-(16)- are a sludge metal band from the US and this is their eighth album.
Apart from 2017’s split with Fistula, I’m unfamiliar with -(16)- and their work, although I’ve been aware of their existence for decades. Due to their pedigree, and the fact that the press blurb recommends them for Continue reading
This is the debut album from US hardcore band Eye Flys.
Featuring a guitarist of Full of Hell, this is 25 minutes of stocky heaviness and charismatic hostility. Elements of hardcore, punk, sludge, and noise rock collide on Tub of Lard, leading to an enjoyable take on heavy music. Reference points for Continue reading
Escape Is Not Freedom are an alternative/sludge metal band, and this is their second album.
Escape Is Not Freedom are no strangers to this site, (here and here), and it’s great to hear some new material from them. Combining elements of metal, sludge, rock, and noise, Escape Is Not Freedom remind me of a cross between Fudge Tunnel, Helmet, Nirvana, Skyscraper, and others. Continue reading
This is the debut album from US metallers Ghastly Sound.
Having really enjoyed both Ghastly Sound and The Bottom, I’ve been looking forward to Have a Nice Day. It has not disappointed, quite the opposite in fact. Continue reading
Soul Attrition is a one man post-rock band from the US and this is his debut album.
The man behind this band also plays in the wonderfully alternative/sludgy Escape Is Not Freedom, so I knew I had to give this one a listen. Continue reading
Escape Is Not Freedom and Dusk Village are both alternative/sludge metal bands, and they have teamed up with each other on this split.
Escape Is Not Freedom, (who we know from their 2015 album The Truants), start us off with two tracks, which last just under 10 minutes in total. Continue reading
Ghastly Sound are a metal/hardcore band from the US and this is their second EP.
Oh Ghastly Sound, with this latest EP you’re really spoiling us. Already this year we were treated to your extremely enjoyable self-titled debut EP, and now, hardly any time at all later, you’ve now gifted us with your latest creation – The Bottom. Continue reading
Ghastly Sound are a metal/hardcore band from the US and this is their debut EP.
As much as I luuurrrvvvveeee the distortion of a good guitar, I do always like it when I come across a band that eschews this in favour of the primal heaviness of just drums and bass. Continue reading
This is the latest EP from US stoner rock band Lo-Pan.
Their 2014 album Colossus made a very favourable impression on me. As with Colossus, In Tensions is instant-gratification personified. The tracks are bright, have high-impact and are imbued Continue reading
Chronoboros are from Greece and play Sludge-fuelled Hardcore. This is their début EP.
Chronoboros play a mix of Sludge/Hardcore that shares some features of Alternative Metal and Noise Rock in its sideways approach. It reminds me of the early-to-mid-90s style in some ways, albeit with a modern delivery and a distinct personality all of its own.
Combining elements of bands such as Fudge Tunnel, Association Area, Kowloon Walled City, No Anchor, Helmet, The Dillinger Escape Plan and a plethora of others, this is an interesting and enjoyable release that shows that a band can be inventive while still having the capacity to rock out hard.
The music is complex and involved. It has a lot of depth and layers to it meaning that although these songs are quite short they make a good impression. Heavy sections compete for space with less-conventional parts and there’s a lot of good ideas on this EP that are barely explored before the band hop off once again on another exploratory trip into their unusual world.
The vocals combine harsher screams with more unusual semi-spoken vocalisations. It works a treat and is thankfully the right side of quirky.
There’s a lot of talent and promise on this release. It’s only 15 minutes long, so what excuse do you have for not checking it out?
That’s what I thought.
