Top 50 of albums I rated 8 and above.

Album count: 222
Average rating: 6.96

1.Ahab - The Divinity Of Oceans

2.Insomnium - Across The Dark

3.Fen - The Malediction Fields

4.Ghost Brigade - Isolation Songs

5.Isis - Wavering Radiant

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Welcome everybody to a little lesson on the history of Sludge & Stoner Metal. I'm Guib and today I have the immense pleasure to serve as your humble teacher.

Please take a seat and travel with me through time as we explore the very best of those two, often blurred, genres. The goal here is simple, I want to get you familiarized with the styles. I want you to understand where they come from through albums on a timeline and while we're at it get a sweet selection of great releases that you might not know and that, hopefully, will get you hooked to explore even more!

But this is a classroom and in my classroom there are a few rules. We want to keep this clean, clear and prevent having a 500+ albums mess. So here are the rules we'll follow throughout this lesson.

- - - - - The Rules - - - - -

1. We will settle for a maximum of 4 albums per year and they will be listed from oldest to newest. Makes it simple to navigate. Those releases will represent what I consider to be hallmarks of the genres for that year. Essentials if you want, yes? Of course, I'll sprinkle a bit of my personality here and there so you will find some unorthodox choices and some less known albums from time to time. It would be boring otherwise... and also why not?

2. We will begin the journey with Melvins' "Gluey Porch Treatments" released in 1987. Why? Because it is arguably the first album to be widely considered as Sludge.

3. The list will mostly feature studio albums. So no Demos & bare minimum when it comes to EPs if any at all. Thank you.

4. I am not going to include releases by Black Sabbath, Blue Cheer, Hawkwind, etc... I fully understand and recognize the influence older bands had on Stoner Rock, but this is not the list for them.

5. Lastly, not really a rule but more of a note. Considering that we're talking about Sludge & Stoner, it is inevitable that Doom, Post, Progressive, Grunge & Hardcore acts will be featured in this list. Those genres simply go together naturally and are often mixed so do not be alarmed!

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That is it, I hope you will all discover something to enjoy through my little history lesson. Also, do not hesitate to comment below if you agree or disagree with some of my picks. After all, this is a classroom and debate is invited as it can be fun and educative. As long everything's done respectfully, of course.

Enjoy & Have Fun... Class dismissed!

NOTE: I will now add my picks for best album of the year using this format (best of xxxx) in the chosen album's description.

- Guib -

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Guib's best Sludge/Stoner Album Picks

Best Of 2023:
Urne - A Feast On Sorrow

Best Of 2024 So Far:
O Zorn! - Vermillion Haze

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Last Update: April 16th, 2024

1.Melvins - Gluey Porch Treatments

2.Soundgarden - Ultramega OK

3.Oxbow - Fuckfest

4.Melvins - Ozma

5.Soundgarden - Louder Than Love

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These are albums that I'm currently enjoying. They may be classics that I'm revisiting or new gems I've recently discovered. (Ordered alphabetically)

- A star (⭐️) denotes a new discovery that I find exceptionally special!
- A flame (🔥) denotes an album that I've heard before, enjoyed, and am revisiting this month!

1.Aosoth - IV: An Arrow In Heart

2.Deathspell Omega - Paracletus

3.Giant Squid - The Ichthyologist

4.Gojira - The Way Of All Flesh

5.High On Fire - The Art Of Self Defense

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1.Neurosis - Through Silver In Blood

2.Kylesa - Static Tensions

3.Dvne - Etemen Ænka

4.Neurosis - Times Of Grace

5.High On Fire - Death Is This Communion

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This list is meant to be an extensive, but by no means exhaustive, collection of the greatest (modern) metal albums and eps. Running the gamut from avant-garde to trve norweigan black metal. *As someone who is young in age, my tastes tend to revolve around the period of the 80s to the present.* Although certain metal albums from before will certainly be featured, the period of the 60s-70s will be under-represented. I refer you to this excellent list to gain a better appreciation for some of the best metal from that period: https://rateyourmusic.com/list/freis/martin_popoffs_the_top_500_heavy_metal_albums_of_all_time/

1.Jacobs Dream - Jacobs Dream

2.Jambinai - Onda

3.James LaBrie - Static Impulse

4.Jason Becker - Perpetual Burn

5.Jassa - Lights in the Howling Wilderness

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1.Alice In Chains - Black Gives Way To Blue

2.Behemoth - Evangelion

3.Insomnium - Across The Dark

4.Immortal - All Shall Fall

5.Nile - Those Whom The Gods Detest

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Main criterias:
How much I love it(obviously)
Songwritting
Importance and originality
Consistency and diversity (consistency is more importance, but diversity can make a difference)

1.Metallica - Ride The Lightning

2.Megadeth - Rust In Peace

3.Morbid Angel - Altars Of Madness

4.Candlemass - Epicus Doomicus Metallicus

5.Slayer - Haunting The Chapel

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Wanna know what I headbang to on the regular? The releases that have seen countless re-spins... Well, this is a very simple list and something you've probably seen a lot of other MS users do in the past. Basically, I'm just going to list what are essential metal albums for me, my all time gems & masterpieces (very subjective and some are also in there due to nostalgia and sentimental value).

There's no particular ''Genre'' that I'll be covering and I will also try to limit myself to two albums per band and a few of my favorite tracks or highlights per album. Of course everything in this list is just my opinion, meaning that I'm not saying these albums are all masterpieces or whatnot, it's just my personal favorites. I hope most of you will agree with me and those few who don't, well... it's okay to be wrong, the next step is acceptance

🇨🇦 = From Canada, My Country!

Last Updated: April 15th, 2024

1.Absu - The Third Storm Of Cythrául

2.AC/DC - High Voltage

3.Alestorm - Black Sails At Midnight

4.Alien Weaponry - Tū

5.Amon Amarth - Fate Of Norns

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Under Construction

1.Baroness - Blue Record

2.Baroness - A Grey Sigh in a Flower Husk [Split]

3.Black Tusk - Taste The Sin

4.Kylesa - Static Tensions

5.Darkest Hour - Deliver Us

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Beware of contact high and feelings of severe misanthropy.

1.Acid Bath - When The Kite String Pops

2.Acid Witch - Stoned

3.Ancestors - In Dreams And Time

4.Baroness - Blue Record

5.Bison B.C. - Dark Ages

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Since we had the whole MS album art awards, I figured I would try and list out my favourites.
This is not in any order and has no relation to the music, there are bands in here that I don't like, but the artwork is still great.
I'm not quite sure of some of the illustrators and designers on some covers, so they have been left blank, if you do know who did them, let me know. If you think there are some artists that I would dig coz of similar work, just leave me a shout.
This list is not finished so I will keep adding covers that I like.
I don't like Derek Riggs work too much so don't ask me why an Iron Maiden cover is not on the list.

1.Baroness - Red Album

2.Baroness - Blue Record

3.Mastodon - Leviathan

4.Agoraphobic Nosebleed - Agorapocalypse

5.Kvelertak - Kvelertak

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Lots of genres, not repeating any Band (except Therion, but with 3 different styles). You cannot go wrong with this list, some nice Starts to any kind of Metal.
The list is sorted by year, but has not any particular order. Enjoy!

1.Queensrÿche - Operation: Mindcrime

2.Atheist - Unquestionable Presence

3.Therion - Symphony Masses - Ho Drakon Ho Megas

4.Cynic - Focus

5.Amorphis - Tales From The Thousand Lakes

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Well I'm sitting here bored at work and I figured I would make a list too.
These are pretty much my favourite metal releases over the years(in no particular order)
It's pretty much dominated by sludge/stoner releases.

1.Gojira - From Mars To Sirius

2.Mastodon - Leviathan

3.Baroness - Red Album

4.High On Fire - The Art Of Self Defense

5.Sleep - Dopesmoker

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1.Be'lakor - Stone's Reach

2.In Vain - Mantra

3.Russian Circles - Geneva

4.Callisto - Providence

5.Long Distance Calling - Avoid The Light

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My personal top 50 list.
(In no particular order)

1.Decrepit Birth - Polarity

2.Agoraphobic Nosebleed - Agorapocalypse

3.Blue Öyster Cult - Blue Öyster Cult

4.Joe Satriani - Time Machine

5.Earth - The Bees Made Honey In The Lion's Skull

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