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Crank this to 10 of 11 - Editor's Pick Released: 2015 Genre: Heavy Psych Rock Sounds Like: Mondo Drag, Ethereal Riffian, Window Pane Lead singer Brian Markham could have one of the most hypnotic voices we have heard in a long time. The desperation and passion in his voice elevate Mosaic to one of the strongest albums to come our way in a long time. The tone of Markham's voice accompanied by brilliant echo penetrates your psyche and makes this an album that will stick with you. The Brooklyn based band includes five members from various gigs such as Ghastly City Sleep, You Are the Drum and Majority Rule.On their fourth release Mosaic, second off of Wharf Cat Records, Ancient Sky perfects a sound fueled by very dark themes. We are fascinated by the evolution of this band over nearly ten years as we witness them truly hit their stride. Track Listing: 1. Sing Swing - 5:14 2. Two Lights - 4:53 3. Garbage Brain - 4:44 4. Know - 4:13 5. Induction - 6:12 6. Protection - 4:45 7. Ancient Tape - 6:23 8. Poverty - 6:27 (bonus track) The opener "Sing Swing" sets the ominous mood introducing vocals within the first few seconds. Ancient Sky deviates in a very positive way from the conventional long jams leading into distant vocals and uses a very direct approach. "Sing Swing" is a story of loss and despair and this track sets the backdrop beautifully. Eerie, off-key keyboards and guitar-work make for a very disturbing ending. The track melds drone and majestic visions and does not waste time with their ability to get your arm to involuntarily point to the sky. "Two Lights" kicks off with some Swervedriver influences as swirling guitars and multiple layers support the dramatic melodies that ensue. Markham has a gift for contrast. He flips a switch getting out of melodic story mode and into screams of sheer anguish. We found this style to evokes our curiosity to listen more closely to the lyrics at hand. "Garbage Brain" is a powerful track featuring one of the saddest melodies we have heard in a long time. You can feel the sadness fill the room as the pensive theme of loss is underscored by a heavy whirlwind of fine guitar-work. This track hits us the hardest. "Know" introduces some stoner riffs and introductory echo that will rival Janes Addiction and Window Pane (a very obscure Long Island band). Markham is masterful on this track. Pervasive guitar resonate along side some of the best vocal moments on the album. The grinding rhythms make this one of the heavier tracks off the album. Ancient Sky does a wonderful job providing variety onMosaicwhile bringing everything back to the dark central theme. By way of example, "Induction" slips into a unique percussion laden intro, but maintains the anguish throughout via early cries of pain from Markham. The complexity on this track is down right inspiring. We still gleam new sounds and quirks not picked up previously after many listens. Absolutely love the tempo change at about the 4 minute mark. "Protection" delivers a very laid back feel as the vocals are much more subtle and distant. This track takes more of a wandering instrumental approach as the vocals provide a soft backdrop. The closer, "Ancient Tape," begins with some very disturbing feedback and pulls in more of the percussion intros we saw on "Induction". The synths and wind instrument dominate the intro and provide for a very uneasy feel. This could be one of the darkest (in a good way) moments on the album. The song bleeds into heavier guitar work and the last two minutes are jaw dropping. And last but not least, download the bonus track “Poverty” that comes with the album on their Bandcamp site only. This 6:27 minute trip will whisk you away with its haunting psychedelics and dense percussion. Mosaic is full of sorrow and beauty and will make a lasting imprint on the memories you form during its time in your rotation. Their name fits perfectly with their massive and expansive sound. Ancient Sky has hit new heights and are deep in the ominous clouds.  We are absolutely fired up to see these guys live. The simplicity in the production and brilliance of Markham's pipes should make for a spectacular live show. Fans of all music genres should pick this album up for their collection. While it may not be the go to album to lift your spirits, it may be one of the most impactful. We also look forward to catching other projects by the band as well... Dommengang and Holy Sons, which are being released through Thrill Jockey Records. Standout Tracks: Garbage Brain, Sing Swing, Know, Induction Follow Acient Sky: Bandcamp

Crank this to 9.2 of 11 - Editor's Pick Released: 2017 Genre: StonerRock, Heavy Psych Rock Sounds Like: Electric Wizard, Sleep, Karma To Burn Ancestro’s sophomore release, El Gran Altar literally wigged out our high-end speaker system as the onslaught of fuzz caused continued static reverberation to occur after the blissful 42 minute journey came to an end. The trio hailing from Trujillo, Peru have a massive sound that features dirty fuzz and heartwarming stoner grooves. We found ourselves transported to the cliffs of Machu Picchu and Inca temple ruins as the roots bleed through as the backbone of this album. Instrumental albums sometimes lull us into neutrality as we yearn for a vocalist to take things to the next level. Not the case for Ancestro as the trio are so goddam cohesive and have a beautiful chemistry that lets the music breathe. We honestly get the sense that added vocals would interrupt the canvas at hand. ROTATION RECAP: Weight of the Heavy 8.5 out of 11 Fretwork Prowess 9.8 out of 11 Captivation and Variety 9.1 out of 11 Overall Album Flow 9.4 out of 11 Contrast 10.2 out of 11 Album Cover Aesthetics 8.2 out of 11 Production Value 9.0 out of 11 Standout Tracks: Runner up goes to the title track "Purga/El gran altar". A wonderful meandering track that features some stellar 70s style keyboards towards the middle of the track. A cathartic purge of the senses indeed. Terrific highs and lows on this track. Ultimately the closer "Gallinazos" which apparently signifies some sort of turkey vulture stops us in our tracks. The closer is an absolute gem of fuzz and melodic beauty. Perhaps one of the most exceptional tracks for contrast of 2017. The clarity fretwork that Diego delivers at the onset melds so well into a fuzz tone pilgrimage that sequel further into Victor’s tribal percussion work. Can’t avoid also mentioning Boris’ brilliant bass undercurrent throughout. Alcohol Pairing: Magdalena/Muertecita (8.6 ABV) A Peruvian double IPA. Hoppy yet crisp and clean. The higher alcohol content will sneak-up on you just like how quickly this album flies by over its 42 minute span. Perfect balance and just enough heaviness. Lasting Impression: We all need instrumental albums in our collection that can transport us into a unique atmosphere. El Gran Alter does just that and we appreciate its well thought out flow and imagery without words. Throughout 2017 we found ourselves a bit indifferent towards many of the instrumental releases. It was refreshing to stumble upon Ancestro right at the tail end of the year. Cool down your speakers before delving into this fuzz tone pilgrimage. Its a refreshing one indeed. Track Listing: 1. Icaro- 2:16 2. Mareacion- 8:12 3. Aguijon 3:16 4. Purga/ El gran altar 12:14 5. Aqua muerta- 10:09 6. Gallinazos- 6:26 Band Members: Boris Baltodano - Bass Diego Caitlin - Guitar Victor Garcia - Percussion Follow All Them Witches: Bandcamp / Facebook

Crank this to 8.2 of 11 Released: 2017 Genre: Progressive rock, Post rock Sounds Like: Ozric Tentacles, Animals As Leaders 2017 has been somewhat of a lackluster year for strong instrumental albums. Our yearning to find the next Mother Engine has been falling a bit flat. Our sentiments perked up a bit after encountering Among the Sleep and their new EP entitledcasket. Instrumental speed metal as we like to call or Post-rock vaporwave as goes the newer coined genre. The album is very crisp in clarity and man can these folks from Japan play with speed and precision. What we enjoy most about the album is that it is punchy and not exhaustive. All too often we see bands in this genre beat songs to death and it can tire the ear quite easily. Among the Sleep have delivered a very entertaining and concise piece that is a welcomed addition to our heavy rotation of instrumental albums. Track Listing: 1. Cloudbuilt (3:19) 2. Ghost (3:58) 3. Dream (4:59) 4. casket (3:04) 5. April (2:26) What is the standout track on Casket? The closing track "April" (although the shortest) is filled with tremendous fretwork. The track is extremely entertaining with very intricate melodies essentially taking you through a complex maze of sound. Each listen illicits new images and sounds making for quite an experience and by far the standout track. What is the strangest aspect of the album? "Dream" delivers tremendous contrast and some of the most innovative melodies that evoke thoughts of lullabies and peacefulness. Pair that with an infusion of heavy riffs and you have one hell of an entertaining track. We know the combination sounds odd but it works and is a nice tangent from the more progressive post metal guitar-work. The track has a soundtrack feel and drips of electronica that fits well. What adult beverage would we pair with Casket? The Smash (cocktail) Ingredients: 7 mint leaves ½ lemon 1 teaspoon of syrup ¼ cup of your finest Japanese whisky crushed Ice This is a wonderfully refreshing recipe. Start by mashing (and we mean really mashing) 7 fresh mint leaves, half a lemon, and 1 teaspoon of syrup in a 16 oz. glass or cocktail mixer. Mix it well, then add ¼ cup of your finest Japanese whisky. Nikka is often used. Pour it in a glass, add crushed ice, stir, and then add a little more crushed ice. Add mint sprigs to finish. Final thoughts: We appreciate the speed and clarity at which Among the Sleep plays. Casket is the perfect length to keep its listeners engaged. The vaporware characteristics due not dominate and any cut-ups or hi-tech production appears seamless. This has led us to explore more within the Japanese progressive rock arena. We recommend you grab this one off BandCamp and keep in your heavy rotation. It has been a welcomed addition to our family of heavy Follow Among The Sleep: Bandcamp

Crank this to 9 of 11 - Editor's Pick Released: 2013 Genre: Indie, Post-Hardcore Sounds Like: JIRM, Brand New, Manchester Orchestra After a fair amount of deliberation and consultation amongst the team at Rotation11 we have decided to move forward with granting 'Editor's Pick' status to Aloke's latest album Alive.  The controversy at hand is the fact that we have an issue with one song on the terrific LP.  Let us expand further on the issue. Below is the track listing along with our respective ratings by song : Track Listing With Ratings out of 11: 1. Head On A String (8.5) 2. Old Lady (3.0) 3. Unforgettable Mess (7.0) 4. We're Strangers Now (10.0) 5. Gold Coast (10.0) 6. Interlude 1 (8.5) 7. Hard Day At Work (9.5) 8. Married On A Farm (10.0) 9. Unresolved (9.0) 10. Interlude 2 (8.5) 11. Don't Fail Me Now (9.0) 12. Interlude 3 (9.0) (average rating = 8.5) Let us cut to the chase, the issue is track 2 "Old Lady". This track is so out of place from a stylistic, lyrical, and overall mood-setting standpoint. Not only is the track a bit painful on the ear, it is so poorly placed within the album. Typically what we deem to be experimental or 'fuck around' tracks, placement later in the album may be better served (e.g. track 9 or 10). "Old Lady" however is placed as the second track and really impacts the expectations of the listener after coming off such a solid track as "Head On a String". So although our rating is lower, we are bumping things up to a 9.0 simply because tracks four through twelve are so brilliant. Aloke hails (hailed) from New York City and was originally formed in 2004 and disbanded in 2009. During this time frame the band released a live album along with several EPs. During this time farm they recorded close to twenty tracks some of which were never formally released. Lead singer Christian Zucconi went on to form the popular band Grouplove which interestingly enough utilized several of the tracks on this album incorporating into their own style. Nearly ten years later, the band found a well advised new direction and home with The End Records a terrific label that has now released the albumAlive. Alive is a majestic and melodic masterpiece (minus tracks two and three). Zucconi's vocals are extremely compelling and the band mixes in the perfect amount of echo to resonate deep into the listeners psyche. The lyrics are quite intriguing mixing in very realistic life experiences. There are a variety of moments throughout the album which are very heartfelt causing you pause and the desire to share with others. The band clearly has a chemistry that was overlooked and perhaps is coming to realization slowly by the public. Check-out the poignant and emotional appeal in "We're Strangers Now" and "Gold Coast". The emotion and sensational melodic guitar are blended perfectly. "Gold Coast" shifts very dramatically into intimate storytelling that reminds us of Manchester Orchestra meets Passenger. The catchy track "Married On a Farm" is an absolute delight. We found this track reverberating within our minds throughout the day. The track is so sonically pleasing that the simplistic theme of getting married on a farm truly resonate and cause us to paint mental images of Zucconi's story telling. Tracks four through twelve in our view are so tightly intertwined and fit so well together. We can equate some of the synergy and emotion within these tracks to our former Album of 2014 -Spirit Knifeby the masterful Jeremy Irons and the Ratgang Malibus (worth your visiting if you have not had the chance to hear). To be frank, we are a bit unclear on how active Aloke is at the moment. From our FaceBook research it appears the band is playing shows in hopes of celebrating the release, but we are hoping they are working on formally touring and putting their energies together to put forth some new material. Regardless, we strongly recommend you pick this album up and perhaps create a little buzz for an Aloke resurgence. 7/21/2015 Standout Tracks:Gold Coast, Head On a String, Married On a Farm

Crank this to 9 of 11 - Editor's Pick Released: 2013 Genre: Psychedelic rock, Stoner rock Sounds Like: Wolf People, The Black Keys, Radio Moscow Looking for another album to add to your top albums of 2013 list? Look no further than Lightning At The Door by All Them Witches. The band from Nashville, Tennessee has brought forth an album consisting of eight tracks that embody thoughtful blues riffs, psychedelic jams with dark undertones and clean, laid back vocals. Let’s start with the drumming; it’s contagious and powerful as it provides the album with a strong foundation where the music can take form. The bass follows suite and works seamlessly with the drums, adding a deeper layer. The blues-like guitars, background organ work and the echoed vocals help complete structure to the album. The opening track "Funeral For A Great Drunken Bird" is not only a great song title, it’s quite an opener. The song starts with some low-toned, doom-esque riffs, a trippy harmonica shows up and leads us to the spoken word style singing. The vocals are calming and consistent throughout the album. Lead singer Michael Parks Jr. gives off a Dan Auerbach on sedatives vibe. His soothing laid back approach is endearing to the listener and really keeps the album grounded. "When God Comes Back" blends hints of Queens of the Stone Age’s debut album with some sensational catchy hooks. The bluesy "Marriage of Coyote Woman" offers up some great lyrics and organ work, as the swirling guitars harken back to the days of Blue Cheers’ “Peace Of Mind”. One of the standout tracks is the mesmerizing, aptly named "Swallowed By The Sea", it’s 8:23 of psychedelic doom riffage. This tune will engulf and consume you as it offers an array of vibrant color. Next track is "Charles William", arguably the best track on the album. Don’t let the odd title fool you as this is a radiant masterpiece. Envision Paul Rogers from Bad Company combined with some of the best slide guitar and mellow start-stop musicianship. On top of this we are provided layers of crystal clean bass and drums... very impressive. Another 8-plus minute track "The Death of Coyote Woman" is so damn catchy, we are drawn to this song like bees to honey, as it gets many plays around here from our editors. The instrumental "Romany Dagger" is a nice change of pace, with its toe tapping rhythm. "Mountain", the album’s closing song is a soft bluesy song that just builds and builds towards the end as it breaks out into a Graveyard-like frenzy, leaving you wanting more. Lightning At The Door is rustic splendor from start to finish. One of our favorite obscure albums of the year that will be in our heavy rotation for the foreseeable future. Grab this one as it will spruce up your blues rock collection and make an imprint on your soul. Standout Tracks: Charles William, Swallowed By The Sea Follow All Them Witches: Bandcamp / Facebook

Crank this to 9.3 of 11 - Editor's Pick Released: 2019 Genre: Post Rock Sounds Like: Russian Circles, Pelican Don’t let the band name deceive you here. All is Violent have a majestic, relaxing and cathartic sound to them. The post-rock trio from Melbourne Australia have put forth a very impressive debut EP entitled Cartographers Of Human Purpose. The trio possess the maturity and patience of a band that has played together for a lifetime. The landscapes painted on this twenty five minute plus foray are quite beautiful and intricate. Putra Sadikin shines with a pinpoint fretwork that bleeds a warm melancholy. The depth and richness in his play is addictive. We found ourselves keeping this EP in rotation for two or three sittings at a time picking up new intricacies each time. Its an elaborate work of art and really lets your imagination wander. Terrific contrast doused with deep, low, sonorous, full-bodied texture. Track Listing: 1. The Constant Past (7:19) 2. Cartographers Of Human Purpose (12:50) 3. Memory Complete (5:36) Standout Track: The title track takes the prize here. The track spanning over 12 minutes contains dramatic highs and lows as we find our self easily lost in the crisp percussion and bass-line undercurrents. Adult Beverage Pairing: Boatrocker Banshee (Barleywine) at 14.2 ABV packs a fucking punch, but will quickly whisk you away to the shores of Australia as you listen to Cartographers deep melodies. Slight haze coupled with chocolate aromas and a plethora of fruity grape and caramel notes. ROTATION RECAP: Captivation and Variety 9.1 out of 11 Weight of the Heavy 8.8 out of 11 Fretwork Prowess 10.2 out of 11 Percussion Prowess 9.1 out of 11 Originality 8.2 out of 11 Overall Album Flow 9.6 out of 11 Contrast 9.4 out of 11 Album Cover Aesthetics 8.2 out of 11 Production Value 9.1 out of 11 Final Thoughts: Don’t let the name and dark album cover fool you on this one. This is a beautifully crafted EP and an impressive debut from the Aussie trio. All Is Violent play like well-oiled veterans of the trade and we very much look forward to their bright future. Band Members: Putra Sadikin - guitar Brian Dominiecki - bass Peter Papadimitriou - drums Follow All Is Violent: Bandcamp / Facebook

Crank this to 8.7 of 11 Released: 2019 Genre: Krautrock, Space rock Sounds Like: Oresund Space Collective, God is an Astronaut Album artist Harry Hadler (The Lights Are On) lured us in on this one. The pensive framework art and distant floating civilian set the backstage for Alber Jupiter’s second release. The two-piece semi-instrumental act hailing from Rennes, France provide a deep pensive array of galactic tunes buttressed by some very impressive bass-work. We appreciate the centric backbone of the 41 minute journey being the bass as the listener floats to the rich clarity and rhythms. Only "Fangs" really deviates from the formula infusing some King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard-like vibes, a solid lead in to the title track closer. Track Listing: 1. Intro (2:32) 2. Flying Turtles (7:14) 3. Uber en Colere (8:12) 4. Martine a la Plage (7:15) 5. Fangs (5:48) 6. We Are Just Floating in Space (11:21) Standout track: As good as the closing title track is and the deviation provided by "Fangs," "Uber en Colere" takes the prize for its amazing contrast and poignant melodies. The most reflective and expansive of the six tracks is a standout for sure. We appreciate the prodding bass and heartfelt struggle inherent within the track. Adult Beverage Pairing: We highly recommend grabbing a Gasconha Blonde at 5.5% ABV. France’s own blonde beer with abundant and persistent foam. The alliance of 4 malts and hops English and German gives it a lot of character. Its flavors are complex and balanced. The attack on the palate offers a very marked galactic profile on malty and a delicate bitterness. ROTATION RECAP: Captivation and Variety 8.4 out of 11 Weight of the Heavy 8.4 out of 11 Bass/Fretwork Prowess 9.5 out of 11 Percussion Prowess 8.4 out of 11 Overall Album Flow 8.7 out of 11 Contrast 8.8 out of 11 Album Cover Aesthetics 9.0 out of 11 Production Value 8.9 out of 11 Final Thoughts: While we very much enjoy the balanced space attack within ‘We Are Just Floating In Space’, there are splashes of some very impressive tangents (‘Fangs’). It provides us a little flavor of what could be down the road for the impressive duo. Perhaps some experimental krautrock with distant ominous vocals dive into new territories. We will look to keep a strong pulse on Alber Jupiter’s future endeavors. Band Members: Nicolas Terroitin - Bass, Voice Jonathan Sonney - Drums, Spds Follow Alber Jupiter: Bandcamp / Facebook

Crank this to 9.4 of 11 - Editors' Pick Year Released: 2020 Genre: Rock, Heavy Psychedelic Sounds Like: Bask, King Buffalo Ontario heavy psych natives Familiars have finally released the full length we’ve been waiting for. On the heels of three impressive EP’s, Familiars do not disappoint what so ever on All In Good Time. The trio continue on their path of stoner-gazed psychedelics, yet with more exploration and very creative songwriting; bringing fourth a comforting heaviness. All In Good Time possess a wonderful drifting flow as each track fits perfectly among one another, making it real easy to get lost in thought for a moment or two. The album has a bit of a lonesome feel that fits naturally on a beautiful hike or a long road trip. The vocals have the perfect level of distant haziness, as if they were floating above the music. The music has a very dense and lofty feel throughout, check out the track “Barn Burning” with its rich bass that may rattle your speakers a bit. Familiars have upped their game and are beginning to hone in on a sound that is totally original. Tracklist: 1. Homestead 06:43 2. Rocky Roost 03:29 3. The Common Loon 04:38 4. Barn Burning 06:53 5. The Incident 04:44 6. The Dirty Dog Saloon 06:09 7. Avro Arrow 05:30 8. Bonanza 05:26 Standout Track(s) ”The Common Loon” may be the standout track. The percussion and the rhythm of the chorus is so fucking infectious. We have no doubt this track will lure in fans who celebrate the heavy rock. “Avro Arrow” comes in a close second with it’s intense jams and heavy psychedlia. ROTATION RECAP Vocal Performance 9.3 out of 11 Risk of Subwoofer Damage 8.9 out of 11 Captivation and Variety 9.5 out of 11 Weight of the Heavy 9 out of 11 Lyrics and Song Structure 9.5 out of 11 Overall Album Flow 9.4 out of 11 Album Cover Aesthetics 8.3 out of 11 Production Value 9.2 out of 11 Final Thoughts All In Good Time is a hidden gem and we can only hope this will gain steam among the heavy rock community. Do yourself a favor and just pick up their entire catalogue, you’ll thank us later. Line-up Kevin Vansteenkiste: Electric & Acoustic Guitars, Banjo, Wurlitzer, & Vocals Jared MacIntyre: Electric Bass Guitar, Wurlitzer & Vocals Anton Babych: Drums, Percussion Simon Larochette: Pedal Steel, Additional Percussion Follow Familiars: Bandcamp / Facebook

Crank this to 9.9 of 11 - Editors' Pick Released: 2020 Genre: Sludge, Stoner Rock Sounds Like: Cavity, Weedeater Upon first glance of the new album cover for Finland’s sludge foursome, we thought maybe they have gone towards a post-metal or post-rock sound. The landscape photo is a welcome change rather than the traditional stoner themed illustration. Picking up from their last album Seaweed, Demonic Death Judge have elevated their game on this one. The Trail is 48 minutes of brutal sludge with elements of old Cavity, a side of Weedeater darkness and some Clutch groove for good measure. Demonic Death Judge introduce a more exploratory side to this album, which is the big draw, it’s more than your traditional sludgy affair. Tracks like “Fountain of Acid” with it’s hallucenigetic groove or the mesmerizing journey of “The Trail” bring the album to new realms of sludge heaviness. The vocals are in the typical crusty and raw fashion, which we would expect nothing more. The percussion is steady and beefy while the guitars produce a hypnotic and deep fuzzy groove, creating one hell of a heavy record. Tracklist 1. Cougar Charmer 01:21 2. Filthy as Charged 05:53 3. Hardship 04:43 4. Elevation 04:13 5. Shapeshifting Serpents 05:53 6. Flood 06:35 7. Fountain of Acid 02:53 8. Cougar Charmer (Reprise) 03:12 9. The Trail 08:49 10. We Have to Kill 04:42 Standout Track(s) ”Shapeshifting Serpents” is so fucking addicting, perhaps it’s the sludge song of the year. The spacey vibe coupled with the heavy fuzz is downright inspiring. A classic in our rotation. Adult Beverage Pairing We want something bold with with some kick. Pick up Big Yeti by Colorado-based Great Divide Brewing Company. This smooth 13.2% ABV Imperial Stout offers complex coffee roast flavors and pairs perfectly with the heavy fuzz of The Trail. ROTATION RECAP: Vocal Performance 9.8 out of 11 Risk of Subwoofer Damage 10 out of 11 Captivation and Variety 9.9 out of 11 Weight of the Heavy 10.2 out of 11 Sludge Onslaught 10 out of 11 Overall Album Flow 9.8 out of 11 Album Cover Aesthetics 9.5 out of 11 Production Value 9.9 out of 11 Final Thoughts Demonic Death Judge has released on of the top sludge albums so far in 2020. This is a no brainier for fans of the heavy, this album will easily add great variety to your rotation. Line-up Jaakko Heinonen Toni Raukola Eetu Lehtinen Lauri Pikk Follow Demonic Death Judge: Bandcamp / Facebook