Number 12

 

Number 12

 

Seventy points above Number 13 we arrive on a spot occupied by two albums! That’s right, the Stoner HiVe Top 20 Countdown of 2025 contains 22 albums. Damn! Did I just give away the fact that after this placing there are no spots occupied by more than one album? I guess so… Sometimes it’s good to share right? And we hope these two bands will think as well. For they also share the same label: Heavy Psych Sounds. One was released in October and the other already in April. 

Let’s write a few words about the Italian quartet first. For the psych-space explorers have returned with a bold new chapter in a career defined by constant evolution. Building on some two decades of sonic exploration, from garage psych, to heave space rock and cosmic stoner, the new album blends hypnotic rhythms, swirling synths and expansive guitarwork into a retro futuristic soundscape that could help you imagine some weird new steampunk adventure. Time, infinity and human frailty are themes that unfold across eight powerful tracks. Turning it into a sci-fi journey completely and utterly timeless. 

The other album we find on Number 12 definitely set the table early when it comes to sludge rock and stoner metal. That’s right, the now stripped down trio, kick down the kitchendoor with their fifth full length and don’t even think about closing it behind them. It grooves, pulsates and swings like a caffeinated wrecking ball! Powerful by default, psychedelic stoner sway colliding with sludge-fueled force and razor-edged heavy metal riffs. No filler, all protein! Don’t worry, the bulldozing foundation is still there, but it is fully alive, breathing and snarling. Louder, leaner, this is a band full throttle and devouring all in its way. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, guests and all! 

 

On Number 12 we find: 

 

GIÖBIA - X-ÆON

&

KOMATSU - A BREAKFAST FOR CHAMPIONS

 

 

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Heavy Psych Sounds

 

 

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Heavy Psych Sounds

Stoner HiVe’s - Komatsu – Breakfast is served…

Review for A Breakfast For Champions

Review for Rose Of Jericho

Review for New Horizon 

Recipe For Murder One, Number 19 on the Stoner HiVe Top 20 of 2016

Review for So How's About Billy

Review for Manu Armata

Review for Komatsu

Number 12

 

 

Number 12

Another twenty four points takes us from Magmakammer on Number 13 to todays Number 12. A band that reached the eighteenth position of the Stoner HiVe Top 20 Countdown of 2022 with their debut album. This is their second record. And the proto, the metal, the doom and its progressive urges, it is all there to touch the hardrock, the stonerrock and the psychedelic rock they deliver. It is also there to make sure you turn the volume up as high as you possibly can. And it will transport you to a different universe altogether, thanks to the wider atmospheric reach and a strengthening of their otherworldly realm. An album rife with many layers and dynamics, turning more and more into the album you love so dearly with every spinning session. A tale is spun, not just by the lyrics, but also with the chosen instrumentation and how that slide guitar and synth helps you travel the galactic expanse… No need for spice, just listen to this album to journey through the fold…  

According to all of your votes, on Number 12 we find: 

Sons of Arrakis - Volume II

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Black Throne Productions

Number 12

 

 

Number 12

The awesome Besvärjelsen and their Atlas album held court at Number 13. But now we move on to Number 12 by jumping fourteen points. Where we find yet another album we were fortunate to mention earlier on during the year as well. Released back in July we immediately fell in love with it because it has that groovy diesel blues vibe, that seventies hardrock feeling and an incredible live feel to it. That live feel continues throughout the album and will give you a truckload of hints what it will surely be like catching these cats live on a stage somewhere. It’s got hard rocking blues stompers but also more psychedelic touches and such extremely wonderful keywork, all done so marvelous, and yet almost veiled among the luscious guitarwork, that you might start to think they were unsure of the actual beauty of it all. Vibrating at the perfect energy level this retro, vintage, seventies, classic, heavy hard rocking blues outfit keeps on delivering the goodness. The good and sweetness, the heaviness. On Number 12 we find…

Paralyzed – Heavy Road


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Out on StoneFly Records

On to Number 11!

Number 12

 

 

Number 12

 

Low Orbit created not just a crater but an entire black hole on Number 13! What an album indeed! And now we jump only one point. Indeed, one mere point. To reach Number 12! Where we find a band that has made the Stoner HiVe Top 20 Countdown multiple times. And we are glad that this one has once again found itself into the hearts and minds of all the voters. Released early April we immediately fell in love with their opening track. That driving rhythm, those propelling riffs, that melody, that theme, that refrain, all so wonderfully circling each other. And we knew the boys did it again; only to find out that most of this album was recorded for the album that came before and just did not fit back then. So, in that case we are very lucky the guys found a way to rework and release it all. Cause hottdamn, these are so intense and so good once again. We already mentioned that circling aspect, but it is so prevalent on this record and it seems to do so around every conceived theme. They often feel like giant improvisations that immediately turned into a full-fledged rock song. And then there is the meaning behind it all, the bigger picture, the larger legacy; so well described by Jasper from that great No Man’s Valley outfit and his own Weirdo Shrine blog: “The band at least spoke out, had their say. It might not be too late for us. But if it is, and some future civilization will dig out this record they will hear a perfect echo of what this age of man was about: what great powers of creation we possess, and what great powers of destruction at the same time.” The album we find on Number 12 is yet another warning and another great moment in music…

 

Motorpsycho – Kingdom of Oblivion

 

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Number 12

 

 

Number 12

Our infatuation with Chaotic Divine by REZN which we found on Number 13 grows by the day and so does our love for the Number 12 album. Another one of those albums that skyrocketed to the Number 1 position of the Doom Charts. It’s been five years, but now they’re back with a super album from what you can call a supergroup! Comprised out of members that already earned their heavy spurs on band such as Roadsaw, Elder, Rozamov and Black Pyramid. The seven tracks on their new album are heady, heavy, punchy, proggy and powerful. There is all sorts of heavy here that can all be taken at face value, but better experienced as a whole. And a whole it is; it feels round, complete and perfectly layered. It will submerge you into your own inner sphere and it will prod your psyche into every possible direction. It will do so aggressively without turning it into a violent act or violate any part of your mind, body or soul. There is something about this album that will resonate much longer than you might expect; in fact… It might resonate with you, with me and everybody who might come in touch with this album for as long as they will live… And then it will ring on into eternity… On Number 12 we find:

 

Kind – Mental Nudge

 

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Ripple Music

Number 12

Number 12

A mere five points difference between Howling Giant on Number 13 and the album we find on Number 12. A duo that manages to sound huge, loud yet very contained within they space they define. A drum sound that clashes against the walls like gigantic waves; a compelling and distorted bass over which the almost ethereal voice floats and shines and gives air to the immense stoner doom that just continues to wash and tumble over you. Dark by default the continuation of each of the melodies keeps you on the edge of the abyss, never pushing you over, never exploding and holding a tight grip on one of your extremities. It is an unholy push and pull, that only really whips you into a different state when the title track rolls around. A Stand out track if ever there weas one and complete different from all that came before and comes after; sinister, raw, punky and venomous. Released early November through Prophecy Productions it immediately struck a chord with all the heavy music fiends out there and they took heed of the coming year… On Number 12 we find!  

Year Of The Cobra – Ash And Dust

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Number 12

Number 12

Messa and their Feast For Water album definitely brought us some great jazzy darkness on Number 13. But we now jump ten points to reach Number 12. A position once again occupied by two bands and their two albums. Both of them soared high on the Doom Charts; but one of them bit higher than the other. And both albums will get you high as well. As master Lucas stated: “They already cemented their place in the doom / sludge hall of fame, their newly minted fifth album is like a summary or showcase of everything the band does: Pounding, bludgeoning riffs, punctuated by thunderous, ponderous rhythms and otherworldly shouted vocals. It just so happens that this album showcases those elements in the best form possible. This is a creative peak for the band, one that will seem impossible to follow-up until some new sonic element is introduced.” And Chris Latta of Indy Metal Vault stated on the Doom Charts about the other album: “It wouldn’t surprise me if it ends up being the best-known album of their career. The revamped dynamic results in the group’s most accessible songwriting and their musicianship retains the power that made Relic so enjoyable. I do wish they had squeezed To the Wolves or another similarly direct chugger in here, but that’s hardly a deal-breaker. The band is getting bigger every day and it doesn’t look like the momentum will be stopping anytime soon.” And we agree with both of them! Number 12 is occupied by…

Forming the void – Rift

&

Conan – Existential Void Guardian