Reg's Top 20 of 2012

Over the past week you have probably noticed that each writer had submitted a Top of 2012 list and may have been wondering (or not) where is Reg's? Well, here it is. This past year was one of the hardest years to narrow down a list of twenty of the top albums of the year primarily due to the quantity of albums that I listened to throughout the year. It was definitely the most since I started Heavy Planet, but I have finally managed to do it and I'm totally standing by it. These were MY Top 20 albums of the year. Meaning the ones that I listened to and enjoyed the most and kept going back to for a repeat listen. Some may not have received the critical acclaim that you would normally expect, just great albums that I truly enjoyed for one reason or another. Typically what I look for in a great album is some sort of originality, great musicianship, an amazing vocal, or an album that just plain rocks. 

Ok, enough blabbing, without further ado, here is my Top 20 albums of 2012.

20. Golden Void-S/T

"The Self-Titled debut album from Golden Void is a fine example of how a band can manage to use a variety of seventies influences and production to create a fresh sound. Among the swirling psychedelics, rollicking blues licks and an overall laid back feel, the album is an impressive, fun, and wonderfully diverse debut that I continue to spin in heavy rotation."

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19. Bastard of the Skies-Tarnation

"Tarnation is a skull crushing album that blasts into your earholes with furious precision and knee grinding heaviness. With their huge wall of sound, a baritone whisky-soaked howl and primo mastering and production, this was an album I think may have gotten overlooked by many. Album closer "What Are You Looking At Dicknose" is an epic masterpiece! This album has the feel of sludge but the epic beauty of post-metal."

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18. Black Moth-The Killing Jar

"The Killing Jar" was one of three female-fronted Stoner/Doom albums that were high on my list this year, the other two being Alunah's brilliant "White Hoarhound" and Witch Mountain's "Cauldron of the Wild". I found myself gravitating more to this one throughout the year due to the mezmerising vocal prowess and delivery of Harriet Bevan. With a raw sludgey production, heavy hard-driving grooves and a nineties stoner/doom vibe, what is there not to like?"

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17. Molior Superum-Into the Sun

"Into the Sun" is one of, if not the blooziest albums that I heard all year. It was released in November so was a bit of a late addition to my Top 20, but I'll be damned if I can't stop listening to this. Great vocals, killer grooves and a totally seventies rock vibe. This is Rock and f'n Roll people. Oh yeah, and go figure they are from the mecca of Stoner Rock awesomeness, Sweden."

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16. Electric Taurus-Veneralia

"Veneralia" is an album that blends three of my favorite things (musically speaking) into one nice little sonic package: Blues, Doom and Fuzz. They take it to a whole other level with heady psych freak-outs, acoustic guitar passages and a sweat-filled vocal delivery. I love the guitar tone and the entire overall production of this album. Just a great album that should not go unheard. Also, I might add that the artwork is pretty badass as well."

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15. Methadone Skies-Enter the Void

"I don't care what anyone says, this hands down was THE best instrumental album released in 2012. From the first few notes you are immediately transported into a remarkable and mind altering listening experience. The band pays close attention to their amazing use of ambience, timely heaviness and cosmic dissonance. If you have not listened to this stellar piece of music I suggest you do so now."

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14. Heat-Old Sparky

"Old Sparky" is just a great seventies-inspired rock album, and if you didn't know you probably would think that they were from the seventies. With the influx of so many bands trying to capture the magic of the greatest time in rock history, Heat sets themselves apart with their era-embracing production and overall rock sentiment. Can you dig it, yes I can!"

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13. In the Company of Serpents-S/T

The "Self-Titled" album from In the Company of Serpents was actually one of the first that I heard in 2012 and has remained on my list throughout the year. Filthy, fuzzy, and filled with thick as tar riffs, this brilliant piece of psych-tinged sludge will leave you marveling at their amazing bluesy solos and hollow grooves. The tune "Dirtnap" is the fuckin' shit". As the band puts it, "best heard through a cloud of dopesmoke & bad vibes."

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12. Graveyard-Lights Out

"Lights Out" is one of those albums that you probably wouldn't have a hard time sharing with your father or your cool as hell uncle. Anyone with an appreciation for great hooks, triumphant song writing and a deeply passionate vocal can relate to this album. Graveyard takes their heavily influenced bluesy roots to the next level and transcends across generations to provide a soundtrack for those looking to harken back to a time when hard rock music was great. No need to over analyze this album, just listen."

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11. Royal Thunder-CVI

"CVI" was one of my biggest surprises of the year, and after all of the hype about the band, I can see why. Forget the fact that this is a female-fronted band, cherish the fact that this is a female-fronted band. Hands down, the vocals are what makes this album so freakin' incredible. Mlny Parsonz shrills with punk attitude, angelic softness and a ferocious wail. The music beckons with vintage riffing, southern boogie and bombastic heaviness. Press play, repeat."

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10. Black Cowgirl-Weight of Oblivion

"Weight of Oblivion" is an album that sneaked up on me and sucker-punched me (and Zac) right in the face. Definitely the surprise of the year. Combining an atmospheric aura of swirling psychedelia with steady straight-forward groove and riffing, the music is at times jazzy and progressive but also possesses the sludginess of a backwoods swamp. Add powerful double-layered vocal harmonies, heartfelt song-writing and tight melody and you have the makings of one killer release. Added bonus is the amazing artwork."

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09. Horseback-Half Blood

"Half-Blood" is not typically an album that I would usually enjoy but dammit if I didn't keep going back to it again and again. The mesmerizing drones and dusty swirls are expansive and progressive as it tears into your soul and toys with your psyche. The hollow and throat-ruined vocals are the perfect compliment to the beautiful keyboard-laden prodding and diversity. Once you get past the harshness of the vocal, this album takes hold and consumes you with it's subtle complexities. This album is ridiculously good, but unfortunately not for everyone."

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08. Skanska Mord-Paths to Charon

"Paths to Charon" is a great rock album through and through. Along with soulful and powerful vocals at time reminding one of Chris Cornell, the band skillfully blends nineties heavy rock with a seventies mentallity. Bluesy, heavy, and sometimes jazzy the well-schooled classic song structures, remarkable soloing and catchy melodies kept me coming back again and again."

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07. Bloody Hammers-Bloody Hammers

"This album has been showing up on a lot of lists and there is pretty good reason as to why...because frankly it is a really cool sounding album! Unfortunately the trendy tag of Occult Rock has been cast upon this band, but for the most part they are just moreorless a heavy metal band that uses a variety of influences ranging from eighties doom to horror-inspired Goth. The result is a stylish mix of lush melodies, haunting vocals and a freakin' awesome doomy vibe."

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06. Red Desert-Damned By Fate

"Simply put, this album rocks. With a free flowing heavy stoner groove, "Damned By Fate" spills out a huge amount of riffs, ripping solos and a penchant for writing catchy tunes. The band is not out to reinvent the wheel, just rock your face off and they do it amazingly well. I will be listening to this album for years to come."

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05. Radar Men From the Moon-Echo Forever

"Echo Forever" was for me the pinnacle of sonic psychedelic heaviness. The album is steeped in diversity, skillfully blending fuzz-laden desert rock overtones, prog-rock complexities and a monolithic groove. I sat on this one for quite a while before finally discovering this wonderful gem. Do not let this one pass you by."

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04. General-Where Are Your Gods Now

"Aside from the slick recording by Greg Chandler (Serpentcult, Moss, Alunah) and masterful production by the legendary Billy Anderson (Acid King, Cathedral, Orange Goblin, Eyehategod) "Where Are Your Gods Now" is full of fierce, explosive and downright catchy Stoner Metal mayhem. The vocal has a vivacious and soulful rasp that pulled me in immediately, vaguely reminiscent of Dave Wyndorf. The evilness just oozes from the buzzsaw tone of the guitar and sticks to your ribs. This is one hell of an album!"

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03. Wo Fat-The Black Code

"What would my Top 20 list be without an entry from Wo Fat? They are probably one of my top 5 bands of the last five years and with each album they keep getting better and better. The band has continued to progress with each album by taking bits and pieces from each and cultivating it into one brilliant piece of Stoner/Doom heaven on "The Black Code". Tight riffing, soaring psychedelic solos, and totally fuzzed-out bluesy heaviness makes this one a winner. Small Stone done did themselves right by signing this incredible band."

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02. Summoner-Phoenix

"...and the award for Best Album Artwork goes to..."Phoenix"! This album was responsible for the reason why I wanted Summoner to play on this past year's CMJ Showcase. A new band name (formerly Riff Cannon) and a new musical direction paid off remarkably well for this Boston-based Stoner Sludge band. Riff-mongers rejoice, this album is chock full of riff after glorious riff and they come at you at a furious pace. The band has adapted a higher songwriting level and expands upon their sound by using a crackerjack mix of doom, psych and even a touch of prog. All Hail the Riff!"

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01. The Midnight Ghost Train-Buffalo

"First things first, I have to thank Seth for introducing me to The Midnight Ghost Train, otherwise I may have never listened to them. While only around a half-hour in length, this album packs one hell of a punch. The album captures the pure American spirit by mixing Stoner Rock rhythms with down home heavy Delta blues. With a muddied fuzzy tone and a spectacular bluesy howl, this is the album I kept coming back to most often this past year. I could never explain just how great this album is, so for a more thorough description check out Seth's review here. Then go and listen to this album, and marvel in it's intensity and heartfelt soul!"

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There you have it! Thanks to all of the labels and bands that have submitted their music throughout the course of the past year. 2012 was a great year for Heavy Planet and we look forward to hearing a ton of new music in 2013.

Special thanks to Toby, Zac, Seth, Ken, Lee, Misha, Mark, Stump (Heavy Planet Radio) and Helana Harlan (Artwork) for their hard work, time and effort.

Extra special thanks to our allegiance of readers, without you we would be nothing. Doom on my brothers and sisters.

Related articles

• Lee's Top Ten of 2012
• Nuclear Dog's Top 20 List of 2012 - The Filthy and the Few
• Mark's Top 10
• Top 20 of 2012; Bill's Picks
• Toby's Top Ten of 2012
• Zac's Top Ten of 2012
• Seth's Top 12 of 2012

Nuclear Dog's Top 20 List of 2012 - The Filthy and the Few

The end of the year is upon us, a time I’ve looked forward to all year, because of the very purpose of this review, this list of top albums of the past 12 months, for which I will place 20 titles. What I did not anticipate was how hard it was going to be to rate all of my favorites in some kind of order. The top 10 I feel strongly about, and especially the top three. After that, #11 through #20 are pretty much interchangeable.

It has been an amazing year for the kind of music we promote on Heavy Planet, the kind of music we all love to listen to over and over again. At least I'm going to call it that kind of year. It's the kind of year where I had to pare down to 20 favorite albums. I mean, come on! How can it not be awesome when for the albums of which I'm aware, which is definitely a percentage of viable candidates, is pared down to 20. Simply phenomenal and epic. 2013 promises to be as good, if not better. Perhaps it’s a trend and not an anomaly. We can only hope.

I want to pay tribute to albums that I feel are much deserving of credit but for which I did place in my list and is further proof of how much incredible music was created this year:
Torche - Harmonicraft
Mother Mars - Fossil Fuel Blues
Mother Corona - Out of the Dust
Buffalo - Los Dios Lentos
Stoner Jesus - Seven Thunders Roar
Triggerman - Hail to the River Gods
Wight - Through the Woods Into Deep Water
Black Space Riders - Light is the New Black
Wheelfall - Interzone
Captain Crimson - Dancing Madly Backwards
Binford - Binford
Great Western - Warrior of Light

And that's not to count all the albums for which I never got to hear, albums showing up on others' lists, allowing me as a fan to discover even more of what is available out there.

Without further ado, Nuclear Dog’s Top 20 Albums of 2012:

#20 Dwellers - “Good Morning Hara Kiri”
One of the many and awesome releases by Small Stone Records this year, although it seems to have been lost in the flotsam and jetsome of a prodigious array of other releases from Small Stone this year. It is quite worthy of more recognition than it perhaps received. The hallmark of Small Stone artists is, of course, huge guitars, and Dwellers bring gargantuan licks and riffs to the fray, cutting large swaths with vigor and fury, while simultaneously delivering nimble and fresh solos and fuzz induced hallucinations. Vocals are rich and full, well suited to this acid trip odyssey of an album. Melodies are memorable and absorbing, while Dwellers’ sound is uniquely their own and easily recognizable.
Favorite Song - “Old Honey”


#19 Stubb - “Stubb”
Thick and fuzzy, full of energy and fun, this album came out early and may have been forgotten by many, but this record has staying power, awesome each time you listen through it. Stubb employ the signature stoner sound through much of their music, plus they have created wonderfully melodic songs, the solos and riffs are quality, and the vocals have an edgy, gritty side that fit perfectly with the their music.. That’s a winning combination and a worthy effort.
Favorite Song - “Scale the Mountain”


#18 The Midnight Ghost Train - “Buffalo”
The music on “Buffalo” is quite simply kick ass. It’s black boots with silver studs smacking you upside the head powerful. Add to it the gnarliest vocals around and you have power and bliss on a sinfully enjoyable album. The guitars are huge and hairy, laying down some of the nastiest riffs and knife attack solos of the year, the melodies are well written, the sound is addictive with plenty of low tuned riffs, and buckets of fuzz and distortion. The Midnight Ghost Train employ an energetic, athletic method of drum work throughout the refrains, placing an indelible and unique stamp on their music. Every aspect of “Buffalo” by The Midnight Ghost Train is positive, making it an album for the ages.
Favorite Song - “Foxhole”


#17 Mangoo - “Neverland”
The second album from Small Stone Records to make my list is Mangoo’s (pronounced man - go, like the fruit, which was a relief to learn) “Neverland”. Full of incredibly interesting songs that will slake both your stoner and your psychedelic cravings, this collection of brilliantly written songs are clever and well crafted. Guitars go low, carrying the listener inexorably forward in a deliberate pace that opens up vast opportunities for their laser beam solos. Vocals are crisp and adept, beautifully suited for these psych trips of musical fantasy. Melodies are intelligent and memorable. Mangoo’s sound is uniquely their own while easily fitting into the underground retro sounds of the majority of Small Stone’s artists.
Favorite Song - “Neverland”


#16 Cortez - “Cortez”
Full of weighty riffs and scorching solos, the vocals on “Cortez” are deft and deadly. The album is chock full of songs that range in sound from huge, heavy, and deliberate stoner/doom onslaughts to psychedelic odysseys of mind sharpening adventure with bits of punk, speed metal, eighties hair band epics, and much more thrown in for varietal effect and enjoyment. Cortez are especially adept at creating melodies that are impressive and memorable, displaying a strong ability to mold songs that pull you in quickly, deeply, leaving an indelible impression that won’t soon go away.
Favorite Song - “Nice Try”


#15 Indian Handcrafts - “Civil Disobedience for Losers”
This album scores huge on uniqueness, but that’s not all that gives it a Top 20 listing, it’s how well their unique sound is structured and delivered. The standard low tuned guitars are well represented here, cranking out an onslaught of cannonball distortion throughout the album and accompanied by some of the most clever, scorching solos around. Melodies are incredibly interesting and memorable and when combined with velocizombie vocal deliveries makes for an incredible listening experience, an adventure of rock through an underground maze of fuzz and fun.
Favorite Song - “Centauri Teenage Riot” / “Lion at the Door” (I love them both equally)


#14 Five Horse Johnson - “The Taking of Black Heart”
Another Small Stone artist, Five Horse Johnson are veterans of the underground rock landscape. They play a sound that is reminiscent of the southern rock of the Seventies with huge, powerful guitars that also incorporate a beautiful blues infusion. Vocals are edgy and raw, but adept and well suited to the music. Melodies are good, some memorable. The combination of blues guitar and raw, edgy vocals, along with a consistent melodic signature make Five Horse Johnson easily recognizable. The album boasts guest vocals by Cheap Trick’s Robin Zander on one memorable song.
Favorite Song - “You’re My Girl”


#13 Steak - “Steak”
Steak are a stoner band, first and foremost. The sound is signature fuzz, low tuned and beautiful, carrying the banner throughout each song and throughout the entire album. Vocals on this album are perfectly matched to the melody and rhythm of the songs with a deep, rich delivery that never wavers high or low. While the sound may not be unique, it is uniquely stoner, harkening back to the sounds of Dozer, AstroQueen, Truckfighters, Firestone, et al. It is simply a beautiful stoner album.
Favorite Song - “The Butcher”


#12 Nightstalker - “Dead Rock Commandos”
Small Stone Records strikes again with this memorable album from Greece rockers Nightstalker. The guitars here are as meaty and juicy as any you will come across this year. The melodies Nightstalker have created for this album are intelligent, clever, and memorable, stuff that will stay with you for ages. Vocals are good and the sound is exciting. Solos blister and riffs are like avalanches in Echo Canyon. The name of the album alone is enough to satisfy the most adventurous of stoner rock souls.
Favorite Song - “Dead Rock Commandos”


#11 Summoner - “Phoenix”
If this album were named album of the year it would be well deserved. The sound is a blend of signature stoner riffs and psychedelic execution, arranged intelligently, cleverly, interestingly on all tracks. The energy is high and relentless, with massive, gut crushing guitars, accompanied by pitch perfect vocals, athletic and nimble. The songs and melodies are top notch and memorable. The sound is classic and perfectly rendered, which for lovers of stoner/psych/doom is exactly what we thirst for. Consider your thirst slaked on this album.
Favorite Song - “The Interloper”

Alright, down to brass tacks, as they say. These next 10 are simply amazing collections of rock and roll bliss. I love them all.

#10 Kadavar - “Kadavar”
From Berlin comes a blitzkrieg of retro metal exploding in an onslaught of guitar and power, leaving depleted, exhausted victims in its wake, quivering in delight. The influences of past metal masters is mighty on this album, making for a tremendously satisfying romp through minefields of pure metal. The solos are blistering, gatling guns of might, the melodies Sabbath like gems of intelligence and fun. Vocals match perfectly with their jack hammer sound increasing the enjoyment quotient significantly. In their debut release they have crafted a fine collection of retro rock treasures.
Favorite Song - “Creature of the Demon”


#9 DSW - “Dust Storm Warning”
I almost let this one get away without notice. I discovered it late despite its early summer release. That just made it all the more enjoyable upon re-discovery. DSW have crafted an impressive array of songs that are mighty and memorable, to say the least. “Dust Storm Warning” wastes no time in kicking you right square in the eyes with the opening track and never relinquishes its onslaught until you’ve listened to each song completely through. Classic stoner low tuned guitars drive the songs forward in a vanguard of fuzz, solos sear and incinerate, melodies are memorable and clever, vocals are raunchy and muscular, perfectly attuned to melody and instrument. The quality of the songs make this album stand out from the rest and should land “Dust Storm Warning” into heavy music player rotation for millions of stoner/doom fans.
Favorite Song - “Tripping the Drill”


#8 Trippy Wicked and the Cosmic Children of the Knight - “Going Home”
Right off the bat you know you’re listening to something special here. Intelligent, memorable melodies are the hallmark of this album, which isn’t to say the meaty, beefy guitars aren’t present because they kick the whole she-bang off in a massive onslaught of low, fuzzy distortion. Trippy Wicked are absolute masters of weaving a masterful array of sounds throughout their songs, creating richly textured and memorable music. Vocals are perfectly matched to the melody and ably adept at delivering what are some of the cleverest lyrics around. “Going Home” is a unique and brilliant masterpiece.
Favorite Song - “Going Home”, “Ain’t Gonna End Well”, “I Want Another Drink”, “Hillbilly Moonshine”


#7 Orange Goblin - “A Eulogy For the Damned”
Stoner/Doom veterans Orange Goblin released another great album this year. It is a rare thing for a stoner rock artist to have the incredible longevity that Orange Goblin enjoy, but to consistently create quality music over the course of 16 years or so is phenomenal. “A Eulogy For the Damned”, if anything, displays the highest qualities Orange Goblin have engendered over nearly 2 decades. There will always be arguments as to what is their best album, but this one should likely be in the discussion as it delivers quality front to back. Signature booming guitars as well as high energy drum work are accompanied by some of the best vocals in the industry. Add to it melodies that continue to be first rate, an unbelievable achievement in and of itself, as this album stands out like no other.
Favorite Song - “The Filthy and the Few” a perfect epithet for stoner rock and all its adherents.

#6 Wo Fat - “The Black Code”
Wo Fat joined the Small Stone label this year and out of the gate kicks major ass with “The Black Code”. Guitars don’t get mightier than on this album. Exquisitely low and powerful, relentless, inexorable, brutal, and bold the guitars are like the full fury of a Marine Corps assault. Wo Fat takes the blues, southern fried rock, stoner/doom metal, melts and molds it all under white hot fury, and returns it to us in a form uniquely their own and as dominating as anything ever heard. Melodies are righteous. Vocals are perfectly suited to Wo Fat’s swampy, backwoods tone. This album will likely make someone’s list as #1.
Favorite Song - “Hurt at Gone”


#5 Gandhi’s Gunn - “The Longer the Beard the Harder the Sound” 
This album delivers full satisfaction from beginning to end. It is incredibly pleasurable to listen to this album all the way through over and over again. Humongous, hairy guitars bring the down low in a rumble and roar ubiquitous and unique. Drums are prominent and tight, the bass insistent and adept. Songs are clever and well written. Paired beautifully with their gargantuan guitars are the equally enormous, eloquent, yet beefy vocals, mighty in tone, raucous in delivery, and matched to perfection with the great stoner/doom sound of this album and this band.
Favorite Song - “Breaking Balance”


#4 Enos - “All Too Human”
Following up on the story of Enos, the second, and last chimp into space, a tale begun on Enos’ excellent debut album “Chapter 1”, comes “All Too Human”, continuing the saga of the ill fated primate and surpassing its predecessor in quality and enjoyability. Enos are a brilliant and gifted band, creating some of the most memorable music in years on these 2 albums. Enos deliver clever, intelligently constructed songs to match the mood of the scene for which it portrays in the saga of an abused but incredibly brave chimp. Enos move through songs of sublime beauty and grace and into heavier, rauchier fare with an elegant deftness of skill, laying down tracks of massive guitars that seethe, smolder, and sear in an onslaught of distorted fury, low tuned tyranny, and laser beam solo assailment before moving neatly back into haunting melodies of pain, regret, and fear. Vocals are crisp, yet edgy, perfectly weighted and matched to the music. The mesh of sound engendered on this album with the guitar work is mesmerizing and ingenious. Truly a masterpiece, “All Too Human” will be an enduring and memorable album to be enjoyed for years to come. And when paired with its predecessor the pair become an abiding, timeless treasure.
Favorite Song - “Collisions”, “Another Solution”


#3 Colour Haze - “She Said”
Colour Haze always have been, and continue to be, incredibly brilliant. Unique, intelligent, artistically gifted, and timeless, it’s hard to pay justice to this tremendous band, and with them their latest release, “She Said”, which is as brilliant as anything they’ve created before. Colour Haze have certainly moved slightly away from an almost strict rock/grunge/psych approach of their first few albums, infusing more of a jazz component, but the rock is still there, the guitars are both massive and incandescent, singular in style and delivery, and the absolute center of each song. Along with the huge guitars are the equally huge drums, a sound robust and rich that doesn’t simply supply the rhythm, but adds texture and depth by delivering brilliance of its own, adding to the sound of the music in such a way as to be unsurpassed in overall quality. The biggest quality of Colour Haze is, of course, their instrumentation and their composition of elegant melodies. Vocals are ethereal and adequate, and by now their signature sound. The band makes music that is uniquely their own, not even classified necessarily as stoner/doom/psych/retro, but fitting well enough into those categories with their huge and fuzzy guitars that most fans of underground metal find their guitar work deeply satisfying and enjoyable. The fact they were able to create and release this album at all is a testament to their enormous affinity for what they do as they had to overcome severe, debilitating obstacles in order to make and release the album. When listening to their music, on almost any song, as you ride along the melody of the moment and enjoy the hugeness, the power of the experience, you are always taken aback a bit when they introduce a new riff or solo that jumps into a higher, louder, more powerful level, bringing wonder and amazement at such incredible adroitness and artistic mojo. Another album for the ages to go along with several such albums.
Favorite Song - “Slowdown”


#2 Admiral Sir Cloudesely Shovell - “Don’t Hear It . . . Fear It!”
Good God! What an album. I can’t contain my excitement for this incredible collection of just crazy, yet crazy good music. While I’ve heard some version of the sounds on this album in the past I don’t know if I’ve ever heard it quite like this. The guitars are incredible, simply sublime, seemingly on the verge of a loss of control, but obviously all cleverly herded in such a way as to create exactly the sound and quality desired. I would classify this music as retro as much as anything. There isn’t much in the way of the characteristic stoner/doom sound with low tuned guitars, but the guitars are divine and irreverent, reminiscent of some of the sounds of the seventies, even if slightly so. Vocals, too, are incredible, a wonderful screech that hits just the right balance between control and shriek. Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell are song masters, creating memorable, artistic melodies that take the time to showcase drums and bass in such a way as to add to the beauty of the song. Uniqueness is the hallmark of this album, standing alone in its quality, tone, and incredible sound. This is the kind of album that comes out of nowhere, unexpected and invigorating in its freshness, a blessing to be enjoyed for ages.
Favorite Song - "iDeath"


#1 Feuerzeug - “Dead Wahines and Tsunamis”
I did the review for this album back in August and knew then it was a contender. That left over 4 months of new music coming in to unseat it as #1 which Colour Haze and Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell quite nearly did, especially the latter, but when you listen to this album, this baker’s dozen of solid rock music, you can’t help but be amazed at what these rockers from Switzerland were able to create. Stack up the categories and they score high in each one. Guitars? They supply heavy, low tuned morsels of beef and bone without a doubt, plus they scorch and sear white hot on solos. But, add to it a deftness of extras, additional snippets and riffs that add quality and flavor. Funky little runs or quick little outlays of unique tenor and tone. You’ll hear similar stuff in Colour Haze, Enos, the Admiral, if I may, but Feuerzeug ride some kind of cosmic tribal vibration that resonates deep within our musical soul, perfectly attuned in accordance with primal rythyms. They do it every time out of the gate . . . thirteen times . . . on this album. Vocals? The voice on this album is pitch perfect, a sound that could be used with almost any style, but fits perfectly here, memorable and amazing. Melody? The song writing is incredible, each of the baker’s dozen a potential hit on its own. Each song is filled with hooks and intelligence. Uniqueness? They have certainly carved out their own sound, fitting in perfectly with stoner/psych/retro sounds while maintaining their own signature, that is slightly reminiscent of past artists, but barely so. When you consider this is their second album, that in 2010 they had another 12 songs of incredible artistry, this, then becomes a candidate for band of the ages if they can carry their monoply for quality forward on subsequent releases. They are unsigned at the moment, which is quite amazing given their quality. My hope is they are able to stick together long enough to find a label, create another 2 to 20 great albums, before disbanding due to artistic differences. Despite their current and relative obscurity, right now, for Nuclear Dog’s Top 20 Albums of 2012, Feuerzeug are King, Champions for the season. Party in Switzerland tonight!
Favorite Song - All of them. Seriously. Choose one. It’ll play on any ‘hard rock’ station in the world, and better than that, it’ll play on the iPod of the most hard core stoner rock fan as well.



Record Label of Year - Small Stone Records

I want to take the time to recognize Small Stone Records for their accomplishments this year. This record label has to be the most prolific, hardest working label in existence for the fuzz. The releases in 2012 are phenomenal:
Sun Gods in Exile - Thanks for the Silver
Dwellers - Good Morning Hara Kiri
Five Horse Johnson - The Taking of Blackheart
Greenleaf - Nest of Vipers
Abrahma - Through the Dusty Paths of Our Lives
Mangoo - Neverland
Mother of God - Anthropos
Wo Fat - The Black Code
Lord Fowl - Moon Queen
Skanska Mord - Paths to Charon
Larman Clamor - Frogs
Nightstalker - Dead Rock Commandos
Sons of Otis - Seismic
If you were to add in Gandhi’s Gunn, who released an album in 2012, promptly changed their name to Isaak and then signed with Small Stone, you would have 14 albums in one year. Every one of those albums is on someone’s top ten or top twenty list, 5 of them on mine. 2013 promises to be quite exciting for them as well with even more new releases, with some heavy hitters coming down the pike, including Gozu and Sasquatch already in the works (Sasquatch? Yes, Sasquatch! YESSS!!) at a minimum. I heard at one point Roadsaw, too, were planning on releasing a new one, but I don’t know how official that may be. We can only hope. Thank goodness for Small Stone Records.

Album Artist of the Year - Alex von Wieding

Wow. I envy Alex von Wieding with every bone in my body. He is one prolific and imaginative dude. He had covers for Mangoo, Cortez, Five Horse Johnson, Lord Fowl, Sun Gods in Exile, Hellwell, Nightstalker, Abrahma, Sonic Titans compilation album, Wo Fat, and, for my money, album cover of the year, Enos’ “All Too Human” which barely squeaked out a victory over Wo Fat’s “Black Code”. Oh yeah, I almost forgot to mention he did the cover for Larmon Clamor, which is his band, a band for which he writes, sings, and plays guitar. He’s one talented dude, to be sure. Thanks for the great images, Alex.

And last, but certainly not least, I want to recognize the tireless efforts of Reginald Rykaczewski, Heavy Planet site administrator, progenitor of the almost daily feature "New Band to Burn One To", and all around ASS KICKER! He is Heavy Planet. And he has unwittingly unleashed one radioactive canine upon the stoner/doom universe.

Thank you Seth, Zac, Toby, and Reg for your unyielding support of Nuclear Dog. It matters more than you'll ever know.

Thank you Heavy Planet followers for reading what we write. Hopefully in return we've introduced you to some incredible music this past year. The guys I work with at Heavy Planet are the absolute best in the world. They are passionate about what they do, which always seems to make for a great environment. Most of all, thanks to all the great musicians and artists out there who work with us to get the music onto the site so more people can be exposed to it. Talk about passion for what you do, these artists have it in spades, clubs, hearts, and diamonds. It was a great year. I'm looking forward to 2013.

Ken 'Nuclear Dog' Elliott

Mark's Top 10

2012 was quite a bad year here in Portugal with many austerity measures applied in our country. Unemployment rising, corrupt politicians, no perspectives, no hope for the next years... My escape was music. Trying to discover more and more bands was one of my resolutions for 2012. I not only discovered great new bands with lots of potential but also rediscovered some others.

2012 was indeed a great year for music. It was quite difficult to come up with a Top 10 list and leaving some  fantastic releases from bands like Royal Thunder, Black Bombaim, High on Fire, Indian Handcrafts, Process of Guilt and others out. 

Anyway, here goes:

10. Sinistro - Sinistro

One of the biggest surprises of the year! Sinistro's debut caught lots of people by surprise with their extremely original instrumental metal. They have already recorded an EP to release next month. Cannot wait!

9. Witchcraft - Legend

I have to confess that I had never paid a lot of attention to Witchcraft. I had always thought of them as just another copycat retro band. 

Well, I was completely wrong! Legend is a great release! Great guitarwork and great vocals. It made me revisit their old catalog and I fell in love with the band.

8. Caspian - Waking Season

Another band that I was not into that much before this release. Soothing instrumental rock with some electronic elements. It is relaxing and comforting to listen to. A very complete album. They are definitely up there with Mogwai and Explosions in the Sky within the genre.

7. Neurosis - Honor Found In Decay

What is there to say about Neurosis that has not already been said? They are the kings, the masters, the leaders. They never disappoint and Honor Found in Decay proves it. Insane, heavy, hypnotic and mindblowing. 

6. Graveyard - Lights Out

Sweden's finest. Great follow-up to the great Hisingen Blues. Riffs galore, great melodies, great production, catchy songs and one of the best voices out there right now: Joakim Nilsson. 

5. The Sword - Apocryphon

Great release from The Sword. Once again they did not disappoint. Warp Riders was good but this is so much better. They have grown so much as musicians since Age of Winters.

4. Torche - Harmonicraft

They have released their most complete album to date. They managed to mix all the elements that make their sound in a perfect way. Just the right amount of heavy, punk, pop, sludge, stoner adding up to this awesome record. Very fun to listen to.

3. Anathema - Weather Systems

More prog than doom nowadays, Anathema have release what I consider to be their best album to date. Mixing post-rock elements with some prog, they have consolidated the sound they have been creating over the past few records. The Storm Before The Calm may as well be one of the best songs in 2012.

2. Baroness - Yellow & Green

Baroness surely turned many heads with Yellow & Green. They extended their fan base and also lost some of their older fans who were disappointed with the fact they became "softer". For me Yellow & Green is a very complete double album full of great melodies, pop-sludge atmospheres and great songwriting. It was very difficult to decide if it was going to top the list or be runner-up. 

1. Deftones - Koi No Yokan

I never know what to expect from the Deftones. They have released classic records like Around the Fur and White Pony, but also some letdowns such as their self-titled record and Saturday Night Wrist. Diamond Eyes, their previous album, was a return to form and Koi No Yokan is probably their best release to date. It has all the elements you want and need from the Deftones: melody, aggressiveness, atmosphere, samples, heavy riffs, pounding drums, soothing vocals... you name it! It is incredible how they have pulled this out from their sleeve after years of band member disputes, criticism and tragedy. Top notch!

Zac's Top Ten of 2012

I'd like to wish you all a very Metal Christmas and Hard-Rockin' New Year in 2013. I'd also like to thank all of you readers, the musicians who have submitted music to the 'Planet, my fellow 'Planet writers, and most importantly Reg (the legendary gentleman that got this whole shebang started) for making 2012 a righteous year for rock, metal and so much more. Now all ass kissin' aside, I speak in the highest regards, and for my 'Planet brethren, when thanking Reg for letting us "in" to sample and share so much great music. 

 2012 has been a leviathan of a year for music, but don't we say something along those lines every year? Well, I believe that 2012's best are truly great and will retain a spot in my brain for years to come. Legendary... not quite, at least one cannot say so at this time, but great... definitely. So, throughout the good, the mediocre, and the "what the hell are they smokin'?" we come to the closing of 2012. Now, because we aren't hipsters here at Heavy Planet and we didn't do year-end lists way before they were cool, I would like to share with you my favorite albums that I feel any well rounded music fan should listen to at least, if not own. I would also like to try something new this year and share EP's that I felt honorable enough to hold their own against some of the heavy weights on the podium. So, without further hesitation here are my favorites... 

 Zac's Preferred EPs:

Bang OK Bang: Chemicals

That's right the Nashville duo knocked me off my feet back in July and haven't eased up since. Bang OK Bang's dirty blues have held continuous play on Radio ZAK throughout the later months of 2012 and, if I may quote my favorite track from Chemicals, "Still you need more."

 Stand-out track: Above The Surface

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The Heavy Eyes: Maera

The Heavy Eyes are a trio that made quite the impact here at the 'Planet with their self-titled release in 2011 and have now solidified a place in our hearts with their Demo EP Maera. The guys have literally engineered a RIFF with gravitational force. Think I'm crazy... Honestly try to listen to Levantado once, only once. Its not gonna' happen. This listener needs at least four spins to break away from the magnetic pull. 

                                                      Stand-out track: Levantado

**The Heavy Eyes officially released the full length LP Maera on 29 Dec. 2012**

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Zac's Top Ten of 2012:

010: High on Fire: De Vermis Mysteriis 

When duty calls Matt Pike and company arrive with sledgehammers in hand. Following up the excellent Snakes for the Divine was no easy task. With calloused hands High on Fire went to work and the outcome, De Vermis Mysteriis, far surpassed all expectations. Muddying the crisp polish of Snakes... and creating an excellent conceptual story-line the trio secured praise once again with purists and new listeners alike. Misha got it right in his review, "Top albums of 2012? Most likely! Instruction manual for the Apocalypse? Possibly. Guaranteed to make your unaccustomed-to-metal-girlfriend shit bricks? 100 Percent." 
                                                      Stand-out track: Spiritual Rites

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009: Summoner: Phoenix 

Sliggin' RIFFs so we don't have to, Summoner delivered unto listeners a monstrous full length LP bursting with stoner, desert rock and haunting, psychedelic fuzz in a glorious and "ethereal tapestry". Receiving bounteous praise from Nuclear Dog's album review and Toby's concert review [CMJ Showcase] Summoner was ensured a nod on my 2012 favorites. 

 Stand-out track: Let the Light In

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008: Between the Buried and Me: The Parallax II 

The brotherhood here at Heavy Planet spend an awful large amount of time gnawing on the doom flavored cut of the big 'metal' steak, but rest assure we do come up from the murky depths to sample the rest of our metal family's cooking. Being a fairly new fan of BTBAM I was happy to discover a fresh conceptual release, entitled The Parallax II: Future Sequence, that ties into past releases. I may not agree with the entire recipe, but BTBAM know how to make a heavy and experimental record. A record sure enough to put a crooked smile on a Mr. Bungle era Mike Patton. And if it reminds me of Mike "Mastermind" Patton, how can it be bad? 

                                                     Stand-out track: Silent Flight Parliament 

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007: Indian Handcrafts: Civil Disobedience 

 Indian Handcrafts are the dynamic duo who, with only two instruments and two voices, have crafted a depth and texture normally heard in an orchestra. Quite often this term "dynamic duo" may get thrown around without the honest meaning behind it, but this duet truly produced and delivered a dynamic album. Quoting from Nuclear Dog's Atomic Split, "These are the kind of songs in which you discover something new each time you listen through the album." If you haven't lent your ears to this Canadian duet, stop wasting your time. 

                                                      Stand-out track: Centauri Teenage Riot 

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006: Pallbearer: Sorrow and Extinction 

All hype and praise aside Pallbearer have created something truly classic in Sorrow and Extinction this year. Catching wind of an early demo in 2010, Pallbearer ignited my interest with their rendition of Gloomy Sunday, a Hungarian piano song. Now knowing these musicians were ballsy enough to tackle a cover of such prestige I became confident that this true doom quartet were destined for grandeur. Best album of the year, not quite. An album that deserves your attention, definitely. Pallbearer can hold their heads high and be reassured their future efforts will be on the radar here at Heavy Planet and the entire metal community in the coming years. 

                                                    Stand-out track: Foreigner

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005: Black Cowgirl: Black Cowgirl 

My surprise record of the year! Black Cowgirl sucker-punched me a few months back with excellent cover art and a sixth sense for the RIFF. I'll let an excerpt from my review sum up the number five spot, "...what we have here is truly a 120-proof bottle of the finest blend of traditional rock, grunge and grooves to escape this hilly Pennsylvania terrain." Haven't given the 'Cowgirl a ride yet? No worries, CD's are available here. 

                                                      Stand-out track: Three Seasons

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004: Alcest: Les Voyages de l'Ame 

I've been an Alcest fan for a good five years now. Anxiously awaiting each release, I've found myself impressed with the formation and result as well as the reasonable amount of time each album takes to harvest. Neige, guru and the very soul of Alcest, once again has produced a celestial and beautiful form of black metal. Honestly, I'd just as well remove the term 'black' as an adjective from describing Alcest's sound. Moments of bleak intensity are overthrown by aerial soundscapes and the essential 'other-worldly-ness' of Neige's cerebral and spritual vocals and poetic lyrics. Need a break from the stampede of sludge and the crunch of doom, look no further then Alcest and Les Voyages de l'Ame. 

                                                     Stand-out track: Summer's Glory

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003: Torche: Harmonicraft 

Torche have finally nailed it. Their demented and glorious power-pop impregnated stoner metal some six or seven years ago. This completely new and catchy sound has since been welcomed on my playlist... only in small doses. The songs were all good, only something seemed to be missing. Whatever the missing link was, Torche discovered it and plays it in spades throughout Harmonicraft. The album is relentlessly fun, eternally catchy, and full of the hooks that every mainstream pop rock group wish they penned. My personal favorite track, Solitary Traveler, is a more introspective and chill piece; setting it on top of this baker's dozen, in my book.

                                                     Stand-out track: Solitary Traveler

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002: DAWNBRINGER: Into The Lair Of The Sun God 

My thoughts are that Dawnbringer has once again gone unnoticed and under-appreciated in 2012. The group earned my seal of approval earlier this year as part of the 'Planet's "Double Dose" feature. If you've missed Chris Black's project until this day I can forgive you and now offer another chance to properly introduce yourself to this genius effort. Dawnbringer are devoted metal scholars who have put long hours and aptitude into a one of a kind album, breathing life into a stale sound all while proving their relevance. Having said that, I also feel this album title and artwork are the best and most original 2012 has to offer (and that's up against Mr. Baizley's Yellow & Green cover). Order your copy from Profound Lore before its to late! 

                                                     Stand-out track: VIII

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001: Baroness: Yellow & Green 

Most will not be surprised that Baroness' colossal double album Yellow & Green is my personal favorite release this year. Baroness' mentality and creation here is the sort that scares and challenges all fellow musicians to "step their game up" and forge something new. Focusing more time on song structures and writing the band dropped their defenses, their strictly heavy guitar work and gruff vocals for melody and harmony, leaving themselves vulnerable to the backlash of fans and peers alike. The conclusion? A mixed bag of anthemic rock, pop-sludge, uplifting instrumentals and reflective hymns. Literally something for everybody. The band, having lived through the trauma of a terrible bus accident and over-coming some very serious injuries, are thankfully healthy and exercising their music muscles with hopes to be back out performing as soon as possible. Now that's hope we can believe in. 

 Stand-out tracks: March to the Sea, Cocainium, Eula, Green Theme, Board Up the House, Psalms Alive, Stretchmarker

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