2020 will go down in modern history as one of the most miserable in memory. Covid, civil unrest, and an embarrassing and pathetic president all contributed to a pretty horrid year. At the same time, one cannot lose sight of the fact that a large segment of us (me included) didn’t have it as bad as others. Many people lost their jobs or had to go to work due to no other choice or being in critical job functions. For me…working from home every day has been awesome and I dread the day that I have to drive to the office again. I’m so thankful to have not been alone this year. My incredible partner and companion, Debbie, made the year so much easier. The one huge thing that was missing and caused much sadness is the absence of live music and seeing beloved venues and artists struggling to remain open and active. Despite that, there was significant and amazing new music made which gave this challenging year an awesome soundtrack. And I’m full of gratitude to the musicians/artist/performers who provided that output. Please support them by buying their music and merch. The list is in no particular order
1. Lousy Riders – End Of Light (Self Released) – An absolutely stellar sophomore release by this Canadian duo. Please see my full review here - https://lunchlog2001.wixsite.com/mysite/post/lousy-riders-end-of-light
2. King Chiefs – Flying Into Void (Roosevelt Row Records) – Paul Valle is back with another masterpiece of a record. Beauty, passion, majesty, and heaviness at its finest. Please see my full review here - https://lunchlog2001.wixsite.com/mysite/post/king-chiefs-flying-into-void
3. Armored Saint – Punching The Sky (Metal Blade) – The Los Angeles legends return with their 9th full length studio record. John Bush’s voice still sounds amazing and while the early records are untouchable in their classic Heavy Metal sound; this album cements Bush/Vera as great song-writers. Big hooks, thick grooves, thoughtful lyrics, and great musicianship. The Saint marches on! http://www.armoredsaint.com/
4. Kind – Mental Nudge (Ripple Music) – The second album from this Boston Stoner Rock super-group is a gem. Comprised of members and ex-members of Roadsaw, Elder, Black Pyramid, and Rozamov. One kick-ass anthem after another dripping in killer slow to mid-tempo grooves that will keep your head bobbing and foot tapping. https://ripplemusic.bandcamp.com/album/mental-nudge
5. Cobra Thief – Animal Oxygen (Self Released) – Super fun Stoner Rock record from this Portland Oregon outfit. Spacey fuzzed out jams a plenty. This is their second full length and sonically more beefy than their debut full length with more mature arrangements and song-writing. https://cobrathief.bandcamp.com/album/animal-oxygen
6. Kitchen Witch – Earth and Ether (Self Released) – Yet another delightful sophomore release on my list with this one coming from the Land Down Under. Gorgeous vocals atop a fuzzy Stoner Rock chassis full of killer grooves. https://kitchenwitch.bandcamp.com/album/earth-and-ether-full-length-lp
7. Elephant Tree – Habits (Self Released) – A fantastic blend of Prog, Doom, Shoe-gaze and Stoner Rock from London UK. Eight exquisite tracks of superb harmonies, textures, and heaviness. Perfect soundtrack for a lazy, rainy and smoke filled day. https://elephanttreeband.bandcamp.com/album/habits
8. Hum – Inlet (Earth Analog Records) – Fans of this band have been clamoring for new music for a long long time and our wishes were fulfilled with this absolute masterpiece. Huge bellowing riffs collide with shimmering beauty. A monumental come-back from this Illinois quartet. https://humband.bandcamp.com/releases
9. Familiars – All In Good Time (Self Released) – A superb release from this Ontario Canada trio. They combine elements of Stoner Rock, Shoe-gaze, and Psychedelia to form a sound of their own called – Canadiana. It’s a wonderful ride of mellow stuff, heavy stuff, huge grooves, and downright beauty. https://familiarsmusic.bandcamp.com/
10. The Brunswick – Contrapasso (Self Released) – A great power trio from Nashville, TN. A solid and fun blend of Grunge, Stoner Rock, and Fuzz. Punchy and memorable songs that will stick with you. https://thebrunswick.bandcamp.com/album/contrapasso
11. Forming The Void – Reverie (Ripple Music) – Louisiana’s sons of soaring swampy Stoner Rock return with a majestic new album. More focused and mature and full of masterful song-writing and musicianship prowess. From dirge-like slow lumbering numbers to mid-tempo groovers and tinges of Middle Eastern texture thanks to their uber-talented guitarist Shadi Omar Al-Khansa. https://formingthevoid.bandcamp.com/
12. Foot – The Balance Of Nature Shifted (Copper Feast Records) – Australia’s Foot return with a Stoner Rock slab of epic proportions with flourishes of Prog and Psychedelia. https://footmelb.bandcamp.com/album/the-balance-of-nature-shifted
13. Witchskull – A Driftwood Cross (Rise Above Records) – Another incredible record from Australia. Witchskull has been producing consistent output for a while now and this album, like its predecessors, is full of herculean riffs and earth quaking bass and drums. The Ozzy-esque vocal delivery harkens to Sabbath. This is a monstrous record. https://www.witchskull.com/
14. Dool – Summerland (Prophecy) – Dark moody psychedelic Rock from Rotterdam, Netherlands. A killer second album that is full of epic arrangements that take the listener on a diverse journey of peaks and valleys. https://dool-nl.bandcamp.com/album/summerland
15. Anna Burch – If You’re Dreaming (Polyvinyl Records) – The second album from this ultra-cute singer/song-writer. This effort is a little more mellow than her debut and showcases a bit more of an introspective side. Light lilting melodies and airy textures that glide from one song to the next. Pretty songs by a very pretty girl. https://annaburchmusic.com/
16. Dua Lipa – Future Nostalgia (Warner Records) – This girl is so friggin sexy and her second album is a hella-fun modern Pop/Disco record bursting with thumping beats, catchy choruses, and sultry vocals. https://www.dualipa.com/
17. The Heavy Eyes – Love Like Machines (Self Released) – Its been five years since this Memphis, TN outfit put out a record and this is such an awesome come-back. Swaggery Southern Boogey Stoner Rock at its finest. https://theheavyeyesmemphis.bandcamp.com/album/love-like-machines
18. Earth Drive – Helix Nebula (Raging Planet) – Second full length album from this great band from Montijo, Portugal. Spacey fuzzy psych-rock with awesome vocals and rumbling low end. https://earthdrive.bandcamp.com/album/helix-nebula
19. Puta Volcano – Amma (Self Released) – The third full length from this fantastic Greek quartet. Anna’s voice is amazing and she sings her ass off with commanding authority over a backdrop of stellar Desert/Stoner Rock played by a bunch of dudes with serious chops. https://putavolcano.bandcamp.com/album/amma
20. Lowrider – Refractions (Blues Funeral Records) – The legendary Swedes return after 20 years with an epic Stoner Rock classic. Lush vocals, syrupy and gargantuan riffs, and a throbbing rhythm section lend to stellar return that has been a long time coming. https://lowriderofficial.bandcamp.com/album/refractions
21. Aubrie Sellers – Far From Home (Self Released) – The daughter of Jason Sellers and Lee Ann Womack returns with her second album. A beautiful girl with a beautiful voice. She marries true Country with Rock to craft gorgeous and memorable songs that will stand out as timeless classics. https://www.aubriesellers.com/
22. Dixie Goat – There’s No Light Without Darkness (Self Released) – An absolutely rippin release from Chile. Famed producer Jack Endino mastered this mighty slab of riff tonnage. The band name definitely lends itself to the obvious influence of American Southern Stoner Rock and these guys pay homage to the genre very well. Eight tracks of colossal riffs, whiskey-soaked vocals, and memorable arrangements which make this album a serious repeater. https://dixiegoat.bandcamp.com/album/theres-no-light-without-darkness
23. El Rojo – El Diablo Rojo (Karma Conspiracy Records) – A huge Stoner Rock record from Italy. Bellowing vocals, chugging riffs a plenty, and a pulsating rhythm section. Really catchy songs and they do a great cover of Sasquatch’s “Dragonfly”. https://elrojostoner.bandcamp.com/album/el-diablo-rojo
24. Kult Of The Wizard – Gold (Self Released) – A truly epic album by this Minneapolis band. Mahle Roth’s voice is so beautiful and majestic. As indicated on their BandCamp page, this is truly meant to be listened as a whole from start to finish. It’s a fabulous journey through mid-tempo groove, haunting minimal passages, and slow doom. https://kultofthewizard.bandcamp.com/
25. 10 Code – Ride (Self Released) – Full throttle Grunge Stoner Rock from Athens, Greece. Great soundtrack to barrel down the highway with the top down. Eight tracks of high energy mid-tempo stomp. https://10code.bandcamp.com/
26. Eternal Champion – Ravening Iron (No Remorse Records) – Fantasy Metallers, Eternal Champion, return with their long awaited second album. Despite the swords and dragons imagery and lyrical content, the band does it with incredible class and prowess. There’s no cheesiness or tribute parody on this molten slab of kick-ass Metal. Booming sonic production, dizzying and thrashy guitar work, and powerful majestic vocals. https://eternalchampion.bandcamp.com/album/ravening-iron
27. Flow Factory aka Double F – SP To LP (Self Released) – Killer Hip-Hop EP by this hometown Houston crew. Slick production provides stellar musicality and the rhymes are off the chain. There’s some East Coast sensibility along with Southern fried flow. Andre King’s spoken-word intro is beautifully poetic. Crank it and get ready to bounce. https://flowfactoryakadoublef.bandcamp.com/releases
28. Cannons – Shadows (Columbia) – Dreamy Electro-Pop with sweet sexy sultry vocals. Ethereal and mid-tempo enough to get busy on the dance floor to or to get busy in between the sheets to. https://www.cannonstheband.com/
29. Testament – Titans Of Creation (Nuclear Blast) – The titans of Thrash return once again with a molten slab of Metal. One of the finest old-guard units still firing on all cylinders. Metal musicianship that is unparalleled and heavy as fuck. https://www.testamentlegions.com/site/
30. Benediction – Scriptures (Nuclear Blast) – Old school Birmingham UK Death Metal masters return with a new album after 12 years. Beefy classic groove-laden Death Metal the way it should be played. Kam Lee makes a guest vocal appearance on one of the tracks. Horns up and bang your head. https://www.nuclearblast.com/en/music/band/about/70916.benediction.html
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