LAGUNA - DOGMA

 

 

LAGUNA - DOGMA
Self-released - March the 2020
Sludge, Stoner, Doom, Prog
Rated: ****

DOGMA is 2020's single from Barcelona's LAGUNA, and is a dynamic and caustic mix of doom and sludge. Though Covid threw their tour plans and hype plans to the wayside, it's never too late for LAGUNA's top notch heavy. The four piece's latest creeps forward with a seductive start of dusty western guitar, and the minimalism and mood make the explosive second track "Dogma Pt. II" that much more visceral. The razor sharp drumming marches forth beneath eerie shared vocals, and the chugging build eventually gives way to an explosion of stop-start sludge riffs and growls. The insistent push continues in "Dogma Pt. III", with vocals falling firmly in the sludge realm, and the churning weight of the guitar is given added flavor by Eastern melodies. A particular highlight is the blazing desert rock solo towards the end of Pt. III that lights a fire under the track. LAGUNA bring a fresh, unrelenting take on sludge that has as much groove and movement as it does aggro crush, and proves the four piece are ones to keep a close eye on.

(Written by Shasta Beast)

Bandcamp

Spotify

Instagram

Facebook

The Doom Chart for January 2021

 

 

Doom Charts

    “Music doesn’t lie. If there’s something to be changed in this world, then it can only happen through music...”  ~ Jimi Hendrix

Be the change they always say… The world is a crazy place right now no matter what side of the spectrum you reside. Rather than dwell on the negatives, we try and focus on the positives as evidenced each and every month here at the Doom Charts. Bringing that powerful change via the power of music.

2021 kicks off in high gear with nearly 250 albums in the running, mostly new and hot off the press. 24 of 25 abums debuting the charts. One of the team’s most engaging months in quite some time indicates our team is eager and willing to continue doing what we do to bring you our favorite picks every month. Year over year quality improvement seems to be holding consistent in the heavy underground scene and certainly, January 2021 is here to prove it!

2021 starts of with a righteous bang! The first edition of 2021! The January Doom Charts! Personal favorites were Spelljammer, IBLISS, Komatsu, VOKONIS, WALL, STARIFIED, Miss Lava, Blackjack Mountain & Monstroid... But gonna run through all of the albums listed once again starting with Heavy Relic! And I'm pretty sure I'm gonna love'm all once I'm done! There are even two I haven't heard yet! So, let's check'm out! Check'm all out!

Welcome to Doom Charts, representing some of the finest bloggers, journalists, radio, podcasters and album reviewers from the heavy underground around the globe.  Each month, our critics submit their picks for the best new doom, sludge metal, stoner-psychedelic 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…

The Doom Chart for January 2021

Froglord – Save The Frogs

 

 

Froglord – Save The Frogs
The Swamp Records – 2021
Metal, Doom, Sludge, Stoner
Rated: ****

The Froglord is ancient amphibian as old as time itself. Sent to watch over planet Earth and maintain the balance of nature, Froglord sleeps dormant, reborn every 10,000 years. Bestowed with the power to fire a deathray from its third eye, secrete ectoplasmic slime, and control the minds of its victims, Froglord uses whatever means to restore the natural harmony of Earth.  Well… One man stoner sludge project Froglord has been pretty prolific during the lockdown. Cause Save The Frogs is already the fourth EP and all of them are adding awareness to a public charity that works to conserve global amphibian populations through campaigning and education. What a wonderful effort and what a lovely four track EP! And for Save The Frogs they’ve decided to set a goal and try and raise a certain amount of save those amphibious lovelies… So, Save The Frogs indeed!  But musically this charity concept endeavor isn’t just for laughs, the doom metal, sludge and stoner is of a damn high level and the Froglord knows how to go low and muddy and filthy. It’s good, it’s damn good and it has a everything a stoner toad could need! So, head on over to the bandcamp site and save some frogs!  

(Written by JK)

Bandcamp

Facebook

Save The Frogs

Stoner HiVe’s Top 10 Most Listened Albums Last Month

 

 

Stoner HiVe’s 

Top 10 Most Listened Albums Last Month

Komatsu
Miss Lava
Mojave Lords
Hvalross
Starified
Heavy Feather
Here Lies Man
Hypernaut
Monstroid
Ghost Frog

Thammuz – Into The Great Unknown

 

 

Thammuz – Into The Great Unknown
Self released – 2020
Rock, Stoner, Metal, Psych
Rated: ****

Comprised out of members from Dreckneck and Fuzzboar, this newest Dutch incarnation of the heavy stuff is called Thammuz and their debut album Into The Great Unknown. The album was released in November 2020, jumped to the Number 2 position of the Doom Charts that month and has been spinning ever since. Grainy, stoney and dusty grooves all propelled by intense hardrock or metal riffs; psychedelic touches and the expert use of effects and snippets make this one hell of a ride into the unknown. We’ve got fast paced stompers, heavy trucking propellers and electric Kool-Aid burners like Slow. They all bring something different to the table; but they’re all done expertly well. All of it is very powerful stuff, nods to Kyuss or Monster Magnet are as satisfyingly unsettling as their modern take on all that goodness that came from the desert. Wild riffs, intense bass work and explosive drums all detonate with incandescent fuzzy splendor. Heavier, moodier and better. I guess, sometimes a new outfit might truly be more than the sum of their parts.

(Written by JK)

Bandcamp

Facebook

Instagram

Lucid Planet – Lucid Planet II

 

 

Lucid Planet – Lucid Planet II
Self released – 2020
Rock, Prog, Metal, Psych
Rated: *****

We mentioned Lucid Planet back in August 2020 on a Quick Fire Friday segment when they had just sent out the first single Anamnesis for their new album Lucid Planet II. The album is out now and it is every bit as good as we expected it to be. Or maybe even better. They’ve taken prog rock and sharpened it, they gave it an earthy spin and they added so many layers that the end result will have a dizzying effect, even on the most seasoned listener of progressive rock. We believe the members to have shamanistic qualities that give their intense technical prowess an unpretentious and totally natural edge. Tribalistic elements, the use of didgeridoo, it all adds to the transcendental nature of the entire record. While sounding entirely modern they thrust forward into a realm of spirit altogether more ancient and intuitive. And the spiritual journey takes no less than an hour and almost ten minutes to complete its circle and bite itself in the tail, like the alchemic symbol of infinity likes to do. Like every humming bird and bumblebee, every sunflower, cloud and every tree… Listening… From the magical rainforests to the highest peaks of the Himalaya, while listening, every corner of the earth seems to smile at me...

(Written by JK)

Homepage

Bandcamp

Youtube

Facebook

Instagram

Stoner HiVe’s Quick Fire Friday

 

 

Stoner HiVe’s Quick Fire Friday

Friday it is! Time for Quick Fire Friday! This time around we’re going all out and mentioning even more releases, ep’s and singles from 2020. Cause it is the final Friday of January! The final Quick Fire Friday in which we will entirely glance back towards that doomed year of 2020. After this we shall look forward, cause the 2021 releases are already piling up in the war room and inbox. So here it is, the  final Quick Fire Friday of January! And we know, we know, the albums and bands deserve more than the few words we will jot down here. More attention and more of our time! But there is so much out there and we just simply cannot ever do it all justice. So here it is. The Stoner HiVe Quick Fire Friday! And its burns hot like molten lava!

 

The Magic Bus – To Spiti tu Asteriona (The House of Asterion)

The Greek fourpiece The Magic Bus has been touring the country since 2017 and is about to release their debut album To Kastro (The Castle). And to give us all a taste they released a first single named Taksidi Entos (Inner Journey) in November and To Spiti tu Asteriona (The House of Asterion) in December 2020. With omniscient presence Valantis Dafkos in the line-up you never know what direction it might go. The man, also present in acts like Peculiar Three and Redeye Caravan, seems to be able to do it all. With Greek vocals the track will undoubtedly give off a warm air and with its grandiose gestures it will tell you exciting stories of faraway lands; even if you don’t speak Greek…  

Facebook

Youtube

F29 – F29

Atomic Zombie Records has been releasing a steady stream of grimy weirdness since they started back in 2015. The man behind it is Derek Neibarger and behind most of the releases on his label as well. And by sheer coincidence he is also the guy behind the one man project F29. Filthy, grungy, dank and dark, the debut eight track release is not for the faint hearted. It will slowly grind your soul to dust and incinerate your brain. And there are those moments in the week when we can all use some destruction!

Facebook

Bandcamp

Wordpress

Morpholith – Null Dimensions

The awesome Ozium Records is releasing the mighty two track Null Dimensions by Icelandic quintet Morpholith on vinyl. Two tracks filled with atmospheric, grimy, sludgy doom and proggy metal with an almost gothic feel. And with more amplifiers than bandmembers you know the Reykjavik outfit is loud and heavy. Very loud! And very heavy! O’ and if you have a cassette fetish visit Sludgelord Records for the Morpholith release!

Bandcamp

Facebook

Instagram

Ozium Records

Sludgelord Records

Switchblade Jesus – Death Hymns

We continue the trek to the all heavy and all noisy landscape with Death Hymns by three-piece Switchblade Jesus. Thrashy, speedy and sludgy, the seven tracks run you over in not even thirty  minutes and leave you breathless and overwhelmed. Indeed, Switchblade Jesus almost clubbers you to death like some caveman crazy! No drawings of silly mammoths or bison; no, it will be of evil Behemoths!

Homepage

Bandcamp

Facebook

Hydra – Live Session

We love Hydra and we love their From Light To The Abyss record released by Piranha Music back in August 2020. And due to the pandemic and all their shows being cancelled, they followed that up with a Live Session playing those tracks live and one new one called The Unholy Ceremony. Perfectly captured, we look around to see if there’s a line at the bar and how many coins we have left. And only then realize once again we are listening to this great stoner doom band from Poland in our war room. Loving it! And will be on heavy rotation over here!

Bandcamp

Facebook

Dr. Elephant’s Revolution – On Our Own

The first track on the new album On Our Own by two piece Dr. Elephant’s Revolution will not immediately pull you in. The slow atmospheric scene setter is by no means exemplary for the rest of the alternative, groove metal extravaganza we get afterwards. Canary In A Coal Mine is already incredibly addictive; and then the two march on with feverous energy. Stoner influences and all kinds of speedy crossover elements make this one hell of an entertaining adventure! All aboard!  

Facebook

Instagram

Homepage

Birds of Nazca – Birds of Nazca

Perhaps the best release we mention on this Quick Fire Friday session is the instrumental duo Birds of Nazca. Their self-titled eight track release nestles perfectly between all those heavy genres we all love so dearly. Yes, this is heavy fuzz, heavy psych, heavy stoner and high energy doom! Or as they like to call it themselves: doom ‘n roll! Once heard you will keep returning to this album and soar with it; high and mighty over the wide desert landscape!

Bandcamp

Facebook

The Meffs – Get Real

Well, lets Get Real for a second! Lets watch the video and learn all about life and more importantly The Meffs! A noisy Essex political punk duo that released their debut full-sized self-titled album in April of 2020. Well, we’re just in time to pay attention to this short and sweet punk release before their new single ‘You’ll See’ hits us smack dab between they eyes. And hey, their album in their own words: “Short enough that if you don't like it, it'll be over quickly. Long enough to get stuck in your nut.” Yowzah!

Bancamp

Youtube

Instagram

Facebook

Shit The Cow – Helvetespolkan

We’re still coming to grips with the awesome polka from hell as produced by Shit The Cow. Helvetespolkan is once again a gritty, intense and ramshackle stoner garage affair. Punky and primal, bluesy polka straight from purgatory. You’d better catch them quickly; cause they’ve got noise to deliver!

Homepage

Bandcamp

Facebook

Veritabel Fonogram

Yeti – The Pact

 

 

Yeti – The Pact
Self released – 2020
Rock, Hard, Doom, Psych, Proto, Occult, Metal
Rated: ***

I don’t know that much Finnish. Of course the most important ones I know might be Hilla, Tiistai, Kippis and Hiero Anka. But don’t worry, Yeti, the four-piece from Kemi, Finland sings in English and I just wanted to show off my wonderful grasp of the Finnish language. Formed in 2009 they released their first demo around 2013 and first official album The Ritual in 2015. We mentioned that highly diverse album back in December of that year and must conclude that it’s still a damn good release six years later. And the record entitled The Pact adds seven wild tracks to that earlier release. Turning more towards Doom and dipping heavier into the occult sound, the seven tracks move away from the folk touches of their earlier release. It’s still there, but in a lesser degree and mostly thanks to the slightly ethereal vocals of Kaisa Kari and tracks like 706. There is a small issue with the mix, we miss a bit of depth and fatness to the lower regions and this unfortunately makes the drums come across less intense on a few tracks. But if you turn the bass levels way up on your equalizer it will fix that. There also seems to be a bit of a weird cut-off at the end of third track Braveheart; it might be intentional, but then it will be even weirder. But even so, it’s still a damn good record! And yes, The Pact could have been a wild superlative metal opera…

(Written by JK)

Bandcamp

Facebook

Sönus – Worlds Undreamed Of

 

 

Sönus – Worlds Undreamed Of
Self released – 2020
Rock, Metal, Doom, Space
Rated: ****

On Worlds Undreamed Of, the first release by one-man project Sönus, David Wachsman, the man behind it all comes across as a Doom Metal poet, a Space Rock prophet and a troubadour of despair. Moving effortlessly from Dave Wyndorf inspired vocals and lyrics to Neil Young and back again, the man weaves a colorful tapestry full of adventurous rock that will have you explore the outer reaches of the universe as much as the inner workings of your heart and soul. For the journey will take you inwards and into a cellular level of contemplation. Which is exactly the right thing to do during this world wide pandemic. But don’t think there is only burdensome meditation and reflection here; for the rock is hard, the metal heavy and certain cartoon images are bound to pop up when you’re lying on the floor spacing out to Worlds Undreamed Of. Sönus is the art, we all need to pursue and clocking in at 33 minutes, it weaves it’s all of the bong-fueled psychedelia and space-rock passages into a stunning patchwork quilt. Simply put, it’s spiritually and audibly satisfying, beautiful poetry to go with its unhurried spacey prog.

(Written by JK)

Bandcamp

Facebook

Instagram


And I would think both Reek and Tony Madman Maim would dig the shit out of it! 

Spelljammer - Abyssal Trip

 

 

Spelljammer - Abyssal Trip
Riding Easy Records - February 2021
Doom, sludge, psych
Rated: ****

Five years in the making since their previous effort "Ancient of Days", Swedish trio Spelljammer return to Earth heavier than ever with their new album Abyssal Trip. The sci-fi theme of exploring the void is broadcast through monolithic slabs of slow, sludgy doom as the three-piece lumber and crush through six dense tracks. Opener "Bellwether" announces itself with squeals of feedback as it descends into an achingly slow stomp of gnarly distortion, laying the perfect foundation off which to launch into the raging "Lake". Furious drums and cymbal work ratchet up the tempo, hammering out wave after wave of riffs over grating vocals. Some solace is given in interludes of trippy psychedelia, but the calm soon gives way to a stunning solo that feels barely controlled as it wrenches and tears at the gravelly fuzz underneath. One of their many strengths is Spelljammer's ability to use tempo as an instrument in its own right, shifting through ponderous doom and blood-pumping pummel to make each track a captivating ride without losing the colossal tone. A particular highlight is closer "Silent Rift", a lesson in nod centered around one massive riff that easily bears the tune's considerable weight. The buried treasure, however, is the second half's epic solo that becomes increasingly chaotic, devolving and threatening to violently unravel the song itself. It's no question five years was worth the wait, and Spelljammer prove themselves space-age royalty with an album of finely crafted and titanically heavy doom and sludge.

(Written by Shastabeast)

Bandcamp

Facebook

Instagram

Stoner HiVe’s Top 10 Most Listened Albums Last Week

 

 

Stoner HiVe’s 

Top 10 Most Listened Albums Last Week

Mojave Lords
Hypernaut
Foo Fighters
Dozer
Miss Lava
Spelljammer
Vokonis
Starified
Komatsu
Around The Fire

Hypernaut – Ozymandias

 

 

Hypernaut – Ozymandias
Self released – 2020
Rock, Grunge, Alternative, Stoner, Metal, Punk
Rated: ****

When the Peruvian Hypernaut released their new record Ozymandias all those months ago, back in December 2020 we noticed all the different Doom Chart Contributors mentioning the album on their perspective websites, blogs and social media channels. We took notice and knew something cool would be going on, on those nine tracks. But since December is taken up by the Stoner HiVe Top 20 Countdown; we jotted the name down on a list of many to listen to once the Countdown would be done. And we have been doing that ever since! Man, what an album! Ozymandias starts off with a proper smash ‘n grab, action packed track called Panic Attack. It’s a prelude to all the speedy grunge and thrashy stoner that is coming your way on the other eight tracks. There is more Nirvana and Kyuss here than ever heard before in one place and all that mixed with some eighties metal influences and nineties alternative. Sublime melodies and punk-thick fuzz finish off any lingering resistance to this king of kings release. Listen to Hypernaut’s works, oh weirdos, and despair; for once the grand title track finale had dissipated into the sands of time; you will realize there is little as raw and as real as this out there. And to think this is only a debut…

(Written by JK)

Bandcamp

Facebook

Instagram

Wormhog – Yellow Sea

 

Wormhog – Yellow Sea
Self released – 2020
Rock, Prog, Metal, Stoner, Proto
Rated: ****

Today the origin of the universe is explained by proposing a big bang, a single event that instantly brought into being all the matter from which everything and everyone are made. The ancient Greeks had a different idea. They said that it all started not with a bang, but with chaos. Was chaos a god? A divine being? A simple state of nothingness? Whatever it was, I don’t know, I wasn’t there. I was there however for another kind of big bang! For they burst forth from that ancient democracy called Greece and took the December Doom Charts by storm. We’re talking about four-piece Wormhog and their first self-released full-sized album Yellow Sea. Recalling the early metal years with ease and infusing it all with loads of proggy elements and a majestic groove; the eight tracks on Yellow Sea use the fuzz to melt form into their compositions filled with hardrock and stoner riffs; swirling melodies and churning guitar lines. Rich, varied and with megalithic grace the tracks all fuse together to become this one entangled feeling of: ‘this is as good as it gets’. And like all ancient Greek heroes they will have known, in their bones for the past five years as they were working on this album that it was destined for greatness. Wormhog is the new star in the heavy cosmos... 

(Written by JK)

Bandcamp

Facebook