Another month in the books! A lot went on in May, from launching a new playlist on our YouTube channel to buying Monster Riff, which you can read about here.
More importantly, rock kept rollin’, and the steady stream of outrageously good Stoner Rock and Doom is showing no signs of letting up anytime soon. 2024 might truly be the greatest year in the history of the scene, which is getting ahead of myself. But here’s the proof…
My Top 20 Stoner Rock and Doom Albums for May, 2024
20. Fire Ritual – Apocalypse
I often criticize the whole Sabbath Worship trope, but it’s only because it’s usually not warranted. Fire Ritual truly worships at the Sabbath Altar with tone, atmosphere and a killer cover of A National Acrobat. But the secret is not leaning too much in that direction. Most of us missed this when it came out in March, but it’s too damn good to ignore. Give this a shot and I’m sure you’ll be clamoring for a second album!
19. The Impending Blindness – Misanthropica
It’s not often that a new album from a band I’ve never heard of makes me shudder. But shudder I did as I allowed Misanthropica to invade my space. It oozes malevolence with an intensity that makes Uncle Acid sound like nursery rhymes. This is blackened beyond my usual palette, but I really don’t care.
18. Midnight Whiskey Massacre – Overwatch and Control
Only for the most rocked-out, on the edge moogerfoogers out there. This is true, undiluted Rock madness with a breath of whiskey that’s a week old and in need of a rinse of vodka just to balance it out. You won’t find this on Bandcamp, they don’t give a shite about making a few duckets, and they couldn’t give a flying fig what anyone thinks aside from the droogs that savvy this hot mess of rock’nroll. Just find ’em on Spotify and let it rip. I have a feeling we’ll be hearing from this guy again soon…
17. Sonic Smut – Sonic Smut
With a name like Sonic Smut, this band doesn’t pull any punches. It seemed obvious to me they all probably love Parliament-Funkadelic, but the influences go way beyond that. Sonic Smut has a little funk, but there’s also a crushing heaviness on many songs that borders more into stoner rock territory. Where the hell did this band come from? Well, they came from Detroit, a city with a legendary music scene. Maybe music like this is just in their DNA. -Nick Pipitone
16. State of Non-Return – White Ink
I’m pretty damned sure this is too low on the list. I’m equally sure that quite a few people have checked this out and had the “holy shit” reaction we crave. This is raw, intense and somehow refined and elegant Heavy Psych/Doom from an unknown Master who’s just now unleashing his craft. For fans of Om, YOB, Messa and people who should be fans of those bands. This is special!
15. Kalgon – Kalgon
This has no right, none at all, to be this good. Slow, lumbering and heavy as fuck with HOOKS at half-speed. One of the few times where the vocals are what drags me under the morass. I’m literally just sitting here listening instead of writing. Highest compliment I can make, come to think of it.
14. Hollow Leg – Dust
Hollow Leg is essentially an institution whose time has come. This Florida band is poised to break out in a serious way. Dust is straight, to-the-point Southern sludge that never forgets that it’s a rock band first, and genre second! We even got a chance to talk about the album and all that went into it in this interview:
13. Uncle Acid and the Dead Beats – Nell ‘Ora Blu
Nell’ Ora Blu is so good, it’s made me go back and re-experience the entire catalogue. I never got into Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats before, but whatever my problem was, I’m glad I’m over it. Still, whatever they crafted before, they perfected on this album. It could be the best “soundtrack” I’ve ever heard, with plenty of nods to Goblin, Argento, and Bava to make me do a deep dive for any Easter Eggs they’ve buried.
12. Ape Vermin – Andromedas Colossus
If you don’t know North Carolina’s progressive/sludge/doom masters Ape Vermin yet, you’re in for a sonic onslaught that’s gonna blow your mind. Every aspect is fine-tuned yet nasty. The guitar tone, the blast-beats of the drums, the blackened desperation of the vocals make for an experience that’s felt as much as it’s heard. Damn, this gets heavy!!!
11. The Watchers – Nyctophelia
I’m not the biggest fan of 80’s/90’s Metal with the Anthems, outrageous hair and gaudy spandex. But The Watchers somehow manage to merge Stoner/Doom with peak Whitesnake in a way I’ve never heard before. Eastward Through the Zodiac makes me want to grab a lighter and sway from side-to-side and howl the chorus. So far, this album seems to be flying under the radar, but at the same time I think its got serious staying power. Sure, I have it at #11 now, but it could easily be Top 20 by the end of the year. Ya gotta check it out for yourself!!! Damn, Ripple is KILLING IT!
The Top 10
Tough, brutal choices and a lot of these aren’t going to make sense to very many people. I have a very obvious biased towards new, upcoming bands. So when I write a brand new debut album ahead of an establish bands masterpiece, it’s not that I think it’s better as much as I think it’s damn shocking what these new bands are doing.
As usual, my Top 10 is a virtual tie anyway. I’m pretty confident that your favorite album of the month is likely to be anyone of these on this list, but the next 10 seem to be the most likely.
10. Arð – Untouched By Time
Whenever Blake Carrera raves about a band or an album, I’ve learned to give it a serious listen. The funny thing is, it’s usually a style of music I’m not overly fond of. Of course, he’s right every single time. Check out the video below for all the details and reasons why this album is so unique, heavy, and totally awesome!
09. Juke Cove – Tempest
Have you ever heard a song where 10 seconds in you just KNOW it’s a Top 10 contender? That was my reaction when Juke Cove sent me their debut album, Tempest. You can check out why on our new YouTube Playlist, Your New Favorite Band. This is first-rate Stoner Rock that hits all the right notes, at the right time. Definitely for fans of Colour Haze and the first wave of Stoner/Desert Rock from the mid-90’s.
08. Abrams – Blue City
Our first review from a PR company press release was Abrams, which you can read here. I thought I was a little tough back then, especially with how restrained the whole album was. Blue City is a totally different beast, and the whole band lets loose. Abrams has always been a band with a keen sense of history and broad range of influences. On this one, it’s like Abrams has taken all of their strengths and combined them into the definitive version of the band.
I finally got a chance to talk to Zach about it, and it’s all in this video:
07. Pallbearer – Mind Burns Alive
For this last 51 minutes, language has failed me. I can no longer classify what is essentially the personification of loneliness and anxiety brought to life by music. It is still doom metal, but whatever else it may be escapes me until the language of metal can once again evolve to capture this new, beautiful beast.
-Joe Turmes (Full review here)
06. Ufomammut – Hidden
I’m not sayin that Hidden is the best album Ufomammut ever made. That would be bonkers. But I am saying the there is no Ufomammut album, front-to-back, better than Hidden. This is a reinvigorated band teaming with endless possibility. This is PEAK Ufomammut
5. Grey Giant – Conversus in Lutum
It was Newbie Doomer, taking a look at all of our emails, who asked me who Grey Giant was. I didn’t know, but I sure know now! This Stoner Rock band from Spain is the latest of the new generation of bands to tap into the Deep Roots that are Desert Rock and Stoner. Heavy, spacey and full of groove. One of the most surprising releases so far this year. Here’s a sample:
4. CLEEN – Excursion
CLEEN is a band that so far has exceeded every expectation. Theirs is a relentless party of authentic Stoner with tinges of everything from Grunge to Doom. There’s an infectious enthusiasm that sometimes hides their introspective and thoughtful nature. I started out with this at #15, but the hooks in this won’t let go! And the response on our YouTube channel has been truly insane. I think the torch has been passed…
03. Spaceslug – Out of Water
This is the same Spacelsug, with the same writing, same vibe, same heavy/hazy goodness. And yet, this sounds so different. It’s like on each album they polish a different facet, buff it to perfection and release it to an eager audience who’s never disappointed. There is a clarity and focus to the recording, especially the vocals, that feels like a step forward without sacrificing the earnest melancholy that makes Spaceslug so great!
02. Black Pyramid – The Paths of Time are Vast
The Paths of Time Are Vast defies generic descriptions of any kind. This is an exceptionally powerful album, and Black Pyramid is clearly up to the task. None of the concepts are above their ability to play, and their concepts are as vast as the title suggests. I can’t help but think that the Universe insisted that this album be made: exactly when, how, and why seems like an epic tale I’ll never get tired of hearing. (Full Review here)
01. Vitskar Suden – Vessel
At the end of the day, there’s only one thing I focus on when choosing Top 20 Stoner Rock and Doom Albums. “Will I still be listening to this a year from now? 5 Years? Any album can make a list for any given month, but revisiting it until it becomes a classic? Do I really believe I’ll be listening to this down the road? I think that’s the only thing that matters, and in the case of Vessel, it’s an easy answer. Hell yeah! There’s just so much here that repeated listens only reinforce the idea that this is a masterpiece.
For those new to the world of Vitskar Suden, here’s a handy song-by-song commentary to enrich the experience:
And that’s a wrap for My Top 20 Stoner/Doom albums for May. It’s yet another month that could be a Top 20 of the Year when you listen to everything. But the bands keep putting out the best Heavy Music ever heard, and June looks every bit as awesome.
Also, be sure to check out our sister site at Monsterriff as we take the reigns and try to pick up where Pat left off. Expect more reviews, lists, and epic madness as we chase the Ultimate Monster Riff!!!
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