Hey Fuzzers it’s that time of the year to present you my favorite albums of 2019 and some honorable mentions you need to listen in case you haven’t done it so far. This is my fifth time doing this since I began to collaborate with More Fuzz in 2015. This was an amazing year for lovers of Death/Doom and Epic Doom Metal bands as you will see. 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 2019
20: Book of Wyrms – Remythologizer
A mystical journey delivered thru six tracks of ethereal and fuzzy Stoner Metal. With this album the band surpassed what they accomplished with Sci-Fi/Fantasy. Great addition to the Twin Earth Records catalog.
19: Djiin – The Freak
One of the most unique albums I heard this year. Psychedelic Stoner Rock with ritualistic and mystical vibes. For fans of Familia de Lobos, Bolivar Cola and Wucan.
18: The Drowning – The Radiant Dark
2019 has been a good year for Death/Doom Metal lovers. Welsh band The Drowning delivers an album that it’s both devastating and beautiful.
17: Salem’s Bend – Supercluster
Salem’s Bend are back with another piece of retro rock, an album full of bluesy and fuzzy riffs that makes it a guaranteed funny listening.
16: Troll – Legend Master
Sophomore album from this Oregon band that delivers a fine Stoner/Doom Metal. The music is the perfect companion for the stories of magic, witches, wizards and more.
15: Illimitable Dolor – Leaden Light
A truly epic album and a really good one if you’re into Doom/Death Metal. These Aussies have been delivering despair with their somber sound for the last 5 years or so. This is their sophomore album and it’s quite an accomplishment for the band.
14: Obsidian Sea – Stranger
Facebook – Spotify – Ripple Music Big Cartel
This came out of nowhere and took me by surprise. Traditional Doom Metal with a strong sabbathesque and progressive vibe.
13: Lord Vicar – The Black Powder
Excellent new album from the masterminds behind Reverend Bizarre and Count Raven. You can’t expect anything less than true Doom Metal.
12: Eremit – Carrier of Weight
Enormous Funeral/Blackend Doom from Germany. Without a bass player, the trio manages to build one of the heaviest albums I’ve heard in quite a few years. Hypnotic, abrasive and demolishing, this is the real definition of a wall of sound.
11: Monasterium – Our Raw Heart
Another fantastic Epic Doom Metal release. The band is tight and Michał Strzelecki vocals reminds me of late Candlemass material with Messiah Marcolin.
10: Idle Hands – Mana
Heavy Metal meets 80’s Gothic Rock, an unusual marriage that works perfectly fine. 4AD Records could have easily edited this album back in the day. I’m sure they are going to be the next big thing within the metal scene. For fans of: Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Sisters of Mercy, Bauhaus.
9: Capilla Ardiente – The Siege
My favorite Latin American release of the year. The Chileans are an institution within the Epic Doom Metal depths. Grandiloquent, emotive, theatrical and more. For fans of Solstice, Candlemass, Crypt Sermon.
8: Brume – Rabbits
Brume has been one of my favorite bands since I started digging in the depths of Bandcamp back in 2015. Ethereal and haunted Doom Metal fronted by the talented Susie McMullan.
7: Saint Vitus – S/T
Architects of the Traditional Doom Metal sub-genre, nothing “new” you can said about Saint Vitus. I’m a “Wino” lover but you can’t deny that the return of original vocalist Scott Reagers reinvigorated the band’s sound, creating one of the best albums of their career.
6: Candlemass – The Door To Doom
A new album from the creators of Epic Doom Metal always deserves to be listened. You can see that the band is comfortable with the return of Johan Längqvist in the band, which results in a very good album, probably their best one since 2009’s “Death Magic Doom”. Full review here.
5: Officium Triste – The Death of Gaia
These Dutch are an institution within the underground scene, you would thought all has been said since the days of Peaceville Unholy Trinity (Paradise Lost, Anathema and My Dying Bride) regarding Death/Doom Metal. Guess what? You need to listen to this album as soon as possible to see what’s going on within Death Doomsters. As a bonus, check the tasty vinyl editions Transcending Obscurity Records has made for the album.
4: Orodruin – Ruins Of Eternity
John Gallo is synonymous with consistency and quality. After 2003’s (!!!) “Epicurean Mass” they are back with their sophomore “Ruins Of Eternity”, an album full of darkness vibes and catchy riffs that could serve perfectly as the soundtrack of a 70’s Italian horror movie.
3: Smoulder – Time Of Obscene Evil And Wild Daring
When you finish “Time Of Obscene And Evil Wild Daring” you know you have listened to one of the best debut albums of recent times. Bands like Smoulder come to claim the rightful place of epic doom metal within the heavy underground scene. Full review here.
2: Crypt Sermon – The Ruins Of Fading Light
So you like Epic Doom Metal and want to hear something more besides Candlemass and Solitude Aeturnus? Crypt Sermon shouted out to the world how great they were back in 2015 with their debut “Out Of The Garden”. With their sophomore they’ve reach a new level as musicians and composers. Pay attention to those lyrics and vocals work, it’s not for free they’re the only band with clean vocals signed to Dark Descent Records.
1: Atlantean Kodex – Feast For Water
Six years after the incredible “The White Goddess” the Germans are back with their trademark Epic Metal sound with lyrics full of references to myths and historical events of ancient civilizations, making this, at least for me, the best album of the year. The artwork is also incredible, thanks to the work of Polish artist Mariusz Lewandowski. MAGNIFICENT!
Don't forget to check out the Top Albums of the other More Fuzz team members !
Honourable Mentions
By Fat Level
The Neptune Power Federation – Memoirs of a Rat Queen
Year Of The Cobra – Ash And Dust
Cycles Of The Damned – A Time To Survive
By Purple Haze Level
Los Tabanos Experience – Rise of the Melted Eagle
Megalith Levitation – Acid Doom Rites
By Temperature Level
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