Three more months in the books. Summer has turned to Fall. And once again heavy music fans were treated to a ridiculous amount of exceptional new music from across the globe over the past three months. Thank you to all of the talented musicians making and sharing music. I’m in awe. Here are my top ten albums from July-Sept 2023.
10. Close Encounters
HEAVY PSYCH / HARD ROCK
Boston, MA, USA
There’s a touch of psychedelia. And some stoner vibes. But really, this is another good ole hard-hitting rock and roll album courtesy of Boston heavyweights Kind.
Ripple Music
09. Blurring the Lines of Reality
HEAVY PSYCH
Washington, DC, USA
Seven years and five records in, DC rockers Borracho know how to summon heavy, psychedelic, groovy vibes. The “Architects of Chaos” trilogy that makes up the first twenty minutes of this album is alone worth the price of admission. Blurring the Lines of Reality is their best work yet.
08. Sun King
HEAVY PSYCHEDELIC
Malmö, Sweden
Sweden’s Moon Coven return with a mesmerizing heavy psychedelic concoction brimming with tales of serpents, beheading kings, and eerie, fuzzed out riffs.
Ripple Music
07. Lost Season
STONER DOOM
Seattle, WA
Five dynamic songs, each clocking in at well over six minutes, Lost Season, the second album from Seattle trio Sorcia is a potent blend of distorted, sludgy blues-drenched riffs, plodding doomed rhythm, and imposing vocals.
Desert Records
06. Forest of the Sorrow
PROTO DOOM
Republic of Georgia
How have I not known about this band until now?! Dismyth serves up a a filthy, devastating barrage of crushing riffs, snarled vocals, and doomed grooves on their third full length studio release.
05. Hope Is Heavy
Pretoria, South Africa
STONER DOOM
Pretoria, South Africa
An intoxicating blend of stoner riffs, bluesy guitar solos, and expressive vocals create a dark, spacey atmosphere on Hope Is Heavy, the sophomore album from South Africa’s Acid Magus. Stoner doom just as I like it. And the album cover, by Tyrone Le Roux, , and the story behind it, is one of my favorites of the year.
Mongrel Records
04. Pressure
PROGRESSIVE DOOM
Lafayette, LA, USA
By the time you get through this sonic assault of crunchy, technical riffs and irresistible breakdowns from the two-man outfit Radiant Knife you’ll feel bruised, battered, and begging for more.
03. Doors to the Dead
STONER DOOM
Los Angeles, CA, USA
Hazy grooves lumber and build into dark, heavy riffs on Doors to the Dead, the sophomore studio release from Los Angeles trio Formation Ritual. Jason Tapia’s infectious vocals, and lyrics intertwine perfectly, creating a bluesy, psychedelic, grungy vibe.
02. STONE
STONER DOOM / PROGRESSIVE DOOM
Philadelphia, PA, USA
On their first post-color-themed album, Baroness deliver a genre-defying collection of songs, rich with swirling psychedelia, intense doom-laden riffs, delicate passages, technical guitar solos, and emotional lyrics. STONE is everything we’ve come to expect from one of the most intriguing bands in the heavy music scene. And like any great record, it just gets better with each listen.
Abraxan Hymns
01. Desiderium
PROGRESSIVE DOOM
New York, NY, USA
On Desiderium, Brooklyn, NY four piece Somnuri continue to seamlessly cross boundaries between thrashy and technical, imposing sludgy riffs, and melodic passages. A mix of death growls and clean vocals complement their uniquely ferocious and sonically diverse sound. Three albums in, Somnuri have established themselves as one of the most captivating bands in metal music.
MNRK Records
Honorable Mentions
Ten albums not enough for you? Here are ten more that you might like…
- 6 – Graveyard
- Sonic Moons – Domkraft
- Strontium Fields – Slomatics
- Aion – Bees Made Honey in the Vein Tree
- Full Circle – Dead Feathers
- Wilting Within – Haurun
- Low Desert Surf Club – Fire Down Below
- sleep walkers – SOME PILLS FOR AYALA
- Return Without Any Memory – Sonic Moon
- Imperator – Mammuthus
Curated by Mitch Kline