Top 25 of 2020

I hope you are all well and survived the year. This is probably the year that I reviewed the fewest albums but made the most music ever myself.  There seems to be less and less interest in me reviewing stuff so I suspect the blog will slowly die or it will evolve into something else...  Anyway, I bought around 100 CDs and Lps this year and around 100 digital albums (free or bought)...  Below are the ones that I listened to the most and really got into or was surprised by with bands like Mr Bison, Forming the Void, and Lost Stoned Pandas.  It is hard to put these in any exact order..  It is just a list...

LOWRIDER- REFRACTIONS (BLUES FUNERAL)

Who would have thought this swedish band who had not released a record in 20 years would knock it out of the park!  Although, I got the record in Dec 2019, most are considering this a 2020 release..  My wife and I played this a lot and it still is awesome. Killer record.. 

Geezer-Groovy (Heavy Psych Sounds)

I have been a fan of Geezer for quite some time and really loved their last album. The album though, the band went for something different and totally hit the mark.  Just dig it!!  One of the records that I played the most this year. 

DATURA4- WEST COAST HIGHWAY COSMIC (Alive Records)

This has got to be my favourite band from Australia these days.  I just love the retro sound and vibe and they just write killer songs.  I actually think this is maybe their best album.  Totally killer..

The Spacelords- Spaceflowers (Tonzonen)

    Been friends with these guys since we played some gigs together and love these guys but with this album they really killed it. This is for sure my favorite album by the band and I had to buy that box set as well now. Awesome vibes on this record.. 

Mr Bison- Seaward (Ripple)

I really loved the split with Spacetrucker last year but this album just grew and grew on me.  This and Lowrider were for sure the best stoner rock records of 2020.. No doubt!!

TEMPLE FANG- LIVE AT MERLYEN LP (Self Released)

Saw these guys a couple of times at Roadburn and again at Desert Fest. Super cool people and what a great new band.  I have been waiting for a studio album and the snuck this live one out earlier this year.  Killer songs… Can’t wait for more. Heard this one a lot as well. 

OUTLAWS- DIXIE HIGHWAY 2LP (Steamhammer) 

Who would have ever thought that the Outlaws would have another studio album and one that kicks ass as well. Wow.. We were really into this album this year and so many great songs. A lot of the guys in this band are dead but Monte Yoho (Drums) and Henry Paul (guitar and vocals) are still from the original band.  Great stuff.. 

MOTORPSYCHO- ALL IS ONE LP (Stickman Records)

Another year, another Motorpsycho record.  The last few  (The Tower, Crucible) have been quite similar and this also carries some of that weight but throws in a few shorter track as well but the band excel the most on the killer long album side tracks. Wow..  Another amazing record. 

DEEP PURPLE- WHOOSH! (Ear Music)

Deep Purple pretty much make really solid records every time and some how can maintain that signature sound.  Besides a few too many new age synth parts (stick to the Hammond Don!), just a set of killer songs. Lots of great playing. We really liked album a lot..  Classic 70s rock..

Forming The Void-Reverie (Ripple Music)  

This was a totally new band for me and while I like most of the Ripple releases (I subscribe and get the digital files for all the albums for 5 dollars a month), this and Mr Bison were my favorites. The band has been around since 2014.  Powerful stuff…

HOOFFOOT- THE LIGHTS IN THE AISLE WILL GUIDE YOU  (Paura Di Niente)

My friend Pär and his band Hooffoot really killed it this year with this amazing album. It has to be the best one they have made.  Classic 70 prog but with their twists and turns.  Just awesome songs..  Great job guys..

KANAAN- DOUBLE SUN (El Paraiso Records)

Here is another band that was new to me.  I first met the guys in Nov 2019 when Black Moon Circle played with them in Oslo and we also did a jam together. Super nice people. I still have not heard their first album which is out of print but this and the one with Jonas were both great.. Cool stuff..

YURI GAGARIN- OUTSKIRTS OF REALITY  (Kommun2)

The heavy instrumental space rock band from Göteborg, Sweden were back in 2020 with another blast to another universe!  Christian is a master at the riff and his solos cut through so nicely.  Another intense journey to the other side!

OULU SPACE JAM COLLECTIVE- HARVEST SAGE  (Adasonia Records) 

I had hoped for another Deep Space Destuctors record but this will have to do!  The space jam collective from the north of Finland released another brilliant trip from their archives on vinyl. A bit more laid back but super spacey and nice vibes. I dug it a lot.  

ANTIBALAS- FU CHRONICLES  (Daptone Records) 

My favourite afrobeat band mixed it up quite a bit on this album and I was not really that hooked to start but after many listens I grew to totally dig it. Always pushing forward… Hope Seun Kuti will release a new one next year..

LOST STONED PANDAS- TURN ON TUNE IN GET PANDA’D  (Fruits de Mer)

A brand new band but not new folks, most the guys surrounding Sendelica in this group but what a great record. The wife even liked this one a lot.  Super nice and original stuff guys..

OZRIC TENTACLES- SPACE FOR THE EARTH (K-Scope)

he first new Ozrics studio album in 5 years and one of my faves for a long time. It is not really an Ozrics record though as I think of Ozrics tentacles a 5 piece band and this all done by Ed with a few guests on some tracks.  Somehow this album just reached me an a special way. I have been a huge fan for more than 20 years. Great job Ed…    I still dream that there will be “real” Ozric Tentacles again one day. 

WHITE DOG- WHITE DOG (Rise Above Records) 

This was a band that I saw first on Walter’s facebook page. Totally new band from Austin Texas playing classic 70s blues rock with a bit of Southern rock style.  You have to crank this one up..

RRAGS- HIGH PROTEIN LP (Lay Bare Recordings)

This Dutch band have a special chemisty. Just a trio playing retro 70s hard rock but damn they are good. The bands first EP was just mind blowing but this album really grew on me after a while.  Cool band….

White Manna – ARC LP (Cardinal Fuzz)

This album really had the vibe of early Hawkwind and took me on a total trip… It is one of those albums where you have to get stoned and just relax and take the trip…  Crazy sound production as well..

Ellis Munk Ensemble - San Diego Sessions (El Paraiso Records)

How could you not come out with a cool record when you take Jonas (Guitarist in Causa Sui), Brian Ellis (Astra) and guys from a lot of other San Diego area bands like Sacri Monte, load up with beers and joints and jam!!  Fun record I hope there will be more of this!!!

Kind- Mental Anguish (Ripple)

Been 5 years since the last KIND record. My friend Matt played drums on the first one and contributes percussion and synth to this one.  It is a special band but after a while I learned to really dig this band… Cool and original stuff. 

GOSTA BERLINGS SAGA- LP (SONY)

The Swedish band Gösta Berlings saga are totally unique. No one sounds quite like these guys. While I would have liked some more guitar on this very keyboard heavy record, the tracks are all so cool and different.  I got hooked..  

Samsara Blues Experiment-End of Forever (Electric Mistress)

This being the last album by this great band, now that Christian has moved to Brasil!  I have been a fan of the band since the beginning and love these guys.  As expected, this album did not disappoint.  Still need to get the vinyl.  Great stuff.

ØSC- FOUR RIDERS TAKE SPACE MOUNTAIN, DR SPACE’S ALIEN PLANET TRIP VOL 4- SPACE WITH BASS, Dr Space- Nykawana 

Well, I had a lot of releases this year but these three are real stand outs.. My first solo album, Nykawana, the first Alien Planet Trip with bass and a monster ØSC album with a 62 min track… New ØSC has sold the best and had the best reviews. Not surprising.... 

Happy Holidays and a great new year. Here is to the return of live music and many more great releases. Peace, love, no war... 

http://www.spacerockproductions.com

The rest of what I heard in 2020....

ALKYMIST- SANCTUARY LP/TAPE (DENMARK 2020)
ALL THEM WITCHES- NOTHING AS THE IDEAL LP (US 2020)
ALLMAN BETTS BAND- BLESS YOUR HEART CD (UK 2020)
ANTIBALAS- FU CHRONICLES CD/LP (US 2020)
ARMORED SAINT- PUNCHING THE SKY CD/DVD (US 2020)
ASTRAL MAGIC- PATHWAY TO THE STARS CD-R (FINLAND 2020)
ASTRO HATCH- ASTRO HATCH CD (DENMARK 2020)
AURAL HALLUCINATIONS-  LP (US/PT2020)
AUTOMATISM - INTO THE SEA LP (SWEDEN 2020)
BALEFUL CREED- THE LOWDOWN CD (IRELAND 2020)
BARNABUS- BEGINNING TO UNWIND 3LP/7” (UK 2020)
BIG SCENIC NOWHERE- VISION BEYOND HORIZON LP (US 2020)
BIGSCENIC NOWHERE- LAVENDER BLUES LP (US 2020)
BISMUT- RETROCAUSALITY 2LP (HOLLAND 2020)
BLACK SABBATH- VOLUME 4 (REDUX) LP (US 2020)
BLUE OYSTER CULT- THE SYMBOL REMAINS CD (US 2020)
BLUES PILLS. HOLY MOLY LP (SWEDEN 2020) RED GOLD SPLATTER
BRANT BJORK- BRANT BJORK LP/CD (US 2020)
BONIFÁCIO – HANAMI TAPE (PORTUGAL 2020)
BUDOS BAND, THE- LONG IN THE TOOTH LP + 7” (US 2020)
CANDLESMASS- THE PENDULUM LP (SWEDEN 2020)
CIRITH UNGOL - FOREVER BLACKCOLOUR HAZE- WE ARE LP (GERMANY 2020) 
CYCLE- COSMIC CLOUDS 2LP/7” (UK 2020)
DATURA4- WEST COAST HIGHWAY COSMIC LP (AUSTRALIA 2020)
DEAN ALLEN FOYD-SHERPA SPLIT LP (ITALY 2020)
DEEP PURPLE- WHOOSH! CD/DVD (UK 2020)
DOCTORS OF SPACE- FIRST TREATMENT CD/LP (PORTUGAL 2020)
DOMBOSHAWA- FYRA LP (SWEDEN 2020) BLUE
RICARDO D'ORLANDO – WARHEAD CD-R
DR SPACE- NYKAWANA LP/CD (PORTUGAL 2020)
DR SPACE- SCORPOODLEDOO CD (PORTUGAL 2020)
DR SPACE’S ALIEN PLANET TRIP VOL 4- SPACE WITH BASS 2LP (PT2020)
E-GRUPPE LUX OHR- NON PLUS ULTRA CD (FINLAND 2020)
EARTHDRIVE- HELIX NEBULA CD (PORTUGAL 2020)
ELDER- OMENS 2LP (US 2020) SMOKE CLEAR
ELECTRIC MOON- YOU CAN SEE THE SOUND OF LP (GERMANY 2020)
ELECTRIC REMAINS- EYE MAKE THE HORISON LP (SWEDEN 2020)
ELLIS MUNK ENSEMBLE - SAN DIEGO SESSIONS LP
ENDLESS BOOGIE- THE GATHERED AND SCATTERED VOL 1-4 4LP
EYE MAKE THE HORIZON - ELECTRIC REMAINS LP (SWEDEN 2020)
FROZEN PLANET 1969- COLD HAND OF A GAMBLING MAN LP (AUSTR2020) 
GIÖBIA - PLASMATIC IDOL LP (ITALY 2020)
GOLDEN GRASS,, THE- 100 POINTS LP (US 2020)
GOSTA BERLINGS SAGA- LP (SWEDEN 2020) MAGENTA
HAIR OF THE DOG- IT’S JUST A RIDE CD (SCOTLAND 2020)
HAWKWIND LIGHT ORCHESTRA- CARNIVOROUS CD (UK 2020)
HIGHER CRAFT, THE- I LOOK CD (UK 2020) AMAZING PACKAGE!
HOOFOOT- THE LIGHTS IN THE AISLE WILL GUIDE YOU LP (SWEDEN 2020)
HUMUULUS- THE DEEP CD (ITALY 2020)
KADAVAR- THE ISOLATION YEARS (GERMANY 2020)
KANAAN- DOUBLE SUN LP (NORWAY 2020)
KANAAN- ODENSE SESSIONS LP (NORWAY 2020)
KOMBYNAT ROBOTRON- DICKFEHLER STUDIO TREFFEN 1 LP (GER 2020)
KOMBYNAT ROBOTRON ‎– FELDVERSUCHSSAMMLUNG TAPE 
KRYPTOGRAK- S/T LP (NORWAY 2020)
KUNGENS MAN- TRAPPMUSIK 2LP (SWEDEN 2020) 
LANDER, MATT/SOUNDS OF A NEW SOMA- LP (GERMANY 2020)
LEADEN FUMES - ABANDON SHIP LP (SWITZ 2020)
LORENZEN, UFFE- MAGISK REALISME LP (DENMARK 2020)
LOST STONED PANDAS- TURN ON TUNE IN GET PANDA’D 2LP (UK)
LOWRIDER (2) - ODE TO IO 2LP (SWEDEN 2020) REISSUE
MADMESS- S/T LP (PORTUGAL 2020) COLOURED
MÅNESKJOLD- DE HØJESTE TRÆER 7” (DENMARK 2020)
MERCURY BOYS - RETURN TO CINDERS LP
METAL HAMMER PORTUGAL- SUBSOLO 20 CD (PORTUGAL 2020)
THE METERS - GETTIN' FUNKIER ALL THE TIME 6CD BOX 
MOS GENERATOR - I'VE GOT ROOM IN MY WAGON
MOTORHEAD- ACE OF SPADES BOX SET /UK 2020)
MOTORPSYCHO- ALL IS ONE LP (NORWAY 2020)
JONAS MUNK - MINIMUM RESISTANCE CD/LP (DENMARK 2020)
ØRESUND SPACE COLLECTIVE - EXPERIMENTS IN THE SUBCONSCIOUS CD/LP
ØRESUND SPACE COLLECTIVE - SONIC ROCK SOLSTICE 2019 CD
ØSC- VASTAVIRTA CD (DENMARK/PORTUGAL 2020)
ØSC- FOUR RIDERS TAKE SPACE MOUNTAIN CD/LP
OSSOS D´OUVIDO- ASA NISI MASA CD (PORTUGAL 2020)
OULU SPACE JAM COLLECTIVE- HARVEST SAGE 2LP (FINLAND 2020) 
OUTLAWS- DIXIE HIGHWAY 2LP (US 2020) SMOKE CLEAR
OWL XOUNDS EXPLODING GALAXY- THE COALESCENCE LP (US 2020) ONLY 30 made
OZRIC TENTACLES- SPACE FOR THE EARTH CD (UK 2020)
PINK PUSSYCATS FROM HELL- HELL NINA CD (PORTUGAL 2020)
RED SPEKTOR- HEART OF THE RENEWED CD (2020)
RRAGS- HIGH PROTEIN LP (HOLLAND 2020)
SAINT GALLUS CONVENTION TAPES- FILES VOL. 1 CD (GERMANY 2020)
SHEM- NO SONGS, JUST SOUND CD (GERMANY 2020)
MARTIN RUDE & JAKOB SKØTT DUO - THE DISCIPLINE OF ASSENT LP (Denmark 2020)
TEMPLE FANG- LIVE AT MERLYEN LP (HOLLAND 2020)
SIENA ROOT- THE SECRET OF OUR TIME (SWEDEN 2020)
SKIFTING- SKYGGEMARKER LP (DENMARK 2020) 
SOLTITÂR- 1989 EP (SWEDEN 2020)
SONIC DAWN, THE- ENTER THE MIRAGE LP (DENMARK 2020) 
THE SPACELORDS- BOXSET (GERMANY 2020)
STONEGAZER- THE END OF THE WORLD CD (FINLAND 2020)
SULA BASSANA- THE BOX 6LP (GERMANY 2020)
THE 17TH DREAM OF DR SARDONICUS- LIVE 2CD (UK 2020)
THE WORLD IS OUR LOBSTER CD (UK 2020)
TSIOLKOVSKI – MOLNIYA LP (FRANCE 2020)
VIBRAVOID- KURSAAL PSICHEDELICCO PDISC (GERAMNY 2020)
VIBRAVOID- THE DECOMPOSITION OF NOISE 2LP (GERMANY 2020)
VIBRAVOID - OUT OF TUNE IN ROSENHEIM 2LP (GERMANY 2020)
WHITE DOG- WHITE DOG LP (US 2020) CLEAR
WHITE MANNA – ARC LP (US 2020)
WICKED LADY - RUN THE NIGHT / I'M A FREAK 7” 
WITCHCRAFT- BLACK METAL LP (SWEDEN 2020)
YURI GAGARIN- OUTSKIRTS OF REALITY LP (SWEDEN 2020)
ZAKK SABBATH- VERTIGO LP (US 2020) 
ZAKK SABBATH- VERTIGO-BEHIND THE WALLS OF DOOM CD/DVD BOOK

DIGITAL MUSIC I BOUGHT OR GOT FOR FREE:

MR.BISON SEAWARD ‎(ITALY 2020
TONY REED FUNERAL SUIT (ALBUM)  
KIND- MENTAL NUDGE  
BRIMSTONE COVEN. THE WOES OF A MORTAL EARTH
CRYSTAL SPIDERS - MOLT
WINO- FOREVER GONE 
CORTEZ - SELL THE FUTURE (ALBUM) 
TURNED TO STONE : VOLUME II: MASAMUNE & MURAMASA  ALBUM 
HOWLING GIANT : SERGEANT THUNDERHOOF TURNED TO STONE : VOLUME II: MASAMUNE & MURAMASA (ALBUM)  
KINGNOMAD SAGAN OM RYMDEN (ALBUM)  
CURSE THE SON EXCRUCIATION  
WAR CLOUD EARHAMMER SESSIONS ‎(LP, ALBUM) RIPLP123 2020
FORMING THE VOID-REVERIE (ALBUM)  
HIGH PRIESTESS CASTING THE CIRCLE (ALBUM)  
STONEBIRDS COLLAPSE AND FAIL (ALBUM)  
BONE CHURCH ACID COMMUNION ‎(12", ALBUM, LTD, TRA) RIPLP119
THE GREAT ELECTRIC QUEST LIVE AT FREAK VALLEY 2019 (ALBUM)  
RITUAL KING RITUAL KING (ALBUM)  
BISON* / SPACETRUCKER ENTER GALACTIC WASTELAND  
PSYCHLONA VENUS SKYTRIP ‎(CD, LTD, DIG) RIPCD148 2020
WOLFTOOTH- VALHALLA ‎(CD, ALBUM, DIG) RIPCD141 2020
ARCADIAN CHILD PROTOPSYCHO ‎(CD) RIP CD007 2020
MOS GENERATOR, VOID VATOR COVERING QUEEN  
THE WATCHERS (5) HIGH AND ALIVE ‎
A DECADE OF DOOM: RIPPLE MUSIC TEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY ‎(CD, COMP,
JONATHAN SEGEL- OUTSIDE INSIDE
UDDØD- S/T
KANOI- FROM THE CITIES TO THE STARS (REMASTER)
ELECTRIC JAGUAR BABY- S/T
TRANSATLANTIC SPACE COLLECTION- S/T
THUNDER CREEK.- DARK WATER RISING
FROZEN PLANET 1969- HYDROCULTURE
ASTRAL MAGIC- IN ORBIT
SAINT KARLOFF- INTERSTELLAR VOODOO
THE GOLDEN GRASS- HEAVY COLOUR
SARKH- KASCADE
WHITE DYNOMITE- S/T
КОМВУИАТ ЯОВОТЯОИ- KR V
OCEAN- OCEAN
LEGENDARY PINK DOTS- THE LAST 10 YEARS ( A COMPILATION FOR THE COURAGEOUS)
SULA BASSANA- CV SESSIONS
VESA PARTTI- AMBIENTWERK I: AALLOKKO
CFA- THE SMOKING GUN EP
DUBBAL- THE RETURN OF THE LONESOME TRAVELLER
JAMBATTISTA- SEEKING THE SEEKER