When multiple “Best Albums of 2015” popped up all across the
metal social-media, I was immediately tempted to do one myself. As I sat down and started
to pen down my picks from the multitude of releases across the year, I realized
the list would be a bit too long!
Hence, I changed tracks and broke the list into
sub-sections, allowing me to do a bunch of posts that are more sub-genre specific.
To start off with, what a fantastic year it has been for doom metal! This year saw some amazing releases from all across the world, there were releases that stuck to the tried and tested formula and excelled at it, and also
others that broke the shackles and ran free, while still managing to keeping their feet into the doom-metal territory.
NOTE: Click on the album title to listen and/or click on the band name to head to their Facebook page.
As we go to the 10 Doom Metal albums that impressed me
at Metal Melancholy the most, I would first like to mention the 3 albums that just
missed the list and are equally good!
Released just as the year was
coming to an end, this is an excellent groovy sludge album. It has all elements
that make a good album, drowning riffs, growled vocals, and some beautiful
solos!
Given the band name, it’s not
hard to anticipate the band’s sound. Its heavy and crushing, heavily inspired
by Electric Wizard. This album probably has the heaviest riffs that 2015 saw. Scum
Fuck Blues!
Putting the band into doom
maybe an injustice, given that the music spans everything from stoner rock, to
sludge and even some death metal elements. Some real fast paced Sabbath
inspired riffing makes this record, a delight to listen to.
Now coming to the 10 titles from the doomed lands of heavy
riffs and crunching solo’s that left us totally devastated and crushed.
Monolord are rather a simplistic band,
playing straight out sludge/stoner metal. But, it’s the psychedelic trance of those
fuzzy vocals that makes them stand out in the horde. They are heavy! Heavy enough
to crush anyone whose eardrums have been attacked by their sound.
The album
is a comeback for the band, after their bassist/vocalist Kevin McDade’s tragic
death. The album sees the band expand their sound bringing in some beautiful
progressive elements into their music. With a truly enjoyable sound that can
have any metal head swaying, this album is a perfect tribute to their fallen
brother.
The band has left behind
its stoner rock image, and progressed into a heavier and dirtier sludgy sound. Much
like the groves that grow in the marshes, the album takes its time for the
beholder to truly appreciate its beauty. Full Review - HERE
The amalgamation of
heavy riffs, thumping drum beats and frontwoman Dorthia Cottrell’s voice
manages to create one of the truly majestic album of the year. Its heavy and yet
extremely soothing.
The
band has been on a constant upward trajectory since the start, and their latest
album just takes them higher. These Black Sabbath worshippers are sticking to
their sound, while continuing to make some of the finest traditional 60s doom
music.
This album is everything one
has come to expect from High on Fire and a bit more. Crazy riffs, mad drumming
and Mat Pike’s lunatic voice, this one has it all. The album, will probably go
down as one of the finest releases by the band.
It was four years ago after the
release of their last record that the band met a near fatal accident on tour.
In this time the band has healed their wounds both physical and psychological. Now the band is truly back! Some wonderful riffs, crazy keys and the perfect
vocals! Moreover, the album is purple, nothing says doom like purple!
It’s
been a decade long wait for a new album by Acid King fans, but the wait has totally
paid off! The ever so twisting and turning riffs leave the listener dazzled.
Heavy, crushing, massive, call it whatever you want, this album is an
incredible work of art!
The fact that we
have two Indian releases on the list, showcases the amount of good music coming
out of the sub-continent. Shepherd’s debut release wiped clean anyone and
everyone whom it came across. Down tuned guitar riffs and sludgy bass, this one
is dirty and loud! Crank it up!
One of the first albums of 2015 that stood
out, and it turned out to be a masterpiece! Probably the one album I have
played over and over again, all through the year. The music, being an
incredible mix of stoner/psychedelic rock and prog rock, it just takes the
listener off the ground and into a meditative state a few light years away from
the bustling life on earth. A must hear for one and all!
What were your favourite Albums of 2015? Let us know in the
comments below!
