REVIEW & EXCLUSIVE TRAILER: Khemmis, “Desolation” & Phil Pendergast on Hendrix, Fahey & Sonny Boy

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 22/06/2018

Label: Nuclear Blast |

20 Buck Spin

Six tracks, all uniformly of a high standard and with a production that suits the record perfectly. This is a fine modern American doom album and will feature on many year end lists. This is doom for the doomed!

“Desolation” CD//DD//LP

1). Bloodletting

2). Isolation

3). Flesh to Nothing

4). The Seer

5). Maw of Time

6). From Ruin

The Review

Colorado's Khemmisreturn with this, their third full length and follow up to the very well received “Hunted” from 2016. This is doom metal, for sure- proper doom; with real singing, melodies, dark sounds and tempo changes in the vein of Sabbath.

It is not a million miles away from Sabbath or Dawn of Winter but perhaps closer to Apostle of Solitude  in that it is modern in sound and scope but with a firm grip on the genre's past. It is also distinctly American in approach- no way would you mistake this for Witchsorrowor Serpent Venom. With “Bloodletting”sslow slog to open, the listener is in no doubt that this is traditional doom. “Isolation” may be a few steps quicker, but these Denver cowboys know how to ride a groove: not too quick and they are able to make these songs swing a little rather than just plod. There is dark fare on offer here- “Flesh To Nothing”, for instance is as black as the title suggests.


The rumbling of “The Seer” is impressive and the band plays wonderfully through the changes. My personal favourite, “Maw of Time” (for obvious reasons) is a monolithic slab of sorrow and dark doom with death growls. The nine and a half minute closer “From Ruin” finishes the album off before it outstays its welcome.

Six tracks, all uniformly of a high standard and with a production that suits the record perfectly. This is a fine modern American doom album and will feature on many year end lists. This is doom for the doomed!

“Desolation” is available here

Band info: bandcamp|| facebook

REVIEW: Glacial Tomb - "Cognitive Erosion" [EP]

By: Chris Bull


Album Type: EP

Date Released: 11/04/2017

Label: Old Cathedral Cassettes

From the opening drum fill that leads to some face ripping riffage of 'Black Hole, White Teeth' all the way through to the creeping, crescendo  of 'Burial Shroud', it's a tour-de-force of extreme music.

“Cognitive Erosion” CS//DD track listing:

1). Black Hole White Teeth

2). Of Flesh And Worship

3). Entropic Decay

4). Burial Shroud

The Review:

To start with the most random pop culture reference here; do you remember the short lived WCWwrestler Glacier? He was a complete Sub Zero (of Mortal Kombat fame [yep, that's a 2nd pop culture reference]) rip off. He was hyped, full of promise and ultimately failed to deliver. 'Cognitive Erosion' from Denver's Glacial Tombis the polar opposite (excuse the pun); it's no bark and all bite.

The 4 tracks on this EP are chocked full of scathing, blistering, HM-2 worship and while crusty grind is the meat and potatoes, Glacial Tomb season the tracks with some crushing sludge/doom when the time is right.

From the opening drum fill that leads to some face ripping riffage of 'Black Hole, White Teeth' all the way through to the creeping, crescendo  of 'Burial Shroud', it's a tour-de-force of extreme music. Sure, the guitar sound suffers from an almost digital sound, but this is enough of an appetite whetting to have me hungry for a full length. I'd love to hear these guys let loose on an analogue studio; the results would undoubtedly double the effects of global warming.

“Cognitive Erosion” is available here

Band info: bandcamp|| facebook

ALBUM PREMIERE: Ottawa, Ontario's Longhouse deliver a hybrid of heaviness with "Longhouse II: Vanishing"

Ottawa, ON's Longhouse came into being in 2013 when guitarist Marc Casey and bassist/vocalist Joshua Cayer turned their long-standing song-writing partnership into a full band with drummer Mike Hache to complete their circle of dark, riffy, heavy textured doom metal. They released their debut album ‘Earth from Water’ in 2015, a spiritual odyssey into the perseverance of the human spirit and the lessons we can learn from the natural world.

With a sound that takes cues from bands such as Cult of Luna, High on Fire, Neurosis, Khemmisand Unearthly Trance, Longhouse are not a band that fall into any one category, instead they take influences from said bands and have fashioned their own unique identity. 

Following the  release of their debut Longhouse returned to Wolf Lake Studios in November 2016 to record with Mike Bond (Loviatar, Norilsk, Arms of the Girl) once again and the recording session would go on to form the basis of their sophomore album entitled "II: Vanishing". The album continues the pleasing progression of their debut while retaining the band’s core sound of heavy, intricate riffs, splashed with a touch of post-metal to guide you on a dark and visceral journey spanning nearly 40 minutes over five tracks.

“II: Vanishing has a logical evolution that is evident in the composition, as well as production. I also think that fans should take a moment to reflect on some of themes that are threaded throughout the album.” says vocalist / bassist Joshua Cayer. “The bulk of my ideas musically and lyrically come from exploring Indigenous ways of knowing. I am Algonquin First Nations. My family’s community is Kitigan Zibi, outside of Maniwaki, QC. However, I grew up in the city, mostly detached from my culture. As a father, I have been trying to immerse myself in the stories, wisdom, and strength of our Elders, knowledge keepers and story tellers, so that I can pass that on to my daughters. Because this takes up so much space in terms of who I am, and who I am becoming, it plays a very large part in terms of influences I draw upon.”

Those influences can be heard in Longhouse’sfirst single "No Name, No Marker", a song written for the voiceless Indigenous children who were abused and died while forced to attend residential schools in Canada and were buried in unmarked graves.  This album is raw, tranquil, oppressive and emotive but is always of the highest quality and we’re delighted to present the album in full for your listening pleasure.  So if you’re in the mood for a hybrid of heaviness drawing comparisons and influences  from the likes of Cult of Luna, High on Fire, Neurosis, Khemmis, Unearthly Trance, we set our Sludgelord dial to stun because this album is spectacular. 

"II: Vanishing"will be unleashed digitally on April 14th via their Bandcampwith physical cassette release June 2017 (date to be determined) viaSunmask Records. Check it out in full below

Band info: facebook|| bandcamp  

ALBUM REVIEW: Spirit Adrift - "Chained to Oblivion"

By: Conor O’Dea

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 12/08/2016

Label: Prosthetic Records

This album is elegantly forged from beginning to end, and has no definable weak chinks in its armour.  Overall, this is likely to be an AOTY candidate for me, and one I have found myself returning to again and again in a variety of moods.

 “Chained to Oblivion” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1. Psychic Tide

2. Marzanna

3. Form and Force

4. Chained To Oblivion

5. The Hum of Our Existence

The Review:

For a subgenre associated with minimalist compositional structure, dirge-like chords and glacial meter, doom these days seems awfully susceptible to disruptive innovation. Powerful incumbents like Pallbearer and Yobare matched by the epic-level bulldozer of bands like Khemmis, whose debut “Absolution” cut deep furrows of new fandom across metaldom in 2015. This year, I believe the star of doom has risen anew yet again, and its name is Spirit Adrift.

To be fair, there are few plaudits and accolades that the superlative “Chained to Oblivion” has not already received since its August release. And the almost universal acclaim it has received is, to my mind, well deserved. This album is elegantly forged from beginning to end, and has no definable weak chinks in its armour. However, one of the things I found most surprising about this album is how emotionally moving I found certain passages and tracks. There is a deeply melodic sorrow that underpins the motifs on the album that fuses seamlessly with the heaviness.

Right from opener “Psychic Tide”, the listener is carried immediately into a slow but relentless (tidal, even) movement which is hypnotically accented by Nate Garrett's superb vocal harmonies. The highlight of an album of top-notch tracks is almost certainly the title track, however. There is a feeling of hearing something timeless and destined-to-be-classic when listening to this song; it is something that resonates long after the track has ended. In a genre replete with embarrassing lyrics, Nate has given us some gifted poetic observances, and ones that are elegantly matched to the death of seasons that is Autumn. Overall, this is likely to be an AOTY candidate for me, and one I have found myself returning to again and again in a variety of moods.

For anyone who enjoys this album, I strongly, strongly recommend listening to the “Behind-Beyond” EP Nate released in February, which includes the haunting “Specter of Ruin” and the uncharacteristically aggressive “Perpetual Passage”. While neither track fits “Chained to Oblivion” (the choice to release separately was definitely the right one), the EP is definitely a worthy listen.

“Chained to Oblivion” is available here

 Band info: bandcamp|| facebook

FFO: Khemmis, Pallbearer, Baroness, High on Fire

GOTHIC INDONESIA PRESENTS: The Sour 16 for September 2016

By: Aaron Pickford

 

 

It is that time once again people to cast our minds back, and digest the 16 albums that would become September’s most viewed albums and form the basis for our sacrilegious ‘Sour 16’, the finest and most profane riffs around bundled together into a premium sized sonic soufflé.

 

You know the drill, each month; you the reader are unwittingly compiling a list of the top 16 records that we featured in September, covering all genres of metal.  Is it not a chart, in which reviewers or contributors extol their opinion about their favourite music.  The ‘Sour 16’ are the records that have been trending the most at Sludgelord Headquarters.

 

The results are compiled based on page views alone and calibrated into the list below. All reviews can be viewed by clicking the artwork and we have included album streams wherever possible. (Total views since their publication are highlighted in red). 



16). Worshipper - "Shadow Hymns (475) 

Musically, with this being somewhere between Black Sabbath (Dio era in particular), Monster Magnet and anything from Witchfinder General to Angel Witch I feel that there is something for most metal fans to enjoy here. Throughout the eights tracks there are lots of ideas, lots of riffs and uniformly great performances from the band. This album surprised me with its scope and approach, so please lend your support and check Worshipper out as this is a rewarding and well crafted album.

 

15). Thou - "Peasant" (2016) (536)

 

14) Usurpress - "The Regal Tribe" (651)

This album is an album, in a profound, coherent and meaningfWorshiul way. It is heavy, dripping with dynamic and interesting, organic changes. The sound is warm but never suffocating, and it is brutal both when holding back (“The Mortal Tribes”) and unleashing (“Behold the Forsaken”). I hate to use the word genre-defying, but whatever fusion of death, doom, stoner and black metal Usurpress have evolved into, it is their voice, it is seamless and mature, and displays no sense of affectation.

 

13) Lesbian – “Hallucinogensis (656)

“Pyramidal Existinctualism” sounds like Mastodon after their drinks have been spiked with LSD and “Kosmoceratops” is epic fist-pumping thrash that takes a left turn into weird, uncharted territory. “Labrea Borealis” and“Aquilibrium” contain more melodic passages that expand the band’s horizons further into cinematic grandeur before crashing back to Earth for further, wild fretboard explorations. Overall “Hallucinogenesis”sees Lesbian achieve a perfect balance of labyrinthine complexity and headbanging simplicity.

 

12). Tardive Dyskinesia - “Harmonic Confusion” (677)

From cellos to righteous crescendos, this song album plumbs the depths of heavy prog and, weirdly, allows the listener to reach new heights as a result. Paradoxical? Sure. Bloody invigorating? You better believe it, buddy. 10 tracks of heavy, expressive, expansive music, just waiting to show you just how mythical Greek metal can be. Pray to the Old Gods, and seek salvation in‘Harmonic Confusion’.

 

11). Brant Bjork - "Tao of the Devil" (703)

In short, “Tao of the Devil” isn’t much different than Brant’s other albums in that it’s both a look back and a step forward. And like his other solo albums, this one can stand alone as a prime example of what Brant Bjork does best.

10). Asatta - "Spiralling Into Oblivion" (768)

This is cracking stuff and a worthy addition to the ever expanding doom canon, "Three Dials”is Crushingly heavy and really fucking noisy, "Lapse” features some swinging grooves to go with the slothful doom sounds, “She Died Long Ago” is a slow trudge through the darkest of doom- and echoes Candlemass rather than Conan in its approach. A fine debut then and an indication that there are great things to come from Asatta, who have positioned themselves up there with modern doom's elite.

 

09). Mouth of the Architect - "Gates of Flesh" (815)

“Path Of Eight”is a fine demonstration of a band evolving their sound without losing sight of what made them great in the first place. Mouth of the Architect have come into their own with this record and hopefully it will gain them some much deserved attention.

 

08). Khemmis – “Hunted” (891)

Overall, ‘Hunted’ is an extremely solid follow-up to their critically acclaimed first album. It is a melting pot of some hugely powerful styles of heavy metal music and the flawless coalescence between cataclysmic doom and melodic prog is a truly impressive feat. Khemmis are a band on a mission and so far, they’re doing it all right.

07). Mammoth Weed Wizard Bastard - "Y Proffwyd Dwyll" (928)

“Y Proffwyd Dwyll” is a celestial voyage of crushing density. “Valmasque” sets the tone for the album, establishing a towering wall of sound built from huge lumbering riffs, set against a backdrop of swirling space noise and sci-fi synths that enhance their attack and swell their sound to a galactic scale. Mammoth Weed Wizard Bastard have struck gold here with their distinct brand of spaced-out carnage.

 

06). Trap Them - "Crown Feral" (1035)

...the tracks that are strong, like “Hellionaires” and “Revival Spines” in particular, really need to be considered the best stuff Trap Them has ever written. And while opening track “Kindred Dirt” didn't immerse me in the album in the way I'd hoped, by the time we reach “Twitching in the Auras”,there can be no doubt that Trap Them have made a definitive and impressive move forward on all fronts. The sound is overall excellent. Lyrics are angry and powerful and riffs are deep and plentiful. Strongly recommend, and an excellent reason to continue to follow this excellent band closely.

 

05). Giraffe Tongue Orchestra - "Broken Line" (1362)

Giraffe Tongue Orchestra have forged a sound that is unlike any other and more than just the sum of all its parts. “Broken Lines” is, in all, diverse and thrilling and one of the most unpredictable records you’ll hear all year.

04). Meshuggah - "The Violent Sleep of Reason" (1529)

Trying to describe Meshuggah’s sound is a challenge. The only way I can put it is that they’re a musical cascade: a never-ending barrage of sound and heaviness pounding down upon you. Don’t expect or ballad or moments of levity here, this is a relentless tide which you will not escape from. Tracks like ‘MonstoCity’and ‘Our Rage Won’t Die’ are pummelling tracks of new material which can easily be slotted in to their live setlist and not seem out of place. In fact, the same could be said for any of those songs on display here: like a chain forged by Vulcan, there’s not a weak link present. It all hits, and hits hard.

 

03). Ayahuasca – “YIN” (1631)

Throughout, nothing ever quite sits right, like a jigsaw with a few missing pieces: The spasmodic guitar work of ‘Dark Matter God’ is a fitting example of this. Yet they find, upon that uncomfortable platform, a way to drill into your psyche excellently. It may be weird, but it has an uncanny way of selling itself to you.

 

02). Neurosis - "Fires Within Fires" (1674)

 

1). Suicdial Tendencies - "World Gone Mad" (2363)

It flows in a virtually flawless manner and I do believe “World Gone Mad” will be remembered as one of their best records, ever. This one’s a home run with a bullet.

 

A big thank you as always to our amazing writers, your dedication knows no boundaries and for that I am truly grateful.  September’s “Sour 16” features reviews by:  Richard Maw, Theron Moore, Charlie Butler, Chris Bull, Victor Van Ommen, Philip Weller, Conor O’Dea, Jake Wallace, Chris Markwell & Jay Hampshire