Space Coke - Lunacy (2022)

I hope Lunacy is just latest but not last Space Coke album, because it's damn good. Diverging from your usual psychedelic doom with a nice use of 70' sounding  keyboards bringing a space rock feel. They evoke not only Electric Wizard and Black Sab' but also Hawkwind and Deep Purple. And they are excellent at doing that and I really recommend this highly enjoyable album.

 The BC page. 

 

Verdun - Abyssal Womb (2026)

I support Verdun since their beginnings, so I'm not surprised seeing them sign with the Excellent Transcending Obscurity records and releasing what will no doubt stays as one of the best doom/sludge album of the year. But with Abyssal Womb they exceeded my expectations, with even better songwriting skills with a great attention to details and dynamics. I just regret that this time the melodic element is less psychedelic (still is in the first track Funeral of the Cosmic Knight) and more traditionnal doom (can reminds Pallbearer or Hangman's Chair or even Paradise Lost at times), but that's not really a problem since they show they're also great at that. As a nice bonus, the singing in French in two songs is a success. Overall, I'm very pleased by this album that see Verdun reaching new heights. Keep going!

 

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Black Label Society - Engines of Demolition (2026)

Engines of Demolition is the best Black Label Society since Mafia, the best in twenty years. There still are a couple of mellow piano driven songs we didn't really need, but here it's taking less space than on their others recent albums, and the heavy songs are better, and of course Zakk Wylde's leads are still worth your time. Not as good as their first albums, but better than what they did in between, overall it's an nice album that I enjoy (old school heavy metal with a Black Sab' influence if you didn't know).

 

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The Heavy Eyes - Focus (2026)

I don't think Focus is their best album, but anyway it's a pleaseure to hear again The Heavy Eyes six years after their previous one. Their garage / stoner /doom, somewhere between Brant Bjork and Black Sabbath, still has something special and theydifferentiate from similar bands thanks to superior songwriting skills and their excellent vocalist. Good stuff again!

 

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Bong-Ra - Esoterik (2026)

Bong-Ra recent music is often described as "doomjazz", which is relevant, but I'd say "Godflesh with sax" would give you a more accurate idea of what Esoterik sounds like. What's different in Esoterik from the previous album Black Noise is that the jungle beats are gone, while the music gets more atmospheric, especially those ritualistic ambient with saxophone parts. Godflesh meets Painkiller could be another good description. In any case, Esoterik is an excellent piece of dark and heavy music somewhere between doom metal and industrial. And I'm looking forward to what the next Bong-Ra evolution will be.

 

The BC page. 

 

Backengrillen - Backengrillen (2026)

I have mixed feelings about this one. Backengrillen has Dennis Lyxzén on vocals, two other ex-Refused members, Magnus Flagge on bass and David Sandström on drums and Mats Gustafsson on sax, and is released by Svart Records. So I had big expectations. It turns out I think it's a good album and I enjoy listening to it, but for the most part it sounds like doom metal with sax and Lyxzén singing, which is fine, but I expected something more exciting. Also, maybe it sounds a bit too much like long improvisations than songs, which it kinda is since the album has been done in three days. Anyway, the faster and more rocking, with a somewhat stoogian vibe, song in the middle of the album is great, and the songs all have some great sax playing, more melodic/lyrical than I expected from Gustafsson, but why not, when it's good it's good... 

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Rwake - The Return of Magik (2025)

The Return of Magik is the Fifth Rwake album, and we could also say it's a magical return, since Fourteen years after their previous album Rawke are back with their best one, a masterpiece in southern progressive doom (with some aggressive sludge vocals). I love the atmosphere they manage to create with these songs. Their music, somewhere between Crowbar, Mastodon and Neurosis combines nicely heaviness, epicness and melodic subtleties (including the use of acoustic and pedal steel guitars). Warmly recommended!

 

The BC page.

 

Primitive Man - Observance (2025)

Last time I reviewed a Primitive Man album was when they released their first one, like twelve or thirteen years ago. I listened to each of their albums, but I felt the next ones were ok, but a bit too samey and monotonous (except the collab with Full of Hell that was bringing different elements). So why reviewing this new one, Observance? Maybe it's just because I paid more attention, but I feel they managed to make those new songs a bit more "catchy" while keeping their trademark sound, that is sludge/death/doom that is especially heavy, raw and bleak. In any case, I enjoy it!

 

The BC page. 

 

US Christmas - Cannibals of Unaka (2025)

Seems good things also can happen in 2025. Like a new US Christmas album, fourteen years after the previous one. Cannibals of Unaka is another masterpiece in psychedelic drone rock. Somewhere Earth, Neil Young (think the original Soundtrack of Dead Man) and Neurosis could meet. Not sure I'll do a best of year list, but if I do, this one will be in it. Highly recommended.

 

The BC page. 

 

Beastwars - The Ship // The Sea (2025)

Beastwars (from New-Zealand) has been around for fifteen years now, and each time they release a new album it's a pleasure to listen to their epic heavy metal with a strong stoner/doom feel, and The Ship // The Sea is again a masterpiece, with again great songwriting and powerful vocals. Somewhere between early Mastodon and High on Fire, with bits reminding also Alice in Chains or Soundgarden as well. But always very Beastwars. Highly recommended!

 

The BC page.

 

Goya - In The Dawn of November (2025)

With In The Dawn of November, Goya sounds less Electic Wizard influenced and more just "classic doom", what doesn't change is the very high quality of their music, In The Dawn of November being another great addition to their discography, and an album anyone into doom will enjoy (I especially like the vocals).

 

The Bandcamp page. 

Crypt Sermon - The Stygian Rose + Saturnian Appendices (2024 & 2025)

I was about to review Crypt Sermon latest album The Stygian Rose when I found out they have an EP (Saturnian Appendices) coming out this month, so you'll get a review for both at the same time. The Stygian Rose has been hailed for good reasons as one of the best recent release in a heavy/epic doom metal vein, with main influence being probably Candlemass and the other one Iron Maiden, and I also evn hear a touch of Megadeth (mostly because the vocalist reminds me of Dave Mustaine at times, but not only because of that). It is really an album anyone into old school metal could love. And what about the new four songs EP Saturnian Appendices? Those songs are from the Stygian Rose studio session, so it's in the same vein, and doesn't sound like leftovers the quality level as well is similar, and the unexpected Mayhem cover (De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas) is a nice touch, so I totally recommend it as well. 

 The Bandcamp page.

 

Demonic Death Judge - Absolutely Launched (2025)

Absolutely Launched is the seventh album from Demonic Death Judge, and even if my favourite one is still The Trail (released in 2020), this is another good album from DDJ. They keep on producing heavy and groovy stoner/Doom metal, hardened with some aggressive sludge vocals, but softened by a southern rock melodic touch. A nice combination that is really their own and that they get to really master throughout the years. Good stuff!

 

The BC page. 

 

Saturnalia Temple - Paradigm Call (2024)

Released one year ago, Paradigm Call is Saturnalia Temple third album, ten years after the previous one (the also excellent To The Other). And one thing is clear : they lost nothing of their ability to craft quality psychedelic doom. And like previously, they lean on the more epic heavy metal side of psych doom, with parts getting closer to High on Fire than to Sleep. Paradigm Call was worth the wait, thank you !

 

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Mammoth Volume - Raised Up By Witches (2024)

Raised Up By Witches is the second Mammoth Volume album since their return and it's another epic piece of finely crafted progressive heavy rock. Once again they deliver a unique mix somewhere between doom metal and stoner rock, with a strong progressive component. They can remind Mastodon as much as QOTSA (or for those stuck in the previous century we could say they sit between Black Sabbath and Yes). Very nice!

The Bandcamp page.

 

Today is the Day - No Good to Anyone (2020)

No Good to Anyone? This latest album from Today is the Day is probably good for you, and for sure I do enjoy listening to it. It's a finely crafted mix of all TITD have done in its career, from the Am Rep twisted noise rock to the more recent extreme metal elements, and there's also a large dose of doom metal as well, showing it can fit very well Today is the Day. Interesting songs, interesting album. And a good way to enter the world of Today is the Day if you don't know it yet. Recommended!

The BC page.

 

Toadliquor - Back in the Hole (2024)

With Back in the Hole I understand now why I knew Toadliquor by name even if they've been silent for more than 25 years. Will have to check their old stuff. For now, Back in the Hole is an excellent piece of doom sludge, with parts in a traditional sabbathian vein, and parts more raw and dirty. In any case, excellent riffs and songs.

The BC page.

 

High On Fire - Cometh The Storm (2024)

Already nine albums by High on Fire with Cometh The Storm. As expected it's another fine piece, on the raw, heavy, epic and rocking side of traditional heavy metal / doom, with Matt Pike singing as usual with a voice reminding Lemmy Kilmister (which can't be wrong!). Good stuff, I especially recommend listening to the title track.

The Bandcamp page.

 

The Obsessed - Gilded Sorrow (2024)

Second album after their return, the new The Obsessed album, Gilded Sorrow, is, as expected, a superb piece of traditionnal doom metal, with the unmistakable singing and riffing from the great Wino Weinrich. Maybe not totally as good as previous album, The Sacred, but this last one was so awesome...

The BC page.

 

JAAW - Supercluster (2023)

Supercluster, the first album from JAAW (with Andy Cairns from Therapy?, Jason Stoll, Adam Betts and Wayne Adams), is both a strange beats and a good surprise (not very surprised it's released by Svart Records). I could describe it has the heaviness of stoner/doom, the raw abrasion of noise rock, and an industrial element that really sounds influenced by Godflesh. Interesting and enjoyable, with a Bjork cover (Army of Me) providing a nice finishing touch. Recommended .

The BC page.