Randy Holden

Randy Holden sounds like the exact moment psychedelic rock curdled into something heavier, darker, and more physically imposing. It is the sound of a wall of Sunn amplifiers pushed to their absolute breaking point, creating a thick, syrupy distortion that feels like it has actual physical weight. The music is anchored by a massive low-end and drumming that feels like it's trying to punch through the floor, while Holden's guitar work weaves between bluesy soul and proto-metal aggression.

What makes Holden distinctive is his obsession with volume and sustain as textural elements. While his contemporaries were often focused on nimble soloing, Holden pioneered a slower, more deliberate approach to the riff that would eventually define the doom metal genre. There is a sense of isolation in the music, particularly on his landmark solo work, where the power trio format is pushed to its absolute limit of density and scale.

Start with the 1970 masterpiece Population II. It is the definitive statement of his 'Guitar God' era, featuring some of the heaviest tones ever recorded in that decade. It is essential listening for anyone who wants to hear the missing link between the blues-rock of the late 60s and the sludge and stoner rock movements that would follow decades later.