Monuments in Ruin Doom Charts Submissions June 2024
Here we are, a few weeks after the official JUNE 2024 DOOM CHARTS list has been accumulated, votes tallied and published. Among our contributors we discussed a total of 207 albums to calculate the final list.
We’re still slowly digging through an aggressive top 40 of some of the greatest new heavy music on the market. Plus, 160+ hanging on the back burner.
This week the DOOM CHARTS PERORATION LIST, a list of items our contributors wanted to write about but did not make the official top 40 or possibly had two or more reviews submitted, was officially published and we have nearly 30 more new records to start investigating.
Why discuss that before posting a new list? Because everything that I am about to feature here has already been published on the DOOM CHARTS webpage, on the MONUMENTS IN RUIN webpage, our BUY ME A COFFEE webpage or a combo of all three locations. Nothing new under the sun, as they say.
This is an alphabetize list of the albums submitted by MONUMENTS IN RUIN for the voting process. Why post these as a separate list? Well, absolutely no reason other than to have a list published that you can dig through among the massive swell of albums you’ve already been soaked with, in case you overlooked one in the flood.
Grab those floaties and let’s dive in! Massive thank you to all other the contributors at the DOOM CHARTS, the bands, labels, public relations coordinators and readers who deserve every ounce of your support. Hit them with a thank you, a share, a thumbs up or a subscription. Every little bit helps keep wind in their sails. Visit the DoomCharts.com
Monuments in Ruin Doom Charts Submissions June 2024
~ AIRBAG - THE CENTURY OF THE SELF
~ BLACK_BUBBLEGUM. - ABJECT PAIN
~ CANDY - IT’S INSIDE YOU
~ EL JEFAZO - COLISION BRUTAL
~ FU MANCHU - THE RETURN OF TOMORROW
~ PIJN - FROM LOW BEAMS OF HOPE
~ REDWOOD - DRY RIVERS
~ REZN - BURDEN
~ SONS OF ARRAKIS - VOLUME II
~ STONE NOMADS - BEYOND THE GATES
~ WYNDRIDER - REVIVAL
~ YAJAIRA - EPOPEYA
THE BLURBS
Airbag - The Century of the Self
(prog, chill, rock)
(Oslo, Norway)
(Karisma Records)
Airbag slowly melts the listener into a calming headspace and welcomes the slow rolling tide of embrace with The Century of the Self.
Soft, subtle post-rockish elements build layers to create a benevolent rock listening experience. The juxtaposition of feeling heavier than the last segment while keeping a low profile base level is a rolling emotional theme. Building crescendos that rise and fall, they clearly draw a line that prevents the structure from pushing it over the edge into manic, distorted waves of heavy. The balanced production of instrumentation preserves the clean vocals to help showcase them in a clear light.
Listening feels like a warm reception from a long time friend whom you've missed spending time with over recent years.
~ Bobby Rayfield (Monuments In Ruin)
https://airbagsound.bandcamp.com/album/the-century-of-the-self
Song: Dysphoria
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black_bubblegum. - Abject Pain EP (Independent 2024)
(industrial, death wave)
(Chicago, Illinois)
(Self Released)
Abject Pain by black_bubblegum. takes all of the dirt and grit of your daily struggles and hand crafts them into a molotov cocktail to the face.
The EP introduces itself with sonic destruction of the highest level. A tsunami of harsh, low end pulses and screamy vocal attacks that cut straight to the point. This is one of the elements that appeal best to me about the industrial music genre. But wait! There's more! The next passage of sounds changes up into a swirling, experimental clash of dissonance that culminates into a brief moment to recalibrate as the spoken and harsh words make their way into the fold. There is a touch of horror soundtrack elements in the mix and the full ride is bookends with another dose of the sonic destruction we previously discussed.
The EP is terrific. If this sounds like something you might enjoy, my guess would be you'll listen to it twice in a row, as I did.
~ Bobby Rayfield (Monuments In Ruin)
https://blackbubblegum.bandcamp.com/album/abject-pain
Song: Godhood
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Candy - It’s Inside You
(hardcore punk, metal)
(Richmand, Va)
(Relapse Records)
Open up those living rooms for circle pits because It’s Inside You by Candy is gonna erupt in a crowd surf extravaganza when it hits your stereo.
Packed with dense grooves, chunky break downs, thrash-tastic riff assaults and industrial vibes, this album has everything the extreme music fan needs to bust open a batch of backyard party throwdowns in neighborhoods around the globe. Imagine breeding a death spawn of Nailbomb, Power Trip, Drain and Nine Inch Nails. It sounds bizarre to write it on paper but it is beyond rewarding to hear it play out. 10/10 if you are a fan of hardcore and open minded to hear it mixed with other genres. Confirmed you will play it twice in a row and search for more.
~ Bobby Rayfield (Monuments In Ruin)
https://candygonnadie.bandcamp.com/album/it-s-inside-you
Song: Dehumanize Me
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El Jefazo - Colisión Brutal
(desert, doom, heavy psych)
(Lima, Peru)
(Self Released)
Colisión Brutal by El Jefazo combines a pulverizing wall of heaviness with psychedelic sample elements to set the mind a flame with interest.
This band is digging in deep and committing to the cause. Their smoke stacks roar with evacuating heat and smolder with stoner rock dust and fire. Expect your surrounding environment to be completely engulfed in the movement. Choking you with killing riff after killing riff, this album is layered with bludgeoning gravity bong style deliveries. Big drums, perfectly timed bass runs that perk the ear in time for the next change up to catch fire. You thought your power lung could take it but it's choking you out and now you are in for the ride.
Don't walk into this unaware because this is medical grade plant based rock and roll at its finest.
~ Bobby Rayfield (Monuments In Ruin)
https://eljefazostoner.bandcamp.com/album/colisi-n-brutal
Song: El Veneno es la Cura
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Fu Manchu - The Return Of Tomorrow
(rock, stoner, desert)
(San Clemente, California)
(At The Dojo)
The Return Of Tomorrow by Fu Manchu reminds us why they are the masters of fuzz.
When it comes to good time, fuzzed out rock and roll ala stoner rock legends, Fu Manchu has long been a go to name to reference such. They are always on brand with their signature sound and are consistently able to write a new batch of riffs that fit right in the pocket of the monolith discography they have crafted over a thirty year stretch. It’s such a treat to hear a new album from the veteran musicians that sparks as much excitement to the listener as the many albums before this one have.
Fu Manchu have delivered another sermon from the desert sands and we give them thanks as we soak up the sun.
~ Bobby Rayfield (Monuments In Ruin)
https://fumanchuband.bandcamp.com/album/the-return-of-tomorrow
Song: Haze the Hides
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Pijn - From Low Beams Of Hope
(doom, post-metal, ambient)
(Manchester, UK)
(Floodlit Recordings)
From Low Beams Of Hope by Pijn reminds us that their creative energy is admirable and unstoppable.
As a recent discovery, Pijn caught my attention and captured my heart. To discover a new album landing this month generated nothing short of excitement for me. With an almost stopping of all activities, my focus became finding a place undisturbed to listen. The expectation held was not let down but accentuated . This is the type of album one can sink into completely. A complete and flowing movement of thought without interruption. The emotional level of songwriting and heaviness of atmosphere here are the template used to seduce and captivate a full range of emotions in one presentation.
Fans of GY!BE, Kayo Dot and 5ive may want to take note.
~ Bobby Rayfield (Monuments In Ruin)
https://pijn.bandcamp.com/album/from-low-beams-of-hope
Song: A Thousand Tired Lives
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Redwood - Dry Rivers EP
(stoner, psych, doom)
(California)
(Self Released)
Drifting in on a cloud of psychedelic smoke, the Dry Rivers EP by Redwood is laced with magic dust and heavy blues driven riffs.
The foundation of these jams are the essential vitamins and minerals of a stoner rock diet that every growing fan needs. A healthy does, in fact. The band is standing firmly amongst the rhythms of our swirling universe and grounded firmly to desert vibes that create a vibrant song crafting ecosystem in which to thrive.
Psychedelics pour from the skies and feed all that grows in this outlying world. The vocals speak out over endless grooves, ripping bass runs and distorted sound waves carve the way for Redwood to sustain firmly rooted in the lands they now call their home.
~ Bobby Rayfield (Monuments In Ruin)
https://redwooddoom.bandcamp.com/album/redwood
Song: Another Pill
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REZN - Burden
(doom, psych, rock)
(Chicago, Illinois)
(Sargent House)
Burden by REZN delivers another massive slab of psych soaked doom.
There are many directions one can take heavy music. By not remaining traditional there is a risk of pushing some fans away while gaining others. REZN manages to continue blending the most powerful elements of sludge and doom with outer elements of rock, psychedelia and a touch of ambient space. These songs allow time to breathe, build upon an urging emotion and deliver appropriately. When the time to strike arrives, it crushes all its path like a mountain crumbling. The clean vocals level the chaos to a welcoming tone. The result is a very palatable presentation to the heaviest of moments.
~ Bobby Rayfield (Monuments In Ruin)
https://rezzzn.bandcamp.com/album/burden
Song: Indigo
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Sons of Arrakis - Volume II
(desert, doom, sci-fi, rock)
(Montreal, Québec)
(Black Throne Productions 2024)
Sons of Arrakis are primed to be our guide to a hard rock uprising with Volume II.
It is clear that Sons of Arrakis understand the sweet spot in rock. Nothing about the design here is questionable. We are not talking about beer soaked belligerence. This is, raise your glass in the air nodding because this riff feels so damn good, music. There is a bluesy touch to certain parts of the album. No one would fault anyone for taking that path, right? It is the ultimate spice in every great rock record. It also helps build up an emotional direction that can make the next riff feel stronger. Stoner blues, adjacent with fun riffs and clean vocals. Rock solid production and good times unending.
Side note: It makes me want to investigate Volume I to see what I've missed out on.
~ Bobby Rayfield (Monuments In Ruin)
https://sonsofarrakis.bandcamp.com/album/volume-ii
Song: Blood for Blood
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Stone Nomads - Beyond the Gates EP
(stoner, doom, sludge)
(Houston, Texas)
(Gravitoyd Heavy Music 2024)
Prepare for the bludgeoning as Stone Nomads unleash their brand of savagery upon the world.
Thunder rolls from the depths and sulfur rises. Startled breathing occurs from all who are present. Pure volume bleeds through sludge drenched speakers, pulling oxygen from the skies. Well balanced production pushes the strength of these riffs with a clean vocal presentation that occasionally dips into a touch of sinister grumble. This is the ideal type of EP that leaves us wanting more.
Where the shadows begin to gather, these stoner doom songs will become their soundtrack before overtaking our world with darkness.
~ Bobby Rayfield (Monuments In Ruin)
https://stonenomads.bandcamp.com/album/beyond-the-gates
Song: Witch
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WyndRider - Revival
(stoner, doom, rock)
(Tennessee)
(Electric Valley Records)
Revival by WyndRider blends slow, southern charm into their own brand of bluesy, stoner rock.
Loud, fuzzy amps rumble from the hills of Tennessee straight into your stereo as Wyndrider unveil their newest release, Revival. Step forward and be blessed by the riff. This awakening services the almighty music gods of stoner jams and desert dwellers. The production is solid and clean vocals drift seductively over pharaonic songwriting. It is powerful in all of the best ways.
Smoke slowly rolls in as this revival begins and all who are in attendance shall feel the fire.
~ Bobby Rayfield (Monuments In Ruin)
https://wyndrider.bandcamp.com/album/revival
Song: Under the Influence
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Yajaira - Epopeya
(psych, stoner, doom)
(Santiago, Chile)
(Bombtrack Distro)
Epopeya by Yajaira takes us back to the lands where bluesy, psychedelic, stoner giants are born.
It seems very recent that we discussed my enjoyment of Yajaira and my consideration of them being a "Best kept secret '' in our heavy music world. My excitement of seeing their new album release available made me jump for a sound system and crank it up as loud and fast as possible. Nothing about this release let me down.
Yajaira has the ability to seemingly follow a stoner rock blueprint, but like true architects, they consistently surprise the listener with new structures within that appeal artistically while simultaneously strengthening the foundation. Pushing our previous interpretation into fresh light. An arc or a line that we did not see or maybe an angle that fits all too perfectly yet we never found it lurking in the shadows before now.
The eerie darkness of what this band is capable of is the secret sauce in their chemistry. The ultimate in slow, dirty, heavy blues jams that consistently spark excitement in the neurons and slowly melt the brain with massive waves of electricity, in the best way.
~ Bobby Rayfield (Monuments In Ruin)
https://yajaira.bandcamp.com/album/epopeya
Song: Algo Se Está Quemando
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