Matriarch - “Magnumus: The 44th Scribe and Lorde of the Hallucinaunts” (Album Review)

By: Eric Crowe

 

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 20/04/2015

Label: Self released

 

 

This is really an amazing release, from start to finish. It took me a minute to catch the feel of the album, but once it hits home, it really hits you. Tons of tone and texture, beautiful and unrelenting and a complexity these guys have really tapped into. This is recommended for fans of Buried At Sea, FULCI or Sea of Bones. Give it a solid listen, support these guys and tell them The Sludgelord sent you their way!

 

“Magnumus: The 44^th Scribe and Lorde of the Hallucinaunts” DD track listing:

 

1. Moonburn

2. Bathed In Blue Light

 

The Review:

 

This 4 piece hailing from Denver, CO delivers one heavy and diverse slab in just 2 tracks. Described as “no frills caveman dope sludge, delivered via a pants-shitting wall of sound at a catatonic, gravity-bending crawl”, I would have to agree on all accounts. Made up of a lot of ex-members from a variety of awesome bands, including, Rebreather, Low Gravity, Garthok & Siamese Royalty, it all comes together perfectly here, but that’s enough talk about what you

 

can read online, here’s what’s in the music…

 

The journey begins with “Moonburn” with a sonic washing of tonal build and feedback, before breaking into the first riff, which has a light airy feel to it, comparable to early Pelican. The riffs have a lot of movement and progression within them, not just generically recycled over 32 measures, but there is a continuous flow to them and the song. Right around the 3 minute mark, perfectly grimy vocals charge in, adding another layer of filth in this ever evolving track, which turns for the heavier at this point. The vocal parts are sparse and not too wordy, but well spaced to keep it interesting. The delivery is mid ranged and throaty and once you start to feel the hypnotic effect and flow of the riff, it totally drops out to a deeply mellow place, keeping you in a light float; executed with excellence, and this is where “Bathed In Blue Light” takes over. Such a seamless transition in tracks, I love it.

 

Building and playing off of one another, that light floating feeling begins to sink, and the drones and absolute heaviness of the tone begins to pull you under. So slow and weighty, just simply go with it and enjoy where the journey takes you. Vocals keep flowing in and out at intervals, just slightly keeping you grounded. Within the drifting drones, added layers of solos wash in with perfect taste and don’t get all noodley and distracting. Then with beating the last bits of life out of the final riffs, it comes full circle with a minute of feedback and tonal washing.

 

This is really an amazing release, from start to finish. It took me a minute to catch the feel of the album, but once it hits home, it really hits you. Tons of tone and texture, beautiful and unrelenting and a complexity these guys have really tapped into. This is recommended for fans of Buried At Sea, FULCI or Sea of Bones. Give it a solid listen, support these guys and tell them The Sludgelord sent you their way!

 

“Magnumus: The 44^th Scribe and Lorde of The Hallucinaunts” is available here

 

Band info: bandcamp

Drowning Horse - 'Sheltering Sky' (Album Review)

By: Mike Wilcox

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 22/10/2015

Label: Art As Catharsis |

False Idol Records

I am brought back to why I listen to this kind of dirge: it taps into the static, that universal thrum, and serves as a meditation, a reprieve from the chaos and noise surrounding us.  A job extremely well done and I’ll have my eye on Perth’s Drowning Horse going forward, hoping that they continue to churn out the catharsis

‘Sheltering Sky’ CD//DD//LP track listing:

1). Dead River

2). Echoes

3). Cursed

4). Red Earth

5). The Barrow Stones

6). Black Waters

7). Dying Words

8). Sacrifice

The Review:

I’m writing this review while sitting at the mall to highlight a point.  It’s why we listen to this music.   It’s a meditation amid chaos. The mall is a hectic and annoying place.  Everything is washed with droning static when I start Drowning Horse’s ‘The Sheltering Sky’.  Atmospheric Drone Doom would be my pretentious tag for it.  Drowning Horse has that Steve Von Till/Neurosis vibe, that earth heavy feeling, a musical substance that you can feel.  With Drone/Doom soundscapes shaped and filled across the space of the album’s duration, the effect is complete mental static.  The album as a whole compliments itself in a sort of perpetual effort, building on itself; locking you into its groove and as a listener you become full immersed from the outset.

With the droning opening of ‘Dead River’, with its hollowed out raw sound blasts, I’m reminded of Sea of Bones, except with added elements and dynamic shifts.  No criticism to the former, more of a compliment to both.  With a natural segue between tracks the first four carry as a movement more than not.  There’s enough to pick apart for the riff savvy, but Drowning Horse create an overall sound that is pleasing to the avid doomer as well as the more Chelsea Wolfe inclined listeners.  Again, compliments to both.

‘The Barrow Stones’ is where The Sheltering Sky opens up.  In a sound that’s some unholy mix between Fister and Bong, Drowning Horse pulls you through soulless, numbing mud.  By the time ‘Black Waters’ opens and the drone hits, you’re nostalgic for the works of Sunn O))).  The word experimental would suggest that these guys don’t know what they’re doing.  They do, and it’s obvious.  ‘Dying Worlds’ reminds you that there are in fact vocals on this album.  A primal noise, more so; a guttural purge that blends into the music in such a way that an instrumental element is added.  It seems that the Australians know how to do this stuff really well.  These guys would get along well with Brisbane Blackened Doom outfit Hope Drone, I’m guessing. 

‘As Sacrifice’ takes the album out and as I am exiting the mall, I am brought back to why I listen to this kind of dirge: it taps into the static, that universal thrum, and serves as a meditation, a reprieve from the chaos and noise surrounding us.  A job extremely well done and I’ll have my eye on Perth’s Drowning Horse going forward, hoping that they continue to churn out the catharsis.

‘The Sheltering Sky’ is available here

FFO: Earth, Neurosis, Sunn O))), Bong, Fister

Band info: Official | Facebook | Bandcamp

Buried At Sea - 'Migration' Reissue (Album Review)

By: Chris Bull

Album Type: Full Length (Reissue)

Date Released: 12/2015

Label: War Crime Recordings

After the squeals of feedback, the chords, drums and vocals kick in simultaneously with the force of a boot to the face. A trance like middle section battens down the hatches and prepares for the eventual destructive storm that soon develops.  You're left feeling like a survivor from the Titanic; battered and bruised but thankful to be alive to tell the tale.  This record is absolutely essential for fans of crushing doom

‘Migration’ LP track listing:

1). Untitled (I)

2). Untitled (II)

3) Untitled (III)

Buried at Sea is

Bill Daniel | Drums

Jason Depew | Guitars

Brian Sowell | Bass, vocals

Sanford Parker | Guitars, vocals

The Review:

If I was asked to use 3 words to describe Buried At Sea I would say 'REALLY FUCKING HEAVY' because Sandford Parker and Co really are heavier than you.  'Migration' was released in 2003 and perforated eardrums on its initial release. Now reissued through Parker's own War Crime Recordings for the first time on vinyl, it's a chance for those who missed the boat (a maritime warship in this case) to get on it and sink with it. 

'Untitled I' which is a reworking of 'Man In Search Of the Perfect Weapon' from their 2002 demo, attacks the senses from all angles. After the squeals of feedback, the chords, drums and vocals kick in simultaneously with the force of a boot to the face. A trance like middle section battens down the hatches and prepares for the eventual destructive storm that soon develops. It builds and builds before cutting out to let some sound effects creep in, then it's all hands on deck as the riff from the aforementioned demo song rears its colossal brow from the murky depths.

Some wintry wind noises bridge the gap between that and 'Untitled II' before its bone crushing guitar sound saws through with the doomiest riff on the album. A fragment of a post metal riff is played before it gets ridiculously heavy again and I'm beginning to wonder what I've done to deserve such a level of sonic punishment. The song goes through several transformations before settling on a hammer and nails doom. 'Untitled III' was called 'The Aquanaut' on the demo and is the song I've listened to the most by BAS. Building from a brooding melodic guitar riff, the track gathers momentum before cutting out and another bludgeoning riff takes hold.

Vocals from Parker and bassist Brian Sowell work in tandem and to devastating effect, occupying slightly different frequencies with their screams. Even when they split the vocal duties they still sound devastating. After a run of riff and hammer, it's over. You're left feeling like a survivor from the Titanic; battered and bruised but thankful to be alive to tell the tale.

This record is absolutely essential for fans of crushing doom. If you have this digitally or on CD, now’s your chance to hear it in its rawest form. Hipster doomsters beware; abandon ship, this is the real DOOM.

‘Migation’ is available here

FFO: Sea of Bones, Minsk, Neurosis, Eyehategod

Band info: facebook

Sea Of Bones - The Earth Wants Us Dead - Album Review

Sea Of Bones is a Psych Sludge/Doom/Drone Metal Band from Connecticut, USA

The members are:

Gary - Bass & Vocals
Kevin - Drums & Vocals
Tom - Guitar & Vocals

Has it been 6 long years since Sea Of Bones debut album - The Harvest. If you haven't heard The Harvest then I seriously recommend you track it down now as it's an unflinching brutal ride. But it's nothing compared to the nightmarish visions of their epic new album - The Earth Wants Us Dead.

A sprawling 6 song and 92 minute epic. Yeah that's right people. 92 minutes of sprawling epic Sludge based Drone/Doom riffs that will test your patience to the limit. The Earth Wants Us Dead is a more like a physical endurance challenge testing you to last until the very end. Between there and then you will have many obstacles to overcome. Punishing drone based riffs will drag your entire being through hell.

First track - The Stone, The Slave and The Architect is a bruising almost 9 minute encounter laying down the nightmarish riffs that will await you for the next 92 mins or so. The vocals add a very dangerous edge to the albums atmosphere. Include the heavy pounding instruments being played at extremely loud levels then this song should be a warning to you if you can't last the distance as Sea Of Bones don't hold back.

This is unflinching Sludge/Doom/Drone Metal at it's most creative and uncompromising. Sea Of Bones have been classed as Neurosis clones over the years. Not anymore as this album goes to places that even Neurosis wouldn't dare go to. Sea Of Bones craft a harsh and dangerous environment that will last long in the memory.

Moods and atmospherics collide at every turn with danger lurking at every corner. Sea Of Bones pull no punches and they make no apologies either for unleashing their bleak dark message onto an unsuspecting world. Tracks such as Black Arm and Failure Of Light are used to pummel the listener into submission through heavy distorted riffs that will leave you in a deeply terrifying state. Halloween may be over but Sea Of Bones have crafted a terrifying album powerful enough to scare the hell out of you anytime of the year.

The band have included some pretty damning statements of humanity on this record. It will speak to you on an emotional level such is the power of this amazing album. Sea Of Bones deserve praise for delivering an incredible statement of power on the album. It may be unsettling to listen to at time but you can deny the sheer poetic beauty of it all. Even on harsher tracks such as Beneath The Earth and The Bridge.

Two tracks that will have you thinking - WHAT THE FUCK HAVE I JUST LISTENED TO!!!. The instrumental work is immense through out. Though the last track - The Earth Wants Us Dead - even tested my patience at times. A sprawling 39 minute track which is mainly a Drone based Sludge/Doom track played at a mid-tempo. Fans of Sunn 0)) and Earth will no doubt love this track as it sees the band perform epic drone based riffs to drown your soul to.

I think this track would of been better split through out the album on separate tracks. But I respect the bands vision and choices for including it as the last track. It does leave the album on a hypnotic and dangerous edge.

The Earth Wants Us Dead is a powerful and chilling vision that you all need to experience once in your lives. Sea Of Bones have crafted a haunting and exhilarating masterpiece that should cement their reputation as one of the heaviest and most creative bands currently out there.

A triumph on every level.

Thanks to Earspilt PR for sending us a promo to review. The Earth Wants Us Dead is now available to buy on BandCamp now.

Check The Band From Links Below

Facebook
BandCamp