Sludge

Mastodon – Emperor of Sand Review

By Saunders on March 31, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Progressive Metal, Progressive Rock, Reprise Records, Reviews, Sludge, Progressive Metal, Rock, Sludge, 121 comments

“From the moment I heard the pummeling “Crusher Destroyer” from their landmark debut Remission some 15 years ago, I knew Mastodon were something special. My infatuation with Remission began a love affair with the band that bordered on fanboy-ism from one excellent album to the next, each a stirring and adventurous behemoth of sludge metal force and progressive smarts. However, my relationship with Mastodon started to get rocky when they followed their sprawling prog masterwork Crack the Skye with 2011’s The Hunter.” Mastodon on the rocks? Ain’t no big surprise.

Rozamov – This Mortal Road Review

By Huck N Roll on March 8, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Battleground Records, Doom Metal, Dullest Records, Post-metal, Reviews, Sludge, Doom Metal, Post-Metal, Sludge, 14 comments

“While I (im)patiently wait for Pallbearer to drop their next tour de force upon us, I find myself digging through the promo bins looking for other angst-ridden doom to whittle away the days. Thus I stumbled upon the first full-length effort from Boston’s Rozamov.” Hold over doom is now a thing.

Hark – Machinations Review

By Huck N Roll on March 2, 2017 in 2017, English Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Season of Mist, Sludge, Progressive Metal, Sludge, 15 comments

“I love music that takes chances. Those chances can be a myriad of elements: fusing disparate styles, unexpected arrangements (or non-arrangements), unique vocal delivery, you name it. Despite the fact that I love olde-school metal as much as the next Druhm, take a chance in your music and you’ll at least garner a close listen from the Huckster.” Take a chance, take a chance.

Obake – Draugr Review

By Huck N Roll on October 31, 2016 in 2016, Avante Garde, Grind, Italian Metal, Non-Metal Metal Things, Progressive Metal, Rare Noise Records, Reviews, Sludge, Grind, Not Metal, Progressive Metal, Sludge, 8 comments

“Okay, let’s get this out-of-the-way right off the top. This album cover gives me the creeps. It also makes me think of Monty Python and the Holy Grail. So I alternate between grimaces and laughter whenever I’m looking at this bizarre choice for sludgy avante garde collective Obake’s third album, Draugr.” Happy Halloween!

Age of Woe – An Ill Wind Blowing Review

By Grymm on October 15, 2016 in 2016, Doom Metal, Hardcore, Reviews, Sludge, Swedish Metal, War Anthem Records, Doom Metal, Hardcore, Sludge, 20 comments

“It was bound to happen. As I’m sitting here, writing a review of the appropriately titled An Ill Wind Blowing, the second album by Swedish sludgemeisters Age of Woe, I gaze out the rear door and see picturesque blue skies, mild temperate winds, and a garden teeming with life and vibrancy, complete with a Godzilla statue wolfing down some unfortunate garden gnomes. This is all important to note because, just a full day ago, Hurricane Matthew beat the ever-loving shit out everyone in its path through the Bahamas and parts of Florida, including my sleepy neighborhood.” From the storm comes…doom.

Anciients – Voice of the Void Review

By Saunders on October 11, 2016 in 2016, Canadian Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Season of Mist, Sludge, Stoner Rock, Progressive Metal, Sludge, 28 comments

“Canada’s Anciients stormed the scene with their promising Heart of Oak debut in 2013, an intoxicating if at times derivative mix of stoner, sludge, and prog. It was an enjoyable album, though it didn’t quite blow me away like it did many others. Nevertheless, my interest was certainly piqued enough to be excited by the band’s long-awaited return with the all important album number two.” Goats for all!

Cara Neir/Wildspeaker – Guilt and His Reflection [Split] Review

By Mark Z. on September 16, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Black Metal, Broken Limbs Recordings, Crust Punk, Hardcore, Reviews, Sludge, Black Metal, Crust Punk, Hardcore, Sludge, 23 comments

“Crack a beer and grab a seat. Today’s entertainment is a double feature from two Texas-based bands with a proclivity for taking black metal and turning it on its ugly, corpse-painted head. First up is Cara Neir, an idiosyncratic, punky duo whose hardcore-tinged blackness often lends itself to wild stylistic forays, as heard on 2013’s Portals to a Better, Dead World. On the flip side is Wildspeaker, a crustier, sludgier outfit who formed in 2013 and released debut Survey the Wreckage last year. They’re here to deliver Guilt and His Reflection, 13 tracks depicting ‘humanity crumbling into itself’ through ‘the story of post-civilization sins committed when desperation overwhelms.'” That certainly sounds cheery.

Summit – The Winds That Forestall Thy Return Review

By Mark Z. on July 6, 2016 in 2016, Ambient Metal, I Voidhanger Records, Italian Metal, Post-metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Sludge, Ambient Metal, Post-Metal, Progressive Metal, Sludge, 32 comments

“Solo projects are a mixed bag for me. On one hand, you’ll occasionally get a musician’s pure, unencumbered vision, free of competing egos, stylistic conflict, or bullshit social media drama that inevitably leads to a nasty breakup and months of blog posts detailing the extended legal battle over rights to the band name. More often, however, you get good ideas and musicianship hampered by a lack of self-awareness or weakened by the absence of an additional creative force. To paraphrase Stephen King, writers are often the worst judge of their own work.” And that’s where we come in.

Inter Arma – Paradise Gallows Review

By Grymm on July 1, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Progressive Metal, Relapse, Reviews, Sludge, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Progressive Metal, Sludge, 28 comments

“Reviewers the world over can agree; compartmentalizing bands into neat little genre labels can make life easier, but don’t necessarily do bands justice. Case in point: Virginia’s Inter Arma are equal parts Southern rock, sludge, doom metal, 70’s prog rock, and cavernous death metal.” Pigeonholery is an art AND a science.

Conclave – Sins of the Elders Review

By Grymm on June 1, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Doom Metal, Lost Apparitions Records, Reviews, Sludge, Doom Metal, Sludge, 8 comments

“When you think of Massachusetts, many images pop into your head immediately. Legendary sports dynasties, people with goofy accents, cities with tough-to-pronounce names, the Big Dig, the entire Kennedy clan… oh, and metalcore. Lots and lots of metalcore… and Converge. You don’t look at the Bay State and think to yourself, “Gee, I’m sure there’s quality doom metal afoot here.” Hell, I sure didn’t!” Let’s listen to doom metal as we potty!