The End is nigh? Not yet!
The bad news first: Electric Wizard did not release a new album at Halloween. The good news: Doom Metal is still alive and kicking and we saw a pretty nice bunch of amazing albums in 2016.
The following list are my favourite albums of 2016. The focus is mostly on my favourite genre, Doom Metal. \m/
Don't forget to check out the Top Albums of the other More Fuzz team members !
Top 20 Albums of 2016
20: Albez Duz – Wings Of Tzinacan
I just recently stumbled upon Albez Duz. They hail from Berlin, Germany and I was pleasantly surprised by their live performance at Leafmeal Festival. Their new album is pretty nice opulent, melodic Occult Doom Metal.
19: Kroh – Altars
Eerie and chillingly atmospheric – yet crushing Doom Metal: this is the debut album of Kroh from Birmingham, England.
18: Moon Coven – Self-titled
The debut album of Moon Coven from Malmö, Sweden comes with heavy riffage. Stoner Rock spiced up with a good dose of doom and ethereal vocals.
17: Superlynx – LVX
An amazing mix of doom and psychedelic elements are unleashed by Superlynx from Oslo, Norway. Their debut album was just recently recommended to me (my thanks go to The Moth!) and I really love this album. Hauntingly beautiful. Looking forward to attend a concert.
16: Graves at Sea – The Curse That Is
Graves at Sea from Portland, USA bring you a heavy hitting, crushing Sludge/Doom Metal album. Their first official debut album is a very enjoyable listen.
15: The Wounded Kings – Visions in Bones
The latest album of doomsters The Wounded Kings from Dartmoor, England is a top notch farewell present. Sadly, the band split up this year – leaving me wondering if the songs about death and despair were an omen.
14: Haunted – Self-titled
Haunted bring horror and doom from Catania, Italy. An excellent and very enjoyable album.
13: Subrosa – For This We Fought The Battle of Ages
Subrosa from Salt Lake City, USA bring you sorrow and despair filled doom on their fourth album. The album is not as accessible as their last one – you have to give it a few more spins before you get into it.
12: Messa – Belfry
Messa is another doom metal act from Italy, hailing from Cittadella (Padua). On their debut album, they deliver masterful, atmospheric Scarlet Doom Metal. It is a pretty unpredictable album (in a positive sense) . Oh, and do not miss the clarinet on “Blood”.
11.: Cities of Mars – Celestial Mistress
Fuzzy and massive riffs by Cities of Mars (Gothenburg, Sweden) dominate this EP. I am looking forward to a full album and would certainly like to see them live.
10: Holy Grove – Self-titled
Holy Grove from Portland, USA bring you powerful and enigmatic Stoner/Doom Metal on their debut album. Totally delightful! And if you ever have the chance to see them perform live, attend their concerts! You are in for a killer treat.
9: Blues Pills – Lady in Gold
The second album of Blues Pills from Örebro, Sweden shows they are progressing. This album has a very harmonious, blues rock soul, even spiced up with some gospel influences. “Lady in Gold” is an enjoyable ride through the 70ies. I really love Elin’s voice and time flies by when you listen to the album. 🙂
8: Bright Curse – Before the Shore
Bright Curse from London, England celebrate retro stoner rock on their latest release. It’s even more than just stoner rock, there are so many influences hidden inside the tracks. With every listen, the album unearths more and more of those hidden gems. It is certainly a band which I would love to see live one day – it will certainly be an interesting and fun display of great musicianship.
7: Cough – Still They Pray
This album of Cough from Richmond, USA is a beast of atmospheric, psychedelic doom metal. Turn off the lights, light some candles, enjoy the haze of Doom and give in to sorrow and despair! Or celebrate a Black Mass. 
6: Witchthroat Serpent – Sang-Dragon
Witchthroat Serpent from Toulouse, France present devilish, fuzzy stoner-doom on their second release. While their first album is pure enjoyable “Electric Wizard”-worship, their latest release shows they have found their own style – a nasty mix of doom, sludge and psychedelic rock. Very enjoyable.
5: Blood Ceremony – Lord of Misrule
The fourth album of Blood Ceremony from Toronto, Canada is pure Retro Occult Rock with elements of 70ies rock. A very delightful listen (as are their other albums).
4: Dunbarrow – Self-titled
Dunbarrow from Haugesund, Norway was a real surprise to me when I was woken up by their song “Lucifer’s Child” on Hand of Doom Radio on one morning. A great doom rock tribute to the early 70ies!
3: Year of the Cobra – …In The Shadows Below
The two-piece Year of the Cobra from Seattle, USA deliver amazing doom metal as their debut album. It is filled with very enjoyable riffing, sludge and psychedelic elements and a great atmosphere. Highly recommended.
2: Mountain Witch – Burning Village
Mountain Witch from Hamburg, Germany celebrate early doom metal on their amazing latest release. Images from the 70ies horror films will certainly arise in your mind while listening to this album. A highly diverse and enjoyable release – it will never get boring.
1: Mammoth Weed Wizard Bastard – Y Proffwyd Dwyll
Mammoth Weed Wizard Bastard from Wrexham, Wales conjure crushing, psychedelic doom from outer space on their latest release. I enjoy this album massively. Let me be the prophet: we will certainly see more from them in the near future!
Don't forget to check out the Top Albums of the other More Fuzz team members !
Honourable Mentions
- Doomsters Monolord from Gothenburg, Sweden have released a limited 10″ with two great songs in 2016: Lord of Suffering/Die in Haze. Do not miss the tracks.
- Moon Mother from Sweden released an excellent two-track-demo of retro doom rock. Check it out on Bandcamp.
- The 2012 self-titled album of Jess and the Ancient Ones has been reissued and remastered by Svart Records and it includes four bonus tracks (CD | Vinyl). Among them an amazing cover of Roky Erickson’s Anthem. Hell yeah!
Top Concerts of 2016
- Monolord @ DesertFest, Berlin, Germany
- Electric Wizard @ DesertFest, Berlin, Germany
- Pelican @ DesertFest, Berlin, Germany
- We Hunt Buffalo @ DesertFest, Berlin, Germany
- Elder @ DesertFest, Berlin, Germany
- Egypt @ DesertFest, Berlin, Germany
- Mantar @ DesertFest, Berlin, Germany
- Wo Fat @ DesertFest, Berlin, Germany
- AVON @ Rare Guitar, Münster, Germany
- Gozu @ Rare Guitar, Münster, Germany
- Mos Generator @ Rare Guitar, Münster, Germany
- Powder for Pigeons @ Leafmeal Festival, Dortmund, Germany
- Jess and the Ancient Ones @ Leafmeal Festival, Dortmund, Germany
- Albez Duz @ Leafmeal Festival, Dortmund, Germany
- Sahg @ Leafmeal Festival, Dortmund, Germany
- Daily Thompson @ Rare Guitar, Münster, Germany
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