Another year is done and gone. Highlights of my year were – one year wedding anniversary, started a new job, trips to Connecticut/Big Bend/Salt Lake City, doing the cover artwork for the legendary James Rivera's new single, and went to tons of great shows. There was also lots of great new music that came out this year. I probably missed some, but these are the ones that made the biggest impression on me. Check ‘em out and please support these awesome bands/artists by buying their records. Cheers!
Funeral Chic – Roman Candle (Prosthetic Records) – A ferocious offering from start to finish with subtlety and beauty in between by this Charlotte, NC outfit. They smashed punk, crust, metal, blues, and rock into the perfect amalgamation. The record ends with a killer cover of Roky Erickson’s “Two Headed Dog”. https://funeralchic.bandcamp.com/
Sasquatch – Fever Fantasy (MadOak Records) – The kings of stoner-groove serve us another flawless platter of boogie. The L.A power-trio always brings the goods and ‘Fever Fantasy’ is no exception. https://store.sasquatchrock.us/music
Cannons – Fever Dream (Sony Music) – Another sultry, sexy, and beautiful album by this L.A indie-electropop trio. Michelle’s voice is buttery smooth. A great record to knock boots to. https://www.cannonstheband.com/
Blind Sun – Under Them Stones (Self Released) – A great new band from Athens, Greece. The country has been a major hot-bed for many years for great bands and especially in the stoner-rock genre. Bluesy, psychedelic, stoner-rock with beautiful female vocals on top. https://blindsun.bandcamp.com/music
Mount Saturn – O, Great Moon (Self Released) – An amazing quartet from Bellingham, WA. Violet’s voice is so commanding, huge, and powerful. Slow to mid-tempo epic doomy stoner-rock. https://mountsaturn.bandcamp.com/music
Stone Axe – Stay Of Execution (Ripple Music) – The illustrious musical journey-man, Tony Reed, does it again with one of many of his plethora of projects. The Port Orchard, WA group drips with classic-rock deliciousness. Dru’s voice reminds me of Coverdale-era Deep Purple. https://stoneaxe.bandcamp.com/music
End Boss – They Seek My Head (Self Released) – A fantastic record from this band from New Zealand. An absolute gem of stoner-rock greatness. See my full review here – https://lunchlog2001.wixsite.com/mysite/post/end-boss-they-seek-my-head
Weedevil – The Return (Self Released) – Sludgy doomy stoner-rock from Sao Paulo, Brazil with awesome female vocals to counter the crushing heaviness. https://weedevil.bandcamp.com/
Blue Heron – Ephemeral (Blues Funeral) – Prog-tinged stoner-rock from Albuquerque, NM. A pummeling rhythm section, huge riffs, and powerful vocals. An incredible full length debut that will knock your socks off. https://blueheronabq.bandcamp.com/music
Demonauta – Low Melodies About Chaos (Self Released) – From Santiago, Chile comes a stunning combination of psych, prog, and stoner-rock. The trio weaves a brilliant sonic tapestry that takes the listener through a journey of awesome peaks and valley’s. https://demonauta.bandcamp.com/music
Godzilla Was Too Drunk To Destroy Tokyo – Self Titled (Self Released) – A raucous and really fun album from this band from Genoa, Italy. Really catchy garage rock with punk tendencies. https://godzillawastoodrunktodestroytokyo.bandcamp.com/music
Foot – You Are Weightless (Copper Feast Records) – The boys from Melbourne, Australia bring us another fabulous album of stoner-rock with a 90’s rock glaze. Moody and lilting and powerful at the same time. https://footmelb.bandcamp.com/music
Geezer – Stoned Blues Machine (Heavy Psych Sounds) – As the title indicates…this is a killer bluesy fuzz-fest from the Kingston, NY stoner-rock kings. Brooding, heavy, and hypnotizing. https://geezertown.bandcamp.com/
Hemptress – Fast Times (Self Released) – Kick-ass party-stoner-rock from Kamloops, British Columbia. Foot stompin good fun. Blast it with the windows down. https://hemptressband.bandcamp.com/music
Stoner – Totally (Heavy Psych Sounds) – The ultra-prolific Brant Bjork and Nick Oliveri bring us a serious groove-fest. One mellow stoner-rock anthem after another. https://stonerband.bandcamp.com/releases
Valley Of The Sun – The Chariot (Ripple Music) – Another great one from this quartet from Cincinnati, OH. Melodic stoner-rock with 90’s rock elements. https://ripplemusic.bandcamp.com/album/the-chariot
Waste A Saint – Hypercarnivore (Self Released) – This band from Trondheim, Norway combines a vast array of influences from 60’s and 70’s rock to grunge and stoner-rock. It’s an extremely enjoyable ride. https://wasteasaint.bandcamp.com/album/hypercarnivore
Witchpit – The Weight Of Death (Heavy Psych Sounds) – Hailing from Spartanburg, SC, these guys bring some awesome doom-sludge-metal. Gritty and swampy and hella-fun. Was fortunate to see them live opening for Weedeater. https://witchpit.bandcamp.com/album/the-weight-of-death
Mountains – Tides End (Self Released) – It’s been five years since this great
band put out an album. 2017’s “Dust In The Glare” was amazing and “Tides End” is a fantastic progression. A great blend of alt-rock, prog, and fuzz. Beautiful melodies and atmosphere. https://mountains-uk.bandcamp.com/
Inhuman Condition – Fearsick (Listenable Insanity Records) – Old school Tampa, FL death-metal from this super-group consisting of Jeramie Kling, Taylor Nordberg, and Terry Butler. Essentially a continuation of the mighty Massacre. https://inhumancondition.bandcamp.com/
Fugitive – Maniac (Self Released) – An incredible slab of death-thrash from Fort Worth, TX consisting of members from Powertrip, Creeping Death, and Skourge. Mid-tempo stompers perfect for the pit. https://fugitivetx.bandcamp.com/releases
Commoner – I (Self Released) – Musical thunder from Norwich, UK. Gargantuan riffs and burly bellowing vocals. It’s doomy, crusty, sludgy metal. Really cool cover artwork too. https://commoner666.bandcamp.com/album/i
Clutch – Sunrise On Slaughter Beach (Weathermaker Music) – This American heavy-rock institution is poised to be the next legendary legacy act. They always deliver high quality output and this record is no exception. One banger after another. https://www.pro-rock.com/
Goatwhore – Angels Hung From The Arches Of Heaven (Metal Blade) – Louisiana’s sons of blackened-death-n-roll are back with a bludgeoning new offering. It’s got all the trademark components that we all love about this band – blistering riffs, pounding precision drums, chugging bass, and gnarly vitriol from the throat. http://www.goatwhore.net/
Nikki Lane – Denim And Diamonds (New West Records) – The outlaw-country queen returns with a wonderful collection of catchy and memorable real country songs. She’s got a great voice, she’s a great performer, and her band is awesome. https://www.nikkilane.com/
Tony Martin – Thorns (Dark Star Records) – This man doesn’t get the credit he deserves. I especially love his work on the Black Sabbath records – “Headless Cross” and “Eternal Idol”. He has an amazing voice and his vocal performance on this new solo album along with the awesome band that backs him up is really friggin good. There’s heavy numbers and acoustic stuff. It’s just a really good rock record. https://darkstarrecords.net/artists/tony-martin/
Sumerlands – Dreamkiller (Relapse Records) – The second record from Arthur Rizk and company’s trad-metal outfit. They have a new singer on this one and I have to say I vastly prefer Phil Swanson on the mic from the first album. With that said, this album is still really good. Soaring melodies and chorus’s, brilliant lead guitar acrobatics, and a thumping rhythm section. Extremely memorable and catchy songs. https://sumerlands.bandcamp.com/album/dreamkiller
Thal - Swarm The Mandala (Overlook Hotel Records) – Vince Green is back with another soulful yet muscular platter of heavy-rock. His voice is deep and passionate and when combined with the powerful instrumentation, it’s a win-win. https://thal.bandcamp.com/album/swarm-the-mandala
Destroyer 666 – Never Surrender (Season Of Mist) – The Australian war-metal masters return with a fiery new full length to stride into battle with. Venomous yet catchy full-throttle metal. https://www.season-of-mist.com/release/never-surrender/
49 Winchester – Fortune Favors The Bold (New West Records) – Awesome record from this Castlewood, VA country band. They wonderfully blend country, rock, and soul. Really tight and strong musicianship. https://49winchester.com/
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