Sludge metal – Page 3 – Wonderbox Metal

Anciients – Beyond the Reach of the Sun (Review)

This is the third album from Canadian progressive metal band Anciients.

I haven’t heard Anciients since their 2013 album Heart of Oak, and it’s been a long eight years since their last release, (2016’s Voice of the Void, which I completely missed out on), so I’ve some cathing up to do. I really like their debut though, so was looking forward to the 59 minuets of Beyond the Reach of the Sun. The band have a new lineup, but they still don’t let me down. Continue reading “Anciients – Beyond the Reach of the Sun (Review)”

Generation of Vipers – Guilt Shrine (Review)

This is the fifth album from US sludge metal band Generation of Vipers.

I last heard Generation of Vipers on 2011’s Howl and Filth, which was a long time ago, (their last album actually came out in 2014 though, which I missed). Guilt Shrine contains 35 minutes of sludgy menace. Continue reading “Generation of Vipers – Guilt Shrine (Review)”

Barbarian Hermit – Mean Sugar (Review)

This is the second album from UK stoner/sludge metallers Barbarian Hermit.

It’s been six long years since 2018’s Solitude and Savagery, but now Barbarian Hermit have returned, and with a different vocalist. Mean Sugar contains 44 minutes of new music for us to hungrily devour. Continue reading “Barbarian Hermit – Mean Sugar (Review)”

Huntsmen – The Dry Land (Review)

Huntsmen are a US progressive metal band and this is their third album.

Leaving a lasting mark with 2018’s striking American Scrap, Huntsmen made a strong first impression with their debut record. They followed this up with 2020’s Mandala of Fear, which saw the band go big in many different ways, living up to their early promise. It’s now four years later and here we have The Dry Land, which gives us 42 minutes of new material. What does the Huntsmen of 2024 provide us with? Continue reading “Huntsmen – The Dry Land (Review)”

Thou – Umbilical (Review)

Thou are a sludge/doom band from the US and this is their sixth album.

Following on from 2018’s immense Magus, Umbilical contains 49 minutes of new music from the very well-regarded Thou. Umbilical takes a different route to heaviness than its predecessor, but is no less effective in achieving its goals. Continue reading “Thou – Umbilical (Review)”

Dopethrone – Broke Sabbath (Review)

Dopethrone are a Canadian sludge metal band and this is their sixth album.

Following on from 2018’s Transcanadian Anger, Dopethrone have finally returned to crush everyone flat with their charismatic sludge metal brew. Broke Sabbath contains 39 minutes of filth and hatred, all thrown at the listener in typically heavy Dopethrone fashion. Ahh, it’s good to have this particular brand of sludge nastiness back in town. Continue reading “Dopethrone – Broke Sabbath (Review)”

Urzah – The Scorching Gaze (Review)

This is the debut album from UK sludge/post-metal band Urzah.

The Scorching Gaze contains 42 minutes of material delivered in a charismatic hybrid metallic style. Urzah combine elements of sludge, post-metal, progressive metal, doom, and hardcore/metalcore into an exemplar of heaviness that feels timeless. Continue reading “Urzah – The Scorching Gaze (Review)”

Subterraen – In the Aftermath of Blight (Review)

Subterraen are a French sludge/post-metal band and this is their second album.

The follow up to 2020’s humungous Rotten Human Kingdom, In the Aftermath of Blight contains 37 minutes of music spread over four tracks. Continue reading “Subterraen – In the Aftermath of Blight (Review)”

Love Sex Machine – Trve (Review)

This is the third album from French sludge metal band Love Sex Machine.

When the promo blurb states that this is for fans of Meshuggah, Intronaut, Amenra, LLNN, Sumac, and Herod, you know it’s gonna be a heavy one. And it is. Trve is 36 minutes of heaviness wrapped in an expressive outer coating. Continue reading “Love Sex Machine – Trve (Review)”

Iron Monkey – Spleen & Goad (Review)

Iron Monkey are sludge metal band from the UK and this is their fourth album.

2017 now seems a very long time ago, but that was when Iron Monkey returned to spread their sonic violence with 9-13. I didn’t think we’d hear from them again after so much time, but it shows what I know, as now Spleen & Goad is here to kick us in the teeth and rearrange our internal organs. Continue reading “Iron Monkey – Spleen & Goad (Review)”