Here are 9 instrumental doom/sludge metal albums I enjoyed this year (2023)

Hypervenom "Gorgon" EP 2020

Hypervenom "Gorgon" EP 2020

Two long tracks from this Italian power trio. I'm getting some first-EP Cathedral vibes on "The Ritual". Cathedral's "March" from that EP has always been one of my favorite doom instrumentals and one I wish more bands emulated. These two tracks are getting there- "The Ritual" begins like a molasses-thick take on Link Wray's "Rumble" and evolves and builds from there into denser, phased out psychedelic territory. Great. Title track shifts mood several times- to great effect when it really slows down gradually about 5 minutes. Nice trick. Then it speeds up again into a a near-gallop and some tasty leads. Key track: "The Ritual"

Monolord "Vaenir (Instrumental)" LP 2020

Monolord "Vaenir (Instrumental)" LP 2020

Monolord's release of instrumental versions of two of their previous albums is a stroke of genius to my ears: remove the least heavy element of something that was pretty heavy to begin with and the heaviosity shoots up astronomically. The brooding voice of  Thomas V Jäger had an ethereal presence that while intense, always seems to lighten the mood of their dark mournful tunes. None of that is here- this is nothing but pure slow-churning, pummeling riffs and sweet plodding drums and is totally great. Key track: Nuclear Death
 

Lucifungus "Derek" LP 2020

Lucifungus "Derek" LP 2020

This album is not exclusively instrumental but I will allow them room on this blog. This band has a really great sound- Thick filthy metallic riffing and varied pacing and structures that have a certain swagger and swing that is really attractive.When they get going, as in the opening track, they really build up a solid groove. I have a soft spot for Australian bands- probably from listening to AC/DC and Rose Tattoo in my youth. In a way- I'm always disappointed if an Aussie band doesn't at least sound a bit like they could share a bill or have a few pints with Rose Tattoo- and Lucifungus doesn't disappoint in that department. This album is thick filthy riffing and varied pacing and structures that have a ballsy swagger and swing. I only wish it was longer (31 minutes total) and of course, all instrumental. Key track: "Transpyramid"

Cuarzo - "Vol 2" LP 2020

Cuarzo - "Vol 2" 2020

A young power trio from Lima, Peru delivers a pretty astounding hour-long album of thick instrumental doom / stoner metal jams overflowing with psychedelic guitar leads and heavy grooves. I started this blog to keep track of instrumental doom metal, a favorite genre to zone out to at work, and I stumbled on to this band from far off South America and they might just be the pinnacle of what I'm looking for in an instrumental doom metal band. When it comes to doom, it has to begin and end with Sabbath. There's no escaping that. And these guys bring the Sabbath goods- bass, drums and that crunchy guitar are straight out of the Geezer Butler, Bill Ward and Tony Iommi prototype. But tempered- they are definitely not all-out metal. They are as much classic 70s rock as metal and that to me is even more attractive. To bring it into a more contemporary focus- I have to mention Kyuss. I don't know how much Kyuss should be credited with influencing Cuarzo (great band name btw) but the grooves and some of the structures owe quite a bit to the last 2 Kyuss albums- the head-nodding groove and shifting stop-start tempos on "Titanomaquia" for example. And I'll throw in Sleep as another possible pre-cursor, with the head-crushing riffs. When they get heavy they approach the level of first album Sleep in single-minded head-banging. And you can't help but be impressed by the length of this album- 62 minutes. Of course doom is not known for brevity but this has to be one of the more concise hour-long albums I've ever heard. If anything I wish it was longer. Anything to hear that white-hot burning guitar sound drifting endlessly over those steady grooves. I look forward to whatever these gentlemen come up with next- I hope they keep it quality, heavy and all-instrumental. 

Key track: Stonia