2024 Top Third Highlights

 STONER ROCK: JAN 2024 - APRIL 2024

A shamelessly long playlist full of cool music that's come out in the top third of 2024. The last three tunes would make a great playlist by themselves I think.

These bands are from:

Belgium

England

Italy

Japan

Switzerland

United States

  

2020 Top Ten Stoner Rock Albums (#10-1)

Starting with the number 10 album, and finishing with number 1:

Each tune is one I've never posted or included in a playlist, as I hold the belief that these albums are deep enough to make re-posting unnecessary for making a great playlist.  

Here are some tunes from what I think are the ten best stoner rock albums of the year 2020:

          

#10: "The Path To The Deathless" by Red Mesa
         

Red Mesa have produced a flawless heavy stoner/doom album with enough variety to keep me listening all year long.  I felt this would be top 10 material when I first heard it and haven't changed my mind since.  

Also, probably album cover of the year for me.

#9: "Omens"  by Elder

        

Every time Elder releases an album, you can expect two things:

-it will not be quite what you expected

-it will reveal its genius to you if you stick with it

This one took me awhile, but only because I wasn't ready for its ideas.  All of that is old news now, as Omens has finally gotten through to me.  A new Elder release is similar to what a new Led Zeppelin release used to be.   

If you told me this was your number one album of the year, I wouldn't argue with you.

#8:  "Mass Hypnosis And The Dark Triad" by Bill Fisher

This kind of originality in rock music hasn't been seen in decades.  

Highly addictive album.

#7:  "Glorious Babylon" by Lord Fowl

Everybody knows I am a sucker for throwback rock, and Lord Fowl is preserving the art form of 1970s style hard rock like few other bands do.  

This album will stand the test of time.

#6:    "Groovy" by Geezer

 

As I've mentioned before, this album art does not disappoint or deceive.  The level of coolness you expect of your album after seeing this cover art is met, and then exceeded.  I'm from Massachusetts but will never ever downplay the amount of great rock music to have come from New York.

#5:    "Acid Doom" by Old Blood

Wow

#4:    "Seaward" by Mr. Bison

Covid shut down Italy, but not Italian stoner rock.  

This album earns legendary status.

#3: "Get Out Of Your Mind" by Ten Foot Wizard

Manchester, U.K.

Nailed it.

Must own album.

#2: "Dead End" by R.I.P.

Pure Genius from Portland Oregon.

Can't get enough of this album.

#1:    "Wise Words From The Uninformed" by Mississippi Bones

They already had the best E.P. of the year (The Witch Of Fulci Holler) and now they have the best L.P. too.  Mississippi Bones can not be underestimated.  The Witch of Fulci Holler comes with a book, and Wise Words comes with a Weekly World News style newspaper.  Check it out here; it's very entertaining.

Stay safe and rock hard tonight.

Happy New Year!

-ULTRA  

RED MESA: The Path To The Deathless

TEN OUT OF TEN

Stoner doom does not get better than this.  Led Zeppelin really "leveled up" on their third album, and so has Red Mesa.  "The Path To The Deathless delivers on so many levels.  

The title track, "The Path To The Deathless" starts off sounding like a combination of Blind Dog and Sleep, but then evolves into something more.  The solo that begins around 4:42 and the all-encompassing heaviness that ensues really grabs me.  Then another guitar solo to write home about at 5:48.  

The other pre-released track is the album opener, called  "Ghost Bell":  Red Mesa's affinity for Maryland-style doom is evident here; great opener.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Di39CKB1Y7A

Speaking of Maryland doom, my favorite track, "Desert Moon", features Dave Sherman (singer for Earthride and bass player/singer for Spirit Caravan).  

"Disharmonious Unlife" features Wino (guitar player/singer for Spirit Caravan and countless other bands)  

Red Mesa was kind enough share the rest of the album with us, and I can tell you it's special.  The tune "Death I Am" shows the band's versatility by breaking the mold of the rest of the album, and is the perfect song for the country music fan who secretly craves something heavier.  

Red Mesa is from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and are:

Brad Frye: Guitar/Lead Vocals

Alex Cantwell: Bass/Backing Vocals

Roman Barham: Drums/Backing Vocals

When a band sends us music, if I'm indifferent I just don't comment.  In this case, I chose to purchase the album, and expect it to make my list of what I'm thankful for this Thanksgiving.

-ULTRA