Welcome to The Sludgelord!
Presenting up to date news, reviews & interviews for riff addicts around the world.
This is 'Liberation through Amplification.'
Hard rock is such a complicated subgenre. It walks that line between metal and mainstream rock, and it is so very easy to flop colossally straight into Creed-ville. Or cover-ville. Neither is particularly pretty.
Pittsburgh group Outsideinside first popped on the musical landscape via a 2013 split EP with “Old Head”. That appearance followed a few years of live shows and studio work. Now, the quartet is out in force with its premiere full length, "Sniff a Hot Rock."
Although billed as a hard rock act, Outsideinside is heavy with the funk, rock and other influences. Singer/guitarist Dave Wheeler flashes some killer blues chops on "Ten Years" and hits a modern rock vibe on "Can't Say Nothin'." Bassist Jim Wilson and drummer Panfilo Dicenzo definitely craft that hard rock edge, but are talented at flirting with other techniques as well. A strong rhythm section with clarity on its sound makes or breaks a hard rock performer. Dicenzo and Wilson pair up well to make Outsideinside's music sound brash, but smart.
"Sniff a Hot Rock" further deserves acknowledgment for when Wheeler and company exhibit a self-awareness enough that the band can meld diverse inspirations. This is critical, but often unnoticed. Hard rock fans can feel a band when it starts losing itself or panders to trends. Outsideinside's full length avoids these traps quite well.
The outfit has some particularly forceful songs. The base of "Empty Room" may remind you a bit of, oddly, early music by Inside Out, the group that would later evolve into Rage Against the Machine. "Pretty Thing" has got a brawny riff that elevates the track, along with some classic elements to top it off. And the same can be said of "Shot Me Down," where the group's harkening to legends like Jimi Hendrix and Humble Pie is most evident.
While doing a yeoman's task to represent its ethos fully on disc, one has to believe the live experience of Outsideinside is particularly excellent. If hard rock is your bag, Outsideinside may well be worth a stream.
As the haze of sunshine finally appears to be descending for the last time and with it the end of summer, let us not despair and instead rejoice as we usher in another feast of music for your listening pleasure, a veritable smorgasbord of riffs, this can only mean one thing? The Sludgelord’s ‘Sour 16’. Welcome, all lovers of the riff, you know the deal by now, however for those of you that do not, let us recap. Each month, you the reader are unwittingly compiling a list of the top 16 records of the month, covering all genres of metal, but predominately the best the doom, sludge, stoner-psychedelic genres have to offer. It is not a chart, in which reviewers or contributors extol their opinion about their favourite music, but simply, the ‘Sour 16’ are the records you guys (readers) have been most interested in over the last month and checking out on this page.
So here is the The Sludgelord’s ‘Sour 16’for August 2015, the 16 records you’re most looking forward too or are currently checking out. Dig in, spread the word and perhaps revisit some records you may have overlooked. The results are compiled based on page views alone and calibrated into the list below. So without further ado, enjoy the ‘Sour 16’. Roll up, kick back, chug a beer and Hail the riff! All review/band links can be accessed by clicking on the artwork. (Total views at the time of publication are highlighted in red)
16). Eschaton – ‘Sentinel Apocalypse’ (312)
For anyone with an interest in death metal from Revocation to Morbid Angel to Immolation to Death, then this album should definitely be checked out. I enjoyed it hugely and recommend it highly.
15). Nightfell – ‘Darkness Evermore’ (320)
“Rebirth” sees the band playing with different melodic black metal elements… which make for a wonderful musical counterweight to the resonant doom n’ death rumbling of the album’s general comfort zone.
14). Fight Amp – ‘Constantly Off’ (348)
‘In short, I’ve been missing out. I’m really happy to have had a reason to sit down with a band I already thought I knew and find out there’s still so much more to them. I can only highly recommend ‘Constantly Off’, and after this I’m off to check out all the stuff I’ve missed.’
13). Lucifer ‘Lucifer I’ (352)
‘All in all, “Lucifer I” is a solid release, song-per-song. It’s sure to be a hit for all the ‘70s obsessive’s and the proto-metallers, but it also has moments that are evil enough and dark enough to satisfy those who need a little more intensity beyond the black rainbow.’
12). = Myrkur - ‘M’ & Gnaw Their Tongues – ‘Abyss of Longing Throats’ (354)
At this juncture, Myrkur has proven to be capable of material that is truly special, with the sort of vivid musical imagination welcome in any genre, metal being no exception. What’s most exciting is what an even deeper exploration of this kind of folkish black metal, rich with creativity might yield a couple of years from now. ‘Gnaw Their Tongues has opened up a portal into hell and is dragging you with him. Fear the worst. Expect to suffer. If you make it out alive, expect some severe emotional trauma.’
10). Six Feet Under – ‘Crypt of the Devil’ (357)
‘This is as pure a strain of death metal as you are ever likely to find: crushing, sawing guitar riots? Check. Throat-expanding guttural vocals? Check. Lurid, obscene song titles, including ‘Broken Bottle Rape’ and ‘Compulsion to Brutalize’? Check mate. If it’s classic death metal grooves you’re after, look no further.’
09). Limb – ‘Terminal’ (371)
All in all, Terminal builds on what Limb have already achieved and is ultimately better than their top notch debut. The tracks on Terminal are well crafted, and the whole piece is tighter throughout. Absolutely no time is wasted on the album with every note being completely integral to the success of the album
08). Locrian – ‘Infinite Dissolution’ (400)
‘Standout track ‘An Index of Air’ leans into emptiness with a rattling drone, an almost imperceptibly off-time drum pulsing the intro before expanding out into tidal-waves of anguished convulsions blended with blissed out droning black that Deafheaven would burn gasoline-soaked churches to attain.’
07). Carousel – ‘2113’ (420)
‘2113’ is a blur of dynamic, late night booze fuelled journeys filled with timeless hooks and immensely powerful solos. A band that knows how to capture your attention; they filter the music of their childhood heroes add a contemporary twist and their unique flair and create magic. They build on their concrete foundation of strong vocals and catchy choruses, wrap up some tight backing and present a very pleasing album complete with a jazzy little bow.
06) Hivelords – ‘Tapered Limbs of a Human Star’ (424)
'Cavern Apothecary' was a glimpse into the potential this band had at that point. On ‘Tapered Limbs of a Human Star’, they've smashed through the glass ceiling and surpassed the promise they showed. The fact that they're signed to Anthropic Records is both a blessing and a curse; it makes those who know about the band seem like part of a secret club and preserves their cult status. However, had this been released on a label like Relapse, Profound Lore or Candlelight, everyone would be losing their shit and proclaiming this as the best album they've heard this year. It’s simply stunning.’
05). DoctoR DooM – ‘The Seed We Have Sown’ (534)
‘It's a monstrous sound, reminding me of a club scene in many a Bond film, but replace lounge piano or jazz with a much more upbeat rock band. This is Everyman Rock. And they love to stay around with their songs, so look forward to an album full of 4+ minute slabs that will take you along sonic highways of old.’
04). Ahab – ‘The Boat of Glen Carrig’ (551)
‘It's hard to sum the record up, such is the scope and depth on offer within the record, but suffice it to say this: it will feature in year end lists, it will grow on you and is definitely one of the more unusual and ambitious releases of the year. This is fine stuff, but then again coming from Napalm Records, does anyone expect anything less?! Dark, atmospheric and powerful. A fantastic record.’
03). Pentagram - ‘Curious Volume’ (710)
Overall, for my money, Curious Volume is a better album than Last Rites- more focused, more inspired and it crackles with life, it really does. It is the best album from Pentagram in a long while and for that we should all rejoice. Legendary for a reason!
02). The Sword – ‘High Country’ (1377)
The length of the album, at 15 tracks, does make getting acquainted with this record a slow process, but in the end you’ll discover there aren’t any dips in form. ‘High Country’ is rich in consistency and across its span, Cronise, Shutt and co. dispel any fears you may have about this release all the while oozing a slick professionalism. They’ve been at this song writing malarkey for a while now, they’re hardened pros and this stands testament to their brilliant legacy.’
01). Ghost – ‘Meliora’ (5382)
‘Today, Ghost still manage to shock and surprise us in a society where we’ve seen and heard it all before. People are fascinated, fixated even with finding out their true identities. Their music is more powerful than it ever has been too. ‘Meloria’ is a spellbinding listen and one which will see them elevated to greater plains of existence. It affects you, leaves you shaken. They can make you laugh or cry without so much of a flick of the wrist and, although the music we love is basking in something of a purple period right now, a band as potent as this is still a rarity.’
This list features reviews by, Chris Bull, Philip Weller, Kat Hilton, Hunter Young, Richard Maw, James Harris, Dominic Walsh, Chris Markwell, Daniel Jackson, Erik Sugg & Greg Sheriff
‘2113’ is a blur of dynamic, late night booze fuelled journeys filled with timeless hooks and immensely powerful solos. A band that knows how to capture your attention; they filter the music of their childhood heroes add a contemporary twist and their unique flair and create magic. They build on their concrete foundation of strong vocals and catchy choruses, wrap up some tight backing and present a very pleasing album complete with a jazzy little bow.
‘2113’ CD//DD//LP track Listing
1). Trouble 2). Photograph
3). Buried Alive in Your Arms 4). Jim’s Song 5). Highway Strut 6). Strange Revelation
7). Man like Me
8). 2113 9). Turn to Stone (Joe Walsh cover)
The Review:
The Pittsburgh rockers Carousel are back with ‘2113’, the follow up to their hit debut ‘Jeweler’s Daughter’ of 2013. The rocking foursome welcome their new guitarist Matt to spaff out 8 guitar laden chunks of loveliness and a cheeky Joe Walsh cover.Their opening gambit ‘Trouble’captures my interest immediately with a thumping drum driven intro amidst the guitar madness.Riffs exploding through the speakers, the squawk of strings and incessant aural battery. Phew! Just as I think I need a second, the vocals make their appearance, solid, melodic and with a hint of growl all topped off with a truckload of strutting confidence, leave this song in the memory bank for a while. Wheeler shines here; a delightful vocal mix of 70’s blues rock, 80’s screamingand grungy 90’s enrobed by the laid back sexy stoner attitude is engaging.
‘Photograph’ is up next with a sexy little groove that gets the hips going, redolent of smoky bars, cheap whisky and one night hook ups; it swoons the senses and inflames the libido with its thrumming vibrations. An excellent solo midway keeps up the vibe before it is taken over by what can only be described as a Wah fiesta....some fucker has found that pedal and he is going to make it earn its money! ‘Jim’s Song’ is an upbeat, bluesy number chock full of the pant wettingly (take that as you will) good guitar riffs, the up tempo swagger filled vocals and impressive drum work typifies their style and demonstrates their excellence. ‘Man Like Me’ whiny guitars-check, thrashing drums- check, good bass line- check, swarthy vocals, that yes, would encourage me to love a man like that,- check, really need I say anymore, aural pleasure- get on it!
Lastly, ‘cos if someone covers Joe Walsh, you just have to write about it, ‘Turn To Stone’, and well, what can I say? Soulful with flashes of Brent Smith style vocals, expertly executed riffs, blending acoustics and crying guitar make this an immensely pleasurable cover that will linger filling up the senses. ‘2113’ is a blur of dynamic, late night booze fuelled journeys filled with timeless hooks and immensely powerful solos. A band that knows how to capture your attention; they filter the music of their childhood heroes add a contemporary twist and their unique flair and create magic. They build on their concrete foundation of strong vocals and catchy choruses, wrap up some tight backing and present a very pleasing album complete with a jazzy little bow.
