Bog Body are a blackened sludge metal band from the US and this is their debut album.
Oh dear. This is some gloriously foul stuff. Bog Body have come to torment us with a 34-minute deluge of swampy horror that’s wonderfully hideous. Cryonic Crevasse Cult is a sort of corrupted mix of sludge doom and black metal, with touches of death metal and industrial nightmare added for extra terror.
On this record you’ll find only drums and bass, with no guitar to blight the music’s malevolent delivery. Apart from the vocals, the only other contribution in sound comes from the occasional use of noise enhancements to add atmosphere and effects, which works well with Bog Body’s stripped back sound.
A thick, tar-like miasma seems to smother the songs like a cloak of near-impenetrable darkness. The songs are well-written slabs of ugly hybrid metal. It’s a sludge metal cocktail that’s been tainted with black and death metal venom. The songs are malignant and evil, but very enjoyable. The vocals are just as baleful as the music, with both band members contributing sickening screams or poisoned growls to the songs.
The rhythmic nature of the music recalls Godflesh in places, only a version warped by blackened sludge. Add to this elements of bands like Primitive Man, Body Void, and Darkthrone, only shorn of all guitars, and you’ll have a rough idea of the Bog Body experience.
The simplicity of the songs and the musical ingredients that have made them means that the band rely on hooks and catchiness to a surprising amount. Of course, this is to the music’s benefit, and these songs are very moreish and satisfying. The band are skilled at unleashing the sort of malign grooves that not only demolish all before them, but also get the listener moving whether they want to or not. Sometimes a blast of speed will come roaring out of the speakers too; it’s primitive, yet effective.
Cryonic Crevasse Cult is a filthy joy to listen to. Bog Body’s rhythmic abrasion is the sort of album that just keeps pulling you back with its crushing hypnotic groove and sludgy underground appeal.
Very highly recommended.
Wonderbox Metal 