It’s the return of our favorite end-of-year series, and since 2023 has been such a fantastic vintage for all things heavy, we decided to team up with some of the coolest artists in the stoner and doom scene to present their favorite records released this year. Let’s kick off with Athens’ most crushing riff wielders Acid Mammoth!
1. Saint Karloff “Paleolithic War Crimes” (Majestic Mountain Records)
After their absolute masterpiece “Interstellar Voodoo”, which is undoubtedly in our minds one of the best (if not the best) one-song albums out there, Saint Karloff are back with another banger. This one is heavier than its predecessor, more “paleolithic” like the title suggests. This album takes you on a trip and slaps you in the face every moment of its runtime. It’s got this old school vibe in it, and from the first note till the last, you are bombarded by killer riffs that are spicier than the spiciest hot sauce. If you want to be overtaken by epic ape man riffs, fantastic old school solos, mad drumming and killer vocals, this is your album, but make sure you check the rest of their discography as well!
2. Ahab “The Coral Tombs” (Napalm Records)
“God help thee, old man, thy thoughts have created a creature in thee”! This beast came out of nowhere, when we least expected it. “Holy shit!” we said. “Ahab have just released a new album” we shouted, and we immediately ran to listen to it in its entirety. Suffice it to say, we had a whale of a time (wink wink) listening to this record. “The Call of the Wretched Sea” was one of our most listened albums in high school and it will always have a special place in our hearts, but “The Coral Tombs” is just as awesome and majestic. There are some things in this world that are certain: the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, water freezes at 0 degrees Celsius and boils at 100, and when Ahab releases a new album you know for certain it’s going to be amazing.
3. Slomatics “Strontium Fields” (Black Bow Records)
“Strontium Fields” is so heavy that it should be outlawed for posing a serious gravitational hazard. It could seriously affect the Earth’s poles and force us to relocate on the Moon. No idea how they managed to record this without the entire building block collapsing from the “BWOOONG BWOOONG”! The guitar work is superb, as are the vocals which always feel like they’re telling a story. The artwork is equally awesome and visually represents the music, adding an extra layer of doominess.
4. Black Rainbows “Superskull” (Heavy Psych Sounds)
Black Rainbows never disappoint. You know that every time they release a new album, it’s going to be a super fun thrill ride. If you find yourself down in the dumps due to the stress and inconveniences of everyday life, putting this record on is going to lift you up and put a smile on your face. We are relieved this album exists; it can cure your stress and soothe your mashed potato brain after a hard day’s work. So do yourself a favor and as soon as you are home, order 3 pizzas, grab 4 beers, put this album on the turntable, chill on the sofa, and enjoy!!! P.S. Their music sounds even better live, by the way!
5. 1782 “Clamor Luciferi” (Heavy Psych Sounds)
If you’ve ever played old school video games such as “Planescape Torment” or “Medievil”, we guarantee this album should have been the soundtrack. Heavy, unholy, wretched riffs overtake your brain and take it for a spin. Imagine yourself alone in a misty, ancient graveyard. Hands of the undead are popping out of the soil where ancient graves used to be, calling for your flesh. This is what 1782 sound like, and with this new album, they take you on an even heavier trip. So upon listening to this album, make sure you have some money on you, cause if you’re listening to it on the turntable after midnight, you find a mirror and say “666” three times, the ferryman of Hades will appear out of nowhere and take you on a voyage across the ethereal unholy plane.
6. Seer of the Void “Mantra Monolith” (Venerate Industries)
Did you ever hear the story of the Seer of the Void? I thought so, it is a story the Mammoths would tell you. It’s a doom legend. The Seer of the Void was a seer so heavy and so rad that he could use the fuzz to influence the decibels produced from the amps to create… Doom!!! Not to continue quoting Chancellor Palpatine, but in our heads, this album feels like 50s horror cinema. Everything is presented straight to your face. There’s nothing obscure or metaphorical to be speculated or implied. Everything in this album should be taken at face value and that’s what’s awesome about it. Is it possible to learn this power? Maybe, but you can surely get it on vinyl!
7. Sadhus, The Smoking Community “Illegal Sludge” (Ouga Booga & the Mighty Oug Recordings)
The monster has risen from the swamp, and it is hungry! This fuzzy abomination is so filthy and awesome you need it in your life ASAP. It will make your head explode, and its riffs will hit you like a punch to the face by Mike Tyson in his prime. This band excels live, thus this is transmitted to their studio albums. “Illegal Sludge” has this vibrant, live feeling, as if the band is playing the album right in front of you. It will make your neck hurt and its sonic impact will shake every bone in your body.
8. Witchthroat Serpent “Trove of Oddities at the Devil’s Driveway” (Heavy Psych Sounds)
This album has been on our heavy rotation for a while. It’s catchy as hell, and it has been a faithful companion on trips, flights and drives. This album is an overkill of vampiric, fuzzy doom. Bloodthirsty riffs, compact and face-melting. It will either drive you mad, or it will make you see the light. It knows exactly what it wants, and it delivers. 0% filler, 666% killer! Well done lads!
9. Wizard Master “Ablanathanalba” (Electric Valley Records)
We love this album for the very same reasons we love Witchthroat Serpent. Fuzz, evil wizardry, catchy as hell riffs that will get stuck in your brain. This album’s guitar work is one we really enjoy. Sometimes simplistic and monolithic is the way to go. We really love the way the two guitars communicate with each other, even amidst the rad fuzzy chaos, the guitars talk back and forth and complement each other, like a villainous chant between two wizards preparing an evil spell.
10. Asteroid Witch & Greenseeker Split (Electric Valley Records)
While there are a few more full-length albums we loved and could include on this list, we felt that it would be a cooler idea to talk about this split release, which we absolutely enjoyed. We loved Greenseeker’s album “The Wish”, and their songs featured in this split are just as magical. We love their vocals & their use of keyboards in their songs; they exhibit this magic vintage vibe which makes their sound even cooler. Also rad are the guitar solos. As for Asteroid Witch, we must confess we didn’t know them prior to this split. Their side of the split is also awesome, it packs a punch and it’s filled with killer spacey solos and catchy jams. These bands together make for a delightful listen which we totally recommend! Furthermore, the artwork of this split is fantastic, it looks like something out of DnD edition 3.5!
Find Acid Mammoth on Bandcamp, their official website and Instagram
Last modified: 7 December 2023
