Search For Elite Heavy Albums 

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

Crank this to 9.4 of 11 - Editors' Pick Released: 2020 Genre: Progressive Doom Sounds Like: My Dying Bride, Moonspell, Katatonia The dynamic trio from Milwaukee, Wisconsin are back with their seventh release (outside live releases) entitled Aeon. Sleestak took a seven year hiatus from their 2013 EP ‘Book of Hours’. Aeon is a very diverse album that picks up nicely from the bands previous works. The eight tracks are quite diverse and beautifully produced.Lead singer Matt Schmitz has a very theatric way about his voice as we are reminded on occasion of the late Petrus Thomas Ratajczyk from Type-O-Negative. The album features a healthy goth-like backdrop with crisp guitar and percussion work that embrace the doom, stoner and progressive genres. Aeon keeps us quite engaged throughout as it contains a very balanced dosage of heavy along side of some very ethereal and spacious moments that include distortion and angelic choir-laced background vocals. We found ourselves further absorbed with each listen as the calming yet heavy blend makes for a refreshing journey. Track Listing: 1. Infinite Eternal (7:47) 2. The Void (6:52) 3. Black Iron Prison / Submerged (7:58) 4. Distant Lights (8:00) 5. Keepers of the Illusion (6:03) 6. Out of Body (6:01) 7. Omelas (4:22) 8. STCFTHOTS (16:41) Standout Track: "Keepers of the Illusion" really had us take a step back. Tremendous relaxed hooks completely lull you into this very relaxed state at the onset only to build to a cacophony of beautiful rage. Schmitz shows us his amazing range with his morph into some very dark death metal grimace. The dramatic spoken word further engages the listener with intrigue. Lovers of contrast and originality will gravitate towards this standout beauty. Adult Beverage Pairing: The relaxing rays of Aeon are complimented by a nice can of Thumbprint Scream Double IPA from Wisconsin’s New Glarus Brewing Company. This Imperial Double IPA will further your relaxation. Rich in both flavor and bitterness, the double IPA boasts an impressive 9% ABV and 85 IBUs (International Bittering Units), and has been voted by Beer Advocate as one of the top beers in the state. If you like complex, strong beers, then this beauty will flow perfectly with the entire Sleestak library. ROTATION RECAP : Song Structure 9.3 out of 11 Weight of the Heavy 8.9 out of 11 Vocal Performance 9.4 out of 11 Fretwork Prowess 9.2 out of 11 Percussion Prowess 9.7 out of 11 Overall Album Flow 9.7 out of 11 Contrast 9.8 out of 11 Album Cover Aesthetics 9.6 out of 11 Production Value 10.2 out of 11 Authenticity 9.8 out of 11 Band Members: Matt Schmitz - vocals, guitar, keys Marcus Bartell - drums Dan Bell - bass Final Thoughts: Sleestak has an eye for different and beautiful. Take a look at their library of album covers and images. While the name certainly conjure’s up those evil cave-ridden creatures from our childhood, we can see their deep artistic eye. Kudos to Steve Somers and his ability to capture the wild and tie-into the beautiful production of Sleestak. Aeon features some epically majestic dark tracks that will expand your love for heavy. Sleestak embodies a refreshingly unique view upon the musical world that should not go unnoticed. The last two tracks of this album (20 minutes) will whisk you away into a very expansive and relaxing viewpoint Follow Sleestak: Bandcamp / Facebook

Turn this to 9.6 of 11 - Editors' Pick Released: 2020 Genre: Sludge, Metal Sounds Like: Albino Python, Black Moth, Kylesa The Spanish trio Rosy Finch has come a long way since their 2013 release Wolves Waiting. Their sound has matured into a dark spectrum of sludge. The band’s latest release Scarlet is chockfull of impactful change-ups and dirty grinding grimness. Mireia’s vocals throughout the 38 minute endeavor are absolutely alluring. She balances sexy subtleness with bludgeoning despair. She is quite the talent as her fuzzy guitar melodies layer impressively with Oscar’s deep rich bass. Overall the album flows nicely and the band hits marks at all different temperatures. Rosy Finch’s ability to play off contrast to paint their desperate landscapes is what makes Scarlet powerful. The soft moments on the album become much more pronounced in contrast to the aggressive swirling guitar build-ups that really make this their best release to date. Track listing: 1. Oxblood (6:00) 2. Lava (3:55) 3. Vermillion (5:14) 4. Amaranto (4:31) 5. Gin Fizz (5:10) 6. Ruby (5:28) 7. Alizarina (2:09) 8. Scarlet (3:30) 9. Dark Cherry (5:05) Standout Track: "Vermillion" is on another fucking planet. There is a certain tone within the grinding licks that take over midway through the track. So much variety on this song. Each time this track hits, it shifts our mood and takes us away from everything else going on at the moment. Such a unique perspective and angular tones setting visions of red pigment exuding frommercury sulfide. Adult Beverage Pairing: Grab a La Tremenda from La Pirata Brewing, a crafty delight, dark amber colors with a toasted malty taste doused with fruity finish and everything bittersweet. 8% ABV the perfect Spanish exclamation on your Rosy Finch trip. ROTATION RECAP: Song Structure 9.1 out of 11 Hallucination Landscape 9.2 out of 11 Weight of the Heavy 9.5 out of 11 Lyrics 8.9 out of 11 Vocal Performance 9.7 out of 11 Fretwork Prowess 9.4 out of 11 Percussion Prowess 8.9 out of 11 Bass-work Prowess 8.9 out of 11 Overall Album Flow 9.5 out of 11 Contrast 9.4 out of 11 Album Cover Aesthetics 9.6 out of 11 Production Value 9.1 out of 11 Final Thoughts: The album cover and attention to blood red throughout the song titles will make an impression on you during your first listen. Scarlet only gets better with each bloody rotation. Mireia is charismatic as all hell and knows how to let you into her emotion and despair. We love seeing a band truly hit their stride. Can’’t wait to see the trio perform live one day. Band Members: Mireia Porto: Guitar & Vocals Óscar Soler: Bass & Vocals Juanjo Ufarte: Drums Follow Rosy Finch: Bandcamp / Facebook

Crank this to 10.5 of 11 - Editors' Pick Released: 2020 Genre: Stoner Doom Sounds Like: Solace, Down, Red Scalp Soak in the vitamin D and let the sonic wonder of Sun Crow penetrate your skin. The Seattle Washington natives' debut Quest for Oblivion masterfully crafts an engrossing doomscape that will have you sweating from their passionate fuzz. The album hits so many intangibles within the stoner doom genre, the richest of which is the authenticity and patience that Sun Crow displays. Vocalist Charles Wilson is exceptional at his craft, whereby the listener is enticed with distant rays of light on the opening track and his chords absolutely build to extraordinary heights. Its refreshing to see a band member exclusively devoted to the task of vocals. His range will floor you throughout this album. So striking is the contrast throughout the lengthy tracks, you will find yourself pausing and looking around your space. In steady stride Nechanicky is fucking brilliant with his fretwork prowess from start to finish complimented so importantly by the brooding bass backdrop of Brian Steel. We hear splashes of many different influences yet projected in a light so refreshing and new. Track Listing: 1. Collapse (7:02) 2. Black It Out (10:44) 3. End Over End (10:31) 4. Fell Across the Sky (11:10) 5. Fear (5:57) 6. Nothing Behind (4:57) 7. Hypersonic (9:05) 8. Titans (11:00) Standout Track: We cannot pinpoint another album that contains such a steady build and continual intrigue. Rightfully so, we hit the pinnacle at ‘Titans’ an 11 minute epic track. Wait until you hear the last fucking minute of this track. Words cannot do justice for the jolt of fuzz and eargasm that awaits. Adult Beverage Paring : Quest for Oblivion is only complimented with one of our favorite crafted double IPAs from the hills of Woburn Massachusetts. Welcome, Doomsauce, a Black Double IPA, at 7.8% ABV. Doomsauce has notes of soft, tropical fruits and is complimented with a velvety, smooth dark finish. The malts used are Midnight Wheat and Blackprinz. Midnight Wheat is the smoothest black malt available, because you get a slightly sweet, slightly roasty, incredibly clean finish versus any bitter, astringent, or dry flavors.With the onslaught of black malts, there is not a hint of any bitter or astringent tastes. ROTATION RECAP: Song Structure 10.7 out of 11 Weight of the Heavy 10.8 out of 11 Vocal Performance 10.9 out of 11 Fretwork Prowess 10.8 out of 11 Percussion Prowess 10.7 out of 11 Overall Album Flow 10.8 out of 11 Contrast 10.7 out of 11 Album Cover Aesthetics 10.5 out of 11 Production Value 10.8 out of 11 Authenticity 10.9 out of 11 Band Members: Guitars - Ben Nechanicky Bass - Brian Steel Drums - Keith Hastreiter Vocals - Charles Wilson Final Thoughts: Sun Crow have set the bar for American bands as Quest for Oblivion hits incredible heights with its meticulous craftsmanship. We hope this creates a sense of pride and patriotism that perhaps will spark a new advent of European-like doom fervor. This may sound lofty, we know. We are passionate about the heavy, and ok perhaps over the top passionate, but do not underplay what Sun Crow has done on this album. It is something special that is a must for any music lover of any genre. Soak it in and give your collection a needed boost. Follow Sun Crow: Bandcamp / Facebook

Crank this to 9.8 of 11 - Editors' Pick Released: 2020 Genre: Heavy Psych Rock, Space Rock Sounds Like: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, The Oh Sees We took an unorthodox approach to this one by way of an all out SLIFT binge. We downloaded their entire library off BandCamp and took a deep dive for 3 or 4 weeks. The realization that we came to is that Ummon, the band’s latest album, absolutely steers them in a new and impressive direction. Do not get us wrong their three other albums are impressive in the playing fields of Thee Oh Sees and King Gizzard and well worth your time. Ummon, however, is quite the cerebral adventure. While somewhat overwhelming to describe in words, the eleven tracks whisk you away in a very expansive and calming way. Jean’s piercing fretwork is psychedelic to the bone complimented by majestic echoing harmonized vocals throughout. Remi’s bass undercurrent keeps the movement alive. This album truly provides the illusion that listen vial their exploratory lens. The feeling of movement and navigation through out as the album hits some very unconventional angles, harmonies and space laden landscapes. Track Listing: 1. Ummon (5:45) 2. It’s Coming (8:29) 3. Thousand Helmets of Gold (4:52) 4. Citadel on a Satellite (10:07) 5. Hyperion (4:27) 6. Altitude Lake (6:04) 7. Sonar (5:05) 8- Dark was Space, Cold were the Stars (5:55) 9. Aurore aux Confins (2:48) 10. Son Dong’s Cavern (5:15) 11. Lions, Tigers and Bears (13:18) Standout Track: "Citadel on a Satellite" absolutely catapults you into another atmosphere. Spiraling fretwork and a sandstorm of echo make for one of themes impactful tracks on the album. Tremendous contrast abound and feverish chants will leave you satisfied and a SLIFT fan for life. Adult Beverage Pairing: If you can get your hands on a Bellerose Belgium Bière blonde extra made in France, you are in for a treat. 6.5% ABV this is a classic Belgian style blond beer which is slightly malty but still refreshing. If you’re a fan of IPA and want to try Belgian beers, this may be a good place to start. Expansive notes that will sit perfectly as Ummon forges forward in exploration. ROTATION RECAP: Captivation and Variety 9.9 out of 11 Vocal Prowess 9.7 out of 11 Weight of the Heavy 9.5 out of 11 Fretwork Prowess 10.2 out of 11 Bass Undercurrent 9.6 out of 11 Originality 10.1 out of 11 Overall Album Flow 9.8 out of 11 Contrast 9.9 out of 11 Album Cover Aesthetics 9.4 out of 11 Production Value 10.1out of 11 Final Thoughts: The trio from Toulouse, France have really found an impressive new direction in Ummon. The clarity in production and more vivid space rock visions have made this one a heavyweight contender in our search for album of the year. Space rock and heavy psych fans will no doubt drool over all that this album brings. The trio clearly have poured a shit ton of creative energy and thought and it fucking shines. Band Members: bass player (Rémi) guitarist (Jean) drummer (Canek) Follow Slift: Bandcamp / Facebook

Crank this to 8.8 of 11 Released: 2020 Genre: Stoner Rock Sounds Like: Weedpecker, Snail, King Buffalo Hailing from Arizona, Hovenweep unveil an inspiring debut filled with uplifting psychedelic fuzz. Salivan Journey is a trip into a world of laid back heaviness. Upon first listen, we were drawn into the soft heaviness of the opening track “Cave”. The song quickly builds into a massive burst of spacious stoner rock bliss. Vocalist and bassist Mike has a lofty and calm approach to his singing, and among the fuzz creates welcome a contrast. Track two “Salvian Journey” is a stellar follow up with it’s soothing stoner presence. We are even treated to some sludge styled vocals for a moment, which brings things to another level. Tracks three and four continue on this journey of heavy psychedelic wonderment. “The Last Ones” is another addicting cut that flows beautifully with a dreamy heavy vibe and closing out the album is the spacey tune of “I Am A Locust”. Together, these four tracks weave together flawlessly and create a nice balance of heavy psychedelia. Tracklist: 1. Cave 06:30 2. Salvian Journey 06:21 3. The Last Ones 05:40 4. I Am A Locust 07:41 Standout Track(s) ”Salvian Journey” and “The Last Ones” Adult Beverage Pairing LazerSnake by Indiana’s 3 Floyds Brewing is a nice companion to Salvian Journey. The 7% American IPA has a dry and bitter taste that comes with most IPA’s, yet has a unique flavors of lime and peach. ROTATION RECAP: Vocal Performance 8.9 of 11 Risk of Subwoofer Damage 8.7 of 11 Captivation and Variety 8.6 of 11 Weight of the Heavy 8.7 of 11 Lyrics and Song Structure 8.8 of 11 Fretwork Prowess 8.7 of 11 Overall Album Flow 8.9 of 11 Album Cover Aesthetics 9 of 11 Production Value 8.8 of 11 Final Thoughts Hovenweep show amazing talent and patience for a new band. Their brand of stoner rock is so open ended they can take their music in any direction. Follow Lightmaker: Bandcamp / Facebook

Crank this to 9.5 of 11 - Editors' Pick Released: 2009 Genre: Psychedelic Rock, Atmospheric Metal Sounds Like: ISIS, Kylesa Talk about a mood-setting masterpiece. Black Math Horeseman's Wylit is one of the best loner albums to come around in a long time. By loner, we mean it will give you the uncontrollable urge to wander off on your own or take a walk with the headphones into a dark desolate place. BMH's debut is a mature work of art with tremendous balance and beauty. Sera Timms vocals are extraordinarily dark and ominous with soft monotone  perfection, her chanting creeps and builds are very powerful moments throughout the album. The guitar work is crisp and tight, building at just the right moments. The last track, "Birds of All Faiths" is a true stunner as Sera's vocals explode into demonic fits of possession half way thru the 11 minute song, along with some great guitar riffs reminding us of Jesus Lizard meets Kyuss' Sky Valley. Every collection requires such a mood-setter. Perfect for that rainy day or dark night where you just want to reflect. Standout Tracks: Birds of All Faiths

Crank this to 9.6 of 11 - Editor's Pick Released: 2019 Genre: Psychedelic, Stoner rock Sounds Like: All Them Witches, Wolf People, King Buffalo Flying high off 2015’s sophomore release Ramble Beyond, Bask from North Carolina soar with their third album simply titled III. Within the past few years we have seen Bask craft their sound as IIImay be the most polished and well written album of the three. Released on Season of Mist record label, the album contains elements of psychedelic and stoner rock with very intriguing storytelling. What really makes this album feel distinct is the warm Americana vibe carried throughout the songs. The vocals talents of Zeb Camp are among the best we have heard this year. He possess a natural and smooth vocal style which feels effortless and is extremely infectious. III will lure you in with “Three White Feet”. This track is all consuming from the start with an odd story and solid rhythmic hooks . Bask has a flare for the patient build as we head into track two with “New Dominion,” an authentic raw cut that really anchors the album. The percussion is stellar as we find ourselves honed in on the intricacies and urge to slowly crank up the volume. IIIdoes not let up one bit as “Stone Eyed,” “Rid of You” and “Noble Daughters I and II” carry on this warm and fuzzy psychedelic rock. The closing song is perfect as the thought provoking, folk-themed “Maiden Mother Crone” ends on things on nice note and wraps up the album. Track Listing: 1. Three White Feet 05:53 2. New Dominion 04:42 3. Stone Eyed 04:17 4. Rid of You 04:39 5. Noble Daughters I: The Stave 05:48 6. Noble Daughters II: The Bow 06:16 7. Maiden Mother Crone 04:39 Standout Track(s) “New Dominion,” really locks the listener in and kicks things in gear. Not far behind is “Stone Eyed”. Adult Beverage Pairing: Pick up some Freak of Nature by Wicked Weed Brewing in North Carolina. This 8.5% ABV Double IPA is crisp with a medium body with flavors and aromas of pine and citrus. A very good brew that compliments III. Rotation Recap: Captivation and Variety 9.6 out of 11 Vocal Prowess 10.1 out of 11 Weight of the Heavy 8.4 out of 11 Fretwork Prowess 8.8 out of 11 Bass Undercurrent 8.9 out of 11 Originality 10.2 out of 11 Contrast 8.9 out of 11 Overall Album Flow 9.9 out of 11 Album Cover Aesthetics 9 out of 11 Production Value 9.3 out of 11 Final Thoughts: Bask have become a staple in our rotation. IIIis a refreshing rock album that does not wear out its welcome and has tremendous depth as each listen grows warmer to your sonic senses. Do yourself a favor and pick this one up on vinyl than go get their previous releases. Bask are: Jesse Van Note – bass Scott Middleton – drums Ray Worth – guitar Zeb Camp – guitar/vocals Follow Bask: Bandcamp / Facebook

Crank this to 8.8 of 11 Released: 2016 Genre: Stoner Rock, Instrumental, Sludge Sounds Like: Mother Engine, Sleep We need calm in our lives. Activities that can provide an escape and take our mind away from the everyday tensions that fester in our bodies. We find instrumental sludge to often be the deep tissue massage of the heavy music world. Steady, methodical, deep, and driving. The folks at Brunt have released their second medicinal EP that will add value to your stress remedy arsenal. The trio hailing from Guernsey (an island off the coast of Normandy) stick with their cathartic formula on Blackbeard. What we have here is three balanced tracks where the bass and percussion prowess delivers the Mariess brothers shine. Track listing: 1. Blackbeard 08:49 2. Son Of Smoke 09:27 3. Cetus 09:54 How is the production and artwork? Downright impressive on both fronts. Blackbeard is quite the headphone experience. Providing equality for each of the three instruments . What is scary is that the album was apparently recorded live by Mikey Ferbrache. If this is the case... what amazing clarity. And as for the artwork, we are blown away by the ingenuity of Eric Krick. Visit his diverse collection as we are hoping to have him become a mainstay on our Homage to the Artist page. Is there a standout track? This is one of those rare instances where we can actually say no. Remember that deep tissue massage is all about steadiness and consistency. Brunt does not waiver or go off on radical tangents. Rather they stay well within the peaceful confines of what is sludge. If you enjoy Blackbeard what other album would you recommend to we grab? Get lost in their debut Self Titled album from 2104, where you'll find morepsychedelic sludge.Also, check out All Black Rainbow Moon by Les Lekin. While they infuse more post rock elements it's still a sludge gem. What adult beverage do we recommend with this album? Add some antioxidants with the healing of red wine. We recommend Cadeucess Cellars (Maynard James Keenan) 'Anubis' a wonderfully balanced blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah. What are our final thoughts on Blackbeard? Blackbeard is a very pleasant listen. Well rounded across the board. Between the production, artwork and full-bodied nature of these three cathartic tracks you will add value to your music collection. Put this one in heavy rotation especially after coming home from a hard days work. Follow Brunt: Bandcamp / Facebook

Crank this to 8 of 11 Released: 2009 Genre: Stoner Rock, Sludge Sounds Like: Chevelle, The Melvins, Torche Cable's The Failed Convict, can be considered a concept album about an escaped convict named Jim; who heads to the West Coast in hopes of freedom. There are many different styles to their sound that come together here,  from a sludge crawl at times to a dirty blues, creating the mood for this story. "Jim’s Dream" sets the tone; as the main character is introduced here. His journey westward is full of twists and turns, which is played throughout the rest of the album. Pete Farris’s heavy vocals are easy to follow, which is important if you want to follow the characters journey. Cable never stray away from the mid-tempo sound for most of the album. Track 4 "Failure Comin’ Down" is only 1:20 minutes, but the groove and background vocals just suck you in and you want more, as it jumps right into "Gulf of Texaco", where you feel the aggression of the character. Cables’ ability to move between guitar driven anthems to bass heavy arrangements is flawless and works. The Failed Convict is lyrically and musically a fantastic album as it can fit any mood. Whether you feel like some stoner rock, bluesy metal or some sludge, this is for you. Let’s hope they stick around and write a part two. Standout Tracks: Golf of Texaco, Sleep Produces Monsters Follow Cable: Bandcamp

Crank this to 9.5 of 11 - Editors' Pick Released: 2017 Genre: Stoner Rock, Heavy Psych Rock Sounds Like: Dead Meadow, Arenna, Oceansize Kick back and let this album numb you. The German-based foursome have a knack for slow and steady wins the race. Bees Made Honey in the Vein Tree debut album Medicine is aptly titled for its hallucinogenic effect as it is chock full of psychedelia. Psychedelia that goes off on quite a few tangents as the band meanders into some very distant territory. Marc Dreher really brings us back to solid footing with his tremendous percussion work coupled with his brother Lucas’ poetic and vibrant fretwork. After the first few rotations we found ourselves slowly attaining the ability to focus more as the fog began to clear. At about our fourth rotation Medicine was making much more sense and soon became a mainstay. Track listing: 1. Every Night I Walk the Same Trail of Thought (10:27) 2. Burn the Sun (7:30) 3. Medicine (6:13) 4. Sail Away I (14:14) 5. Sail Away II (6:57) If we could only pick one track to download which would it be? Oooh that's a tough one given this is such a mellow and trippy album that flows together so well. While "Sail Away I" and "II" take us on an amazing journey, we have to give it to the title track "Medicine". This fucking song gets into some intense doom bass-work along with some of the best contrast with Dreher’s tremendous high pitched melodies. We hear Sleep blended with Oceansize and Tool. We know... hard to grasp, but the shortest song on the album takes the cake here. What adult beverage do we recommend accompany this album? Killer Bee Dark Honey Ale (6% ABV). Head west from Germany to Canada and enjoy the impeccable flavor that involves plenty of roasted malts, tasty honey, and dark fruit. What are out final thought for Medicine? This foursome have the patience of saints and you come to appreciate their steadiness and homage to psychedelic doom. The ultimate build-ups will not blow you away, but the contrast and chemistry sure will. After a few rounds of bludgeoning drudgery the skies open and majestic fretwork will invigorate you. This is a mighty impressive debut album from a band that we are excited to follow as they commence their career. Give this one a gander and stay with it. Well worth your time. - 2/6/2017 Band members: Marc Dreher - Drums, Vocals Christopher Popowitsch - Bass Lucas Dreher - Guitar Simon Weinrich - Lead Guitars, Psychedelic sounds Follow Bees Made Honey in the Vein Tree: Bandcamp / Facebook

Turn this to 8.6 of 11 Released: 2020 Genre: Space Rock, Instrumental Sounds Like: Colour Haze, My Sleeping Karma CB3’s latest release, Aeons is fundamentally sound and soothingly galactic. Swedish veterans aka Charlottas Burning Trio have been a breath of fresh air since day one. Their consistent sound does not look to hit risky boundaries or dive into bizarre territory, rather the band continues to crank their atmospherically soothing mix of stoner undercurrents laced with intricate jazz inspired fretwork. Their library will buttress the backbone of your collection, we strongly recommend you take the time to peruse. Track Listing : 1. Zodiac (3:51) 2. Sonic Blaze (6:49) 3. Acid Haze (9:07) 4. Warrior Queen (7:25) 5. Apocalypse (5:00) Standout Track : "Warrior Queen" takes the prize for its majestic melodies and dramatic contrast. We love the wild mood swings on this one. Layers of impressive fretwork and an onslaught of percussive genius by Salomonsson. Adult Beverage Pairing: Love the Swedish brewed porter, Carnegie, coming in at 5.5% ABV. Rich and soothing caramel notes that blend so well with Aeons. ROTATION RECAP: Captivation and Variety 8.7 out of 11 Weight of the Heavy 8.4 out of 11 Fretwork Prowess 8.7 out of 11 Bass Undercurrent 8.7 out of 11 Originality 8.5 out of 11 Overall Album Flow 8.6 out of 11 Contrast 8.8out of 11 Album Cover Aesthetics 8.5 out of 11 Production Value 8.8out of 11 Final Thoughts: The Swedes are just solid. Again, nothing dramatic to write home about but solid as fuck. Start to finish the album is a nice fluid ride captivated by a jazz-infused meandering closer that will impress nonetheless. Instrumental rock fans need to check-out the trio’s full library. Follow CB3: Bandcamp / Facebook