The best of 2022...perhaps...

I am not sure how many albums from 2022 I heard, but for sure far less than 2021. Did not have the money to buy as many this year and will buy even less in 2023, I am sure.   The studio has really become a priority and time sitting and absorbing music is less and less for now.  Anyway, as lists go it is super hard to say what was the best but these were for sure the ones I heard the most and the top ones, ones I really got into...  Music is a different emotional experience for each person.  I of course loved a lot of the records that I put out and was part of this year but I do not include them in the list. Thanks to everyone who still follows the blog. Peace, love and lets hope 2023 can have more good than bad news.... 

1. Wo Fat- The Singularity  (Ripple Music)……  it took Ken and Michael some years but man, what an album did they come up with. Long epic tracks that mix everything that is great about the band.  Loved this one…..
   
   
   
   
   
2. Eric Wagner- In the Early Light of Mourning ….. sadly, Eric was an anti-vacine guy and caught covid and died and never got to see the great response to his first and last solo album. The team he had on this record was fantastic and the songs, wow.. as good as any old Trouble songs in many ways..  Just amazing stuff…
   
   
   
   
3. Stone Axe- Stay of Execution (Ripple)……  While this is not new stuff, about half the material is unreleased and the other from rare 7” tracks.  This is the best thing the band ever released and that song, The Last Setting sun, wow.. just amazing song..  I am still blown away that their singer, Dru Brinkerhoff, is not more well known and sought out.  The guy has a killer voice..
   
   
   
   
4. Gas Giant- Portals of Nothingness (Space Rock Productions)…. I have been working on getting this unreleased album by Gas Giant out for year.. It was recorded in 1999, before their classic, Pleasant Trip in Heavy Tunes.  The band would later rerecord half of the songs presented here.. I just love this material..  Limited CD and LP… 
   
   
   
   
5. White HIlls- The Revenge of Heads on Fire (White Hills music)…. Again, not totally new material but a lot of new stuff and cool new mixes, twists of the original album. Raw, heavy White Hills like we dig….
   
   
   
   
6. King Buffalo- Regenerator (Stickman)..  Yeah.. the band released 3 albums this year but this was the one I heard the most and probably still dig the best of the 3….  It was great to hear them live… They have a unique and cool sound but are starting to feel and sound a bit too much the same so look forward to some evolution in 2023…
   
   
   
   
7. Whiskey Myers- Tornillo (Wiggy Thump Records)…. a southern rock band from Texas that we own one of their early albums but damn, this one has so many great songs and just rocks!! We heard it a lot this year. Not many southern rock albums released each year (that we get to hear) but this is a great one..
   
   
   
   
8. Nebula- Transmissions from Mothership Earth (Heavy Psych Sounds)….. been many years since Nebula were in my top list but damn, this record just kills it.. One of the bands best ever I would say… They also played an awesome show this summer after a bit of a rough start.  Eddie lacks a bit of the fire he used to have but damn, they still rock and a cool set of songs.  A big surprise.
   
   
   
   
9. Big Scenic Nowhere- The Long Morrow (Heavy Psych Sound)… another full length record and probably the bands best.. Just love that epic title track on the B side… Look forward to see what they do next. Great chemistry these guys have…
10. Earthless- Night parade of a 100 Demons (Nuclear Blast)…… These guys pretty much never disappoint but the return to all instrumental and longer tracks, worked great for me. Gave Isaiah and the guys time to space out more.  Loved this one….
    
    
    
    
11. Clutch- Sunrise on Slaughter Beach …. Finally another Clutch studio album.. The band have their refined core sound down now and stick to what they know, which is giving you a load of great songs to sing along to, while keeping the formula tight….  Solid record.. 
    
    
    
    
12. El Perro- The Hair of… (Alive Music)..   Parker left Radio Moscow and went on the funk train! While this has some serious funk groove, the trademark Radio Moscow, formula of how he does his lyrical and musical phrasing is the same, so you get the best of both worlds and lots of killer guitar.. Hope they have some longer songs on the next one…
    
    
    
    
13. Sasquatch- Fever Fantasy (Mad Oak Records).. I loved the last two record by this band the most of their career and this one is a heavier record overall and also great.. It took me a while to get into it though.. longer than usual… Hope to see the band live again one day…
    
    
    
    
14. Ecstatic Vision- Elusive Mojo (Heavy Psych Sounds)… Philly based psych band who went for a taking you on a heavy trip, as always but for me, I like this the best of their albums.. Wow…
    
    
    
    
15. Geezer- Stoned Blues Machine (Heavy Psych Sounds)…   I guess you can see what label is putting out my fave music these days…. Anyway, Pat and the guys lay down another killer album. The songs were not as short and groovy but damn, some killer licks and tunes.  I just dig their sound…. 
    
    
    
    
16. Sounds of a New Soma- Musique Bizzare (Tonzonen Records).. I used to subscribe to the label so the last few years heard all the records but this one was my fave on the label this year.  It has always been an interesting group but this really took me back in time…. Cool spaced out stuff…. Great job Dirk..
    
    
    
    
17. KG West- KG Westman and Zaefaran…..   An amazing world music journey to Ireland, India and Sweden with world class players and focus on the sitar.. Most of the Siena Root folks contribute. 
    
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    Colour Haze- Sacred (Elektrohasch)  Have they ever put out a bad record?? I think this is my fave since She Said She Said and great to see the keyboards more integrated and present in the sound.  A new beginning I think and so great to see and hang out with the guys this year. 
     
    
19. Kikagaku Moyo- Kumoyo Island (guru Guru Brain records).. Sadly, the last record by this band.  While I did not like it as much as the previous one it still is a great album with loads of nice tracks.  They will be missed..
    
    
    
    
20. Motorpsycho- Ancient Astronauts (Stickman).  This was another solid record by the band with some great playing and apparently a bit more spontaneous and recorded most live.  One of the best bands in Norway for sure..
    
    
    
    
21. Datura4- Neadrathal Jam (Alive Music).. The Australian band is back and kicking ass again. At first I did not like this album as much as the last couple but over time it grew on me and I also found it really benefits by being cranked up LOUD.. what albums do not sound better that way!!
    
    
    
    
22. Freedom Hawk- Take all you Can (Ripple).  Not really followed these guys as they have not released anything on Ripple since I subscribed a few years back but damn, I love this record. It is the only one on this whole list that I only have in digital form but this is a killer record with that Ozzy vocal vibe.. Rocks like hell….
    
    
    
    

23. The Re-Stoned- Stories of the Astral Lizard Vol 2 (Clostridium).. I only got this one recently and it is so different from the rest of their catalog but just fucking awesome chilled songs.  Great stuff, Congrats Ilya…

24. Brank Bjoirk- Bougainvillea Suite (Heavy Psych Sounds)..  I was super disappointed in the last BB solo album, so had pretty low expectations for this one but damn.. I have been really digging it. A bit harder groove on some of the songs, influence from STONER I guess.. love the touches of organ as well but mixed really low often.. What a strange but cool version of Who do you love. Wow..

25. Temple Fang- Temple Fang (Electric Spark Records)… I was not sure about including this on the list as this was released late 2021 digitally and that is when I first heard it but 4 sides of cool music. I love the evolution this band is going through…  Best band in Holland at the moment!!

26. Elder- Innate Passage (Stickman Records)....  I was pretty disappointed with Omens and it did not even get into my top list but damn, this album after a few listens is great. A mix of the older a bit heavier and the new proggy Motorpsycho inspired stuff.. Great album......  Would have been higher in the list for sure but I only got it a few weeks ago. Great job guys...

So what did I manage to get out this year...

http://oresundspacecollective.bandcamp.com

ØSC released a few live CDs, Oily Echoes of the Soul, which was material from 2010 but great stuff.   Next year will see at least one new studio album, a few live CDs for the bandcamp subscribers and who knows what else. There is so much DVD material in the archive but I need help to get this done..

http://drspace1.bandcamp.com 

Alien Planet Trip Vol 6, Space with Bass II was released on CD. We prepared a vinyl version but there was just no money to make it happen.. I also released on solo album on CD, Muzik to loze yr mynd Inn!! I have finished another for next year.  Dedicated to Klaus Schulze and Manuel Gottering. 

http://doctorsofspace.bandcamp.com

Martin and I had a great year with the start of our Astral Sessions CD series with vol 1 and 2 sold out and Vol 3 due out anyday now. We also got the Mynd Surgery 2LP set, which we are both very proud of.. We were also on two compilation CDs including the cool Dark side of the Cult Blue Oyster Cult tribute CD! Not sure what will be next but the band is still recording every month but without guitars now. 

Http://blackmooncircle.bandcamp.com

Our new album, Leave the Ghost behind was sent to the pressing plant, the test pressing was approved and will be out in March. We will also do a small Europe tour.  It is our best album ever.. Tomas from Motorpsycho is now in the band. 

Http://auralhallucinations.bandcamp.com

Matt and I have one album side completed and some other stuff in the fire but his life is complicated and he has a new son which is so exciting for him. We will for sure get something new out in 2023 though!! 

Thanks for all the support...

Astral Magic- We are Stardust (Astral Magic Music)

The official release date for this limited edition CD is Jan 6th.. Pressed in only 100 copies. It is the 28th release on bandcamp in less than 3 years. Not bad.. It features Jonathan Segel on all tracks and Sailo on guitar on track 3 and the rest is by Santtu. It features 11 tracks and starts with the title track.  IT is a quite melodic and beautiful track with motorik drive to it and nice guitar parts and trippy lead synth work… Pop spacerock!!! The Simulacra is quite danceable at times and has nice chant parts. Very Calvert 80s inspired.. I feel… Actually the whole album…  Drop It starts with some spacey layered synths and leads with a basic beat. The vocals come in and are quite relaxed, as the synths are pretty trippy at times. There is a guitar solo by Sailo eventually.. A more relaxed vibe on this track. Virtual Fixture increases the pace and rocks out a bit more, with the loads of synth lines and sounds. Great guitar solo on this one. Bottled up Inside is a slower moody piece that starts off with a melodic guitar solo and then the keys enter into the piece. Long guitar solo and nice mix on this track. Ghost in DNA is an instrumental (only one on the CD) and quite relaxed in many ways again with the great guitar playing of Jonathan the main feature. Out in the Wild is a funny little track with an almost country like guitar lick at times. They Walk amongst Us starts with some slide guitar and layers of spacey synths as we go back to more alien music and vibe in this slow track. Out in the Cold is a beautiful track and Santtu´s vocals are very clear on this one. Lost Planets kicks the pass up and keeps the more melodic and mainstream like feel going. The bass lines on this track cut thru nicely and give it a nice added touch to compliment the guitar lines and spacey synths..  One of the best tracks on the CD. Violet Sky is quite moody and the guitar and synths meld nicely together. A lot of lyrics on this track. It is also the last..  A bit more poppy and more singing and focus on songs but probably the best guitar on any of the Astral Magic CDs.. Enjoy… only 100 copies…

http://astralmagic.bandcamp.com

Hoofmark- Blood Red Lullabies (Raging Planet RP352)

This band lead by Nuno Ramos, is described as Portuguese avantgarde dark-metal. Too fully understand and comprehend what the band is after with this musical statement it is very important to read the story that Nuno has conceived which is layed out in the beautiful booklet with the CD.  In the CD digisleeve he also talks about the music and how each track was produced on different days and mostly improvised, not thought too much out but not too little either. Not to overthink things.. Anyway, the CD features 8 tracks and is quite a musical journey and it starts with So Indifferent Blues. A heavy riff and the female vocal, also complimented by a male here and there. Some nice melodic parts and a flute solo, instead of a guitar solo in the first section and then the next vocal section comes followed by a guitar solo.. Really cool and dynamic track. Folktales of the Archdemon starts out as a thrash metal track, super fast and intense and really catches you off guard…. It slows down into a death doom like track eventually only to speed up at the end. A Clapalong is also fast paced to start but more melodic. It is a bit more psychedelic in nature as well and features harmonica, which is quite a cool interesting addition. Gloria a la Tribu (ella está viva) a short instrumental takes things down and features the accordion, some hand drums, acoustic guitar, piano to change the mood completely.  This track goes into Azuiz & Vermelhidão, which brings back the heavy and dramatic music. The vocals can be a bit scary at times as this builds into the longest and most intense track on the album. Naughty Little Men is a really different and track with a totally different singing style. The choir keyboards change the vibe a lot but nice twist folks as the band gets thrashy and freaks out!!! Mito Artificial has some spoken words in Portuguese mixed into the wall of sound and then it just cuts off..  All about our Family ends this 35min record with a slow instrumental one similar to Gloria.. Wow.. what a cool record.. 

https://hoofmark.bandcamp.com/album/blood-red-lullabies 

http://ragingplanet.pt 

KISS in the 70s- Every album, every song (Sonic Bond Publishing)

I read this e-book when I was on the plane to the USA (11hrs) and it was extremely interesting. I had never read any biographies about KISS but a lot of articles in rock mags. The author has done a great job of weaving in the history of the band into the music to tell a fantastic story and probably not piss off Paul and Gene!!!!  As with this series, they go thru each and every album but in this case, the author (Peter Gallagher) sort of groups the albums in 2 and they are discussed in that context.  After a pretty good and long introduction of how they all started and went from Wicked Lester to KISS, we get into the albums.. It is pretty clear that the early albums got very mixed reviews and sold pretty poorly, while the bands live shows were growing and growing..  It was not looking good for the band after the first 3 albums and it was decided to do a live album, which was not at all live in the end. I used to spin this in my bedroom a lot in the mid 70s and still love it but it was pretty disappointing to find out that the only think “live!” about Kiss Alive is the drums. Everything except the drums and the talking… Everything..  so basically the message was that everyones playing sucked except for Peter!!! They replaced everything else??? Seems they did this with Kiss Alive II as well.  Anyway, this live in the studio greatest hits record broke the band out big.  

It was interesting to read that in 1978 when all the solo albums came out and Peter and Ace were not at all getting along or contributing a lot of songs to the albums, their solo albums sold the best! Ace the highest selling and Gene the lowest!! It was a bit of rollercoaster for a while and then hits like Beth and I was made for Loving you, put KISS on a huge worldwide status, which was really tough for them to follow and they never really did.  the band fell apart in the early 80s with Criss and Ace leaving and all sorts of people coming in and overproducing and co-writing and so much was left on Paul´s shoulders as Gene had become disillusioned and got into acting and other distractions and taken his eye off the ball, that was KISS..  Anyway, cool story of a once great band… 

http://sonicbondpublishing.com 

Stones of Babylon- Ishtar Gate (Raging Planet RP362)

This is the 2nd album by the Portuguese instrumental doom rock band, Stones of Babylon. This album follows their debut Hanging Gardens from 2019 that I reviewed on this blog. This album features 6 tracks following a sort of Mesopotamia theme. Fantastic artwork (look forward to see the vinyl of this one).  The CD starts off with Gilgamesh, some sounds and an ancient language chant, before the first Candlemass like riff kicks in!!  I was just waiting for Messiah to kick in.. Anyway, the band riff away for a while and then the guitar kicks in some wah and the mood changes. A more open clean production on this album.  Anyway, lots of changes but pretty solid 9min track… Anunnaki starts slowly with just guitar before the rest of the band kicks in. The same riff is repeated many times when the drums and bass kick in before the heavy shit kicks in. After 4mins it comes down with a clean guitar sound and then a flangy effect is used and then back to the heavy… A more noisy guitar is mixed in as well towards the end as we pass the 9 min mark. Pazuzu starts off with what sounds like Richard Burton and more mysterious sound and a bit of eastern riff but one that has been used a lot by a lot of bands. Then the most brutal heavy riff of the album kicks in. Not a new riff by a long shot but a heavy one! A bit of delay on the drums later on was a cool add on during the mellower section. The title track is next and starts with the bass alone. It goes thru some eastern like riffs and things change more rapidly than on other tracks. A quite diverse track and not as heavy. The Fall of Ur has a very nice 2nd guitar line at different parts between the heavy.  Tirgris and Euphrates closes the album.. 

Great to hear a band like this in Portugal but I have to say, not a lot of new ideas appear and we have heard this style of doom rock a lot. It is hard to make something unique in this genre. Check it out. Solid but not that unique. I think they could have messed about with the sound, more layers, more experimental twists… I do not know… Anyway.. a cool album… It grows on you the more you hear it aswell… Parabéns! 

http://stonesofbabylon.bandcamp.com

http://ragingplanet.pt