Weed and metal are synonymous and this week it’s weed week!! Do you know what that means? A bunch of metal blogs are going to be ranking their top 10 greatest stoner metal albums. I’ve checked out a few myself and I gotta say most were fairly disappointing. Some were great, but everyone has their own opinion and with such a vast underground fan base, stoner metal sports many different styles of bands. So I’ve taken it upon myself to bring the actual greatest stoner metal albums of all time. So spark it up and enjoy the official top 10 stoner metal albums of all time.
Pantera – Vulgar Display of Power
Pantera’s second major label release ‘Vulgar Display of Power’ set many new standards upon its 1992 release. Not only were they one of the first bands on a major label to be as heavy as they were, but they’re also one of the first really heavy bands to openly support marijuana. Darrell Abbott changed his stage name from ‘Diamond’ Darrell to ‘Dimebag’ Darrell during the album sessions. The latter became his true legendary name. Tracks like ‘Rise’ and ‘Fucking Hostile’ display very direct opinions on the failure that is the war on drugs. While the album may be known for the metal anthem ‘Walk’, ‘Vulgar Display of Power’ shows an undying love for the sweet leaf.
Faith No More – The Real Thing
Faith No More’s break though album ‘The Real Thing’ may not have any direct references to weed. In fact, the band isn’t really a group that dabbles with any substances. But the innovative and different nature of ‘The Real Thing’ is enough to earn it a spot on this list. The smash hit ‘Epic’ provided one of the first hip hop/metal combinations from a singular musical outfit. But it’s really songs like the title track and ‘Zombie Eaters’ that give the record it’s stony flair. With spacey build ups and major heavy rhythmic versus. Hardcore proto-thrash/hip-hop metal for sure.
Rage Against the Machine – The Battle of Los Angeles
Rage Against the Machine is all things rebellious in the name of truth. The controversy over marijuana prohibition is a topic that the band skims on from time to time. Even though they don’t exactly write about weed directly, they sure represent it. In the best way possible! The peak of this mentality is displayed on the bands third and arguably stongest album ‘The Battle of Los Angeles’. Covering social issues from police brutality to income inequality all while keeping it fun. It’s one of the most perfect records to rip the bong to.
Tesla – Psychotic Supper
What I love about Tesla is that they’re just a band that’s really really really good. They don’t have any gimmicks. They don’t get all glammed out like many of their peers did. They do nothing but write the best song possible at any given time. And surprise!! They’re huge weed guys. There’s no album that defines their weed grooved rock better than ‘Psychotic Supper’. From the hippy drenched album opener ‘Change in the Weather’ to the funky stoner anthem ‘Toke About It’, ‘Psychotic Supper’ contains all the weed goods. One of the cooled elements to this album is that it’s listened to in it’s entirety. It’s nothing but quality from start to finish. So take your time and party hard with Tesla. Got a problem? Toke about it!!
Aerosmith – Rocks
In 1976 Aerosmith were riding high, in numerous ways. The success of ‘Toys in the Attic’ resulted in lots and lots of money. Which resulted in lots and lots of drug use. This is well documented on their follow up masterpiece ‘Rocks’. It’s also considered by many fans to be their finest effort. The bands habits were working perfectly for them. It’s all in the songs. Tracks like ‘Combination’, ‘Get the Lead Out’, ‘Rats in the Cellar’ and their heaviest moment ‘Nobody’s Fault’ ooze sleazy, drug filled, testosterone loaded mayhem. Unfortunately the tactic of getting high out of their minds, writing and then recording wouldn’t last long. As in the band started to crumble almost immediately after the albums release.
Ace Frehley – Ace Frehley
If there’s a rock star synonymous with getting spaced out it’s ‘Space’ Ace Frehley. The dark horse member of KISS. Certainly the most talented member of the original line-up. His 1978 solo album eclipsed the other three members’ releases by miles. In sales and song writing. It’s a tremendous, smoke filled journey of hard rock. ‘Snow Blind’, ‘I’m in Need of Love’ and the stoner centerpiece ‘Ozone’ are excellent examples of why the SpaceAce is just better when a joint is around. Just look at his portrait. He’s totally baked in that portrait. He’s the kind of guy who likes feeling high.
Tool – 10,000 Days
10,000 Days is a progressive metal masterpiece. It’s infectious grooves and time changes are the perfect recipe for a stoned out excursion. ‘Vicarious’, ‘Jambi’ and ‘The Pot’ are all prime examples. Guess what ‘The Pot’ is about? That’s right!! Cookware!! Honestly though, Tool is a band that lets the music do the talking. There’s not much to say about how just purely awesome they are. So just sit back and let the song do the speaking.
King’s X – Dogman
“Give me a skinny or give me a fat!!” Exclaims dUg Pinnick on the title track to the fifth and arguably greatest King’s X album. And that’s saying something. King’s X are one of the most loved bands in the stoner metal world. Groove after groove. Riff after riff. With spacey, spot on, Beatles vocal harmonies and straight up heaviness. And of course, the subject matter that is brought up in their lyrics: Questioning humanity and religious norms, tolerance, self reflection, left of center politics and of course weed. This is shown clearest with their fifth album ‘Dogman’. A perfect culinary blend of sounds for any member of the weed cognoscente.
Kyuss – Welcome to Sky Valley
Kyuss is literally the first band to be labeled stoner metal. What’s crazy to me is that they didn’t make a lot of ‘Greatest Stoner Metal Albums’ lists. I couldn’t believe it. When founder Josh Homme plugged his drop D, down tuned guitar into a bass amp it gave a sound unlike any other. A muddy, churning texture that hadn’t been done before. Mix that with heavy bass, stoned out blues metal riffs, lots of groove and plenty of acidic trip moments and you get stoner metal. It’s also known as generator metal or desert metal. Maybe no other album than ‘Welcome to Sky Valley’ represents the movement more. You can just feel the small, stoned out desert town atmosphere. It’s almost tangible. Love that album cover!
Black Sabbath – Master of Reality
I don’t feel like I need to write much about this one. It’s on every list. The album created the mood of mixing weed and metal together. It made weed not just a hippy thing, but a metal thing too. It’s speaks for itself. For crying out loud the first major hit from the album is called ‘Sweet Leaf’. A love song to the mother of all plants.
So there they are. My top ten stoner metal albums of all time. Leave anything out? Albums on here that you’d like to see traded for another? Leave a comment and let me know!
