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| Olde |
Yes, it is that time again O ye lover of
riffs, “THE SOUR 16” returns.
You know the drill by now, each month you the reader are unwittingly
compiling a list of the top 16 records of the month, covering all genres of
metal. Is it not a chart, in which reviewers or contributors extol their
opinion about their favourite music. To put it simply, “THE SOUR 16” are
the records that have been trending the most at THE SLUDGELORD Headquarters.
The results are compiled based on the amount of
page views the reviews have received and are then calibrated into the list
below. All reviews can be viewed by clicking the artwork and we have
included album streams wherever possible. (Total views since their publication
are highlighted in the red)
16). Entrails - “World Inferno” (370)
I can't find any fault
with this album from intense opener to epic closer of “The Blood Breed”, the
band don't put a foot wrong. This is raging death metal, plain and simple
15). Viscera/// - “3: Release Yourself Through Desperate
Rituals” (373)
"If one were forced
to classify the band’s current sound, post-metal might be the safest category,
but even that vaguely defined subgenre does not quite do the band justice, as
it fails to mention the strains of psychedelia, black metal, hardcore, death
metal and the band’s grind roots to are still very present in VISCERA///
14). Eternal Black - "Bleed The Days" (374)
The sheer weight of the
riffs will indeed threaten to pull you under, as they deliver just the right
amount of menace to go with the fuzz. There is a hefty dose of soul in the
music here, along with a pervading blackness.
13). Norska - "Too Many Winters" (393)
“Too Many Winters” is a
captivating collection of powerful doom steeped in Norska’s unorthodox and
compelling personality.
12). Cloud Rat/Disrotted - "Split LP" (413)
This is an awe-inspiring
release from two incredible bands who can seemingly do no wrong at the moment
and continue to deliver an embarrassment of heavy riches in 2017.
11). Goatwhore - "Vengeful Ascension" (458)
“Forsaken” jumps out of
your speakers and down your throat and suffocates and entertains the listener
in the best way possible. There’s nothing quite like what this band can deliver
– the riffs, vocals and drumming is first class and unique
10). God Dethroned - ‘The World Ablaze’ (466)
If
you’re a longtime fan like me, this album is everything you’d want and then
some. ‘The World Ablaze’ is all of the best elements of the God Dethroned’s
entire discography amalgamated into a single album.
9). God Root - "Salt and Rot" (518)
God Root have managed to craft one of the most ambitious, progressive,
and emotionally harrowing offerings of 2017. The cosmic journey of
“Salt and Rot” is one that will leave you shaken to your fleeting, human core.
8). Voivod - "RRRÖÖÖAAARRR", "Killing
Technology", "Dimension Hatröss" (Reissues) (534)
7). Wounded Giant - "Vae Victis" (581)
there are moments of
majestic riffing and an impressive amount of variation on offer
6). Owlcrusher - "Owlcrusher" (697)
With three tracks spread across 45 minutes, each song embraces sprawl
and space: the reverb heavy drum tone pounds like the pulse of a
leviathan. The low end guitar tone crackles with fuzz, while the
bass rumbles so menacingly that, with the right sound system, you may get your
guts churning like you’ve just been forced to smoke a whole pack of unfiltered
cigarettes – you’ve got the cold sweats, your insides feel poisoned, and you’re
probably gonna puke, but god damn it you’re hooked
5). Destroyer of Light - "Chamber of Horrors" (719)
I will have to say that
this album falls into an epic category for its great compositions, the honest
heart involved in creating such a journey of ebb and flow, the range of emotion
that continues what true music is about; music that continues what early St.
Vitus and Trouble were doing, but DoL are creating it their own way.
4). Cirith Ungol
- "King of the Dead"
(Ultimate Edition) (724)
It's a very engaging
listen, 33 years on and is an absolute must have for any fan of doom- or anyone
looking at how the genre started to really form into something (along with the
work of Vitus, Trouble et al). An essential album and a worthy reissue.
Enrich your record collection and your life by buying it!
3). Melvins - "A Walk With Love & Death"
(727)
On “A Walk with Love and
Death”, the Melvins do both things that their cultish fans love about them, and
do them both damn well.
2). Venomous Maximus - "No Warning" (731)
In some places on the
album, those qualities are phrased in the same ways that fans have come to
expect, and so admirably, but in other spots on “No Warning”, Venomous Maximus
explore new ways to do that which they’ve always done: create infectiously and
wonderfully diabolical music.
1). Olde - "Temple" (866)
Olde’s “Temple” is
doom metal done the way it should be. It is well-crafted, forward-thinking, and
a contender for one of the best records of the year.
A big thank you as always to our amazing
writers, your dedication knows no boundaries and for that I am truly
grateful. July 2017’s “SOUR 16” features reviews by: Richard Maw, Daniel
Jackson, Charlie Butler, Ben Fitts, Mark Ambrose, Mark Tremblay, Jay Hampshire,
Jack Taylor & Eric Crowe.
