Easily the most ‘legendary’ of ESP Disk’s non-jazz roster, Cromagnon’s 1969 Cave Rock album still stands as one of the most inexplicable ‘rock’ records of the psychedelic era. The group play a form of berserker rock ritual that combines pre-death metal lung-scraping vocals with martial percussion and the sound of orchestras of bagpipes marching slowly through the fog. Indeed, outside of Albert Ayler and Yoshi Wada, the opening “Caledonia” is one of the most radical settings for the Scottish pipes. Ghost covered “Caledonia” on their In Stormy Nights album and the label compares the album to the best of Faust, Throbbing Gristle and Sun City Girls, but really there’s little parallel for the neandrathal melodies and psychotic ritual air of Cave Rock. This edition comes with an insert detailing the whole Cromagnon saga for the first time. Pressed on heavy vinyl and re-mastered directly from the original master tapes. Highly recommended.