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BYGONE - BYGONE (ALBUM REVIEW)


By mike, 2025-12-19
BYGONE - BYGONE (ALBUM REVIEW)

Bygone sits in a late 70's to early 80's hard rock space, with a strong focus on groove and melody. The vocals are confident and forward in the mix, with a classic hard rock feel that fits the music well.

The guitars are the real strength of the album. The tones are warm and full, clearly rooted in classic hard rock rather than metal, but they still have some weight to them. The riffs are well written and do what they need to do, and the lead parts feel natural and musical instead of flashy. There’s a good sense of groove throughout, and the band knows when to pull back and let things breathe.

There are subtle space-rock touches throughout the album that add depth to the songs. Light synths and atmospheric layers show up at the right moments, adding to the arrangements without taking over.

The production is clean and punchy, with a slight early 80's shine to it. The guitars sit up front where they should, the vocals are clear, and nothing feels overworked. It has a classic feel, but it still translates well in modern times.

Bygone is a great record. The songs hit hard, the tones are full and rich, and the mix lets everything breathe. It’s the kind of album you want to play all the way through, and it gets the sound it’s going for exactly right.

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Posted in: Playgroundz Reviews
BLACK MAGIC TREE - TERRA (NOTEWORTHY ALBUM)

NOVEMBER 2025 BEST NEW HEAVY ALBUM RELEASES

BLACK MAGIC TREE - TERRA

Black Magic Tree's Terra album is a feel good experience, blending great, somewhat classic guitar riffs with a modern production style. The music is characterized by catchy guitar lines and a brilliant fullness of melodic vocal hooks and clever vocal phrasing. The entire band feels rooted like a magic tree, and the energy is contagious.

For more information follow >> https://blackmagictree.bandcamp.com/album/terra

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Posted in: Playgroundz Reviews
YOU GUITARPRAYER - I AM THE LIGHT/THE LIGHT I AM (NOTEWORTHY ALBUM)

#1 Pick November 2025 Best New Heavy Album Releases

You Guitarprayer is an epic masterclass in performance and production, offering a truly cosmic and spiritual experience. The album's meticulous arrangement, characterized by perfectly spaced dynamics and instrumentation, conveys a sense of profound light. The incredible depth of the musicianship and the pristine separation of complex sonic elements contribute significantly to this elevated feeling.

For more information follow them here >> https://youguitarprayer.bandcamp.com/album/i-am-the-light-the-light-i-am

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Posted in: News
NOVEMBER 2025 BEST NEW HEAVY ALBUM RELEASES

🔥🔥NOVEMBER 2025 BEST NEW HEAVY ALBUM RELEASES🔥🔥
👉My vote submission to the Doom Charts and published on Playgroundz Rocks >>

1. YOU GUITARPRAYER - I AM THE LIGHT / THE LIGHT I AM (WORST BASSIST RECORDS)
2. BLACK MAGIC TREE - TERRA (MAJESTIC MOUNTAIN RECORDS)
3. WOLFTOOTH - WIZARD’S LIGHT (RIPPLE MUSIC)
4. MAHA SOHONA - A DARK PLACE (SELF RELEASE)
5. BOGWIFE - FROM ASHES (MAJESTIC MOUNTAIN RECORDS)
6. ACIDSITTER - DOOMSCROLLER’S BLUES (SELF RELEASED)
7. KADAVAR - KIDS ABANDONING DESTINY AMONG VANITY (CLOUDS HILL)
8. WINDS OF NEPTUNE - WINDS OF NEPTUNE (SMALL STONE RECORDS)
9. ELECTRIC BOYS - SHADY SIDE OF TOWN (TARGET GROUP)
10. FROZEN PLANET…1969 - EGOLAND (SELF RELEASED)
11. BEASTWARS - THE SHIP//THE SEA (SELF RELEASED)
12. STONE NOMADS - EMPIRES OF STONE (RIPPLE MUSIC)
13. YAWNING MAN - PAVEMENT ENDS (HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS)
14. BLACK SABBITCH - UNREST IN THE WEST (RIPPLE MUSIC)
15. SOFTSUN - ETERNAL SUNRISE (HEAVY PSYCH SOUND RECORDS)

🤘Every month, from around the globe some of the finest bloggers, journalists, radio, podcasters and reviewers from the heavy underground submit their picks for the best new doom, sludge, metal, stoner, psychedelic and heavy rock albums and submit them to the Doom Charts.

PGZ NOVEMBER 2025 TOP PICKS DC0.25x.jpg

Posted in: News
Mothertomb - Beware (Single Review)

Mothertomb's “Beware” hits from the first note with a slow, dark intro that pulls you into a weighty, ominous world. When the full band drops in, the riffs thicken, the groove locks in, and the track settles into a doom-laden crawl that refuses to rush.

Alice Gawlinski’s vocals cut through perfectly. Haunted and distant, her voice floats above the riffs, adding space and mood without losing any of the heaviness. She commands attention without trying to dominate, giving the track a subtle but undeniable power.

The band keeps it simple but deadly effective. Solid riffs, steady atmosphere, and hints of psychedelic and gothic flair make the track feel layered without overdoing it. Everything lands exactly where it should. They know their sound and ride it all the way.

As a debut, “Beware” is a statement. Dark, immersive, and heavy as hell, it shows Mothertomb has a clear vision and a natural groove. By the end, you’re left wanting more, and you know whatever comes next is going to hit just as hard.

For more information about Mothertomb, please follow the link >> https://mothertomb.bandcamp.com

Posted in: Playgroundz Reviews
OCTOBER 2025 BEST NEW HEAVY ALBUM RELEASES

🔥🔥OCTOBER 2025 BEST NEW HEAVY ALBUM RELEASES🔥🔥

👉My vote submission to the Doom Charts and published on Playgroundz Rocks




1. BRIMSTONE COVEN - THE LIGHT SHINES NOT FOR THEE (SELF RELEASED)

2. THE LUNAR EFFECT - FORTUNE'S ALWAYS HIDING (SVART RECORDS)

3. HOWLING GIANT - CRUCIBLE & RUIN (MAGNETIC EYE RECORDS)

4. BENTREES - SILVER VEINS (SELF RELEASED)

5. BIRDS OF NAZCA - PANGAEA (SELF RELEASED)

6. THE BATELEURS - A LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS (SELF RELEASED)

7. HONEYBADGER - LET THERE BE LIGHT(SELF RELEASED)

8. LACERTILIA - TRANSCEND (SELF RELEASED)

9. REDWOOD - CLOUD COLONY(SELF RELEASED)

10. SOLAR SUNS - ALTITUDE (ARGONAUTA RECORDS)

11. BLUE HERON - EMULATIONS (BLUES FUNERAL RECORDINGS)

12. BONE CHURCH - DELIVERANCE (RIPPLE MUSIC)

13. WINO - CREATE OR DIE (RIPPLE MUSIC)

14. STONEBIRDS - PERPETUAL WASTELAND (RIPPLE MUSIC)

15. PSYCHONAUT - WORLD MAKER (PELAGIC RECORDS)




🤘Every month, from around the globe some of the finest bloggers, journalists, radio, podcasters and reviewers from the heavy underground submit their picks for the best new doom, sludge, metal, stoner, psychedelic and heavy rock albums and submit them to the Doom Charts


Playgroundz Rocks October 2025 DC Picks.jpg



Posted in: News
SEPTEMBER 2025 BEST NEW HEAVY ALBUM RELEASES

🔥SEPTEMBER 2025 BEST NEW HEAVY ALBUM RELEASES🔥🔥

👉My vote submissio🔥n to the Doom Charts and published on Playgroundz Rocks




1. CASTLE RAT - THE BESTIARY (BLUES FUNERAL RECORDINGS)

2. WARCOE - UPON TALL THRONES (RIPPLE MUSIC)

3. FISH HOOK SMILE - FISH HOOK SMILE (GLORY OR DEATH RECORDS)

4. THE GREAT MACHINE - WORKING CLASS ANARCHIST (SELF RELEASED)

5. POLLY - DEATH DRIVE (SELF RELEASED)

6. STONE MACHINE ELECTRIC - FACES (ARGONAUTA RECORDS)

7. GOATMILKER - GOATMILKER (SELF RELEASED)

8. APPALOOZA - THE EMPEROR OF LOSS (SELF RELEASED)

9. INSOMNIAC - OM MOKSHA RITAM (BLUES FUNERAL RECORDINGS)

10. DREAMLORD - ARTIFICIAL IMPRISONMENT (SELF RELEASED)

11. ELDER - LIMINALITY/DREAM STATE RETURN (SELF RELEASED)

12. BLACK MOON CULT - OPHIDIAN FUTURE(THE CHILDREN OF YIG) (BLACK DOOMBA RECORDS)




🤘Every month, from around the globe some of the finest bloggers, journalists, radio, podcasters and reviewers from the heavy underground submit their picks for the best new doom, sludge, metal, stoner, psychedelic and heavy rock albums and submit them to the Doom Charts.


Playgroundz Rocks September 2025 DC Picks.jpg

Posted in: News
AUGUST 2025 BEST NEW HEAVY ALBUM RELEASES

🔥🔥AUGUST 2025 BEST NEW HEAVY ALBUM RELEASES🔥🔥

👉My vote submission to the Doom Charts and published on Playgroundz Rocks




1. SUPERNAUGHTY - APOCALYPSO (RIPPLE MUSIC)

2 .BORRACHO - OUROBOROS (RIPPLE MUSIC)

3. HOG - BLACKHOLE (RIDING EASY RECORDS)

4. MEZZOA - TON 618 (GLORY OR DEATH RECORDS)

5. BLACK WATER RISING - THE EDGE (SELF RELEASED)

6. LOMMI - 667788 (MAJESTIC MOUNTAIN RECORDS)

7. ASTROQUEEN - RUFUS RISING EP (SELF RELEASED)

8. BLACK TONGUE REVEREND - UPSTATE OF MIND (SELF RELEASED)

9. TORSO - ANNIHILATION DAY (APF RECORDS)

10. BLACK NOON - DEAD MAN EP (SELF RELEASED)

11. GIANT HAZE - COSMIC MOTHER (TONZONEN RECORDS/CARGO RECORDS)

12. TORVUS - .44 CALIBER ANGEL (SELF RELEASED)




🤘Every month, from around the globe some of the finest bloggers, journalists, radio, podcasters and reviewers from the heavy underground submit their picks for the best new doom, sludge, metal, stoner, psychedelic and heavy rock albums and submit them to the Doom Charts.


Playgroundz Rocks August 2025 DC Picks.jpg

Posted in: News
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