Always behind schedule... but better late than never! Following the long tradition, here´s my top LPs of last year ranked in alphabetical order, cause I don't see this as a race or competition. I wanted to say a few words about the ones I haven't had the chance to review, so I kept it short & sweet this year!
All Them Witches - S/T
The psych blues boys from Nashville are on a roll with another fine release... this one in my opinion the most balanced and addictive to date, despite the difficulties with the member change on the keys and the ultimate decision to go on as a trio. We can hint here a change of direction with less elaborated compositions and a more direct approach to their unique sound. What future holds for them no one knows but for now, pour yourself a glass of Jack Daniels, sit by the fire and enjoy the warmth embracing your body and soul.
Crypt Trip - Rootstock
"This record is definitely one for the books and will go down on
history as an important mile stone on the revival of the good old 70´s." Full Review
Dead Meadow - The Nothing They Need
"Perhaps my favorite
album since their debut, this great record is a beautiful and magic
celebration of the band´s legacy of two decades deep-seated in the
heavy psych scene!" Full Review
Domadora - Lacuna
The french power trio are getting more solid and tight with every release... this record is another fabulous slab of heavy psych jams to add to their blazing collection. Wailing guitar solos and face melting riffs explode into the powerful rhythmic sections formed by the lively & tumultuous drums and thumping bass lines. Wild, savage and far out.
Dunbarrow - II
The sophomore release by the doomy quartet hailing from Norway only comes to prove what their debut promised... complete devotion and worship of early 70´s doom. They push forward the great tradition of Black Sabbath, Pentagram, Witchcraft and Burning Saviours like no other on the game. Haunting themes and lyrics entangled with dark hypnotic melodies create creepy compositions and gloomy tales. A very potent spell by these grim reapers... the most wicked sonic conjuration of the year.
Earthless - Black Heaven
"A very organic progression instead of fading away trying to re-create what was done
before, they have successfully opened and broadened out their music,
keeping things interesting for the future, being able to reach out
to a bigger audience now with this directional change and become one of
this century classic acts from heavy rock like Cream, Flower Travellin' Band or Black Sabbath were the century before." Full Review
Estuary Blacks - S/T
I could tell just by the intro alone that I was facing something epic... the way this album then flows through its course is majestic. I can't choose a fave song... is that good! Amazing and dreamy compositions slowly take form as the instruments converge in harmony and detonate into heavy and powerful sections with crushing riffs and glowing vocals. A very well balanced record with equal parts prog, heavy psych, stoner and post-rock by this young power trio from Swansea, Wales, UK. With so many tastes and flavors floating around is shocking to see that so many people missed it... easily making it, in my opinion, the most underrated album of the year. Listen you fools, this is a class act and deserves to be treated accordingly!
Lords of Beacon House - Recreational Sorcery
Self-released
Listen
Listen
Hells Angels trio strike back with vengeance kicking ass and taking names. LoBC had already promised greatness with their debut and this follow up takes them to the next level. Vigorous grooves, acid guitars and gritty vocals are the ingredients for this wicked sorcery of vintage psychedelic blues. A great record as expected by this power trio from L.A. the only thing surprising here is the fact no label pick this up yet for the proper vinyl release that so righteously deserve... but I suspect it's just a matter of time!
Petyr - Smolyk
"For lovers of the SoCal scene in particular and skateboarding culture in general, here´s a banger that will turn these cats from Ams to Pros on the highly competitive San Diego Heavy Psych team." Full Review
Sleep - The Sciences
"In a time where reunions are fashionable and often nothing more than simple "money grabs", Sleep manages to genuinely cement their legacy with another monstrous release. Praise Iommi and let the weedian proceed!" Full Review
I also like to send a BIG UP and a word of encouragement to keep up the good work to the following projects for their amazing debuts:
ACID FROG, Cosmos, Liquid Earth, RhythmHawks, The Black Flamingo, BearSloth and Vales de Netuno. 🙌
I also like to send a BIG UP and a word of encouragement to keep up the good work to the following projects for their amazing debuts:
ACID FROG, Cosmos, Liquid Earth, RhythmHawks, The Black Flamingo, BearSloth and Vales de Netuno. 🙌
