Thought you heard the last of Heavy Planet? Well, we're back, sort of. While we will only be posting on
Facebook and maybe Instagram, I figured I'd use this platform to post my complete Top 20 Stoner Rock, Doom, Heavy Psych, Sludge, Etc. Albums of 2021. Starting in 2022, I will also be bringing back the New Band To Burn One To feature to introduce some up and coming bands to the masses. So let's dig in, shall we?
#20
BAND/ALBUM: Something Dead-”Everything Is a Problem/It Is What It Is”
LABEL: Ozium Records
RELEASED: March 2021
COUNTRY: Sweden
DESCRIPTION: This release is actually a combo release of the band’s two EP releases from 2020 and 2017. High energy band that unleashes their ferocious blend of infectious stoner groove, punk attitude and hardcore grit. To be honest, the reason I clicked on this album to listen was because of the album artwork. Glad I did!
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#19
BAND/ALBUM: The Grasshopper Lies Heavy-”A Cult That Worships the God of Death”
LABEL:
Learning Curve Records
RELEASED: July 2021
COUNTRY: USA (Texas)
DESCRIPTION: This album shakes your core with it’s churning rhythms, barking vocals and unyielding heaviness. Sheer devastation and some of the heaviest songs the band has ever released. Heavy as hell without sacrificing their musical integrity. Love this shit!
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#18
BAND/ALBUM: Cancervo-”1”
LABEL:
Electric Valley Records
RELEASED: February 2021
COUNTRY: Italy
DESCRIPTION: I’m a sucker for Instrumental Stoner music, and this album hits all the right buttons. It’s oddly soothing and heavy in all the right places. The guitar tone is warm and fuzzy, and the riffs are majestic. Being that they are essentially a power trio, you will also find a unique unrecognizable and much heavier take on Cream’s “SWALBR”.
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#17
BAND/ALBUM: Borracho-”Pound of Flesh”
LABEL:
Kozmik Artifactz
RELEASED: August 2021
COUNTRY: USA (DC)
DESCRIPTION: The fuzz worshipping Stoner Rockers from DC are back and in a big way. This release marks the band’s first new music since the glorious riff fest of their 2016 album “Atacama”. This release continues on with the band’s uncanny ability to rattle skulls and vibrate bones by wielding hyper-fuzzed out riffage, seismic rhythms and indelible hooks.
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#16
BAND/ALBUM: Stone From the Sky-”Songs From the Deepwater”
LABEL:
More Fuzz
RELEASED: November 2021
COUNTRY: France
DESCRIPTION: Here is another Instrumental Stoner album. This album is a pure joy to listen to as the music is very atmospheric and volcanic. Earth-moving bass lies beneath a barrage of epic riffs and strategic dynamics. I could listen to this mighty beast of an album all day long.
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#15
BAND/ALBUM: Deathchant-”Waste”
LABEL:
Riding Easy Records
RELEASED: June 2021
COUNTRY: USA (CALIFORNIA)
DESCRIPTION: A seventies boogie vibe, Thin Lizzy-esque twin guitars, riffs galore, thrash metal rhythms and sludgy undertones. What more could you ask for? It’s crusty and heavy, yet moody and melodic. I freakin’ love this album!
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#14
BAND/ALBUM: The Ugly Kings-”Strange, Strange Times”
LABEL:
Napalm Records
RELEASED: August 2021
COUNTRY: Australia
DESCRIPTION: A well-structured rock album overflowing with an abundance of catchy songs, desert grooves, memorable riffs and a bluesy edge all delivered with fervor and high level of energy. The baritone vocal may even remind some of Jim Morrison at times.
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#13
BAND/LABEL: Indica Blues-”We Are Doomed”
LABEL:
APF Records
RELEASED: February 2021
COUNTRY: UK
DESCRIPTION: When an album comes out either early in the year or late in the year they tend to get often overlooked or forgotten about. Well, I jotted this one down and kept coming back to it basically because it is Goddamned badass. It’s heavy at it’s very core with mind-melting cosmic groove, fuzz-coated bluesy riffs and very adept playing that leaves you gasping for air as you pry yourself from the wall you’ve just been plastered to. Holy hell!
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#12
BAND/ALBUM: Kanaan-Earthbound"
LABEL:
Jansen Records
RELEASED: November 2021
COUNTRY: Norway
DESCRIPTION: To me, Jazz is a required taste. But, when you combine it with Desert Rock Groove and thick and hazy smoke-filled fuzz, it takes on a whole new perspective. On this album, the band has taken their musicianship to a whole new level and have proven that heavy music can be exploratory, smart and diverse. Oh and by the way, for those keeping track, yes this is my third instrumental band on the list. This is mind-blowing stuff!
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#11
BAND/ALBUM: ‘68-”Give One Take One
LABEL:
Cooking Vinyl Records
RELEASED: March 2021
COUNTRY: USA (Georgia)
DESCRIPTION: It’s noisy, it’s explosive, it’s bluesy, it’s hardcore, it’s got swagger, it’s disruptive, it’s audacious, it’s catchy... it’s just two guys.
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#10
BAND/ALBUM: Appalooza-”The Holy of Holies”
LABEL:
Ripple Music
RELEASED: February 2021
COUNTRY: France
DESCRIPTION: It took a few listens before I truly began to appreciate the scope of this album. At first listen, I brushed it off but later decided to go back and give it another chance. This time with no distractions. Glad I did. The Middle Eastern vibes and Grunge Rock feel lend well to the Progressive Stoner Rock sounds the band is trying to convey. The very powerful vocals are a definite highlight as well.
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#09
BAND/ALBUM: Kal-el-”Dark Majesty”
LABEL:
Majestic Mountain Records
RELEASED: August 2021
COUNTRY: Norway
DESCRIPTION: On this album, the band has somehow managed to take the Stoner Rock genre to a whole new level. Clocking in at over an hour, the band channels a variety of elements ranging from Heavy Blues to Space to Psychedelic while adding in monstrous riffing and soaring vocals. There is a reason this album has achieved status on many year end lists.
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#08
BAND/ALBUM: Jack Harlon & The Dead Crows-”The Magnetic Ridge”
LABEL:
Psychedelic Salad Records
RELEASED: May 2021
COUNTRY: Australia
DESCRIPTION: This album oozes a unique sonic heaviness that kept me coming back for more. Dark, somber, immersive Heavy Psych that gets trippy at times and unworldly heavy at others. Just a truly draw-dropping record.
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#07
BAND/ALBUM: Bordge-”Neither the Time Nor the Place”
LABEL:
SPRL
RELEASED: November 2021
COUNTRY: Russia
DESCRIPTION: Noisy yet melodic post-hardcore with elements of Stoner, Shoegaze and Metal. The tunes are catchy as hell and are riddled with unbridled intensity. The vocals are harsh at times and clean and harmonious at others. To my surprise, the band has been around since 2011 and has released a handful of albums. So glad I found this band. Killer stuff!!
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#06
BAND/ALBUM: Redscale-”The Old Colossus”
LABEL:
Majestic Mountain Records
RELEASED: October 2021
COUNTRY: Germany
DESCRIPTION: Punchy hard-hitting Stoner Rock with muscular riffs and superb ballsy vocals. Nothing crazy here. Just simple heavy grooves to listen to at a high volume over and over. So damn good!
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#05
BAND/ALBUM: Heavy Temple-”Lupi Amoris”
LABEL:
Magnetic Eye
RELEASED: June 2021
COUNTRY: USA (PA)
DESCRIPTION: This band was the first band that I saw live in quite some time due to Covid. They played in the basement of our local record store back in August. It felt a bit weird at first, but once I settled in I was floored by the band’s performance. I bought the vinyl at the show and while I had listened to the album well before the show, after seeing the band live I decided to dig in again. I dug what the band had released in the past, but damn, they upped the ante on this one. This album is a fuzzed-out psychedelic frenzy filled with soaring female vocal, glorious guitar interplay and a massive rhythm section . Simply put, this is one hell of a ride!
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#04
BAND/ALBUM: The Age of Truth-”Resolute”
LABEL: Self-Release
RELEASED: July 2021
COUNTRY: USA (PA)
DESCRIPTION: This band’s sophomore album was well worth the wait. Raspy soaring vocals take center stage as barreling basslines, thunderous drumming and monumental guitar playing ooze with confidence and clarity. If you ever have the chance to see this band play live, do it! This is pure Heavy Rock at it’s finest moment.
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#03
BAND/ALBUM: King Buffalo-”Acheron”/”The Burden of Restlessness”
LABEL: Self-Release
RELEASED: December 2021/ June 2021
COUNTRY: USA (NY)
DESCRIPTION: Although I prefer “Acheron” over “The Burden of Restlessness”, I couldn’t add one and not the other. I love this band for what they do and that is to keep pushing the Heavy Psych envelope to new and exhilarating levels. Their drive and ability to create, record, and design two albums this year (was supposed to be three) was a remarkable achievement. The ambience of the album being recorded in a cave gave “Acheron” a much deeper and refreshing vibe, while “The Burden of Restlessness” was a little less jammier and a little more for lack of a better word, simple. Either way, this band is amazing and I can’t believe I can still go to see them at a venue where the sold out capacity was less than 150. Unbelievable!
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#02
BAND/ALBUM: Our Man in the Bronze Age-”Hexed Endeavours”
LABEL:
Fr33zehead Records
RELEASED: October 2021
COUNTRY: UK
DESCRIPTION: Immersive, hook-riddled Rock album that grabs the listener through it’s ease of mellow to earth-shaking dynamics. Smart, catchy songs that are played to perfection. Crushing riffs, dual drum attack, soft piano interludes, harmonious vocals. I found myself going back to this album quite a bit throughout the year just for a change of pace.
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#01
BAND/ALBUM: Stonekind-Spirit of the Void”
LABEL: Self-Release
RELEASED: June 2021
COUNTRY: US (NC)
DESCRIPTION: I was a little late to the game on this one, but once I listened I was hooked. This is a remarkable album. As you peel back the layers, you can feel a deep, passionate and soulful musical experience filled with unbridled intensity and emotion. Elements of Stoner, Blues, Heavy Psych, Grunge and maybe even a little Southern Rock lend to the overall experience. The band or shall I say duo really drives it home with great song writing and stellar musicianship. Fuck it, I’m gonna go crack open a can of beer and take this one all in again.
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For those still here and digging Heavy Planet, thanks for sticking it out! Here’s to an awesome 2022!!
Happy New Year!
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