The Sludgelord Video Premiere - "So Jinxed" by DoctoR DooM

By: Aaron Pickford

Formed in the French town of Ariège in the Midi-Pyrénées by guitarists Jean-Laurent Pasquet and Jérémie Delattre, since their formation in 2011 DoctoR DooM has steadily been making waves in the underground scene.  With their sound firmly rooted in the classic era of the 60’s and 70’s, DoctoR DooM convey a vintage sound with a loose and almost garage rock aesthetic, with hints of blues and hard rock.  First coming to the attention of The Sludgelord, way back in 2013, it was clear from taking with Steve STB (STB Records) that he felt this band was destined to follow in the footsteps of such luminaries as Graveyard and Witchcraft, indeed following an outstanding vinyl release from STB Records,  of their ‘DoomO’ EP DoctoR DooM have taken part in a series of high profile festival appearances including Spain’s Riff Ritual Fest, Doom Over Karalis in Sardinia and Germany’s much-celebrated DesertFest before taking to the studio at the end of last year to record their very first LP.

Fast forward then to the first day of autumn and with the release of DoctoR DooM’s debut full length ‘This Seed We Have Sown’ a mere 3 months old, it will finally get the vinyl release promised from STB Records.  To coincide with the vinyl release this Saturday, 26^th September and to build up anticipation for all you vinyl junkies, The Sludgelord is delighted to premiere the new video for ‘So Jinxed’.  Here is a brief word about their album

‘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.’

 The Seed We Have Sown’ is available on CD here and will be available on vinyl here this coming Saturday, 26^th September 2015 12pm EST and please find the details of the vinyl release below

Vinyl Details

Die Hard Edition:

This exclusive luxury edition boasts:
- Ultra high quality heavyweight cardbaord case-wrapped jacket with gloss lamination and prism foil Stamping.
- 180g pinwheel color vinyl to compliment the art work
- Clear vinyl companion ep/lp of the Doctor DooM "DoomO".
(This will be the FINAL press of that record.)
- The companion Ep comes housed in a heat stamped velvet LP jacket.

All versions come with a 2 sided insert and DoctoR DooM sticker , while supplies last.

Art and Design by Josh Wilkinson @thecompanydesign

OBI Series:

Limited to 100 units

This is the 8th installment to the STB Records OBI series. We kept the uniformity of the clear vinyl with complimenting center colors to match the cover.

All versions come with a 2 sided insert and DoctoR DooM sticker , while supplies last.

Art and Design by Josh Wilkinson @thecompanydesign

Not So Standard Edition:

Limited to - TBA

150g swirl color vinyl to compliment art work..

All versions come with a 2 sided insert and DoctoR DooM sticker , while supplies last.

Art and Design by Josh Wilkinson @thecompanydesign

Test Press:

4 for sale 15 made.

Comes in a custom made printed envelope sleeve sealed with an STB Records faux wax seal.

Band Edition:

Limited to - 125 units

180g sky blue vinyl

Most of these will be on sale by the band in Europe..

DoctoR DooM is

Jean-Laurent Pasquet (Vocal, Guitar)
Jérémie Delattre (Guitar)
Sébastien Boutin Blomfield (Bass, Keys)
Michel Marcq (Drums)

Band info: Facebook | Bandcamp

The Sludgelord 'Sour 16' For August 2015

By: Aaron Pickford

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

DoctoR DooM - ‘The Seed We Have Sown’ (Album Review)

By: Hunter Young

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 24/07/2015

Label:  Ripple Music/STB Records

‘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.’

‘The Seed We Have Sown’ CD//DD//LP track listing:

1). The Sun
2). Abso-Fuckin'-Lutely
3). Stuck in the Past
4). So Jinxed
5). Relax You're Dead
6). Behind Your Shadow
7). At War with Myself
8). Truth in the Dark
9). To Be Continued...

Dr DooM is

Jean-Laurent Pasquet | Vocal, guitar
Jérémie Delattre | Guitar
Sébastien Boutin Blomfield | Bass, keys
Michel Marcq | Drums

The Review:

The past few years have seen a massive resurgence in the popularity of retro 60/70s fuzz rock bands, in all their doom/stoner/fuzz/acid glory and pontifications of the rock sound. However, only a few have really got that vibe that shook you from the bottom of your gator boots to the tops of those fuzzy fros: Graveyard, Witchcraft, Pagan Altar, Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats, Le Betre.... it's a long and mostly Nordic list. Today, I submit another name for this very exceptional list: Doctor DooM.

Their newest album and subject of today's exercise in how many times I can say Fuzz, ‘This Seed We Have Sown’, rocks every which way but physical pieces of earth! They have everything: fuzzy guitars, a singer who croons with a smoothness not seen outside of a bourbon bottle, a drummer who must ooze groove, and a presentation that would make Presbyterians start tapping their foot in time. It’s the essence of rock reborn into pure ecstasy. 

Their sound is cleaner than most fuzz/retro bands, with a very old school jangle inside their cleaned up tones. It's denim and leather, very much so, but well groomed and taken care of. And having mentioned fuzzy clean tones, their big string section, the almighty rock bass, lays down the lowest beat rhythms you've heard this year. 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.

Full disclosure, I also wrecked my computer's sub on the new Goya.... so having only heard the higher parts of the band (fixed as I write this....), this album simply sparkles. Many highlights abound, one such being the song ‘So Jinxed’, with it's sweet, odd strumming intro, more low sounding back beat, and a pace that absolutely kicks my ass into wanting to do something fun! Doctor DooM excels at bolstering the soul and spirit of the listener, as all good rock should do, relying less on simple chords, or odd structure, Doctor DooM instead props the wobbly table of rock up with slabs of actual playing, with scales and notes and stuff! It's all very heady! 

If you pick up this album, be prepared to have a liquid light show go off inside your pleasure center, as scintillating rhythms, pounding beats, and sultry seduction echo throughout one of the most solid fuzzed up 
retro rock releases this year! 

The Seed We Have Sown’ is available here

Band Info: Facebook | Bandcamp