2011's Top 20 List

It's the last day of 2011... What a great musical year it was. Plenty of at least decent releases came out this year, making it very hard to decide which should be in a best of list. And things get even harder when you start thinking which one is number 1, 2, 3.....20. Before the list allow me to give my big fat thanks to all the bands that didn't end up in my list but offered us some really great pieces of music and made my year better :

45Rats, Ape Machine, Arbouretum, At Devil Dirt, Bandito, Black Capricorn, Blood Ceremony, Bonnet People, Brandvand, Carlton Melton, Cultura Tres, Dead Skeletons, Devil, Ethereal Riffian, EYE, Fister, Follakzoid, Ga'an, Gnod, Haunted Leather, Hellbender, Husta, Judd Madden, Le Scimmie, Lento, Lo-Pan, Mars Red Sky, Monkey3, Mr. Gnome, Navel, Ocean Towers, Planet Of Zeus, Plastic Villains, Quiet Americans, Redcoats, Religious Knives, Roadsaw, Samurai, Seven That Spells, Subrosa, Sungrazer, Suplecs, Tank86, Tasha-Yar, The Dive, The Grand Astoria, The Great Society Mind Destroyers, The Hanna Barbarians, The Hedgehogs, The Moss, The Oscillation, Thorr Axe, Umor, Urania, Verma, Viaticum, Weedeater, Wight, Wiht, Zippo + anyone I might have forgotten....

So after a lot of hard decisions here are the 20 releases that abused my player more than anything this year :

20. Wizard Smoke - The Speed Of Smoke

19. Belzebong - Sonic Scapes & Weedy Grooves

18. Orchid - Capricorn

17. Magdalena Solis - Hesperia

16. The Egocentrics - Center Of The Cyclone

15. AVER - AVER

14. Eggnogg - Moments In Vacuum

13. Graveyard - Hissingen Blues

12. Sisters Of Your Sunshine Vapor - Spectra Spirit

11. 1000mods - Super Van Vacation

10. Sahara Surfers - Sonar Pilot

09. Brotherhood Of Sleep - Dark As Light

08. Demonic Death Judge - The Descent

07. Ice Dragon - The Sorrowful Sun

06. Deepspacepilots - Deepspacepilots

05. Sigiriya - Return To Earth

04. Elder - Dead Roots Stirring

03. The Cosmic Dead - The Cosmic Dead

02. Arenna - Beats Of Olarizu

01. Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats - Blood Lust

Deepspacepilots - Deepspacepilots (2011)

Before I say anything about this one, I would like to thank yeoldstinkeye for recommending it to me. I haven't heard anything by these guys from Chicago before (I think they released an EP back in 2007) so it caught me by surprise. Also I find quite disappointing the fact that I didn't see it anywhere on the web but yeoldstinkeye's top 20 list for this year.So I'll keep the mystery on and I'm not going to write anything about it. If you consider yourselves fans of either stoner and doom or psych and you like a very small touch of ambient in your listenings then you HAVE TO check this out.

Enjoy!!!

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Ga'an - Black Equus (2011)

Here is a well-hidden gem, released earlier this year by the Chicago based band Ga'an. "Black Equus" is the band's second album and they describe their music as minimalistic progressive rock but they don't fall in the classical prog rock category (as most of us use it today).  They're influences come from Ash Ra Tempel, Popol Vuh, Amon Duul, even Isis but mainly from the great Magma. Passing minimalism, jazz ethics and drone through a prog prism they create a sometimes ethereal but mostly apocalyptic soundscape which lasts for 36 minutes. This is a must-listen for this year and I'm glad I found it out before the year ends. I haven't heard their first one (which features band's original 4-piece line up) but I'm going to do it as soon as I can.

Enjoy!!

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Henryspenncer - To The Timeless Valley (2011)

Henryspenncer was founded by Valentin Feron and released his first work in 2008. This year the second album was out... Its title is "To The Timeless Valley" which is quite representative of his music. Valentin creates an astonishing mystical, psych trip to a desert space valley where neither time matters nor physical laws apply... Just feelings, images and creatures of the mind exist... I think that whoever appreciates the music of Grails, Six Organs Of Admittance, Horseback will love this. A really magnificent work. Let yourself wandering in this timeless valley...

Enjoy! 

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Danava - Hemisphere Of Shadows (2011)

Three years after their latest album, Portland's Danava released their third full work titled "Hemisphere Of Shadows". Although these retro-rockers made their first release earlier than most of today's pioneers of vintage rock sound, they remain relatively unknown (or even underestimated, something partially justified in my opinion). Of course I suppose that most of this blog's readers know about them (their 2011's three-way split with Earthless and Lecherous Gaze was great) so there isn't much to say. If you're into all this psych-prog-protometal revival then this is something worth checking. A little bit of advice... drink some shots and a pack of beers first. It  becomes even better this way... 

Enjoy!

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Eggnogg - Moments in Vacuum (2011)

Another album which while I consider it as one of the best releases for 2011, passed quite unnoticed by a lot of people...Coming from Brooklyn, NY they released their third work this year (it's their second full album). First thing noticed is that the band made a great progress as far as their compositions concerned but also when it comes to their playing as a band which became even tighter. The album consists of eight tracks with only two of them have duration smaller than eight minutes. I'd describe their music as a blend of doom rock with a lot of 70's hard rock forms and of course the psych elements cannot pass unnoticed... "Moments In Vacuum" is divided in a way to two parts with "Nebuchadnezzar" as a bridge or a connector between them. Either you like doom or not, you're going to at least appreciate this release. I suggest you to hear it as whole 'cause you'll catch better the band's spirit and explorations. I can't wait for even more things by them...

Enjoy!!!

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Hebosagil - Ura (2011)

While these guys from Finland have released several EPs and an album in 2008, "Ura" was my first contact with them. So from what I've read on the web, in their second album they changed a lot their sound from downtuned sludge into a more noise-rock approach. I can't say anything for "Colossal" but "Ura" definitely kicks ass. Noisy, aggressive, chaotic, misanthropic right-in-your-face heaviness at its best. Get your brain melted...

Enjoy!!
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Ufesas - Ufesas (2011)

Wow... wow... and wow! What an amazing release this is! Cool, laid-back desert jams with the appropriate pinch of psych coming from Uruguay... If I recall correctly I have to thanks Robin for this one and of course I'm happy it made its way to my player before the year ends... Once you put it on your player there is no way to stop it or not to put it in replay mode... One more reason to think that 2011 was one of the best year as far as music concerned ('cause in all other matters it was a quite fucked-up one). 

Enjoy!!!

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Sigiriya - Return To Earth (2011)

Now what can I say about this one... Most of you have heard it and know what is all about. I didn't mean to post it since all the major blogs/sites did it and wrote about it better than I ever could do. On the other hand it's one of my top albums for this year so it's good to be posted here too. Fortunately I didn't make the "mistake" many people did. I didn't hear it having in mind that Sigiriya is 4/5 Acrimony. And believe the satisfaction I got from listening to it, was bigger than life. An absolutely great album with awesome, thick, well-worked compositions and some of the best riffs you ever heard. Less psych-oriented than Acrimony were but this more straight-forward attitude works just fine!! "Return To Earth" is a brilliant stoner rock album either you're an old-timer stoner fan or just a "newly-born". These guys are "big" either as Acrimony or Sigiriya. And not only musically but for a hundred reasons more. Sincerity and dignity is two of them.

Enjoy!!!!
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Burbujeria - En Pompa (2011)

These four Spaniards released their first EP "En Pompa" this February, featuring 6 tracks of heavy-fueled stoner rock with great crunchy riffs and some fine dark passages. Vocals are in Spanish which make it even better, even if sometimes (at least personally) I think they need a little more work... Dig it...

Download it for free from their bandcamp page.
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You Handsome Devil - The Hell, You Say (2011)

Coming from the city of Toronto, You Handsome Devil released their debut album titled "The Hell, You Say" full of satanic punk 'n' roll grooves! Suitable for children parties or tea evenings in nursing homes.... Nah, just kidding! Good stuff to shake your ass though! The passage from album's intro to the first track is absolutely magnificent! Cheers!

Download it from their bandcamp page by paying anything you want.
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Black Capricorn - Black Capricorn (2011)

Coming from the great island of Sardinia, Black Capricorn - a five piece band - released their self titled album in the middle of this summer. But as a listening, it fits better in this time of year. The band plays some first class stoner-o-doom with a lot of occult (see Electric Wizard) references and of course with the right amount of fuzzed out psychedelia. An hypnotizing doom trip with a lot of good heavy, crunchy, downtuned riffs, clean and clean, lo-fi vocals melted in a droney pot of psych. Great first release for Black Capricorn. If they continue their route like that, prepare yourself for a mind-blowing sophomore release.

Enjoy!

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Acid Baby Jesus - Acid Baby Jesus (2011)

Here come the Greek band, Acid Baby Jesus with their debut self-titled album. Thirteen tracks of quality psyched-out garage punk meant to be played loud. Put in the blender some Black Lips, Brian Jonestown Massacre, 60's freak-out garage, a lot of fuzz and energy then what you get is a psych stormy madness called ABJ. Recommended for beatniks, stompers, psych'n'garage freaks, punk rockers and you of course... They're on a european tour with Bazooka and Black Lips. More info right here.

Enjoy!
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High Tone Son Of A Bitch - Better You Than Me (2003)

Coming from Oakland, California, High Tone Son Of A Bitch were formed in 2002 and in their short "life" released an EP titled "Better You Than Me" in 2003. Good classic groovy stoner rock with a lot of great guitarwork and fine vocals. Nothing new or innovative but nevertheless enjoyable!! 

Enjoy!

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Lord of Doubts - The Gates of Doom EP (2011)

The Russian shamans Lord Of Doubts returned from their journey in the cold steppes with a killer three track EP called "The Gates Of Doom". To be honest I was expecting a full album coming after their last year debut one but I can live with this little fix too. For once more the comparison to Electric Wizard is inevitable (personally I hadn't problem with that and neither have now). But these guys seem to catching their own sound step by step. Anyway, I liked their album and definitely I dig this one too. Ritual sludge - doom full of psychedelic vibes. In this EP they created even gloomier and thicker atmosphere. Since latest Electric Wizard's work might have disappointed many of you, this is what you need...

Enjoy!!

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Chico Magnetic Band - Chico Magnetic Band (1971)

For this record the only thing I want to say is that you have to check it no matter what!!! For the rest I'll quote a rym user, ashratom :

"There are a couple of items here that make this album special. One is the heavy handed use of studio trickery (phasing, radical dynamic shifts, backwards tape, etc…), a common trait found amongst early 70s French and German albums. Cynics say it’s to mask the incompetence of the players, but I prefer to believe that a high amount of creativity was applied, and maybe even expected, for the era. Even more important, though, is Chico himself. Chico is the vocalist, and it’s his ranting, raving, screeching, drooling, mumbling that makes this album so REAL. The listener witnesses a man on the edge – a true freakout captured on tape for all time.

There are other albums where this can be found, and they’re all favorites of mine: Dawn on Brainticket’s “Cottonwood Hill”, John L. on Ash Ra Tempel’s “Schwingungen’, and Catherine Ribeiro on “No. 2” (really any of her early 70s works). The psychedelics that are applied both externally (music) and internally (individual) allow the artist to apply his or her most creative mind gymnastics. Sure, it’s pure madness, but it sends a chill down my spine especially when paired with raging wah wah guitar solos and a cacophony of tribal percussion.

It’s funny today to watch bands try to recreate this same sound. When it’s just the music, they do a good, sometimes great job, but when they try the “I’m crazy, here me rant” - they’re faking it. It was a one time “of the era” event. Everything else is just a simulation, a make-believe-let’s-pretend-we’re-freaked-out-and-nuts. And it sounds artificial. Get the real deal and check out Chico Magnetic Band."

Enjoy!!!!

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Acid Kicks - Life Dreams 7" (2011)

Acid Kicks are a Philly's four piece dream punk band consisting of three (yes 3!) bassists and a drummer. Their 7" features three tracks of great heavy-drugged psych punk with a "lethal" dose of shoegaze. The lack of guitar doesn't reduce its value at all. The blazing trumpets making it more dreamy and reinforce the music's atmosphere. Suitable listening for a moody day...

Enjoy!

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Dead Skeletons - Dead Magick (2011)

Coming from Iceland, Dead Skeletons released their debut album "Dead Magick" few months ago. Quite a long time before their release, they created a mysterious mist around their name by putting out a lot of their songs on youtube accompanied by mysterious, occult videos which fitted perfectly with their music. The album came to confirm my "suspicions" that they're an amazing band and "Dead Magick" is one of the best albums of the year. Based on dark psychedelia and some industrial touches, they created a wonderful spiritual auditory experience. Using repetitive rhythms, occult elements, chanting vocals and haunting melodies, they take you to a trip in your mind's mystical consciousness. It's an album which should be heard at once and in repeat, in order to reach Dead Skeletons' altered trance states.

Enjoy!!

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No Anchor - Real Pain Supernova (2011)

I believe that most of the blog's fellow readers, you're bass-worshipers... So No Anchor must be what you're looking for. Based in Brisbane, Australia these crazy guys released their fourth album last spring. The "weird" thing about them is that the band consists of one drummer and two bassists (note : I plan to post a band with three bassists...). And they don't need a guitar in my opinion. The heavily distorted bass works fine in their case. They describe their music as doom sludge but they're more than that. They incorporate post-rock and post-hardcore elements as well as noise and drone. The result is successful and a very interesting one, connecting all the gaps among these genres. The album in its whole is tight, groovy, fucked-up (in a good way..), chaotic and unique in a way that I can't find something to compare it with. I wonder if your ears can handle its raw, intense heaviness...
*Thanks to the band for coming in touch.

Download it by paying anything you want from their bandcamp page.
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Kapitan Korsakov - Well Hunger (2009)

Coming from Belgium, Kapitan Korsakov released their debut album "Well Hunger" two years ago and as we're speaking they're in the way for their second album which coming out in January (you can check the first single titled "Cancer" in youtube  or soundcloud). So I think it's a good time for some warm up until "Stuff & Such" going to be out... Their music could be described as a mix of noise rock with psychedelia. "Well Hunger" has a quite raw production (which definitely boosts their music) and a lot of sharp riffs, screaming, "crumbled" drums and fucked up, "obscure" groove. Awesome stuff if you ask me!

Enjoy!
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Demonic Death Judge - The Descent (2011)

Demonic Death Judge, the mighty Finnish swampers are back with their new album "The Descent". And believe me this is magnificent! I have to admit that I fuckin' love this band. And "Kneel" was just the beginning... "Descent" is the ultimate trip to their unholy depths of hell. They're not the typical stoner/sludge band and whoever heard their previous works knows it. They create something original and refreshing by taking the extremity, the gloom and "misanthropy" of sludge, the tight groove of stoner and baptizing them in a font full of psychotropics. Needless to say that there are no dull moments and stuff. This album is so thick that even air can't pass it through. Demonic Death Judge hit you with a sledgehammer right in the face, steal your chocolates and then you thank them. Invest!

Enjoy!!!

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As The End Of The Year Is At The Gates...

Greetings Ladies and Gents,

Since Decembeard (credits to Soggy Bog) has kicked in, I think it's a good time to start organizing our top-albums-of-2011 lists.... I know it will be a very hard task to do since this year's quality releases were a lot more than expected. And this is great...

Of course Stoned Sun Vibrations will  put up its top ten list for the year but I would like to have also a top ten list by the blog's readers (it's also a good way to see what you like most and plan some related uploads too). So if you're interested and you have time, feel free to send me yours. I would appreciate it! It doesn't have to be top-ten. It could be 5, 7 or 15 releases. Doesn't matter at all. Last day for list submissions would be the 23th of December! You can send them at blog's mail : bea(r)ddress 

Thanks and Cheers,

Thanos

Gordon Fights - Gordon Fights (2011)

Debut album for Gordon Fights released couple of months ago... Let's see some facts. Fact No.1: They're Swedish. Fact No.2: They play 70's injected heavy bluesy (riff-oriented) rock. Fact No.3: They released their album in Transubstans Records. Taking them in consideration, I believe most of you got an idea of what to expect.  They rock 'n' groove from the first note of "As I Please" until the last moment of the album after almost 48 minutes. No weak moments at all - Pleasure guaranteed. Take 70's heavy rock and a little of 60's psychedelia, give them to five young talented musicians with a lot of soul, fresh ideas and groovy minds and here you go...welcome Gordon Fights!

Enjoy!!!

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Between The Cities Are Stars - Between The Cities Are Stars (2011)

Here is some goood noisy fuzzed out space rock (with a generous dose of shoegazing) from California. Third release for Between the Cities Are Stars featuring ten tracks which are meant to be played loud (if not you're missing all the fun). A lot of reverb and feedback frenziness, full on gain guitars and crashing drums ready to make your ears hurt and your head dizzy... Pump up the volume and you're ready to go!

Download it for free from their bandcamp page.
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Plastic Villains - Whoever You Are Today EP (2011)

Coming from San Francisco, Plastic Villains are a newly formed band (they're together a year) and in November they released their second EP called "Whoever You Are Today". What I like in these guys is that they sound really fresh and in a way "uplifting". The EP features six tracks moving in psych garage-blues rock rhythms with a small pinch of power pop (in a couple of tracks). The band is solid like they're together for years and  definitely have great songwriting skills. Taking in consideration that they're together as a band for a few months, I expect a lot by them...  If you like Black Keys then this is for you...

Download it for free from their bandcamp page. You can also download their debut EP.

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Trash Titan - Trash Titan EP (2011)

I don't know how in the hell I missed this one for so long. It was posted in the swamp, in Distant Rumble and a dozen more blogs but I didn't check it... Anyway. Coming from Los Angeles, Trash Titan released this kick-ass EP last February and it rocks like hell! Dirty, filthy stoner blues full of southern soul, groove and heavy riffs! I demand a full release soon! Got it? If you haven't the chance to check it until now, just do it before 2011 ends... You'll know why...

Download it for free from their bandcamp page.

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Two Suns - Dead Sea EP (2010)

Two Suns were a three-piece band from Adelaide, Australa. They disbanded last April and they have released only this three track EP. Great heavy psych jamming in a quick fix of 12 minutes. They played with a lot of bands and generally they were a high energetic band when it came to live performances. It's a pitty that they haven't released anything more... 

Enjoy!

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