Sludgelord

Boredom- Band to check out

2012-03-03T02:21:00.001-08:00

Boredom is a Crust/Slundge Hardcore band from Graz, Austria.

I have only recently discovered this band so I'm not going to go into to much detail but recommend you give these guys a listen.

Boredom play an intense style of crust hardcore with elements of sludge metal, if you like bands like All Pigs Must Die,Trap Them, Black Breath i think you'll love this band, all their releases are free via Bandcamp the most recent of which "World Bores To Death" is a non-stop brutal assault on the senses. Starting of with a glorious sludge metal vibe on "lap dance of rats" the track quickly changes into a fast brutal track.

What makes this Band stand out is there are plenty of elements going on in the songs even though fast and aggressive the quality of the musicianship and attention to detail is impressive.

Reading Boredom's bio , its clear they have strong feelings on society and people in general, their music backs it up ,it seems Boredom hate society and you , they hate you so much they want your ears to bleed and head to explode from listening to their music. For me I loved this thrill-ride through Boredom's world of desolation,anger and I'll be visiting again .

Pjsludge.

Bandcamp

Website

Damascus - Band to Check Out

2012-03-03T02:17:00.000-08:00

Damascus are a Instrumental Post-rock/metal band from New Jersey ,Usa featuring the following members.

Brendan Bianowicz - Drums
George Eppinger - Guitar
Gil Morejón - Guitar
Edwin Rivera - Bass

I have been listening to this great band since i discovered their first album "Salutations, Distant Satellite!", last year, I am a big fan of Instrumental music and Damascus are are a worthy addition to any fans of Russian Circle, Pelican,And So I Watch You From Afar etc . They followed "Salutaions" up with a three track EP in October last year, which develops their sound further .

Both releases are free from their Bandcamp site with the option of "name your Price". Currently the band are working on new songs and touring , having released two excellent album/Eps last year it might be hopeful of me to expect another this year but it would be great.

Damascus don't do anything that some other bands do, but its done with such quality and effort to craft the songs that makes them stand out , at times theres a dark menace to the songs similar to Sludgelord favourites "What the Blood Revealed" other tracks display a progressive nature also with an ear for melody.

Both these releases are essential in my opinion for any fan of Instrumental post-rock , and I'm looking forward greatly to any future albums from these guys.
Pjsludge.

Bandcamp

Youtube

Merdarahta Are Back!!!

2012-03-01T10:42:00.000-08:00

Merdarahta is an Ambient/Doom/Drone//Noise Metal Band from Canada.

The members are:

t. das, m. mongeon, l. newton, m. bourgon, m. vilandré, m. das, s. choquette, d. menard

Merdarahta are an amazing Ambient/Doom/Drone/Noise Metal band who I have featured before. I have said this before and I will say it again I am a massive fan of Topon Das. He is one of the best musicians currently working in the underground scene today.

I love his work with FUCK THE FACTS and his production work with bands like Alaskan amongst others,

Well T emailed me about Merdarahta's new album "fault of air / breathe" and asked me to find my opinion. Well as ever T and the gang have not let me down.

"Merdarahta features members of Fuck The Facts and The Sun Through A Telescope come together to create dark and haunting atmospheres, with heavy droning guitars driven through walls of noise. Simple and subdued."

The above description doesn't tell you half the story of this superb album. It's a 4 song 38 minute ride of brilliantly out there collection of Ambient based Drone/Doom Post Rock sounds that will leave you breathless.

Quiet, Earthly, Hollow, Loud, Dense are just some of the words I can describe this great album.

People have been asking me to post more Drone/Ambient/Doom Bands and I said I would. So Thank The Sludge Heavens for Merdarahta to answer our prayers.

The sounds on this release are simply a joy to listen to. The 16 minute epic "Fault Of Air I" just left me breathless with the vast sounds on show. Superbly put together with a dark atmosphere lurking in the background.

The other 3 songs are just as great. But "Fault Of Air I" one is my fave track on this superb release. Things do get heavy now and again with loud crunching Drone/Doom Rock riffs creeping in.

This isnt an easy album to listen to. But Ambient/Drone Music is not supposed to be. You need this music to build up the atmosphere before luring you into their sacred world.

"Fault Of Air / Breathe" successfully does this from the word go. You actually do feel involved with the superb music on show.

This is another brilliant release from a truly talented and original band. You can download this superb release from BandCamp Pay Anything You Want Type Deal.

If you like what you hear then download their debut release "snake charmer / towers" and see how this great band first started.

I can't wait to see what these guys do next. They will open your mind and make you think to what your listening to. Amazing Stuff and Highly Recommended!!!

Check this great band below:

WITCHSTONE

2012-03-01T10:22:00.000-08:00

WitchStone is a Sludge/Stoner/Doom Metal Band from Calgary, Canada

WitchStone play a great hybrid of heavy pounding Sludge, Stoner and Doom Metal to brilliant effect. They have just released their superb S/T EP. A 4 song blast of top notch riffage which is on for an impressive 25 mins or so.

The 25 minutes just flies by and has superb riffs all the way though with added great vocals as well. The EP is superbly put together and its has a very loud atmosphere to it as well. Sometimes the music starts off slowly before the heavy pounding riff fully kicks in especially on a couple of the tracks.

This is a band that is influenced by a lot of the top bands from the respective genres but they stand as their own band as they blend their genres superbly. They add a cool 70’s hard rocking Doom Metal attitude amongst the modern Stoner/Sludge Metal riffs.

If your into Kyuss, Sleep, Black Sabbath then your going to really dig this. It’s an awesome wild ride with another great Sludge/Stoner Metal band to keep an eye.

A great album that I recommend any serious Sludge/Stoner Metal fan to check out right now. Its another superb album to add to your record collection. Brilliant Stuff.

You can download this superb release for free from BandCamp right now and I urge you all to do this now.

Highly Recommended:

Check these great rockers below:

MySpace
BandCamp

Check out the awesome track "Cataclysmic Oblivion" from their superb S/T EP.

TOWER

2012-03-01T10:18:00.000-08:00

Tower is a Sludge Metal Band from St. Augustine, FL, USA

The members are:

Chris
Danny
Jason
Will

Tower play a great blend of Sludge Metal mixed with Crust, Hardcore Punk and Doom Metal to hard hitting and brutal effect with great vocals to match.

Tower have just released their superb S/T demo. A 4-song and 35 minute blast of superb Sludge Metal riffs that will pound your soul until the dying seconds.

If your into bleak, down-tempo Sludge Metal with extra elements of Crust, Hardcore Punk and Doom Metal than Tower is the band for you. The songs on show are brilliantly brutal, loud and heavy from the word go. This demo grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go until the 35 minutes are over.

The demo is superbly produced. You can hear every note played to perfection. The drumming on this release are brilliant on this release. Really impressed me with power and aggression coming through the speaker. Felt like they were in the other room.

The guitars and vocals are superb as well. They have the right blend of anger and aggression to pulverize the listener to.

If your into EyeHateGod, Cough and Sea Bastard then you definitely need to check these guys out now as they are a seriously great band to check out and rock to.

The 4 songs on show are all heavy and bleak as anything you will hear from a demo release. And it’s a brilliant 35 minutes you will be coming back for over and over again.

The shortest track on here is under 7 mins and the rest are on for 9 mins each. So you know your in for an epic ride of sludge greatness.

You can download this brilliant release for Free from BandCamp. So get downloading right now.

Highly Recommended.

Check Out These Great Rockers Below:

Facebook
BandCamp

STRAGE

2012-03-01T10:11:00.000-08:00

Strage are an Instrumental Sludge Metal Band from Durban, South Africa

Formed in April 2011 by Brandon van Eeden (ex Crossingpoint), Jono Harrison (ex Monkey Slutz) and Matt Bedford (Paige of State)

If your into Thorun, Zonderhoof, Pelican and Russian Circles then your going to really dig this amazing band as Strage play in the same style of those superb bands.

Strage do add the odd Post-Rock vibe now and again but they mainly play hard-hitting instrumental Sludge Metal. These guys can rightly be compared to those top-notch bands.

They really know how to play a loud mean Sludge Metal riff. They have just released their superb new album – The Fire In Hell. A 5 song 33 minute blast of hard hitting instrumental Sludge Metal riffage.

I loved this album from the very first listen as I am a huge fan of Instrumental Sludge Metal. And Strage have released quite an amazing album that shows off their great instrumental work to perfection.

Superbly produced and played by all involved this is a brilliant album for everyone to check out even if you’re a fan of the genre or not. You can’t deny how talented these Sludge Rockers are.

This is probably the heaviest Instrumental Sludge Metal album since Zonderhoof classic “HAKKEN” and these two albums share a lot of things in common. They blend a whole mix of genres like Stoner, Doom, Sludge and Post-Metal to superb effect to thrill the senses to.

The band are all superb musicians and prove it time and time again with the 5 songs on show. Especially on the amazing 12 minute “Crawling Towards A Hole”. This song showcases what this great band can do. Blending heavy sludge metal riffs with other genres for a great blast of Instrumental Rock music you never get tired of.

An outstanding album from an outstanding band. This is an album that you will be listening to over and over again.

You can download this brilliant album for free from the following links:

1. Bandcamp: http://ow.ly/9elWw
2. Noisetrade: http://ow.ly/9elP1
3. Facebook: http://ow.ly/9elO8

So what you waiting for. If you want a superb Instrumental Sludge Metal Band the get downloading now. You wont regret it.

A brilliant album and Highly Recommended!!!

Check This Great Band Below:

Facebook
BandCamp

DEAD SOUTHERN BISHOP

2012-03-01T09:50:00.000-08:00

Dead Southern Bishop are a Sludge Metal band from the Douglas, Ga, USA

The members are

Blake Peacock - Lead Vocals
Ben Miss - Guitar/Vocals
Billy Weills - Drums

Dead Southern Bishop play a hard hitting blend of Sludge/Stoner Metal. Taking influences from a whole range of bands but adding a cool down-tempo bleak feedback feel to their music.

These guys are getting a lot of praise all over the place and its not hard to see why. Their superb EP “Hymns Of Malice and Discontent” is a 5 song 20 minute blast of bleak down-tempo low-tuned Sludge/Stoner Metal.

I promised these guys ages ago I would put them on the blog and I forgot all about it. Shame on me as this is a superb blast of top notch Sludge/Stoner Metal riffs.

I am not going to do an in-depth song by song review. All I will say this is a brilliant EP from start to finish which you can download for free right now from BandCamp.

If your into fast-paced down-tempo Sludge/Stoner Metal with a great edge to it then Dead Southern Bishop are the band for you. If your into EyeHateGod, COUGH and Electric Wizard then check this hugely talented band out now.

This is low-tuned down-tempo Sludge/Stoner Metal at its most finest and most raw. The EP is superbly produced and shows what this band is all about. Playing superb bleak Sludge/Stoner Metal until they crush your soul. And boy do they succeed.

Awesome stuff. Get downloading now. Absolutely and Highly Recommended.

Check This Great Band Below:

Facebook
BandCamp

Nately's Whore's Kid Sister - RIBS Review

2012-03-01T09:46:00.000-08:00

Nately's Whore's Kid Sister (NWKS) is an Experimental Sludge Metal band from Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK (My Hometown!!!)

The members are:

Jim Bowmaker
John Edgar
Matt Saxon
Stuart Walkinshaw
Angus W. Mason

NWKS have taken their name from legendary book Catch-22. They play a blend of Sludge Metal that is very hard to categorize and they are one of the most original bands I have had the pleasure to hear in recent years.

NWKS blend of Sludge Metal incorporates Indie-Rock, Drone, and Ambient all done in a bleak pop sensibility.

NWKS are I would call an Experimental Sludge Metal Band as they blend their genres differently and at different times. These guys are loud from the word go.

NWKS are going to be releasing their debut album “Ribs” in May 2012. It’s a 5 song 33 minute of amazing finely tuned well crafted and hard hitting Sludge Metal that will have you begging for more.

These guys have been building up quite a reputation in the last 12 months or so and its hype for once that’s actually justified.

“Ribs” is an epic assault on the senses – Loud, heavy, distorted, dirty, quiet and full of brilliant angry Sludge Metal riffs.

Imagine if Neurosis included Indie-Rock music into their mix this is what it might sound like. Well it’s the closest comparison I can make as NWKS are a hard band to define which is a great thing in my book.

The EP starts off with a 7 minute crunching brilliant track – “Just Below The Ribs”. This starts off like a melancholic indie folk rock song. But wait till the 3rd or 4th minute when all hell breaks loose. And the chaos reigns in supreme. This is where the loud heavy riffs kick in to blow your world apart. And it never stops till this brilliant album ends.

Things do get bleak at times with the wonderful vocals and lyrics on show. There are no hardcore death grunt growls at all but some outstanding vocals you would hear on a Folk/Indie Rock Band. And RIBS is anything but.

“Babies” the next track is a great 6:42 minute blast of pure heavy pounding riffs driven along by a powerful bass-line. You can hear shades of Neurosis and ISIS on this superb tack. And like those great bands when things start getting heavy they get heavy.

These guys do add a bleak sense of humour to their songs as well. None more so on my fave track “Man outside Cumberland Arms, Byker, 11-07-11”. An 8:15 minute epic which is mainly instrumental. This song includes actual haunting narratives from a real pub/bar from my neck of the woods that the guys actually recorded.

What they did record is a work of insane genius. I did find myself laughing to this track as it shows there are some total idiots around when you’re trying to have a good time with friends when socialising. This song is the perfect soundtrack to the worst night you have ever had in your local home town. It captures the bleak mood brilliantly well.

The other two tracks are equally superb. Showcasing this amazing bands talent of blending all of their relevant genres into something truly original that you will not hear anywhere else.

NWKS are a thought provoking and forward thinking band that will astonish you with their blend of top-notch experimental metal.

Ribs is superbly produced and you can hear every wonderful loud bleak moment to perfection. Just put this album at full blast and lose yourself in the world of NWKS. It’s a world that’s very hard to escape from. And you know what. I don’t want to escape.

Simply brilliant by one of UK’s most original Sludge Metal Bands.

Buy this amazing release when it comes out in May 2012 from BandCamp.

Check this amazing Sludge Rockers below

Check out the awseome "Man outside Cumberland Arms, Byker, 11-07-11" played live. Brilliant stuff.

OSMIUM ALBUM REVIEW

2012-03-01T09:36:00.000-08:00

Osmium are a Groove/Sludge Metal band from Invercargill New Zealand

The members are:

- Cameron Leslie - Guitar & Vocals
- Doug Heath - Bass & Backing Vocals
- William Powell - Drums

Osmium play a great style of Groove/Sludge metal which incorporates elements of Grunge, Thrash and Stoner into their superb blend of music.

The band have just released their outstanding 2nd album – The Misery Harvest. A 10 song and 53 minute blast of Groove/Sludge riffs that uses the best elements of Grunge, Thrash and Stoner Metal to great effect.

The artwork was designed by Vance Kelly who designed the artwork for such great bands as Down and The Sword

So you know these guys have to be good if they can get someone of that calibre to design their album cover.

And I am happy to say that these guys are a great band to check out. Their new album simply superb from the offset. If you’re into Groove Metal, Stoner, Sludge, Thrash and Grunge then this album is for you.

Osmium play a great mixture of them all and then some. The Misery Harvest has countless riffs you lose yourself in over and over again.

These guys know how to lay down a mighty great riff that will have you head-banging in time. The album is full of potential hit songs that would go down a storm in the live arena. The album is superbly produced from start to finish. And you can hear every lean mean note played superbly well.

There are no hardcore based vocals just good old fashioned clean vocals to match the superb music on show. The guys have written a truly great collection of songs that pay homage to great bands past and present such as Alice In Chains, Soundgarden and Metallica.

Especially on tracks like “Forsaken City”, “Better Off Dead”, “Forever Damned” and many more as well. You may think you have heard all this before on your first listen. I will admit I did. But give it a few listens and these guys will win you over with their great blend of hard-hitting riffs.

Osmium are getting quite a reputation in their native New Zealand. And it’s not hard to see why. Hopefully this reputation will cross over onto the international stage as I would love to see these guys play to a bigger audience as possible. They would go down a storm on any of the major league metal festivals.

Osmium play great honest no thrills Sludge/Groove Metal music that we all need time and time again. It might not win awards for originality. But for a great head-banging and fists in the air rocking time then Osmium win on all counts.

All in all this is a superb album that is highly recommended by ourselves at Sludgelord. I urge you all to check these talented rockers now.

Highly Recommended!!!

Check this great band below:

Facebook
BandCamp

Attack! Vipers!- Deadweight Revival -Review

2012-03-01T04:26:00.000-08:00

Attack! Vipers! Hail from Southsea, England and play an impressive brand of Chaotic hardcore/punk with a post-metal edge.
They are made up of the following members.

Joe - Vocals
Ben - Guitar
Tom - Bass
Mark - Drums

Let's be honest , there are a lot of bands who peddle the Hardcore sound but don't stand out. Attack! Vipers! have no such problem combining a range of influences to create a diverse album.

At their most ferocious they bring to mind the fury of Converge with hard hitting tracks like "Reverse Heart Attack" and "Raised by Wolves", but there is another more gentle side to Attack! Vipers! A post-rock leaning on the instrumental "You Were Hope" and "Untitled" reveal an instrumental side reminiscent of Pelican or even Mogwai. Though the latter gives way to a furious hardcore song, it shows real ambition and originality.
There is also the soft female spoken word parts to the slow burning "Out in The Dark" to further add to the mix.
Furious at times, reflective in parts an excellent release that will stand up with any of the genre's releases this year. This album is available on usual formats from Specialist Subject Records check it out on the links below and more on the band.
Pjsludge.

Specialistsubjectrecords

Facebook

Website

VERDUN-The Cosmic Escape of Admiral Masuka-Review

2012-03-01T01:55:00.001-08:00

Verdun are a Doom/Hardcore band from Montpellier, France. The Band is comprised of,

Géraud Jonquet - Drums
Florian Celdran - Bass
Christophe Doux- Guitar
Mathieu Croux - Guitar
David Sadok - Vocals / KeyboardsDoom/

Taking a range of influences like Electric Wizard, St.Vitus and Joy Division , Verdun are set to make their mark in the Doom/sludge world.
They have managed to create a brilliant mixture of massive doom riffs, tortured vocals,and atmospheric moments on this three song ep.

Each song here is around the 10 minute mark , combining different elements of above genres .
The production and musicianship is superb, adding plenty of textures not just a one riff per song. Containing some real melodic moments ,bringing to mind at times great bands like The Atlas Moth or Rwake, it is constantly evolving

My favourite track here is probably "Last man standing", starting with a devilishly catchy riff, screamed vocals leading to an atmospheric mid-section before building again and just when you think it can't take any other turns the opening killer riff swings back , truly compelling stuff.

Verdun have made quite an impression with this E.P, and I for one will be checking out any future releases.
This is available to stream via Bandcamp, but a CD release is being put out by Head records as well as a collectors tape on Throatruiner records . Check it out , however you choose on the links below.
Pjsludge.

Bandcamp

Head Records

Throatruiner Records

Facebook

Banda de la Muerte Album Review

2012-02-27T11:00:00.004-08:00

Banda de la Muerte is a Stoner Metal Band from Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The members are:

Xon
Seba Barrionuevo
Foresi
Guillermo Gómez

Banda de la Muerte play a fast paced blend of Modern Stoner Metal mixed in with elements of hard rock.

This hugely talented band was posted here last year with their brilliant debut album which received acclaim all over the place.

Well these guys were never a band to rest on their laurels and the guys are back with their brilliant new album “Pulso de una mente maldita” due for release in 29th March 2012 just in time when they start their much anticipated European Tour.

I have to thank Banda de la Muerte for sending me an advanced copy of their amazing new album.

The new album is a 9 song and 32 minute blast of superb high energetic Stoner Metal riffs. All sang in the band’s native tongue again as like their previous album. But don’t let that put you off as these guys play a superb modern Stoner Metal riff that can rival any top-notch Stoner Metal band.

The 9 songs on show are all superbly produced and the band has come on leaps and bounds from their debut album. The songs are heavier, more fast-paced and have a great sense of passion around them.

My Spanish speaking skills are next to none but these guys make you really care about the music they are singing about. There are no hardcore/death grunt growls. Just superb clean vocals with high energy and passion all the way through the bands swift running time.

If you’re into fast-paced Stoner Metal then you need to check these guys out right now. As these guys are brilliant musicians and show how to play a mean fast-paced Stoner Metal riff over and over again.

Some people might think the album might be on the short side but I think it’s on the right time. As it has more than its fair share of top-notch Stoner Metal riffs to satisfy the most jaded of listener.

Standout tracks include – “Tiempo Muerto”, “Enspirtu en paz” and the awesome title track which is my fave track on this outstanding album.

As this bulls upon what the band have shown in the previous 8 songs. Brilliant high energetic Stoner Metal riffs with passionate vocals to match.

All in all this is a superb album by one of South America’s finest upcoming Stoner Metal Bands. It’s not hard to see why these guys are getting such a well deserved reputation on the international Stoner/Sludge Scene along with their fellow South American brothers in arms – CULTURA TRES . Who they are doing a few dates with in Europe as well. More Info Here.

If you can catch them on their European Trek I would recommend you catch them now. As these guys are awesome on stage. Well from what I have seen on Youtube.

But back to their outstanding new album. This album should rightly put Banda De La Meurte on the International Stoner Metal Map as a band to be reckoned with.

I urge you all to buy this brilliant album when it’s released in April 2012. These guys are going to become a lot more famous in the next 12 months or so. They have the material to back-up their undeniable talent.

If you want to hear more then go download their brilliant debut album for free from BandCamp and see why the hype is actually justified.

A brilliant album by a brilliant band. Great work guys.

Check Out These Superb Stoner Metallers here:

Official
Facebook
BandCamp
MySpace

All The Empires Of The World Are Back!!!

2012-02-27T10:48:00.001-08:00

All The Empires Of The World are an Atmospheric Sludge/Ambient/Post-Metal Band from Nottingham UK

The members are:

Mark: Guitar
Damon: Guitar
Josh: Not Guitar

All The Empires Of The World are a brilliant hypnotic Atmospheric Sludge/Post-Metal band mixing Doom, Drone, Post-Rock and Ambient Rock to brilliant effect.

These guys have been on this blog before. And I included their brilliant 2011 album “Return” as one of my top records of 2011 which I still always rave on about.

The guys proved with “Return” they were indeed masters at mixing the loud heavy sludge/post-metal riffage with superb experimental ambient/post-rock passages.

Well they guys are back with probably their most challenging and most creative work to date – “Old Gods, Old Worlds, Old Wounds” which is available for free download from BandCamp.

This album is a 7 song 42 minute ride into a long-forgotten world that is held together by a huge wall of loud sludge/post-metal riffs mixed in with top-notch experimental ambient drone-based post-rock landscapes.

This album isn’t easily compared to their earlier albums which I instantly fell in love with. As this is the bands most experimental and creative work to date. It’s not exactly Sludge, Post-Metal or Post Rock but a superb mixture of many different genres.

“Old Gods, Old Worlds, Old Wounds” has been stripped back to spell-binding effect. People expecting a loud onslaught of Sludge/Post-Metal riffs might be slightly disappointed. To be fair I was as well especially compared to their last brilliant album – “Return”.

But the more I listened to this the more I began to appreciate this superb album. The band have created a truly haunting and astonishing piece of work that demands multiple listens to get the albums full effect.

The album is more of an odyssey than a collection of songs. Each song has a different story to tell and mostly a different vibe to each individual song.

The band expertly mix Atmospheric Sludge/Post-Metal with elements of Post-Rock/Drone/Ambient Music to great effect to give the listener an experience they won’t soon forget.

The opening track “Demon Rises” is a 4 minute sombre Post-Rock/Ambient driven affair that slowly builds at its own pace before the next lengthy track kicks in.

“The Lion” is a 10 minute epic which showcases familiar ATEOTW territory. Loud heavy distorted Sludge/Post Metal riffs with a great Droning atmosphere to it. Wait till the riffs kick off near the 5 minute mark.

These two songs tell you what to expect from the remainder of this amazing album. I am not going to spoil it anymore for the listener as I want you to discover this for yourselves.

The production is excellent and you can hear every note played to perfection. Equally both on the loud heavy Sludge/Post-Metal parts and the equally restrained Drone/Ambient/Post-Rock aspects of the album.

As stated before this is not an easy album to listen to. Some people might not give this the chance it truly deserves but if you do you will be rewarded with a brilliant album to listen to time and time again.

OK I might rate “Return” slightly higher but this is still quite frankly a brilliant and astonishing album to listen to.

“Old Gods, Old Worlds, Old Wounds” proves that All The Empires Of The World are probably the best Atmospheric Sludge/Post-Metal Band the UK has to offer at the moment.

Simply Amazing. You can download this brilliant album for Free Download From BandCamp Right Now. I urge you all to do this.

Highly Recommended!!! Check This Great Band Below:

BandCamp
MySpace
LastFm

UNDEAD VIKING MAFIA

2012-02-27T10:37:00.001-08:00

Undead Viking Mafia (UVM) is a Sludge/Stoner Metal band from Atlanta, GA.

UVM play a fast paced blend of Stoner, Sludge and Hardcore Punk to loud, mean and brutal effect. Taking influence from the legendary NOLA scene but adding a great Hardcore Punk vibe to their style of hard-hitting Stoner/Sludge Metal.

All I can say about this band is if you like fast-paced hard hitting Sludge/Stoner Metal with a great social hardcore punk commentary added to it, then UVM are the band for you.

They have just released their superb new album – “Resurgens” – An 8 song 28 minute blast of hard-hitting Sludge/Stoner Metal riffs with intense hardcore based vocals to match.

3 of the songs are studio based tracks while the remaining 5 tracks are from a live gig. So you get the best of both worlds. Studio Based Output along with actual live recordings.

And to tell you what even though the studio tracks are superbly played and produced. This album comes alive when the live tracks kick in. As these guys are seriously a superb live act and these tracks captures them at their undeniable and magnetic best.

Full of superb hard-hitting Sludge/Stoner Metal riffs with great vocals to match. This release is simply a superb blast from start to finish. Featuring a great mix of Sludge//Stoner Metal blended with pure hardcore punk aggression.

All of the tracks are superbly produced and this is a release I recommend you download right now for free from their BandCamp Page. As it’s a 30 minute blast of top-notch Sludge/Stoner Metal thrill ride you will be taking time and time again.

You can also download this superb release from the SoundCloud Page which as a few more bonus remix tracks.

So get checking out this great band now. You won’t be sorry. A great release from another great Sludge/Stoner Metal band to look out for.

Check This Great Band Below:

Facebook
BandCamp

SoundCloud

SCHEMATICS FOR GRAVITY

2012-02-27T10:32:00.000-08:00

Schematics For Gravity is a Post-Metal Band from Sweden

The members are:

Erik Silverberg - Vocals
Chris Campbell - Guitar
Anders Lundgren - Bass
Martin Nilsson - Guitar
Pontus Landgren - Drums

Schematics For Gravity play superb hard-hitting Post-Metal that takes influence from the usual crowd of genre crowd-pleasures – ISIS, Rosetta, Sigur Rós, Explosions in the Sky and Cult of Luna.

But don’t let that think this superb band are mere copycats as they are not. They add some soothing Post-Rock Ambient Guitars to the mix with superb hardcore sludge based vocals which all top-notch Post-metal bands need. And this band falls under that description.

The band have released their superb S/T new release. A 3 song 24 minute blast of finely tuned Atmospheric Sludge/Post-Metal riffage that boasts superb instrumental work from start to finish.

If you’re a fan of the above bands this is one band you cannot ignore. Their debut EP is simply Unmissable. It’s full of loud, heavy and passionate riffs to get stuck into.

The 3 songs on offer has the right blend of Post-Rock/Post-Metal quiet & loud dynamics you expect from a top-notch Post-Metal band.

It’s superbly produced from start to finish and will have you begging for more when the final seconds are over.

A superb EP from another great Post-Metal Band to keep an eye on.

My fave track is the 10 minute epic “An Entire Ocean Under Scarred Skin” as it showcases this bands talent of mixing Post- Rock, Post-Metal, Sludge and Ambient Noises to brilliant effect .A very haunting experience indeed.

You can download this brilliant release on BandCamp Pay Anything You Want Type Deal and I recommend you do this now.

Highly Recommended!!! Great Work Guys.

Check This Band Below:

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Check out my fave track "“An Entire Ocean Under Scarred Skin" from their outstanding new EP.

MAMMUT

2012-02-27T10:26:00.000-08:00

Mammut are a Stoner Metal band from Sweden

Mammut play a fast paced blend of Stoner Metal. Nothing new or original here but Mammut are a great band who know how to play a mighty fine Stoner Metal riff that will have you head-banging in no time.

I have to thank Johan for emailing about his great band's music. Their bio should tell you all you need to know.

Mammut has got it´s roots in 2003 when Johan Hedqvist, Johan Eliasson, Jonas Wedin and Daniel Bergström went to the same school outside of Stockholm, Sweden. They were 15 years old and played some punk and Iron Maiden-covers in a garage. Names and line-ups were changed over the years but the band took it´s final form in 2006 when drummer Daniel Lyngman joined the band. The band name was leChuck, after the computer games pirate, and after loads of demo recordings and live shows the band was playing stoner rock mixed with sludge and doom influences. The lyrics being in Swedish the band name was changed to Mammut in late 2011. Homunkulus, the band´s debut EP, was released early 2012. Influences are Swedish heavy metal band November, Kyuss, Sleep, Neurosis, Kylesa, ISIS and early Iron Maiden among many others. "

They have a superb EP up for free download from their SoundCloud Page. Homunkulus. A 4 song 20 minute action packed Stoner Metal thrill ride that has superb top-notch Stoner Metal riffs from start to finish with great vocals to match.

The EP is superbly produced and you can hear every great stoner riff to perfection.

These guys have a great talent of writing and playing a top-notch modern Stoner Metal riff especially on Grottan and the title track. Heck all of the songs have great Stoner Riffs.

The EP shows Mammut are band with great future and are definitely worth checking out and demands your attention right now.

I would love to hear more of the Hardcore/Sludge Metal based vocals that pops up now and again on this great EP. There is nothing wrong the vocals here as they are very good indeed. Just the harsher vocals would have given this great EP a more hard-edged vibe to it.

But we can’t have everything. So all in all this is a great EP for everyone to check out. Great stuff.

Highly Recommended.

Check This Great Band Below:

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Sunpocrisy -Samaroid Dioramas- Review

2012-02-26T07:02:00.002-08:00

Sunpocrisy are a Post/Progressive Metal band from Brescia Italy. Comprising of

	Matteo Bonera: Guitars & Art Carlo Giulini: Drums Stefano Gritti: Synth & Live Visuals Jonathan Panada : Guitars & Vocals Marco Tabacchini: Guitars & Noise Gabriele Zampieri: Bass & Vocals

They play a highly technical brand of music, full of crushing riffs, weaving rhythms, soaring vocal parts and atmospheric keyboards.
Sunpocrisy also put a lot of thought and work into their music, having an ambitious approach to visuals/artwork and lyrics.
Their latest album Samaroid Dioramas , is a conceptual affair about different elements of the universe and the artwork is based and reflects the story.

The music is reminiscent of great bands like Between The Buried And Me, Burst, The Ocean . They have created an album of high quality that fans of Prog/technical metal will love.

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Good To Die Records-Label Profile.

2012-02-25T06:53:00.000-08:00

Its not often I feel compelled to recommend an entire Record Label . The Acts and releases so far from Seattle based Good To Die Records are so good it would be criminal not to.
Founded by Nick Christofferson , who has been gaining respect for years with his Seattlerockguy blog he has quickly assembled some stunning bands.

GTD first came to my attention through Sandrider , I'd heard the name mentioned and checked them out . They were GTD's second release, and their debut is a must have. Featuring members of the band "Akimbo" Sandrider like Sludgelord favs Summoner assault you with a barrage of riffs and and hook laden songs. In the Vein of Torche and Baroness while also bringing to mind some classic Soundgarden or Mudhoney , I was so impressed by Sandrider that I checked GTD's other artists. See more Here

Monogamy Party are another find, a noise/grind/fuzz attack , a Bass and drums combo bringing to mind Big Business and the alt-punk of These Arms Are Snakes. Listen Here

Next up Brokaw, a truly
amazing band , in style pretty unique, somewhere between the intensity of Unsane and chaos of Jesus Lizard. Their debut is essential . Listen Here

Absolute Monarchs, demonstrate the diversity of GTD, playing a 90's style of alternative indie rock. They have just finished recording their debut with Matt Bayles(Mastodon, Isis,Botch) and is released next month. Listen/Download Here

Dog Shredder are the newest to the label and Nick has signed another quality band . Their debut pre-GTD is available here , and have their new ep due next month also. Listen/Download Here

Good To Die are putting Seattle back on the map for quality heavy music, this time though no need for lumberjack shirts and converse all-star wearing self-loathing. Just an appetite for face melting music and originality required. Its only a matter of time before everyone is talking about this label and their stunning artists get in early .

http://www.goodtodierecords.com/

http://goodtodierecords.bandcamp.com/

Summoner-Phoenix review (part II)

2012-02-25T06:30:00.000-08:00

Riff Cannon(Now Summoner) have returned and Steve has already submitted his excellent review. Such is the quality I had to submit my own views on their new album, "Phoenix"

The name may have changed but the "Riff Cannon" is still fully loaded and ready to fire.
I was a big fan of "Mercury Mountain", and when I heard about the name change and a new album I was excited to say the least.
Summoner are now here and their first release under the moniker is "Phoenix", an apt title and a fantastic album.
There are so many catchy riffs, crushing rhythms here your head may explode. Fans of Baroness, Kylesa, Torche will love this album, Summoner have really honed their songwriting and developed their sound . These songs are crying out to be played live, while listening I have an overwhelming urge to see them. I can envisage packed venues ,beers+fists held aloft in appreciation of the riff-fest.
There is more to Summoner than heads down rocking though. There are some real melodic moments here and a healthy dose of psychedelic trippy moments , maybe reflecting some of their influences like Atomic Rooster and Hawkwind.

Tracks like "Phoenix","Reclaimer" and "Dead Moon" showcase a more subtle approach and some truly amazing guitar work . These songs come after the opening triple assault of "The Interloper"," Winged Hessians" and "Conjuring". A relentless salvo coming across like the bastard child of Thin Lizzy and Motorhead in a bar fight with Torche and Baroness. Summoner have a sound of their own though and enough quality to ensure they stand out from any crowd. The production is warm and fuzzy with a 70's analogue feel, and the musicianship is excellent.

You need this album in your life, the band are working on a CD/Vinyl release but from next week "Phoenix" will be available on Bandcamp. Since I got this album I've listened to nothing else , highly recommended is probably an understatement.

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SUMMONER - PHOENIX ALBUM REVIEW

2012-02-23T08:51:00.001-08:00

SUMMONER are as Sludge/Stoner Metal Band from Boston, USA.

The members are:

Chris Johnson (Vox/Bass)
Scott Smith (Drums)
Joe Richner (Guitar)
AJ Peters (Guitar)

SUMMONER play a heavy blend of Psych, Sludge, Stoner, Doom, Space Rock to outstanding effect.

You might remember these guys as RIFF CANNON. Well they are back with a new album and a great heavier new sound from their superb 2009 debut album - MERCURY MOUNTAIN. Which was acclaimed all over the place.

Why the change of name. Well I will let the guys tell you.

"Like a Phoenix, SUMMONER rises from the ashes of RIFF CANNON to be reborn and start anew. With the new moniker, came the inspiration and title for the newest album from the Boston quartet. Phoenix. After releasing their first album Mercury Mountain to much acclaim from fans and critics, they found the one downfall of the album was that it didn't capture their high energy live performance, for which they were known."

So SUMMONER was born. And the guys are about to release their amazing new album -Phoenix on 28th February 2012 via Digital Download. With hopefully Vinyl and CD in the near future.

Well like the famed Phoenix rising from the flames. SUMMONER have risen from the ashes and released an outstanding new album.

It's an 8 song 49 minute blast of top-notch Stoner/Sludge/Doom/Space Rock riffage which the band should rightly be proud of.

It has riffs that Mastodon, Thin Lizzy, Torche would be proud to call their own. But all done in a wholly original way. This album is one cool fucking ride into the Psych Metal World.

The album gets right down to business with "The Interloper". A 4 minute blast of superb Sludge/Stoner Metal riffs that will have you head-banging in no time.

Then "Winged Hessians" comes out of the starting block showcasing riffs that will give Mastodon & Thin Lizzy a run for their money. The song includes amazing psych based prog-sludge dual guitar metal riffs with superb vocals to match.

Next up is "Conjuring". A 4 minute blast which does have shades of Mercury Mountain but blended in with their new Summoner sound. The best of both worlds for to showcase this great bands talent.

The album contains a fucking brilliant 9:15 minute epic "Let The Light In.". A song which shows what this band does brilliantly well. Fusing all of their respective genres into something fresh and wholly original which will have you begging for more.

The remaining 4 songs are just as great as the first 4 tracks especially the 8 minute epic "Dead Moon". A song that soon gets under your skin and doesn't leave until the dying seconds.

I listened to this album non-stop today and I just loved it each and every time that I listened to it.

The album is superbly produced and you can tell the guys have took their time to create a brilliant album to release upon the world.

SUMMONER say this album is a true reflection of their live persona. Well if this is the case then I want SUMMONER to come to the UK as I would travel anywhere to see them. They are seriously that great.

Riff Cannon maybe dead. But SUMMONER have risen from the ashes to release an album that will most definitely be considered one of 2012 best releases.

Whatever you do just buy this album when it comes out. Give the guys all your support and hopefully they will release more amazing albums like this.

All I can say is FUCKING WOW. An outstanding and brilliant release in my humble opinion.

Highly Recommended!!!

(PJSludge will be doing his own review very soon as he is a big fan of this great band as well.)

Check these great Sludge Rockers Below:

Check out the amazing "Let The Light In" from their brilliant new album "Phoenix".

ARMS OF RA - ARE BACK

2012-02-23T08:14:00.000-08:00

Arms Of Ra is an Atmospheric Sludge Metal Band from France

The members are:

Mathieu - Chant & Synthé
Pierre - Batterie
Pierre Alain - Basse
Simon - Guitare

Arms Of Ra play a hard hitting blend of Atmospheric Sludge fused with Doom/Crust/Post-Hardcore metal. Taking influence from Neurosis, ISIS, Cult Of Luna to paint a hard hitting take on the genre.

Arms Of Ra have been on this blog-spot before with their 2009 debut EP which I originally raved very highly.

Well Arms Of Ra are back with their stunning follow-up and first full-length album. – “Unnamed” – A 6 song 31 minute blast of sublime Sludge riffs blended in Doom/Crust/Post-Hardcore vibes.

The album feels like twice as long and contains brilliant Sludge Metal riffs to satisfy the most jaded of Atmospheric Sludge Metal fan.

The album is a very haunting and atmospheric work from one of France’s best kept secrets. These guys have taken their time and crafted a superior slice of Atmospheric Sludge metal that you all need hear.

The album starts off superbly with opener “Afterwards” a 5.18 minute blast of superb vocals and riffs to match to get you fully into the mood for Arms Of Ra.

And from then on the album has you in its grip until the dying seconds. The album is full of great songs that will have you head-banging in no time. The album is full of passionate vocals and lyrics to match the hard-hitting riffs on show. A perfect blend of how to do Sludge Metal mixed with Doom, Crust and Post-Hardcore that French Bands are beginning get a great reputation for. Especially by yours truly.

Other great tracks to check out is “I have the right to erase myself”, “Write my name and forget it” and my fave track the 9 minute classic track “To be acknowledged is to exist”.

As you can tell by the song titles this album has a got an intriguing story to it. As put by the band themselves “The story of a man trying to deconstruct himself and disappear from society.”

Not a happy story by any means and the music paints this picture. It’s a deeply un-settling and haunting atmosphere which the band pull of brilliantly. This is what Atmospheric Sludge Metal should be about. Heavy riffs, passionate vocals and a superb concept to match. And Arms Of Ra succeed on all counts on this great release.

Arms Of Ra have turned into better musicians and writers since their last release. The vocals, instrumental work are heavier, louder, angrier and more passionate than ever before.

All in all this is a brilliant album you need to check out now. As Arms Of Ra are giving this album away for free. Well the 192 KPS version from their superb record label Swarm Of Nails via Mediafire also via BandCamp.

If you want a higher bit-rate then you will have to pay it from the BandCamp Page.

So get downloading now. If you like what you hear check out their superb debut EP as well.

A brilliant release from another great French Sludge Metal Band. Highly Recommended.

Check these superb Sludge Metallers below.

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THE PLEDGE OF CAIN - AMAZING LIVE ALBUM

2012-02-23T08:06:00.000-08:00

The Pledge Of Cain is a Sludge Metal Band

The members are:

Merk0))) S. : BASSDUBBING / VOKILLS (2005-still)
Ren0))) D. : FUZZWAVES / VOKILLS (2005-still)
Arn0))) D. : NOISESCAPES (2010-still)
Jumb0))) C. : DRONEPROPAGANDA / VOKILLS (2011-still)
Ravindranath0))) S-J : DRUMBOMBING (2011-still)

The Pledge Of Cain is a bleak down-tempo Sludge Metal Band who have been featured before on this blog. And I raved about their brilliant album which you can still download for free.

If you haven’t done so then why not. As you’re missing out on a superb release that shake you to the very core.

Well the guys are back with their superb live album. Live At Carabar, Columbus. A 4 song 40 minute blast of brilliant Sludge Metal riffage that captures this amazing band at their very best on the live stage.

The album is brilliantly recorded for a live release. You can hear every bleak note played to perfection and to a brilliant crowd as well who take to this band in no time.

This release proves why Pledge Of Cain are one of my fave Sludge Metal bands currently around at the moment.

Their music is simply superb on both the live arena and in the studio. This is one hugely talented band that demands your attention now.

This is one of the best live releases I have heard in a very long time. It features the usual Pledge Of Cain classics “Rorschach”, “Carriers” and the brilliant “Magmatic Blood”.

It’s great to see a live release with no over-dubs and where you can hear an enthusiastic audience giving a band a great reception for the set they just played.

TPOC play a storming set and this release makes you feel your right in the thick of the action. You can hear every note played brilliantly well to loud, angry and brutal effect.

Simply a brilliant release from a brilliant band. What is even more you can download this superb release for free. Either from their excellent BandCamp Page and by Mediafire from their superb blog.

The band have even put up their superb debut EP "Doom-Laden Mortarshells" for free download as well from BandCamp. See where it all began as this EP is a great introduction to this superb band.

If you like what you hear check out all their brilliant releases from the links on BandCamp and Blogspot.

Highly Recommended.

Check This Great Band Below:

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WILLIAM ENGLISH - BAND TO CHECK OUT

2012-02-23T07:59:00.000-08:00

William English is a Sludge/Thrash Metal Band From Thetfold, Norfolk, UK

The members are:

Vocals: Shane Miller
Drums: Joe Woodbury
Guitar: Daniel Bonfield
Guitar: Damien Taylor
Bass : Ryan Carter

William English play a bleak down-tempo blend of Sludge Metal. Taking infleunce from EYEHATEGOD, COUGH and many other great bands of that ilk but adding a great Thrash Metal vibe to their music.

Wiliiam English have just released their hugely enjoyable 2 song 8 minute demo available for free download from their Facebook and SoundCloud Pages.

If you’re a fan of those type of bands then get downloading now as this is hugely impressive stuff from a band to keep an eye out in future.

The songs are superbly produced and shows what the band can do really well. Great riffs, great vocals show that William English might have a good future ahead of them when they release their debut EP or full length record.

At Loggers Head is the best track of the bunch as its loud, mean, bleak and played with lots of thrash metal gutso you don’t see in a relatively new band but William English pull it off brilliantly well.

So give this band a look. You wont regret it. A superb band with an great demo to back up their undeniable talent.

Highly Impressive Work Guys. Let me know when your proper debut release is ready as I can’t wait to see what these talented sludge rockers have in store.

Check This Great Band Below.

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TIGER LILY

2012-02-23T07:54:00.000-08:00

Tiger Lily is a Sludge Metal Band from Fresno, CA, USA.

The members are:

Drums-Rat
Guitar-Zerg
Guitar/Vox-Bear
Bass/Vox- Moose
Vox-Creacher

Tiger Lily play a hard-hitting blend of Sludge Metal mixed together with elements of Doom and Hardcore Punk to great effect.

Tiger Lily have just released their excellent EP called “Annabeth”. A 3 song 18 minute hard-hitting blast of superb heavy pounding fast-paced Sludge Metal music.

I thought I downloaded the EP as I thought I was listening to a Church Sermon of some kind as it has some religious type singing. But I needn’t have worried. Give it a minute and the first track “Heaven/Plagues” kicks into life shall we say with a bang.

And this release stays like this until the very last minute. By then this band have already won you over like they did with me.

Sometimes their music feels a little bit disjointed at times but this really adds to the atmosphere. As one minute you’re expecting a traditional Sludge Metal riff which then bursts into something else. Quite impressive with the different genres on show.

So all in all a great release from a great band to keep an eye on. You can download their superb debut album free from BandCamp.

The EP is superbly produced from start to finish which really shows the bands talents for heavy placed riffs to perfection. A great introduction to a great band. Let’s see what they do with a proper full length release in the future as they have the potential to release something truly special. Highly Recommended.

Check This Great Band Below:

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BARROW

2012-02-23T07:50:00.000-08:00

Barrow are a Sludge/Post-Metal band from Minsk, Belarus.

The members are:

Maxim - guitar
Dasha - guitar
Maxim - vox
Evgeniy - bass
Nikita - drums

Barrow play a superb blend of Sludge/Post-Metal which is influenced by Pelican, ISIS and Neurosis

Their debut S/T Demo release is a superb offering that hits all the right buttons. It’s a 2 song 20 minute ride of top-notch Sludge/Post-Metal riffs to head-bang to with great vocals to match as well. Well on one of the songs you do – “Lay Me Down To Sleep”. The other song “Immolation In The Light Of Aurora” is a superb instrumental song.

For a demo release it’s superbly produced. It feels like a professional release than a Demo Release. The two songs on show here are great songs that shows what these guys can do. Play the right amount of sludge-based aggression mixed in with top-notch Post-Rock theatrics.

Barrow are top-notch musicians and their music draws you in from the start to give the listener a huge amount of great riffs to rock out to.

This release is available for free download from BandCamp and I urge you all to download this great release now. The band have informed me they are working on their new EP due for release shortly. But they want to get impressions from people first.

Well I am sold. Get that EP released soon guys as I think you have a bright future indeed. Superb Stuff.

So get downloading now. Highly Recommended.

Check This Great Band Below:

BandCamp

ZOMBIE KING - SON OF A WITCH ALBUM REVIEW

2012-02-23T07:47:00.000-08:00

Zombie King are a Stoner Rock Band from France

The members are: Emeline, Jérôme, Ben, Charly

Zombie King play a fast and furious blend of Stoner Rock mixed with some truly haunting ambient effects. Parts Sabbath, Parts Fu-Manchu and at times Parts Church Of Misery with the haunting ambient effects.

This is a band not afraid to scare the viewer while also having a great time playing some superb Stoner Rock Riffs.

Zombie King have just released their superb 2nd album – Son Of The Witch. An 8 song 26 minute thrill ride of superb Stoner Rock riffs mixed in with a groovy occult soundtrack. Son Of The Witch are a rare breed in Stoner Rock circles. They are lead by a superb female vocalist Emeline who brings some haunting vocals to the table.

The album is full of great tracks to fully rock out. Fast, loud, scary in places but all delivered with a huge smile on your face. Zombie King are seriously talented musicians and prove it time and time again on this great album.

All of the tracks have superb titles which do portray a sense of fear but when you hear them this is like the above bands jamming on the same bill for fun.

The album is superbly produced, Its one of the loudest Stoner Rock records I have heard this year and possibly the most fun as well. Great Stuff. Highly Recommended

So do yourself a favour and check these great Stoner Rockers below:

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Bädr Vogu ALBUM REVIEW

2012-02-23T07:41:00.000-08:00

Bädr Vogu is a Sludge Metal band from Oakland, CA, USA

The members are

Justin - Drums
Sean - Vocals
Joe - Guitar
Rob - Bass
Bryce - Guitar
Leo-fill in Guitar

Bädr Vogu play a heavily stylized brutal blend of Sludge Metal mixed in with Blues, Crust and Stoner Metal to superb effect.

These guys are getting a fearsome reputation in the Sludge Metal scene. They have played with such heavyweights as Eyehategod, Brainoil, Laudanum, Thou, Alaric, Gehena, Impaled, and Oroku.

The band released their brilliant and brutal new album “Exitium” in Summer 2011 and I am going to try to give this great album a review.

“Exitium” is a punishing bruising encounter of Sludge Metal that blends Blues, Doom, Crust Punk and Stoner Metal to superb effect.

This is a 7-song 48 minute blast of hard-hitting Sludge Metal riffs with brutal hardcore/death-metal vocals to match. This album isn’t for the faint of heart.

These guys are masters at writing a top-notch hard-hitting epic riffs. The album does have its fair share of epic tracks. 5 of them run past the 6 minute mark and it’s these tracks where the band comes to life the most.

This is where these guys show why they are getting such a well deserved reputation. These guys play loud, angry and heavy Sludge Riffs right from the start. There is no middle ground with Badr Vogu. You want it heavy all the through. You got it here in spades.

Tracks like “Wolves In The Ruin”, “Soliloquy Of Belligerence” and the 10:45 minute epic track “Extinguished” which happens to be my fave track on this superb album. Are all full of heavy pounding Sludge Riffs you will be pummelling your soul to time and time again.

It’s superbly produced and this has some of the best and loudest bass guitar playing I have heard in the last few years alone.

Bädr Vogu has produced a brilliant album which blends their genres superbly well. Stoner-Metal, Doom, Crust Punk all held together by a superb bleak down-tempo style of Sludge Metal that only Badr Vogu can deliver.

Superb Stuff. I urge you all to check this band out now. Another great addition to the Sludge Metal Underground.

You can buy this great release from BandCamp now

Highly Recommended.

Check This Great Band Below

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Sludgelord

Landforge-Servitude to Earth -Review

2012-02-23T05:37:00.000-08:00

Landforge is a instrumental Post-metal/atmospheric doom project of Stephan Carter who also plays in previously Sludgelord featured Leafmulch see Here

Here's a bit of back round info on what Stephan is about.

Combining a number of influences ranging from post-rock to drone, Landforge's music is a melancholic blend of ethereal clean sections and pounding distorted riffs.

Originally conceived in early 2011, the project gained a healthy underground following with the debut full-length, a 40-minute album titled "Creation Cycle". Recorded entirely in a bedroom studio with budget equipment, the album was released in May 2011 and within days had racked up a considerable fan base on Last.fm. The album also received positive feedback on file sharing sites and blogs.

In light of the success of the first release, Stephan started work on the second album shortly afterwards, aiming to repeat the strong points of Creation Cycle while also addressing some of the weaker points, such as production quality. The second album, titled "Servitude to Earth", was released February 15th 2012.

"Servitude To Earth" has done what Stephan hoped to achieve building on his debut and improving. There is so much to take in and enjoy on this album, atmospheric passages , subtle melodies layering of guitars and distorted riffs. Each track packs a mighty punch,heavy riffs, and progressions building an almost cinematic feel at times. The album holds your attention throughout and each listen seems to reveal something you missed last time, a sign of a great multi-textured release.

This is a truly heavy record, though there is plenty to set it apart, Stephan is a talented musician who has crafted a compelling album. His already established fans will love it and it should gain him plenty of new followers.
2012 according to the Mayan calender is the year the world will end. Landforge may just have just released the soundtrack to the (alleged) impending apocalypse. Download it on the name-your-price deal below and check out more on Landforge .

http://landforge.bandcamp.com/album/servitude-to-earth

http://m.facebook.com/landforgemusic?v=feed&refid=0

The Fierce And The Dead- Band Profile

2012-02-21T06:30:00.000-08:00

We here at Sludgelord appreciate the heavy things in life, although hopefully like us you also like the quieter side also. The Fierce And The Dead would come in to the latter category, a four piece from London who play compelling experimental post-rock. Let the band themselves give you a bit more back round.

"The Fierce & The Dead came about from a recording experiment that was initially intended for Matt's second solo album, but it started to grow legs and arms and evolved into its own animal. They just feed it now and then and it spits noise back out. The music is based on loose compositions and structures and is improvised from there on in.

Their first EP 'Part 1' (one 19 minute long song) came out in 2010 to unexpected critical acclaim. They released their full length debut 'If It Carries On Like This We Are Moving To Morecambe' in May 2011, it features 10 tracks and guest saxophone performance from Terry Edwards. It is dedicated to the memory of close friend Dan Wilson who passed away during the recording of the album.

The band have played a string of live dates at the end of 2011 and have also recorded a new e.p, entitled On VHS, due for release in March 26th 2012. This will hopefully be followed by a second full length album in the Summer of 2012.

Matt, Kev and Stuart have played together on and off in various guises for over 10 years as well as performing with other bands and as solo artists. With several live dates booked the band welcomed a new member but an old friend, Steve Cleaton, on guitar, keyboards and fx."

Their album "If It Carries On Like This We Are Moving To Morecambe", is a eclectic work full of looped and layered guitars throbbing bass and even saxophone, creating a remarkable instrumental album, that never stands still.

March 26th will see the release of their new E.P. "On VHS", although if you pre-order it you should receive it a week early. Its one I'm really looking forward to and is the first to feature new guitarist Steve Cleaton. The Fierce And The Dead's Matt Stevens is also a talented and prolific solo artist and released the album Relic late last year. Both TFATD and Matt's music feature on Bandcamp and most is available on the popular "name your price" basis, physical copies in most cases are also available. I highly recommend you check out this quality collection of musicians and their work and look out for future releases.

http://www.fierceandthedead.com/

http://thefierceandthedead.bandcamp.com/

http://www.facebook.com/fierceandthedead

http://mattstevens.bandcamp.com/

Tacoma Narrows Bridge Disaster - Exegesis Review

2012-02-20T12:50:00.000-08:00

Sometimes you can have a Perception of a band while never really checking them out. I am guilty of that in this case having thought TNBD were a Explosions In The Sky style post-rock group. Although I like a lot of bands in that category I hadn't got round to checking them out.

Turns out my perception and failure not to check TNBD out sooner was idiotic. Not only are they a completely different beast to what I thought, I've also been missing out. They have released what I now think will be one of my albums of the year. Yes its early but its not a claim I make lightly, TNBD play an intense style of prog/post metal a mixture of the progressive textures of Tool with the atmospheric weight of Isis and the instrumental muscle of Pelican, although in no way are they generic copyists following well travelled paths. There is enough quality and gathering of ideas on display to ensure TNBD have a sound of their own, and its devastating.

They have excelled on new album Exegesis, creating an album that should see them recognised as leading lights in the UK scene. Album opener Fractal World sets the tone . Atmospheric rhythms building towards melodic guitar work with bass and drums at the forefront of the action also. The musicianship here is superb , there are moments of jaw-dropping brilliance all over the 8 tracks on offer, a blend of instrumental and vocal tracks which work equally well, Black Iron Prison in particular with its repeated cry of "And The Walls Will Come Down" as the song builds to a epic climax is stunning. All the tracks on offer are stand out and this is an album that grabs you from start to finish.

I can't praise/recommend this album enough, if you enjoy forward thinking metal/rock, and bands like Tool,Pelican + Rosetta TNBD might be your new favourite band . More info on this great band can be found below and links to purchase the album.

http://www.bridgedisaster.co.uk

http://tacomanarrowsbridgedisaster.bandcamp.com/

Pjsludge

KASPER ROSA - Band To Check Out

2012-02-17T01:12:00.000-08:00

Kasper Rosa are a four-peice from Belfast, Northern Ireland. They play mainly Instrumental Post-Rock/Progressive metal.

They are a four piece featuring

J Ryan McCormick
Steven Butler
Dave Shannon
James 'Tree' Bruce

Kasper Rosa formed around 2009, they quickly started impressing even scoring a support slot with drone/doom titans Earth after only a few months.

They have toured/played with the likes of Vessels,65daysofstatic,Maybeshewill and many more. They have upcoming festival appearances and gigs planned throughout the year.

Kasper Rosa have released two Eps so far and more recently the singles , Coronal Mass Ejection and First Breath First Blood. The releases are available from their Bandcamp site the Eps being available on the Pay what you want deal. This band really stands out from the Post-Rock crowd, mainly due to a wide range of influences from Mastodon to Oceansize ,Radiohead and Opeth

The tracks have a real organic feel to them including at times acoustic guitar passages and gentle synth effects. The songs are never repetitive and although some approach 10 minutes in length they hold your attention throughout. It would be pointless to single out individual tracks for praise as they all are high quality though Scaling Mount Improbable is a particular live favourite.

Recently the tracks , Coronal Mass Ejection and First Breath, First Blood have included vocals. This only adds to the uniqueness of Kasper Rosa's sound and blend perfectly with the textures of intricate sounds and stomping rhythms . They are currently writing and planning for their first full length ,one that is high on my list of anticipated releases. Do yourself a favour go check these Belfast lads out right away, if you enjoy Progressive/Post Rock they will not dissapoint .

http://kasperrosa.bandcamp.com/
http://www.facebook.com/kasperrosa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNrb0N6Zor4

PJSludge

PALO VERDE - ZERO H(OUR ALBUM REVIEW

2012-02-17T01:06:00.003-08:00

First up for me is a Two-girl instrumental Sludge/experimental/noise group from Portland. Palo Verde

Read more about them here, http://phratryrecords.com/bands/detail/palo_verde

These Girls don't mess about they record in a improvised manner and although they adopt a plug in and play philosophy it betrays the quality and cohesion of the tracks. What you get is slabs of Monolithic heavy guitars / wails of feedback and head crushing heavy drum fills.

Tracks though long pass easily constantly changing and although "improvised" have a structure while also evolving from the start . This album has excellent musicianship/production and for a two piece make an almighty noise.

My Personal favourite is opener "Dark meadow for long night". With a spiralling opening riff giving way to a tribal-like drum beat and crashing Cymbals the drumming here reminds me of Kylesa, except they have two drummers this girl is pounding her kit herself, a sludge thick riff kicks in and from there the track ebbs and flows through passages of jaw-dropping heaviness and stop start grooves.

The four tracks here show what a talent these two have for crafting songs that hold your attention while pounding your brain with heavy grooves.

Recommended for fans of sludge/doom metal and bands such as Kylesa and Karma to Burn

At 4 songs and around 43 Minutes this is an album I'll be coming back to time and again and I'll be looking forward to more from this two-girl face-melting crew.

The album is available here , http://paloverdeband.bandcamp.com/ with links to order in Various formats .

Highly Recommended.

PJSludge.

http://paloverdeband.net/
http://www.facebook.com/PaloVerdeBand

AND THEN THERE WERE TWO.....

2012-02-17T01:02:00.000-08:00

Hi all. Important News. A new member is joining Sludgelord to help me publish and promote all the superb bands in the Stoner/Sludge/Post-Metal/Doom/Black-Metal/Psych Realm.

He is called PJSludge and I have mentioned him a few times as he has recommended some great bands to me over the last few months or so. So I will let PJSludge now introduce himself.

"First of all allow me to introduce myself , I'm Phil you can find me on twitter@Pjsludge.

I've known Steve (sludgelord) for some time and will be posting reviews,features as and when I can. My musical taste represents what's covered here everything sludge/stoner/post-rock/metal/electronica/doom."

I know you will all welcome Phil with open arms to the team. Normal service will be the same. Promoting brilliant bands to our loyal readers. Phil is going to write then next two articles. Enjoy!!!

Cheers

Steve

HUATA - ATAVIST OF MANN REVIEW

2012-02-17T00:52:00.000-08:00

HUATA are an Occult/Stoner/Sludge/Doom/Drone Metal Band from France

The members are:

Ronan Grall : Summon
Benjamin Moreau : Invoke
Christophe Marconato : Worship
Alexis Darnoux : Adore

HUATA play a truly haunting and spell-binding blend of Stoner/Sludge/Doom/Drone Metal Music mixed with amazing Occult Psych based rock. This is becoming quite popular to great bands like Ghost and Ancient Vvisdom.

But HUATA are probably the best band I have heard so far in the Occult Rock Scene. The guys came onto the scene last year with their brilliant debut EP which got a few rave reviews. I stupidly didn’t post this at all even though it’s still available for free download. I urge you all to download this brilliant release now.

If you’re into Church Of Misery, Ghost, Ancient Vvisdom, Electric Wizard and Ramesses well you’re going to love this band. As HUATA play the same bleak type music but add a superb Psych Drone Metal vibe to proceedings.

They have just released their astonishing debut full length record – Atavist Of Mann. A 6-song 62 minute masterclass in Occult Driven Sludge/Stoner/Doom Metal.

Atavist Of Mann blends classic Doom Metal/Stoner Metal with modern Sludge/Drone Metal influences brilliantly well. Throw in bleak down-tempo Occult Rock and you have a masterpiece of the genre.

This is an album that is not easy to define. You need multiple listens to determine what genre it falls under. I have listened to this about 4 times now and I am still discovering new pieces of this classic and amazing album.

Full of hypnotic riffs and sublime ambient vocals littered through out the albums running time.

This is a really challenging album to get into but if you stick with it you will find something extraordinary here. Believe me HUATA are going to be massive. This is where the hype is actually justified.

Don’t believe me. Well these guys have been invited to play Roadburn 2012 because of this superb album and the reputation they have forged in the short time they have been around. Catch them while you can. As like GHOST these guys will be one of the next big bands to check out.

The songs on show are simply classic examples on how to blend the many genres superbly and all done in an original way.

3 of the tracks run past the 12 and 15 minute mark and it’s these tracks where this album comes to life. With the tracks showcasing brilliant riffs, vocals and lyrics to match.

My fave tracks are the epic tracks especially the 15 minute epic “Thee Imperial Wizard”. My fave track is the 12:40 minute track “Fall Of The …”

If you’re into epic heavy albums then Atavist Of Mann will blow you away like it did with me. My mouth just dropped to the floor after I listened to this. I even commented on the guys Facebook Page I would do a review and that I needed a lie down in a dark room to get over this. And I meant every word of it.

This album just floored me. It really did. All I can say is HUATA deserve as much praise they can get for this brilliant, hypnotic and classic album. Just WOW.

This really is a true masterpiece of any genre and I can’t wait to see what these guys will release in the future. They have the potential to become your favourite new band.

French Stoner/Sludge Metal is in a really great place at the moment. They are throwing the baton to over countries to follow suit as the country to beat for Sludge/Stoner/Doom Metal Music. First CROWN and now HUATA. 2012 is really becoming a great year for amazing albums so far.

You can buy this amazing album on Vinyl Here (I have already bought mine). Rumour is the might be a free download coming later this year of this superb album. When its here I will publish it and recommend you all to download it right away.

You can download their guys Debut EP "Open the gates of Shambhala" for free from BandCamp. 35 mins of crushing Doom, Stoner and Sludge in the filthiest possible way. Another superb release.

Simply Unmissable.

Check This Amazing Band Below:

Facebook

Facebook
BandCamp
http://horrorsthatyouveseen.bigcartel.com/

Check Out The Superb 8 minute epic "Lord Of The Flame". Brilliant Stuff.

Vulgaari

2012-02-17T00:40:00.004-08:00

Vulgaari is a Sludge/Thrash/Stoner/Death-Metal/Doom from Minneapolis, MN USA

Vulgaari is the work of two crazed insane geniuses called Zack Kinsey and Brent Hedtke who have blended their favourite Metal genres into one big melting pot and they have came up with this brilliant and amazing S/T album.

Vulgaari is a 9 song 57 minute masterpiece of Stoner/Sludge Metal music. What they have done is got all the best aspects of Sludge, Stoner, Thrash, Death-Metal, Doom and put their own unique brilliant creative spin to release one of the best Crossover Sludge/Thrash/Stoner Metal debut releases I have had the pleasures to hear.

This album is just described in one word. Amazing. I love this release. And so do a lot of other blogspots and websites as this has popped up all over the place.

Zack only emailed about 3 or 4 blogspots and I was one of them. This is what blogging is all about. Spreading the word of a brilliant and individual band/artist and that’s what Vulgaari is. Their music has gone into the stratosphere with this amazing debut album.

So don’t take my word for it. Take every other top-notch Metal Blog/Website. They cant all be wrong.

The album is full of amazing songs. Especially the epic tracks “Lie”, “Match” and “Outride The Reaper”. Some of the best Sludge/Stoner/Thrash Crossover Metal tracks you will hear this year.

This album is like all of your favourite bands in the many genres on show here forming to create a supergroup. This would be the twisted end result so congrats to Vulgaari in creating a masterpiece of Modern Sludge/Stoner Metal as these are the two genres that is the glue that holds this brilliant album together.

Full of amazing riffs you can shake your fist at. Vulgaari are brilliant musicians. The instrumental work is just simply astonishing on this amazing release. Not one note out of place.

It’s a brilliantly produced effort that you will be listening to time and time again.

What is even better is Vulgaari is giving away this brilliant album away for free from BandCamp right now. But hurry up I think the 200 downloads on BandCamp will soon be used up.

But if those run out you can download it all over the place. Just do a quick internet search and see why this brilliant album has became something of a fave with the underground metal crowd.

Brilliant, Brillliant, Brilliant. Get Downloading Now!!!

Zack is also in the process of putting a live band together for this project. Check out the bands already involved with this project when Zack pulls this off.

"The live band will feature members of Sourvein, Witchden, The Mighty Nimbus, Powermad and Bastard Saint"

This is one band I want to see live as these songs will go down a storm on the live venue.

Well I have gone on like a love sick teenager long enough. Get downloading. Brilliant, Amazing, Superb, Classic, Masterpiece.

Highly Recommended.

Check This Great Band Below:

Facebook
BandCamp

Morality Crisis - Band To Check Out

2012-02-17T00:35:00.000-08:00

Morality Crisis is a Post-Hardcore/Sludge Metal Band from Minnesconsin. USA

The members are:

Jordan Kasey Pete Christ

Morality Crisis plan an intriguing blend of Post-Hardcore with brutal Sludge Metal riffs with great vocals to match as well.

These guys play brutal fast and furious Sludge Metal blended with surprisingly less angrier Post-Hardcore riffs. They have just released their new EP - "North". A 4 song 15 minute blast of heavy riffage that will last long in the memory.

The EP is full of superb epic Sludge Metal riffs blended in with outstanding Post-hardcore elements that you need to check out now.

This EP will have you begging for more. It really shows what this hugely talented band does so well. Blending both genres to outstanding effect.

All tracks are superbly played and produced which all need to be played really loud to get the desired effect.

You can buy this superb EP from the guys BandCamp Page and I recommend you do this now. You can download their suberb Debut EP for free right now from BandCamp as well.

Highly Recommended.

Check This Great Band Below

Facebook
BandCamp

Horrors That You’ve Seen

2012-02-17T00:21:00.000-08:00

Horrors That You’ve Seen (HTYS) is a Doom/Hardcore Punk/Stoner Metal band from Edinburgh, Scotland.

The members are:

Graham Caldwell - Vocals
Kieran Higgins - Guitar
Niall Robb - Guitar
Chris Hewer - Bass
Alain Baron - Drums

Horrors That You’ve Seen play a great blend of Hardcore Punk, Doom and Stoner Metal to get you head-banging in no time.

The guys have just released their outstanding debut album – “Breaking Hearts”. A 11 song 45 minute masterclass of Stoner Metal with great Doom and Hardcore Punk vibes running through it’s veins.

HTYS play their music fast and furious so you better try and keep up with them as there are no slow numbers at all on this brilliant album. This is balls-to-the-wall Stoner Metal with attitude that you don’t hear too much these days especially when they mix Hardcore Punk and Doom Metal to their great music.

The album is full of potential anthems for us jaded Stoner Metallers who are fed up with Radio Friendly artists trying to be metal where they are so fucking not!!!

Its great to see that these guys have a snarling lets fight anybody who gets in our way type attitude. And their music is better for it. This album makes you feel alive and gives you a reason to stand up for what you believe in.

Especially on superb tracks “Reality (Is All I Have)”, “Sinking Ships”, “Graves” and the superb “Worthless Idols”.

I really can’t compare this superb band to anyone else currently on the scene at the moment. If anyone can let me know as I want to check more bands like this.

I hear a lot of bands that I don’t publish that really get me down and jaded with the music scene in general. As they are badly produced and not worth publishing. But every now and again there is a gem of an album that restores my faith in the Sludge/Stoner Metal underground that makes me feel alive again. And Horrors That You’ve Seen fit that scenario.

This album just blew me away. The album cover doesn’t give you a true reflection what to expect. It’s a cool album cover but what you get is so much more.

It’s brilliantly produced and played by all concerned. How come these guys are not signed to a label as they can give their major league counterparts a run for their money.

“Breaking Hearts” is a triumph. Full of superb Stoner Metal riffs blended brilliantly with Hardcore Punk/Doom Metal to great effect. This is one album I recommend you all to download now.

You can download this brilliant album for free from the guys BandCamp Page. I recommend you all do this now If their their monthly 200 downloads limit is exhausted as this is going to go in to time at all the download from the following Mediafire link which the band have kindly provided.

So get downloading now. You won’t regret it. Simply superb stuff.

Check this brilliant band below:

GRIME - BAND TO CHECK OUT

2012-02-17T00:16:00.000-08:00

Grime is a Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal Band from Italy.

The members are:

Chris - drums
Lorenzo (Tubo) - guitar
Marco - vocals, guitar
Paulo (Cougar) - bass guitar

Grime play a down-tempo blend of Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal to superb effect. Taking influences from Electric Wizard, Church Of Misery, COUGH and other bands of that pedigree. Grime add a cool modern day Stoner Metal vibe to proceedings.

Grime have recently released their superb S/T debut album. A 6 song demonic beast of an album that runs for about 35 mins or so.

If you’re into the above bands then you’re going to love every minute of this. The album is full of superb bleak down-tempo Sludge/Doom/Stoner Metal riffs done in best possible possessed way.

This isn’t an uplifting album by any means. Grime by name and Grime by nature. This is for all of us down-tempo Sludge Metal fans who need some bleak Sludge Metal worship riffage. And this album has it all.

The 6 songs show this band are hugely talented as they know how to write & play a superb demonic riff to match the best of them.

It’s full of great tracks to check out. Especially the 8 minute epic “Chasm” which shows the band at their most creative. Full of passionate vocals and riffs to match. This is my fave track off this superb album.

This is another album I haven’t stopped listening to since the guys emailed me originally a few weeks ago to check them out. And I have to thank them for contacting me.

This album has been getting a lot of praise from the other top blogspots and it’s not hard to see why. This is superb stuff for everyone to check out now.

If you’re into down-tempo Sludge/Doom Metal with a demonic twist but fused with modem Stoner Metal then this album is for you. You can buy this now from Grime’s BandCamp Page now!!!.

A great album from a great band.

Check these superb Sludge Metallers Below:

Facebook
BandCamp

CERBER ARE BACK!!!

2012-02-17T00:13:00.000-08:00

Cerber are a 3 Piece Stoner/Sludge Metal Band from Poland.

Cerber play an intense blend of Sludge/Stoner Metal to great effect. Influenced by a whole range of bands but bringing their own style of hypnotic Sludge/Stoner Metal riffs with great hardcore vocals to match.

Cerber have been mentioned on this blog before. And I raved about them as a band to keep an eye out for.

Well Cerber are back with their brilliant 2012 Release – “Mad At The Soul”. A 5 song 31 minute blast of top-notch Sludge/Stoner Metal riffs that will thrill your senses time and time again.

Cerber promised they would be back in no time at all. And they weren’t kidding. This is a superb release for everyone to download right now. As the guys are letting people download it for free from the following Mediafire link which is from the guys Facebook Page.

The EP is a total blast from start to finish and shows the guys talent at writing a superb modern-day Sludge/Stoner Metal riff fusing with outstanding vocals to match.

The 5 songs on show are superbly written, performed and produced. You can tell a lot of time has gone in writing this great release. The guys have created and crafted great songs they should rightly be proud of.

Cerber are getting a lot of praise from other blogs and it’s not hard to see why. They have released a great release which showcases their outstanding talents to great effect.

There is not one bad track on this EP and it’s hard for me to pick a favourite as they are all equally superb. Which is a great sign in my book.

Don’t let the fact the guys sing in their native tongue for most of the running. You will be missing out on some impressive riffs from these hugely talented Sludge Rockers.

So get downloading now you won’t be disappointed. A brilliant release from a great band that will hopefully become better known in the Sludge/Stoner Metal scene.

That is me done. Cerber have done it again. They have released a superb release that I can’t recommend highly enough.

Get Downloading Now!!! – Highly Recommended

Check This Great Band Below.

Facebook
SoundCloud
MySpace

CARNAVAL - ALBUM REVIEW

2012-02-17T00:10:00.000-08:00

Carnaval are a Stoner Rock Band from Slovenia

Carnaval play a great blend of Blues/Hard-Rock/Stoner Rock with a great psych loud heavy edge to their music. The band take influence from many bands but play their own great style of Stoner Rock/Metal that is instantly very catchy and has more riffs you can shake a bong-pipe at.

The guys have been around for a since 2004 and have released 3 albums so far. And I am going to review their 3rd album – Tennis Football Basketball.

I haven’t heard of these guys before but I wish I had done. As their new album is an 8 song 45 minute brilliant blast of Blues/Funk/Grunge/Heavy Rock joined together with superb modern Stoner Rock Riffs.

The album is full of superb riffs with great lyrics to match. I can’t compare these guys to anyone around at the moment. I could say they are influenced by Kyuss, Clutch and QOTSA but even that doesn’t come close to this great band.

Tennis Football Basketball is a sublime album with some great laughs to have along the way. Mainly due to the highly inventive and original lyrics which the guys sing with great passion. This is a band that don’t take themselves too seriously and have a great sense of humour to their music.

But the guys know when to play a damn fine Stoner Rock riff to impress the listener with.

The album is full of potential classic stoner rock tracks that had me smiling from beginning to end. Especially on tracks like – “Tennis Football Basketball”, “Sugar and Sweets”, “El Caracazo” and my fave track the 8 minute plus epic “Universe” which shows what this great band does so well mainly blending their respective genres so well to something you don’t hear much of these days.

I have listened to Carnaval’s other great releases mainly their debut album “2” and follow up “1”. Both great releases in their own right but “Tennis Football Basketball” is where the band have come into their own as a great top-notch Stoner Rock band to check out. And hopefully to gain more fame and exposure in the process.

You would think Carnaval are from the Desert Sun of the Californian Desert rather than Slovenia. They have the Stoner Rock vibe spot on that most bands can only dream of.

All in all a great album which is superbly produced and played by all involved. This is one album you can listen to time and time again and you will never get bored.

My final verdict. Tennis Football Basketball – is a winner on all counts. An outstanding album by a brilliant band I am now a definite fan of. Great Work Guys.

You can buy this brilliant release from the guys BandCamp Page. The guys have informed me this brilliant release will roll back to 0 in two weeks (27 feb) so get it then if you want to wait. Highly Recommended.

Check This Great Band Below:

Official
Facebook
BandCamp

BLOOD RED WATER

2012-02-17T00:05:00.002-08:00

Blood Red Water is a Sludge Metal Band from Venezia/Padova, Italy

The members are

Michele: chronic amphetamine vocals
Fiorica: rheumatic alcoholic cymbals
Volt: feedback junkie
Dodi: the hand of doom

Blood Red Water play good old-fashioned straight up Sludge Metal with a couple of influences of Stoner Metal for great effect.

The band has just released their superb debut EP – “ Tales of Addiction and Despair”. A 5 song 23 minute ride of heavy pummelling riffs from start to finish and great hardcore vocals to match.

If you just want a fast thrill to the senses delivered by some top-notch Sludge Metal then Blood Red Water is the band for you.

I can hear influences of many great bands to Blood Red Water’s music. EHG, Crowbar and even Motorhead at times. Especially on superb track “Avoid The Relapse”. A great 3 minute stomping Sludge/Stoner Metal track that will have you head-banging in no time.

This EP is superbly produced with a slight DIY feel to it that really draws you in from the start to the final hard-hitting moments of this great release.

So do yourself a favour go over to the band’s BandCamp page and download (for free) this heavy-loud-angry Riffing Blast of top-notch Sludge/Stoner Metal.

Great Stuff and Highly Recommended.

Check This Great Band Below:

Facebook
BandCamp

ANNA CORALIE

2012-02-17T00:02:00.000-08:00

Anna Coralie is a Post-Metal Band from Minsk, Belarus.

The members are:

Artyom Slabodich | guitar (ex-Inside My Hope)
Anton Berezovskiy | guitar (Frequence Diversity)
Vadim Apanasovich | vocal (ex-La Petite Mort)
Nikita Boriskevich | bass
Igor Kovalyov| drums, vocal (Frequence Diversity, Untitled Story)
Olly Soroko | Keys

Anna Coralie plays Atmospheric Post-Metal mixing Hardcore and Post-Rock themes to superb original effect.

Anna Coralie is a hugely talented band which they prove time and tine again on their outstanding debut album – “Drama”. A 9 song opus on 55 mins or so.

The album is full of hard-hitting Post-Metal riffs with a truly haunting atmosphere to it. This is one Pos-Metal album to stand out from the crowd and shows a band with a lot of things to say.

Superbly produced from start to finish. You can hear every loud passionate and angry note from start to finish.

The instrumental work is just amazing on this great release. The band never put a foot wrong. They know when to play a loud heavy riff to impress the listener with and when to hold things back to add some calmer moments when the time calls for it.

The vocals blend from calm, quiet and tender to loud and angry with apparent ease. The album is full of superb tracks. Some of them quite epic which is the norm for top-notch Post-Metal bands and Anna Coralie are no exception.

Check out tracks “Lead Rivers”, “Plastic Angel”, “Waves” and “Fur” which all show a band at the top of their game.

This is one outstanding release which has come out of nowhere and it demands your full respect and attention now.

Drama is an action packed Post-Metal album that will have the most jaded of Sludge/Post-Metal fan astonished with the brilliant music on show.

You can download this brilliant album for free via BandCampor Mediafire.You choose. Just download this superb album right now. Highly Recommended!!!

Check This Great Band Below.

Facebook
BandCamp

CROWN - THE ONE ALBUM REVIEW

2012-02-11T02:00:00.000-08:00

Crown is a two piece Atmospheric Sludge Metal Band from France

I have to thank the band for contacting to review their brilliant band’s debut release – “The One”. A 5 song 32 minute masterpiece of Atmospheric Sludge Metal.

"Crown was formed in the Summer of 2011 and comprises of two men, two guitars, a voice and machine."

And that is how Crown describe themselves. But even that description doesn't prepare you for what is in store.

The band play an intense blend of Sludge Metal mixed in with elements of Post-Metal that paints a truly haunting picture of loud heavy riffage that goes across elements of Ambient Post-Rock as well.

The One is full of original and superb Sludge/Post-Metal riffs with great vocals to match. For a debut release this album shows what a truly talented band Crown actually is. Their music makes you feel alive when listening to it. It has a great sense of purpose to it and has more ideas flowing through it that you care to imagine.

Crown are not afraid to experiment with their music by blending different ambient noise effects with loud and angry Sludge/Post-Metal riffs kicking in now and again. For a two man band these guys are loud as anything I have heard this year. Probably the loudest Sludge/Post-Metal duo I heard since Talbot.

But Crown are their own band. They have their own ideas on how to play their own blend of superb Sludge/Post-Metal music. Crown bring an amazing fresh experimental take on Atmospheric Sludge Metal.

The 5 tracks on show are superb examples of how to do Sludge/Post-Metal brilliantly and most importantly - Originality. It’s full of passionate riffs and vocals from a band not scared to take risks with their music.

The instrumental work is simply a master class of Sludge/Post-Metal. Especially on tracks “Mare”, “Cosmogasm” and the brilliant 9:30 minute epic “Orthodox”.

Crown are a band brimming full of ideas and they show only a small percentage of that on this superb release. This is a band that rightly could be going places. They have produced an album that totally astounded me with my first listen. Truth be told I loved this album from the first time I listened to it and I haven’t stopped listening to it since.

It still impresses me with each and every listen. At times it feels I am discovering a part of the song I missed before. Its a very multi-layered release that makes you think to what you are listening to. So you will need more than one listen to get the bigger picture. But when you do your like Neo discovering The Matrix for the first time.

As that classic film says “You have to see it for yourself.” Well the same goes for this. “You have to feel and listen the music for yourself”. But by then your hooked and it’s pretty hard to get out.

Hopefully Crown will be gaining a lot more exposure due to this superb album. The guys deserve so they can make more brilliant releases like this one.

The album is brilliantly produced especially with all the ambient noises mixed in with the more traditional Sludge/Post-Metal riffs on show. This is another brilliant reason why 2012 is shaping up to be a great year for underground Sludge/Post-Metal music so far.

This is without a doubt my fave release of 2012 so far. I know its early and I have raved on about Behold The Monolith, Bezoar and Rituals (which all will definitely make my Top Albums of 2012) but Crown’s The One is my fave album of the year so far.

Simply an amazing release that totally blew me away. Simply Awesome and Highly Recommended.

You can buy this great release digitally now and physical release in March 2012 and I recommended you all do.

Check this great band below:

Facebook
BandCamp

STUBB

2012-02-11T01:48:00.000-08:00

STUBB are a 3 Piece Hard-Rock Band from London, United Kingdom

The members are

Jack Dickinson- Guitar and vocals
Christopher West- Drums
Peter Holland-Bass

STUBB are a Hard Rock Band mixing Psych, 60’s and 70’s Rock N Roll with a great modern hard rock sensibility. These guys have got a fearsome and well deserved reputation in the UK who have toured with some big-hitters of Stoner Rock.

STUBB have just released their brilliant S/T new album. An 8 song almost 40 minute ride of hard-rocking tunes I haven’t this great in a long, long time.

This album is an absolute blast from start to finish. Brilliantly produced which provides brilliant riff after brilliant riff all delivered in the best possible way.

The album is full of standout tracks that takes you back to the golden age of 60’s/70’s hard rocking bands such as Led Zepplin, Black Sabbath, Thin Lizzy, The Who and many bands of that classic genre.

If STUBB were around in the 70s there is no doubt these guys would be big hitters on the world stage. This album is simply sensational. The guitar work is a wonderful thing to listen to. Incorporating Blues, Hard-Rock, Psych and modern day Rock and Roll.

The vocals are another highlight. Full of passion and intricate energy not seen in many bands. This album is a master class of UK Hard Rock. It really is great to see a band like STUBB bringing 60’s/70’s Hard Rock riffs blended in with modern day Stoner Rock influences.

I cant fault this brilliant album one bit. It leaves you with a big smile on your face and a warm feeling inside. This is a superb album to clear away all of these winter blues that everyone is having. This is an album you can listen to anytime this year and it will still bring a smile to your face.

As stated before the album is full of superb tracks like “Road”, “Flame”, “Hard Hearted Woman” and the brilliant 7 minute epic “Galloping Horses” which showcases this bands talents at its finest. Blending all of their musical genres to take you onto a far out trippy journey.

All in all this is a brilliant album from one of the very best up and coming UK Hard Rock bands. I urge you all to check this out as you can download this on BandCamp Pay Anything You Want Type Deal.

Or if you want the physical release then you can get it from here from the awesome SuperHot Records. So get checking this great band and be prepared to be blown away. Brilliant and highly recommended.

Check This Great Band Below:

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VALVE

2012-02-11T01:40:00.000-08:00

Valve are a 4 Piece Post-Hardcore/Sludge Metal Band from Paris, France

Valve play an intense hard-hitting blend of Post-Hardcore and Sludge Metal to superb brutal effect.

Valve do play an intriguing blend of Metal Music. Not exactly fully Post-Hardcore nor fully Sludge Metal but somewhere that falls in between the two genres.

I cant really compare these guys to anyone as it’s really hard to compare them against any other band. A really good sign if you ask me. Shows they are doing something original compared to other bands.

Well Valve have just released their superb debut S/T album for free download from BandCamp. It’s a 5 song 30 minute blast of top-notch Sludge/Post-Hardcore intense riffage with great vocals to match.

The 5 songs on show really does show how talented Valve truly are. Full of heavy pounding riffs from start to finish. This is a really heavy affair that should draw you into their world in no time at all.

If you want your Sludge Metal with an extra blend of Post-Hardcore fast and furious riffs then I recommend you check Valve now. They are a great band who know how to play a heavy pummelling riff to devastating effect.

Their new album is superbly produced from start to finish. I was really surprised at how heavy these guys get especially with the Post-Hardcore vibe showing through out their superb music.

The songs really does show a truly talented band at work. The instrumental work is simply superb and the vocals really do have a killer emotional edge to them to make Valve standout from the crowd.

All in all a superb effort by a great band. I wait to see where this band goes next. As Valve do have the talent and vision to take the Post-Hardcore/Sludge Metal world head on.

Superb Stuff. Get downloading this superb release from BandCamp or Mediafire now. You wont regret it!!!

Highly Recommended!!!

Check this great band below:

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GALLONS OF MUD

2012-02-11T01:36:00.000-08:00

Gallons Of Mud is a Sludge/Stoner Metal Band from Germany.

The members are:

bass/vocals: Steve
guitars: Kay
drums: PE

Gallons Of Mud play a superb blend of bass-driven Sludge/Stoner Metal that has to be played loud. Taking influence from WeedEater, Sleep, Kyuss and other legendary bands of the Sludge/Stoner Metal genres.

After I published CUT’s album on the blog, Gallons Of Mud member emailed me to include his band as CUT’s album was released as a split release with Gallons Of Mud who have now made their side of the split for free download.

Well I loved CUT’s music I had to check it out especially since they said they were more in the WeedEater, Sleep and Kyuss mould of Stoner Metal.

Where CUT is more Hardcore, Sludge bleak driven music well Gallons Of Mud are truly the opposite side of the same coin. Upbeat bass-driven Sludge/Stoner Metal music which has got quite a kick to it.

Gallons Of Mud do play some mighty fine riffs. Its not the most original of Stoner Metal of sounds but who cares when it sounds this good and they have a brilliant lead singer to drive their superb music through.

They have just released their superb S/T Demo in late 2011. It’s a 3 song 21 minute blast of hard-hitting Stoner Metal riffs.

If you’re a fan of the 3 bands mentioned above then your going to love this no matter what I tell you. My verdict the 3 songs on show are great. The time just flies by. This is the type of music you can hang out with your friends and shoot the breeze to.

Superbly produced and played by all involved. My fave track is 21 Grammes. Full of hypnotic Stoner Metal riffs that will have you head-banging in no time. 8.13 minutes of great music that the old masters of Sleep and Kyuss used to make back in the early 90s. When being a Stoner Metal/Rock Fan was at its most fun and most honest. This song will take you back your youth if you were around back then.

So all in all this is a superb release by another great Stoner Metal band from our German Brothers.

You can download this brilliant release for free from BandCamp. And like CUT its highly recommended.

Check Out This Great Band Below:

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OLD MAN LIZARD

2012-02-11T01:31:00.000-08:00

Old Man Lizard is a Psych Sludge/Stoner Metal band from Sudbury, United Kingdom.

The members are:

Jack Newnham - guitar and vocals
Gav Senior - bass
Dan Beales - drums

Old Man Lizard play a great blend of Sludge/Stoner Metal mixing in Psych based Rock with superb results. These guys sound like a twisted lo-fi version of Baroness, Taint and Torche jamming together.

The riffs come thick and fast on their superb new S/T release. A 5 song 27 minute thrill ride of top-notch Sludge/Stoner Metal riffs with a great lo-fi psych edge to them.

If you’re a fan of the above bands then your going to really dig this superb album. As it’s a superb album full of psych based Sludge/Stoner Metal riffs all done in a great lo-fi way you don’t hear too much these days.

Old Man Lizard play fast and furious Sludge/Stoner Metal riffs that will have you begging for more when the quick 27 minutes is finally up.

Old Man Lizard have a great style of Sludge/Stoner Metal you don’t hear much about these days. And it’s a winning formula that the guys deserve much credit for.

They are brilliant musicians mixing from different styles and fusing it with lo-fi psych based rock and roll. Especially on tracks “Cold Winter Blues”, “Old Hag” and King Clone”.]

Believe me this album will really blow you away. I recommend you all to download this brilliant album right now for free on BandCamp.

A great album that is waiting to be discovered right now. A superb album by a great band. Highly Recommended.

Check This Great Band Below

SPEAKER EATER

2012-02-11T01:27:00.000-08:00

Speaker Eater are a Sludge Metal Band from Wausau, WI

The members are

Matthew - guitar/vocals
David - bass/vocals
Thomas - drums/vocals

Speaker Eater play fast and furious Sludge Metal with great Hardcore riffs and vocals to match.

The band have released their superb S/T EP for free download. It’s a 5 song 14 minute hard hitting monster of sludge metal riffs.

The 14 minutes just flies by and shows a great band to look out for. If you want fast and furious hard hitting heavy Sludge Metal tracks to rock out to then look no further. As Speaker Eater is the band to let all your built up aggression to.

Full of heavy pounding Sludge Metal from start to finish this is a great EP to introduce this hugely talented band.

My fave track on this outstanding EP is the 2:23 minute sonic blast of “Witches” which incorporates some great vocals and heavy riffs to match.

Superbly played and produced. This is a great introduction to the world of Speaker Eater. And it’s a world I want to hear more of in the near future.

Highly Recommended and Simply Unmissable. Download this great EP for free from BandCampNow!!!

Check This Great Band Below:

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Here is my fave track "Witches" from their superb debut EP played live.

VinceFuzzlyBuzz

2012-02-11T01:23:00.000-08:00

VinceFuzzlyBuzz are a Instrumental/HeavyRock/Improvisation/Psych/Doom/Stoner/Drone/Down-tempo band from Brazil.

I have to thank the band for emailing me about their great new album.

I am going to let the brilliant blogspot Stoner Rock Is Here To Stay to talk about the next great band. They know a lot more than me on this great band.

All I can say is their new album is freakin brilliant. A mixture of the above riffs and then some all done in a truly trippy spacey experimental rock way. It is a brilliant 36 minute wild trip into the far side of the galaxy done in superb Space Rock fashion.

Purely instrumental this is one album that will have you scratching your head in disbelief especially the mix of genres this truly talented band goes through. And I loved every weird psyched spaced out minute of it.

If you want a trippy psych spaced out ride into the unknown boundaries of space then download this superb album right now. As the guys are kindly giving it away for free on Mediafire from their Facebook Page.

Superbly produced to great effect. You can hear the entire kaleidoscope of noises brilliantly across the many genres. This is an album for everyone to check out. There is bound to be something that you will most definitely like.

A superb album from a truly original and highly talented band. Brilliant Stuff. Get downloading now.

Check out this great band below. (Thanks to Stoner Rock Is Here To Stay for links as well).

Vincebuz: MySpace & Facebook
Fuzzly: MySpace & Facebook

WHAT THE BLOOD REVEALED - ALBUM REVIEW

2012-02-11T01:14:00.000-08:00

What The Blood Revealed is a 4 Piece Post Rock/Post-Metal Band from Irvine, Scotland

The members are:

scott - guitar
gav - bass
alan - drums
stuart - guitar

What The Blood Revealed (WTBR) are a superb Instrumental Progressive Post-Rock/Post-Metal Band that play with a great sense of passion and fury in equal measure.

If your into Pelican and Russian Circles you know what to expect as WTBR play the same type of music as those two bands. But don’t think that WTBR are mere copycats as they are not. They are their own top-notch band who add some truly haunting Post-Rock atmospherics into their music to be taken in their own right.

Their debut album Harbour Of Devils is an 8-song 53 minute of sublime example of loud atmospheric rock/metal music to thrill the senses to.

The 8 songs on show here offer some truly haunting Post-Rock/Post-Metal riffs. The album isn’t 100% Post Rock or 100% Post-Metal but a fine balancing act of the two. It does get very loud at times but WTBR also show their quieter post-rock side at times as well to great effect.

You know their will be a heavy pounding Post-Metal riff coming along to shake you to the core.

WTBR have been gaining a lot of praise from the musical press for their take on loud rock/metal music and its praise that is wholly justified. And they prove with this album they are a band to be reckoned with.

The album is full of superb anthemic Post-Rock/Post-Metal to get you head-banging in no time at all. The band are all superbly talented musicians which they prove time and time again on this amazing album.

Standout tracks include: “Embrace The Rational and Seek The Truthful”, “Waiting For The Storm” and my fave track “Cast A Drift In A Harbour Of Devils”

So with the guys being truly talented musicians they are equally creative with their song titles as well. Another great reason to check out this superb band. WTBR play sublime instrumental music to make you think as well as rock out to

The album is superbly produced from start to finish. This is a brilliant album from a wonderful band to discover. It’s great to see another great Scottish band releasing a top notch Post-Metal album to rival the more established names in the genre.

A truly breathtaking album that I have had the pleasure in reviewing. Simply a breathtaking release that the band should rightly be proud of. Great work guys.

You can buy this superb release when it’s released in March 2012. I recommend you all to check out this superb band now.

Highly Recommended.

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STALLONE

2012-02-06T08:54:00.000-08:00

STALLONE are a 4 Piece Sludge/Stoner Metal Band from Atlanta, Georgia USA

The members are

Juan Montoya- Guitars
Evan Diprima- Drums
C.J. Ridings- Bass
Thomas Gonzalez- Guitars

STALLONE are a superb band who play a great blend of Sludge/Stoner Metal mixed in with heavy Post-Metal riffs. If your into ISIS, CULT OF LUNA, PELICAN, BARONESS and bands of that genre. You’re going to love this.

This isn’t surprising with the talent involved. Juan Montoya (ex-Torche, now of brilliant Stoner Rockers Monstro), Evan – (Big Jesus) and recently added members bassist C.J. Ridings (Big Jesus) and guitarist Thomas Gonzalez.

This is a truly talented bunch of individuals that many of us have heard of. Well I have been following STALLONE since summer 2011 when they released a couple of songs on BandCamp. I was hugely impressed with what I have heard.

Evan’s other great band Big Jesus have featured on this blog before. I have to thank him for contacting me about STALLONE’s debut S/T EP which is available for free download from BandCamp. And for his kind words about my blog. Thanks also goes out to regular reader PJ Sludge for recommending this band as well.

Their debut EP is a 3-track 15 minute blast of hypnotic Sludge/Stoner Metal riffs mixed in with great Post-Metal vibes which blends the band member’s talents together brilliantly. Loud, Heavy, Melodic are just some of the words to describe their superb music.

The EP is purely Instrumental and really does have some of the finest riffs I have heard this year so far. Especially on the brilliant track “The Battle Of Miami”.

If STALLONE wanted this EP to show the world what they can do. Well they have succeeded. This is a band I want to hear more of. The 15 mins on show here is simply astonishing at times to listen to. Their music has some very haunting ambient effects as well especially on the first track “Wondrous Beast”. A 4 minute blast of top-notch Sludge metal that is very hard to beat.

It’s great to see Juan Montoya venturing into other genres of music. I was a bit sad when he left Torche as I am a massive fan of Juan’s work. He proved with Monstro he is one of the finest guitarists out there. And now he has Stallone. Another great band to his bow. Torche’s loss is Sludge/Stoner Metal’s gain.

Credit must goto Evan who provides sterling and breathtaking work on the drums. Surely one of the best drummers out there as he provides plenty of superb hard-hitting drumming to go with the great Sludge/Post-Metal riffs.

Now the guys have added new members to this already great band that will surely make them a band to reckon with when they release their proper debut full length album.

But until then STALLONE’s debut EP is an absolute blast of heavy-pounding Sludge/Post-Metal riffs that will have you begging for more.

Believe me you will have this on repeat for multiple times like I did. A brilliant EP by a truly great band to keep an eye out for.

You can download this brilliant release for free from BandCamp and I recommend you all to do this now.

Brilliant Stuff and Highly Recommended.

Check This Great Band Below:

Check out the fucking awesome "La Cobra" from their superb new S/T EP.

RITUALS

2012-02-06T08:44:00.000-08:00

RITUALS are an Atmospheric Sludge/Post-Metal Band from Phoenix, Arizona, USA

The members are:

B. Garrabrants
G. Colson
B. Wissman
A. Rich
J. Regan

RITUALS play a hard-hitting blend of Atmospheric Sludge Metal with heavy pounding Post-Metal riffs. If you’re into ISIS, Neurosis, Cult of Luna then check out the new band to throw their hat into the Sludge/Post-Metal ring.

RITUALS are a band who has been going since 2010. And for a newish band they play some brilliant Sludge/Post-Metal riffs with a brilliant angry loud streak to their music. Adding some fine Crust Punk to proceedings as well – RITUALS are a band that is going places.

They are going to release their brilliant S/T debut album in March 2012 on Vinyl which is being limited to 1000 copies. But the band has kindly given CVLT Nation permission to give it away for free from here.

So what do you get on RITUALS outstanding debut album. Well what you get is probably one of 2012’s best Sludge/Post-Metal albums released so far.

This is a 5-song 45 minute epic album of superb Sludge/Post-Metal riffs with a bleak atmosphere running through its core. But the band does add some beautiful atmospheric Post-Rock passages into their music.

Especially on tracks like “Kubler-Ross model” and “It was all very sudden”. But the guys are in the business of playing heavy pounding Sludge/Post-Metal riffs to astound the listener with. RITUALS succeed on every level. The musicianship on show on this brilliant album is simply astonishing to listen to at times.

At times quiet, peaceful and majestic but then their underlying bleak of their Sludge/Post-Metal kick into full gear to pummel the listener into submission.

Brilliantly produced and played by all involved. This is an album that has come out of nowhere and is an example of how to do an Atmospheric Sludge/Post-Metal perfectly right. The pitch of this album is perfect through out. Brilliantly written. This is one of the strongest Sludge/Post-Metal debuts I have heard in a long, long time.

Whatever you do is get this album now for free. And then buy the Vinyl when it comes out in March 2012.

RITUALS are going to be a one of the major Sludge/Post-Metal Bands in years to come. They have proved with this release they have the talent and vision to go right to the top and stay there for the foreseeable future.

This album can be considered a brilliant release in the realm of Atmospheric Sludge/Post-Metal. It’s seriously that great and I implore you all to download this amazing album now. You need this album in your record collection.

If you want to buy this brilliant album on Vinyl. Link is here to pre-order.

Simply Unmissable Stuff and Highly Recommended.

Check Out This Great Band Below:

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SKY BURIAL

2012-02-06T08:35:00.000-08:00

Sky Burial is a 4 Piece Sludge/Post-Metal Band from USA

The members are

Jordan - Bass, Vocals
Beau - Guitar
Jesse - Guitar, Vocals
Ivan - Drums, Percussion

Sky Burial plays a great blend of Sludge and Post Metal to heavy pounding superb angry effect.

If you’re into the usual big hitters of Sludge/Post-Metal then there is no doubt your going to dig Sky Burial’s music. As they play sublime Sludge/Post-Metal music from start to finish.

They are offering their 2010 S/T for free download or pay-anything you want from here. It’s has 3 songs and is on for about 30 mins or so. And it’s a brilliant release that has superb Sludge/Post-metal riffs from start to finish.

Two songs are on for about 5 to 7 mins each. But the centrepiece of this brilliant album is the 19:46 minute epic tack “II”. A brilliant song ant top-notch Sludge/Post-metal band would be proud to call their own.

Sky Burial are superb musicians and they hold the listeners attention from start to finish especially on the epic “II”. This song deserves to be played loud and many time as you can. As you will definitely miss something first time round.

Brilliantly produced, this is a superb release you should not pass up. You will be head-banging in no time.

Sky Burial are one of those bands that demands your attention. They prove with this release they are a force to be reckoned with. A truly brilliant effort from a great band.

So download this brilliant release now here: Highly Recommended.

Check Out This Great Band Below:

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WITCHDEN

2012-02-06T08:30:00.000-08:00

Witchden is a Stoner Metal/Sludge and Roll Band from Minneapolis, USA

The members are

Jason Micah - Vocals
Adam Rivkin - Guitar/back up Vocals
Andy Green - Bass/blood curdling screams
Jeff Moen AKA KONG - Drums

Witchden fuse all their genres brilliantly to provide a great blast of Sludge/Stoner Metal riffs with extra lashings of Punk Rock and good old Rock and Roll to truly stand out from the crowd.

The band have just released their superb new album “Consulting The Bones”. A 9 song 44 minute blast of amazing Sludge and Roll riffs as they call their own blend of hard-hitting Stoner/Sludge Metal music.

This album just flat out rocks from start to finish. And has some of the catchiest riffs I have heard this year. This band really do know how to play a mean fine Sludge/Stoner Metal riff mixed in with Rock N Roll.

Not many bands capture these genres successfully but Witchden pull this off brilliantly to truly stand out from the crowd.

The album is full of great songs that will have you hooked in no time at all. The vocals are outstanding from start to finish that have the right amount of passion and anger to carry off the Sludgier moments of the album.

Standout tracks include – “Time To Burn”, “Ossuary”, “All Just A Lie” and “System Link”. These tracks capture this truly talented band at their best. Playing sublime heavy Sludge/Stoner Metal riffs with a great Rock and Roll vibe.

The band are superb musicians and prove this time and time again. The album is superbly produced as you can hear every note played to hard-hitting perfection.

I recommend you all to download this brilliant album for free from BandCamp (though you will have to download each song individually) now. These guys prove they have a talent for writing a great song. Some with superb sing-a-long lyrics along with top-notch headbanging riffs that will go down a storm in the live arena.

All in all a great album from a great band which I can’t recommend highly enough.

Brilliant stuff and highly recommended.

Check Out These Great Sludge Rockers Below

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CUT

2012-02-06T08:09:00.000-08:00

CUT are a Crust Punk/Hardcore/Sludge Metal Band from Germany

The members are

Arne
Claus
Michael

CUT play a hard hitting blend of Crust Punk/Sludge Metal moulded together with a great Hardcore vibe.

I have to thank member for contacting about his great band. Thanks must also go out to Jens of great Sludge Metal Bands Union Of Sleep and NightSlug who have both been posted here before who recommended the band to contact me.

Well if these guys are OK by Jens well that is enough reason for me to check out with no complaints.

CUT – Wow. What a band they are. Fusing their respective genres superbly and to hard-hitting effect as well.

CUT have just released their S/T Demo in late 2011. It’s a one-song 18 minute epic of mammoth Sludge/Crust Punk riffs entitled “Pieces”. The song on show here is simply superb. The title is so apt for this great EP. It does indeed include many great pieces of amazing Sludge/Crust Punk vibes.

CUT blend their genres brilliantly to devastating effect. This is loud from the word go. There are no quiet moments at all. Just full-on superb Sludge/Crust Punk carnage.

The 18 minutes just flies by. I didn’t want this demo to end. As it had me hooked from the word go. Full of passionate hard hitting riffs and with vocals to match. This is one demo release that demands your full attention.

It’s not the best produced demo but demos aren’t meant to be. This adds to the overall atmosphere of this great release. It has a true DIY Punk feel to it.

Well I have gone about this release long enough. All I can say it’s a brilliant release and you can download it for free from the guys BandCamp Page. I recommend you do this now.

A great release by a great band and one I will definitely be keeping an eye out for.

Highly Recommended.

Check This Great Band Below:

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HUMAN JAIL - The Soul Allegory Album Review

2012-02-06T07:59:00.000-08:00

Human Jail are a 4 Piece Stoner Metal Band From Lille, France

The members are:

Max : vocals
Antoine : Guitars
Etienne : Bass
Chris : Drums

I have to thank Chris for sending me a copy of their great album to review.

Human Jail play fast-paced Stoner Metal which is action packed full of superb riffs. Taking influence from the NOLA Scene especially bands like Corrosion of Conformity, Down and Crowbar.

The band have just released their superb new album “The Soul Allegory”. An 8-song almost 30 minute blast of fast and furious hard hitting Stoner Metal riffs.

Human Jail have released a superb album for all us Stoner Metallers to head-bang to our hearts content. The album is full of great Stoner Metal riffs that will have you begging for more.

The album is superbly produced and has some of the heaviest Stoner Metal riffs I have heard this year. Throw in brilliant Hardcore vocals courtesy of vocalist … and what you have is a top-notch heavy pounding album that really stands out from the crowd.

All the songs are superbly produced and performed by all involved. If you’re a fan of the above bands or the whole NOLA scene then this album is going to speak volumes to you like it did to me.

There is not one bad song on this album. All the songs are brilliantly written and are full of superb heavy Stoner Metal riffs. Especially tracks “Atone”, “Critical Abuse”, “My Tomorrow” and “Lust Or Love”.

Some people might think the guys should of put an extra song or two to make it last longer. But I think the album is on for the right length as has the right amount of heavy pounding riffs to entertain the listener with.

Human Jail prove with their new album is they are one of the best up and coming Stoner Metal bands coming from the French Stoner Metal Scene.

If I review any more French Stoner Metal bands then I will be marking them against this superb album. As Human Jail have the set bar highly for French Stoner Metal.

All in all a truly superb album from a great band that demands your full attention.

Check This Great Band Below:

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Kapitan Korsakov - Stuff & Such Album Review

2012-02-06T07:51:00.000-08:00

Kapitan Korsakov are a Progressive Rock/Stoner Rock band from Ghent, Belgium

The members are

Pieter Van Mullem - bass
Jonas Vandenbossche - drums
Pieter-Paul Devos - guitar/vocals

Kapitan Korsakov are a Progressive Stoner Rock Band who add elements of Industrial/Electronic Rock to great effect with unique results.

The band been around a while and have just released their 2nd outstanding new album – “Stuff & Such”. A 12 song album on for 38 outstanding minutes.

I have to thank regular blog viewer Rudy for pointing this great band out to me otherwise I wouldn’t have known about this truly great band. So Thanks Rudy.

The guys are true masters of blending their respective musical genres of adding Prog Rock/Stoner Rock with a great industrial/electronic vibe.

The only band I can compare these guys to is sublime Industrial Post-Rockers THOT but with added Stoner Rock riffs. Their new album is an absolute joy to listen to. I wasn’t expecting much from this album but boy was I wrong. This album is just a superb blast from start to finish as it’s a truly original kaleidoscope of sounds in the Stoner Rock genre.

Mixing Stoner Rock with Industrial/Electronic Rock is a first time listen for me. But the results are surprisingly superb and with this being the guys 2nd album what have I been missing out this on all this time.

Kapitan Korsakov are a truly brilliant band with a great vision of playing top-notch Stoner Rock music with a great Prog Rock/Industrial Rock vibe.

Full of hypnotic and heavy riffs that remind me of an early Monster Magnet at times. Especially on the amazing song “Cancer”. A 3 minute thrill ride of hypnotic Space Rock/Stoner Rock riffs driven along by a great Industrial Pounding edge.

The guys do show their soft and tender side on the superb semi-acoustic song “Smile And Stay Friends” that might feel a little bit out of place. But it shows the guys can write a superb mid-tempo acoustic driven number.

But mostly the songs are more in the loud and heavy Prog Rock/Space Rock/Stoner Rock spectrum which the guys are masters at.

I would call this type of music Experimental Stoner Rock as that is what it is. And this album is definitely a truly work of crazed and inspired genius. I can’t really describe it any other way. You will have to listen to this superb album for yourself.

The album is superbly produced and performed by all involved. And I can’t get enough of this superb album. I have been listening to it non-stop for days.

The band are extremely talented individuals which they prove time and time again on this brilliant album. The world of Stoner Rock needs bands like Kapitan Korsakov to push the boundaries of conventional Stoner Rock music.

A brilliant album from a great band that I didn’t know anything about but am now a confirmed fan due to this superb album. This will definitely be in my best list of 2012. Superb Work Guys. And thanks to Rudy for recommending them to me.

You can listen to this superb album on the guys SoundCloud Page.

Check this great experimental Stoner Rock band below:

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ROYAL TALONS

2012-02-01T03:27:00.000-08:00

Royal Talons are a Sludge/Stoner Metal Band from Denver, USA

The members are

Jevf: Voc. / Guitar
Dread: Bass / Voc.
Kurdt Kocaine: Drums / Voc.

Royal Talons play a great blend of Noise, Punk, Hardcore, and Doom all blended together by a heavy pounding of huge slabs of awesome Sludge and Stoner Metal.

These guys know to mix their riffs superbly well to give the viewer a unique listen. Sounding like a cross section of the usual Sludge/Stoner Metal big hitters but adding their own identity on their brilliant loud and heavy music.

Royal Talons have just released their outstanding new S/T EP – A 5 track 45 minute ride of intense Sludge/Stoner Metal riffs blended in with great Punk, Hardcore, Doom and Noise overtones.

Their album has been released on the brilliant Handshake Inc who have just recently released Sulaco’s brilliant new album which has been mentioned on this blog before.

But this is Royal Talons album we are taking about and what an EP it is. Brilliantly produced and put together. This has heavy riff after heavy riff to drown the listener with.

The first song “Shark Skull” is an almost 10 minute epic which blends all of the genres superbly. Heavy, Loud, Psychedelic and amazing riffs get this superb release off to a great start.

And the great songs just keep on coming. The next song “The Scroll” should have you hooked by now. Full of more brilliant Sludge/Stoner Metal riffs you can shake your head at.

Royal Talons have a great talent at writing a heavy pounding Sludge/Stoner Metal riff. This song would go down a storm on the live circuit. As it has the right amount of heavy Sludge/Stoner Metal riff that could easily get the crowd going in no time at all.

The other 3 songs on show are an absolute blast as well. This album is a brilliant collection of highly original songs with some of the best Sludge/Stoner Metal riffs I have heard in a long while.

I implore you all to go to BandCamp and get this brilliant album as it’s available on Pay Anything You Want Type Deal.

Simply a brilliant album by a brilliant band. Awesome Stuff.

Highly Recommended.

Check Out This Great Band Below:

Facebook
BandCamp

Check Out The brilliant and epic "Shark Skull" from their superb S/T debut release.

ONDE NATUR

2012-02-01T03:23:00.000-08:00

Onde Natur are an Experimental Sludge Metal Band from Brazil

Onde Natur play a great style of Experimetnal Sludge mixing Folk and Black Metal to great effect. Imagine if Neurosis and Wolves In The Throne Room then this possibly could be the outstanding result.

Onde Natur music is heavy, melodic, insightful and experimental all in equal brilliant measure.

The band have just released their new superb release – “Cowards”. A 3-song 24 minute blast of heavy pounding experimental sludge vibes.

It really is hard to describe Onde Natur music in words. It is best for you all to discover this brilliant band yourself as their music fully immerses with the listener in no time to truly paint a haunting atmosphere.

This is one brilliant release I am going to let you discover this for yourselves as it’s a brilliant release from a great band with much to say. My review wont do this great band’s any justice.

All I can say it’s superbly produced and I recommend you download it now for free from BandCamp.

This is a truly brilliant and highly original Sludge Metal release from a great band. Superb stuff.

Highly Recommended.

Check this great band below.

BandCamp

LEAVE US KIDS ALONE

2012-02-01T03:19:00.000-08:00

Leave Us Kids Alone is an Atmospheric Sludge Metal Band.

Leave Us Kids Alone play a hard hitting blend of Atmospheric Sludge Metal mixing in superb ambient noises and effects to great effect.

Leave Us Kids Alone remind me of the superb band Atmospheric Sludge/Post-Metal band Alaskan. As they both play the same type of music by blending Atmospheric Sludge Metal with great ambient noise effects.

These guys don’t fall exactly in the Post-Metal route like Alaskan but they both share the same original vision in scaring the listener while playing their brilliant music.

The band have just released their outstanding new release “Planet Of The Birds” a 4-Song 24 minute of heavy atmospheric sludge metal riffs that will leave you breathless for more.

It is simply a superb release for everyone to check out. Superbly produced from start to finish. You can hear every heavy monolithic note played to brutal perfection. And the vocals are simply superb. They really go together on this wonderful release.

The 4 tracks on show are all brilliant as each other. There is not one bad moment on this great release. Everything just fits together brilliantly.

This is a release that everyone should own which you can download for free from BandCamp.

This EP shows Leave Us Kids Alone are a hugely talented band that I will definitely be keeping an eye out for. When these guys release a proper full length album no doubt it will be something special.

Simply brilliant.

Check out these great Sludge Rockers below:

BandCamp

FORTRESS

2012-02-01T03:17:00.000-08:00

Fortress are a 4 Piece Sludge Metal Band from Hagerstown, MD, USA

The members are

Chaz Campbell-Guitar and vox
NAM- Bass and Vox
Andy Myers- Drums

Fortress play bleak down-tempo stripped back Sludge Metal but still showing a fine appetite for superb Sludge Metal riffs. If your into COUGH, EHG and Electric Wizard then you have got to check these guys out.

As they play the same sort of bleak based Sludge Metal to chill your soul to.

This band rules. No question. Their debut EP – Fortress Of Gods is a 3 song 20 minute masterclass in bleak down-tempo Sludge Metal with a great psych edge.

Their riffs and vocals pack an almighty punch from start to finish. This is one EP you will be playing over and over again. It seriously is that great.

Superbly produced and played by all involved. All 3 songs are superb and the album cover matches the atmosphere of this brilliant EP superbly.

Check out the 8:43 minute epic “Armies Of The Darklord” which shows you what this band does so well. Heavy pounding bleak Sludge Metal riffs that will have you begging for more. Superb stuff.

You can download this brilliant release for free from BandCamp. So get downloading now.

Highly Recommended.

Check out this great band below:

Facebook
BandCamp

DEMONAUTA

2012-02-01T03:13:00.000-08:00

Demonauta are a Stoner Metal Band from Chile

The members are

David
Miguel Angel
Ale

Demonauta play superb Stoner Metal influenced by bands like Sleep, KYUSS, Monster Magnet, Fu Manchu and many other great bands from the Stoner Metal fraternity. But these guys add extra Desert Rock/Fuzz Rock to their hard hitting blend of Stoner Metal.

The guys have just released their amazing album – “Vol 1”. – An 7 song 40 minute thrill ride of epic Stoner Metal riffs mixed in with sublime Desert Rock/Fuzz Rock vibes.

This album feels like your witnessing a legendary generator party that many great Stoner Metal bands used to throw back in the day.

Don’t worry about these guys singing in their native language or being from Chile as these guys capture the essence of the Desert Rock scene perfectly.

The riffs are simply amazing that mix the intensity of Stoner Metal blended in with the Sun-Drenched Riffs of Desert Rock and Fuzz Rock superbly. One minute absolutely heavy and the next some superb Fuzz Riffs.

Especially on tracks like “Jardin Del Sol”, “Lluvia” and the 8.43 minute epic “Demonizador”. These tracks are where Demonauta come into their own. Blending all the genres to superb effect with added superb drumming and vocals as well.

The album is brilliantly produced from start to finish and it captures the bands talent playing top-notch Stoner Metal riffs superbly.

This is another album that has come out of nowhere and impressed me right from the start. This is one of those albums that you will love from the start. I can’t recommend this album highly enough.

It’s a fantastic album in the realm of Stoner Metal that is waiting to be discovered. And shows another brilliant band coming out from South America in the realm of Stoner Metal.

What is even more you can download this brilliant album for free from the band’s SoundCloud Page. You might need to update the MP3 Tag Settings. But here is the list of order of songs for you below.

1. Fumatton
2. Jardin Del Sol
3. Frente Al Volcan
4. Lluvia
5. Demonizador
6. Ufo
7. Desvanecer

This album is a potential contender for one of the best Stoner Metal releases of 2012. Simply brilliant.

Demonauta have proved with “Vol 1” they are a force to be reckoned with and I cant wait for “Vol 2”.

Highly Recommended.

Check This Great Band Below:

Check out the brilliant "Demonizador" from their superb new album "VOL. 1"

SYMBIOSIS - THE ALIEN ALBUM REVIEW

2012-02-01T03:05:00.000-08:00

SYMBIOSIS are a 5 Piece Crust Punk/Sludge/Post-Metal Band from Frostburg, MD USA

The members are

Caleb Davis: guitar
John Haylor: bass
Adam Labutka: vocals
Brendan Stephens: guitar, vocals
Kyle Wagoner: drums

SYMBIOSIS play a hard-hitting blend of Crust Punk/Sludge/Post-Metal music. But makes these guys truly stand out from the crowd for them to demand your attention and respect.

Well SYMBIOSIS fuse their brilliant blend of Sludge/Post-Metal music with modern day comic book mythology. Mainly Marvel Classic Superhero – Spider-Man.

SYMBIOSIS have actually managed to write an album around the Spider-Man mythology. Mainly focusing on his origins and his battles with Venom to brilliant and startling effect. Their album – “The Alien” is a 7-Song 40 minute tale of Spider-Man you have never heard before.

And fusing it with Crust Punk/Sludge/Post-Metal is a truly highly original idea. The album features excerpts from the comic books and lesser known Spider-Man mythology to provide an unflinching and deeply unsettling portrayal of everyone’s favourite web-slinger.

The music is dark, haunting and sometimes very disturbing when mixed with news excerpts of the battles between Spider-Man and Venom. Or when Venom is trying to come into his own existence.

The album is brilliantly produced and put together. It features superb Sludge/Post-Metal riffs joined with a great DIY Crust Punk vibe. The vocals are match brilliantly against people or witnesses explaining what is happening in the background.

“Midtown High”, “Ingram Street” and “Eddie’s Song” are all standout tracks on this amazing album that get the tone brilliantly right of a superhero in battle with his inner demons and VENOM trying to break free.

The lyrics are simply superb. Capturing the feel, tension and action of an action packed Spider-Man comic but mainly this time it’s for adults. It does have many bleak moments and does end on a sad note.

I am not the biggest Spider-Man fan but this album does everything right that the recent Sam Raimi films didn’t. It has took SYMBIOSIS one album and 40 mins of superb music to get the Spider-Man legend spot on where Sam Raimi failed in his 3 overblown films. (OK number two was a great film but the other two sucked.)

Imagine if Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios hired David Fincher to make Spider-Man well this album would be the result. Or would be the soundtrack to accompany that version.

I originally bought this brilliant album back in Nov 2011 and at first I thought it was OK and nothing more. But more and more I have been going back to it and discovering it’s such a brilliant album with a deeply thrilling story to tell of a well known comic book legend.

Plus mixing it with my favourite genres of music just spoke to me more every time I listened to it. Now I think this is a brilliant and quite frankly a classic of the genre that not many people know about.

I hope more people check out SYMBIOSIS as they are missing out on something special. This is a brilliant release from a truly original band. With this being the 1st part of a trilogy I can’t wait to hear the next instalments.

The musicianship on the release is absolutely superb and needs to be heard as loud as you can. Full of hard hitting and heavy riffs with a truly original premise that makes SYMBIOSIS a band to be reckoned with.

All in all a simply phenomenal release. And one of the best debut releases I have ever heard.

You can buy this outstanding album from the guys BandCamp Page. Check out this great band out now!!!

You can download a brilliant free track called "Ingram Street" played live from their BandCamp Page to see if you like what you hear.

A brilliant album and definitely recommended.

Check out this amazing band below:

Facebook
BandCamp

YOG - HALF THE SKY ALBUM REVIEW

2012-02-01T02:58:00.000-08:00

YOG are a Grindcore/Hardcore Metal band from Switzerland.

The members are:

Yonni Chapatte
Marc Bruzatin
Emmanuel Devaud
Fabien Bedoy

YOG play an intense blend of Grindcore/Hardcore Metal to devastating effect. Taking influence from a whole range of bands across both genres but forging their own hard-hitting identity to give the listener a truly exhilarating experience

YOG have been going since 2000 and released their proper full length debut album "Years of Nowhere" back in 2007 which received a whole load of praise when it was originally released.

Their debut was a superbly heavily affair which I can remember listening back in the day. Great album if you can track it down.

Well the guys are back after a 5 year hiatus with their brilliant new album – Half The Sky. A 12 song 28 minute blast of top-notch Grindcore/Hardcore Metal riffs.

Well even though it was has been a 5 year break the album is a triumph of break-neck speed beats mixed with pummelling grindcore riffs and hardcore based vocals.

These guys play fast and furious riffs from start to finish. They don’t have the time to play epic metal riffs. They just have enough time to beat the listener into submission.

The tracks on show that YOG are one of the best bands that play hard hitting Grindcore/Hardcore Metal riffs to a short timescale. YOG pack a powerful punch in the short tracks that are on show here. If the heavy pounding riffs don’t affect you then the song titles might. Some I am not even going to publish here. Some original titles on show.

The album is superbly produced and is loud enough to hear the bands angry chaotic Grindcore riffs.

It did take me a few listens to like this album as its over pretty quickly in 28 mins. But after a few listens I loved every distorted angry chaotic second of it.

YOG are a superbly talented bunch of musicians and it shows with the amount of heavy pounding riffs on show. Some technically intricate and some that is in your face you will need further listens to distinguish the madness from chaos.

And I mean that as a compliment. If your into Dillinger Escape Plan or Converge then your going to love these guys. As they share a lot in common with those two ground-breaking bands.

YOG prove on this superb album they have enough ideas to last about 3 albums never mind one. This is a great album to listen to if your in the mood to. This is not an album for casual metal fans. This is for dedicated metal listeners who have the guts to listen to something angry and chaotic to after a hard day.

Standout tracks include “Stones”, “I Shall Scream A Beginning” and “Solar Nature”.

All in all this is a superb album to listen to and YOG should rightly be proud of this outstanding album.

Its loud, angry, short, distorted and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Superb and Highly Recommended.

You can buy this album here.

You can check this great band out below:

Facebook
Official

THE HOAX PROGRAM

2012-02-01T02:53:00.000-08:00

The Hoax Program is a Stoner Metal Band from Slovenia
The members are:

Dean Gnezda - vokal
David Stibilj - bobni
Ivo Lozej - bas kitara
Radovan Lozej - kitara
Jani Jez - kitara

Here is a bio of this superb band:

"Description: The Hoax Program is a hardcore/rock’n’roll/stoner rock band from Ajdovscina, Slovenia. The band started out as an old school hardcore band Low Punch in 1997 but renamed to The Hoax Program after changing musical direction in 2007. They put out two releases - ‘Lost Songs, Forgotten Melodies’ in 2008 and ‘II’ in December of 2011. Members of The Hoax Program are also active in other groups such as Elodea, Iamdisease and Real Life Version."

The Hoax Program plays a superb and intense blend of Punk-Rock and Stoner Metal to great effect to stand out from the crowd.

These guys play fast and furious Stoner Metal music with a sublime Punk Rock edge. They play a mighty fine aggressive riff to blow your world apart.

These guys are seriously superb musicians with a great lead vocalist as well.

The guys have released two superb albums to date.

2009 – Lost Songs, Forgotten Melodies
2011 – II

Both available for free download from BandCamp. The new album is also available at Mediafire which the band has kindly sent me.

Now both albums together have a running time of 51 mins altogether. So both albums are brilliant short and straight to the point Stoner Metal that will get you head-banging in no time.

Both superbly produced and played by all concerned. These two albums left me with a great smile on my face as they are just superb albums in their own right. Both full of fast and furious Stoner Metal riffs with a great Punk Rock edge to them.

II is the probably the best album of the bunch. As it’s more focused, more refined and has tighter riffs than its predecessor. But Lost Songs, Forgotten Memories is a great album as well. It just shows the guys have moved on from their great debut album.

The Hoax Program is definitely a brilliant band in their own right and hopefully will deserve a lot more recognition and gain a few more fans along the way.

Standout tracks from II include “Logos et chaos”, “No Remorse” and “Saints and Martyrs” that will have you begging for more.

All in all two superb releases from a brilliant band that I didn’t know much about but I now consider myself a fan. The Hoax Program has proved they can play great riffs, write great songs and produce two brilliant albums.

So get downloading these great Stoner Rockers now.

Highly Recommended.

Check This Great Band Below:

Facebook
BandCamp
Last.fm
MySpace

SCOTT HOLMES - ARTIST TO CHECK OUT

2012-02-01T02:44:00.000-08:00

Scott Holmes is a Post-Rock/Alternative Rock Musician From Scotland.

Scott plays a great hybrid of Post-Rock/Alt-Rock Music to stunning effect. He is one hugely talented individual. If your into Pelican, Russian Circles and Mono then you will hugely admire Scott's music. As it's very passionate and heart-felt from the word go.

His Facebook Bio should tell you what you need to know

"Born in Dundee, Scotland in the year 1985. From a small but inspirational fishing town by the name Arbroath. I was brought up with music around me, my father used to play guitar and various other instruments around the house constantly so I guess I was musically tuned as a kid. He unfortunately passed away when I was 12 years old. Leaving all his instruments behind I thought I would pick them up and teach myself. Keeping in mind, it was always my father dream to pursue a career in music. I was never really one for learning other peoples music, rather I would just mess around with different tunings and hit notes that sounded very ambient to the ear. As I got older I stumbled across the genre Post-Rock. Immediately I was blown away, this was the genre for me. So ever since I have been churning out all these idea's and found a real peace with it. As I progress I will introduce new instruments and have videos to my songs. I'm very excited and my future, also very grateful for the fans and feedback. You guy's Rock!"

Scott is going to be releasing his debut album "We Used To Paint Stars In The Sky" in March 2012. You can hear a couple of tracks on his BandCamp Page or his ReverbNation Page.

Scott mixes superb Post-Rock atmospherics mixed with great Alternative Rock vibes to give you a truly haunting and sometimes beautiful atmosphere.

Check out superb tracks "We Used To Paint Stars In The Sky", "Levels Of Greatness" and "Signals". These all show what a great musician Scott actually is. And he deserves some of your time to check out.

Great work Scott. Cant wait to hear the debut album when it comes out. Superb Stuff.

Highly Recommended.

Check Scott below. Let him know what you think on his Facebook Page. He will be more than happy for any feedback.

BandCamp
YouTube
ReverbNation
Twitter

XII BOAR ARE BACK!!!

2012-01-28T10:42:00.000-08:00

XII BOAR are a Sludge/Stoner Metal Band from Aldershot, Hampshire, UK.

The members are:

Tommy Hardrocks - Guitar & Vocals
Bad-Dog Williams - Bass & Backing Vocals
Dave Wilbraham - Drums

XII BOAR play a superb blend of Sludge/Stoner Metal at a fast and furious pace. Influenced by the NOLA Scene but adding their own blend of modern Stoner Metal. XII BOAR are a band on a mission to serioulsy to rock the fuck out.

XII BOAR got a lot of acclaim with their debut EP last year which was published on every well known blog including this one.

Well the guys are back with their new outstanding release - "Split Tongue, Cloven Hoof". A 4 song blast of almost 20 mins of brilliant Sludge/Stoner Metal riffs which the band are giving away for free on their excellent website. BandCamp, Soundcloud and Mediafire Links are all held on there. So get over there now.

If your into PANTERA, DOWN, CROWBAR and EYEHATEGOD then your going to love this EP as it fucking rocks from start to finish.

Superbly played and produced by all involved this is some of the finest Sludge/Stoner Metal the UK has to offer at the moment.

XII BOAR know how to play a brilliant and hard-hitting Sludge/Stoner Metal riff. Especially on the superb track "Hellspeed Viper". The other 3 songs are superb as well in their own right.

XII BOAR got a lot of praise and fans from their debut EP but this EP is so better in every way. Louder and Heavier Riffs along with some great lyrics as well. It has got a wicked sense of humour too especially with the added soundtracks that pop up now and again.

Dont let the short running time put you off I have listened to this EP about 4 times now. And it gets better with each and every listen. Simply a great release from a great band to look out for.

XII BOAR have proved with this superb EP they are one of the best UK Sludge/Stoner Metal bands around. This EP will surely enhance that reputation once more. Simply awesome stuff.

So get downloading this brilliant release now and spread the word of XII BOAR.

Highly Recommended.

Check these hugely talented rockers below.

Official (All download links are available here. Including Soundcloud, Mediafire and BandCamp)

http://doublestone.dk/
BandCamp

Check out the superb track "Hellspeed Viper" from their brilliant new EP "Split Tongue, Cloven Hoof"

BEZOAR

2012-01-28T00:52:00.000-08:00

BEZOAR is a 3 Piece Psych Doom/Stoner/Sludge Metal Band from Brooklyn, NY, USA

The members are:

Sara Palmquist - Bass/Vocals
Tyler Villard - Guitar
Justin Sherrell - Drums

BEZOAR plays an amazing blend of Experimental Doom, Sludge, Stoner Metal with a great Psychedelic Edge. Taking influence from a whole range of bands but adding their own unique take on the genre. These guys are one of the most original bands I have heard in a long while.

They have been receiving a lot of praise for their intense live performances. Now the guys are ready to back up this fearsome reputation with their debut full length release.

BEZOAR are about to release their brilliant and outstanding new album Wyt Deth. An 8 song 48 minute masterpiece of Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal that will shake you to the core.

All I can say about this album is wow, wow and fucking wow. This album is simply a masterpiece of Sludge/Stoner Metal. Full of crunching guitars, heavy pounding drumming and the sultry vocals of vocalist Sara.

She is one of the best vocalists I have heard in a long, long time. She just rules this record from start to finish. She has such a beautiful, haunting, hypnotic and intense voice I was hooked from my first listen.

Credit must also go to members Tyler and Justin for playing such outstanding drums and guitars. Full of heavy pounding passion that will have you begging for more.

The album starts off rather quietly with opening song “Burn Everything”. An amazing 1.54 minute acoustic folk rock track. If you think this is going to be the same style and atmosphere all the way through then think again. After this all hell breaks loose and doesn’t stop until the dying seconds.

Next track “Vitamin B” is a 5.35 minute of brilliant Sludge/Stoner Metal with a heavy pounding riff that is a total contrast from the previous brilliant song. This song is undeniably loud from start to finish that will have you head-banging in no time.

Other standout tracks include “Are We Not Alone”, “Friend Of My Enemy”, “ClockTower” and my fave track on the album the 10 minute epic “Knight”

“Knight” just rules. Full stop. This is the track which showcases the bands amazing talents to perfection. Passionate Vocals, Hard Hitting Sludge/Stoner Metal riffs and superb drumming that ends this brilliant album on a high.

The album is brilliantly produced from start to finish. All I can say is this album will definitely be on my end of 2012 best records list. It’s simply a brilliant album that will hopefully gain the band more exposure. As they definitely deserve it.

BEZOAR are one of the best underground bands that Sludge/Stoner Metal have to offer. They prove this with “Wyt Deth” that they are one of the best bands out there to discover. As this will be ranked as one of 2012’s most defining and original releases.

The album will be released on Vinyl in a limited quantity of 250 copies in March 2012 and will be on sale soon via BandCamp.

But the guys have kindly given me permission to hold a link where you can download this brilliant release for free right now.

All I ask is for you to go over their Facebook/BandCamp Page and buy some merch off them. Or let them know what you think about this brilliant album.

Help spread the word about this brilliant band right now. We need bands like BEZOAR in our lives to continue making sublime and brilliant music like this.

Well I have gone on long enough. Simply awesome and a classic album for everyone to own right now.

Check out these brilliant rockers below.

Facebook
BandCamp
Download Link (Which Band Have gave me permission to host)

CARETAKER - PROVIDENCE REVIEW

2012-01-28T00:44:00.000-08:00

CARETAKER are a Progressive Post-Hardcore/Post Rock/Math Rock Band from Winchester, UK.

The members are:

Seb Carey
Harry Goodchild
Sam Mitchell

CARETAKER are a band that play Post-Hardcore/Alt-Rock with a Progressive Rock/Metal edge. They list Converge, ISIS, Neurosis, Botch, Drive Like Jehu, Slint and Tool. as influences to their great blend of Rock/Metal Music.

CARETAKER have been mentioned on this blog before when I reviewed their superb Split EP with fellow UK brilliant Doom Rockers – Undersmile.

CARETAKER have been around a while and have released a few EP’s and split releases but the guys have finally released their proper full length album.

PROVIDENCE is a 10-song blast of amazing Post-Hardcore/Post-Rock/Prog-Rock riffs that runs for a blistering 54 mins or so.

CARETAKER started out as loud indie rock band which has now ventured into Prog Rock territory. The guys do venture into Post-Metal territory now and again but mainly stick with the Post-Hardcore/Math Rock route.

CARETAKER do blend their genres superbly as one minute it’s fairly quiet before the heavy riffage kicks in. They do have shades of ISIS and TOOL in their music but mix this with a great melodic and loud Post-Hardcore edge.

CARETAKER have been working on this release for quite some time and it shows. Each song has been perfectly crafted. All full of superb lyrics with brilliant riffs to match. All of the songs fits brilliantly together. This is an album that takes its time to impress the listener with.

The band do have a few epic tracks on show. Ranging from 7 to 8 mins in length. Their longest track “The Upper Air” is on for a highly impressive 13 mins or so.

The album is full of other standout tracks such as “Impasse”, “Rook” and “What We Have To Hold”.

Any major league Prog-Rock/Metal band would be proud to call this outstanding album their own. This album will definitely be receiving a lot of praise and attention when it’s officially released on 5th March 2012. As this is one of the finest examples of UK Prog Rock/Metal Music at its finest.

This is a band at the top of their game. CARETAKER have paid their dues on the UK Underground scene for a long while now. These guys deserve every bit of fame and fortune that comes their way. This is the guys most defining work to date and hopefully should see them as major players on the UK Underground scene.

As Providence showcases why CARETAKER are one of the best UK Underground acts out there. Now its time for the world to take notice.

A brilliant album that will definitely make my best of 2012 album list alongside Behold! The Monolith and BEZOAR.

A simply outstanding release from a brilliant band to check out. Simply Unmissable!!!

You can buy this brilliant album from the guys BandCamp Page from 5th March. Definitely and Highly Recommended.

Check Out This Great Band Below

Official
Facebook
BandCamp

Check Out The Superb Track "Hellion" from their brilliant forthcoming new album.

CAPTIVES

2012-01-28T00:34:00.000-08:00

CAPTIVES are a Sludge/Stoner Metal Band From Richmond, Virginia

The members are

Sean Geerdes- Guitar/Vocals
Brian Conlin- Bass
Wilson Cox- Drums

CAPTIVES play a great blend of Sludge/Stoner Metal with elements of Post-Metal in parts of their great music. If you’re into Baroness, Torche and ISIS you will find much to enjoy here.

CAPTIVES have just released their superb new record – “The Drop”. A 7 song and 30 minute blast of amazing sludge/stoner-metal riffs. The guys do include some ISIS type riffs later on in the release.

Especially on the two superb epic tracks “The Drop” and “Cairns”. Both excellent tracks where this great band come into their own style of music. Blending top notch Sludge/Stoner Metal with the ambient and fury of a great Post-Metal Band.

The band is extremely tight on this great release. The 30 mins just fly by as the album is played at a fast and furious pace. Most of the tracks are on for about 2 to 4 mins each in length. But “The Drop” and “Cairns” are on for over 6 and 7 mins each. These are the best tracks on this amazing release.

The guys can also play the short sharp angry songs to perfection as well. Especially on “Serpico” and “Repeater”. Both songs on for under 2.30 minute but both with fast and furious superb Sludge/Stoner Metal riffs to get you head-banging to in no time at all.

Just like one extended song split into two. The release is superbly produced from start to finish. The musicianship is just superb to listen to. Match this with the great vocals of vocalist Sean who sings from the heart.

Don’t let the colourful album cover put you off. This is pure Sludge/Stoner Metal brilliance delivered from the offset by a truly highly talented band.

This is just a brilliant release for everyone to check out. Full of superb songs to listen over and over again. An outstanding release by a great band to keep an eye out for.

You can download this great release for free from BandCamp.

Simply Brilliant and Highly Recommended!!!

Check Out This Great Band Below:

Facebook
BandCamp

GRIMPEN MIRE

2012-01-28T00:30:00.000-08:00

Grimpen Mire is a Sludge/Stoner Metal Band From Erdington, UK

The members are:

Paul Van Linden
Ian Davis
Jim Goad

Grimpen Mire play a great hybrid of Sludge/Stoner Metal packed full of superb Sludge/Stoner Riffs.

These guys have been around for a while and will shortly be releasing their debut album in 2012.

Grimpen Mire have appeared on other blogs in the past and now its my turn to join the party. Better late than never. These guys play some outstanding music that never gets boring for one second.

They released their debut EP – “Death On The Moor” back in 2009. It’s a 4-song 23 minute blast of heavy pounding Sludge/Stoner Metal riffs with superb drumming and vocals to match.

The guys are going to release their debut album sometime in 2012 and if its anything like their brilliant debut EP then we are all in for a treat. This is another brilliant band coming from the UK Underground Scene.

All 4 songs on show are superbly produced and all pack a mighty fine punch to awaken the senses to. Especially on tracks “Crawl To Cold Earth” and “ForeDoomed”.

But the highlights of this excellent EP is the two part song – Grimpen Mire Part 1 and Grimpen Mire Part 2. These two songs are where the band come into their own style and show what great musicians they are.

Both full of great riffs and ideas to truly stand out from the crowd.

I can’t believe I have missed this EP all this time. As this is simply a brilliant introduction to a great band that everyone should check out now.

What is even better is the guys have kindly sent me a link where you can download this brilliant EP for free. So get downloading now. You won’t regret it.

Simply Superb and Highly Recommended. I can’t wait to check out their debut full length album.

Check Out This Great Band Below:

Facebook
MySpace

DOUBLESTONE

2012-01-28T00:23:00.000-08:00

Doublestone are a Stoner Metal Band from Copenhagen, Denmark

The members are

Mike James - Drum & vocal
Kristian Blond - Bas & vocal
Bo Blond - Guitar & lead vocal

Doublestone play superb fast and furious Stoner Metal. Taking influence from the usual big hitters of Stoner Metal but adding their own identity with the superb vocals and riffs driving their superb music through.

The guys have just released their debut EP – “Set The World Ablaze”. A 3 song EP on for about 13 heavy pounding minutes or so.

The 3 songs on show are superb and show this band can play a mighty fine riff with added great lyrics to match. Superbly produced from start to finish.

The riffs on show are quite impressive from start to finish especially on the superb song “LOW” – A 4 minute song that will have you begging for more.

All in all this EP is a great introduction to this band and shows there are a lot more great things to come from this hugely talented band.

A great start from a great band. You can download this superb EP for free from their BandCamp Page.

Highly Recommended.

Check This Great Band Below

Facebook

http://soundcloud.com/doublestone

Blastronaut

2012-01-28T00:19:00.000-08:00

Blastronaut are a Sludge/Stoner Metal Band from Manchester

The members are

Cal Armstrong - Vocals
Danny Hughes - Drums
Nathan Mallon - Guitar / Vocals
Ben Roberts - Guitar
Ollie Ross - Bass

Blastronaut play some damn superb straight up Sludge/Stoner Metal to great effect. This is Stoner/Sludge Metal that is straight to the point. Loud, Heavy and superb riffs on show from start to finish.

Their S/T demo is 4 tracks and 15 mins in length. The 4 tracks here show this band can play a might fine Sludge/Stoner Metal riffs with great vocals to match.

OK it’s on the short side but there is much to admire here. The guys do have a talent for writing superb lyrics to match their great musicianship on show.

If you’re a fan of any of the modern Sludge/Stoner Metal bands then you will find much to enjoy here. It’s just a great EP that gets straight into the riffs. There is no waiting about for a loud heavy riff as Blastronaut are all about the loud Sludge/Stoner Metal riff.

The 4 songs are superbly produced and played by all involved. The songs have a great flow to them that lead on perfectly to the next song. It’s like one extended song broken up into 4 separate songs.

All in all this is a great EP to check out which you can download for free from their BandCamp Page or their Soundcloud Page.

The guys even include some 80s style old-school thrash metal riff on superb song “Piggy” but adding modern Sludge/Stoner Metal riffs to great effect.

All in all a great EP for everyone to check out. Highly Recommended.

Check Out This Great Band Below.

BlastroBLOG: www.blastronautmusic.blogspot.com
BLastFM: www.last.fm/music/Blastronaut
Myspace: www.myspace.com/blastronautmusic
Twitter: www.twitter.com/BlastronautUK

SUN WORSHIP

2012-01-28T00:15:00.000-08:00

Sun Worship is a Post-Black Metal Band from Germany

Sun Worship plays hard-hitting Post-Black Metal to superb effect. Taking influence from various bands such as Wolves In The Throne Room and Blus Aut Nord. Sun Worship is one heck of a heavy band from start to finish.

I am a new listener to the realm of Post-Black Metal but Sun Worship is a brilliantly talented band. These guys know how to play a heavy, loud and angry riff full of bleakness and despair all in equal measure.

The guys have just released their superb S/T 2-Song 15 minute demo which shows a band with a lot of promise and hopefully with a bright future.

Their music is loud, mean, fast and furious from start to finish. There are a few genres mixed together to superb effect to give the listener a wild ride in the realm of Black Metal music. The S/T release is produced rather well. The vocals are a bit under-produced but doesn’t deter from the overall feel of this great release.

Sun Worship has released a superb demo release that should hopefully gain them as many fans as possible. Within a couple more releases Sun Worship could be rising stars in the Post-Black Metal field. This demo is really that good and is more of a stepping stone onto greater things.

You can download this great release free from BandCamp.

Highly Recommended.

Check This Great Band From The Links Below:

BandCamp

Akûma

2012-01-19T04:27:00.000-08:00

Akûma are a 4 Piece Sludge/Post-Metal/Experimental/Stoner Metal Band from Mexico

The members are:

-xVâlx:
-xFâbriziox
-xwôntx:
-xJasonx.

Akûma play a superb hybrid blend of Sludge, Post-Metal, Stoner, Fusion Rock mixed together with a great Experimental Sound which you don’t hear much of these days.

These guys throw everything together without a care in the world. Their music is a mixture of all these amazing riffs and more. More like a crazier and brilliant Post-Metal version of The Mars Volta.

But Akûma play their own unique style of music. They have been posted on other blogs as well. Now its time for me to join their ever more popular fan club.

Their new album is an absolute blast of top-notch experimental Sludge/Stoner/Post-Metal riffs.

"Invocations On A Storm_From Rampage Skies, Thunders And Cloud Of Distorion To Eve, Birdsongs And Golden Tender Fields"

It’s a brilliant title for a brilliant and crazy album. The album is a 6 song 32 minute blast of superb Experimental Sludge/Post-Metal riffage.

There are two versions of this album floating about in blogland. One is the 6 Part version which the band kindly provided me with. The other is all 6 parts put together as one long 32 minute song. This is easy to find on other blogspots so I am highlighting the 6 part version.

I have listened to both. There is not much difference apart from the gaps between the tracks. Both amazing versions of the same great album.

One minute your listening to a traditional genre riff and the next some other genre based riff comes out of nowhere. But these guys are masters at what they do. Definitely a truly original band for you all to check out.

The album will leave you breathless by the end of this. Its full of highly imaginative riffs that will have you begging for more. Especially on the track “Parte 5 – Annatar” A 9 minute epic that is definitely the highlight of this outstanding album.

All in all this is a truly superb album from another brilliant band from Mexico to check out. What started with the brilliant Weedsnake as my first introduction to Mexican Sludge, the bands that have followed have impressed me over and over again. (WORDS, STONEFRONT, APOCALIPSIS) – But Akûma might just be the best band of the bunch I have published so far.

This is truly a superb album for everyone to check out. If you want some top-notch Experimental Sludge/Stoner/Post-Metal then I cant recommend these guys highly enough.

The guys have kindly sent me a link to where you can download this brilliant album for free. So get downloading now.

The guys have also kindly sent a download link for a short EP called "Twin" as well

They will be doing a physical release of this superb album fairly soon as the guys are about to sign a two records deal with Albany, NY based label "Magnetic Eye Records".

Highly Recommended!!!

Check These Guys Below:

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THOT - NEW SINGLE

2012-01-19T04:17:00.000-08:00

THOT are a Heavy Post-Rock/Industrial Rock band from Belgium.

The members are:

Grégoire Fray : Guitar/Vocal/Keyboard
Gil de Chevigné : Drums /Electronics
Hugues Peeters : Piano / Keyboards
Julien Forthomme : Bass guitar
Arielle Moens : Live visuals

THOT play a great blend of Post-Rock and Industrial Rock with a loud and heavy angry edge. THOT have been featured on this blog a couple of times before. Primarily for their superb debut album which I raved on about in Summer 2011.

THOT are a truly brilliant band who always offer something unique and wonderful with each and every release.

Well the guys are back with their superb new single “I Buy The Rain” which is available for free download from BandCamp right now and off their newest release Fig.6: The rain buyer.

I will let THOT tell you all about it themselves with the following

"I Buy The Rain is about lies within love, within life. But don't you feel that you could connect this story to the actual economic crisis? How many lies did you hear for years? How much have you been betrayed? How much are you going to pay again? Would you pay for the rain? To reach your liberty?

This song has been written for Obscured by the Wind and has been recorded at the same time. But I wasn't satisfied with the final mix, and I kept this song hidden. Then, last fall, I've remade some vocals, keyboards, basses and I've mixed it again. Here's the result, and I hope that you're going to love it."

My verdict on the newest release is simply sublime and showcases even more evidence why I rate these Heavy Industrial Post-Rockers so highly.

I have stated previously even though these guys don’t fall into the Sludge/Doom/Stoner genres they are still undeniably loud. And they do add a great spin on the Post-Rock/Industrial Rock genre.

So get checking this great band now. And if you like what you hear from this brilliant song check out their other superb material from their superb BandCamp Page.

Great Work Guys. I can’t wait for your next EP, Split or hopefully full length release.

Check these great self proclaimed “Vegetal Noise Rockers” below

Official Website
MySpace
BandCamp
Facebook

TUBER - NEW SINGLE

2012-01-19T04:08:00.000-08:00

TUBER are a 4 Piece Instrumental Psych Stoner-Rock/Space-Rock/Fuzz-Rock Band from Greece

The members are:

nikos gerostathos
paris fragkos
yannis gerostathos

TUBER play a superb blend of Stoner, Space-Rock, and Fuzz-Rock with a sublime Psych edge. These guys have been this blog before early last year as they released their superb 2010 S/T EP.

It still is one of my fave EP’s that I listen over and over again. It blended all of their genres superbly well and with apparent ease. TUBER got a lot of praise from various blogs for their self-titled debut.

If you haven’t downloaded it yet then I recommend you do it now. As it’s a brilliant EP on for a breathtaking 35 mins or so.

Well TUBER are back with a new digital single called “Smoked Up Notes”. A 6.45 minute blast of superb Stoner/Space/Fuzz Rock riffs which is available for free download from their BandCamp Page.

If TUBER are going to release a new album I hope “Smoked Up Notes” is definitely on it. As this is an amazing single and features some of he best riffs that TUBER have laid down so far.

It’s loud, spacey, atmospheric, and groovy with an extra large helping of FUZZ. This is what TUBER are masters at. And prove once again these guys definitely have a bright future ahead of them.

The time just files but by then you will be listening to this superb song over and over again.

Simply brilliant. Get downloading this brilliant song now. Epic Stuff by a truly brilliant band.

If you like what you hear download their brilliant S/T EP which is available for free download as well.

Check out this great band below:

Facbeook
BandCamp

Here is the a clip of their brilliant song "Sex & Depression" from their superb S/T debut release. A brilliant 11 minute epic.

The Pledge Of Cain

2012-01-19T04:03:00.000-08:00

The Pledge Of Cain are a 4 Piece Sludge/Doom/Hardcore Metal Band

The members are

Merk0))) S. : BASSDUBBING / VOKILLS
Ren0))) D. : FUZZWAVES / VOKILLS
Arn0))) D. : NOISESCAPES
Jumb0))) C. : DRONEPROPAGANDA / VOKILLS
Ravindranath0))) S-J : DRUMBOMBING

Pledges Of Cain play bleak down-tempo Hardcore/Sludge/Doom Metal with a great hardcore edge. If your into THOU, EHG then you will seriously dig these guys.

I have to thank HAXAN of superb blog Forever Cursed for recommending me this superb band as I wouldn’t of known about them.

Pledges Of Cain music is not for the faint-hearted. This is bleak from the word go. Full of pounding bleak dirge-ridden down-tempo Sludge/Doom monolithic riffs.

These guys are masters at what they do. Their musicianship is quite frankly astonishing.

They released their brilliant debut album “We,,, Martyrs” back in Dec 2010 which has been published on numerous blogs to almost brilliant acclaim. And its hard not to see why.

Their album is quite frankly a brilliant and under-stated release of the Doom/Sludge metal genre. You get 4 tracks which runs for 55 mins or so. One of the tracks “Magmatic Blood” is on for an epic 21 mins in length. This is simply a brilliant track to check out. And showcases the bands talent for writing a hard-hitting atmospheric Doom/Sludge Metal track that will surely chill you to the core.

The other 3 tracks on show are epic lengths as well. Ranging from 9 mins to 12 mins each. You will be left astounded by superb album.

Throw in brilliant vocals along with the amazing musicianship and you truly do have an amazing and classic album. How I never noticed these guys before I don’t know. But I am changing that now.

This is simply a brilliant release of the genre no denying. The album has a great under-produced feel to it which really adds to the eerie atmosphere already on show.

So do yourself a favour and download this brilliant album now. As the band are kindly given this amazing album away for free from the following link from their Facebook Page.

Simply an amazing album you need to check out now!!! – Highly Recommended!!!

Check Out This Brilliant Band Below:

Facebook
BandCamp

I WANT YOU DEAD ARE BACK!!!

2012-01-19T03:58:00.000-08:00

I Want You Dead are a 4 Piece Sludge/Grindcore/Hardcore Metal Band from Greece

These brilliant bruisers have been on this blog before with their superb debut album. Read it about them all here. If you like pummelling, loud, heavy and angry Sludge/Grindcore Metal with a superb Hardcore Punk edge then these guys are for you.

The guys are back with their brilliant new release – ΑΩ 7inch. What you get is 4 tracks on for 12 mins or so. Full of brutal Sludge/Grindcore/Hardcore Punk greatness.

The band are definitely angrier than ever. This release will shake you to the core. It shows a superb band building on their last great release. The guys don’t hold back. Everything about this release is heavier and angrier than ever. That even includes the vocals which are full of passion and anger burning from his last great performance.

Superbly played and produced by all this is some of the heaviest 12 mins of Sludge/Grindcore music you will hear so far this year. Absolutely Outstanding Stuff by a brilliant band who have became on of my faves in the respective Sludge/Grindcore/Hardcore based genres.

You can download this brilliant release for free from Mediafire or from their BandCamp Page. If you like what you hear then check out their previous brilliant release "We Are The Legions Of Scum" as well. That is available for free download from Mediafire and BandCamp as well.

Superb Stuff and highly recommended!!!.

Check This Great Band Below

MySpace
BandCamp

CRYPTODIRA

2012-01-19T03:50:00.000-08:00

Cryptodira are a 4 Piece Progressive Death Metal/Post-Metal Band from Mount Sinai, New York.

The members are

Scott Acquavella - Vocals/Guitar
Shane "57-Chokeslams-and-Counting" Kennedy - Bass
Mike Monaco - Guitar
Matt Taibi - Drums

Cryptodira play a brutal blend of Progressive Death Metal with Sludge/Post-Metal influences mixed in with their highly original music.

I have to thank Mike for sending me an email as otherwise this would of passed me by. The guys have just released their superb new album – The Four Quarters. A 5 Song 32 minute album of top-notch brutal Prog-Death Metal blended in with loud outbursts of excellent Sludge/Post-Metal riffs.

The album is brutal onslaught after brutal onslaught. These guys are hugely talented musicians and the ideas on show are just astonishing. They even blend Post-Rock Ambient passages into their music as well.

The 5 songs on show had me spellbound from start to finish. I know a lot of bands are mixing Death Metal with a lot of genres nowadays but Cryptodira are one of the best bands that I have heard doing this.

They know when to lay down the heavy death metal riff amongst the Prog-Metal, Sludge/Post-Metal riffs on show. They don’t fall into one specific category. They are not fully Death Metal nor are they fully Sludge/Post-Metal either.

They fall just in-between the two to give the listener a truly heavy and at times uplifting experience.

The vocals are handled superbly well delving from absolute hardcore carnage one minute and the next amazing clean based vocals to take the music somewhere it hasn’t been before.

This is undeniably heavy from the word go just with the added Post-Rock passages this superb band lets the listener have a brief rest before pummelling the listeners senses again.

The band lists their influences as Between The Buried And Me, Opeth, ISIS, Cynic and East Of The Wall.

Well if your into those bands and ever wondered what a supergroup of those guys would sound like. Here is your answer.

The Four Quarters is a sublime album to listen to over and over again. And is another brilliant example why the best bands are currently in the underground scene.

The album is superbly played and produced by all involved and showcases this bands talent brilliantly.

An outstanding release that the band should rightly be proud of.

The band is offering this great release as a free download from the following link on their Facebook Page. Now you have no excuses in missing this superb release. So get downloading now. Absolutely Superb.

Check This Great Band from the links below.

Official Website
Facebook
MySpace

Mediafire Link from Facebook Page

BISON MACHINE RETURN

2012-01-19T03:45:00.000-08:00

BISON MACHINE is a 4 Piece Sludge/Stoner Metal Band from USA

The members are:

John deVries- guitar
Breck Crandell- drums
Tom Stec- vox
Anthony Franchina- bass

BISON MACHINE is an excellent Stoner Metal Band with superb influences to Hard Rock/Stoner Rock Bands of the 70s. The have a great Americana feel to their music which draws you in from the word go.

This great band has been mentioned on this blog before with their last great release. Unfortunately lead singer Jim has now left the band for pastures new. But the guys have found a more than suitable superb replacement in new vocalist Tom who more than makes the role his own.

I am not going to compare vocals as that wont be fair to either Jim or Tom. As they both have are superb vocalists in their own right.

BISON MACHINE has released their new excellent EP. Behold! O' Inhabitants of the Mortar (Live @ GBS Detroit) - A 4 Song-22 minute album of entirely new tracks played live. And its an absolute blast of top-notch riffs from start to finish.

The guys have really upped the volume on the riffs as they are louder than ever. The album is superbly produced for a Self Released Live Recording. There are no overdubs at all and it sounds fantastic for it.

It’s to the bands credit they decided to carry on without former vocalist otherwise we wouldn’t of heard these superb tracks.

The 4 tracks sound like they went down a storm with the local live audience in attendance as it’s a pummelling 22 mins from start to finish.

All in all this is a superb release to show the band is back and hopefully here to stay for a long time to come. As BISON MACHINE can write a superb Sludge/Stoner Metal riff to head-bang to drawing influences from the great 70’s Hard Rock Bands of the time.

So get checking these guys now. You wont be sorry. You can own this superb release from BandCamp Pay Anything You Want Type Deal. Highly Recommended.

Check Out These Great Rockers Below:

Facebook
BandCamp

MOTHER CORONA

2012-01-19T03:41:00.000-08:00

MOTHER CORONA is a 4 Piece Grunge/Stoner Metal Band from Didcot, Oxfordshire England

The members are

Lee Cressey: Guitar
Daveo: Vocals/ Drums
Rob Glen: Bass

MOTHER CORONA bio should tell you all you need to know about this superb band.

"Originaly formed as Nable in 2006, but after a few small recordings and line up changes the band changed its name to MOTHER CORONA in 2008.Formed by friends David Oglesby and Lee Cressey in the small Oxfordshire town of Didcot. The bands music is "a melting pot of Heavy- Distorded- Sludged out raw Grooves, Melodic Psychedelia and Spaced out Landscapes".

They were joined by bass player Robert Glen that following summer.The band released its self titled debut EP on there own Button Mushroom label in the summer of 2010 to positive reviews from local rock press. Devolution mag said that "mother corona are one of those secret bands that everyone love's, well know this dirty little secret is out!

While Heavy planet said "With sleazy grinding basslines, a fuzzy guitar tone and chunky rhythms, UK band Mother Corona have created an impeccable slice of psychedelic stoner rock madness! The band started to gig locally and make themselves a name on the local underground rock scene sharing stages with bands like Desert Storm, K-lacura, Undersmile, and many other local names.

In 2011 the band continued to gig up and around the country, and in may 2011 started recording there debut album "Out Of The Dust", due to be released in early 2012".

Well this is a superb band to check out. If you want to know how Alice In Chains and Soundgarden would sound like playing Stoner Metal then MOTHER CORONA is the answer.

As their music is a brilliant take of Stoner Metal mixed with early 90’s Grunge. The guys are offering their debut EP for free download from their Facebook Music Page.

What you get is 6 outstanding songs on for 31 mins or so. Not all songs are downloadable so here is a list of the songs you need to download.

These guys are superbly talented and these songs show what this band does so well. Play high energy Grunge/Stoner Metal riffs from start to finish. The vocals match the vocals superbly. Especially on “Dead Space” and Fifteen Minutes”. Amazing tracks for you all to check out.

Superbly played and produced by all this is another great band coming from the UK Underground Scene. This should keep everyone entertained until the guys release their long-awaited debut album due for release in early 2012.

I for one cannot wait. I will be buying a copy and reviewing their debut album as soon as it’s available. Brilliant work guys.

Check Out This Superb Band Below:

Facebook
MySpace

BEHLOLD! THE MONOLITH - DEFENDER, REEDEMIST REVIEW

2012-01-14T00:41:00.000-08:00

BEHOLD! THE MONOLITH are a 3 Piece Stoner/Sludge/Thrash Metal Band from Los Angeles.

The members are:

Matt Price - guitar
Kevin McDade - bass, vocals
Chase Manhattan - drums

Most of you should all know how Behold! The Monolith are. They are one of the very best Stoner/Thrash/Metal combo’s who made a big impression with Sludge Metal fans and critics with brilliant 2009 S/T debut album.

The album was a perfect blend of Stoner Metal/Sludge Metal riffs with ferocity of Thrash Metal thrown in for great measure as well. And the vocals weren’t bad either.

It was one of my fave records from 2009 which I discovered from the legendary Sludge Swamp. After that I bought the album on CD and a copy of their great debut EP.

I have to thank Matt for sending me a copy of this great album. This is a great honour for me reviewing this as I am a huge fan of this great band.

Well the guys are back with their brilliant new album and best work to date. Defender, Redeemist. An 8 song 58 minute ride of superb Sludge/Stoner/Thrash Metal riffs.

There are a lot of bands who combine Sludge, Stoner and Thrash Metal to great effect. But Behold! The Monolith blast the competition apart with this great release. Hopefully this release should elevate these guys to the top of their respective scene.

The album is full of superb riffs from start to finish that mix Sludge, Stoner and Thrash metal superbly. These guys are experts at doing this.

Doommantia did a great song by song review the other week and I agree with every word they say. My thoughts are all of the songs show are brilliant even though if one of the songs “Witch Hunt Supreme” is their debut EP. But who cares. You still have 50 mins of brilliant new material.

Every song feels in the correct order. They all flow together brilliantly. The guys know how to write a brilliant epic lengthy track. Two of the tracks – Redeemist and Cast On The Black - Lamentor - Guided By The Southern Cross are both on for 11 mins and 13 mins each.

The 13 minute track "Cast On The Black - Lamentor - Guided By The Southern Cross" is a work of genius and one of the best tracks I have heard in a long, long time.

A track that blend the genres superbly together. The time just flies by. You can really appreciate all the hard work the guys have put into this astonishing album. Especially on these two tracks which are the best tracks on the album which showcases the bands talent to true effect.

The album is superbly produced from start to finish. Every note is played loud, heavy and clear. The guys know how to play off each other. The vocals are another highlight of this album. They have the right blend of Hardcore Anger and Stoner laid back vibes when the time calls for it.

Defender, Redeemist is their most defining work to date. Behold! The Monolith have come on leaps and bounds from their superb debut album. The riffs are heavier, louder and angrier than ever. This will hopefully blast the band into the big league’s as they deserve it with this brilliant outstanding album.

Behold! The Monolith are one of Sludge Metal’s best kept secrets but its now time for that secret to be shared with the world.

The guys should rightly be proud of this amazing new album. It’s simply that sensational. The first masterpiece of 2012 has truly arrived. This will definitely be on my best of 2012 list that is for sure.

Defender, Redeemist is out on Jan 24th 2012 and I recommend you all to buy a copy. You won’t be sorry.

Absolutely fucking epic and an amazing album to listen to time and time again.

Check The Band Below

Official
BandCamp
Facebook

ORB OF CONFUSION

2012-01-14T00:35:00.001-08:00

ORB OF CONFUSION were a Sludge/Stoner Metal Band from San Francisco, CA

The members were (or are)

Laurie Safdie Bass, Vocals
Clint Baechle Drums, Vocals
Leo Buckley Guitars, Vocals
Chris Corona Guitars, Vocals

ORB OF CONFUSION was a prominent Sludge/Stoner Metal Band in their local area who released a couple of releases during their brief time together.

Now you may recognise a few members names as when ORB OF CONFUSION disbanded, 3 of the members formed the equally brilliant Hazzard’s Cure, who have just release their own superb S/T debut album. If you don’t have it then I recommend you get it as it’s a superb Stoner/Doom/Thrash/Sludge thrill ride.

But back to ORB OF CONFUSION. This excellent band split-up in 2008 but they played a reunion show in August 2011. And they have just released a new S/T Album. A 7 song 76 minute epic of an album.

2007 – Demo – 3 Songs on for 19 mins
2009 – EP – 5 Songs on for 33 mins
2011 – Orb Of Confusion – 7 Songs on for 76 mins

You can download all these brilliant albums for free from the band’s BandCamp Page.

ORB OF CONFUSION play fast and furious Sludge/Stoner Metal with great Male and Female vocals thrown in for great measure. If you’re into KYLESA then you will seriously love this band’s music.

The band know how to play a mean loud, mean, dirty, down-tempo Stoner/Sludge Metal riff. This band seriously kick butt. It’s a shame they split up as their music is simply superb. Especially their newest S/T Release.

It’s an amazing record to show what his band can do so brilliantly well. Full of brilliant Sludge/Stoner Metal riffs from start to finish and amazing vocals to match. They are brilliant musicians as the band know how to play some great Sludge/Stoner Metal riffage.

I have heard these guys have a fearsome reputation on the live stage and I would love to see them in action. But their music is the next big thing.

The Demo and EP are slightly under-produced but that doesn’t detract from the great Sludge/Stoner Metal riffs they play from beginning to end. Both recordings have a great DIY feel to them which really adds to the effect of this superb band’s music.

Their new S/T release is brilliantly produced and captures the band at their heaviest and most creative. Originally recorded in 2008 but not released to their recent reunion show in August 2011.

This is their best release out of the 3 on offer. Full of heavy pounding riffage to get the most jaded mosher head-banging in no time.

The highlight of this superb release is the 39 minute epic “---“. An epic journey of loud sludge based guitars with heavy pounding drumming to match. Some people might this track a bit repetitive but I loved it. Mainly an instrumental track. This is what Sunn0))) would sound like if they went full Sludge/Stoner Metal.

Well check these guys out now as they rule. Hopefully they will get back together to release more brilliant material. But it might be a while with the bands respective new bands.

But if not at least they leave a brilliant impression that will last long in the memory of any listener.

Simply brilliant. Did I say that you can download all their brilliant music for free from BandCamp.

Well get downloading now.

Check Out These Great Sludge Metallers Below:

Facebook
BandCamp

MOLOKEN

2012-01-14T00:30:00.000-08:00

MOLOKEN are an Atmospheric Sludge Metal Band from Sweden

The Members are

Jakob Burstedt - Drums
Kristoffer Bäckström - Guitar & Vocals
Nicklas Bäckström - Bass & Vocals
Patrik Ylmefors - Guitar

MOLOKEN play an intense blend of Hardcore, Doom, Sludge and elements of Post-Metal to create a truly haunting blend of Atmospheric Sludge Metal.

If your into CULT OF LUNA, ISIS and NEUROSIS then MOLOKEN will definitely appeal to you as it did for me. They make truly spellbinding Atmospheric Sludge Metal with superb riffs and vocals to match.

MOLOKEN have released two brilliant albums available for free download from BandCamp

2009 – Our Astral Circle – 9 Songs. 54 minutes
2011 – Rural – 7 songs – 53 minutes

Both of these releases are simply stunning examples of how superb Atmospheric Sludge Metal should be done. Both full of heavy pounding Sludge Metal riffs with the right blend of Hardcore, Doom and Post Metal influences to stand out from the crowd.

These guys are superb musicians and know how to play a brilliant and epic Sludge Metal riff. Each album has an epic track each you have to check out.

Our Astral Circle has a 12 minute track called 11:12. Rural has a 16 minute track ULV

Both of these tracks show that MOLOKEN do brilliantly well. Playing epic Atmospheric Sludge Metal with heavy pounding riffs to get the senses pumping in no time.

Both albums are brilliantly produced and you can hear every note played to perfection.

So get downloading both brilliant albums now. You won’t be disappointed. Brilliant stuff.

Check out this brilliant band below.

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Los Disidentes Del Sucio Motel and FlashFalcon Split Album Review

2012-01-14T00:25:00.000-08:00

Los Disidentes Del Sucio Motel and FlashFalcon are two superb Stoner Rock Bands from France who have just released a superb Split LP called East Side Story.

The LP has 8 songs. 3 new songs from each band. And the band covering each others material. So LDDSM are covering FlashFalcon’s “Eternal Lonesome Boy” and FlashFalcon are covering the LDDSM classic “Sir Dany Jack”.

The LP is on for 35 raucous upbeat brilliant Stoner Rock minutes. LDDSM have been on this blog before when I reviewed their superb 2011 album – SoundTrack From The Motion Picture.

So I know what these guys can do when they get into full flow. The 3 new songs on show are a bit different from their last great release. They are all great releases but the band have gone in a more straight forward Stoner-Rock direction than their experimental vibe from the great album.

Not that I am complaining as the 3 new tracks really do capture the same LDDSM spirit especially on Lucha Libre. And it’s always good for a band to experiment a bit with their own established sound.

All 4 songs that LDDSM perform including a cover of FlashFalcon’s “Eternal Lonesome Boy” are played brilliantly and the 16 minutes just flies by. This part of the release confirms LDDSM as one of France’s best kept Stoner Rock secrets. And why I rate them so very highly. Check them out on Youtube to see their live raucous shows which has got them a bit of fame.

Now to FlashFalcon’s side of the split. I haven’t heard anything by these guys. But after these songs that is going to change real soon.

Their 3 songs are more high energy Stoner Rock vibes we all fans of. Their cover of Sir Dany Jack is one of the highlights of this great Split LP as it shows a great song done rather differently.

Plus I loved their song “Numb”. A great Punk-Rock/Stoner Rock song that ticks all the right boxes with some mighty fine riffs.

So all in all this is a great Split Release to check out when its released in March 2012 as it showcases French Stoner Rock at its best.

You can order this great album here:

Cbheck Los Disidentes del Sucio Motel Below:

Check FlashFalcon From the Links Below

STONE MAGNUM

2012-01-14T00:20:00.000-08:00

Stone Magnum are a Sludge/Doom/Stoner Metal Band from Michigan City, Indiana.

The members are:

Guitars: Jim Brucks
Guitar/Vocals: Dean Tavernier
Bass: Marty Buchaus
Drums: Brad Toth

Stone Magnum play a great blend of Sabbath Influenced – Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal to superb effect. The guys have just released their superb S/T debut album. A 7 song 43 minute album of epic Doom Based Sludge/Stoner Metal Riffs.

The album is full of superb Sludge/Stoner Metal riffs and if you’re into Black Sabbath, Saint Vitus or any of the classic Doom Metal bands then you’re going to find much to enjoy here.

As Stone Magnum’s music does have an old school Doom Metal feel to them but they add a superb modern Sludge/Stoner Metal influence to them as well.

Brilliantly played and produced by everyone involved. This is one album you will be revisiting time and time again.

It might not be the most original thing on the scene at the moment. But it sure is one of the most satisfying Stoner/Doom Metal releases around. And the band do know how to play damn fine mighty Stoner/Doom Metal riff.

The album is full of superb Sludge/Doom/Stoner Metal tracks to get your teeth stuck into. Especially “Locksmith Of Misery”, “Rolling Storm” and “Am I Really Insane”.

All in all this is a superb album to check out if you fancy a modern Sludge/Stoner Metal album with references to the good old days of 70’s Doom Metal. And I applaud the band for bringing back a little bit of history to their music.

You can own this great release on BandCamp Pay Anything You Want Type Deal.

Superb Stuff from a great band to check out.

Highly Recommended.

Check Out These Great Rockers Below.

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HESPER PAYNE

2012-01-11T11:54:00.000-08:00

Hesper Payne are a Sludge/Doom/Death Metal Band from Newcastle Upon Tyne, England.

The members are:

Richard Pickman - drums and percusion
Alexandra Durning - Keyboards
Ian Fenwick - Bass
Brooke Johnson - Guitars and Vocals

Hesper Payne play an intense blend of Sludge/Doom with the odd dash of Death Metal to brutal effect. These guys come from my neck of the woods. As they say - Doom From The Cursed North. My lovely hometown of Newcastle Upon Tyne. And frankly I do agree with them at times. But that is a different story.

I have mentioned Hesper Payne before early last year when the blog was first setup. These guys are quite prolific and you can download all their brilliant music for free from BandCamp.

They have received praise from a few blogs with their superb music. So if your into down-tempo bleak Sludge/Doom/Death Metal then these guys are the ones for you.

Well the guys have released their best work to do date with their stunning new EP – The Strange Tale of Samuel Gonzalez. A 3 song 25 minute brilliant EP of bleak down-tempo superb Sludge/Doom Metal. The Death Metal influence noticed in earlier releases has been stripped back a bit. You can hear a few influences hear and there but mainly it’s just down-tempo Sludge/Doom Metal.

The EP is superbly played and produced by all concerned.

If this is the new way forward for Hesper Payne’s music then the guys have came on leaps and bounds since their last great release.

What you get here is 3 superb epic songs to chill the soul to. Full of passionate vocals and riffs to head-bang to. The 25 minutes just flies by.

Hesper Payne are seriously a superb band to give their big-league counterparts a run for their money.

Check out the awesome EP cover which gives the viewer a true reflection on what to expect.

So if you want something mean, dirty and loud from my neck of the woods then Hesper Payne is your band. Plus since this release is free you have no excuses.

If your into Electric Wizard and Ramesses then you will definitely find a kindred spirit with Hesper Payne.

Brilliant work as usual guys. Highly Recommended.

Check these brilliant sludge metallers below.

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RITES

2012-01-11T11:49:00.000-08:00

RITES is a Sludge Metal Band from Ireland.

RITES play superb down-tempo Sludge Metal which deserves to be played heavy and loud. They have released their brilliant S/T album. A 5 song 27 minute blast of top-notch sludge riffs to get your body pounding to.

RITES play some mighty fast riffs in their great music. These guys have a talent in writing a superb Sludge Metal song. If your into EHG, Down, Ramesses then you will find much to enjoy here.

Superbly produced and played by all this is a superb album for you all to check out. Yon can get this superb album free from the band’s BandCamp Page.

A brilliant album full of top-notch Sludge Metal Riffs with great vocals to match.

Highly Recommended.

Check Out These Great Sludge Metallers Below:

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From The Minds Of Madness Book Review

2012-01-11T11:40:00.000-08:00

Well I don’t normally do book reviews on the blog but I am going to make an exception for this one. Blair Gibson contacted me to check out his book – From The Minds of Madness: The Origins of Heavy Metal Band Names

So I told Blair I would check out his book. Any book that has an introduction by Aaron Stainthorpe of My Dying Bride is fine by me.

This book is mainly about how 300 individual bands got their name and how they decided onto that name. It doesn’t feature the stadium bands of metal but the more influential underground/well known bands that we know and love.

So this is more like a mini-encyclopaedia of how bands from various genres such as Stoner, Doom, Sludge, Death, Progressive, Power, Symphonic came up with their names.

And 300 is quite a lot to pack into one book. But credit to Blair he is pulled off a great feat here. He has done a brilliant job and deserves credit for writing a well-written and brilliantly researched book.

If you want to know how bands like Sleestak, 35007, Kylesa, Across Tundras, Amen Ra, Cowboys & Aliens got their name and many other amazing bands then this is the book to check out.

This might not seem the most exciting book to read about Metal and I was hesitant at first but I shouldn’t of worried as this book was an absolute blast to read. I loved every word of it.

The book is full of great articles of how bands came up with their names. Some from personal experiences and others from films & comic books.

This is probably one of the best metal based books I have read in years. Action packed with brilliant bits of trivia of well known bands and not so well known bands advising the viewer how they got their name.

Blair even advises for each band the genre, country of origin and how long they have been going. This book is a great book to own for all us metal heads.

Even if you don’t like some of the genres that Blair highlights you will still be impressed about the majority and calibre of bands Blair has contacted.

All in all this is a brilliant book that you should all check out. You can buy this brilliant book from here.

Only $2.99 eBook and $12.99 in print (234 pages!)

available at: Amazon Kindle * Amazon Print * Lulu eBook * Lulu Print * Barnes & Noble * Amazon

So top marks to Blair for writing a brilliant book. I hope he writes more books likes this in the future. He definitely has a talent of keeping the viewer intrigued from start to finish.

Brilliant.

WORDS - Amazing Mexican Sludge

2012-01-11T11:35:00.000-08:00

WORDS is a 3 Piece Crust Punk/Sludge Metal Band From Mexico

The members are:

CHAPU - Drums
MARCOS HASSAN - Guitar and Vocals
JAPONECIO - Bass

WORDS play a brutal blend of Crust Punk/Sludge Metal to brilliant and heavy pounding effect. The band have just released their superb S/T 12 inch release where you can download for free from BandCamp or from Mediafire.

WORDS contacted me via Facebook in early December 2011 and I stated I would check out their music and provide my opinion on.

Well I discovered that the guys would be releasing a new release in Dec 2011/Jan 2012 so I decided to hold back till then. And I am glad that I did. As they have added a few new tracks from the first release I checked them out from.

Their S/T release is an absolute blast of top-notch Crust Punk/Sludge Metal Riffs blended brilliantly together. Their S/T 12” release is 7 songs and runs for less than 20 mins or so.

This is another brilliant Crust Punk/Sludge Metal release that doesn’t outstay it’s welcome. Its actually the right length to show this bands talent for writing superb top-notch Sludge Metal riffs.

The riffs are played fast and furious and to precision at times as well. Some songs are only on for 2 mins or so but they still pack a hard hitting Sludge Metal punch. Especially on tracks like “When Civilisation is No Longer Enough” and “Liagonemerte”.

The release is superbly produced and performed from all concerned and showcases another brilliant band coming from Mexico. Another country becoming one of my fave countries for Sludge/Stoner Metal especially with top-notch bands such as Weedsnake, stone Front and Apocalipsis.

I hope to hear more from our Mexican brothers. But this is all about WORDS. And my word on WORDS is Absolutely Superb from a hugely talented band to keep an eye on.

Great Stuff guys and highly recommended.

Check out these brilliant Sludge Punks below.

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SWORDS OF TEXAS

2012-01-11T11:29:00.000-08:00

Swords Of Texas are an Experimental Stoner Rock Band From Hamilton, Ontario.

Swords Of Texas play a very trippy haleucogenic brand of Experimental Stoner Rock/Sludge/Noise/Ambient all wrapped in one highly addictive package.

This is the work on one highly talented individual - Schmoog Lebowski. A bit of Electric Wizard worship and magic substances to the other dimension later and Swords Of Texas is the nearest you can possibly get of a so called legal high.

They have just released their brilliant and spell-binding Experimental EP – Too Weird To Live, Too Rare To Die. A 5 song 20 minute journey into the unknown corners of your mind.

Full of superb ambient noises, trippy and insightful voiceovers covered with top-notch Noise/Stoner/Sludge Rock riffs.

This is one EP that is so far out there it should be classed as illegal. Brilliantly produced and put together this is one of the best experimental releases I have ever heard.

Imagine if Philip K. Dick and Frank Zappa joined up to start a band this would be the spaced out messed up result. And I loved every cosmic minute of it.

It might take you a few listens or trips to get it but once you do this is one trip you will take time and time again.

Brilliantly produced with all of the noises and riffs blended together I can’t wait to see what Swords Of Texas does with a proper full length release. Brilliant stuff from a highly warped out trippy individual. You can buy this EP for the low price of $0.99 from BandCamp and it’s highly recommended.

Great work Swords Of Texas. Highly Recommended.

Check Out This Great Band Below.

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MOLLUSK

2012-01-11T11:14:00.000-08:00

MOLLUSK are a 4 Piece Crust/Punk/Sludge Metal Band from Cincinnati / Pittsburgh

The members are:

Neal Hunter
Chase Schleyer
Zach Hendrickson

MOLLUSK play a fast and furious blend of hard hitting Sludge Metal with Crust/Hardcore Punk blended in for brutal and brilliant measure.

The guys have just released their superb S/T album. A 9 song 25 minute epic of crushing Crust/Hardcore Punk/Sludge Metal riffs to destroy your fragile mind to.

These guys play with a sense of passionate anger and fury not seen or heard in most bands today.

Taking influence from a whole range of bands but adding their own unique take in the realm of Crust-Punk/Sludge Metal. MOLLUSK have the talent to back up the loud and angry riffs on show.

Superbly produced and played by all involved this is a brilliant album to check out. Don’t let the short running time put you off. This is hard hitting stuff from start to finish.

Definitely and highly recommended.

You can buy this brilliant release from BandCamp for $3. Or you can download it for free from the Band’s Blogspot. You might have to add your own tags to the couple of songs but it’s worth it for a brilliant release like this.

So brilliant work guys. I can’t wait to see what these guys do in the future as they have the potential to have a very long career indeed.

Check out these brilliant rockers below.

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Blogspot - Download this superb release here.

GAUL

2012-01-11T11:09:00.000-08:00

GAUL is a Sludge/Hardcore/Black Metal Band from Gainesville, Florida

The members are:

Derek ~ Guitar/Vox
Hencher ~ Bass
Vidge ~ Drums

GAUL play a hard hitting blend of Hardcore/Doom/Sludge Metal mixed with elements of Black Metal to impress the listener with. And GAUL impress brilliantly from start to finish on their superb S/T new album.

A 4 song 38 minute blast of top-notch Sludge/Doom/Hardcore/Black Metal carnage that forces the listener into submission. This is music at its most bleak and most raw.

If you’re into Wolves In The Throne Room and Nachtmystium then you will find much to enjoy here. But GAUL added a great Sludge Metal twist into their music. Imagine if WITTR decided to team up with THOU for a supergroup then they would sound like this.

GAUL is extremely loud and heavy for a 3 piece. You could be mistaken that these guys could actually be a 4 piece band.

Their new album is full of hard hitting riffs with added Black Metal Vocals to drive their super music through to the bitter end.

Each of the 4 songs are about 8 to10 mins in length. So don’t be expecting fast riffs as these guys play in their own pace and no one is going to tell them any different.

GAUL do add impressive Ambient Noise Effects as well to give their music a truly haunting and eerie atmosphere. Especially on the superb track “Departure”.

The album is superbly produced but still has a great Punk DIY feel to it as well. So it’s not overly produced. Just the right amount of sound and texture to their brilliant musicianship which is on show. As they guys are superb musicians in their own right.

GAUL are a brilliant band to keep an eye out for and this album shows why they could have a very bright future indeed. Awesome stuff.

You can download this superb release from BandCamp Pay Anything You Want Type Deal.

Highly Recommended.

Check out these great Sludge Metallers below:

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Apocalipsis

2012-01-11T11:05:00.000-08:00

Apocalipsis is an Instrumental Sludge Metal band from Mexico

The members are:

Mico - Drums
Chamaz - Bass
Fabian - Guitar

Apocalipsis play a superb hybrid of Doom/Sludge/Hardcore Instrumental Based music to highly original effect. These guys sound like a faster and harder version of Pelican but adding their own unique spin.

They have just released their brilliant S/T Debut album for free download on BandCamp and Mediafire. It’s an 11 song 30 minute blast of hard hitting Sludge riffs from start to finish.

Brilliantly played and produced by all involved. If you want something heavy to get you head-banging straight away then I recommend you check these great Sludge Rockers now. As this album is simply superb to listen to time and time again.

Apocalipsis are another brilliant Sludge Metal band coming from Mexico. This is simply unmissable stuff and Highly Recommended!!! – Brilliant.

Check this great band from the links below.

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SLEESTAK - NEW ALBUM

2012-01-02T03:32:00.000-08:00

Brilliant Cosmic/Space-Rock/Doom/Sludge/Stoner-Metallers and all round nice guys SLEESTAK have released a new album - Altrusian Moon - A Lo-Fi Collection Of Psychedelia and Space Rock

SLEESTAK released one of my fave albums of 2011 - The brilliant and epic - The Fall of Altrusia. A brilliant piece of work by one of the best creative metal bands out there. Here is my review from July 2011.

Well the guys are back with a new album available on pay anything you want type deal from BandCamp.

Read the following from Sleestak Blog about their superb new release.

"Sleestak is kicking off the new year with a new release called "Altrusian Moon - A Lo-Fi Collection Of Psychedelia and Space Rock". Yes, we know: we didn't warn you.

It is available at Bandcamp and is a "pay what you want" digital album - you can pay $0 or be as generous as you wish. We dug deep into our rehearsal archives to give our fans a glimpse into our relaxed free-form jams, a very psychedelic improvised musical exploration of song ideas. Yes, there are mistakes, missed drum hits, wrong notes, etc. but the journey is there - a raw yet sublime document of our times playing together in the basement over the years. Also included is the live remix jam version of "The Fall Of Altrusia" from 2009. You'll hear some our wider influences in this material and may appeal to fans of Bardo Pond, Hawkwind, USX, Red Sparowes, Dead Meadow, White Hills, and Yawning Man.

If you dig it, please consider purchasing the download as we start gathering funds to record the studio follow up to "Altrusia" hopefully to be released in 2012."

Well I downloaded this the other day. And its a great release from a truly brilliant band. What you get is 95 mins of brilliant SLEESTAK tracks. Enjoy!!!

If you like what you hear you can download their brilliant first album Skylon Express previously published here. A brilliant album that I recommend you all to check out.

If you like their music head over to their Official web-page and buy some merch. Guys will really appreciate it.

Check this great band from the links below.

Official
BandCamp
MySpace
Blogspot

AT ALL TIMES

2012-01-02T03:17:00.000-08:00

AT ALL TIMES is a Sludge/Post-Metal Band from California, USA.

The members are;

Justin - Drums
Mikey - Bass, Vocals
Topher - Guitar, Vocals

AT ALL TIMES play the same blend of hard-hitting Sludge/Post-Metal as pioneers such as Neurosis, ISIS and CULT OF LUNA.

They have just released their new album - The Writhing Sea. A 4 song 35 minute hard hitting monster of an album which you can download for free from BandCamp.

The Writhing Sea is a brilliant album for all you Sludge/Post-Metallers. If your a fan of the bands mentioned above then your going to love this.

It's full of superb Sludge/Post-Metal riffs to get stuck into. It has some great Ambient Post-Rock passages included as well. All of the 4 tracks are superb tracks to listen to time and time again.

Especially "Ghost Tides" and the title track. All of the 4 tracks are epic tracks full of passionate and hard hitting Sludge/Post-Metal Riffs.

Brilliantly Produced and Played by all concerned. This is a truly outstanding album that I can't recommend highly enough.

There is not much information about this great band. I can only find their MySpace Site which hasn't been updated in a while.

But the guys deserve much credit for releasing a brilliant album into the world of Sludge/Post-Metal. As its fucking awesome.

So get downloading now. Definitely and Highly Recommended!!!

Check Out This Great Band from the links below: