2026 Top Third

Best of January - April 2026

 

Over 90 minutes of excellent rock tunes released from January to April, 2026. These artists are from: Argentina, Australia, Finland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden and the United States

Out Today....

CORROSION OF CONFORMITY:

GOOD GOD / BAAD MAN 

By the way, these guys will be at the Palladium a week from today, along with Clutch and JD Pinkus.

Sounds like a no-brainer to me.

Album here, and concert tickets here.

You know what to do.

ON THE HORIZON...

Boston's own Gozu has got a new song, with the full album to be released on May 15

 

You can pre-order here if you are so inclined!

Out Today......

 

DEVIL ELECTRIC: TAHLIA

Australian band Devil Electric has released their fourth (third full-length) album today, and I'm really liking it.  I pre-ordered it based on the pre-released title track, and here's a new one I really dig:

Devil Electric are:

Pierina O’Brien (Vocals)
Christos Athanasias (Guitars)
Nicolas Dumont (Bass & Vocals)
Mark Van De Beek (Drums)

MONSTERNAUT: APPROACHING DOOM

I loved this Finnish band's prior three albums, so this was an instant pre-order for me.  I've been enjoying the pre-released track "Approaching Doom" and have been looking forward to the rest.  Today is the day, and here's another one that I like even better:

Monsternaut are:

Perttu Härkönen: Bass

Patrik Kuitunen: Drums

Tuomas Heiskanen: Guitar, Vocals

There's More...

 

DESERT COLLIDER:

GENERATION SHIP: ENDLESS DRIFT THROUGH INFINITY

Small Stone Records may not put out as many records in a year as Heavy Psych Sounds or Ripple Music, but what they lack in quantity, they make up for in quality.  This Italian band is new to me, but this album is already one of my favorites for 2026.  Great classic fuzz guitar sound and excellent songwriting make this a must-own album for stoner rock fans.  

Here are two of my favorites:

Desert Collider are:

Federico Costanzo: guitars, vocals, percussio, synthesizers
Federico Gianfanti: vocals, synthesizers
Manuel Colucci: bass
Andrea Casagranda: drums, percussion

BLACK LUNG: FOREVER BEYOND

Baltimore's Black Lung only put out great albums, so this one was a no-brainer of a purchase for me.  Really different songwriting, with a unique sound, every song on this album has wormed its way into my brain and made it a better place.  Here are a couple of my faves:

Black Lung are:

Charles Braese:  Bass

Dave Fullerton:  Guitar

Elias Mays Shutzman:  Drums

Dave Cavalier:  Guitar, Vocals

Stoner Rock Playlist #33

 

Metal Up Your Ears....

 AXE DRAGGER

Released yesterday, this album is bound to make a lot of "Best Of" lists at the end of the year.

As quoted from their Bandcamp page...

"Forged across state lines and fueled by sheer riff worship, AXE DRAGGER is the true supergroup heavy metal has been waiting for. Born from the long-distance communion of Fu Manchu guitarist Bob Balch and ex-Pentagram drummer Pete Campbell, the project achieved legendary status with the additions of original Pantera vocalist Terry Glaze and Dark Funeral bassist Fredrik Isaksson.

Soaked in the soaring 80s metal spirit of titans like Riot, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Dio and Armored Saint, and adorned with modern weight and production, their self-titled debut album is a timeless, earth-shaking beast, meticulously crafted crash by crash over a relentless year. AXE DRAGGER reloads the golden age of heavy metal in legendary fashion, staging a full-blown takeover of all headbangers' stereos worldwide. Prepare for the next heavy metal classic!"

Strong words, but this band delivers.  Hear for yourself.  I have had the pre-released tune "Axe Dragger" stuck in my head for over a week.

Here's another tune with a video:

Bob Balch's playing here, along with his work in the band Slower, shows he's not just a guitar god for stoner rock, but for heavy metal also.

Fredrik Isaksson: Bass

Minnesota Pete Campbell: Drums

Terry Glaze: Vocals

Bob Balch: Guitar

2026 Spitting Out Treasure....

All kinds of great music already released and about to be released this year.

Here's a taste:

JACK HARLON AND THE DEAD CROWS: INEXORABLE OPPOSITES

Picked this up on a recommendation and was pleasantly surprised:

Another excellent Australian band:

Tim Coutts-Smith: Vocals, Guitar

Jordan Richardson: Guitar

Brayden Becher: Drums

Liam Barry: Bass

NEW MEXICAN DOOM CULT: ZIGGURAT

Another recommendation I'm ecstatic I followed:

Stoner-Doom perfection from Sweden:

Nils - guitars, vocals
Fredrik - bass
David - guitars
Magnus - drums

MOTORPSYCHO:THE GAIA II SPACE CORPS

 

The mighty Motorpsycho return with another gem of an album, only a year after releasing my personal number 2 favorite album of 2025.  A week after release, I'm enjoying this one just as much.  

Norway's equivalent of Pink Floyd:

Bent Sæther – rhythm & lead guitars, lead & background vocals, bass 

Hans Magnus "Snah" Ryan – electric sitar, background vocals

Reine Fiske: Electric lead guitars

Olaf Olsen: Drums

DESERT COLOSSUS: APPARATUS

Dutch stoner rock veterans have released their finest album yet, and for some reason, decided to offer it as a "Name Your Own Price" release.  This appears destined for my 2026 top ten; I can't stop playing it.

Frank Zoomer: Vocals, Guitar

Leon van Wijk: Guitar, Background Vocals

Tom Collé: Bass, Accordion, Bacground Vocals

Frank Fey: Drums, Background Vocals, Synths, Trumpet

WEEDPECKER: V

Polish stoner rock veterans are contending for both album of the year and album art of the year.

Piotr Dobry - guitar,vox,synths
Piotr Kuks - bass
Zbigniew Promiński- drums
Piotr Sadza - sytnhs
Tomasz Walczak - synths

And last, but not least....

ROB ZOMBIE: THE GREAT SATAN

If you have read many of my posts over the years, you know I've always had a soft spot for Rob Zombie.  I've enjoyed whatever musical avenue he's gone down over the years, with my only complaint being that the albums are usually not long enough.  After years with John 5 on guitar, Rob's brought back Mike Riggs, who played on the Sinister Urge and Hellbilly Deluxe albums (both among my very favorites).  This album is getting very good reviews, and count me among the fans (although once again I do wish it was longer!)

Rob Zombie is from Haverhill, Massachusetts.

His current band:

Rob Zombie: Lead Vocals

Mike Riggs: Guitar

Rob Nicholson (Blasko): Bass

Ginger Fish: Drums