2015 had a lot going for it. So many records! Here’s a few that at the time I thought to be worthy of a mention in a list!
Top 10 Albums of 2015
10. Wight: Helicopter Mama
Website – Facebook – Twitter – Instagram
Firstly, when a band opens up a record with a giant gong this instantly gains my respect. Every band should. Then its a goddamn funk track! Amazing. Recorded to 8 track tape, this EP sounds oldschool and authentic. Massive respect to the band for going out on a limb and having it pay off. The second track of the EP ‘I Wanna Know What You feel’ is a straight up blast from the past.
9. Vinnum Sabbathi / Bar de Monja: Fuzzonaut Split
Vinnum Sabbathi : Facebook / Bar de Monjas : Facebook
A record I reviewed and loved this year. South America is exploding with a lot of differant bands, this split is the product of two of them. Mixed by Miguel Fraino in Mexico City, this split is fantastic, immersive experience from start to finish. The cover art as well is great!
8. Belzebong: Greenferno
A firestorm of riffs and a massive production. The snare sound alone makes this record for me. The wah infused guitars of the sleezy opening track is a pleasure to experience. Its hard to keep a lot of long instrumentals interesting in my opinion, but these guys always pull out something special, they are the masters at building up to even more gratifying moments of sheer stoner/doom gold.
7. Bong Cauldron: Acid Cattle
A great but brief outing into the world of BongCauldron. Ive already done a review of this EP already so I wont go into detail. Its a class effort from a band establisihing itself as an abolsute powerhouse.
6. Pist: Rhythm & Booze
This pretty and delicate album opens up with ‘Shitstorm’ and finishes on ‘Chunder’. A genuine and solid effort. Having played at a gig with these guys I can honestly say these guys know how to enjoy themselves. Great production and writing means this album stacks up evenly against any of the larger releases this year in this genre. Also its called ‘Rhythm and Booze’ which is great.
5. Dopethrone: Hochelaga
Produced by Dopethrone and Jean-Baptiste Joubaud, this album is a bit of a heavy hitter. Guitars right up front, drums way back, vocals somewhere in the middle. Nice. Anyone who can listen to Scum Fuck Blues and not want to smash down your walls and run outside has more control than me.
4. Tame Impala: Currents
Website – Facebook – Soundcloud
Kevin Parker drops the guitars and powers up the synths. An outstanding album with a completely fresh sound. Dreamy pop gold. Production is tight. Perfectly written, performed, recorded and mixed by Parker himself!
3. Wand: Golem
A really cool blend of heavy psychedelia and pop. Amazing, colourful, catchy and heavy! So many great influences are present in this album, old school pop circa Sgt. Peppers takes a trip through too many differant genres to name.
2. All Them Witches: Dying Surfer Meets His Maker
Website – Facebook – Bandcamp – iTunes
An ambitious outing from the Nashville group; their most adventurous and varied. All Them Witches have been constantly evolving and honing their craft over the last few years and this is the result. Brilliantly produced by Mikey Allred, this record perfectly captures a band reaching a creative new high.
1. Windhand: Grief’s Infernal Flower
Website – Facebook – Twitter – Shop
A brilliant LP from the already well established Windhand. A beautifully constructed piece of music from start to finish. Dorthia Cottrell’s voice is truly fantastic throughout the album. Melodies that are so easy to listen to with guitars that you feel right in the gut. Records like this are hard to come by!
Honourable Mentions:
Bright Curse: The Shaman
Shlohmo: Dark Red
Graveyard: Innocence and Decadence
Best Hair of 2015:
Romain Duat: Bright Curse
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