A Year in Review: The Death Metal Sonic 6 of 2015

By: Aaron Pickford

The Sludgelord’s ‘Sonic 6’ for 2015 is compiled based upon page views alone and calibrated into the list below, so check out the Death Metal “Sonic 6” for 2015 (full reviews can be viewed by clicking the artwork and total views since the date of publication are highlight in red). 

6). Necrowretch– “With Serpents Scourge” (405)

It would be fair to say that I loved this record as soon as I heard it- it is immediate, relentless and nasty in its delivery. Necrowretch have come up with a great album here. For death and black metal heads everywhere.

5). Entrails – “Obliteration” (546)

Entrails offer up riffs, style and atmosphere in spades. They also offer up song writing that is excellent and not often equalled in this genre. If you wish Entombed were still around in the form that they were in 1992, or yearn for a Dismember reformation then this album is a must. Hell, if you even once played Slaughter of The Soul and quite liked it then you should check this record out. It's superb.

4). Horrendous – “Anareta” (576)

There’s so much to enjoy and unpack as I listen to this album again and again, because every song offers a new wrinkle to the formula or another compositional element that most bands wouldn’t think to use. It’s so fucking rich and dense. To put a finer point on things, ‘Anareta’ is the sort of album that lifts death metal as a genre up.  It’s everything I could ask of a death metal album in 2015 and there’s virtually nothing in metal as a whole that’s in Horrendous’ league right now

3). Feral– “Where Dead Dreams Dwell” (677)

Maelstrom finisher “Succumb to Terror” is a suitably brutal end to this very strong album. If you are a fan of the Swe-death genre, this record is a must. It's relentlessly beautiful in its own grotesque and noisy way.

2). Obsequiae– “Aria of Vernal Tombs” (766)

Two key stylistic elements—both very different degrees of old—come together to form something new. It may not be made completely from scratch, but the vision required to make something like this happen deserves praise. Not to mention that purely from a songwriting standpoint this is one of the better albums of the year thus far. Even on that basis alone, ignoring its other admirable qualities, ‘Aria of Vernal Tombs’ warrants the strongest of recommendations.

1). Malevolent Creation – “Dead Man’s Path” (910)

‘Corporate Weaponry’ has blasts aplenty, along with some excellent lead work. It certainly ticks all the boxes: memorable title and thus chorus, breakdown section, time changes and a superb production. Fast and furious in the main, this is a fine example of where Malevolent Creation are at in 2015. Simply put, if you like any of the band's previous work, you will love this. If you enjoy death metal that is not too far into tech-territory, then this record is for you. Death metal, for death metal fans.

Reviews featured in this article were written by: Richard Maw, Daniel Jackson 

A Year in Review: The Psychedelic Sonic 6 of 2015

By: Aaron Pickford

The Sludgelord’s ‘Sonic 6’ for 2015 is compiled based upon page views alone and calibrated into the list below, so check out the Psychedelic “Sonic 6” for 2015 (full reviews can be viewed by clicking the artwork and total views since the date of publication are highlight in red). 

6). Snail – “Feral” (597)

As far as tone and mood are concerned, “Feral” is far from untamed. To the touch, these eight cuts are smooth, the production doing what it needs to do to keep this beast domesticated. At the end of the day, though, this beast is hard to ignore, which is the justification for the album’s name.

5). Colour Haze – “To The Highest Gods We Know” (879)

Whether the band is up on stage nonchalantly kicking ass or their records are spinning on a turntable, Colour Haze is one of few bands that has consistently produced music of quality and integrity. “To The Highest Gods We Know” is no different. Though this album may not fully exemplify the band due to its short running time, it is an album that will stand proudly as the latest addition to the Colour Haze discography.

4). Weedpecker – “II” (913)

Weedpecker have created a sonic experience that demands your full attention as this is one of the most powerful Stoner Metal albums you'll hear all year. II is a contender for one of the albums of the year. Brilliant.

3). Sacri Monti – “Sacri Monti” (1091)

Sacri Monti's debut album is one that surprised me in a big way. Yeah it did take around 4 to 5 listens to fully appreciate the whole experience. So expect to take your time with this album. All in all Sacri Monti have created a stunning debut album.

2). My Sleeping Karma– “Moksha” (1421)

What can I say? My SLeeping Karma are one of those rare bands who follows their own path 100% and that's called freedom and liberation. Add excellent instrument skills to this and you have 'Moksha'. Rarely will you find a band or an album this good. We all make our own decisions but I urge you to seek out this band and follow in their foot steps. Your life will be so much better for it!

1). Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats – “Night Creeper” (1737)

If the record will be met by their adoring fan base with the same hype and admiration 2011’s insatiable ‘Blood Lust’ was, or be deemed as an adequate successor to the robustness of ‘Mind Control,’ only time will tell. What we do know, however, is that it’s another impressive release from this consistently unique and enrapturing Cambridge quartet.

Reviews featured in this article were written by: Victor Van Ommen, Steve Howe, Hakan Nyman, Philip Weller

A Year in Review: The DIY Sonic 6 2015

By: Aaron Pickford

Everyone gravitates to a favourite genre and each has its own merit, therefore over the last week I thought it would be a good idea to highlight, “six of the best” releases of 2015 within our most popular genres.  But today for something a little different, we’re going to be focusing on bands who went out on their own and did things DIY, releasing their records independently.  So as we reflect upon an awesome year of music in 2015, we present the DIY “Sonic 6” for 2015.  

The Sludgelord’s ‘Sonic 6’ for 2015 is compiled based upon page views alone and calibrated into the list below, we will be presenting further lists during the lead up to Christmas, but for today roll up, kick back and Hail the riff!  (full reviews can be viewed by clicking the artwork and total views since the date of publication are highlight in red). 

6). Abrams – “Lust.Love.Loss” (358)

‘Blending spiky guitar lines reminiscent of These Arms Are Snakes, plenty of weird Cave In style effects, angular post-hardcore aggression and no-nonsense stoner riffing, Abrams have created a compelling and addictive listen here.’

5). Scientist – “10100||00101” (363)

Storming opener “The Singularity” distils the key elements of this record into five and a half minutes. Chittering harmonics give way to the sledgehammer impact of furious, frantic riffing moving into anthemic sludge and finishing with an epic post-metal flourish. Imagine the best bits of American Heritage, Clutch and ISIS delivered with the seismic impact of Mastodon’s “Remission”.  “1010II0101” is a pioneering piece of research at the cutting edge of riff technology that demands your attention.

4). Behold! The Monolith – “Architects of the Void” (375)

‘A collage of different styles and different ways of thinking how to manipulate heavy music in the best possible way, it spins off all over the place while you watch, centre stage, as the most brilliant mess of sounds and visions whirl around you like a metallic tornado.’

3). War Iron – “Precession of the Equinoxes” (527)

If you search for depravity strung out like a junkie, ‘Precession of the Equinoxes’ is waiting, door open, a fresh needle filled with a black substance in hand. Its one of the most solid albums from the blackened doom sector in quite some time, and if you're looking for something cranked to eleven, I think you'll find that this music is a bit slow for numbers. Crank the speakers, sit back, get loose, and let yourself be taken by the blackest riffs this side of hell.

2). Dreadnaught – “Bridging Realms” (546)

‘The cinematic scope of Dreadnought’s music sounds like it should take a small orchestra to perform it.’

1). Trials – “This Ruined World” (583)

This is superlative modern metal which mixes elements of thrash, death, traditional metal and comes up with something technical, progressive and accessible.

 

Reviews featured in this article were written by: Hunter Young, Charlie Butler, Richard Maw, Philip Weller

A Year in Review: The Stoner Sonic 6 2015

By:  Aaron Pickford

Everyone gravitates to a favourite genre and each has its own merit, therefore I thought it would be a good idea to highlight, “six of the best” releases of 2015 within our most popular genres.  So today, as we reflect upon an awesome year of music in 2015, we present the Stoner “Sonic 6” for 2015

The Sludgelord’s ‘Sonic 6’ for 2015 is compiled based upon page views alone and calibrated into the list below, we will be presenting further lists during the lead up to Christmas, but for today roll up, kick back and Hail the riff!  Check out the Stoner “Sonic 6” for 2015 (full reviews can be viewed by clicking the artwork and total views since the date of publication are highlight in red). 

6). Godsleep – “Thousand Sons of Sleep” (625)

I think the reason why the record works so well is the musical chemistry which is fantastic. “Thousand Sons of Sleep” is a deep and complex record with a lot to offer. I’m recommending buying this record, the boys in Godsleep are quite good at what they do and this record proves it well.

5). 
The Midnight Ghost Train – “Cold Was The Ground” (685)

When they opened Desert fest last year, they were the band that I compared all other bands to and with the exception of Clutch, the conclusion was always the same; The  Midnight Ghost Train did it better. With this album already in my fixed rotation, 2015 is looking like it’s going to pan out like that one weekend in Berlin. Though music is not a competition, I’m curious to hear who will bring out an album this year that tops “Cold Was the Ground.”

4). Acid King – “Middle of Nowhere, Center of Everywhere” (712)

There are countless stoner and doom metal bands around in the modern era, however when you get a band like Acid King that have been around for over two decades, you have to feel a sense of excitement over a new release. They helped write the book of stoner/doom/fuzz rock emanating from the early nineties, and their new opus is one of absolute greatness. The eight tracks on, ‘Middle of Nowhere, Center of Everywhere’, flow majestically and organically. This is an album that will only mature and sound better each time.

3). Kult of The Wizard – “The White Wizard” (975)

Kult Of The Wizard have delivered a truly wonderful EP for everyone to check out. Lets hope their full length record is good as this as this band have potential to something very special in the years to come.  This is Outstanding.

2). 
The Atomic Bitchwax – “Gravitron” (979)

With ‘Gravitron’ the band has done a great job at solidifying their sound. Though familiar, it’s still fresh and hopefully the beginning of a long chapter for TAB. ‘Gravitron’ is an album on which you can hear the band having a good time and playing from the heart. There’s not a note out of place and even the instrumental cuts are worth their time. Here’s to a job well done for TAB.

1). Belzebong – “Greenferno” (1162)

‘Inhale in Hell’ honestly is just one massive slow chug fest, filling every available space with some ridiculous throbbing string torture with a sweet backing beat. It sounds akin to a giant walking the earth, simply moving things aside without noticing. True evil blues this band has summoned, and you the listener, shall reap their rewards! From that slow, massive chugging into feedback and staccato wah picking, they have no problems slamming you up against the wall and rifling through your pockets for some loose cash.

Reviews featured in this article were written by: Hunter Young, Victor Van Ommen, Steve Howe, Dominic Walsh, Theron Moore

"A Year in Review": The Sonic 6 of Sludge 2015

By: Aaron Pickford

As part of our review of 2015, over the coming days, I will present the definitive “Sour 16” for 2015 and this will be generated by looking at all releases throughout the year, however I thought it would also be cool to look at specific genres too and whilst I would have loved to have generated a “Sour 16” for each popular genre at The Sludgelord, that would have taken up an inexplicable amount of time. Of course we all gravitate to a favourite genre, however each has its own merit, therefore I thought it would be a good idea to highlight, “six of the best” releases of 2015 within our most popular genres.  So today, as we reflect upon an awesome year of music in 2015, we present the Sludge “Sonic 6” for 2015

The Sludgelord’s ‘Sonic 6’ for 2015 is compiled based upon page views alone and calibrated into the list below, we will be presenting further lists during the lead up to Christmas, but for today roll up, kick back and Hail the riff!  Check out the Sludge “Sonic 6” for 2015 (full reviews can be viewed by clicking the artwork and total views since the date of publication are highlight in red). 

6). Limb – “Terminal” (607)

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

5). The Moth – “And Then Rise” (621)

“And Then Rise” is simply unmissable on every level.

4). Greenhorn – “Like Rows Of Crooked Teeth” (773)

Truthfully, my first listen to Greenhorn left an everlasting impression, they truly are a force in the UK doom scene and this album only strengthens that belief. Give this album a listen; let them leave an impression on you too, because what’s so brilliant about them is that as well as being seriously fucking heavy, you get a history lesson  thrown in too’

3). Torche – “Restarter” (833)

To scrape a nit comb over this record, there is little originality in the noises that rattle your eardrums here. There’s nothing we haven’t heard and felt from the Miami four piece before, but  I for one am just delighted to hear another Torche record and I have no doubt that the vast majority of the already converted will see ‘Restarter’ as faultless.

2). The Body/Thou – “You, Whom I Have Always Hated” (1240)

It’s exceptionally rare that an album, or a work of art for that matter, can effectively convey terror, but throughout this release I was struggling to think of comparable works of art and kept returning to masters of horror fiction: Poe, Lovecraft, Thomas Ligotti. Like each of these authors, The Body and Thou manage to create concise, compact stories of horror, which, when collected, should be seen as guidebooks to human terror and masterworks of nuanced, unbridled genius.

1). Dopethrone – “Hochelaga” (1560)

The album is, in a word, massive. Beware the listener that clicks play on this with cheap speakers. You'll soon need to replace them simply because of the sludgy, waxy build-up their riffs will leave on the speaker material. They play some of the nastiest blues you'll find outside of Satan's record collection, focusing on booze, rebellion, occult, sex, and of course, drugs.

Reviews featured in this article were written by: Hunter Young, Mark Ambrose, Phil Weller, Chris Bull, Steve Howe, Dominic Walsh

"A Year in Review": The Sonic 6 for Doom 2015

By: Aaron Pickford

As part of our review of 2015, over the coming days, I thought it would be a good idea to highlight, “six of the best” releases of 2015 within our most popular genres.  Of course we all gravitate to a favourite genre, however each has its own merit,  last time we covered Black Metal, so today, as we reflect upon an awesome year of music in 2015, we present the Doom “Sonic 6” for 2015

The Sludgelord’s ‘Sonic 6’ for 2015 is compiled based upon page views alone and calibrated into the list below, we will be presenting further lists during the lead up to Christmas, but for today roll up, kick back and Hail the riff!  Check out the Doom “Sonic 6” for 2015 (full reviews can be viewed by clicking the artwork and total views since the date of publication are highlight in red). 

6). Ruby The Hatchet – “Valley of the Snake” (748)

If you’re in the market for a heavy psych/stoner rock record with huge doom tendencies that stand out from the majority of the pack, look no further than ‘Valley of the Snake’.

5). Pentagram – “Curious Volume” (984)

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!

4). Monolord – Vænir (1041)

Now with 2015 engulfing us, what you actually just heard was ‘Vænir’by Monolord and it is your new favourite record by your new favourite doom band. For that ‘you’re, most certainly welcome’.

3). Paradise Lost – “The Plague Within” (1893)

As usual, I cannot categorize them- there are elements of doom, death, goth, even classical- and once again I have been reminded that they are one of the best bands that the British Isles has to offer. You will miss them when they are gone, so get on board with their career now. Whether you be a prodigal son or a new convert, you won't be disappointed as this album is superb.

2). With The Dead – “With The Dead” (2239)

It's evident that Bagshaw has acquired a few new fuzz pedals since the last Serpentine Path album as opening track 'Crown Of Burning Stars' is so oppressive, fuzzy and dense that it made my teeth itch. After the backwards speaking samples, the crunch of the guitar is incredible. The vocals are classic Dorrian and the bands sound on a whole is somewhere between Serpentine Path, 'Dopethrone' era Electric Wizard, early Cathedral and 'Misanthropic Alchemy' era Ramesses.  This for me is an album of the year contender, the kind of thing you'd expect from 3 of the scene's most influential figures. All expectation has been lived up to. Prepare to be blown away.

1). Elder – “Lore” (2855)

It’s a perfect album for us keen on escapism as marvelling at the end result is bound to remove you from your daily experience and carry you off into Elder’s epic tales of yore, the intricacies of which really only start revealing themselves on many a repeat listens. I’m sure we’ll be absorbing this one for some time to come, until they decide to take us along on another odyssey.

Reviews featured in this article were written by: David Heaton, Richard Maw, Joosep Nilk & Chris Bull