The Best of Psychedelic Stoner Rock

Looking for the best of psychedelic stoner rock? Look no further! In this blog, we’ll be rounding up the best psychedelic stoner rock albums of all time. From early classics like Sabbath’s “Vol. 4” to modern classics like Kyuss’ “Welcome to Sky Valley”, we’ll be covering all the essential albums in this genre.

The History of Psychedelic Stoner Rock

Psychedelic stoner rock is a subgenre of rock music that combines elements of psychedelic rock and stoner rock. Psychedelic stoner rock is typically heavy and trippy, with distorted guitars and mind-altering lyrics. The genre began to take shape in the 1990s, with bands like Kyuss and Monster Magnet. If you’re a fan of psychedelic stoner rock, then this article is for you. We’ll be taking a look at the history of the genre and some of the best bands in the genre.

The 60s and the Birth of Psychedelic Rock

Psychedelic rock, often colloquially referred to as psychedelia, is a diverse style of rock music that originated in the mid-1960s, featuring distorted guitars, bass lines, and drums, sometimes accompanied by flute, saxophone, and keyboard instruments. The style often incorporated elements of Indian music and blended them with Western pop sensibilities. Psychedelic rock reached its peak of popularity in the late 1960s with bands such as the Jimi Hendrix Experience, the Beatles, and the Grateful Dead.

The term “psychedelic” was first coined in 1956 by British psychiatrist Humphry Osmond in a letter to Aldous Huxley; Osmond defined it as “mind-expanding”, while Huxley popularized it in his book The Doors of Perception (1954), which recounts his experiences taking mescaline. The term “psychadelic” was also used by psychedelic researcher Michael Hollingshead to describe LSD-induced experiences. Psychedelic rock developed out of the early British R&B and US garage rock scenes of the mid-1960s. Its origins can be traced back to American folk music and experimental composers such as John Coltrane, who applied mind-expanding concepts from jazz improvisation to rock music.

In 1965, the 13th Floor Elevators released their debut album The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators, which is often considered to be one of the first psychedelic rock albums. Also in 1965, Gerry & The Pacemakers released “Ferry Cross the Mersey”, which included references to drug use; this would later inspire Bob Dylan’s LSD-influenced song “Rainy Day Women #12 & 35” (1966). Dylan’s song “Mr. Tambourine Man” (1965) was also influential in introducing drug references into popular music.

By 1967, psychedelic rock had begun to enter the mainstream with hits such as The Beatles’ “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” (1967) and Jefferson Airplane’s “Somebody to Love” (1967). Other early hits included San Francisco’s Moby Grape’s “Omaha” (1967) and New York City’s The Velvet Underground’s “All Tomorrow’s Parties” (1967), both of which made reference to drug use.

The 70s and the Rise of Stoner Rock

In the early 1970s, the world of hard rock was turned upside down by a new breed of bands influenced by British blues-rock and American psychedelic music. Groups like Deep Purple, Zeppelin, and Sabbath incorporated heavy riffs, extended jams, and literary and occult themes into their music, paving the way for the rise of stoner rock.

Stoner rock is a subgenre of hard rock that typically features slow tempos, heavy riffs, and a pronounced sense of groove. The genre is closely related to doom metal, acid rock, and psychedelic rock, and is often informed by science fiction and fantasy literature.

In the early 1990s, stoner rock enjoyed a major resurgence thanks to the popularity of grunge and alternative rock. Bands like Kyuss, Sleep, Monster Magnet, and Fu Manchu helped to pioneer the genre’s distinctive sound, which combines elements of heavy metal, punk rock, and classic rock.

The Sound of Psychedelic Stoner Rock

Psychedelic stoner rock is a subgenre of rock music that combines elements of psychedelic rock and stoner rock. It originated in the early 1990s and reached its peak of popularity in the 2000s. The sound of psychedelic stoner rock is characterized by slow, heavy riffs, and is often infused with elements of psychedelic music, such as trippy effects and unusual time signatures.

The Key Elements of the Sound

The best psychedelic stoner rock conjures images of hazy summer days, long road trips, and good times with friends. It’s the perfect music to throw on when you need to wind down or get hype. The sound is a mix of heavy metal, punk rock, and classic rock with elements of psychedelic and garage rock.

Psychedelic stoner rock bands often use distorted guitars and experimentation with effects pedals to create mind-bending sounds. The drums are usually heavy and driving, adding to the feeling of being on a never-ending journey. The vocals range from clean singing to shouted or screamed vocals, depending on the band’s style.

The key elements of the sound are heavy guitars, pounding drums, and hypnotic vocals that create an immersive experience. If you’re looking for music that will transport you to another world, look no further than psychedelic stoner rock.

The Influences on the Sound

Psychedelic stoner rock is a subgenre of rock music that combines elements of psychedelic rock and heavier stoner rock. The sound is typically characterized by heavy guitars, trippy lyrics, and a laid-back vibe.

The genre first started to take shape in the early 1990s, with bands like Kyuss and Monster Magnet leading the charge. These bands would go on to influence a new generation of psychedelic stoner rock bands, who would push the sound even further in the 2000s.

Today, there are dozens of amazing psychedelic stoner rock bands making music that will transport you to another place entirely. If you’re looking for something to boost your mood and help you relax, then this is the perfect genre for you.

The Best Psychedelic Stoner Rock Bands

Psychedelic stoner rock is a subgenre of rock music that combines elements of psychedelic rock, stoner rock, and hard rock. The genre typically features heavy guitars, trippy lyrics, and a psychedelic atmosphere. Some of the best psychedelic stoner rock bands include Kyuss, Queens of the Stone Age, and Fu Manchu.

Kyuss

Kyuss was an American rock band, formed in Palm Desert, California, in 1987 by Josh Homme (guitar), John Garcia (vocals), Brant Bjork (drums) and Chris Cockrell (bass). After releasing two EPs independently in 1990 and 1991, Kyuss signed to the independent record label Dali Records and released their debut album, Wretch, in September 1991. The band alternated between recording albums and performing major tours throughout the 1990s until its dissolution in 1995 following the departure of Cockrell.

During their formative years, Kyuss shared the stage with acts such as Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains, becoming one of the leaders of the American desert rock scene of the early-to-mid-1990s. Kyuss is often credited as being one of the derivative bands of what later became known as stoner rock or desert rock. A influential group within this genre are led by Queens of the Stone Age which was actually started by Josh Homme after leaving Kyuss.

Sleep

Sleep is an American doom metal power trio from San Francisco, California. The band was formed in 1990 by bassist/vocalist Al Cisneros, drummer Chris Hakius and guitarist Tom Choi. Sleep’s music is characterized by slow tempos, massive volume, and stoner rock aesthetics. Cisneros and Hakius are also former members of the seminal stoner doom band Asbestosdeath. After releasing one EP and three splits, Sleep signed to London Records in 1991 and released their debut album Sleep’s Holy Mountain in 1992.

Sleep disbanded acrimoniously in 1998 following creative tensions between Cisneros and guitarist Matt Pike, who went on to form the highly successful stoner metal band High on Fire. In 2009, The Sciences was released on Southern Lord Records to critical acclaim. In November 2018, Sleep released a new album titled The Sciences on Third Man Records.

Fu Manchu

Fu Manchu is one of the best psychedelic stoner rock bands around. They have a sound that is both heavy and trippy, with plenty of spacey guitars and dreamy melodies. Their songwriting is excellent, and they always manage to create catchy hooks that will stay with you long after the song is over. If you’re looking for a band that can take you on a journey, Fu Manchu is definitely worth checking out.

The Future of Psychedelic Stoner Rock

Psychedelic stoner rock is a genre that is on the rise. With bands like Tame Impala and The Allah-Las gaining popularity, it’s no wonder that this genre is becoming more mainstream. Psychedelic stoner rock is a mix of psychedelic rock and stoner rock, and it’s the perfect genre for those who enjoy mind-altering music.

The New Wave of Psychedelic Stoner Rock Bands

The last decade has seen a resurgence in psychedelic stoner rock, with a new wave of bands carrying the torch for the genre. These bands are often characterized by their heavy, fuzzed-out sound, trippy lyrics, and DIY attitude.

Here are some of the best psychedelic stoner rock bands of the last decade:

-The Black Angels: Hailing from Austin, Texas, The Black Angels are one of the leading lights of the new wave of psychedelic stoner rock bands. The band is known for their dark and atmospheric sound, as well as their intense live shows.

-Psychic Ills: New York City-based Psychic Ills have been making waves in the psychedelic stoner rock world with their heavy, hypnotic sound. The band’s music is often laced with electronic textures and effects, giving it a truly unique and trippy feel.

-SLEEP: One of the OG’s of psychedelic stoner rock, SLEEP reformed in 2009 after a decade-long hiatus and picked up right where they left off. The band is known for their monolithic riffs and weed-friendly lyrics, and they continue to be a major force in the genre today.

-Eagle Twin: Another band hailing from Utah, Eagle Twin specialize in a brand of heavy psych that is equal parts groove-laden and crushing. The duo’s slow-burn approach to songwriting is both captivating and mesmerizing, making them one of the most intriguing bands in the genre.

The Evolution of the Sound

Psychedelic stoner rock is a genre of rock music that originated in the early 1990s and combines elements of psychedelic rock, stoner rock, and heavy metal. The genre is characterized by heavy guitars, trippy lyrics, and a laid-back, funky vibe.

Psychedelic stoner rock first gained popularity in the early 1990s with bands like Kyuss and Sleep. These bands took the heavy, distorted sound of Black Sabbath and added their own unique twist to create a sound that was both epic and mind-bending. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, bands like Queens of the Stone Age and Fu Manchu continued to refine the sound of psychedelic stoner rock, adding more melody and pop sensibilities to create a sound that was both catchy and hypnotic.

In recent years, psychedelic stoner rock has undergone something of a renaissance, with new bands like Black Mountain, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, and Elephant9 carrying the torch for this exciting genre of music. Psychedelic stoner rock is here to stay, and we can’t wait to see where it goes next!