2026 First Half Recap

In previous years my lack of posts was due to being too busy writing for other, more legitamate sites. That's not the case this year. I've been listening back through all the CDs that I own in alphabetical order by artist. And some records obviously. This has left me with less time for new releases. I haven't been completely isolating myself from 2026 though. Here are a bunch of new releases that I feel obligated to say good things about. But only a few good things. I'm in the middle of a Mastodon marathon right now and I'm anxious to get back to it. Enjoy!

Blackwater Holylight - 'Not Here, Not Gone': I admit it took me a few spins to warm up to this. My expectations were off and I had to see the album for what it was. Beautiful. January album of the month for sure. Of note: new Pelican EP and new Wild Fuzz Trip.

Weedpecker - 'V': Do you like trippin' on tunes? Isolate yourself with this album and you'll go places. Especially if you like bands like Elder. Textured psychedelic proggy stoner doom. Nothing stood out more in February. Of note: the new Belzebong and Axe Dragger's debut need a revisit.

Serpent Worship - 'So Mote It Be': To borrow from their Bandcamp page this "heavy and hypnotic" release takes its time across four tracks of experimental doom with samples from the late King Cobra JFS serving as vocals. It's the only March album I went back to again and again. Of note: Witchcraft EP, new Filth is Eternal, and I need more time with 'Excavations' by Supercontinent.

Corrosion of Conformity - 'Good God Baad Man': Now we're talkin'! This shit fucking rocks. Rocks and fucking rolls. Apparently Woody and Pepper can do just fine without Reed (R.I.P.) and Mike. Fantastically fine. There's one part that brings tears to my eyes just about every time but damn, if this isn't the most fun CoC album yet. A spiritual companion to 'America's Volume Dealer'. And potential album of the year.
April was a pretty good month to be honest. I'll recommend the Soft Sun and Ten East split, Angine de Poitrine (so much fun!), Truckfighters, WITCH (the African one), Witch Ripper, final Sepultura EP. A few others I need to revisit.

May was a damn fine month. Damn fine.
Lair of the Minotaur - 'I Hail I': Capital-M Metal. Makes me think of battle and spikes and headbanging while not being too serious. Rips though!
Bongtower - 'The Color of Pomegranates': Heavier and darker than Weedpecker but heavy doom prog nonetheless. Very cosmic at times. Just a massive album. I wish the documentary about it wasn't in Polish.
Gozu - 'Gozu VI': Stoner rock with some metal vibes, dynamicism, and more than enough fun. Fun is good.If you don't rock with Gozu yet. Get on board here.
Elder - 'Through Zero': Speaking of Elder, their new one is really good! Sounds like Elder! Well, modern Elder at least. I'm good with that. I need to listen to it more though. At the end of a proper Elder marathon. Elder always takes some time to sink in.
Monolord - 'Neverending': I'm still recommending these stoner doom titans but it's not my favourite of theirs. Need more listens for sure.

I've only got one album for June. 'Fantasia' by Slift. It's the only album you need. Right up there with my favourites of the year. This trio makes some powerful prog-doom, people. Epic doesn't even touch it. Texture and shade, darkness and light, gravity and weightlessness, explosive and genteel. The fact that they recorded it live with no overdubs or anything makes it that much more impressive. I liked 'Ummon' well enough (and missed 'Ilion' altogether somehow) but 'Fantasia' takes it up several notches! And it gets better with every listen!

I'll try and have more for July but I'm hitting the Megadeth, Metallica, and Monster Magnet sections of my collection soon and that's EXTENSIVE.

Top 5 Albums of 2010 that I just couldn't put on my real list.

The following are the Top 5 albums that I really enjoyed but couldn't put on my actual Top 40 Albums of 2010 List. For various reasons. Such as, I have always loved this band but there is nothing special or different on this album that makes it any better or worse that the rest of their albums.
In no particular order:

Monster Magnet - Mastermind: I have always loved MM. This album is full of cool riffs and great hooks. But so is every other MM album. Some songs actually sound like they have taken riffs from previous albums. I still love it though.

Lair of the Minotaur - Evil Power: Not as good as the last album but still lots of fun.

Arson Anthem - Insecurity Notoriety: It's Phil Anselmo and Mike Williams. I shouldn't have to say more. A nice quick listen but nothing to set it apart from the pack. Again, plenty of fun.

Karma to Burn - Appalachian Incantation: KTB continues to pump out wicked jams. But other than the song titles/numbers, I have a hard time distinguishing songs from albums. That said, I'd listen to this any time. You can't knock quality instru-metal.

Nevermore - The Obsidian Conspiracy: This one of those bands that I try to like but I can't really love them. The music itself is exceptional but I am not a fan of the vocals. I included this one more because I feel guilty for not digging it more.

Lair of the Minotaur, Kataklysm, A Thousand Knives of Fire

Lair of the Minotaur - War Metal Battle Master: This is how metal should be done, people. Wicked blend of style without it sounding too planned. I can hear influences without it sounding too obvious. It pummels, it destroys, it slays. No sappy lyrics, no pretty parts, just pure ass-kicking aggression. I loved every note. Look for this beast near the top of my list. Not to mention the video they made with with the naked zombie chicks. HORNS UP!!!!

Kataklysm - Prevail: I call this speed-death metal. Faster than your regular death metal but not overly technical. Makes me want to circle headbang. It's not full throttle the whole time though. "Blood in Heaven" has a militaristic type feel to it. I wish I could listen to this louder. It would be better louder. I don't really want the album to end. I'm going to give this a Horns UP, but I don't expect it to make my Top 40 of 2008. (which is turning into a Top 50 because I can't decide)

A Thousand Knives of Fire - The Last Train to Scornsville: Boogie rock. Vocals aren't very good. I heard them do a song on one of the Sucking the '70's compilations. I guess they are better when they don't write the song themselves. Very "Sweet Home Alabama is the best song ever!!!" Kid Rock would really like these guys. The gratuitous us of the word motherfucker on "She's Yours" is the best of this. Too country-ish for me really. Although I would enjoy this after a beers and some Jack. I'm gonna give it a Horns down.