Taraban – How the East Was Lost Pretty blown away with this one. This came up late in 2019 as a mighty high recommendation from some of the other Doom Charts contributors, even making some end of the year lists. I only got around to listening to it in mid-January, 2020 and can say I am quite blown away at the elegantly executed hard progressive rock. Its heavy, trippy, and elegant all in one package. Potential to grow even better with more listens.
Gypsybyrd – Eye of the Sun Gypsybyrd ascends the hazy Texas skyline with a commanding bass-line, reverberated vocal tone, and lysergic groove. A desert caravan of riffs blazing through smokey rays of bloodshot sun.
Ozymandias - Cake I’m quite a bit blown away here. Just now finding this in 2020 and really digging on the serrated punk chops harmonized by melodic grunge and occult noize. Every song elevates the blood pressure as it plays on. Got that first time feels big time.
The Goners – Demo The occult-driven, tripped-out garage tones mangle with metallic riffs, queazy vocals and punk-tinged spirit. Sounds like Southern CA stoner-punk wasted on sweet, Swedish cheeba.
Not only is this Demo a kick in the ass, the full-length debut coming out in March on Riding Easy Records is something to keep on your radar. I’ve heard an early listen and the vinyl is pre-ordered. Holy shit balls.
Mister Earthbound – Head For Death This is right down my alley. Surfy atmosphere, druggy undertones and bluesy angst all wrapped up with a surly, psychedelic swagger.
Isles of Mars – Isles of Mars Holy god damn shit!!! What we have here folks is true blue proto-doom for daze. Finds a way to echo past legends but sounding fresh and exciting as if it was February 13, 1970 in the United Kingdom. That groove, those drums, and the uber smooth vocals crooning along to those retro inspired guitar riffs. Like Graveyard went to the beauty parlor and came out drunk and chic. Favorite track: Black Tongue.
Pastor – Unveil Holy hell, this is amazing. A thick layer of proto-doom pulsing with rhythm and bleeding with charismatic groove. It doesn’t get any better than this. Mind = blown!
Hot Lava Monster – The End Cometh The End Cometh is certainly a massive output of hard rocking blues, heavy on the twang and hearty on the soul. This feels like 2 albums but maintains its strength through and through.
The Good the Bad and the Zugly – Algorithm and Blues Fusing the hook-brimmed chants of Kvelertak, the ballad-eyed chorus’ runs of Jimmy Eat World with a grated punk-rock punch, the GBZ assault us with a sarcastically accurate portrayal of the algorithmic approach we scroll along to in our millennial minds on this new album.
Abronia – The Whole of Each Eye This is touching me in all the right places. The steel guitar brings an alluring Americana cosmos, while and enchanting touch. On one song, My wife claimed it could be the soundtrack to 'Game of Thrones'. She’s not wrong. A very well written and captivating listen. Favorite track: Cross The Hill.
Moonstone - Moonstone Moonstone has an ever so faint Sabbath guitar tone riffing along with its own super heavy, low and slow, captivating ring. Dig it.
-The Huntsman