Best New Releases October 2024

First of all, I hope everyone had an awesome Halloween!

October, for me, was basically a September Part II. There was a lot of hype surrounding a few albums that ended up just not quite doing it for me, and there were a few wild cards that really pleasantly surprised me. Most interestingly, my October Best Of list is really a mixed bag of several different genres, including both stoner/doom newbies and seasoned veterans (such as the almighty Hermano of course). Either way, there's definitely something here for everyone this month. 

With that said, here's exactly what I submitted to the Doom Charts in October, in descending order: 

9.) Cripta Blue - No Return

Cripta Blue is a band from Italy who primarily combines proto doom from the 60s with psychedelic rock, but this band is a true chameleon that won't be pigeonholed quite so easily. You'll find a lot of variety on their latest release No Return, with songs ranging from trippy and groovy to dark and eccentric, with a flow that lets you know the band is truly letting creativity take the wheel here. An eerie tone to the vocals tops it off, adding a mind-bending quality to the sound. Best of all, it all comes together in a very sophisticated way, proving that Cripta Blue's instrumental and songwriting skills are well-honed. 

You can read a bit more about Cripta Blue here and my full review here.

Favortie Track: No Return

    

8.) Transylvania Stud - Empress

You may have heard of Transylvania Stud, a Nashville-based multi-instrumentalist and powerhouse of a grunge vocalist who gives the strongest of Chris Cornell vibes. On Empress, his second full-length album of original material,Transylvania Stud maintains those grungy stylings we know and love and adds in some grittier stoner/desert tones, with a well-placed nod to doom as well. Furthermore, the adaptive guitar playing shines through on Empress, vacillating between styles with ease and creating very distinct moods on each song. By enlisting the help of some guest musicians and vocalists, Transylvania Stud further expands upon Empress's dimension. 

You can read my full review here.

Favorite Track: Thread 

 

 7.) Acid Rooster - Hall of Mirrors

Psychedelic Krautrockers Acid Rooster have returned with their highly-anticipated album Hall of Mirrors. There's an entire album's worth of mind-bending goodness within the four tracks of this album, as well as four very specific vibes. Beginning with the pulsating acidic funk and surf rock undertones of Automat, Hall of Mirrors truly evokes the kosmische spirit. The remaining three tracks are longer and more atmospheric, painting soundscapes reminiscent of the vastness of space, the windswept desert, and daydream reveries. Whether you're a seasoned Krautrock fan or are more of a casual listener, I'm sure you'll adore the sophistication of Hall of Mirrors and the undeniable creativity this trio of musicians harnesses to bring their visions to life. 

You can read a bit more about Acid Rooster here.

Favorite track: Confidence of Ignorance 

   

 6.) Bozoo - (self-titled) 

Grungy stoner rockers Bozoo have made a remarkably strong entrance with their first full-length album. Providing ample variety, this album explores many styles such as punk, alternative, grunge, stoner/desert rock, a hint of progressive and 70s heavy rock, and a few surprises in between. However, I think the most compelling aspect of Bozoo's full-length debut is the way it adheres to the theme of good versus evil, diving deep into the concept. The band makes very clever use of contrast to illustrate this idea, resulting in an involving yet mesmeric atmosphere that really draws you in, hooks you, and fully captivates. In this way, Bozoo succeeds in gaining the attention of both your ears and your brain, inspiring deeper reflection. 

You can read my full review here.

Favorite track: They Call Me Nobody 

 

 5.) Santa Planta - From the Trails of Desire 

Santa Planta are the masters of psychedelic rock that dooms. This primarily instrumental trio from Madrid just released their second EP, From the Trails of Desire, a skillfully crafted prism of heavy psych and weighty doom riffs that will rattle your bones. Sometimes these elements are kept separate, others expertly swirled together, creating a soundscape both buoyant and hazy and sinister and steadfast. 

Favorite Track: Ten Thousand Year Plan 

 

 4.) Las Fuerzas Extrañas - Ensayo Atómico

Las Fuerzas Extrañas is a band from Argentina who make a great first impression with their debut EP, Ensayo Atómico. The band's sound is primarily composed of progressive and psychedelic rock and features clean, melodic vocals in the Spanish language. These elements work together beautifully on their own, creating a bit of a retro 70s feel, but my favorite moments are when the music gets caught up in a cyclone of fuzzy stoner or hearkens to whispers of atmospheric space rock. Ensayo Atómico is a well-rounded, multi-faceted, immersive yet mellow listen. 

Favorite track: Eclipse

 

3.) Wizzerd - Saturnalia 

When Wizzerd released their album Kronia earlier this year, they proved just how adept they are at delivering variety and surprise in their music. Now, these high energy stoner rockers have switched gears yet again by releasing Saturnalia, their most atmospheric album to date. Designed as a counterpart to the high octane Kronia album, Saturnalia takes on dreamy spacey and psychedelic tones. While no song on the album is particularly heavy or fast-paced, the weightiness of stoner doom is often heard rumbling underfoot. As mentioned earlier, it just wouldn't be a Wizzerd album without shaking things up, and Saturnalia does just that as it ends with a folky, seafaring, psychedelic, Spanish surprise... You'll have to listen to understand exactly what I mean. 

Favorite Track: Sadbot 

 

 2.) Hermano - when the moon was high...

There are many reasons why you need to get your hands on Hermano's when the moon was high..., but I'll give you three...

1.) when the moon was high... includes the first new Hermano music released in almost two decades, in the form of two brand new singles. 

2.) The album also includes four high energy live tracks with phenomenal audio quality that will make you feel like you're right there in the crowd. 

3.) It's an Hermano album. 

Enough said. 

You can read my full review here.

Favorite Track: Breathe 

 

 1.) Peach Melba - Melting Face 

Peach Melba is a new band from Cologne who specializes in garage psych sounds in the vein of the Pixies, Fuzz, and Meatbodies. This trio skillfully demonstrates one of my favorite elements of garage rock: doing more with less. By stripping things down to a very raw, unembellished sound, the focus centers on unfettered emotion as communicated by contrast: harsh/hushed vocals featuring both male and female voices, loud/quiet instrumentals, and distortion. Peach Melba's debut Melting Face has a beautiful flow, each song moving seamlessly into the next either as a hazy fever dream or with buoyant energy, making this a great album to play from start to finish with no skips. 

Read my full review here.

Favorite Track: Exit Dream 

 

 

That's it for October! I hope you enjoy sinking your fangs into these albums as much as I did. Of course, don't forget to check out this month's Doom Charts where there are 40 albums waiting for you! And as always, show your favorite heavy underground artists some much deserved love by supporting them on Bandcamp and following/sharing them on social media! Every little bit helps!