Lycus - Tempest (2013)

Epic, mournful funeral doom. Happy holidays and may the new decade bring us more doom.

and may our planet be more peaceful

Alphonse Mouzon - The Man Incognito (1976)

Released on Blue Note, The Man Incognito is Alphonse Mouzon's fourth album. Largely instrumental jazz/funk, trippy space vibes.

O boi

Chelsea Wolfe - Birth of Violence (2019)

Chelsea does it again, this time in the form of gothic folk rock. This presents a melancholic and quiet vibe. Plenty of growers on this record. Perfect for the autumn time. Definitely among my best of the year list.

You will forgive me if I'm lean 
Or comatose on codeine

מזמור (Mizmor) - Yodh (2016)

A blackened doom metal behemoth. Mizmor is a one-man project executed by the drummer of Hell (US sludge/doom). I love how representative the artwork is of the music. Heavy, gloomy, MASSIVE. This is shared in high anticipation for the upcoming record.

To be human is to hurt 

Pain, a condition for life

Tribes of Neurot - Grace (1999)

Tribes of Neurot is a sideproject consisting of all the members of Neurosis. Despite doing numerous standalone records, this one is intended to be simultaneously played along with Neurosis' Times of Grace for maximum effect. There are versions that combine both of the original and the TON interpretation together. On its own though, this creates a very ominous sound, sending the psyche to contemplative and dark places.

Standing in the doorway

El Ten Eleven - Every Direction Is North (2007)

Two-piece uplifting post-rock that would make a great Sims soundtrack. What makes it more impressive is that one member uses a guitar/bass doubleneck and another drums and plays keys. Lot of looping and cool effects.

As an aside, it is interesting to note that a ton of marijuana, sold as green manure because of its nutrient content, was only $5.50 in 1917

Petyr - Petyr (2017)

Heavy psych/stoner jam. You can hear Sabbathian worship, Sleep, Earthless and Flower Travelling Band kind of stuff in this. No run-of-the-mill mediocrity. One of my favourite 2017 records. Fronted by professional skater Riley Hawk; also son of Tony Hawk.

RIFFS AND SPLIFFS

Garden of Shadows - Oracle Moon (2000)

Atmospheric melodic death metal. FFO early Opeth.

ˁ˚ᴥ˚ˀ

Toby Driver - Madonnawhore (2017)

A mastermind behind Kayo Dot, Maudlin of the Well, Asva and others, Toby Driver's Madonnawhore is a beautiful quiet journey of lush guitars and emotive vocals. Amazing album especially when it sinks in. Would highly recommend Toby Driver live as well.

We set out crossing flagstone 
Across the fragments 
We wandered through the kingdoms 
Achieving balance

Mahavishnu Orchestra - Birds of Fire (1973)

A five-headed beast of John McLaughlin, guitar; composer. Jerry Goodman, violin; Jan Hammer, piano; synth. Rick Laird, bass; Billy Cobham, drums.

mastery

Bardo Pond - Untitled (2018)

Bardo Pond's 2018 tour CD is a just-over one hour warped mind altering acid rock jam/song. Lot of things happen here at a beautiful pace that it only feels like 30 minutes. Space ventures, flute magick, drug infused guitars and other shenanigans blending acoustic and electric instrumentation.

Bardo Pond is one of the best bands ever. Buy their things.

Ron Carter - Empire Jazz (1980)

Ron Carter interpretations of John Williams' themes from The Empire Strikes Back, accompanied by a stellar line-up consisting of Jon Faddis, Joe Shepley, Eddie Bert, Hubert Law, Frank Wess, Bob James, Jay Berliner, Ralph MacDonald and Billy fucking Cobham. Quite a relaxing and easy-listening record.

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Six Organs of Admittance - Nightly Trembling (1999)

Meditative experimental/free folk with haunting acoustic riffs and hypnotic chanting which gets into weird mantra folk jams at times. Because of stuff like this, I view SOAA to the folk realm what Om is to doom/stoner.

It is only necessary to destroying oneself the roots of those motives which determine a man's course, in order to enjoy the omnipotence and immunity of a god

Art Ensemble of Chicago - Les Stances A Sophie (1970)

Jazz avant-gardists Art Ensemble of Chicago's Les Stances A Sophie doesn't only serve as soundtrack to Moshe Mizrahi's French film of the same name, but also one of the greatest jazz records of all time. It's a record that highlights their varied skill and sonic sides (from the quieter and explorative tracks, to the more bizarre and just plain badass freakouts). If you can't admire those licks, grooves and freakouts on Theme de Yoyo, fuck you.

Dig, dig, dig, diggit

Bell Witch - Mirror Reaper (2017)

Just as with the previous two releases, Bell Witch continues to leave its mark on funeral doom with their third output. Mirror Reaper is an outstanding, epic journey of monolithic doom and desolation. Spanning at 83 minutes, it's difficult not to let the listener's mind wander off, but it's part of the charm to get lost in the void to this soundtrack. Go to their shows, buy their music, merch.

1. As Above
2. So Below

Real drum n' bass

Witches Moon - The Womb of Those Whom Fall From Heaven (2018)

Beautiful, haunting and gentle dungeon synth worthy of repeated listens. I don't know much about Witches Moon much other than that it's composed by one person, he's from North Carolina, fucks with black metal and goes by the name The Witch. Check out the rest of their stuff on bandcamp.

1. Rook takes the King
2. A Dream of Dreams (Withdrawal)
3. Cottonmouth (I Miss You so Much)
4. Temple of Flesh
5. Shake Me Apart
6. Gravity Brought the Angels Down
7. Knife in the Serpent, O' Black Hallucinations
8. Snow Faerie
9. Apples
10. Golden Apples, Silver Wand

Forming

Jeffrey Lewis - The Last Time I Did Acid I Went Insane (2001)

Comic book and anti-folk artist Jeffrey Lewis' debut. Laid back, lyrically focused and memorable folk tunes from a relateable worldview.

If it's anti-folk, is it still folk?

The United States of America - The United States of America (1968)

Far-out ahead of its time psychedelic rock from 1968 (actually recorded in '67 and released in '68). If I had to compile experimental rock from the 60's, the United States of America would definitely be among. Unfortunately after this release, the band broke up due to conflicting directions the band members wanted to take. After the break-up, Joe Byrd went on to form the also incredible Joe Byrd and the Field Hippies. An absolute gem for classic rock lurkers.

 

Now listen baby, 
And try to understand 
That trying you is fine 
And whipping you is grand

Blasphemous Crucifixion - Crude Burial (2009)

Unholy raw black metal. Simple riffs, blasphemy and a handful of punk'd up tracks. What's not to love? Underrated gem that I'm glad I have in my life, and you should too.

 

Lord of worms and flies.

Six Organs of Admittance - School of the Flower (2005)

A relaxing dosage of psych folk. Primarily instrumental and acoustic but sometimes resorts to gentle vocals, background ambiance and electric freakouts. Also includes a sweet cover of Gary Higgins' Thicker Than a Smokey. One of the first albums I heard from SOOA's flawless discography.

Above all, there was fear. Fear of today, fear of tomorrow, fear of our neighbors, and fear of ourselves.