Hey Fuzzers it’s that time of the year to present you my favorite albums of 2018 and some honorable mentions you need to listen in case you haven’t done it so far. This is my fourth time doing this since I began to collaborate with More Fuzz in 2015. This year I got back to one of the musical genres that I have been most passionate about since my high school years: Death/Doom Metal. For that reason, you shouldn’t be surprised to see so many heavy releases in my top this year. Thanks for reading and enjoy the ride!
Don't forget to check out the Top Albums of the other More Fuzz team members !
Top 20 Albums of 2018
20: Majestic Downfall – Waters Of Fate
Majestic Downfall it’s a Mexican band that plays Death/Doom Metal. “Waters Of Fate” is their 5th album, and it was a good opportunity for them to demonstrate how they have perfected their trademark sound thru the years, one that it’s strongly influenced by the early Gothic Metal bands: My Dying Bride, Theatre Of Tragedy, Anathema, and more. Melancholic, sorrowful and afflicted songs for these dark days.
19: Hooded Menace – Ossuarium Silhouttes Unhallowed
Disgusting Death/Doom Metal from Finland that delivers the exact amount of heavy and slow riffs with melodic parts. This album will be a delight for all of those who love Temple Of Void, Coffins and Spectral Voice.
18: Kingnomad – The Great Nothing
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With their sophomore album, Kingnomad goes further into jazz fusion and prog rock territory. This album is a grower, give it a chance and you’ll love it, just check the closer “The Great Nothing” and see, you’ll thank me later! FFO: Mars Red Sky, Samsara Blues Experiment, Dead Medow.
17: Haunted – Dayburner
The Italian masters of occult Doom Metal are back with their second album. All the good elements from their debut are here, only this time better: Italian horror movies vibe, fat riffs, hypnotic pulse, crunchy drums, lyrical themes related to witchcraft, occultism and the mesmerizing voice of Cristina Chimirri. For fans of: Death Bell, Demon Incarnate, Lucifer
16: Weedpecker – III
Polish veterans released their 3rd album in the dawn of the year. From the moment the first notes of “Molecule” starts, you know it’s going to be a helluva journey, one that can be enjoyed with the substance of your preference. Psychedelic, meditative, contemplative and relaxing music. For fans of: Elder, Major Kong, Spaceslug.
15: Holy Grove – Holy Grove II
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With a simple title, the band from Portland, Oregon, delivered their sophomore album. If their debut was good (one of my favorite albums of 2016), this new album is simply great. The band sounds coupled and comfortable delivering their trademark Stoner/Doom Metal, with the bluesy vibe they showed us before and an outstanding vocal performance from Andrea Vidal, also they added cowbells! (we need more cowbells within the heavy underground scene). For fans of: Witch Mountain, Horehound, Alunah.
14: The Necromancers – Of Blood And Wine
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With their sophomore album, the French perfected the sound from with their first album. With “Of Blood And Wine” you’ll have more Doom, more Heavy Metal, and more occult themes. Just check “Erzebeth” and you’ll know you’re listening to an instant classic. For fans of: Cirith Ungol, King Heavy, Magister Templi.
13: Rito Verdugo – Cosmos
New band from Perú, formed by Rodrigo Chávez Garcés (guitars and vocals), Carlos Del Castillo (bass), Alvaro Gonzales (guitars) and Luis Rodríguez Chávez (drums). They play fuzzy Stoner Rock that doesn’t sound like the tons of Kyuss’ clones circulating in the scene thanks to the incorporation of Heavy Psych and Garage Rock elements. The trio released their debut a few weeks ago, showing a bright future for the Latin American underground scene. Cosmos is an excellent choice if you’re looking to raise the temperature of your Stoner party. FFO: Kayros, Savanah, Red Sun Atacama.
12: Orango – Evergreens
This is a good example of the universal language of music. If you haven’t heard from Orango before, you could tell they are the typical American band from the south side of the country that plays some really cool “bearded rock”. But no, that’s not their case, in fact you’re listening to a band that comes from the iced lands of Norway, a country well-known for its black metal scene and the scandals surrounded among some of their musicians (murders, burning of Christian churches, etc.). “Evergreens” delivers seven tracks full of warmness, thanks to its good riffs, bass lines, solid drums and last but not least, vocal harmonies. Check the magnificent 16 minutes of the closing track to see what I mean. FFO: Zed, The Sheepdogs, Hell Camino.
11: Yob – Our Raw Heart
After near death experience, Mike Scheidt focused all the experience and reflections surrounding the event to create one of the most passionate, honest and heartbreaking records in the history of the band. Just by listening to the introductory riffs of “Ablaze” and the feeling in Scheidt’s voice, you can realize that. Thank God we can have more of Yob’s trademark Cosmic Doom. For fans of: Sleep, Uffommamut, Neurosis.
10: P.H.O.B.O.S – Phlogiston Catharsis
Abrasive Industrial Metal that has been drowned in a Doom Metal bowl. These French delivered the most somber soundtrack of 2018, created with hatred and dedication in the furnaces of the darkest depths of hell. Hypnotic, disturbing, disgusting, wonderfully horrendous! FFO: Godflesh, Drug Honkey, Autokrator.
9: Pale Divine – S/T
American Doomsters are back to claim their leading role within the scene. After 6 years since their last album (2012’s Painted Widows Black) they released their self-titled 5th album a few months and immediately positioned itself as one of the strongest releases of the year. There’s nothing much new I can say about them, from Pale Divine you can expect the trademark Doom Metal sound from Maryland that bands like The Obsessed, Pentagram, Trouble, Revelation and Saint Vitus helped to create in the 80’s and contemporary ones like Pale Divine, Unorthodox and Penance perfected in the 90’s onwards. Traditional Doom Metal at its best!
8: Et Moriemur – Epigrammata
Another impressive release delivered by Indian label Transcending Obscurity Records, this time from Czech Doomsters Et Moriemur. The band plays a Death/Doom in the same vein of record label mates Towards Atlantis Lights, so you can expect lengthy tracks, with some really good keyboards arrangements, orchestration, epic choirs (inspired by Gregorian chants) and vocals sang in ancient Greek and Latin to deliver an incredible atmosphere. For fans of: (early) Anathema, Moonspell, (early) Tiamat.
7: Acolytes Of Moros – The Wellspring
Acolytes of Moros have been active for the last 8 years or so. After a couple of splits, one EP and some demos, they finally released their debut LP. “The Wellspring” is the debut album from the Swedish. The Swedish are outstanding students of the Finnish school of Doom, so you can expect slow and long songs, characterized by an oppressive and somber atmosphere, where the bizarre voices play a prominent role to tell us stories of loneliness and hopelessness. If you’re into Lord Vicar, Spiritus Mortis and The Gates Of Slumber, please check them.
6: Solemn Ceremony – S/T
Solemn Ceremony is the solo project of Philip J. Howlett, vocalist of Aussie bands Lucifer’s Fall, Rote Mare and Dire Fate. The album is a carefully crafted Doom Metal jewel, one that clearly reflect the elements that make it up: bizarre vocals, obscure atmosphere, down-tuned and slow riffs, lengthy tracks. This is pure and unaltered Doom Metal. Recommended for fans of Reverend Bizarre, Minotauri, Cardinals Folly.
5: Sleep – The Sciences
After 15 years, Sleep surprised the Heavy/Stoner/Doom audiences with a new album. “The Sciences” is the perfect example of the greatness of this band, one that has been in defining and perfecting the Stoner/Doom sound since the release of their seminal “Sleep’s Holy Mountain” back in 1992. Pure perfection! FFO: Electric Wizard, Church Of Misery, Vokonis.
4: Solstice – White Horse Hill
Solstice is a British institution and one of the most important Epic Doom Metal bands you haven’t discover yet. Everyone knows Candlemass and Solitude Aeternus, but I can assure you that Solstice is as good as those bands. “White Horse Hill” is their first album since 1998’s “New Dark Age” and it’s a most welcome return, the perfect soundtrack to grab an axe and go to battle against Morgoth’s servants. Without a doubt the best Epic Doom Metal album of the year. FFO: Argus, Atlantean Kodex, Crypt Sermon.
3: Towards Atlantis Lights – Dust Of Aeons
An international group that honors the sound of Peaceville’s Unholy Trinity (My Dying Bride, Paradise Lost and Anathema) with a well-executed mix of Doom Metal, Funeral Doom and Doom/Death. “Dust of Aeons” is an epic release not only for the length of its tracks (the opener clocks at 30 minutes) but also for its historical based lyrics. Dive into this journey, you will not regret it (Full review here). Recommend if you like Vin De Mia Trix, Illimitable Dolor, Doom:VS.
2: Iron Void – Excalibur
A delight for all of those who are looking for a band faithful to the “Traditional Doom Metal” sound. With their third LP, Iron Void decided to expand their classic down-tuned sounds with more Heavy Metal riffs and lyrical themes focused on the myths and legends of King Arthur and his knights. This is an excellent choice if you are into classic Doom bands like Saint Vitus, Pentagram, Trouble and Candlemass.
1: Messa – Feast For Water
This is it my friends, my favorite album of the year. Messa has been one of my favorite bands since their 2016’s “Belfry” (that one was my #2 album of the year). With “Feast For Water”, the Italians surpasses what they did with their debut in all levels, consolidating them as a more darker, occultish, atmospheric and mind-forwarded Doom band (just check the keyboards and sax arrangements through the whole album to see what I mean or the blast-beats in “Tulsi”). Praises to the whole band, especially to Sara B. for her ethereal voice, my favorite vocal performance of the year! FFO: Windhand, Haunted, Holy Grove.
Don't forget to check out the Top Albums of the other More Fuzz team members !
Honourable Mentions
By Fat Level
The Skull – The Endless Road Turns Black
Druid Lord – Grotesque Offerings
By Purple Haze Level
By Temperature Level
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