Sunday, 5 January 2014

Hell - Curse & Chapter (Album Review)



Album Type : Album Type
Date Released : 22.11.2013
Label : Nuclear Blast

Curse & Chapter, album track listing :

1. Gehennae Incendiis 1:47
2. The Age Of Nefarious 3:46
3. The Disposer Supreme 6:52
4. Darkhangel 7:15
5. Harbinger Of Death 4:55
6. End Ov Days 5:33
7. Deathsquad 5:14
8. Something Wicked This Way Comes 5:09
9. Faith Will Fall 3:47
10. Land Of The Living Dead 4:09
11. Deliver Us From Evil 4:45
12. A Vespertine Legacy 6:36

The Band :

David Bower | Vocals
Kev Bower | Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals
Andy Sneap |  Guitar
Tony Speakman |  Bass
Tim Bowler |  Drums

Review :

Having Hell back on the metal scene is a great thing, and don't let anyone tell you any different! As a live prospect they're superb; they're a tight band who know how to craft glorious choruses and scintillating riffs into a stupendous mix of metal fun. 2011's Human Remains had the cult status to help it along, but I doubt it would have needed this, as it was such a fine record. Second time around, can lightning strike twice?

In short...a resounding yes. More of the same formula is at work throughout. The blasphemous lyrics, the catchy hooks, the razor sharp guitars and the beefy rhythm section.

A suitably sinister opening track gives way to lead single; The Age of Nefarious. This track already had me salivating about the album when I got the chance to review it for The Sludgelord. It's the perfect way to kick things off proper. Disposer Supreme opens with one of several spoken word sections that picks up the dramatic theme that was so well introduced on Human Remains. The dramatic is something that is once again employed in superb fashion throughout the album. The riff that opens Disposer Supreme is one of many glorious moments. The following track is an early highlight for me. Darkhangel has a dark string laden opening which again creates a sinister tension before a standard rock opening is obliterated with another amazing stomach churning riff.

David Bower’s vocal range for the duration of the album sees him plundering the depths with deep tones, but his shriek is second to none. His delivery on Something Wicked This Way Comes is a joy to hear. It is snarling and unnerving; and the chorus line will get stuck in your head. The Shakespearean themes are something that Hell is no stranger too. The off tempo nature in certain parts of the track also shows the complexity in the ranks of Hell’s awesome rhythm section. Another great chorus is laid down on End Ov Days. The marching opening of the track leads to great head down neck wrecker of a track. Land of the Living Dead’s opening sounds like a horror flick on wax. A keyboard opening is once again taken to the next level with a classic and anthemic rock feel.

Hell is a band that should be lauded a lot. Each track on Curse & Chapter has its own story to tell, and each one is delivered with aplomb. There is a greater use of synthesisers on the album; however this only seeks to add to the mystique and intrigue of the album. They’re a fantastic band; and for a band that looked like being merely a footnote on music history, they’re certainly reinforcing their mark on the industry. Andy Sneap’s production values and the bands quality shine throughout; the record shows that the band was not merely a one record flash in the pan. Sometimes a second album is the hardest of a bands output, that means you’ll have a career or not. Curse and Chapter seeks only to cement Hell’s position as one of the best metal bands in England.

Words by : Dominic Walsh

You can buy it here

For more information :


Friday, 3 January 2014

Saṃsāra - tempus imperfectum

tempus imperfectum cover art

Saṃsāra is a Grunge/Stoner/Sludge/Doom Metal Artist From Pontevedra, Spain

Now here is a superb One-Man Metal Artist to check out. Saṃsāra blends Grunge, Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal for an intriguing sound.

I will let his bio do all the talking. It should tell you all you need to know.

"Samsara is a Galician sludge/stoner/doom band from Pontevedra, Spain, formed by one only person, Guille Abdicacion. " Tempus Imperfectum " (December, 2013) is the first work that Samsara presents, reordered and produced in an independent way. They are eight tunes and one intro, reordered and produced by only one man and features four incredible collaborations: Emi Metal (Witchfyre) wrote lyrics and sang "Samsara", Guillermo Cerviño Porto (Snakesart) played guitar solo in the same tune and Juan-L ACC (Evolution) sings "Doubleplusungood". The photography of the cover and the art of the booklet belongs to Maria Jamardo Rial (Maruxa Fotografía) "

Now I know that some One-Man Bands/Artists get a raw deal when releasing their own albums. But there are some great artists to check out - Deterior, Cloudkicker and Diamension X to name but a few. Well you can now add Saṃsāra to that list. His debut album is one heavy experience that will hopefully appeal to a few of the Sludge/Doom/Stoner Metal crowd.

Tempus Imperfectum does have some superb heavy riffs to check out. At least Saṃsāra is trying to be different with his sound by fusing Grunge into the usual hybrid Sludge/Doom/Stoner Metal mix that is currently around.

Saṃsāra actually feels like a full-scale band as the instrumental work is superb through out. Saṃsāra has written a great set of tracks to rock out to. Check out - absurdo lógico, doubleplusungood, lento proceso de destrucción and Samsara.

All proving what a great musician Saṃsāra actually is. If you want something different to check out then I recommend you download this excellent album now. You will be surprised what's in store for you here.

It's available for free download on BandCamp. So headover there now and give this album a chance.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Check Saṃsāra from the links below.

Facebook

BandCamp
 

The Swill - Thirst For Misery

Thirst For Misery cover art

The Swill is a Hard Rock/Doom/Stoner/Heavy Metal Band from Lansing, MI, USA

The members are:

Matt Watrous - Vocals, Lyrics
Dan McCormick - Guitar
Matt Preston - Guitar, Keyboards
Rael Andrews - Drums, Keyboards
Rob Hultz - Bass

The Swill is a brilliant Hard Rock/Heavy Metal band you all need to check out now. Check out their bio to find out why:

"In the fall of 2012, Lansing Michigan metal rockers The Swill was formed from current and past members of Wastelander, Harbinger, Borrowed Time, Ghost Tower, Trouble, Solace and Bert. Recording sessions began in winter of 2013 resulting in the Thirst For Misery EP. Engineered, recorded and produced by Kevin Kitchel and Matt Preston." 

Check out all those great bands where these guys have served time in. Pretty impressive list. Now the guys have came together to form - The Swill - and what a band they are. Blending Doom, Stoner Metal, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal with a slight 70s vibe.

Their debut EP - Thirst For Misery - is an essential release. It showcases the arrival of possibly a truly important band. These guys have written a brilliant EP which will appeal to all fans of Heavy Metal and Hard Rock in general.

As the guys have taken the best parts of the music we love and made it something exciting and original. First track - You Are Alone - will have you hooked from the very first riff. It has the perfect blend of Doom, Stoner and Hard Rock that will leave you begging for more.

The Swill change gears for the next track - Demons and Rust. As the title superbly suggests - this track is all about DOOM METAL. So sit back and enjoy Vocalist Matt's telling a creepy tale that will have you hooked from the word go. The band play some spellbinding riffs that legendary bands of the 70s and 80s would be proud to call their own.

I don't want to spoil anything else for you. As you seriously need to check out this brilliant band for yourself. I hope these guys will be releasing a full length record soon as they have some amazing riffs at their disposal. Well what else do you expect with the personnel involved.

If you want a new band to worship then folks let me introduce you to - The Swill. These guys are on the verge of greatness. Trust me. Expect big things from these guys over the next few years.

Thirst For Misery is a masterclass of Hard Rock/Heavy Metal that will re-affirm your belief in heavy based music.

Thirst For Misery is available to buy on BandCamp Buy Now Download. Headover there and download this now. You have no excuse.

Fucking Superb. End Of.

Check The Band From The Links Below

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BandCamp

Forge of Clouds - Ordinary Death - Album Review

Ordinary Death cover art

Forge Of Clouds is a Sludge/Post-Metal Band from Poland.

The members are:

Jakub Hanusa, Wojciech Lichota, Filip Dąbrowski

Hailing from Poland, Forge of Clouds released Ordinary Death in late 2013, a hauntingly sparse and diverse post-metal album. The guitars are bathed in reverb, drums evocative, and the vocals are reminiscent of parody act KOMPRESSOR (and I mean that in the most complimentary way possible - I LOVED them). Throughout the record elements of post-hardcore, doom and stoner rock crop up, showing the band's range and abilities.

It all starts off with the brief, but lonely and atmospheric title track, setting the stage for Concupisence. The song starts in with a killer stoner-esque riff, and finishes with a dose of math and screaming solo work. Delay continues the sparse and atmospheric tone, while changing gears and shifting styles throughout the track.

Mahakala has the heaviest grooves on the album, hitting hard at the start, progressing into a quiet bridge, then laying down the hammer at the end. Dissonance follows with a loud-quiet-loud song, chugging heavily and delivering the most dynamic passages on the album. Cliche is a slow dirge rounding out the end of the record before Wrong Number - a wandering and contemplative song, dark in tone and quite sparse, but thunderous when it gets big.

This is a patient album, travelling down long and lonely roads. Forge of Clouds has it available to stream on their bandcamp page - check it out while it's still up there for free.

Written by Ben Bowman

Ordinary Death is now available to buy from BandCamp Now. It's an excellent album to check out if you're fan of Isis, Neurosis and Cult of Luna. Check out their brilliant debut S/T album which is available for free download.

Check Forge Of Clouds from links below:

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BandCamp

Dresden/Leningrad - Die Tirannie

De Tirannie cover art 

Dresden/Leningrad is a Sludge/Stoner/Doom Metal Band from Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

The members are:

Lei Von Der StraBe (Drums)
Gijs Highnis (Bass)
Sebastiaan IsAan (Guitars & Vocals)

Dresden/Leningrad have been on this blog before back in Nov 2012 when I reviewed their excellent debut release - Vader. 13 months later the band have released their brilliant new album - Die Tirannie. A 3 song and 41 minute blast of heavy monolithic violent slabs of Stoner/Doom/Sludge Metal riffs.

Dresden/Leningrad have excelled themselves here. They really have. As Die Tirannie is one loud mean intense experience you won't easily forget. The band lay down some heavy brutal riffs by blending Sludge, Doom, Stoner and Drone into something truly organic.

First track - De Wittedood - is an almost 14 minute epic that slowy builds up the tension with eerie drone based noises and vibes before slowly adding delicate bass guitar riffs around the 7 minute mark. Then Sebastiaan's trance like chanting gives this song a creepy edge before the band unleash hell on earth with some fantastic heavy based riffs to crush your soul to. I don't know if it's me but I can hear an Alice In Chains influence near the very end especially with some of the heavier riffs and vocals.

An incredible start to the album. What could these Dutch Wizards impress me with next...

Well the answer is an epic almost 10 minute track called Het Oosten. Full of creepy menace with a powerful riff played at a slow-to-mid pace that superbly builds up the atmosphere before the band unleash more heavier riffs to impress you with. Another outstanding track from this great band. Can this album get any better.

Yeah it can. Dresden/Leningrad have left the best track till last to crush you with. 

De Broeder is a 19 minute violent ride into the unknown. A haunting sound-clip introduces this song with a harrowing style newflash which will leave you speechless before the band start playing a menacing slow-paced guitar riff. Sit back folks as Dresden/Leningrad are going to take you on their final nightmarish trip into their dark world. And it's a world that is very hard to escape from.

Heavy pounding riffs slowly start appearing out of nowhere with ambient noises slowly creeping in before the band start adding heavier riffs as time goes on. This is a slow-burning masterpiece that will have you hooked through out.

It ends the album on a brilliant high. Dresden/Leningard are the perfect band to play at the Roadburn Festival. As they play intense Sludge/Stoner/Doom Metal music that the Roadburn crowd will go fucking crazy over.

Fucking Incredible. How is that for a recommendation. Buy this album now. It's available to buy from BandCamp now on DD. CD's and Tapes can be bought here.

Check The Band From Links Below

BandCamp - You can download their brilliand debut Vader for free. Highly Recommended.

Men Of Fortune - Time Lovingly Bled - Album Review

MOFCOVER.jpg

Men Of Fortune is a Psychedelic Progressive Rock band from Peoria, Illinois, USA

The members are:

Joel Madigan - Guitar/Vox
Andrew Sledd - Drums
Mike Willey - Bass

Men Of Fortune is a band who are very hard to describe indeed. A curious mix of Psych, Prog Rock, Space Rock, Drone and even Stoner Rock for something wholly fresh and original.

They have been described as King Crimson jamming with Queens Of The Stone Age. That is one fucking awesome description and it's a fairly accurate way to describe their superb debut album - Time Lovingly Bled.

An out-of-this-world mind expanding experience so powerful that you don't know which galaxy or dimension you will end up in. It's one crazy ride that will last long in the memory. At 44 minutes the album has it's fair share of psychedelic hazy based riffs.

First track - Voices From The Void - sees the band perfectly painting their world of trance-like trippy based riffs. Prog Rock is the main driving force here though the band add elements of crazy out of control Pysch/Stoner Rock riffs to drown you with. This is the perfect start for these musicians to hypnotise you with as this album becomes ever so stranger as times goes by.

Second track - Some Crystal Dawn - starts off with an even more crazed psych vibe that will take you onto the next level. The band lay down some impressive riffs here with Joel's vocals acting as a guide in this weird and wonderful fucked up journey that Men Of Fortune are taking you on. There are epic riffs waiting to be discovered here. It's a perfect blend of 60s/70s Psych/Hard Rock overtones mixed with the more heavier Prog Rock vibes that is hypnotic as it is disturbing. But it has a dream-like quality that is very hard to ignore.

It's from this point you will know you will actually enjoy this album as Men Of Fortune carry on this style of Progressive Space Rock for the rest of the album. If you're not digging the vibes by now then it's best to turn away as these cosmic rockers are not changing course for anyone.

Third Track - The Passing Shame - starts off with a subdued guitar riff full of sorrow before exploding fully into life as the band lay down more epic dreamy trance like riffs. This is one of the albums standout tracks as it perfectly shows the band's musical talents and creativity all in one awesome package.

Nearly of the albums tracks are on for 7 to 8 mins in length, so you will definitely need to give this album a few more spins before getting the full effect. Men Of Fortune have written a blistering debut album that should win then an appreciative audience within the Psych Rock/Prog Rock crowd.

The album has been mixed by a certain Mr Sanford Parker. So you know this band is good if they can call on the talents of legends like Sanford Parker. Plus credit must goto Joel who recorded this album himself. He has done a wonderful job here. He has perfectly captured the bands sound and it sounds so damn fresh and original.

If you want something different to check out then Time Lovingly Bled may be the album for you. It has different moods and noises that make this band very hard to classify. So am going to with Progressive Space Rock.

Time Lovingly Bled is a wonderful audio experience you cannot do without.

Brilliant and Highly Recommended.

Thanks to Men Of Fortune and Bird Dialect Records for sending me a promo to review. Time Lovingly Bled is now available to buy now.

Check The Band From Links Below

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Wednesday, 1 January 2014

Aaron Pickford - Top 25 Records of 2013

Well, what a year 2013 has been.  Since I joined The Sludgelord over 18 months ago, there have been many changes, both in terms of contributors and the overall attitude towards the music we feature.  As I am sure you are aware the variety of music we feature has grown, as The Sludgelord has grown.  Put simply if we feel it is good enough and deserves your attention, we will share that music with you; whether it gets one view or 100 views.   We like to think there is something for every fan of metal, cept Djent maybe, ha-ha!! 

Based around the solid commitment from Steve Howe, who probably averages around 5 reviews a week, The Sludgelord wouldn’t be what it is today.  I work along side Steve to keeping this juggernaut steaming along, have reduced the work I do in terms of reviews, focusing mainly on the social media side of things, keeping the facebook page active with regular update (now nearly 3150 like) and also talking crap on twitter, oh and we have recently added a instagram account.

I do write the occasional review, of which some will feature in my Top 25 end of year list.  Other highlights of which there are many, include the many interviews I have done, my first live review, (Nails at Manchester), watching Conan at their gig in Sheffield in front of 30 people and hooking up with the guys from Tombstones in Nottingham and obviously raising over £600 through our Eyehategod auction, bittersweet moment, for obvious reasons.  Very cool!!  So many highlights, there are too many to mention, but to cap it off for me, getting to hear new Slomatics, was a personal highlight.  Watch out, it is stunning!!

We now have an amazing team of contributors and every person who has contributed something, I am grateful to you.  It is a bit of cliché, but there is no ‘I’ in team and I have to give special mention to the dedicated team members I have worked with specifically, given that I post their reviews on a weekly basis. 

Richard Maw, Matt Fitton, Chris Markwell, Phil Weller, Dominic Walsh  and Lucas Klaukien your contributions this year cannot be under estimated, no one gets paid for this, but your dedication and commitment is the reason Sludgelord is what it is today.  Cheers guy!!  It is a pleasure reading your reviews and a publishing them, so thank you.  Also hearty mentions to our resident Bostonian contributor from Gozu, big Gaff himself.  See you a Roadburn, big guy.  Anyone I have missed, your contribution was no less appreciated and everyone who has contributed something, I am grateful.  Finally, Steve, you the man!! 

Now, the music is what it all about.  So, here is my Top 25 Records of 2013.  When I say records, some of these were not full length albums, hence the reference to records.  Personally speaking, I didn’t want to focus on a specific genre or genres of metal, this is my list based specifically upon enjoyment, amount of times played and just an overall vibe I got from the records.  It is by no means a definitive list, but these records moved me in some way and it is all about subjectivity.  The hardest part for me in compiling this list was the fact I have not listened to many records on repeat, but here it is.  As always, show your support to these bands, whether it is buying a shirt, DD, CD or vinyl.  Cheers and see you on the other side.  Aaron. Ps I cheated a little by having a few bands sharing a specific placing, so I really have more than 25.

25). All Pigs Must Die – Nothing Violates This Chaos



For me the best release by Southern Lord this year.  It is a rager from the outset and blisteringly heavy.



24). Mutoid Man – Helium Head



Cave In and Coverge members = catchy, heavy, poppy, hook laden and just a brilliant listen.  Watch out of the brilliant cover of The Manimals too.  Genius. 


23). Crypt Lurker - Baneful Magic, Death Worship and Necromancy Rites Archaic



Recommended following a brief twitter conversation.  Listened on Bandcamp. 5 minutes later bought the vinyl.  Slow, crippling sludge doom.  Easily the best release of it’s kind this year. 

22). Beastmilk – Climax


Thought I would hate it, yet this record is seriously addictive and is a record of the highest quality. Post whatever you wanna call it, but it has swagger and serious attitude.  Ones to watch for sure.


21). Blackout – We Are Here



Putting the R in riff and D in doom.  Art work says it all.  Can’t recommend it enough. 


20). Warwolf – Crushing The Ways of the old



Just fucking pissed off and heavy. 


19). Gozu – The Fury of a Patient Man



Not as riff heavy as their debut IMO, but with a vocalist as talented as Gaff who turns in a stellar performance, shitloads of groove and fuzz , it deserves your attention.  2014 brings the vinyl edition and their debut European Shows.



18). True Widow – Circumambulation


Just a breathtaking record, hypnotic and fuzz laden.

  
17). Primitive Man – Scorn



Two words.  Face Melting. 


16). Scientist – S/T


Ex Yakuza man, Eric Plonka delivers what I think is one of the best instrumental metal record of the year. 


15). Carcass – Surgical Steel


Nearly 20 years since Heartwork and this is as good, if not better.  Comeback of 2013.


14). Secrets of the Sky – To Sail Black Waters


Black metal, sludge, doom, post metal, mix it together and you get a stunning debut.  


13). Clutch – Earth Rocker


All killer and no filler.  Putting them back on top where they rightfully deserve to be.


12). Sadgiqacea – False Prism


A massive sounding duo, fusing black metal, sludge, doom and so much more.


11). Armed for Apocalypse – The Road Will End


A stunning return after a 4 year absence, filled with riffs Kirk Windstein would be proud of. 



10). Vista Chino – Peace


Creating a new era for themselves and delivering an album that we all hoped they were capable of.  Not immediate by any means, but you invest the time and this record delivers in spades.  Garcia never sounded better. 


09). Avatarium – S/T


Who needs Candlemass when you get an album like this.  This record delivers on every level.  Did I mention the vocals are amazing.


08). We Are Knuckle Dragger – The Drone


This record will totally divide opinion, with its unrelenting discordance, but It is just brilliant. 


07). Tombstones – Red Skies and Dead Eyes


Tombstones return with a warmer and heavier sounding record.  Again if you like your doom laden with bass and fuzz, this is the best of its kind this year. 


06). Cult of Luna – Vertikal


A Masterpiece and arguably their best work to date. 


05). Voivod – Target Earth


Took me by surprise just how good this record is.  Not for everyone, but people who know the band, cannot fail to love it.  Refreshed, rejuvenated and arguably a career best nearly 30 years on


04) =. Goya – 777 & Curse The Son – Psychache


Goya - This band came to my attention from nowhere and completely blew me away.  Shit, Electric Wizard are not  making records this good.  Recorded live with few overdubs.  Fans of Electric Wizard, Sleep, you need this band in your life.   



Curse The Son – I could not pick these two record apart.  Expect a monumental vinyl release from STB Records next year and it is well deserved.   Quote from the bandcamp page says, “guitar tone and the rhythm section just smashes your bones”.  Couldnt agree more.  Get downloading


03).  = Conan/Bongripper Split 12” & Kowloon Walled City / Battilus Split 7



Conan / Bongripper Split - Released to coincide with their UK dates, two of the heaviest bands on the plant do not disappoint.  In the words of Spinal Tap, turn up to 11.



Kowloon Walled City / Battilus Split 7 – I literally received this record a few days ago and I must have played it ten times back to back, hell I even exposed my kids to it.  Cover songs are often a lottery, sometime bands go for a like for like interpretation and others, such as Type O Negative, covering Black Sabbath, reinterpret the music completely, with a varying degree of approval.  Anyway, this split is up there with the best I have ever heard.  Godflesh and Ministry are the bands being covered and goddam do both bands nail it.  Swapping vocalists for each track to add a cool twist on this project, for me the highlight is Batillus covering ‘Lava’ by Minsitry, that is not to take anything away from KWC, because their track is killer, but Batillus own this track, bucketloads of head nodding grooves and a definite floor filler.  Make no mistake if you like both of these bands, you won’t be disappointed.  

02). Batillus – Concrete Sustain



Taking the best eletronica from Ministry, fuse with sludgey as fuck riffs, with bleak snarling vocals.   Concrete Sustain is a must have.  Oh and it has a shit ton of groove too. 


01). Phantom Glue – War of Light Cones



You may be thinking Phantom Who?  But this band, really are worthy.  The record kicks off with one of the best riffs of any record this year and it just carries on delivering.  Noise rock meets sludge.  This record pulverises.  FFO Old Man Gloom, Zozobra,