Hogslayer is a Sludge/Stoner Metal Band from Wales
The members are
Throat: Lord Bastard
Axe: Neal Anderthal
Axe: Damek Ômsk
Thunder: Otto Kraal
Boom Boom: Max Von Beek
Hogslayer is a band from Wales formed from two bands. Zonderhoof and Shaped By Fate. Hogslayer is mainly Zonderhoof with a vocalist. Now I am a massive fan of Zonderhoof and I was pleased to here they were forming a new group with the vocalist from Shaped By Fate.
I have featured Zonderhoof a couple of times plus Hogslayer as well. Hogslayer are even named after a Zonderhoof song from their last excellent album – HAKEN. However, Hogslayer is a different best indeed. Primarily still Sludge/Stoner Metal but with a more brutal vibe added to their sound. Mainly courtesy of vocalist – who rules the roost with his gruff and finely tuned grizzled vocals.
Hogslayer have just released their excellent S/T debut album on Cassette Tape. Yes that’s right folks. Hogslayer are staying primarily old school here. It’s been released on Cassette Tape only. Plus the album was recorded live and in one full take. Incredible as they haven’t made a mistake on the entire album.
This album is pure Sludge/Stoner Metal carnage from the word go. If you’re a fan of old school UK Sludge Metal of bands such as Iron Monkey and Acrimony then you’re going to love this like I did.
First track – Nightfall on No Man’s Land – is an unflinching blend of Sludge/Stoner Metal played at a frantic pace. There is still a slight Zonderhoof vibe but the style here is more hard-hitting and straight to the point. Probably to suit the style of vocalist who doesn’t mess about. He is angry through out. So if you’re expecting some soulful vocals later on, now is the best time to turn away and look elsewhere.
Hogslayer prove they can write and play a mean fine brutal riff to stand head and shoulders with the best Sludge Metal bands the UK scene has to offer. Tracks such as Down The Barrel, A Grudge In The Key of Sludge and Broken Lung play to Hogslayer strengths through out. Its uncompromising no thrills Sludge/Stoner Metal at its most violent and finest.
Wales has a rich history of Sludge/Stoner Metal bands such as Taint, Spider Kitten, Sigiriya, Zonderhoof, and Acrimony proving there is something in the Welsh Valleys that makes it one of the best areas for Sludge/Stoner Metal bands to come from.
Anyway geography lesson over. Hogslayer feels like a deeply unflinching history lesson with the bleak songs titles on show to match the hard-hitting lyrics the band play with such passion an d emotion that it’s almost not hard to be moved by it all.
My fave track has to be – All Roads Lead to Bastard - as it’s the song that perfectly describes the Hogslayer experience. It’s the song I feel the band finally coming into their own existence. All memories of previous bands are relegated to the past. Hogslayer prove they are a superb band in their own right.
The last two songs – Take Back The Hive and Right To Remain prove that Hogslayer is a band that deserves your attention now. Unsettling Sludge/Stoner Metal riffs are played out like a battle between guitars and vocals. It’s hard to pick a side on who will win and maybe that is the point.
Hogslayer is a band formed from two very different bands to unite for a common cause. Mainly to rock out in the most brutal way possible. And they succeed on every level.
Lets hope there are more great releases to come from this great band as I feel they can accomplish more with Hogslayer than their own respective bands.
Excellent and Highly Recommended.
You can buy Hogslayer S/T Debut album thru Dub Ditch Picnic Bandcamp Now.
Check The Band From The Links Below:
BandCamp
