So we’re now in the fifth month of 2008 and I’ve not decided my top 10 albums of 2007 yet. Which is sad, because I’ve had the chance to get some amazing albums the past year and I need to compile my favorites in list form so here goes…

01. Electric Wizard – Witchcult Today: It’s been three years since the last time new Wizard has touched anyone’s ears and the results were shaky. They had just got their new lineup after the dissolution of the prior mainstay and the album just wasn’t focused enough, as if they hadn’t gelled yet. But damn, Witchcult is the result of a band tighter than a virginal pussy. There is not a moment where the band doesn’t sound good, even on the weakest track, Dunwitch. A must own for Stoner Doom fans.

02. Baroness – The Red Album: This band is just awe inspiring. For anyone who wasn’t sure if they’d be able to deliver a full album worth of excellent material like featured on the EP’s First and Second–they can, and they blow you away. I don’t know how many times I’ve played this album, but with each passing listen it keeps getting better and better and better. Also, best damn live show I saw all year last year.

03. Rwake – Voices of Omens: Rwake is just one of those bands that has never disappointed me. Grating and pummeling as any good band should be. Tormented vocals, excellent instrumentals and enough heaviness to match any newer sludge band and still stand up to the greats. Definitely a must listen, so go out and get it.

04. Boris w/ Merzbow – Rock Dream: Two discs of live glory from legends Boris and Merzbow. There isn’t much new here, but who cares when the live combo of Boris and Merzbow can redo old material with such mastery that you will almost prefer it to the original? Limited run of 5,000 copies I believe, machine numbered by Southern Lord. If you can find this, pick it up before they’re all gone. Even if you can get the album from the internet, you’re missing out if you don’t get it for the artwork and packaging which, knowing it’s Southern Lord, is fantastic.

05. Torche – In Return: Damn, for an EP this is just fantastic. Torche take everything you loved about their self-titled Stoner Pop masterpiece and improve on the formula. Not to mention the badass artwork and you get the 10″ EP and CD of the album…I need to order this soon before I can’t anymore. Anywho, these guys have taken something from Baroness in the fact that there is a lot more guitar interplay in this and their new release Meanderthal to bo along with their bomb string Pop sentiment sludge. Highly recommended.

06. Down – Down III: Over The Under: Definitely on par with the other releases from supergroup Down. I can’t say too much about it because hell, it’s DOWN. The good thing about them is that if you’ve heard one record you’ve heard them all, but still it’s interesting EVERY TIME which is where Down shines.

07. High On Fire – Death is this Communion: Matt Pike and company have done it again, made another flawless album. This one hits just as hard as previous efforts and sticks around in your mind just as long. If Blessed Black Wings was the Master of Puppets of stoner metal, then this is definitely worthy of the title of The …And Justice for All of stoner metal.

08. OM – Pilgrimage: Not as strong in my eyes as Conference of the Birds, but even then, Om is still leaps and bounds ahead of all too many bands out there. This is still an amazing effort that will make you go on the same kind of journeys you took while CotB was in rotation. All Om is good Om and if you’ve never taken a serious listen to these dudes, you need to. I would say all Sleep fans need apply, but Sleep fans are already Om fans.

09. Weedeater – God Luck and Good Speed: Oh Dixie you’ve done it again! Every single Weedeater release is gold. There are no exceptions. The second the title track hits your ears you will be entranced. I can’t talk too much about this album because it’s an experience you can’t deny your ears of. Mankind is unkind man…God luck and good speeeeeeeeed.

10. |TIE| Clutch – From Beale Street To Oblivion & Fu Manchu – We Must Obey: I could not choose between these two albums from bands that NEVER disappoint. The latest Clutch effort basically picks back up in the swing of things that Robot Hive/Exodus left behind. While Clutch really haven’t strayed from the formula as of the last few albums, they still are riff machines and able to make you sing every song by the second spin of the record. In my eyes, Clutch will always be a powerhouse. And who can deny Fu Manchu a spot? We Must Obey is solid Fu Manchu that we’ve all come to know and love. There is not a moment on this LP that makes me doubt my love of the band. Also, that video for Hung Out To Dry was just EPIC. Definitely one of my new favorite Fu albums.

There you have it, the best of 2007 in my opinion. So far, 2008 is shaping up well with what I’ve heard. New Torche is amazing, as is the new Earth, the Sword and Boris offerings. I hope to hear more amazing stoner rock and metal this year as well. Doom on, brothas and sistahs.

-Supercoven