This is going to be one of the biggest years ever for 4/20. Weed is now legal in four states and one District, and medical so many other places, and metal is jumping on the bandwagon along with the rest of the country to celebrate this happy substance. If you can't make any of the amazing doom tours happening around the date, or if you need something to pregame to while you get ready for one of these shows, here is a list of the all-time best songs to smoke to during your personal 4/20 celebrations.
1. Electric Wizard "Dopethrone"
What better way to celebrate this holiday than an epic anthem about having weed visions while playing epic doom songs to honor the evil gods of THC? And it's a damn catchy, and heavy, song at that. "Dopetrhone" is definitely one of the classics from Electric Wizard and a very well-known song, but that does not diminish its status as one of the best songs overall to smoke weed to.
2. Sleep "Dopesmoker"
In keeping with the "dope" theme, and the theme of doom songs that tell an epic fantasy story about smoking weed, "Dopesmoker" by Sleep is another complete and total classic. This song is also so long that you can put it on and forget about it, which is perfect for times when your focus might be drifting. This is the perfect soundtrack to your 4/20 festivities.
3. Weedeater "Weed Monkey"
The lyrics to this one are brief and cryptic, sort of in line with the two aforementioned songs, but a little stranger. I will just reprint them here, since there aren't many:
I am the last weedmonkey this is for real
Open the final chapter
Crack the seven seals
All of your seas and rivers overflow with blood
March over so called evil with what you're told is good
It's not entirely clearly what any if this means, but the song is catchy and slow for sure, and fun to smoke to, as are many of Weedeater's tunes.
4. Bongzilla "Sacred Smoke"
This is another band where almost any song would work perfectly as a smoking anthem. These guys have devoted almost their entire being as a musical entity to weed, and all the songs are good. But there is something about the melody of "Sacred Smoke," as well as the seriousness of the lyrics and the sentiment of offering cannabis up as a sacrament, that really make this work.
5. Cephalic Carnage "Kill for Weed"
Speeding things up a little with this one, Cephalic Carnage offer the atmosphere of slow and doomy metal at the aggressive pace of death grind. "Kill for Weed" is a hilarious, tongue-in-cheek song, and while the lyrics aren't quite as effective now that marijuana is legal in their home state of Colorado and no one is going to be kicking down any doors over it, this song is still fun as hell to smoke to.
6. Black Sabbath "Sweet Leaf"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYvn9LLDWb0
This one should need no introduction for any self-professed metal fan. Obviously, this is the song that got it all started as far as weed and metal holding hands, and it is an epic anthem professing the benefits of marijuana. This is a song that should be played in its entirety every 4/20.
7. Electric Wizard "Incense for the Damned"
This newer Wizard song "Incense for the Damned" off their last album is in my opinion one of the best smoking songs of all time, even though it is not quite a classic yet. Similar to "Sacred Smoke," this one is all about offering up your ganja to the gods as a symbol that you are sacrificing your life to Satan – or something like that. It is also a super catchy song, as are most of the tracks from their new album.
8. Bongripper "Reefer Sutherland"
Most Bongripper is instrumental, as is this song, and the title mentions weed but doesn't really make sense. As with most of the work by this band, this track is so absolutely heavy that if you listen to it loudly, it can elevate your smoking session to a whole new level. If psych rock was made for listening to while doing psychedelics, than Bongripper exists purely for listening to while smoking.
9. Cannabis Corpse "Mummified in Bong Water"
Another band who are pretty much dedicated to the advancement of cannabis in general are the beloved death metal parody group Cannabis Corpse. What started as a parody has turned into a full-fledged power band in their own right, and while almost any of their songs work well as the soundtrack to a stony evening, this one holds a special place in my heart because of the reference to Richmond, where the band and myself both hail from.
10. Weedeater "Palms and Opium"
This one is a slow, lilting, almost country song, perfect for slowing things down and relaxing with a joint, blunt, bong, etc. at the end of a long and productive 4/20 celebration. This is a great way to round out a solid day of smoking.
