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Crank this to 9.6 of 11 - Editors' Pick Released: 2021 Genre: Stoner rock Sounds Like: Sons of Otis, Black Rainbows, Demonauta Homeland: Toronto Album Overview Crater Creator is a monolithic stoner album loaded with an abundance of sonic fuzz and sci-fi themes The band's third album keeps the same formula as past releases, yet they crank up the production for this one This album needs to be played at high volume on a quality system to appreciate the level of production. Everything about this album feels thick and dense and will challenge your stereo, speaker, or whatever your metal output is.... we warned you The vocals of guitarist Angelo Catenaro blend perfectly into the music. Sounding as if he's on another planet shouting in the distance with tremendous echo The rhythms carried throughout Crater Creator are massive, this album is just a wall of dynamic riffs Low Orbit are steadily climbing the ranks as a go-to stoner rock band. Their commitment to space fuzz is highly addicting Track Listing: 1. Crater Creator 05:11 2. Tardis 04:28 3. Sea of See 05:47 4. Empty Space 05:25 5. Monocle 04:59 6. Wormhole 04:06 7. Timelord 05:51 Standout Track(s) Sea of See The riffs combined with the vocals on this song is fantastic and mesmerizing. It borders on some doom landscapes with dense psychedelic space fuzz. Brew Pairing Armadillo Comet IPA is a great companion with Crater Creator. This 9.5% IPA by Epic Brewing in Utah is strong with some bitterness, but not overwhelming. Low Orbit are: Angelo Catenaro – Guitars, Vocals Joe Grgic – Bass, Synth Emilio Mammone – Drums Follow Low Orbit: Bandcamp / Facebook

Crank this to 10.1 of 11 - Editors' Pick Released: 2021 Genre: Post-metal, Post-hardcore Sounds Like: Ghost Bath, Bloodiest, Astronoid Homeland: Austin, Texas Album Overview The trio from Austin Texas soar to new heights on their third release The high range of discord is saturated with beauty, both woven masterfully into 45 minutes of sonic bliss Twin Dream hits a consistent landscape while crossing over elements of post rock, shoegaze and crunching black metal and post hardcore Pummeling ominous landscapes lead to breathtaking atmospheric heights We appreciate the diversity that Glassing brings. Refreshing to the black metal genre is the their avoidance of monotony and ability to provide contrast and varying tempos Track Breakdown: 1. Spire (3:37) Wind blown backdrop fills to fury at the slaughterhouse. Wild contrast at the 2:30 mark where a dramatic screeching halt engulfs the listener. 2. Burden (7:01) Standout Track You can really feel the depth Glassing has to offer with majestic swirling fretwork that is absolutely entrancing. Burden will take you on a wild ride of pain and beauty. 3. Absolute Virtue (4:10) Is a black metal faithful through and through. The track does not waiver in anguish. 4. Faint (1:18) Post-rock interlude. 5. Twin Dreams (6:37) The title track begins with comforting angelic vocals only to be buttressed further by a pummeling post metal onslaught. 6. Godless Night (6:06) Minimalism drives a track of relaxation and reflection. 7. Doppler (2:20) Controlled chaos with blackened vocals of despair. 8. Among the Stars (3:08) One of the heavier black metal tracks on the album. The beauty is they mix in doom and hardcore layers. 9. Where Everything Is Still (2:22) Soft interlude on the vein of Faint. 10. True North (4:14) Crushing swift rhythms interweave beautiful waves of oceanic post metal. 11. At Long Last (4:40) Releases the calm after the storm. Marching off to glory angelic voices return to close us out. Brew Pairing Twin Dream blends brilliantly with Heavy Machinery a double IPA at 10% ABV from Austin Beerworks. Taste sweet candy malt, little honey, caramel, little pine and spruce, generic citrus pith, candy sweet marmalade, fair bitterness, little candy hint of alcohol late, drier not sticky. Glassing are: Dustin Coffman- Vocals/Bass Cory Brim- Guitar Jason Camacho -Drums Follow Glassing: Bandcamp / Facebook

Crank this to 9.3 of 11 - Editor's Pick Released: 2021 Genre: Post-Black metal Sounds Like: Alcest, Agalloch, Harakiri for the Sky Homeland: Washington Album Overview A Distant Fire, the band's fourth release is one of the more textured Black metal albums to hit our rotation in quite some time Alda are taking Black metal to new heights. It’s a beautifully written dark album with moments of euphoric Post-rock, meditative acoustics and modern progressive doom The vocals are mostly typical with what you would expect with Black metal. However, there are moments of uplifting backing vocals We absolutely love when the viola and cello kick in, adding a peaceful and heartfelt dimension The tracks are so involved and well structured. We are floored with the various tempo changes of "Drawn Away". It goes from peaceful acoustics to Post-rock, than they hit you with the onslaught of Black metal... fucking great! This album is an absolute gem and is a great companion for your next hiking excursion. It sounds tremendous as we head into the cooler months Track Listing: 1. First Light 3:18 2. Stonebreaker 8:28 3. Drawn Astray 10:19 4. Forlorn Peaks 9:40 5. Loo-Wit 2:11 6. A Distant Fire 16:37 Standout Track(s) A Distant Fire Running just over 16 minutes, this could be the song of the year. This is one hell of a fantastic tune. We begin with rustic acoustics and a low toned bass. The vocals match the somber mood until the relentless speed fretwork kicks in. The song takes an interesting turn towards some progressive sludgey blackened metal. We are then blessed with some Pallbearer-like doom, it’s a fucking brilliant turn of events. Now the acoustics come back to life with ominous chants… I mean, can it get any better? The song keeps building and transitioning with post-metal euphoria. The song winds down with fading guitars and sounds of birds, acoustics and what sounds like kindling in the distance, we couldn’t think of a better way to bring the album to a close. Brew Pairing 2920 Strong Ale by Kane Brewin gin New Jersey. This 12.1% ale is strong with and smooth with unique flavors of plum, raisins, vanilla, caramel and oak. A classic pairing with Alda and the autumn season. Alda are: Tim Brown (electric and acoustic guitars, vocals) Stephanie Bruton (bass guitar, acoustic guitar, cello, vocals) Jace Bruton (electric and acoustic guitars, vocals) Michael Korchonnoff (drums, bodhran, acoustic guitar, drones, lead vocals) Additional Musicians: Marit Schmidt (viola on First Light and Stonebreaker) Jake Superchi (additional lead guitar on Stonebreaker) Follow Alda: Bandcamp / Facebook

Crank this to 10.4 of 11 - Editors' Pick Released: 2021 Genre: Psychedelic Rock, Stoner rock Sounds Like: Red Scalp, King Buffalo, Swan Valley Heights Homeland: Gelsenkirchen, Germany Album Overview “Vast, immersive landscapes waiting to be explore” Says it all. The trio absolutely shine on their second release ‘Echo Therapy’ There is something so crisp and warm here. Second to none in fuzz craftsmanship and attention to detail Intricate melodies make for a stoner rock album that truly sets itself apart from the pack Marcel’s distant and not overdone vocals absolutely engulf the listener Hard to interrupt its play once you are entrenched in the opener A must on vinyl once its available Track Breakdown: 1. M.N.S.N.(5:37) At the 3:06 vocal kick-in mark, we knew this was going to be something very special. Blissful build-up with their own flavor. 2. New World (7:46) Feels like they invented contrast on this track. Spine-chilling breakdown and build-ups here. 3. Proto Surfer Boy (8:13) Standout Track flawless track with some of the most heartfelt melodies we have ever heard. The deep fuzz and lofty echo blend so well. 4. Prisma (12:10) Insane fretwork throughout and particularly in the last 60 seconds of euphoria. 5. Digital Dreamcatcher (8:49) Wild angles and refreshing melodies on this track. Runner-up amongst the track listing Brew Pairing When an album this special hits we must go to the well for the Massachusetts beer innovators at Treehouse. Echo Therapy is the perfect match for Doppelganger, a Tree House mainstay and Double IPA. 8% ABV by volume. Doppelganger is intensely kettle and dry hopped to produce a pungent and flavorful Double IPA that is super pleasant to drink featuring tropical fruit, mango, citrus, and stone fruit flavors. Layers of taste with layers of sonic brilliance... nothing better. Follow Plaindrifter: Bandcamp / Facebook

Crank this to 10.5 of 11 - Editor's Pick Released: 2021 Genre: Stoner rock, Psychedelic Sounds Like: Dead Meadow, Arenna, Homeland: Rochester, NY Album Overview King Buffalo return with their second release of 2021 Following on the heels of A Burden of Restlessness, the heavy psych trio from Rochester, NY continue on a path of trippy progressive stoner rock Acheron is a more spacious and dark album as it contains four lengthy blissful heavy songs Recorded in Howe Caverns in Update, NY, the album possess a dark cavernous feel and really taps into your subconscious These four songs are so involved and very melodic. The craftsmanship that goes into writing this kind of album mind blowing, especially since it's released around six month after ABOR. We urge you to see King Buffalo on the road this year. We were fortunate to capture the magic at the Mercury Lounge in November. The songs live have a heavier feel and take on a whole new dimension Track Listing: 1. Acheron 10:21 2. Zephyr 9:25 3. Shadows 10:34 4. Cerberus 9:46 Standout Track(s) Shadows This is a tough call, but we seem to love the mood of "Shadows". The steady percussion and bass builds beautifully as the song progresses. The vocals are soft with the slightest touch of echo and the guitar has this ominous psychedelic tone. Further along when the Pink Floyd-like synths kick in for a moment, it bring the song to another level. The track carries on with its meditative heaviness to end. Brew Pairing A smooth IPA is required for listening to Acheron. We recommend Green Moss by Hop Butcher Brewing in Illinois. This 7.5% New England styled IPA is hazy with slight tastes of citrus, but not too sweet. It's a nice pairing with this album. King Bufalo are: Sean McVay - vocalist/guitarist Dan Reynolds - bassist Scott Donaldson - drummer Follow King Buffalo: Bandcamp / Facebook

Crank this to 10.4 of 11 - Editors' Pick Released: 2019 Genre: Psychedelic rock, Stoner rock Sounds Like: Ancient Sky, Bask, Holy Mount Homeland: Poland Album Overview: Red Scalp have bottled a tremendously unique Polish recipe. The band transforms the listener into an almost outer body experience catapulting you into a vast landscape where “space Indians” thrive. You feel a part of this insanely vivid journey. The Great Chase In The Sky very much plays like a sequel to their brilliant 2017 release Lost Ghosts which made our top 11 Albums of the Decade list. We did not think it was possible, but the band manages to keep our euphoric love and dive deeper into realms of desperation and trauma. The contrast on this album will floor you as well-timed penetrating sax-work softens to calming beauty. The five tracks are so engrossing that it will motivate you to wander through some of your favorite trails and absolutely immerse yourself into their sonic wonder no matter what the weather. Be it a piping hot summer fucking day or the depths of winter.The vocal prowess delivers by Jed and Weedian is arm-lifting to the sky inspiring. Track Listing: 1. Mothertime (6:56) 2. Chase (11:34) 3. Sacred Space (9:02) 4. Gunsinger (4:28) 5. Slide (9:56) Standout Track: This truly is an impossible task for this album. We are going to select "Chase" for its epic absolutely powerful build-up. The track starts with creeping bass-work and slow meandering jazz sax. The track surrounds you with one of the finest headphone experiences a listener can undergo. Dabek kicks in with beautiful circular fretwork melodies and the track shines to cries taking you up to 10,000 foot elevation. Over 11 minutes of bliss. Adult Beverage Pairing: Amber Kozlak at 6.5% ABV. Located in Bielkówek. The ingredients include water, hop, and barley malt (both pale and dark). This dark-bock style beer is famous for its ruby color and Red Scalp appeal. The beer is brewed through the method of bottom fermentation doing justice to its dark color. This is an Ale with unique vibrant tones much akin to The Great Chase In The Sky. ROTATION RECAP: Captivation and Variety 10.7 out of 11 Vocal Prowess 10.3 out of 11 Weight of the Heavy 10.1 out of 11 Fretwork Prowess 10.2 out of 11 Bass Undercurrent 10.4 out of 11 Originality 10.6 out of 11 Overall Album Flow 10.5 out of 11 Contrast 9.9 out of 11 Album Cover Aesthetics 8.9 out of 11 Production Value 10.1 out of 11 Final Thoughts: Outside of perhaps a mediocre album art cover, "The Great Chase In The Sky" has minimal if any flaws. The album is an amazing sonic experience and a go to album if you truly need an "escape". If you put a gun to our heads and asked us what band had the most original and majestic sound over the past decade, Red Scalp would sure be in the top 3 of all time. While this sounds lofty and outlandish, put their library in your heavy rotation and come back to us in a few days. Red Scalp are: Dąbek (Goldfinger) - guitar, Jed (Scaramanga) - guitar, voc, synth Jankes (Hugo Drax) - bass, Bati (Dr. No) - drums Weedjan (Q) - sax, voc, ritual beats Follow Red Scalp: Bandcamp / Facebook

Crank this to 8.5 of 11 Released: 2021 Genre: Doom Sounds Like: Mephistofeles, Purple Hill Witch Homeland: Nashville, Tennesee Album Overview Obsessions of the Vile is raw doom album laced with psychedelic fuzz and occult horror themes The vocals of Sky Brooks have this echoed, low-toned Uncle Acid vibe. It's a great style that helps conjure up this psychedelic doom aura It's great to hear doom music of this nature coming from Tennessee. At first listen we assumed they originated from Spain This album is a thick wall of psych doom that has arrived in time for the cooler weather settling in for us in the Northeast, US Tracklist: 1. Necropsychodelia 06:42 2. Satan's Choice 03:24 3. Black Night 666 04:27 4. Meth Queen 05:35 5. Nosferatu 06:31 Standout Tracks: Satan's Choice After the trippy voice intro, this fuzz hits hard. With the vocals blended into the background, this tune sounds incredible when cranked. Meth Queen This track oozes along with addictive riffs and meditative psychedlia. Brew Pairing We need something dark and bold for this album. Check out Blessed Stout by Anchorage Brewing in Alaska. This 14% bourbon barrel-aged Imperial Stout is beast, yet smooth. With flavors of vanilla and coconut, this stout pair perfectly with Sorcerer. Sign of the Sorcerer are: Guitars/Vocals: Sky Brooks Bass: Justin Hembree Percussion: Josh Watts Follow Sign of the Sorcerer: Facebook / Bandcamp

Crank this to 7.8 of 11 Released: 2021 Genre: Post punk, Noise rock Sounds Like: Lesion, Gorilla Biscuits Homeland: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Album Overview Old school New York City punk vibes sprinkled throughout DeGrado shines when singing, less so with his spoken word Opener and closer are well worth your time……solid post-punk Foursome’s fifth release. Checkout their diverse library Track Listing: 1. Shanghai White Oak Tree (2:17) Punklicious picture painting. Love the lyrics on this track. 2. Spit in My Eye (2:12) Deep rick base accompany some piercing fretwork are swallowed by GG Allen-esque vibes. 3. Burning Pt. 2 (2:29) Steve Martin spoken word? Oddest of the lot. 4. Paoli in the Foothills (6:11) Off the beaten mellow track that contains some raw off-kilter heart. Give it time to breathe 5. The Delicate (Shipping News) (3:09) Rivals the opener for best track. Good grinding punk-faire. Brew Pairing Tired Hands Brewing and their deceitful potion 'Extra Extra Knuckle' is the perfect post punk Crooked Spine blend. A Double IPA brewed at 8.6% is brewed with a bit of fluffy malted wheat and hopped. Notes of passion fruit, mango nectar, jellied strawberry, ripe honeydew, and mandarin orange. Crooked Spine are: Garrett Bolin - Bass Evan Campbell - Drums Joey DeGrado - Vocals Bill Magerr - Guitar Follow Crooked Spine: Bandcamp / Facebook

Crank this to 10.4 of 11 - Editors' Pick Released: 2021 Genre: Stoner rock, Heavy psych rock Sounds Like: Arenna, Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats, Black Rainbows, Witch Homeland: South Africa Album Overview Wyrd Syster is the debut release from the South African heavy psyche foursome What make this album unique is their ability to create an acid laced blend of stoner rock meets garage rock. It's a beautiful 45 minute heavy psychedelic journey Lead vocalist Christiaan Van Renen carries an echoed or almost aquatic feel throughout the entire album The production is solid on this record. The guitars have a spacey swirling tone while the bass provides a steady grounding and the drumming brings tremendous rhythms Acid Magus have released one of this years special stoner releases that will appear on end of year doom lists Tracklist: 1. Wyrd Syster 4:44 2. Rituals 7:09 3. Conscientious Pugilist 8:50 4. Virgo 1:51 5. She is the Night 6:02 6. Evil 7:00 7. Red Dawn 8:35 Standout Tracks: Red Dawn Fuck this song is stellar. The opening riff is so inspiring, you'll want to get out and do something majestic like climb a mountain. The song has a terrific psychedelic stoner flow until about the 4:00 mark, where the doom creeps in. Although we do miss the majestic fuzz, the second half of this song is very mesmerizing. Oh, and the scream at 6:17 is icing on the cake... All Hail The Red Dawn!! She is the Night A fabulous tune with rich and fuzzy textures. The airy flow of the guitars and steady percussion is something special. Vocalist Christiaan Van Renen may be at his best on this track. His vocals float effortlessly among the psychedelic heaviness, yet digs deep from within when needed. Brew Pairing Grab a four pack of Updraft IPA from Outer Range Brewing in Colorado. This 7.5% IPA is a collaboration brew with Resident Culture Brewing, so it may be limited. Nonetheless, it's a crisp and citrusy IPA with some bite. A great pairing with Wyrd Syster. Acid Magus are: Keenan Kinnear - Guitars Jarryd Wood - Bass Roelof van Tonder - Drums Christiaan Van Renen - Vocals Follow Acid Magus: Facebook / Bandcamp

Crank this to 9.9 of 11 - Editors' Pick Released: 2021 Genre: Death metal, Progressive metal, Thrash Sounds Like: Control Denied, Slugdge, Revocation Homeland: London Album Overview Atvm are taking Death metal to new heights. This album is a frenzy of technical death metal with tons of progressive metal and thrash. They even dabble with jazzy arrangements The various soft moments are brilliant, making for great contrast throughout We also hear moments classic metal thrown in as well, check out the last half of "Anag-ou Matoy," it's addicting This could be one of the more exploratory death metal albums that has hit our rotation in quite some time. They pour so much energy and creativity into the songwriting, you can say they are the Mr. Bungle of the genre The production is crisp, it's amazing how each instrument is heard and distinct Every song is lengthy and so involved, it's really tough to know where you are in the album, but it doesn't even matter Running close to an hour, this album is a lot to take in at first. We recommend taking a couple breaks to cleanse the pallet and come back for more. Once you start to know the album it gets addictive Track List: 1. Sanguinary Floating Orb (8:10) 2. Anag-ou Matoy (7:35) 3. They Crawl (5:46) 4. Vagh Nakh (7:47) 5. Squeal In Torment (8:09) 6. Picture Of Decay (9:11) 7. Slud (9:19) Standout Track(s): Squeal in Torment A standout cut is almost impossible on an album like this. "Squeal in Torment" just stands out a bit with its dark torturous feel, mosh pit induced vocals. The proggy jam coming out of left field right in the middle of the song is brilliant and the classic swift metal rhythm to end just hits the right nerve. Picture of Decay This is Death metal prog ay it's finest. It's just a blast, the musicianship is on another fucking planet. The bass gets funky at times as they throw a bit of old Faith No More into the mix. Brew Pairing Lizard People IPA will hit the spot. This 8.5% IPA from Drekker Brewing in North Dakota is crisp with mango and berries. A nice pairing with Atvm Atvm are: Harry Bray - Vocals Tom Calcraft - Guitar Luke Abbott - Bass Francis Ball - Drums Follow Atvm: Facebook / Bandcamp

Crank this to 9.6 of 11 - Editors' Pick Released: 2021 Genre: Doom Sounds Like: Electric Wizard, Purple Hill Witch, Clouds Taste Satanic Homeland: Mexico Album Overview Acid fuzzed doom from Mexico Slightly distorted sound gives the album a raw live studio feel The occasional female spoken poems bring forth a sense of occult doom. Perhaps they are excerpts from 70s horror movies, we'll never know There is not one lick of English found on this album, the Spanish dialect provides us with an authentic haunting aura Easily one of the top doom albums of 2021 Track Listing: 1. El que Reside Dentro (9:01) 2. Parábola del Juez Perverso (7:16) 3. Asistolia (1:02) 4. Espectrofilia (8:59) 5. Panteonera (8:21) 6. La Muerte del Sol (7:59) Standout Track(s): Panteonera Sludgy, drug induced doom with moments of classic stoner rock. The raw and desperate vocals don't appear until 5 minutes in. El que Reside Dentro The combination of occult doom with angst punk like vocals work very will together. Brew Pairing Sit back and crank the doom with some Cosmos Vanilla & Coconut Hazy. This 8% IPA from Ecliptic Brewing in Oregon is bold with a very nice thick/creamy pour. It's hoppy, malty with blends of citrus complex (orange, tangerine, grapefruit, pineapple, mango, peach, papaya, melon) and a touch of coconut/vanilla. A complex brew that pairs well with Espectrofilia. Satánico Pandemonium are: Sergio - Guitars / FX Miguel - Guitars Cosmo - Drums / Vocals Daniel - Bass / Vocals Lorena Terrazas - Vocals on "Parábola del Juez Perverso" Follow Satánico Pandemonium: Bandcamp / Facebook

Crank this to 8.8 of 11 Released: 2017 Genre: Sludge, Doom, Post-doom Sounds Like: YOB, Om, ISIS Maree Noire is a 33 minute nautical journey spiraling through doom and Post-rock brought to you by The Latvian trio Saturn's Husk. The band's sophomore album paints a very dark picture of how intimidating and expansive the ocean can be. The album does an excellent job building off contrast and has more texture than most instrumental acts that have come across our desks over the last year. One of the more attractive elements of the album is the bands ability to accentuate the soft to provide the listener with this drifting airy feel making the heavier moments deliver more dramatic weight. The album crosses over into some very poignant post rock moments. Breikss is absolutely mesmerizing with his tremendously intricate bass lines. Kastanove fuzztone riffs compliment the brooding backdrop quite well. Track Listing: 1. Leaving the Red Bay (2:41) 2. Seaborne (5:02) 3. Blood As Salvation (6:59) 4. Graves At Sea (3:03) 5. The Leviathan (7:25) 6. Dragged Into Abyss (5:16) 7. Womb of Darkness (2:50) What is the standout track? Not an easy question given the nautical flowing concept here. We will give the nod to "The Leviathan" for its majestic and anthemic guitar riffs. We love the consistent Sleep-like backdrop that is provides some of the most powerful contrast on the album. The last minute will send chills throughout. What adult beverage do we recommend accompany this album? Labietis Lentenu Kāvējs brewed by Alus Darbnica Labietis 7.2% ABV a black ale that is dark and full bodied beer with distinct roasted malt and dryhopped with Galaxy and Jade hops for an extremely intense overall experience. An award winning Latvian beer. How is the production? Pretty solid. Good clarity and an overall positive headphone experience. Line-up: Reynars Breikss - Bass Armands Baranovskis - Percussion/Synth Jurijs Kastanov - Guitars Final Thoughts for Maree Noire. We listen to a boatload of instrumental doom and Post-rock. We can't tell you how many go through one rotation and do not prompt a second listen. Maree Noire really caught our attention primarily due to its ability to paint a vivid picture that matched the song titles in our mind. The trio has a gift for solid song writing and playing off contrast. Give this one a gander and throw some bucks their way (currently a 'name your price' on BandCamp). Our positive experience has moved is to also have their debut 'The Great Malefic' from 2015 in heavy rotation. Follow Saturn's Husk: Bandcamp / Facebook

Crank this to 10.2 of 11 - Editors' Pick Released: 2021 Genre: Noise Rock, Math Rock Sounds Like: The Schomberg Fair, Dining With Dogs, Wooden Shjips Homeland: Lincoln, UK Album Overview The UK trio have delivered one of the best noise rock albums to hit our hemispheres in the last decade The band’s 2nd release and 1st full length melds noise, math rock and metal into its own very melodic and dark vision This album flows so seamlessly. A beautifully dark journey from a very gifted trio In Observance will grow with you over time and be your steadfast dark sonic companion Album art by Fraser Briggs Track by Track Breakdown: 1. Flotilla (4:01) Steady wins the race with this consistent driving undercurrent. Vocal despair and the feeling of pushing against the tides with victory in sight. 2. A Record of Ancient Matters (7:47) Thompson’s opening powerful vocal prowess followed by sensational calming bass solo at the 1:40 mark combine for an engrossing journey thru a very dark lens. 3. Clouds (9:12) Standout Track Uptempo high energy with wild melodic tilts. The trio shows there range of ability on this one. Dickinson fucking shines with amazing fretwork that morphs into psychedelic trance at the 3 minute mark. 4. Observe (1:52) Dark interlude of minimalism. 5. Vibration White Finger (8:23) Thompson gets very dark pulling in even deeper vocals. Love the build-up on this track. While the skies never fully open, you feel the ascent through the very dark clouds. 6. We Never Were (9:52) The closer infuses black metal laced karma. Absolutely love the combative harmony. Wild angles and innovation on this track. Last 2:20 of the song kicks into high gear. Rivals ‘Clouds’ for the best track no doubt. Brew Pairing Lord Hobo’s Juice Lord NE IPA blends perfectly with In Observance. At 6% ABV the new release is filled with hazy voluptuous hoppiness. Taste follows a tad more assertive apricot, tangerine, peach, and passionfruit. Balanced….steady wins the race Concrete Ships are: Chris Thompson - Bass / Vocals Joe Dickinson - Guitar Jamie Batt - Drums Follow Concrete Ships: Facebook / Bandcamp

Crank this to 9.7 of 11 - Editors' Pick Released: 2021 Genre: Stoner rock Sounds Like: Acid King, Windhand, Arenna Homeland: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Album Overview Lupi Amoris contains 5 mind bending, psychedelic stoner rock entities After two solid EP's and various lineup changes, Heavy Temple keep exploring the psychedelic side where stoner rock meets doom Vocalist and guitarist High Priestess Nighthawk shines as usual. Her vocals are seductive and drifty, a marvelous combination that gels perfectly with the music The guitar prowess of High Priestess Nighthawk has a more authentic sound compared to previous releases The percussion really helps ground the album while High Priestess Nighthawk is in her own world jamming Another fine release by the folks over at Magnetic Eye Records... check them out Track List: 1. A Desert Through the Trees 05:21 2. The Wolf 05:31 3. The Maiden 05:39 4. Isabella (with Unrelenting Fangs) 09:29 5. Howling of a Prothalamion 06:56 Standout Track(s): The Maiden We absolutely love how this song transitions from the previous track, it's seamless. Oh, and the rhythmic fuzz at the 1:38 mark is so fucking infectious. The vocal control of High Priestess Nighthawk is among the best we've heard within female stoner/doom vocalists. Isabella (with Unrelenting Fangs) An epic tune with gorgeous guitar tones and sultry vocals. This track is so fucking trippy without going out too far... they hang within their psychedelic stoner realm. The ending weaves in and out of post-doom and classic stoner jamming. All three instruments are played to perfection. Brew Pairing Lets go with a local brew to Heavy Temple. Take a trip trip to Mad Chef Craft Brewing in Petersburg, PA and grab some Haze Chaser. This 5% hazy IPA is extremely refreshing with tastes of apricot and passion fruit. Follow Heavy Temple: Facebook / Bandcamp

Crank this to 9.5 of 11 - Editors' Pick Released: 2021 Genre: Stoner rock Sounds Like: Kyuss, Brant Bjork Homeland: California Album Overview Laid back, chillin' stoner rock from California desert legends Brant Bjork, Nick Oliveri and Ryan Gut The bass work of Mr. Oliveri is slightly distorted and very low toned. We recommend turning up with caution, it will test some of the best speakers out there Brant's classic guitars and vocals flow beautifully throughout, creating the chill atmosphere Ryan Gut's drumming is dense and provides a steady stoned groove Stoners Rule may not the most exploratory stoner album out there, but it doesn't need to be. The heavenly bluesy fuzz is magical and just feels right This is basically a no brainer for fans of the genre. We love the classic Brant Bjork heavy vibe fused with early Kyuss bass work. Another fantastic stoner rock album to absorb this summer Track Listing: 1. Rad Stays Rad (6:27) 2. The Older Kids (5:09) 3. Own Yer Blues (6:00) 4. Nothin' (2:37) 5. Evel Never Dies (2:51) 6. Stand Down (6:19) 7. Tribe/Fly Girl (13:19) Standout Track(s): The Older Kids Tremendous steady stoner rock. The percussion leads the way as this track has an awesome summer desert vibe. Stand Down Fuck the song is good. No words. Tribe/Fly Girl 13 minutes of tribal stoner jamming... a classic desert tune. Brew Pairing Chill with some Double Sunrise IPA by Northway Brewing in Queesbury , NY. This 9% brew is on the stronger side, but smooth notes of tangerine and Citra. STÖNER are: Brant Bjork (guitar/vocals) Nick Oliveri (bass/vocals) Ryan Gut (drums) Follow STÖNER: Bandcamp / Facebook

Crank this to 8.9 of 11 Released: 2019 Genre: Doom Sounds Like: Church of Misery, Sleep, Conan How could you not be intrigued by the pensive and ominous artwork of Aki Pitkanen? Behind the cover art lies some very rich and bellowing doom soundscapes. Death Ritual by Yatra is the latest excursion from the Maryland based trio that dives deeply into comforting warm slow fuzz. The best way to describe Yatra is a massive smoke filled jam session consisting of Church of Misery, Sleep and Conan. With that in mind, they definitely put their own touch into the album, just enough to distinguish them from their peers. Death Ritual is an album that will increasingly absorb you into its contents and aura. The sludgy guitar tones sound monumental, yet are soothing when cranked at high volumes. Helmuth’s unique vocal tone will also seep into your pores over time. Tracklist: 1. Hour of the Dragon 05:00 2. Black Moon 06:43 3. Sacred Flower 03:46 4. Snakes in the Temple 06:47 5. Smoke is Rising 06:52 6. Four Directions 04:57 7. Mighty Arrows 05:40 8. Sailing On 04:49 Standout Track(s) ”Mighty Arrows” takes the prize for its circuitous grooves and unique contrast. The dirge intro builds to an infectious hook. Terrific highs and lows on this track. You can feel the despair as Dana growls “strike down the serpent”. Impressive vision by the trio. Adult Beverage Pairing Enjoy a glass or two of Meat and Potatoes by Massachusetts very own Lord Hobo Brewing. This 7.7% (ABV) is a smooth American Stout with a hint of bitterness. A great choice for listening to the dark mastery of Death Ritual. ROTATION RECAP : Vocal Performance 9 of 11 Risk of Subwoofer Damage 9.6 of 11 Captivation and Variety 8.8 of 11 Weight of the Heavy 9.8 of 11 Percussion Backdrop 9.4 of 11 Lyrics and Song Structure 9 of 11 Fretwork Prowess 9.5 of 11 Overall Album Flow 8.9 of 11 Album Cover Aesthetics 10 of 11 Production Value 9 of 11 Final Thoughts: Death Ritual is impresses from start to finish. The trio keeps nicely to its alluring formula and is a difficult one to take off once in rotation. This album has also opened us to the impressive vision and library of Grimoire Records. Their lineup features an impressive myriad of exploratory heavy.. Yatra are: Dana Helmuth - guitar and vocals Maria Geisbert - Bass Mike Tull - drums Follow Yatra: Bandcamp

Crank this to 9.5 of 11 - Editors' Pick Released: 2016 Genre: Psychedelic, Stoner rock Sounds Like: Sgt. Sunshine, Sienna Root, Assemble Head In Sunburst Sound The amphibians of fuzz are back with a re-release of their highly underrated album IV. Officially released digitally in 2013 through Electrohasch Records, IV is now seeing the light of day through Kozmik Artifactz Records. The album is now available on cd and vinyl, so thank you Kozmik. We have become huge Frog Island fans here at Rotation11 as their music is more than your traditional fuzzed out stoner rock. Not only do they broaden the elements of psychedelia, but add some King Crimson-like exploration to the music. Each album has its own feel and mood as we find them easy to get lost in, just throw their entire library on shuffle and you’ll understand. IV is one of those loner albums that will put you in a fuzzed and tranquil mindset. Tracklist: 1. The Tenth Stone 2. The King Is Dead 3. Witches Warning 4. Volonte 5. In The Watchers Blood 6. Shadowlands 7. The Night Juno Died 8. Weaving Shadows 9. Eleven Eleven Eleven 10. Long Live The King Highlights First off, IV was meant to be listened to in its entirety as the original release is two separate songs, each weighing in at 20:16 minutes. This new version is broken into seven fuzzed-out, psychedelic tunes. Kicking off the album is laid back stoner driven “The Tenth Stone”. What a terrific opening cut, the muffled vocals and groove is very infectious and that’s before the addition of the female backing vocals come into play. The following track “The King Is Dead” starts off in heavy mode, than transitions towards a serene ambiance with spoken word vocals. “Volonte” is next and boy this one is catchy as all hell, it bleeds of Brant Bjork-like smooth stoner rock, it will easily get stuck in your head. The bass work and percussion on “The Night Juno Died Weaving Shadows” is absolutely tremendous. The soft vocals are captivating and pleasing to the ear, which is a highlight throughout IV. The last song “111111 Long Live The King” is a majestic, fuzzed tune. After the meandering opening, the song kicks into a Kyuss “Gardenia” like massive riff before surrendering to a psyche vibe that Kings of Frog Island only know. Production Value The Kings of Frog Island have tremendous chemistry that shines throughout their entire catalogue and IV is no different. So, whether you’re listening on headphones or cranking this out on a pair of Bowers & Wilkins floor speakers, the experience is very pleasing to the ear. Vocal Performance The vocals are one of the main draws to this album. We don’t think we have ever heard a better use of the muffled vocal effect, they are tranquil and alluring, just listen to “The Night Juno Died Weaving Shadows”. Does the album art reflect the music? What’s not to love about this cover, they’re embracing the name of the band. Adult Beverage Pairing Grab a four pack of Murphy’s Irish Stout. This is one hell of a flavorful stout that enhances the listening experience of Frog Island. Final Thoughts It’s a must have album as their distinct sound will only enhance your stoner rock collection. After listing to this album, we are confident that you will want to further explore their splendid catalogue of fine work. Follow The Kings of Frog Island: Bandcamp / Facebook

Crank this to 8.9 of 11 Released: 2021 Genre: Stoner rock Sounds Like: Clutch, Lo Pan, Boss Keloid Homeland: Quebec Track Overview: 1. Vertigo (6:16) A brief chillin' intro leads us to some hefty rhythmic fuzz that stoner rock enthusiasts will salivate over. The vocals kick in and we are in full Godhad Lizard mode. The lead vocals are upfront and very distinct, reminds us of a crossbreed between Neil Fallon, Mark Hennessy and Alex Hurst of Boss Keloid. 2. Cracks & Mirror (3:34) The fuzz is deep on this one and on the verge of sounding over distorted, but they pull back a bit, it sounds tremendous when cranked. The offbeat vocal rhythm is very interesting and keeps us engaged. 3. Chiskar (3:46) Bluesy heavy riffs abound on this track. The vocals are in top form and shows a wide range. 4. W?AT O.D. (3:57) A fuzzier Black Sabbath tone appears along side of classic stoner rhythms. 5. Monocerotis (3:48) A meandering, hypnotic instrumental in the beginning gives way to manic sounds of lunatic screams. 6. Bending Waters (4:29) A gritty tune with tons of contrast, this song is a blast. 7. Gates Of Kurnugi (8:22) Standout Track This song is ridiculously good. It has it all; stoner blues, good vocals and heavy psychedelic jamming. Album Nuggets V838 shows more growth and tighter musicianship from their previous release The production is solid. The sound is thick with some slight distortion and clean percussion Vince's vocal prowess is ramped up on this album This album should propel them in the heavy rock community Brew Pairing Crank up this album with some Clarity Rarity IPA by Bale Breaker Brewing in Washington. This 7.5% Pale Ale is hazy with notes of peach, honeydew and aromas of pine. A unique and flavorful IPA to enjoy with the abundance of heavy fuzz. Godhead Lizard are: Vince - vocals Jo - drums Nick - guitar Phil - bass Follow Godhead Lizard: Facebook / Bandcamp

Turn this to 9.3 of 11 - Editors' Pick Released: 2014 Genre: Stoner rock, Psychedelic rock, Sludge Sounds Like: Pelican, Russian Circles, Glowsun Our journey to find the next obscure psychedelic rock gem is always an enthralling adventure. We come across some duds here and there and some decent bands that will grab our attention on occasion, but every once in a while we find one that just flat out captivates us. Les Lekin from Salzburg, Austria is one of these “obscure gems”. Rounding out this three-piece band is Peter G. (Guitar), Stefan W. (Bass) and Kerstin W. (Drums) and their debut release; All Black Rainbow Moon is a fantastic work of art from the album cover right down to the last note. Their blend of psychedelic stoner rock is heavy, melodic and trippy, it will pull you into its vortex and absorb you for the full 48:73 minutes. There are only six instrumental tracks on this album, but as you can see from the song lengths below, they leave room for tons of exploration, letting the songs breathe take on a life of their own. Track Listing: 1. Intro 1:39 2. Solum 8:29 3. Useless 6:35 4. Allblack 10:10 5. Loom 13:16 6. Release 9:41 The intro to this album is an enlightening path into the world of Les Lekin, it’s a soft guitar driven instrumental that leads us directly into “Solum”. On this track we are subject to a full array of heavy, psychedelic and doom compositions. The bass work is brooding and provides a substantial foundation for this song. The music is very ominous and trippy, the drums complement the bass very well while the guitars add an intoxicating and transcendent layer. This leads us into the third cut “Useless” with no break and it’s a flawless transition. This song is very fluent; its soft demeanor will captivate you as each instrument has its place and will hold your attention. They take their time and let this track develop, at 2:54 into the song it suddenly builds as the heaviness is turned up a notch. The guitar really shines on this one; it has an early Electric Wizard fuzz to it. Again, we are taken to the next song “Allblack” with no break. We must mention that when a band can fuse songs together it just enhances the experience and they keep this up throughout the entire album. “Allblack” has a Pelican or Russian Circles style to it as the music just builds and becomes full; to be honest it has a triumphant quality about it. It’s not all doom and gloom folks. The next track “Loom” starts with some reverberated feedback, when the rhythm is introduced around the 2:24 mark, we begin to wonder where this song will take us and it is just terrific exploration happening here. We are soon led to some sonic doom-like heaviness that challenges our Paradigm speakers. In fact this whole track just rattled our systems a bit, even during the mellow moments; the bass has such a deep, rich sound. This will lead us into the final song “Release” and man this one is a trip. It’s angelic and brooding at the same time making for a beautiful track. The simplistic, lonely guitar, the soft cymbal tapping and steady bass come together perfectly. There seems to be a subtle Colour Haze quality about this track. The break-downs are what seem to draw us into this song and the album as a whole. There are plenty of them and are timed perfectly, making the heavier parts sound even sweeter making for a very well balanced album. Les Lekin is truly a talented band and seems focused on the direction they want to go. They are not just another instrumental Pelican-like band that will get lost in the shuffle; the musicianship is too impressive. We can only imagine the sound they bring forward in a show, it must be dynamic. They definitely have left the door wide open to explore other avenues which enable them to dive into other genres and grow as a band. - 12/15/2014 Standout Tracks: Release, Allblack Follow Les Lekin: Bandcamp

Crank this to 10.3 of 11 - Editors' Pick Released: 2021 Genre: Garage rock Sounds Like: Bo Bud Greene, Transition, The Jesus Lizard Homeland: Atlanta, Georgia Album Overview The wildly diverse garage and psychedelic rock trio have delivered an absolute gem Ten tracks commencing with hardcore punk further circling a deluge of euphoric introspect Tremendous chemistry and vision. Raw and detailed hitting blissful angles Pulling in influences from some of our favorite early 90s bands but molded into their own masterpiece Yes garage rock might be the backbone here, but vertebrae extend outside the skin into progressive, jazz, and math rock surfaces Track by Track Breakdown 1. CYOJ (3:37) Punklicious muffled snaps... Check Ya Oil Jack! 2. Bluebilly (3:59) Blues infusion and subtle swing will grab you as this track morphs so well into Crunch 3. Crunch (2:54) Matthew is fucking brilliant on this track. A percussion masterpiece. 4. Born in a Weak (5:41) Darker heavier edge as the trio dive into illness and overcast days. 5. Genuflect (4:15) Standout Track Majestic, wild melodies. Intriguing lyrics take you to another place. 6. Ikejime (3:01) Jazz interlude fucking works to perfection. Cleanse the palate. 7. Sifter (9:06) Spiraling psychedelic fretwork in this epic track….perhaps the best use of the Wood Block we have ever encountered. 8. Squingent (5:34) Wet bass fills this brilliantly titled track. 9. Glass Vice (2:58) Back to the garage rock roots with the title track. Fuzzilicious and raw. 10. It Comes (2:26) Filler closer, nothing to be seen here. Brew Pairing Sixpoint’s hazy IPA ‘Meltdown’ at 8% ABV is the perfect match to accompany Glass Vice. A lush, hazy, juicy IIPA with ripe tropical and bright citrus characteristics, and a soft, easy finish. Loaded up with enough dry-hops to melt your face and distort your outlook on the day. Room 213 are: Lachlan Tankersley - guitar and vocals Matthew Tankersley - drums Isaac Camden - bass and production Follow Room 213: Bandcamp / Facebook