Sludge Metal

Dirge – Ah Puch Review

By Master of Muppets on November 15, 2018 in 2018, Doom Metal, Indian Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Sludge Metal, Doom Metal, Sludge Metal, 39 comments

“So the good news is that today we’ll be taking a field trip, we’ll be heading into the jungle so dress accordingly; the betterer news is that this is a time travel episode! Drawing lyrical inspiration from history and mythology alike, India’s Dirge are taking us to Central America, circa Hernán Cortés’ storied rape of romp through the Yucatán Peninsula. This box-approved bidness is a rather violent affair in and of itself, so hurry up and get your seatbelts fastened. Or don’t, yo. Your safety is none of my concern, I’m just here to tell you about a wicked good doom album.” Exploratory doom.

Supreme Havoc – One and All Review

By Lord Doom on November 11, 2018 in 2018, Doom Metal, Finnish Metal, Punk, Reviews, Self-released, Sludge Metal, Doom Metal, Punk, Sludge Metal, 33 comments

“I am horrible at cooking. I love a simple recipe involving as few ingredients as possible and minimal effort from the “chef.” Finnish sludge/doom/d-beat rockers Supreme Havoc seem to subscribe to this philosophy as they are composed of only the essential: drums, bass, guitar, and vocals. The quartet has been together since 2014 and has released two EPs, one in 2015 and another in 2016. One and All marks their first full-length album together and after a quick scan of their promo material, I had one question: Is this just a heavier Mastodon with some doom thrown in or have these four Finns made something special out of this idiosyncratic collection of genre tags?” Genre hoggery.

The Ocean – Phanerozoic I: Palaeozoic Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on October 29, 2018 in 2018, German Metal, Metal Blade, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Sludge Metal, Progressive Metal, Sludge Metal, 73 comments

“When I listen to The Ocean, I can’t help but think of Angry Metal Guy. Though I was a fan before (especially of fluxIon and the Precambrian double album), Noctus and Angry Metal Guy convinced me to take Pelagial seriously. That album soared through 2013, taking home the coveted AMG RotM award and AMG‘s end o’ the year spot. All year long, it never let up its hold on me. And it still hasn’t. It’s been five years and, now, I stand here holding Pelagial’s follow-up, Phanerozoic I: Palaeozoic.” Teutonic plates are shifting.

Carcharodon – Bukkraken Review

By GardensTale on October 24, 2018 in 2018, Argonauta Records, Death Metal, Italian Metal, Reviews, Sludge Metal, Sludge Metal, 56 comments

“Although Carcharodon come from the filigreed halls of Italy, legendary for its theatricality, they named themselves after the genus for the great white shark and the megalodon, and they call their music macho metal. If you still don’t know which side of the subtlety fence they fall on: there’s a song on here called “Whalefucker.”” Macho, macho metal.

Deadbird – III: The Forest Within The Tree Review

By Akerblogger on October 17, 2018 in 20 Buck Spin, 2018, American Metal, Doom Metal, Reviews, Sludge Metal, Doom Metal, Sludge Metal, 54 comments

“We all thought the bird was dead, but like a phoenix the bird has risen. Ten years after their second full-length Twilight Ritual, Arkansas based Deadbird – featuring Rwake vocalist Christopher Terry and drummer Jeff Morgan – are alive and kicking and ready to spread their wings and flap doom into your face.” There’s a Deadbird in the sky! Everybody wonders why.

Sumac – Love in Shadow Review

By Akerblogger on September 21, 2018 in 2018, American Metal, Post-metal, Reviews, Thrill Jockey, Death Metal, Post-Metal, Sludge Metal, 54 comments

“Earlier this year, Sumac collaborated with the Japenese artist Keiji Haino. Haino’s abstract, free-form approach to music heavily influenced Love in Shadow. What you’ll find, when you open this Pandora’s post-metal box, is an hour of music split into four massive slabs. Structures, pre-rehearsed music is stitched together with passages of improvisation, recorded over five days in a single room, and carefully merged by Kurt Ballou. The goal: “Finding comfort in the negative spaces within each track’s borderland.”” Spaced jam.

Potmos Hetoimos – Vox Medusae Review

By Roquentin on September 12, 2018 in 2018, American Metal, Avante Garde, Experimental Metal, Hardcore, Not Music, Post-metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Sludge, Experimental Metal, Hardcore, Post-Metal, Progressive Metal, Sludge Metal, 103 comments

“The typical pitfall of pseudo-experimental metal bands is their tendency towards buffoonish self-aggrandizement and the accompanying insistence on pompous philosophical themes. Often drawing inspiration from edgy, coincidentally anti-humanistic philosophies and providing a “thinking man’s take” on black metal, they immerse themselves in childish interpretations of nihilism and neoreactionary doctrines. The similarly arty and bombastically theatrical Potmos Hetoimos, the long-standing one-man progressive sludge project of Baltimorean Matt Matheson, is an antipode of such acts.” Humanistic is as humanism does.

Allfather – And All Will Be Desolation Review

By Mark Z. on September 6, 2018 in 2018, Hardcore, Reviews, Rotting Throne Records, Sludge Metal, Hardcore, Sludge Metal, 75 comments

“If the conversations I’ve seen on the interwebs are any indication, 2018 hasn’t been the greatest year for metal. In that regard, Allfather’s new album should come with an apology. Sorry for breaking your fucking necks, the sticker would read. But we had to remind you what good metal is all about.” Father knows beast.

Lurk – Fringe Review

By Master of Muppets on August 20, 2018 in 2018, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Finnish Metal, Reviews, Sludge Metal, Transcending Obscurity, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Sludge Metal, 55 comments

“Hailing from this hallowed homeland of haunted hopelessness and hunting for a home in your heart are Lurk, a four-piece sludge-doom act who really know how to pick an album cover. Fringe is the band’s third full-length and, as you can probably guess, there will be no happiness here, but that’s not always a bad thing, is it?” No joy, no love in Finland.

Atavisma – The Chthonic Rituals Review

By Master of Muppets on July 31, 2018 in 2018, Death Metal, Doom Metal, French Metal, Memento Mori, Reviews, Sludge Metal, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Sludge Metal, 148 comments

“Get your shitkickers on and nightlights ‘n Prozac at the ready, yo, today we’re going somewhere filthy and utterly devoid of light or joy. France’s Atavisma will be dragging us pleasantly by the throat through a subterranean and sinister network ov nightmares which they call The Chthonic Rituals. I’m just here to narrate the whole ordeal and giggle as you lot wail and bump into each other in the dark.” Bumping in the night.