Sorcerer - Lamenting of the Innocent (Metal Blade Records)
The epic doometallers from Sweden are are no strangers to our annual lists of best albums, previously entering our 2015, 2017 and the Best of Epic Tops. Their 3rd full length album is a worthy follow up to their track record with all the favourite characteristic elements, including memorable heavy doom riffs and amazing mellow and powerful vocals by the one and only Anders Engberg. There is no time wasted and after a short instrumental intro the listener is stuck with the full force of "The Hammer of Witches" which is packed with heavy and at the same time melodic riffs (with an awesome midsong interlude) and perfectly blended with majestic vocals! This is followed by track which gives the title to the album and is one of its highlights "Lamenting of the Innocent" which starts by building an eerie ceremonial mood that encompassed this more toned-down and sorrowful song that spans almost 9 minutes but does not have a dull moment! If you are here for the straightforward tracks the heavy and doomy "Where Spirits Die" and "Age of the Damned" (with one of the catchiest choruses of the year) are just what you are looking for. The menacing chimming bells of the "Condemned" and the verses in latin of the "Dance with the Devil" further enhance the epic doom vibe that permeates all the song. This beast of an album is another release worthy of the Sorcerer record track which despite being short has already developed a unique and memorable identity that keeps evolving with each album becoming even more refined!
95.2/100
Below is the official music video for "The Hammer of Witches".
My Dying Bride - The Ghost of Orion (Nuclear Blast)
People say that Black is typically not a colour. It is the complete absence of colour, the antithesis of light, that is, darkness. My Dying Bride exemplify that saying, going strong for thirty years with ideas born out of these dark moments, distilling them into songs and trying to exorcise the darkness by evoking it.
With their latest album "The Ghost of Orion", the band once more provides us with an excellent example of how sombre doom metal should be played with lyrics that provoke the darkest corners of our soul and music tailor-made to accompany said lyrics. The story behind the creation of this album makes its artistic content even stronger, as the daughter of singer Aaron Stainthorpe was battling cancer at a very young age during the recording of the record, making the content of the album have an extra emotional resonance to people who have faced up against this relentless disease. "Tired of tears", the second track of the album relates this story in a very personal way and, along with opener "Your broken Shore", are among the most beautiful songs the band has ever composed. Among other great compositions are the melodic "To Outlive The Gods", the collaborative effort with folk-metallers Wardruna "Solace", along with the epics "The Long Black Land" and the haunting "The Ghost of Orion". The album closes out with "The Old Earth", more reminiscent of earlier eras of the band, with brutal vocals from Aaron having a more central role, juxtaposing with the mellow intro. One of the best albums of the band and a release worth having for all fans of great doom metal music. It is worth noting that the band also released an EP in 2020, which relies on their more gothic character which, while not reaching the levels of "The Ghost of Orion", is a very nice companion piece to this album.
94.5/100
Below is the music video for the song "To outlive the Gods"
Welcome to another list of best albums, counting down the best among 2020 records. Before we get to the meat of the list, we will present some records that came out that while great, didn't quite get there. Without further delay, we are presenting:
2020 HONOURABLE MENTIONS (In no particular order)
Lucifer - Lucifer III (Trooper Entertainment)
Lucifer, released their 3rd full length album in 2020 and it doesn't lack anything from what makes their sound unique including a retro dark feeling and amazing female vocals which steal the show. The band is not afraid to move between different sounds and styles, from atmospheric tracks like “Leather Demon”, to the more energetic “Flanked by Snakes” and the title-track “Lucifer” without missing out on their doomy beginnings. Worth a listen for those who are into that occult-inspired heavy rock.
Merkfolk is a an interesting folk band from Poland who released their third full length album in 2020. All songs are in the band's native language which fits perfectly with a mixture of flute, fiddle and accordion melodies. The record is pure folk with many tracks having a traditional but yet unique sound like "Dwa wina". A great listen by "the bringer of folk" (as the band's name loosely translates)!
Italian Neoclassical Rockers Moon Reverie truly impressed us with their debut outing from Rockshots last year. Their combination of technical musicianship with beautiful vocal lines and lengthy neoclassical instrumental pieces that demonstrate their virtuosity and their passion for music, was enough to stand out from the rest of the releases in their genre this year, exciting everyone regarding possible future music outputs from the band and showing how a mildly contrived genre can get new ideas and directions from young and energetic artists that pay tribute to its past while shaping its future.
Another debut album, this time from Mexican speed/glam metallers Jet Jaguar. A breakout act from Wacken 2017's Open Air Metal Battle, they were able to take full advantage of that fact, by signing to a label (Pride and Joy) that is very good at showcasing new acts in a wider audience, and released a killer debut album, which includes not only hooky songs (such as "Blinding Lights"), but excellent compositions of pure speedy heavy metal!
Magnum is one of those bands who still remain "true rockers" and ALWAYS deliver on their releases (making it into a number of our earlier Tops including 2016, Hard Rock Top and 2018). Armed with Bob Catley's unique voice, The Serpent Rings (the 21st full length album by Magnum!!!), has all the great traits of band including catchy tunes that are bound to be instant classics like "Where Are You Eden?" and chorus that are made for sing alongs like "Not Forgiven". Definitely worth a listen while waiting to see them live sometime in the future.
In their 4th full length release, German Doomsters completely flipped the script, and presented a record that differs quite considerably from their previous releases, approaching their doom metal through the lens of the Dio-era albums of Black Sabbath and adding a very distinct 80s Neon/Scifi aesthetic to their distinct epic doom sound. Their experiment was successful for the most part and while we may miss the epicness oozing from their previous releases, this is still a great album unveiling a different aspect of the band, showing that the band is way more than a one-trick pony.
Aether Realm - Redneck Vikings from Hell (Napalm Records)
Aether Realm are one of those releases you hear about randomly and gets you hooked right away. Coming from the US, the band has a melodic death sound with a more "radio-friendly" twist that makes them memorable. The album has a number of great tracks including the super-catchy "Goodbye" and the fanbase-dedicated "TMHC" (standing for the Tiny Metal Hand Crew) making it enjoyable to listen through the album. It is worth having this band in mind as they show some great traits differentiating themselves from the classic melodic death metal sound.
Mike LePond's Silent Assassins - Whore of Babylon (Silver Lining Music)
In their third offering, the personal band of Symphony X's bassist continue playing unadulterated pure heavy metal with touches of speed. prog, power and epic metal sprinkled in at different quantities throughout the record. Lepond has developed over these three releases a personal sound and this is even more evident here, where almost any composition could easily be a hit single, with almost no filler chaff mixed in. Among the best tracks of the album are "Ironborn", "Ides of March" and "Dracul's Son", but virtually any song has the potential to grow into a mega-hit. Highly recommended for all metal-heads with an affinity for late 90's power/heavy metal sound!
Italy is known for a breadth of melodic heavy metal bands but not many are as successful in creating memorable and catchy tunes like Temperance. The album is packed with with tracks that stick to your mind and you are bound to listen on repeat with examples like the pumping "I Am the Fire", the melodic "My Demons Can't Sleep" and last but not list the Mission-Impossible2-inspired "Mission Impossible". With the bonus of a blend of great female and male vocals complimenting each other, Viridian makes for an uplifting release worth checking out.
It might have been some time since we last heard from French folk band (previously in the 2013 Top) but they still got this unique sound that fits perfectly with their mixture of French and regional Occitan dialect. Straight from the first track "Lo pèla pòrc" to the memorable "Libertat", the album is packed with traditional sounds (including hurdy gurdy, flabuta, boha and accordion). A very interesting 2020 release from the French folk scene, making us wish there were more bands like them!
What a debut album! Greyhawk show signs of great things to come in the future with their Keepers of the Flame. Riding on the wave of great heavy metal bands coming out of the US in the past couple of year, Greyhawk sound like a band to keep in mind with great clear vocals which along with heavy metal riffs make for some memorable EPIC tracks like "Frozen Star" and "Keepers of the Flame". Definitely worth a listen for all those true heavy metal fans!
Another year, another great release from Roine Stolt and company this time around, just one short year after the release of the excellent Waiting for Miracles! While not as masterful as its predecessor, Islands manages to be another highly enjoyable release in the long list of beautifully crafted albums by one of the most consistently good prog rock acts out there. Highlights of the record include the single "Broken" and "Tangerine" which interweaves the vocals of Hasse Fröberg with those of Stolt in a truly magical vocal interplay worthy of any previous release of the band!
Atlantean Kodex -The Course of the Empire (Ván Records)
Atlantean Kodex know the secret of Epic Heavy metal and their 3rd full length album adds an EPIC touch to the top and 2019 overall. Their first 2010 release, The Golden Bough, previously seen in the Best of Epic Metal Top, showed that they have the potential for great things from the beginning! The Course of the Empire shines from the amazing intro "The Alpha and the Occident" which transitions into the awesome 9-minute journey that is "People of the Moon", the album is packed with HEAVY guitar riffs, great drumming and interesting clear vocals with a touch of roughness that is exactly what is needed for this epic ride through history! There are different changes across the record between symphonic heaviness (like in "Chariots") and doom gloominess (which can be heard in "A Secret Byzantium") without losing in epicness with some tracks bringing memories of Bathory. When even the shorter transition tracks like the slow-paced "The Innermost Light" and the eerie "Spell of the Western Sea" are that EPIC it is hard to choose a highlight from the album, though the melodic "He Who Walks Behind the Years" with its melancholic vibe would be a worthy candidate. Finally, the massive "The Course of Empire" perfectly compliments the epic intro with its amazing mid-song changes with the 6minute mark being made for sing-alongs! This a solid 1-hour release in the age of barely 40minute heavy metal albums which does not drag out but instead each track adds something different making this worthy of the 6 year wait!
95.6/100
Below is the official video for the song "People Of The Moon (Dawn Of Creation)".
Now that we are slowly moving into autumn, Monasterium's second full length album fits with the weather and the mood due to its gloomy doom sound. The Polish epic doometallers who also graced our 2010s Top Doom Metal albums are back having stepped up from their debut album and they do not shy away with the first track "Church of Bones"
showcasing that they know how to play traditional doom metal with a touch of Messiah-era Candlemass thanks to the lead singer's (Michał Strzeleck) clear and theatrical/operatic vocals! The doomy awesomeness is continued throughout the record with high pitched vocals and memorable guitar riffs in the imposing "La Danse Macabre" and an amazingly catchy chorus in the melodic "Liber Loagaet". But do not fear! The second part of the album does not lose momentum and is equally heavy and epic both lyrically and musically with the most shining example of an instant classic doom metal song being "The Order of the Dragon" which is another EPIC highlight of the album for all band members (though the lead singer tends to outshine them following in the steps of Messiah Marcolin). Wrapping up the album, "The Last Templar" with its narration around the Crusades (and the struggle between Grand Master of the Knights Templar Jacques De Molay and King Philip IV) is last but not least as it is packed with amazing riffs, a catchy sing-along chorus leaving the listener wondering when they are planning to release their next album! Overall, Monasterium succeed in mixing the classy epic doom sounds which create an eerie atmosphere with interesting lyrical themes including stories about the knights templar, magic and ancient Greece, differentiating themselves from stock Candlemass-copy bands and leaving their epic/heavy mark in the doom scene!
94.85/100
Below is the official lyric video for the song "The Last Templar".
Further down, in number 22 of the best albums of 2019, we nominate "The Mortal", the 5th(!) full length release from Kansas Doom Metal act "Merlin". Having not heard Merlin before last year's "The Wizard", which barely missed the top albums of 2018, I was blown away by these two albums which truly blend equal parts of Doom, space rock and stoner metal to craft a magical blend guiding the hapless listener to new dimensions of horror and wonder, while vocalist Jordan Knorr is exactly what the doctor ordered for those hot summer nights! Highlights of the latest record include the heavy "Mind Flayer", the trippy "Ashen Lake", as well as the labyrinthine mysteries of "Metamorphosis", but if you like what you're hearing also check out 2018's "The Wizard". Highly recommended for space wizards and space lizards!
94.2/100
Below is the lyric video for "Mind Flayer".
Blasting their way into both the 2019 Top and the Best Doom Albums of the Decade, are the Canadian doom metallers from Canada, Doom's Day. Their fourth full length album, "Baphomet" is an excellent example of heavy doom spiced with appropriate lyrical themes about demons and witches! The rough & aggressive vocals by lead singer DooM, add a more edgy and heavy vibe to the tracks, with the best example being without a doubt the awesome "Kill the Priest". The powerful vocals mixing with some amazing guitar work differentiates the band from classic doom metal and making their sound memorable and unique. The title-track "Baphomet" is heavily based on combining these heavy and rhythm guitars with a great melodic guitar solo acting as an ode to Baphomet perfectly leading to the accoustic interlude "Sacrifice"! But don't be wary, this is the only breath you have time to take. The pace picks up right away with a lot of heavy doom tracks making the album worth a listen and you wishing that it was longer!
94.15/100
Below is the official lyric video for the song "Kill the Priest".
Going to number 25 of the best albums of 2019, we have the seventh outing from Swedish Doomsters Isole, aptly named "Dystopia". Previously featured in the best Doom & Epic albums of the past decade with Dystopia's predecessor The Calm Hunter, their newest effort might be their tightest release yet. Through the past 15 years and 7 albums, Isole have evolved their sound while succeeding in creating an epic atmosphere. Daniel Bryntse's clear and sorrowful vocals play an important role in conjuring the perfect doom feeling throughout the album. The opening track, "Beyond the Horizon" has a memorable chorus both lyrically and melodically, though it doesn't take long for the album to take a heavier turn, with songs like "The Beholder" and its "oriental-like" riffs, the interesting addition of rough brutal vocals blending with the menacing chimes of bells in "You Went Away" or the darker "Galenskapens land" telling the eerie tale of the land of madness in Swedish. In "Dystopia", dark undertones of heavy doom guitars dominate all the songs blending with lyrical themes that take the listener on a journey through tales of sorrow and loss!
94.1/100
Below is the official video for "Beyond the Horizon"
Between disbanding back in 2012, regrouping and releasing 2 great EPs with singer Mats Leven, and finally reuniting with original singer Johan Längquist, a lot has happened to Candlemass between releasing the great "Psalms for the Dead" and the newest "The Door to Doom". News of reuniting with the voice behind the original versions of "Solitude" and "Under the Oak" brought a great amount of anticipation for a new record with the reunited line-up. So how does the Door of Doom fare against the back-log of the band? Overall the album is great. The band is in form and Leif is pounding the audience with riffs like there is no tomorrow. Tracks like "Astrolus", "Black Trinity" and "The House of Doom" are truly worthy of the Candlemass Hall of Fame and are sure to be valued additions in Doom Metal Playlists for years to come. Through this the bands succeeds in reaffirming their return and initialise potentially a new phase of their career (akin to 2007's "King of the Grey Islands"). 93.4/100
Below is the music video for "Astorolus - The Great Octopus"
15. My Dying Bride - A Map of all failures (Peaceville Records - 2012)
Gothic/Depressing doom legends My Dying Bride were less active this decade, releasing only 2 "real" full-length albums, due to a number of personal misfortunes. However, one can still hear the already familiar desperation in "A Map of our Failures" and plunge into the depths of depression and exasperation that only My Dying Bride are capable of producing. Their other release "Feel The Misery" is also recommended, however "A Map of All our Failures" epitomises what My Dying Bride are and therefore is an essential release for anyone enjoying a brooding dark night.
Doom's Day prove that the past couple of years have given us some awesome doom albums that are worthy of this list. Their 2019 record adds a rough edge in the classic doom metal tunes. DooM's lead vocals definitely fit with the edgy vibe with "Kill the priest" having one of the catchiest and memorable choruses of this year that you are bound to get stuck in your mind for a while! The Canadian band has something to say with their fourth album and it is definitely worth listening to their message!
13. Cruthu - The Angle of Eternity (The Church Within Records - 2017)
Cruthu, meaning creation in Gaelic, may sound like a classic 70s doom metal band butthey only formed in 2014 and have released one album, "The Angle of Eternity", that showcases a classic heavy doom sound fitting for our list. From the first gloomy guitar riff and the sound of clear and majestic vocals (Ryan Evans) you feel the chills and haunting vibe which perfectly displayed in the mesmerising "Lady in the Water" and the groovier "Seance" with one of the catchiest guitar riffs in this list! An instant doom metal classic record!
12. Venomous Maximus - No Warning (Shadow Kingdom Records - 2017)
Venomous Maximus have an eerie vibe that is achieved through both haunting and imposing vocals and dark and groovy acoustic & electric guitar riffs. The heavy/doom metallers from Texas also succeed in blending their sound with an epic feeling with "Pray For Me" being the perfect example! They seem to have found the secret into mixing rough sounds with a dramatic sound/attitude and some melodic accoustic twists!
11. Revelations - Gatekeeper (Sliptrick Records - 2017)
Revelations who have previously graced our 2017 top and our Best of epic metal top, are also definitely worth a spot in the best doom metal albums of the decade. The Swedish band have created the perfect blend of NWOBHM and classic doom metal tunes without missing on the melodic aspect of heavy metal or the darker vibe of early Sabbath-like eeriness.
Reaching the top 10, the psychedelic doomsters from Sweden with album Legend (see 2012 top) are here to add a psychedelic hard rock twist to the classic doom sound with a lot of memorable tracks like "It's Not Because of You". The change in the band's line-up following the release of their previous album, Alchemist gave them a breath of fresh sound and ideas which can be heard in this album, making Legend stand out!
9. Solstice - White Horse Hill (Dark Descent Records - 2018)
Solstice are an amazing UK-based epic doom metal band with a history spanning back to the summer solstice of 1990 and a long list of changes in their active band members. This hasn't stopped them from creating and releasingsome awesomely epic metal that deservedly gained them a place on this list. The album oozes epicness with the songs like the titular "White Horse Hill" showcasing epic & sorrowful vocals and monumental tunes that combine galloping drums with a pinch of the Primordial sound and along with a folk/ accoustic element.
8. Cathedral - The Guessing Game (Nuclear Blast - 2010)
Cathedral always felt like an experimental band, and this, their penultimate album (their final output "The Last Spire", was essentially a compilation drawing elements from all their previous albums) is where things got too experimental for some. Fusing classic doom elements with psychedelic prog and using vocal lines that were edging on recitation, this album is truly a weird one. But give it time and slowly but surely, the pure British non-sense of this album will start winning you over. Highlights of the record include "Funeral of Dreams" and "Journeys into Jade".
7. Iron Void - Excalibur (Shadow Kingdom Records - 2018)
Further up, we find Iron Void who realised an awesome album in 2018, about the legend of Excalibur. The record is packed with a mixture of heavy slow-paced and melodic NWOBHM riffs that are balanced by rough strong vocals giving every song an EPIC feeling! The most complex and intriguing song is the imposing "The Death of Arthur" which is an amazing example of epic doom song-writing that narrates the equally fitting theme of the demise of the King Arthur.
What can be said about Below who have managed to sneak both into our 2017 top and our Best of epic metal list? Upon a Pale Horse is definitely worth the merit and you can hear straight from the beginning of the album with the epic doom "The Plague Within" that this will be a memorable and unique journey into doom.
5. Angel of Damnation - Heathen Witchcraft (Shadow Kingdom Records - 2018)
Reaching the top 5, there is another 2018 epic doom release by Angel of Damnation that stands out for the awesomely epic vocals by Gerrit P. Mutz (ex-Battleroar), reminiscent of Messiah-era Candlemass. The album's slow menacing riffs are complemented with crystal clear vocals, though the most memorable song is without a doubt the final track, "Tear off the Veil off the Sun" that adds an epic Manilla Road vibe!
4. Baroness - Yellow and Green (Relapse Records - 2012)
Baroness released their heavy & psychedelic Yellow and Green during a challenging year (for more info see our 2012 top entry) but have nevertheless succeeded in creating another unique-sounding record which is packed with an interesting blend of different musical themes, while incorporating psychedelic and melodic vibes. Definitely worth a listen especially for those looking for something that is not strictly confined to doom metal and doesn't hesitate to sound different.
3. Krux - III He Who Sleeps among the Stars (GMR Music Group - 2011)
Armed with one of the most memorable and catchiest choruses ever heard in their 2011 album "He Who Sleeps among the Stars", Krux show the world how classic doom metal should really sound like! If you haven't heard this album yet, you are probably missing out on one of the best outputs of Leif Edling this side of the millennium.
2. Doomsword - The Eternal Battle (Dragonheart Records - 2011)
Italian epic doomsters Doomsword are certainly one of the most unique bands in the genre. This masterpiece of an album also made it to the top albums of its year and also into the best epic metal albums of the decade. There is still no updates on a successor album, but we hope that this is not the last we hear from Deathmaster and co.
1. Candlemass - Psalms for the Dead (Napalm Records - 2012)
When Candlemass released "Psalms for the Dead", it was supposed to be their last release. Thankfully, they recently reunited with original vocalist Johan Langquist and released another great album "The Door to Doom". However, upon internal deliberation in the team of the Blog, it was decided that Psalm for the Dead was, and still is the definitive doom metal album of the decade. The maturation of the symbiosis with Rob Lowe resulted in some of the best doom metal songs the band has written, including the groovy doom that is "The Sound of Dying Demons" and the soul-wrenching agony of "Black as Time". An immaculate release and a great number 1 DOOM metal album of the decade.
31. Thronehammer - Usurper of the Oaken Throne (Church Within Records - 2019)
In number 31, as we begin our journey into doom, is the epic international trio, we are proud to present Thronehammer with their first full length album. Filled with heavy tunes all throughout the record with epic guitar riffs in "Conquered and Erased", awesome choruses accompanied by the booming echoing sounds of a hammer in "Thronehammer" and wrapping up with "Usurper of the Oaken Throne"s amazingly heavy and groovy guitar riff that will stick with to any fan of melodic low-end heavy tunes. Definitely a band to keep an eye on and a great mood piece for this list!
30. Church of misery - And then there were none (Rise Above - 2016)
Coming off the depth of hell and despair, Japanese Doomsters Church of Misery released in 2016 a true monolithic gem of a doom/stoner metal. With clear influences from Cathedral in their sound and Scott Carlson in a one-off appearance as their vocalist, the band deliver their message in doom and gloom. If you fancy their sound here, you can also check their past releases with 2009's "Houses of the Unholy" being unquestionably their best effort to date (and barely missing this retrospective).
29. Whatever End - A birth of Loss (Independent - 2017)
The sole output of relatively unknown Greek prog doomsters Whatever End, "A birth of Loss" is a unique blend of avant-garde operatic vocals (that at times sound almost SOAD-like), prog metal rhythmic switches, doomy riffs and symphonic influences, rendering them one of the most "out there" choices for this list. Among the highlights of the album are the titular song and the labyrinth-like "Evershift". A stunning release from a very promising band with hopefully many more to come!
The Obsessed finally returned after a silence of 23 years delivering 2017's Sacred. A much more rock-oriented record than the previous outputs of Wino under The Obsessed banner, it retains a sweet blend of their trademark sound with later influences from Wino's other projects showing that even among the most monolithic among us there is such a thing as progress.
27. Nekromant - The Nekromant Lives (Ripple Music - 2018)
Nekromant is another excellent doom/psychedelic band from Sweden, who after releasing a more average debut in 2017, returned with an excellent doom elegy the following year, releasing "The Nekromant Lives". Drawing influences from classic doom and 80s hard rock/heavy metal, this is a very interesting release full of melodic lines that transcend doom but still draw inspiration from it, with tracks such as "Eye of the Sky" veering further away from the doom formula while others (eg. the superb "Blood for Walpurgis") stay faithful to it.
26. Blood Ceremony - Living with the Ancients (Rise Above - 2011)
Blood Ceremony add a psychedelic note to doom and a groovy vibe that perfectly blends with female vocals. "Coven Tree" has a classic 70s feeling to it that is mixed with Ian Anderson-inspired flute notes giving a fresh vibe. The perfect mix of hard rock, doom and psychedelic tunes can be heard in "My Demon Bother" which has great Black-Sabbath-like guitar riffs and travels the listener back to the classics with a nod to the future.
You can also read our review of the more rock-oriented "The Eldritch Dark"from 2013 here.
25. Orchid - Mouths of Madness (Nuclear Blast - 2013)
Largely almost a Black Sabbath tribute band, Orchid in their second full length release, show that despite having a sound and vocal vibe that feels as a direct continuation of Sabbath (including Oh-yeas from singer Theo Mindell and being named after a "Master of Reality" track), they can still deliver the goods. With songs like "Mountains of Steel", Nomad" and "Leaving It All Behind" that Iommi himself would be proud of, there is nothing fake about the love of this band to the grand-fathers of metal. And when you are really devoted to something that always shines through!
24. Mist - Free me of the sun (Soulseller Records - 2018)
Mist is another proof that powerful female vocals are a perfect fit for heavy doom riffs if you know what you're doing. Free me of the sun is the first full-length album of the promising Slovenian band (with four out five members being female!) and is certainly one of the bands to keep an eye on when you looking for something that has that uniquely sounding Candlemass buzz! With amazingly catchy songs such as the "White Torch" showcasing a wide vocal range of the lead singer and a catchy chorus what more can anyone ask?
Lord Vigo are truly an excellent Doom metal band, with both their records being criminally underrated by true purists of the genre, in my humble opinion. Six Must Die was chosen for this list as it marginally surpasses its predecessor in terms of replay value, but both albums are true diamonds in the rough for epic doom metal fans. The power trio from Germany draw influences from both the epicness of Candlemass and the monolithic nature of the early Cathedral albums to present an almost perfect blend of epic doom that renders this work among the best of the genre from newcomer acts this decade!
22. Isole - The Calm Hunter (Cyclone Empire - 2014)
Isole have released other exceptional Doom/Epic records before, but to my humble opinion, The Calm Hunter is their best release by far. Here, they grow out of their influences and leave behind their Doomier side in favour of a more epic approach, though there are definitely elements that hint at the origins of the band.
There are songs that have a more progressive structure ("My Regret", "Into Oblivion") , while others adopt a more straightforward doom approach ("Dead to Me"), but overall the album works pretty well and creates a sombre atmosphere that will haunt you every time you have a go at it.
21. Destroyer of Light - Chamber of Horrors (Heavy Friends Records - 2017)
Destroyer of Light is a Texan four-piece "horror" doom metal band that truly blossomed in this, their second release. Combining doom riffs and methodically building the melody over the course of the tracks, being willing to experiment with different vocal approaches even within the same tracks and some light influence from stoner/southern music that is barely noticeable but still manages to infuse their sombre doom with its own identity, the band achieved what other newcomers only dream of: to forge its own identity without reinventing the wheel!
The lords of British doom return triumphantly with an album that returns them to their roots. Taking inspiration from their earlier years and fusing elements that made them what they are over the years, Paradise Lost once more deliver a true masterpiece of doom/death(!). The last song from the predecessor of Medusa ("Return to the Sun") was a warning shot, however it is here that true DOOM masters return. The album acts as a celebration of that return, with Nick Holmes spewing poison with every word, Greg Macintosh tunes the guitars to the abyss and the trademark riffs of the band suddenly sound sinister and ominous, warning of death and horror at every turn. A fucking monolith of a doom metal album!
19. Demon Head - Ride the wilderness (The Charming Man Records - 2015)
The Danes come down from the North with their amazing debut album, Ride the wilderness (which was followed by two equally engaging albums in 2017 & 2019). If you are looking for an early Sabbath mood but with more rough Pentagram/Danzig vocals that reek of manliness, this is the album for you. You can read our full review of the album here.
18. Burning Saviours - Death (Transubstans Records - 2018)
Blending Pentagam-influneced doom melodies along with US heavy metal riffing, Burning Saviours from Sweden are a more metallic version of compatriot psychedelic/occult rockers Witchcraft. In their fifth full length, simply called "Death", they create an almost perfect blend of their various elements, from the doomy Draug, to the almost Doomsword-like "Crusade of Evil" and the infectious awesomeness of Häxnatten, this is a great album that at 35 minutes feels just about tight enough to not include any fillers at all, but deliver the goods!
17. Dautha - Brethren of the Black Soil (Van Records - 2018)
Dautha are an epic doom project from Norrköping, which in their debut album impress by using a combination of epic vocals, My Dying Bide-esque riffing and violins with an overlay of traditional folk aesthetic. By examining tragic themes (like The Children's Crusade in the aptly named track), Doom here is not just in the music but in the essence of the band. Choirs, operatic vocals, any trick in the book is fair game for these guys as they forge their way into the darkest night howling "Memento Mori".
16. Monasterium - Church of Bones (Nine Records - 2019)
Finally for this part, we proudly present Monasterium from Poland with their very recent second full-length release, "Church of Bones". Monasterium are a very orthodox epic doom band, which is bound to make whoever listen to their album have intense flashbacks of Messiah-era Candlemass, and you know what? They do it better than anyone out there right now! The album could easily be a proud successor to "Ancient Dreams", and with tracks like La Danse Macabre", "The Order of the Dragon", and "The Last Templar" which really kick motherfucking ass you can be sure that these guys are here to stay!
