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!

Humulus - The Deep

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

 
The Brothers Keg - Folklore, Myths and Legends

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

 
Acid Mammoth - Under Acid Hoof

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

 
Mount Hush - Mount Hush

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

 
Sun of Grey - Outerworld

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

 
Black Elephant - Seven Swords

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

 
Scorched Oak - Withering Earth

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

 
Kitchen Witch - Earth and Ether

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

 
REZN - Chaotic Divine

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

 
KIND - Mental Nudge

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

 
Huanastone - Third Stone from the Sun

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

 
Ritual King - Ritual King

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

 
Black Rainbows - Cosmic Ritual Supertrip

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

 
Sun Crow - Quest For Oblivion

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

 
King Buffalo - Dead Star

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

 
Pallbearer - Forgotten Days

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

 
Psychlona - Venus Skytrip

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

 
Lowrider - Refractions

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

 
All Them Witches - Nothing as the Ideal

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

 
Kryptograf - Kryptograf

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

  1. USA (7) – Sun of Grey, REZN, KIND, Sun Crow, King Buffalo, Pallbearer, All Them Witches
  2. Italy (3) – Humulus, Black Elephant, Black Rainbows
  3. UK (3) – The Brothers Keg, Ritual King, Psychlona
  4. Germany (2) – Scorched Oak, Mount Hush
  5. Greece (1) – Acid Mammoth
  6. Australia (1) – Kitchen Witch
  7. Sweden (1) – Huanastone, Lowrider
  8. Norway (1) – Kryptograf

11

Total Number of Record Labels

  1. Independent/Self released (7) – Mount Hush, Sun of Grey, Scorched Oak, Kitchen Witch, REZN, Sun Crow, King Buffalo
  2. Ripple Music (3) – KIND, Ritual King, Psychlona
  3. Heavy Psych Sounds (2) – Acid Mammoth, Black Rainbows
  4. Blues Funeral Recordings (2) – Lowrider
  5. Kozmik Artifactz (1) – Humulus
  6. APF Records (1) – The Brothers Keg
  7. Small Stone Recordings (1) – Black Elephant
  8. Argonauta Records (1) – Huanastone
  9. Nuclear Blast (1) – Pallbearer
  10. New West Records (1) – All Them Witches
  11. Apollon Records (1) – Kryptograf

 

Listen to My Top 20 Doom and Heavy Psychedelic Albums of 2020 Playlist on Spotify

 

Thank you to all of the artists who released music this year!

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