult music in a way that isn’t too dark and dreary, but you’re still well aware that you’re listening to “devil music”. That is, of course, the premise of everything we do here. 

Favorite track: The Bringer of Light

Mother of God – Mother of God

Mother of God is making their second appearance on my weekly most listened to list this week, this time with their self-titled EP. This Swedish band does one of my favorite parlor tricks: skillfully combining stoner and alternative rock. This particular EP is a super high energy one that I would kill to see performed live from start to finish. Even if you’re listening at home, if you don’t at least start headbanging along a bit, there may be something fundamentally wrong with you as a person. Just saying. 

Favorite track: The Arsonist

Totem – E.Xtended P.Lay

Totem is a band that, very unfortunately, I never hear or see discussed. Of course, that could at least partially be the case because, oddly enough, there are a multitude of bands out there with the name “Totem”. For our purposes, this particular Totem is a stoner rock band from Denmark. They’re a bit hard to find information on, but from what I can gather, they’ve experienced a few lineup changes, including a new vocalist, so they’ve re-recorded some material as a result. Regardless, this obscure little band makes some very good, riff heavy stoner rock that even has some hints of alt rock/grunge, particularly on my favorite song, Sideway Sideshow.  Make no mistake, the band can get super heavy as well. Just when you think you’re listening to a relatively calm, grunge-tinged stoner rock song, BOOM, you get smacked in the face with the riff. 

Favorite track: Sideway Sideshow

King Potenaz – Goat Rider

King Potenaz is one of the first gems I discovered when I became active on the stoner/doom social media scene in May 2023, and it’s definitely one that stuck with me. Goat Rider is a great representation of modern doom; melodic yet brutal, droning yet energetic, with strong stoner and psychedelic influences. Basically, King Potenaz took everything that’s awesome about stoner/doom and a good portion of its subgenres, and put it all into one album. 

Side note: I want to give a shout out to King Potenaz, who are super active on social media in our community. They’re always incredibly kind, supportive, and grateful, and we love them for it!

Favorite track: Among the Ruins

Slomosa – Cabin Fever

Stephanie, there you go again, putting singles on a list of what is supposed to be albums!

What can I say? This one is too good not to talk about. To be fair, Slomosa’s Cabin Fever is a single from their upcoming album, slated to be released next year. 

This is another song that’s difficult for me to find words to describe, as I always get too lost in its loveliness to think properly. (That happens a lot). Something about the melancholy yet hopeful vibe from both the instruments and vocals, evident from the first measure; kind of a light at the end of the tunnel experience, really draws me to this one. In fact, guitarist Benjamin Berdous said that, since the band’s first album, “…more of life has happened and things have gotten more serious, and as always this reflects on the music.” 

The band also released an amazing, trippy yet oddly beautiful music video for the song on YouTube that was nominated for “Best Norwegian Music Video” at Bergen Film Festival.