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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

Crank this to 9.4 of 11 - Editors' Pick Released: 2021 Genre: Hard rock, Metal Sounds Like: Witchskull, Badlands Homeland: Australia Album Overview Marcus De Pasquale could be one of the best vocal talents to bless our continent since Bruce Dickinson Less vocal intensity as compared to Witchskull, but intriguing tones and more patience purveying the landscapes from the veteran Impressive fretwork from Ashley and Marcus, less Witchskull metal more grassroots hard rock with rich melodies Apologies for the multiple Witchskull references but they are fucking legendary and a required comparison Sermons To the Black Owl is an impressive debut loaded with dramatic contrast and thickly settled song structure Track by Track Breakdown 1. Isobel’s Chambers (3:26) Brilliant closure to this track, start-stop momentum, last minute is stellar. 2. Winter Void (4:50) Downtrodden start quickly builds to hazy heights and comes full circle nicely. Child of Black Magick (3:40) riving guitar hook, drills into the listener’s psyche. Plodding forward movement. 3. Burning Mask (4:16) Standout Track Frailty and despair are pummeled by the wild guitar rhythms and dueling solos. Classic vibe. 4. Obscene Goddess (3:53) Feels like the guitar section came straight out of a classic Badlands track….Jake E. Lee influences no doubt. 5. Carpathian Eagle (4:25) Hear the wings flapping, soaring licks, majestic views. 6. Cassowary Dreaming (3:10) Melodic dueling guitars take over this track midway, the core focal point. 7. Acoustic Outro (:48) We Outro diddy. Brew Pairing As the Lord Hobo empire continues its expansion, the perfect pairing to accompany Hekate’s debut is the 6.5% ABV galaxy hops smoothness of Glorious, a wonderfully silky peach-grape aroma, with hints of tropical fruit flavors that pours too a sensational hazy straw color.. Hekate are: Marcus De Pasquale - Vox, Guitar, Keys Ashley Byron - Guitar Mal Lloyd - Bass Nathan Millett - Drums Follow Hekate: Bandcamp / Facebook

Crank this to 9.2 of 11 - Editors' Pick Released: 2021 Genre: Math rock, Mathcore Sounds Like: Chon, Kaonashi, The Chariot Homeland: Milan, Italy Album Overview Eremo delivers the perfect blend of beauty, precision and chaos Album cover tips you off to nothing Superb precision fretwork post rock and post-hardcore backsplash Chon-like speed and depth Certainly checkout their 2016 self-titled debut. More incoherent cool album art and math rock bliss Track by Track Breakdown: 1. Bentornato (3:27) So much going on here vocally along percussion intricacies not to mention one hell of lead guitar melody 2. Senza Propositi (3:33) This track shapes more on the post rock convention and then slowly gets overturned by blissful math rock tendencies 3. Autotune (5:04) Standout Track The most majestic central theme of the lot. Wild visions and such intricate pathways 4. Caduco (3:36) Break it down and build it up. Superb contrast on this track 5. Il Concetto (4:05) Wild offbeat timing that makes sense after multiple listens. Such entertaining variety 6. L’ego in un Pagliaio (3:33) The title track may be the most solemn. Dark ending. Brew Pairing Mastri Birrai Umbri’s IPA at 6.5% ABV is produced in Italy according to the traditional British style. It’s brewed with the best selection of pale and amber malts, top fermenting yeast and aromatichops. It features an intense and cloudy amber color with copper tones and a compact and persistent head. The aroma is characterized by the intensity of hops, with citrus and resinous notes, resulting from the dry hop with American and New Zealand hop varieties. The flavor is characterized by an important bitterness, balanced by the use of special malts which confer sweet malty notes; the finish is dry and fruity. Follow Eremo: Bandcamp / Facebook

Crank this to 10.5 of 11 - Editors' Pick Released: 2021 Genre: Stoner rock Sounds Like: Dead Meadow, Arenna, Greenleaf Homeland: Rochester, NY Album Overview The Burden of Restlessness will be the first of 3 albums to be released in 2021 We are seeing a progression into progressive metal territories and it feels so natural King Buffalo are the masters of the slow heavy build up. The way they begin each song on a soft note and gradually bring in the heaviness is brilliant The craftsmanship of the music and songwriting at hand gives this album an apocalyptic feel. The lyrics and music have this lonesome dystopian theme Track by Track Analysis: 1. Burning (6:33) King Buffalo open the album with some trippy technical riffs and swirling bass work. This leads to the the soft vocals of guitarist Sean McVay. As the song progresses, it just becomes all consuming and slighter heavier. It's a magical opening and we know we're in for something special. 2. Hebetation (4:30) A progressive stoner rock tune with slight synths nestled into the background. It's a nice progression from their last EP Dead Star. 3. Locusts (6:27) The album continues to impress with "Locusts". This tune is intimate and heavy as they continue on a progressive stoner path. 4. Silverfish (3:42) Offbeat and a bit unusual. This shows King Buffalo's willingness to explore. The mix of psychedelic synths and heavy industrial fuzz is very orginal. 5. Grifter (5:17) Standout Track This is a fucking sonic masterpiece. The spacious beginning with lofty vocals is very cathartic. We are than thrusted into some ISIS-like jamming, what a stellar turn of events this song goes through. It's difficult to say it's the standout track, but man we just gravitate to this one. 6. The Knocks (6:18) The smooth bass undercurrent with futuristic synths and the heavy progressive fuzz creates a massive wall of psychedelic bliss. 7. Loam (7:41) A jamming closer that has it all. It's psychedelic progressive stoner rock at it's finest. Crank it up, words don't do it justice. On a side note, we have our tickets and are fired up to see these guys on tour this fall in Boston. Brew Pairing Nothing pairs better with The Burden of Restlessness like Glacier Juice by Long Lot Brewing in Chester, NY. This 7.5% IPA has balanced bitterness with notes of citrus and pine. Although not widely distributed, you may have to make a pit stop here if you're near Orange County, NY. King Buffalo are: Sean McVay - vocalist/guitarist Dan Reynolds - bassist Scott Donaldson - drummer Follow King Buffalo: Facebook / Bandcamp

Crank this to 9.6 of 11 - Editors' Pick Released: 2018 Genre: Doom, Sludge Sounds Like: Sleep, YOB, Bongzilla Since 2015 the trio from Baku, Azerbaijan have flown well under our radar. Perhaps they fell victim to the ‘weed’ titled band pool that had become so saturated in the last decade and we sluffed them off. Boy were we fucking remiss. Behold Pyraweed and their sensational 38 minutes 3 song trip entitled Green Jinn. All stars align here as sparkling production, bludgeoning bass rhythms, and intelligent melodies flow together to engulf fans of the heavy. Nijat’s vocals offer up a fair amount of diversity beyond the stoic monotone backbone that Sleep shaped for the sludge world. We are impressed by the catchiness of the album believe it or not. Impressive song structure make the 12-13 minute songs fly by as the jams weave so well back to the hooks and melodic undercurrents. Track Listing: 1. Mist 12:13 2. Dusk 13:08 3. Dust 12:59 Standout Track: "Dusk" absolutely floored us after the first listen. This is some of the most infectious sludge we’ve ever heard. The melody of this track is brilliant offering up some nice contrast cool vocals. It is so well positioned at the center and the core of this album. That being said the two other tracks are also fucking brilliant. The closer Dust brings things down brilliantly and offers up the most contrast on the album weaving some spacial sampling and keys. Where the heck is Baku, Azerbaijan? Located in the region of the southern Caucasus Mountains, Azerbaijan borders the Caspian Sea to the east, Georgia and Russia to the north, Iran to the south, and Armenia to the southwest and west. A small part of Nakhchivan also borders Turkey to the northwest. Adult Beverage Pairing: The Aviation is a classic cocktail made with gin, maraschino liqueur, crème de violette, and lemon juice. Some recipes omit the crème de violette. It is served straight up, in a cocktail glass. Ingredients: Crème de violette or Creme Yvette, 1/2 oz Maraschino liqueur, 1 1/2 oz Gin, Preparation: Add all ingredients into cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well. ROTATION RECAP: Weight of the Heavy 9.1 out of 11 Fretwork Prowess 9.7 out of 11 Captivation and Variety 10.2 out of 11 Vocal Performance 9.3 out of 11 Overall Album Flow 10.1 out of 11 Contrast 9.8 out of 11 Album Cover Aesthetics 9.2 out of 11 Production Value 9.8 out of 11 Final Thoughts: It’s clear to us that Pyraweed immerse themselves in the product of their name. This altered state clearly heightens the creativity in developing this wonderful three track journey. While the homage to Sleep is clear, Pyraweed have crafted A sound and five they should be proud to call their own. Grab this one on Bandcamp, they have a full digital download of their entire library at an exceptional price. Give it a gander. Band Members Nijat Hasanzadeh - Bass Guitar / Vocals Ramin Sadigov - Drums Sadig Alizada - Effects/Sampling Follow Pyraweed: Bandcamp / Facebook

Crank this to 9.7 of 11 - Editors' Pick Released: 2016 Genre: Stoner rock Sounds Like: All Them Witches, Dead Meadow We are fired up to catch these guys at The All-Dayer at Saint Vitus in Brooklyn on August 20th. King Buffalo have clearly stepped up their game with their latest release entitled Orion. They have now entered Rotation11 Editor’s Pick territory through their ability to tighten up the songwriting and deliver 45 minutes of calming textures and original landscapes. The band displays patience in their ability to let the songs breathe into a dark and entertaining journey. Track Listing: 1. Orion (6:34) 2. Monolith (3:45) 3. Sleeps On a Vine (7:31) 4. Kerosene (6:03) 5. Down From Sky (3:23) 6. Goliath Pt 1 (2:32) 7. Goliath Pt 2 (2:19) 8. Orion Subsiding (5:33) 9. Drinking From the River Rising (9:58) Who are these wonderful people and where the hell are they from? Sean McVay - Guitar & Lead Vocals Dan Reynolds - Bass & Lights Scott Donaldson - Drums & Vocals Hailing from Rochester, NY! What are the top two tracks we recommend downloading if you had a few bucks to spare? Wow that is a tough question given the consistency of this album. "Kerosene" contains a wonderfully addictive bass-line along with sporadic high pitched Tool-like fretwork that is very endearing. We love how the melodies come full circle in the closing minute of the track. We love the clarity and Monster Magnet feel within the closer "Drinking From the River Rising" as lead singer Sean McVay really lets his vocals loose. Just a tinge of echo that goes a long way to making this a tremendous track. Scott Donaldson delivers a boatload of vivid rhythms taking this one to a peak. This track is a must. How is the vocal performance? McVay shows major improvement on this album. While there is redundant tonality throughout, it helps build this overall gloomy and mystical aura. Does the album art reflect the music? The album cover is pretty solid. The two shaded rectangles do throw us off a bit. We would have preferred no shading and the full landscape without interruption. What was the most unique moment on Orion? "Down From the Sky" is a dark acoustical departure from the consistent fuzz that flows. The track works very well as McVay channels some Dave Wyndorf very well. What other albums do we recommend you give a gander to if we enjoy this album? Monster Magnet’s Superjudge and All Them Witches Dying Surfer Meets His Maker. What adult beverage do we recommend while listening to Orion? Genesee Cream Ale brewed in Rochester. Such smooth and consistent tones doing justice out of a can. What are our final thoughts for Orion? King Buffalo have clearly impressed us with their ability to build off their 2013 release Demo. Orion is a journey that will keep you engrossed in their fuzz toned world. These guys have clearly identified their strengths and keep it consistent and entertaining throughout. Pick this one up an keep it in your heavy rotation.. Follow King Buffalo: Bandcamp / Facebook

Crank this to 8.8 of 11 Released: 2018 Genre: Stoner rock Sounds Like: Clutch, Crowbar, Corrosion of Conformity Don’t let the oddball album cover and band name fool you. Godhead Lizard’s debut album is loaded with quality craftsmanship. Perhaps there is some distant relationship with one of our favorite bands, the Jesus Lizard, although no connectivity in sound. Hailing from Quebec Canada the foursome unleashes some old school fuzzed-out grunge. The focal point of the band being Vince’s brute vocals. It harkens us back to old school Clutch, TAD, and Corrosion Of Conformity. The five tracks are filled with terrific contrast, build-up and precision fretwork. Track Listing: 1. Andorayd 08:57 2. Blehavoyance 06:44 3. C.M.H 06:37 4. Seasons of Uiu 08:15 5. Dead 03:54 6. СЛАВА 04:21 Standout Track: While we were impressed with the unique distortion and spoken word of "Ancient Suns," The true prize has to go to the closer "Dreamstone". The fuzziest of the five tracks spirals into new territory with expansive and free-flowing ominous landscapes. Vince’s voice on this track is filled with despair and suspense. The deep rich base compliments the piercing fuzz and dark appeal. Adult Beverage Pairing: The Canadian vibrancy in The Shawinigan Handshake (6.5% ABV) a hazy, peach-coloured beer with notes of bread, banana and spruce, reflecting the flavours of German yeast and Chinook hops. With explosive effervescence, the palate blends soft wheat flavours with bitter hops that linger on for a dry, refreshing finish. The perfect native ‘godhead’ experience to support your palate and compliment your sonic well-being. ROTATION RECAP : Vocal Performance 8.7 out of 11 Risk of Subwoofer Damage 8.6 out of 11 Captivation and Variety 9 out of 11 Weight of the Heavy 8.7 out of 11 Lyrics and Song Structure 9.1 of 11 Fretwork Prowess 9.1 out of 11 Overall Album Flow 8.8 out of 11 Album Cover Aesthetics 8.5 out of 11 Production Value 8.6 out of 11 Final Thoughts: The debut from Godhead Lizard is much more thought provoking and elaborate than you would think after first blush of the album cover. This is exactly our mission. To point out those albums that are flying under the radar and deserve your attention. Do not gloss this one over. The foursome have a dark and diverse story to tell, well deserving of a mainstay in your heavy rotation. Follow Godhead Lizard: Bandcamp / Facebook

Crank this to 9.6 of 11 - Editors' Pick Released: 2018 Genre: Stoner rock, Thrash Sounds Like: Saviours, Fu Manchu, War Cloud We are starting to see a comeback of the thrash metal scene as many stoner rock acts are diving headfirst in to this style. It’s stimulating and inspiring when these two genres collide. Hashteroid from Vancouver, British Columbia have unleashed a refreshing brand of stoner thrash upon us with their Self-Titled full length. Take the rhythmic stoner groove of old Sword and crank up the speed, add some punk attitude along with the swift fury of Saviours and you have one hell of a stoner metal album. The vocals resemble the classic 80s and 90s style of thrash when this genre was at its peak. Hashteroid has pressed firmly on the gas pedal of stoner rock and never looked back. There are no brake pads on this trip, its pure adrenaline heaviness at its finest. Track Listing: 1. Freak Power 03:22 2. Black Tide 05:24 3. Stan the Wolfman 06:02 4. Green Caramel 04:20 5. Godspeed Below 04:08 6. Cool Ghost 05:52 7. ...Return to Hash Planet 05:46 Standout Track(s): “Stan the Wolfman” offers tremendous amped up stoner speed metal jams, this track just keeps going and doesn’t want to end. “Green Caramel” is the faster cousin to Fu Manchu’s “Hell on Wheels,” this track is smooth thrash with awesome rhythm. Adult Beverage Pairing: Enjoy the galactic bitterness of Hoptronix. This 9% Double India Pale Ale by New Holland Brewing pairs well with Hashteroid. ROTATION RECAP: Vocal Performance 8.9 of 11 Weight of the Heavy 9.6 of 11 Rhythmic Pace 10.2 of 11 Lyrics and Song Structure 9 of 11 Fretwork Prowess 9.7 of 11 Overall Album Flow 9.6 of 11 Album Cover Aesthetics 10 of 11 Production Value 9.5 of 11 Final Thoughts: Released through Cursed Tounge Records, this album has us fired for the new wave of stoner/thrash. It’s an album that never wears out its welcome, throw it on shuffle or not, either way the music is engrossing and will put you in an old school metal frame of mind. Hashteroid are: Alex G. – Guitars & Vocals Mike Grossnickle – Bass & Backup Vocals Grant Prouse – Drums Follow Hashteroid: Bandcamp / Facebook

Crank this to 9.9 of 11 - Editors' Pick Released: 2017 Genre: Stoner rock, Heavy psych rock Sounds Like: Farflung, Sleep, Ethereal Riffian Just as the year is coming to a close and we have gathered our top 11 heavy albums of 2017, we are introduced to Finland’s I, Captain. After a few rotations we knew there was something special here, an album that needs to be added to our top 11. Something has to give; we cannot have 12 top albums. This is quite possibly our favorite time of the year as we reflect on our past year reviews plus the late additions such as I, Captain. Tiid, the band’s first full length is one of the year’s most entertaining and dramatic stoner rock albums to hit our rotation. It’s more than your traditional fuzz album, these guys throw a wealth of emotion and unique song writing skills into this recording. We hear a little bit of everything from Farflung-like space rock to Sleep induced sludge and even the apocalyptic sounds of Ethereal Riffian. Singer and bassist Axel V. is a superb talent, his vocal work is commanding with a unique and clean vibe. Sit back, enjoy your favorite adult beverage and crank this mother up as we break this one down. Track Listing: 1. War Shakes 05:57 2. Mantra 09:24 3. Vem kan segla 01:31 4. Kepler 22B 03:06 5. Stugon I 08:10 6. Stugon II 07:15 7. Vindan 06:54 8. Tå 04:16 Standout Track(s): The album is loaded with infectious doom hooks at every turn. “Cave of the Spider King” could be the standout, it’s an epic track of doom fantasy with the most diversity. The banjo in the intro is classic. We must say, the cover of Steve Earl’s “The Mountain” is great, we love the trippy and echoed Paul Stanley-like vocals on this one. Adult Beverage Pairing: Get some Pyynikin Vahvaportteri Imperral Portor by Finland’s Pyynikin brewery. This 7.5% ABV porter consists of roasted chocolate, coffee, liquorice and mild fruitiness. It’s a whirlwind of flavors that can only enhance the listening experience of Tiid. ROTATION RECAP : Vocal Performance – 10.3 of 11 Tremendous vocal performance by Axel V., they are a huge draw to the album. Just listen to the track “Mantra” and you’ll become an instant fan. Risk of Subwoofer Damage – 9.9 of 11 Crank this one up slowly, the bottomless bass and percussion will challenge any system. Lyrics and Song Structure – 9.9 of 11 The song structures are infectious as you’ll no doubt have this on repeat for a while. As for the lyrics, we’re not sure since this is not sung in all English, but it does not take way from the experience, in fact it may enhance the record. Fretwork Prowess – 9.8 of 11 Innovative stoner rhythms take over and help create this fuzz gem. Overall Album Flow – 9.9 of 11 All nine tracks weave beautifully between one another, it’s very hard not to listen to this one in its entirety. Contrast – 9.4 of 11 Tiid displays some of the finest stoner rock craftsmanship we have heard all year. Album Cover Aesthetics – 9.5 of 11 Album artwork by Panos Kassiaris at Graphicstrip is unusual and very crisp. Production Value – 10 of 11 Extremely well produced for such an involved album, each instrument shines and is played to a high standard. We love the background space nuances scattered throughout. The headphone experience is great, you’ll actually hear the little touches that make this album special Final Thoughts: We are fired up to have been introduced to I, Captain and they are a prime example of why Rotation11 exists. This album has been in constant rotation for some time now and we cannot get tired of it, we hear something new with every listen. I, Captain are: Axel V - Vocals, bass Viktor Ö – Drums Andreas Ö – Guitar Lukas Å - Guitar Follow I, Captain: Bandcamp / Facebook

Crank this to 8.7 of 11 Released: 2021 Genre: Blackend Hardcore, Doom Sounds Like: Kvelertak, Oathbreaker, Hexis Homeland: Albany, NY Track Overview: 1. Cicada (4:57) Powerful opener that teases us with the divergent background vocals. 2. Psalm 4 (4:33) Nudo kicks ass on this track, bludgeoning beauty. 3. Husk (3:49) Circular grinding stoner feel to this one, 1 minute mark hits you like a ton of bricks, terrific song structure. 4. Days From Land (5:36) Longest track, not a big fan of the spoken word filler here. 5. Sirens (4:58) Bring the calm and melodic, great build on this one, dripping sludge, subtle brilliance by Nudo at the 4 min mark 6. Less Dead (2:55) Middle of the road track, steady as she goes. 7. Zephyr Kink (3:18) Standout Track Bennet intro brilliance, vocal contrast at its best here, whirlwind of sonic bliss and a classic 90s melody hooks. 8. Teeth (4:06) Imbo leads the spiraling fretwork, great stuff. 9. Hours (4:57) Dark funeral dirge closer, love the distant vocals and echo. Album Nuggets Absolutely love the vocal contrast on this album. Harrington and Hunt paint an impressive landscape with their differing styles Multiple layers that will not tire. This genre tends to hit the monotony realm but not here. Great variety High-end percussion onslaught accentuates the above average production Great chemistry and their tinkering since 2018 has made for a very solid full length debut Brew Pairing We recommend anything from Fidens Brewing in Albany. An exceptional blend to accompany Dirt Church would be their Eugene’s Axe at 8.2% ABV. This is a lovely double utilizing citra and galaxy hops. Dirt Church are: Billy Harrington: Vocals Justin Hunt: Guitar and Vocals Imbo: Guitar Steve Bennett: Bass Rob Nudo: Drums Follow Dirt Church: Bandcamp / Facebook

Crank this to 10.4 of 11 - Editors' Pick Released: 2021 Genre: Sludge, Doom Sounds Like: Crowbar, Down, Corrosion of Conformity Homeland: Manchester, UK Track Overview: 1. Mermaid (6:48) Patience is a virtue. Let the guitars hug and intertwine. Love this tease of an opener. 2. Tigerhorse (6:44) So many good hooks on this one. The chemistry abound is fucking fantastic. 3. Burn The Fire (4:34) Brilliantly mapped out and so inventive. There is something in this melody unmatched. 4. BEA (8:56) Patient thick gravy is right. Let this one simmer, it is engrossing. 5. Alma (4:39) Heaviest part of the entire album hits at the 3:00 mark and they dive into a tremendous transition. Wow. 6. Widowmaker (7:25) Different vocal perspectives and loftiness on this one. Appreciate the diverse presence here. Stongest track lyrically. 7. Through the Periscope of the Deadly Sub (9:28) Standout Track This track with monumental heights and grandiloquent vision. Scarlett is a god Album Nuggets Simple covers do not always mean lackluster albums, this is a robust onslaught of crisp production and groove Fuzz-tastic this is a headphonal orgasm. So full, so rich with deep grinding undercurrent we don't know where to focus The five-piece 3rd release is a what the fuck moment. How did we not give these folk more attention? We have awoken A raging fucking contender for album of the year and its only March Thickly layered sludge that is a must for all lovers of the heavy Brew Pairing We are bringing out the big guns for this one. The amazing limited edition 'Godmother' a 12% ABV delight rich imperial stout from Lord Hobo Brewing of Massachusetts. Founder, Daniel Lanigan's legendary IPA vision takes a twist diving into the stout world. Dark body with brown edges when back lit. Caramel and chocolate hints. So complimentary to the thick onslaught that Barbarian Hermit deliver. Rich and inviting and it will suck you in with each sip. Barbarian Hermit are: Simon Prato Scarlett - vocals Mike Regan - guitars Adam Robertshaw - guitars Chris Wood - bass Loz Brindley - drums Follow Barbarian Hermit: Bandcamp / Facebook Label: AFP Records

Crank this to 8.7 of 11 Released: 2021 Genre: Hardcore, Metalcore Sounds Like: Code Orange, Sick of It All, Defeater Homeland: Leipzig, Germany Track Overview: 1. Kingdom of Lies (2:58) Shortest track but features all their strengths, full bodied track pulls you in. 2. Epithaph (3:20)- Kudos to Willi....what a bludgeoning of percussion on this one, a stampede. 3. Cleanse Me (3:51) Standout Track One of the best metalcore tracks we have heard in a long time. Supreme grinding, brilliant vocal despair. 4. Born In a Cage (3:19) Surprising twists on this, bring it down and deliver some of the loudest bizarre cymbals. 5. Drone (3:25) Not as drone ridden as the other tracks. 6. A Cellar Door (5:26) Wild bizarre closing track. Love the originality on this one. Techno screamcore. Album Nuggets Its a beautiful thing when all three members are at the top of their craft The clarity between these three is absolutely impressive for the genre. Crisp chemistry An all out blitzkrieg of sound This is an exceptional hardcore album with some very entertaining twists Brew Pairing Grab an Aecht Schlenker Rauchbier. This is a German smoked beer and is a dark, aromatic, bottom fermented beer with 13.5 percent original extract, which is equivalent to an ABV of 5.1%. The perfect match for the hardcore balance that the German trio bring. Chaver are: Chris - Bass, Vocals Winny - Guitar Willi - Drums, Vocals Follow Chaver: Bandcamp / Facebook