LP Review 'Electric Talons of the Thunderhawk' by Valley of the Sun

Valley of the Sun hails from the southwest corner of the buckeye state, Cincinnati, where they grow the riffs righteous and rowdy. Kyuss is first in the band's list of influences and that should tell you all you need to know about Valley of the Sun. After two solid EPs (Two Thousand Ten, The Sayings of the Seers), the fellas have released a scorching full album. Electric Talons of the Thunderhawk features Ryan Ferrier on guitar and vocals, Ryan McAllister on bass and Aaron Boyer on drums. "Worn Teeth" opens with a riff reminiscent of Monster Magnet complimented by the swagger of Clutch. The anticipation leading up to the heavy riff is as satisfying as the sonic punch to the face when it arrives. "As Earth and Moon" and "Maya" bring a slew of fast-paced riffs complimented with tasty cowbell. Ferrier's vocals really shine on "The Message is Get Down" and McAllister's bass chops carry the rest of the band through "Nomads." "Lazer Vision Intermission" provides a little breather of acoustic instrumentation and on the final cut, "Centuar Rodeo," Boyer swings out before bringing the tempo full throttle at the end of the six-minute ride.

Valley of the Sun has a familiar, comforting feel—just like a favorite leather jacket. The production on the recording is stellar and there are many layers to this band if you dig a little into the name and the lyrical symbolism. This three-piece delivers a solid, heavy rock vibe that is sure to have you nodding your head and planning a return trip to the Valley.

https://www.facebook.com/valleyofthesun

Heavy Planet CMJ Showcase in Review

Fontana's Bar
New York, New York
October 18, 2012

As you more than likely already know, Heavy Planet hosted our first ever College Music Journal (CMJ) Showcase last week at Fontana's Bar in New York City. Much like CMJ, the goal of Heavy Planet is to introduce new ears to the music of independent and unsigned artists. Unlike CMJ however, we tend to focus on those independent and unsigned artists who lean towards the heavier end of the musical spectrum.

Given that fact, we put together a lineup of bands that ran the gamut from neo-stoner art rock to riff slinging doom and from psychedelic sludge to dune riding, desert rock. And just in case that wasn't enough, we topped it all off with a pseudo-instrumental set of mind bending, ear splitting groove that drilled our message home with measured precision. Friends…allow me to recap for you the performances from the inaugural Heavy Planet CMJ Showcase.

Shock Radar

This NYC trio…one of two local acts to play the showcase…took the stage and immediately introduced the crowd to their post-grunge aural trip. With a sound somewhat akin to Bruce Springsteen doing “Feel Good Hit of the Summer”, vocalist/guitarist Lee Diamond and company kicked the evening off in perfect stoner rock fashion, all riffs and rhetoric. Shock Radar, which is rounded out by bassist Larry Hess and drummer Rich Drouin, played an eclectic array of experimental noise fused with flourishes of country twang and punk rock attitude. Diamond's raspy delivery melded well with the crisp backdrop of the rhythm section as the band got the evening off on the right foot. Bonus points to the Shocks' main man for recklessly flinging his Fender stage right as the band's set concluded, thus laying the foundation for what would be a raucous evening of rock n fucking roll.

Summoner

I knew it was time for some riff slinging when I saw Summoner’s Orange amps being loaded onto the Fontana’s stage. And I have to say, I was stoked to finally have a chance to see these guys, especially since I’ve essentially had their recent album, Phoenix, on repeat for about three straight months…seriously. Employing the dual guitar attack of A.J. Peters and Joe Richner, Summoner created a deafening wall of sound from the second they started playing their opening number “Conjuring”, through to the last crash from drummer Scott Smith during "Across Iron Fields".

And to say that every tendon, muscle and sinew in vocalist/bassist Chris Johnson’s throat was visible as he shouted his message into a microphone laced with echo effects would be an understatement. The vocals, which are a powerful ingredient to the Summoner concoction, drape the band’s layered riffs in an ethereal tapestry that adds a measure of depth to their sound that isn't often heard in this genre of music. Listening to the band play "Let the Light In" for example, was chill inducing to say the least. Summoner, who graciously made the trip down to NYC from Beantown to play our little shindig, was a highlight among highlights…wicked fucking good. If you have an opportunity to see these guys live, do not miss them.

Eggnogg

Brooklyn's Eggnogg were next on the bill and once again I couldn't wait.***Psst…since I put the damn lineup together, this will be a running theme throughout.*** After seeing Summoner jostle for position on the small Fontana's stage, this three piece almost seemed to spread out as vocalist/bassist Bill O'Sullivan set up shop at stage left with guitarist Justin Karol flanking him on the right and Jason Prushko situated behind his drum kit in dead center. Having spoken with O'Sullivan prior to the band's set, I learned that Prushko is a relative newcomer to the Eggnogg lineup, and as such, I was curious to hear how that would work out in a live setting. Turns out, the trio was just as tight, methodical and downright militaristic in their slow building, sludgy attack as they sound on their 2011 album Moments in Vacuum.

Given the band's name, you're likely to assume that Melvins comparisons are apropos…and in that assumption, you'd be right. Eggnogg is an aural juggernaut and on this night they had heads nodding in trancelike unison throughout Fontana's. O'Sullivan snarled from behind a mop of hair that was swiped from his eyes only long enough to say a quick thanks before the bludgeoning continued. Karol chugged along as one might expect, but managed to pull off impressive leads whenever his time came. And what of the new guy? Well he held down the band's patient rhythms and unexpected time changes like a seasoned vet throughout the 45 minute set.

In true showcase fashion, Eggnogg took the opportunity to highlight material off their forthcoming LP You're All Invited which seemed to be…at least to my ears…a heavier and darker Eggnogg. But don't take my word for it, take a listen for yourself to the live clip of the eponymous track off that upcoming album below. Also, the band is attempting to raise money via a kickstarter campaign in order to release the new album on vinyl. You can help them out with that by clicking this link: You're All Invited - Vinyl Kickstarter

Valley of the Sun

Valley of the Sun, who travelled the furthest to participate in this showcase, coming all the way from Cincinnati, Ohio, is so fucking good I almost don't have words. For starters, if you aren't already listening to their 2011 EP The Sayings of the Seers, then you need to stop reading this and go download that shit right now. Secondly, I want to thank vocalist/guitarist Ryan Ferrier, bassist Ryan McAllister and drummer Aaron Boyer for agreeing to play this show and for being true road warriors in doing so. It was much appreciated fellas.

Now…on to their set. Valley of the Sun took the stage and immediately erupted with the pure intensity and passion that can only come from a band who loves their craft. All three band members are equal cogs in this wheel. Ferrier, who casts a striking presence sporting the shaved head and bearded look drives the band's sound with his fuzzed out guitar tones and better-than-Cornell vocal delivery. But what you don't realize until you see Valley of the Sun in a live setting is that this band's secret weapon is it's rhythm section. McAllister and Boyer play off of each other so rapidly that it almost goes unnoticed…the former laying down the constantly shifting backbone of the band's attack while the latter pulverizes his drum kit into oblivion. In fact, Boyer played the drums so aggressively that at times, I found myself focusing solely on him…he was that much fun to watch.

Like Eggnogg, Valley of the Sun took the opportunity to showcase new material alongside the massive sounds from their aforementioned EP. And while the new stuff definitely whet my appetite for a new Valley of the Sun record, it was songs like "Hearts Aflame" and "Mariner's Tale" from Seers that drilled their way into my cranium. This is rock n' roll my friends! Combining power, hooks, and intricate melodies and then submerging them in a layer of glorious fuzz, Valley of the Sun breathes new life into a sound that bands like Kyuss and Fu Manchu coined long ago. Nobody inside Fontana's sat still during their set…and if they had…I would have checked their pulse. Phenomenal.

Borracho

Borracho is another band that went out of their way to be in New York City for this CMJ showcase, traveling up from Washington D.C., and for that, we are ever grateful. Having had the occasion to see the band's full lineup a few times in the past, I was extremely curious to get my first look at the new trimmed down, three-piece version that debuted back in September at the Stoner Hands of Doom Festival. With vocalist/guitarist Noah Greenburg on an extended hiatus while he handles day job commitments that have him out of the country, guitarist Steve Fisher, bassist Tim Martin and drummer Mario Trubiano are busy keeping the Borracho torch burning. Their solution? Take the best instrumental sections from the songs on their excellent 2011 album Splitting Sky…and if you've heard it, you know there are many…segue one piece into the next, throw in some killer new material and the end result is one monstrous 45 minute groove. Sound good? Yeah you know it does.

There aren't many bands that can captivate and enthrall an audience without the need for a vocalist. Interestingly enough, I saw Borracho open for a band with just such a talent about a year ago when they played with Karma to Burn, and I can't help but wonder if that band may have rubbed off on them and perhaps influenced their decision to carry on as a pseudo-instrumental trio in Noah's absence. Whatever the inspiration, I'm glad the band has gone in this direction, because their infectious groove, heavy riffs and sheer fucking talent are truly a sight to behold. Trubiano lays down thunderous beats right in time with Martin's thumping rhythm. But it's Fisher who seems to have taken the lead in Greenburg's absence. Without a word spoken, the guitarist raised his Flying V to the sky, shook his beard to the heavens and wailed out riffs, chords and glorious solos galore.

And right about the time that me and the rest of the Fontana's crowd began to wonder what the hell that microphone was doing raised up in front of the guitarist, all Lemmy-like, Fisher stepped right up and belted out the finale to "All in Play"…"and when your armies fail to come…you find your castles come undone…the answer…the answer…is run away." Fuckin' A! And in true headliner fashion, the band launched right into their catchiest, most accessible number of all, as their guitarist proceeded to handle vocal duties on a killer version of "Concentric Circles" before bringing Borracho's set to a satisfying end.

With that, the Fontana's crowd left with their ears ringing and their minds blown. The scene at Fontana's last Thursday night was one of a small community of musicians and their fans coming together to show support and solidarity to one another. This was a true showcase of real musical ability…of talent…of bands on their way up. I'm proud to have been a part of it and I want to thank Shock Radar, Summoner, Eggnogg, Valley of the Sun and Borracho for being a part of it as well. I enjoyed meeting and hanging out with all of the band members and I can't wait to do it again.

For more on all of the bands that played the Heavy Planet CMJ Showcase, check out the following links:

Shock Radar
Summoner
Eggnogg
Valley of the Sun
Borracho

The following is a clip of Eggnogg playing the song "Eggnogg" from their forthcoming LP You're All Invited shot live at the Heavy Planet CMJ Showcase:



Check out more photos from the show below:

Shock Radar

Summoner

Eggnogg

Valley of the Sun

Borracho

Thursday Playlist of Doom V4: CMJ Showcase Special Edition

Normally on the Thursday Playlist of Doom we would fill your ears with heavy ear-shattering doom tracks. Today we have decided to do something a little different. In honor of the Heavy Planet CMJ Showcase at Fontana's Bar in NYC here is a sampling of each band performing at the show. This playlist features the psychedelic alt-rock of New York City's Shock Radar, the atmospheric stoner/sludge of Boston's Summoner, the psych-doom of Brooklyn's Eggnogg, the desert rock of Cincinnati's Valley of the Sun, and the riff-bringing stoner barrage of Washington DC's Borracho. This is a show that is not to be missed. Hope you get a chance to go. If not, then enjoy the tunes!

((shockradar|summoner|eggnogg|vallyofthesun|borracho))

Heavy Planet To Host CMJ Showcase This Thursday in NYC

HEAVY PLANET CMJ SHOWCASE

Heavy Planet is taking over Gotham.  That's right folks, as part of the annual CMJ Music Marathon, which takes place October 16 - 20 in various venues throughout New York City, Heavy Planet will be hosting a showcase of the finest that heavy music has to offer.  If you're anywhere near the Big Apple on Thursday, October 18th, I promise this is a show you do not want to miss.

Kicking off the event will be the experimental stoner rock of NYC locals Shock Radar, followed by the riff slinging of Boston's Summoner (no wonder they used to call themselves Riff Cannon).  And sure to keep things heavy, Brooklyn's Eggnogg will be bringing their blend of ambient, bluesy, stoner, psych-rock to the lower east side.  In need of a fuzz fix?  No worries...Cincinnati's Valley of the Sun will scorch your soul with enough decibels to fill 10,000 deserts.  And finally, hot off their performance at this year's Stoner Hands of Doom Festival, Washington DC's very own Borracho will bring their massive groove to the stage to lay waste to whatever's left of Fontana's.

Artwork: Helena Harlan

DETAILS:

Where: Fontana's - 105 Eldridge St, New York City

When: 8:00 pm, October 18th, 2012

What: An evening with Heavy Planet and friends

BANDS:

8:00 PM - Shock Radar

9:00 PM - Summoner

10:00 PM - Eggnogg

11:00 PM - Valley of the Sun

12:00 AM - Borracho

Hope to see you there!!

((facebook|eventpage))

Heavy Planet CMJ Showcase Official Poster Artwork

On October 18th, 2012,  five bands will descend upon New York City for a mighty and colossal event. As mentioned in a previous post, the CMJ Music Showcase will be held at Fontana's Bar and will feature these five most excellent bands: Shock Radar, Eggnogg, Summoner, Valley of the Sun and Borracho. Please join us for this monumental occasion to support these tremendous bands.

EVENT INFO:

Where: Fontana's - 105 Eldridge St, New York City

When: 8:00 pm, October 18th, 2012

What: An evening with Heavy Planet and friends

Heavy Planet CMJ Showcase featuring:

8:00 PM - Shock Radar

9:00 PM - Summoner

10:00 PM - Eggnogg

11:00 PM - Valley of the Sun

12:00 AM - Borracho

((shockradar|eggnogg|summoner))

((valleyofthesun|borracho|fontanasbar))

Heavy Planet CMJ Showcase - October 18th, 2012 Fontana's NYC

Heads up people!  Heavy Planet is taking over Gotham.  That's right folks, as part of the annual CMJ Music Marathon, which takes place October 16 - 20 in various venues throughout New York City, Heavy Planet will be hosting a showcase of the finest that heavy music has to offer.  If you're anywhere near the Big Apple on Thursday, October 18th, I promise this is a show you do not want to miss.

Kicking off the event will be the experimental stoner rock of NYC locals Shock Radar, followed by the riff slinging of Boston's Summoner (no wonder they used to call themselves Riff Cannon).  And sure to keep things heavy, Brooklyn's Eggnogg will be bringing their blend of ambient, bluesy, stoner, psych-rock to the lower east side.  In need of a fuzz fix?  No worries...Cincinnati's Valley of the Sun will scorch your soul with enough decibels to fill 10,000 deserts.  And finally, hot off their performance at this year's Stoner Hands of Doom Festival, Washington DC's very own Borracho will bring their massive groove to the stage to lay waste to whatever's left of Fontana's.

Where: Fontana's - 105 Eldridge St, New York City
When: 8:00 pm, October 18th, 2012
What: An evening with Heavy Planet and friends

Heavy Planet CMJ Showcase featuring:

8:00 PM - Shock Radar

9:00 PM - Summoner

10:00 PM - Eggnogg

11:00 PM - Valley of the Sun

12:00 AM - Borracho

Reg's Top 20 Albums of 2011

Well, it's that time of year again when I share what albums I believe to be the very best of the year or at least the ones that I enjoyed the most this year. The hardest thing to do when hearing well over 400 albums each year is to narrow that list down to a Top 20. Most of the bands listed here have been featured on Heavy Planet in one way or another by either myself or one of my talented writers within the past year. So without further adieu, I share with you my Top 20 Albums of 2011. ~Reg

#20. Black Acid Devil-Mountains of Madness

Every year I wait until the end of the year to compile my best of list because there may be one last album that blows you away for one reason or another. This year that album happened to be "Mountains of Madness" from Boulder, Colorado's very own sludge demons Black Acid Devil. "The band plays a fierce blend of Stoner/Sludge metal. By blending monsterous riffs, monumental time changes, furious bass lines and gritty vocals the band beckons the ominous sky like a rolling metallic thunder. As the band states...Black Acid Devil Slays...INDEED!"

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#19. Grifter-Grifter

With catchy melodies and memorable hooks, this band from the UK finally got the recognition they deserved from Stoner/Classic Rock label Ripple Music this year. Taking their influences from seventies classic hard rock, Grifter injects a feel good energy, heavy blues riffs, bouncing bass lines and great vocals into a very tasty debut. This album is just a terrific listen all the way through. Get off your ass right now and move to the groove. Check out more about the band at the links below.

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Ripple Music

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#18. Thalamus-Subterfuge

I must admit I am a sucker for great vocals and guitarist/vocalist Kjell Bergendahl doesn't short change you in that department. "Subterfuge" is a great homage to great heavy blues rock bands of the seventies. Scorching solos, powerful harmonies, killer grooves and a banging hammond organ prove that a band can still be great without all of the flash and filler. The band even gets a little doomy on the tracks "When Goblins Cheer" and "Still Dancing on My Grave". Freakin' fantastic!

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CDBaby

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#17. Maligno-The Funeral Domine

This album by Mexican Doom metal band Maligno was a bit overlooked. Powerful vocals, masterful doom riffage, seering guitars and a classic metal stomp round out a very formidible album complete with guest appearances by Alex Skolnick and acoustic guitar duo Rodrigo Y Gabriela.

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SoundCloud

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#16. Eggnogg-Moments in Vaccuum

One great thing about this blog is getting to hear many bands that I would probably never know about. This is a great band that you should know about. After seeing their name show up on other website Top 10 lists it is evident that others are taking notice. "Simply put, Eggnog is brilliant! This band from Brooklyn, NY utilizes a multitude of tones and effects to create a psych-tinged ambience amongst heavy as all hell doom riffs. If you are in search of a spacey, fuzzed-out, infectious, bluesy...I could go on and on and on. Sometimes a band is so good I am at a loss for words."

New Band To Burn One To
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Bandcamp

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#15. Red Fang-Murder the Mountains

There are so many great bands coming out of the state of Oregon as of late and Red Fang is no exception. These guys are all over the board with their sound which lends to an amazing effort of overall balance and incredible musicianship. This release did not garner the attention it was predicted and that is unfornuate. Seth states, "I can listen to Murder the Mountains and hear well over a dozen of my most rewarding life experiences without actually hearing about them on the news. Perhaps you can find the time to discover this album, avoid getting arrested, and smile with friends like you know something the rest of the world doesn't. Feels good, huh?"

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Seth's Sunday Sludge

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#14. Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats - Blood Lust

This is one of those albums that kind of came out of left field. I'm not even sure where I saw it but saw the name of the band and decided to see what they had available on YouTube. I was hooked! They play an acid-soaked late-sixties early seventies inspired Sabbath-like style of doom complete with horrific songs about murder, drug use and the occult. This is unholy doom at it's finest!

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#13. Weedeater-Jason...the Dragon

I'm gonna probably take a lot of slack from this, but I thought this album was the pinnacle of all straight-up Sludge Metal releases this past year. Dixie Dave and Co. created with "Jason...The Dragon" another humorous, filthy, and stauch piece of southern-fried sludge. Seth firmly states, "There aren't enough bands like this. Weedeater is nothing more than three free-wheelin' mudslingers who operate on their own schedules and don't rely on your response to stroke their egos. I'll never run out of elements indicating why they should play at your July 4th backyard barbecue; Weedeater perfectly exemplify southern sludge metal. And I can't think of a better way to celebrate a muggy summer holiday than playing with guns, throwing in a lipper, and listening to these guys."

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Southern Lord
Seth's Sunday Sludge

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#12. YOB-Atma

Yet another impressive album from Oregon Doom legends YOB. These guys are the masters of the riff. What impresses me about this release is not so much how skillfully each riff is played, but rather the soul and passion that is sweated into each song. For this release, the band has added more depth and dynamics for a build-up that is so intense and powerful. If you have never listened to this band, what better time than now!

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Profound Lore

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#11. The Heavy Eyes-Heavy Eyes

I marvel at how a band can take simplicity and reform it into such an outstanding piece of work. On the band's latest simply titled "Heavy Eyes" the band kicks into heavily inspired 70's blues rock with a gritty southern stomp. The Black Keys are doing it, but the Heavy Eyes are doing it better. Zac states, "Tripp Shumake's vocals and guitar style are soulful, enhancing the southern feel of the record and Eric Garcia's drums and Wally Anderson's bass will have your feet stomping, The production quality is raw and very fitting."

Zac's Double Dose
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#10. Elvis Deluxe-Favourite State of Mind

These full-throttle rockers from Poland put out quite possibly one of the best straight-forward rocking albums of the past year. The familiar desert groove is there on tunes such as "This Time", but this time around the band adds the sparkle of psychedelia and the ferocity of punk for a more layered sound. As Zac simply states, " Elvis Deluxe, you have completely won this listener over. What a great combination of my favorite styles of rock, this is what I live for."

CD Review
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SoundCloud

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#09. Black Cobra-Invernal

After seeing these two dudes (that's right I said two) open up for Kyuss Lives! they immediately shot up my list. Actually, to be perfectly honest I didn't even have them on my list. Their blistering live perfomance in front of a rather unfortunately sparse crowd promted me to re-visit their latest Stoner/Sludge/Thrash opus, "Invernal". As Seth states, "This riff-oriented collection is far too immense and far too fast to serve as background music while you wash dishes. Give it your full attention. Let it wear you out like the drunk whore at your block party, and make sure you ask for seconds. "Invernal" will burn and blister, but it's gonna heal a lot better than the stupid tribal tattoo you just sat through."

Seth's Sunday Sludge
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Amazon

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#08. Wizard Smoke-The Speed of Smoke

Doomy, fuzzy, psychedelic, unworldly, spooky, what else could you want. This is an exceptional album from beginning to end. As Seth states, "The Speed of Smoke", so fully encapsulates what Heavy Planet is all about...sit back as you’re guided through a black cosmos." Not only that but the album is avaible for FREE! Astonishing.

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#07. Freedom Hawk-Holding On

I think the thing that keeps bringing me back to this album time and time again are the songs. As Toby states, "these are songs…songs that you’ll want to return to and that’ll have you singing along by your second time through the record. They are both catchy and memorable and in this day and age, that’s to be commended. Also notable is the fact that Freedom Hawk avoids the current trend found on albums by many of their peers to extend songs well beyond a reasonable run time. This is a band who clearly understands that less can in fact be more and that it’s actually a good thing to leave their listeners wanting just that…more." Besides the gift of great song-writing is the obvious high-pitched Ozzy vocal comparison. These guys are a great band that write great songs. Fly High Freedom Hawk!

CD Review
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Small Stone Records

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06. Elder-Dead Roots Stirring

Since making my Top 10 of 2009 with their self-titled release, Boston's Elder has been on my radar with avid anticipation. With their latest release "Dead Roots Stirring", the band has built upon their sound and taken it into very epic boundaries. Devastating heaviness, spellbinding rhythms, and more psychedelia took the band into a new direction and hope they can expand upon it for their next release sure to make another Top of the year list. As Zac states, "The instruments, vocals, and lyrics are truly cohesive here, not one over-rides the other. Each work in perfect harmony fabricating a new sound of (what we all like to call) 'Heavy'.

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All That is Heavy

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05. Sungrazer-Mirador

This album is stunning proof that desert rock is alive and well. This Dutch band is at the forefront when it comes to playing extended stoner rock jams a la Kyuss. The thing that takes this album to a whole new level is their fondness for spacey psychedelic rock and building their songs around a simplistic riff until reaching an exploding climax. "Mirador" is an absolutely brilliant piece of work and should be in everyone's Stoner Rock playlist.

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All That is Heavy

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04. Borracho-Splitting Sky

These guys are showing up on just about everyone's lists this year and deservedly so. Everytime I get done listening I immediately hit repeat and will probably continue to do so until their next release. "DC’s Borracho have crafted an absorbing debut album that says “we’re ready to join the club.” My recommendation is that you get onboard with this one right now…because chances are, you’ll be paying good money to hear Borracho play it “in its entirety” ten years from now. Splitting Sky is an instant classic. It’ll blow your mind that this whole thing started out as a side project."-Toby

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03. Valley of the Sun-The Sayings of the Seers (EP)

Cincinnati's Valley of the Sun seemlessly blends blistering stoner grooves, stellar musicianship, and high energy low and high dynamics to their amazing sound. Oh, and did I mention that Ryan Ferrier may quite possibly be the best rock vocalist I've heard since Miles Kennedy and Chris Cornell. From the unmatched soaring vocal harmonies of opener "Hearts Aflame" , the epicness of "Mariner's Tales" to the steam rolling groove of "Deep Light Burns", Cincinnati's Valley of the Sun is a well-polished band that is ready to be singed into your brain." I will be waiting patiently for a new album by these guys, hopefully in 2012 so it can make my list next year.

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02. Wo Fat-Noche del Chupacabra

It is no secret that Wo Fat is probably one of my new favorite bands after their incredible 2009 album "Psychedelonaut" made its way onto my Top 10 of 2009. I could not wait to hear their latest CD "Noche del Chupacabre" and man it did not disappoint. After my first listen I declared it worthy of Top 20 of 2011 status. It stood up through the course of the year amongst so many great CDs, but this thing just got a stranglehold on me. If you enjoy being "sucked through the doors of a hoodoo hut in the middle of a swamp which leads to the extraterrestrial vastness of the universe" then Wo Fat's remarkable psychedelic Stoner/Doom blend may be just what you've been searching for. Doom on Wo Fat!

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Drum roll please.............

01. Orchid-Capricorn

I guess what drew me into San Francisco doom band Orchid is how eerily similar they sound like my favorite band of all-time Black Sabbath (minus Ozzy sounding vocals). The feel of the album has a very retro production as if it could have been recorded back in the early seventies and I think that is what I enjoy most about this album. The riffs are enormous, the soloing tremendous, and vocals superb. I can pull this album out at anytime and truly enjoy every minute of it, thus making it my solid numero uno for 2011!

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Honorable mentions:Backwoods Payback-"Momantha", Gideon Smith-"30 Weight", Serpent Venom-"Carnal Alter", Mars Red Sky-"Self-Titled", Sleestak-"The Fall of Altrusia", Black Rainbows–"Supermothafuzzalicious!!", Lo-Pan-"Salvador"

Top 20 of 2011 Playlist



To listen to the playlist in it's entirety without limitations go here.

I look forward to what 2012 has to offer and want to thank the bands, readers and fans for your support of Heavy Planet!