Boris, “Riot Sugar”

From the thunderous kick of the drum to the omniscient chug of the drop tuned guitar, the smoldering opener to this revered Japanese experimental rock trio’s 16th studio album continues their long-standing tradition of challenging the definition of heavy music. Incorporating elements of spaced-out shoegaze, distortion-crazed noise rock, down-tuned drone and riff-led psychedelia amongst many other styles, Boris have spent the last two decades stretching the boundaries of rock & roll as well as their own aesthetic. All of which makes their 2011 album, Heavy Rocks, so incredible. Not only does it borrow the title from their now-classic 2002 game-changer, but it returns to that album’s expansive sound. The slow-burning “Riot Sugar” couples backing vocals from The Cult’s Ian Astbury with a driving rhythm that inspires an inescapable urge to tap your foot along to their mastery. -- Jen Guyre

"Riot Sugar" Boris