Baby Woodrose - Third Eye Surgery (Bad Afro Records)

Another of my favorite albums released this year is Baby Woodrose's ninth full-length entitled, 'Third Eye Surgery'.  Being my first exposure to Baby Woodrose, my expectations were definitely met and then some.  One of the few purely psych rock albums I thoroughly enjoyed this year, Thrid Eye Surgery is a must have for Baby Woodrose/Dragontears fans and the like. 
Fav tracks: 'Waiting for the War' & 'Dandelion', the latter of which features a guest female vocalist who steals the show, albeit for one song. 

My Rating: 8 / 10

Old Man Gloom - NO (Hydra Head Records)

Getting back to stellar releases of 2012, today's daily review is 'NO' by the metal/hardcore supergroup Old Man Gloom.  For those not afraid of mixing extreme music genres a bit (i.e. post-metal topped with hardcore & a side of experimental rock) OMG's fifth studio album will hit the spot.  Really heavy and unique sound. 
Fav tracks: 'Shadowed Hand' & 'Crescent'

My Rating: 8 / 10

The :Egocentrics - Love Fear Choices & Astronauts

The :Egocentrics (not sure what the colon in their name represents) are a very talented instrumental stoner/psych rock band from Romania and 'Love Fear Choices & Astronaus' (2010 release date) is their debut full-length.  Musically there is a lot going on during each song (mulitple guitars solos, several tempo changes, etc) yet somehow everything seems to come together before the end.  I also enjoy how each song tends to build up for a grand finale, usually lasting 1-1.5 minutes.  I can't wait to get my hands on their second album, released last year via Nasoni Records. 

My Rating: 9.5 / 10

Black Cobra - Invernal (Southern Lord Records)

Black Cobra's 2011 album entitled, 'Invernal', is without a doubt one of my favorite albums of the past 5-10 years.  With so many Sludge/Doom Metal bands these days, I imagine it has to be a challenge to keep a distinct sound associated with your band.  Black Cobra's distinct sound would best be described as supremely intense sludge metal with heavy riffs and unrelenting vocals. 
Fav tracks: 'Crimson Blade' & 'Corrosion Fields'. 

My Rating: 10 / 10

Golden Void - Golden Void (Thrill Jockey Records)

Golden Void, released earlier this year, is the debut full-length from Golden Void, a band consisting of members of Earthless, Assemble Head in Sunburst Sound, and other great psych/stoner bands.  Initially, I wasn't the biggest fan of this album, however, after a few rotations I started to get the sound the band was going for (a sort of stoner/psych/folk hybrid)  Sometimes the best music, and art in general, takes time to digest before you fully appreciate its meaning and significance. 
Fav tracks: 'Virtue', 'The Curve', & 'Atlantis'

My Rating: 7.5 / 10

Demonic Death Judge - The Descent

I honestly have no idea how I came about today's album by Sludge Metal beasts, Demonic Death Judge.  Regardless, 'The Descent', released in 2011, is DDJ's debut full-length released by Inverse Records.  DDJ play hate-filled sludge/stoner metal with a dash of black metal for good taste.  I really like how DDJ are not afraid to slow things down a bit and give the listener's eardrums a chance to regain their bearings. 
Fav track: 'The Descent' (brilliant song!!)

My Rating: 8 / 10

The Devil's Blood - The Time of No Evermore (Ván Records)

One of my favorite albums of 2011 was 'The Thousandfold Epicentre' by The Devil's Blood.  I liked said album so much I sought out the remainder of band's back catalog, which includes today's album, 'The Time of No Evermore'.  Released in 2009, The Time of No Evermore is a hauntingly beautiful slab of classic heavy metal/occult rock with some seriously awesome female vocals.  Apparently, the band lives up to their name in concert as well, full on blood bath and all.   Check it out!! 
Fav tracks: I'll Be Your Ghost' & House of 10,000 Voices.   

My Rating: 9 / 10

Beastwars - Beastwars (Destroy Records)

I'm back!  I never thought regularly updating a blog would be as difficult as it is. 

Beastwars self-titled debut, release in 2011, is a a monster of an album that I somehow managed to put off listening to for an entire year.  Just an all around great album I can't recommend enough. 

My Rating: 9 / 10