Doom and heavy psychedelic music is alive and strong in 2020. Look no further than this selection of heavy underground music from around the world. These albums cross a number of subsets of heavy music, but they all feel connected sonically. And while I explore a wide range of music, metal in particular, this broader sound, with deep roots in the heavy psychedelic scenes of the 60s and 70s, strong nod to the blues, and cosmic jams that I return to most often. All of these albums have been tested to pair well with runnin, dog walkin, liftin, ridin, drivin, workin, and couch-lockin. And many of these bands have stellar previous releases and similar artists, providing endless rabbit holes!
20. Humulus – The Deep
Brescia, Italy
Buy this album from Humulus on Bandcamp
6 songs, 51 minutes
Release Date: Feb 28, 2020
Label: Kozmik Artifactz
19. The Brothers Keg – Folklore, Myths and Legends of the Brothers Keg
London, UK
Buy this album from The Brothers Keg on Bandcamp
9 songs, 43 minutes
Release Date: Sept 11, 2020
Label: APF Records
18. Acid Mammoth – Under Acid Hoof
Athens, Greece
Buy this album from Acid Mammoth on Bandcamp
5 songs, 35 minutes
Release Date: June 24, 2020
Label: Heavy Psych Sounds
17. Mount Hush – Mount Hush
Munich, Germany
Buy this album from Mount Hush on Bandcamp
7 songs, 41 minutes
Release Date: June 12, 2020
Label: Self released
16. Sun of Grey – Outerworld
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Buy this album from Sun of Grey on Bandcamp
6 songs, 43 minutes
Release Date: Oct 30, 2020
Label: Self released
15. Black Elephant – Seven Swords
Savona, Italy
Listen and buy this album from Black Elephant on Bandcamp
7 songs, 33 minutes
Release Date: Aug 21, 2020
Label: Small Stone Recordings
14. Scorched Oak – Withering Earth
Dortmund, Germany
Listen and buy this album from Scorched Oak on Bandcamp
5 songs, 48 minutes
Release Date: Sept 18, 2020
Label: Self released
13. Kitchen Witch – Earth and Ether
Adelaide, Australia
Listen and buy this album from Kitchen Witch on Bandcamp
7 songs, 35 minutes
Release Date: Aug 21, 2020
Label: Self released
12. REZN – Chaotic Devine
Chicago, Illinois
Listen and buy this album from REZN on Bandcamp
11 songs, 1 hour, 4 minutes
Release Date: Oct 01, 2020
Label: Self released
11. Kind – Mental Nudge
Boston, Massachusetts
Buy this album from Ripple Music on Bandcamp
7 songs, 44 minutes
Release Date: Sept 11, 2020
Label: Ripple Music
10. Huanastone – Third Stone from the Sun
Malmö, Sweden
Listen and buy this album from Huanastone on Bandcamp
9 songs, 45 minutes
Release Date: June 19, 2020
Label: Argonauta Records
09. Ritual King – Ritual King
Manchester, UK
Listen and buy this album from Ripple Music on Bandcamp
7 songs, 42 minutes
Release Date: Feb 21, 2020
Label: Ripple Music
08. Black Rainbows – Cosmic Ritual Supertrip
Roma, Italy
Listen and buy this album from Black Rainbows on Bandcamp
12 songs, 49 minutes
Release Date: May 22, 2020
Label: Heavy Psych Sounds
07. Sun Crow – Quest for Oblivion
Seattle, Washington
Listen and buy this album from Sun Crow on Bandcamp
8 songs, 1 hour, 10 minutes
Release Date: Nov 11, 2020
Label: Black Sun Crow Sky
06. King Buffalo – Dead Star
Rochester, New York
Listen and buy this album from King Buffalo on Bandcamp
6 songs, 39 minutes
Release Date: Mar 20, 2020
Label: Self released
05. Pallbearer – Forgotten Days
Little Rock, Arkansas
Listen and buy this album from Pallbearer on Bandcamp
8 songs, 52 minutes
Release Date: Oct 23, 2020
Label: Nuclear Blast
04. Psychlona – Venus Skytrip
Bradford, UK
Listen and buy this album from Psychlona on Bandcamp
8 songs, 49 minutes
Release Date: Aug 21, 2020
Label: Ripple Music
03. Lowrider – Refractions
Stockholm, Sweden
Listen and buy this album from Lowrider on Bandcamp
6 songs, 41 minutes
Release Date: Feb 21, 2020
Label: Blues Funeral Recordings
02. All Them Witches – Nothing as the Ideal
Nashville, Tennessee
Listen and buy this album from All Them Witches on Bandcamp
8 songs, 43 minutes
Release Date: Sept 04, 2020
Label: New West Records
01. Kryptograf – Kryptograf
Bergen, Norway
Listen and buy this album from Kryptograf on Bandcamp
8 songs, 38 minutes
Release Date: June 12, 2020
Label: Apollon Records
By the Numbers
150
Total Number of Songs
15 hours, 16 minutes
Total Listening Time
5
Total Number of Debut Albums
The Brothers Keg, Sun of Grey, Scorched Oak, Sun Crow, Kryptograf
1
Highest Ranked Debut Album
Kryptograf – Kryptograf
8
Total Number of Countries
- USA (7) – Sun of Grey, REZN, KIND, Sun Crow, King Buffalo, Pallbearer, All Them Witches
- Italy (3) – Humulus, Black Elephant, Black Rainbows
- UK (3) – The Brothers Keg, Ritual King, Psychlona
- Germany (2) – Scorched Oak, Mount Hush
- Greece (1) – Acid Mammoth
- Australia (1) – Kitchen Witch
- Sweden (1) – Huanastone, Lowrider
- Norway (1) – Kryptograf
11
Total Number of Record Labels
- Independent/Self released (7) – Mount Hush, Sun of Grey, Scorched Oak, Kitchen Witch, REZN, Sun Crow, King Buffalo
- Ripple Music (3) – KIND, Ritual King, Psychlona
- Heavy Psych Sounds (2) – Acid Mammoth, Black Rainbows
- Blues Funeral Recordings (2) – Lowrider
- Kozmik Artifactz (1) – Humulus
- APF Records (1) – The Brothers Keg
- Small Stone Recordings (1) – Black Elephant
- Argonauta Records (1) – Huanastone
- Nuclear Blast (1) – Pallbearer
- New West Records (1) – All Them Witches
- Apollon Records (1) – Kryptograf