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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

Crank this to 9 of 11 - Editors' Pick Released: 2015 Genre: Stoner Rock Sounds Like: Colour Haze, Elder, Sungrazer Weedpecker caught our attention in 2013 with their astounding debut album and we described the band as having a crisp and vibrant euphoric stoner rock sound. On their second album II which displays gorgeous album art they continue to enlighten us with more rich and vibrant stoner rock. The band from Warsaw, Poland has toned down their sound a bit, removing some really thick and heavy chunks in favor of more melodic and spacious rhythms. Believe it or not the slight change in formula creates an uplifting, loner album that will put your mind at ease for the full 46:59 minutes. We must admit, this album took a bit longer to grow on us than their debut as we have been steadily listening to this one for some time now. However, sometimes these types of albums just grow on you over time and stick with you with every listen. That’s been the case around here with II, so just sit back and let your mind drift with this one. Track Listing: 1. Reality Fades 2. Flowering Dimensions 3. Fat Karma 4. Nothingness 5. Into The Woods 6. The Vibe 7. Already Gone With the replacement of a new bassist on this album Weedpecker did not miss a beat, in fact new member Mroku fits in flawlessly and this is evident on the first song “Reality Fades”. This track showcases the inspiring dual vocals of the Dobry brothers and together they bring an easygoing vibe to the music. This track is very fluent as it combines pure spacious melodies with heavy rhythms. The second song “Flowering Dimensions” follows the same path, the cymbal use in the beginning is subtle, yet adds a colorful element to the song. This track builds beautifully and comes to full bloom at the 2:12 mark with a heavy, thick rhythm. “Fat Karma” shows a heavier side with its dense, mid-tempo style, it’s very much like their 1st album. The track “Nothingness” is so relaxing and it is refreshing hearing them stick to their softer side. “Into The Woods” is a terrific jam and at 8:02 minutes long, this instrumental has it all, it’s heavy and melodic, great contrasts can be found here. The second to last song “The Vibe,” with its trippy vocals, a brooding bass, and great use of the wha-wha pedal is a stoner’s rock enthusiasts’ delight. The final track “Already Gone” is very reflective. The interaction between the guitars and vocals are just terrific here as it is a beautifully written song to close out our experience. We applaud Weedpecker for toning things down a bit and having patience on II, leaving room for further growth and exploration for future albums. Standout Tracks: Into The Woods, Flowering Dimensions, Reality Fades Band Members: Wyro-guitar & vocal Bartek-guitar & vocal Mroku-bass Falon-drums Follow Weedpecker: Bandcamp / Facebook

Crank this to 9.4 of 11 Released: 2021 Genre: Noise Rock, Sludge Sounds Like: Ink & Dagger, Daughters, Oxbow Homeland: Montauroux, France Track Overview: 1. Deliverance (4:24) What an opener! Absolutely love the transition at the 2:38 mark. 2. Scarlett (6:44) Major doom undercurrent on this one. Funeral dirge like ending shows the bands versatility. 3. Sunless (4:22) Standout Track The title is so fucking fitting. This one digs deep and will shave off some bone marrow. Contrast abound! 4. Clockwork (3:48) A majestic view. Uptempo Dav D hits some amazing angles, unique fretwork. 5. Stranger (4:04) Love how this track hangs back a bit on vocals and infuses some instrumental jam towards the second half. 6. Feroce (3:02) Brilliant grinding entry point, sucks the listener right in. Jaz and Moog go back and forth love it. 7. Chienne (6:01) Culmination at the 3:20 mark and a fucking ingenious unwinding decompression to end this one. Album Nuggets Don't let the album art fool you, this is divergent from classic space rock for sure Gritty inventive angst that will makes its way through your pores. Absorbing brilliance Authentically dark vision and Moog's vocal approach is absolutely engrossing The debut album is impressive and we feel the strong chemistry Refreshing noise rock with flashes of doom and hardcore Brew Pairing Let the love of Ernestine a French IPA at 7% ABV flow. Brasserie de la Goutte d'Or . The French IPA, between bitterness and explosive flavors. To discover without delay. Baton Rouge are: Dav D - Batterie Jul moog - Chant Jaz - Bass Oliv D - Guitare Follow Baton Rouge: Bandcamp

Crank this to 9.4 of 11 - Editors' Pick Released: 2019 Genre: Hardcore Sounds Like: The Jesus Lizard, Unsane, Drive Like Jehu Missouri’s own Nerver (formerly the band Celebration) and their first full length album Believer’s Hit is a dandy. Now for some odd reason the band prefers not to make the members names readily available. We give it a few fucking Google attempts and then give up. So from here on out we will be vague in our name calling. Believer’s Hit contains some exceptional song structure and is well-suited for the hardcore fan that enjoys change-ups and variety. The bass player absolutely shines on this album. Much akin to bassist David Wm. Sims of the Jesus Lizard, the bass player is the core of what make this album. Lead vocalist John Doe is impressive throughout with quite a range of angst and ability to deliver different angles for the listener. Track Listing: 1. Lobotomobile (2:31) 2. Deserves the Ground (1:57) 3. Boilermaker Please (2:41) 4. Getting Dragged 101 (1:56) 5. No Song to Stop the Rain (2:39) 6. Imminent Death Syndrome (2:54) 7. Pissing Gold (2:46) 8. Congratulations (2:50) 9. God Sat This One Out (3:03) 10. We Had Encountered a Meta-Psuchotic (4:17) Standout Track: "God Sat This One Out" has everything we want in a bass-heavy hardcore song. The breakdown moment at the 1:28 mark is absolutely brilliant. With Acid Bath depth, the grinding change-up is exhilarating. Brew Pairing: To accompany Believer’s Hit we need something that will grow hair on your chest (male or female). Nothing better than a Missouri based imperial stout that hits 11% ABV. Barrel-Aged Abraxas Perennial Artisan. This beer is aged Twelve months in Rittenhouse Rye barrels with cacao nibs, vanilla beans, ancho chiles & cinnamon sticks ROTATION RECAP: Captivation and Variety 9.2 out of 11 Weight of the Heavy 9.7 out of 11 Fretwork Prowess 9.7 out of 11 Bass Undercurrent 10.2 out of 11 Originality 9.3 out of 11 Overall Album Flow 9.4 out of 11 Contrast 8.8 out of 11 Album Cover Aesthetics 8.7 out of 11 Production Value 9.0 out of 11 Final Thoughts: There is nothing like the rawness of a good hardcore band. Our senses are further heightened by the infusion of math-rock elements throughout Believer’s Hit. Nerver show exceptional poise in the first full-length. The album is solid from start to finish and will heavily engage fans of Unsane and the Melvins. This is a clear editor’s pick for us and a must have for your collection of the heavy. Follow Nerver: Bandcamp / Facebook

Crank this to 8.6 of 11 Released: 2020 Genre: Hardcore, Mathcore Sounds Like: Botch, Converge, The Chariot The debut album by Indianapolis natives OLAM (Of Lions and Men) is an unrelenting and bruising combination of hardcore and mathcore. I Will Guide Thy Hand is so fucking unforgiving, it will test your patience if your not a fan of this style of metal. The way they blend elements of old school hardcore and heavy math-like arrangements is quite impressive. There is a chaotic nature to the album, yet they keep things in check and don’t go too far off the rails to be considered noise rock. Check out the track “Under My Breath,” it’s a phenomenal tune that encapsulates what they are about; it’s dark and twisted with tremendous vocals. “Bloodletting” is an odd track that will catch you off guard, and yes, it’s only 1:15 long, but the insane vocals are out there. Another standout cut is ”Razorblades and Neckties,” the subtle shifts in rhythm are insane and fluid for a hardcore, plus the little acoustic section is a nice touch. Tracklist: 1. Vestal 01:05 2. Wounds 03:05 3. Beth, The Birds, The Grip 03:31 4. Under My Breath 04:01 5. Bloodletting 01:15 6. Ventriloquism 02:34 7. Razorblades As Neckties 04:00 8. For Hope Lost 03:35 9. Trenchant 01:36 10. I Will Guide Thy Hand 07:28 Standout Track(s) ”Razorblades and Neckties,” “For Hope Lost” and “Under My Breath” Adult Beverage Pairing Twice-As-Wise Double IPA from Blind Owl Brewery in Indianapolis. This 9.0% ABV brew features a blend of Mosaic and Centennial hops with a triple dry hop blend after the boil. This beer is not for the faint of heart or soft of palate. The perfect pairing with I Will Guide Thy Hand. ROTATION RECAP: Vocal Performance 9 of 11 Originality 8.8 of 11 Risk of Subwoofer Damage 8.7 of 11 Captivation and Variety 9 of 11 Weight of the Heavy 9.9 of 11 Rhythmic Pace 8.7 of 11 Lyrics and Song Structure 9.1 of 11 Fretwork Prowess 8.7 of 11 Overall Album Flow 8.8 of 11 Album Cover Aesthetics 8.8 of 11 Production Value 8.9 of 11 Final Thoughts We urge you to dive into this album, its really engrossing once you give it a few rotations. We can only hope these guys can keep up the quality and diverse musicianship on future albums, the way Norma Jean and Will Haven have. We have seen so many hardcore bands branch out and fuck up their signature sound, its a shame. This is easily one of this years top hardcore releases to date. OLAM is: Jake Hahn - Guitar/Vocals Josh Batts - Bass Nathan Monk - Drums Follow OLAM: Bandcamp / Facebook

Crank this to 9.1 of 11 Released: 2014 Genre: Doom, Sludge, Hardcore Sounds Like: Soilent Green, Eyehategod The Dutch quintet Herder have something very special in their second full-length release Gods. Doom metal and hardcore fans will find immediate gratification out of this very diverse and intelligent album. Gods is the bands first full length album following up their solid EP entitled Doomed with new singer Che Snelting. Herder delivers a very grass roots sludge metal sound with relentless gritty vocals, but also feature some very well thought out harmonies and post-rock infused guitar licks. The album covers themes of the occult and deities exploring and questioning the validity of religion. An eclectic dismal take on religion the evil paths people can take. Herder's themes appear vehemently against organized religion. Track Listing: 1. Genesis 329 (3:30) 2. Betrayer, Deceiver (5:32) 3. Gods (3:06) 4. Pythia (5:14) 5. Stab (3:07) 6. Asylums of the Forgotten (7:00) 7. Maelstrom (2:22) 8. FOAD II (3:31) 9. Blood From Life (6:39) 10. Soul Harvester (6:51) TOTAL RUNNING TIME = 46:52 The first track is an instrumental featuring the prophetic prose of Matthew McConaughey, an excerpt from the great series True Detective (we highly recommend you pick this series up as well). "Betrayer, Deceiver" follows with some terrific dark prodding grooves. We love the contrast of the swirling post-rock high pierced guitar. Beautiful melodies that really cause the listener to pause. Its like the taste of salt and sugar very complimentary. The title track "Gods" is an intense frenzy of hardcore heaviness and one of the faster cuts on the album. "Pythia" is a mellower track with some very deep bass that accompanies the grinding guitar. Various parts sound like a Didgeridoo is in full effect. Very powerful moments reminding us somewhat of Sepultura's Roots. “Asylums of the Forgotten” is a wild track spanning some 7 minutes of horror and intrigue. Contrast that with the short concise hardcore melodies in "Maelstrom" a bit more akin to the bands original works. Track 8 FOAD II continues on the hardcore vein and is a little less discrete than other tracks. "Fuck-you fuck-you fuck-you" bellows Che. The track then infuses some post-rock melodic guitar all set the the backdrop of the brooding Crowbaresque rhythms. This is a very unique and cool track. The last track 'Soul Harvester' is about as sludgy as you can get and at a about the three minute mark really takes a unique turn. We hear influences of ISIS and some of the most unique guitar-work and feedback we have heard in a long-time. Tremendous thought and effort fueling a superb ending. These Dutchmen a very gifted and have quite the vision. Gods personifies how deep and elaborate heavy sludge metal can get. Herder have put much detail into their latest album providing the listener with many layers of sound. The album pushes the limits of sludge metal infusing both hardcore and post-rock influences. We are impressed enough to give this one the coveted Editor's Pick. Well done. Follow Herder: Bandcamp / Facebook

Crank this to 10.4 of 11 - Editors' Pick Released: 2020 Genre: Hard Rock, Math Rock Sounds Like: Barkmarket, Pissed Jeans, Paw, Craw The world needs more magnetic frontmen and Mark Key from Dining With Dogs helps fill that void. His antagonistic tone is absolutely infectious as the trio hailing form Austin, Texas deliver one fucking hell of a sophomore album in The Problem With Friends. We are going to pull this out of our ass and suppose that Dining With Dogs listened to the band Paw back in the day. Hence the canine homage or is this pure coincidence? Key’s delivery is much akin to Mark Hennessy’s (former Paw and current Godzillionaire) dynamic offbeat diatribe. Layer this with Marcos Morales Jesus Lizard saturated bass-work and the inventive percussive work of one Josh Paul. The trio click like high heals on tile. The album is tight as fuck providing us with 10 very inventive tracks that meander from hard rock to splashes of off-beat math-rock like structures.The debut is an absolutely fresh onslaught of alpo. Track Listing: 1. Oddly Shaped Skull 04:10 2. Sweet Talkin' Psycho 02:39 3. Apostate 03:36 4. Puzzled 03:22 5. The Problem With Friends 03:41 6. Snowflake 04:52 7. Sacred Weapons 03:13 8. Fruit Of The Poison Tree 03:42 9. Spreading Thin 03:46 10. Killing Machine 04:08 Standout Track: "Sweet Talking’ Psycho," albeit the shortest track of the lot, is fucking brilliant. “Crawl on the floor for you... anything at all” speaks to the heart of obsession. The obsession is drilled home in your face as the track is jammed with the essence of what is Dining With Dogs. They somehow turn the awkward into beautiful. Key’s ability to paint such an addictive obsession so powerfully in 2 and a half minutes is uncanny. This track never gets old and will only stay with you the entire day. Adult Beverage Pairing: Let's keep it local and throw down some Jester King Hominimania from Austin Texas. At 5.1% this is a refreshing pale lager that you can pound as you dine with friends. The perfect companion to bring together friends rather than highlight their flaws.Fermented with German lager yeast the smooth yet hoppy bite will quench and blend perfectly with DWD. ROTATION RECAP: Song structure 10.5 out of 11 Weight of the Heavy 9.8 out of 11 Vocal Performance 10.7 out of 11 Fretwork Prowess 10.2 out of 11 Percussion Prowess 10.3 out of 11 Overall Album Flow 10.3 out of 11 Contrast 9.5 out of 11 Album Cover Aesthetics 8.7 out of 11 Production Value 10.4 out of 11 Authenticity 10.5 out of 11 Final Thoughts: Dining with Dogs is preaching to the choir here. We are absolutely huge fans of all four bands mentioned in the ‘sounds like’ section above. Dining With Dogs authentically fits blends in with all four of these. The trio display uncanny chemistry and we highly recommend this for all fans of the heavy, but the offbeat and math-rock ear will particularly gravitate towards this one. Band Members: Mark Key - Vocals, Guitar Marcos Morales - Bass Josh Paul - Drums Follow Dining With Dogs: Bandcamp / Facebook Dining With Dogs Merch Shop

Crank this to 9.1 of 11 - Editors' Pick Released: 2016 Genre: Shoegaze, Psychedelic Rock Sounds Like: Swervedriver, The Stone Roses, Stereophonics Aaaaahhh, we have been searching high and low for a well-produced album that features swirling guitars and a talented frontman. Bokonon based out of LA, offer up a unique blend of shoegaze and psychedelia that will calm your soul. The album is consistent and does not waiver from its delivery of expansive sound with a cathartic result. Unlike much shoegaze out there today Bokonon nail the balance of melding deep rich bass with higher tone swirling guitar-work. Elvis Galvez’s vocals are charismatic and will grow on you with each listen. Ray Montes’ bass prowess is second to none and absolutely takes Prism Cinema deep in Editor’s pick land for us. Track Listing: 1. Stay Awake With Me (3:08) 2. By My Side (3:29) 3, Thru the Trees (5:46) 4. Harmonia (4:43) 5. Interstellar (7:15) 6. Vanilla Kiss (4:41) 7. Somewhere Sacred (5:57) 8. Behemoth (6:04) 9. Orbits (5:31) 10. Untamed (6:06) 11. 2070 (4:21) The opener will absolutely suck you in. "Stay Awake with Me" features the perfect blend of catchy melodies, but enough distance and echo to let this one breathe and never tire. The track rolls into "By My Side" which is dominated by a tremendous bass line that will further the intrigue. "Thru the Trees" really displays how solid the production on this album is. Each instrument separate and distinct while blissfully crisp as fuck on your headphones. "Harmonia" reminds us off of Radiohead’s‘Hail to the Thief, distant, yet after each listen becomes clearer and more vivid to the listener. "Interstellar" aptly named will set you adrift with its weightless melodic synths as the longest track on the album further lowers your blood pressure. "Vanilla Kiss" contains the heaviest fretwork on the album and well positioned within the eleven tracks. While things run a little flat with "Somewhere Sacred," "Behemoth" shines as the most psychedelic track on the album, providing for some violently trippy moments. "Orbits" is perhaps the most melancholy and dark track on the album. So spacious providing terrific change-ups and contrast. The closer "2070" features female vocals with some surprisingly upbeat tempos. Almost feels like a bonus track where "Untamed" may have been a more suitable closer. Nonetheless the track is vibrant and entertaining. Line-up: Monique Luna – Synths Elvis Galvez – Guitars & Vocals Tianna Nicole – Drums Ray Montes – Bass & Vocals. Final Thoughts Up until this album we were on quite a long losing streak when it came to quality new shoegaze acts. Thankfully this streak has been broken and we have infused a very invigorating spacial album in Prism Cinema to our rotation. As an added bonus, Prism Cinema features some mesmerizing artwork by the talented Ghost Ghost Teeth whom we are actively seeking for our 'Homage to the Artist' page. Bokonon are the real deal and their debut album is an extremely mature piece of work that is worthy of being placed right in the heart of your heavy rotation. Standout Tracks: Stay Awake with Me, Thru the Trees, Behemoth Follow Bokonon: Bandcamp / Facebook

Crank this to 9.6 of 11 - Editors' Pick Released: 2020 Genre: Punk, Math Rock Sounds Like: These Arms Are Snakes, Pissed Jeans, Barkmarket Greece noise rock quartet Mammock deliver one hell of a debut album with Itch. Containing elements of modern noise rock with 90s math and punk, Mammock has delivered one of most unique releases to hit our rotation so far in 2020. With influences stemming from bands like Barkmarket and These Arms Are Snakes, Itch travels through peaks and valleys of heavy punk and math rock with a bit of choas to throw us for a loop. Vocalist Andreas K. fits this mathy vibe perfectly as his tone drifts between a raw semi-spoken word style and punk. Think of what David Yow brings to The Jesus Lizard or David Sardy to Barkmarket, just when you think they’re about to sit on a rhythm, they take a quick left turn and throw us for a loop. Albums like Itch are far and few in between as its a very difficult to pull off this style of rock. It’s a refreshing album that has total command of our rotation for the foreseeable future. Tracklist: 1. Caterpillar 03:06 2. Theme For Pets 04:56 3. Shark Attack 03:27 4. Dirty Shoes 02:53 5. Inconstant State, Hot Summer 06:29 6. This Letter 09:47 Standout Track(s) ”Theme For Pets” is a brilliant tune that showcases everything Mammock has to offer. It has a dark vibe with tremendous Jesus Lizard start-stop action. Each instrument is fucking played to perfection as you will hone in on something new with each listen. Adult Beverage Pairing Assassin by Iowa’s Toppling Goliath Brewing Company. This strong 12% ABV Imperial Stout has a slight liquor/vanilla flavor with a full body. A nice companion with Mammock. ROTATION RECAP: Vocal Performance 9.7 out of 11 Risk of Subwoofer Damage 9.1 out of 11 Captivation and Variety 9.6 out of 11 Weight of the Heavy 9.3 out of 11 Lyrics and Song Structure 9.4 out of 11 Overall Album Flow 9.5 of 11 Originality 9.4 out of 11 Album Cover Aesthetics 8.5 out of 11 Production Value 9.6 out of 11 Final Thoughts Itch is an album that is directed toward a targeted audience who frequent the chaotic nature of math and punk. For now it’s a Name Your Price on Bandcamp, so it’s a win-win if your in the exploring mood for something offbeat and heavy. Line-up: Giannis A.: Guitar Klearhos G.: Bass Vangelis D.: Drums Andreas K.: Vocals Follow WELL: Bandcamp / Facebook

Crank this to 9.7 of 11 - Editors' Pick Released: 2020 Genre: Noise Rock, Post-Hardcore Sounds Like: Unsane, Barkmarket, Cavity Melbourne Australia natives, WELL, continue to morph into their own with their latest EP Trench Dancer. We can only comment on the fact that the high-turnover within the band has elicited what is clearly their strongest release to date. Thankfully Das Beard is in the drivers seat on this one. He reminds us of a young David Yow of Jesus Lizard fame. While the two have divergent vocal tones, much like Yow, Dase creates an aura of brilliant cognitive dissonance. The inconsistent thoughts and infusion of anxiety make for a powerful ride. Eldridge and Beard provide the bass backbone which accentuates Riley’s swirling fuzz-laced melodies to come together. Track Listing 1. Blameless (4:11) 2. Not art (4:27) 3. Mirror pretender (4:28) 4. First…do no harm (5:09) 5. Sick display (4:58) Standout Track The bass on "not art" is fucking insane. Brilliant contrast make this the clear standout track. The crescendo that hits in the last 30 seconds are absolutely spine numbing as Beard cries in angst. This could be the song of the year and its only February as we write this. Adult Beverage Pairing Melbourne’s own Moon Dog Brewery puts out a tremendous smokey stout in Black Lung V. This aged stout hits at 8.8% ABV an intensely chaotic mix of chocolate, roasty, shmokin', fortified trench deep flavor. The WELL is filled with Hops: Magnum, EK Goldings. Malt: Ale, Chocolate, Heavy Peated, Caraaroma, Dark Crystal, Flaked Oats. Yeast: Belgian, American. Other: Aged in PX Barrels. ROTATION RECAP Captivation and Variety 9.7 out of 11 Weight of the Heavy 9.8 out of 11 Lyrics 9.4 out of 11 Vocal Performance 10.2 out of 11 Hallucinogenic Levels 9.1 out of 11 Fretwork Prowess 9.2 out of 11 Percussion Prowess 9.0 out of 11 Bass-work Prowess 9.8 out of 11 Overall Album Flow 9.7 out of 11 Contrast 9.7 out of 11 Album Cover Aesthetics 9.6 out of 11 Production Value 9.8 out of 11 Band Members Riley-Bass Guitar Dario Amati-Drums Ben Eldridge-Non Bass Guitar Dase Beard-Non Bass Guitar, Noise and Yelling Final thoughts Yes we have quite the penchant for this type of post-hardcore rock that infuses complex math-rock elements. WELL draws out what made 90s experimental noise rock so good. These fuckers are passionate and at the top of their game on Trench Dancer. Grab this one on BandCamp. We will be checking in regularly to get ourselves a fresh copy on vinyl once available as well. Follow WELL: Bandcamp / Facebook