2023 Best Albums (#20-#11)

 2023 Top Twenty Stoner Rock Albums (#20-11)

The first half of my top 20 heavy rock albums list for 2023. One song from each album, beginning with album #20 and finishing with album #11. I understand I'm sure to be missing some great albums that came out this year, but am just sharing my favorite purchases of the year. Artist/Album/Track info is displayed for the first 10 seconds of each tune.

#20: "Wave Cannon" by The Machine

This trio from the Netherlands never disappoints

#19: "Mask Off!" by Gorilla Pulp

Italy's Gorilla Pulp consistently delivers hard rock with some of the best guitar riffs around

#18: "Remedy" by Gozu

Boston's Gozu delivers another great album, with as heavy a guitar sound as you'll find

#17: "Drifting In The Endless Void" by Dozer

Swedish stoner rock heavyweights Dozer have been at it for nearly a quarter-century, and show no signs of slowing down

#16: "Return Of The Asteroid" by Wolfnaut

Norway's Wolfnaut used to be called Wolfgang.  They've been around for a while, and are getting better with time

#15: "Boogie To Baja" by Stöner

If Brant Bjork and Nick Oliveri are involved, you know it's worth your while.  Also, this is probably the album cover of the year

#14: "Land Of Sleeper" by Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs

This British band with the ridiculous name really knows how to rock.  Heavy and very unique songwriting throughout this album

#13: "Never Turn Your Back On A Friend" by Various Artists

This reimagining of Budgie's 1973 classic album also features 3 additional bonus Budgie cover tunes.  Every artist featured shows true love for the track they chose to cover.  One of the best tribute albums ever done, but if you're not familiar with the original songs, prepare for a truly different kind of experience.

#12: "Chaos And The Art Of Motorcycle Madness" by The Death Wheelers

This instrumental band from Vancouver has really turned a corner in terms of their songwriting.  I've been a huge fan of all their albums, but this one is their best yet.

#11: "Divination" by Formula 400

This second album from San Diego's Formula 400 is simple, dirty, kick-ass hard rock that's great for getting you all fired up.  Meant to be played loud when you've got some open highway in front of you

Stay tuned tomorrow for my top ten albums of 2023

DESCENDING FROM ROCK HEAVEN

Recent and Upcoming Releases

BLACK RAINBOWS: SUPERSKULL

When Black Rainbows comes out with a new album, it's an automatic buy for me.  I own all their albums and love each one.  Superskull will be released on June 9th.

Black Rainbows are from Italy.  

They are:

Gabriele Fiori: Guitar & Vocals (and founder of Heavy Psych Sounds Records)

Edoardo Mancini: Bass

Filippo Ragazzoni: Drums

VARIOUS ARTISTS: NEVER TURN YOUR BACK ON A FRIEND (50 YEARS LATER)

Pale Wizard Records is about to release the third album in their "50 Years Later" series, this one a tribute to Budgie's 1973 album "Never Turn Your Back on a Friend".  I preordered on Kickstarter, so I have the full album and it has some fantastic covers, as well as some great bonus covers from other Budgie albums.  But it's not officially released until June 30th, so I'm only going to post my favorite of the two officially pre-released tracks.  This is one of my favorite tunes on the original album, and Sergeant Thunderhoof has truly done it justice.

Sergeant Thunderhoof from England.

They are:

Jim Camp: Bass

Darren Ashman: Drums

Mark Sayer: Guitar

Dan Flitcroft: Vocals (and founder of Pale Wizard Records)

FORMULA 400: DIVINATION

I just came across this album the other day, and fell in love with it on the first listen.  I've played it through about three times so far and like it even more now.  The album Divination

Formula 400 are from San Diego.

They are:

Dan Frick: Guitar & Vocals

Kip Page: Bass

Lou Vout: Drums

SAINT KARLOFF: PALEOLITHIC WAR CRIMES

This album came out yesterday, and that's also the day I first heard this band, which has been around since 2015.  I was drawn in by this tune, and am so far enjoying the rest of the album too.

Saint Karloff are from Norway.

They are:

Mads Melvold: Guitar, Vocals, Keyboards

Adam Suleiman: Drums, Percussion

Ole Sletner: Bass

STINKING LIZAVETA: ANTHEMS AND PHANTOMS

Here's another band whose albums I will purchase without hearing.  Stinking Lizaveta are great musicians, and sound like nobody but themselves, and this is what makes them awesome.  I've acquired a taste for what these three do, and can't wait to hear the rest of this album, which comes out on June 23rd.

Stinking Lizaveta are from Philadelphia.

They are:

Yanni Papadopoulos: Guitar

Alexi Papadopoulos: Upright Electric Bass

Cheshire Agusta: Drums

I hope that I've turned you on to something you like!

Until next time...