Wednesday 23 December 2015

The Sludgelord "Sour 16" - The Most Popular Albums of Year 2015

By: Aaron Pickford

With just 2 days to go until December 25 and the prospect of an avalanche of presents bestowed upon us all, it would seem wise to reflect upon another fantastic year of music and the one thing that keeps us sane, ‘heavy music’.  Whatever is going on in the world, in our personal lives, at work and at home, music is a constant source of escapism and as one year ends and another begins, the prospect that 2016 will bring another batch of fantastic releases is a mouth watering prospect. 

2015 has been no different in terms of quality music, has it been better that 2014, who can say, music is about a moment in time, it is about art ensnaring us in its web and creating an emotional response to it.  In much the same way Damien Hurst provokes a positive and negative reaction, you can’t fail to have an opinion and music generates the same debate, the only difference here at The Sludgelord, is that we concentrate on the positivity rather than the negative, a band may not be to our taste, but that is not to say they’re bad.  So when reflecting upon 2015’s releases, we have concentrated on what we view as the good, you may view them as bad and ugly, however because each of us will have our own personal favourites, subjectively when compiling our year end lists, no two lists of records will be the same.  That doesn’t mean that mine is better or worse, it is just indicative of personal taste. 

To highlight some of the best music of 2015, towards the second half the year, we introduced the idea of The Sludgelord “Sour 16”, the purpose of which was to present a fair representation of what our readership was interested in over the month, however at the same time, it was a method of providing a little validation to our talented bunch of writers, after all it is nice to know, someone is actually reading our ramblings.  If truth be told, they don’t really care how many people read their reviews and like musicians as many of our writers are, they don’t necessarily create something for the purpose of amusing other people, but create something for themselves, and indeed you could argue that the articles and music they create is a reflection of themselves.  At the end of the day, we all love music and we all create lists, therefore with that in mind the “Sour 16” draws those two things together and was simply a fun way to present good music to the readers over the latter part of 2015. 

So, with 986 published articles in the bag for 2015, today we present the culmination of our efforts and present The Most Popular Albums of 2015 for your viewing pleasure.  I hope you had as much fun checking out the new music as we did presenting it to you. I’d like to bestow an immeasurable amount of gratitude to the contributors, who made this year our best yet. 


The Sludgelord’s ‘Sonic 6’ for 2015 is compiled based upon page views alone and calibrated into the list below.  See you in 2016.  (Full reviews can be viewed by clicking the artwork and total views since the date of publication are highlight in red). 

16). Sacri Monti – “Sacri Monti” (1100)

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.



15). Belzebong – Greenfero (1213)

‘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.


14). Danzig – “Skeletons” (1256)

“Skeletons” would have been an awesome opportunity to work with a variety of musicians, those better equipped to handle specific songs and play up their advantages.  The recording quality varies wildly from song to song, as does the overall execution of each song. The strength of Danzig’s vocal performance is pretty consistent with where he was at on ‘Deth Red Sabaoth’, perhaps even a bit better which, sadly, makes it the album’s only consistently positive attribute.


13). The Body/Thou – “You, Whom I Have Always Hated” (1289)

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.



12). Marduk – “Frontschwein” (1441)

This black metal of the highest quality and of the most palatable type to a casual fan such as myself, all elements are present and correct with the band on great form. Looking for something to compound your winter blues? Look no further.




11). My Sleeping Karma – “Moksha” (1428)

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 footsteps. Your life will be so much better for it!



10). Dopethrone – “Hochelaga” (1608)

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.




09). The Sword – “High Country” (1628)

The length of the album, at 15 tracks, does make getting acquainted with this record a slow process, but in the end you’ll discover there aren’t any dips in form. ‘High Country’ is rich in consistency and across its span, Cronise, Shutt and co. dispel any fears you may have about this release all the while oozing a slick professionalism. They’ve been at this song writing malarkey for a while now, they’re hardened pros and this stands testament to their brilliant legacy.’




08.) SUMAC – “The Deal” (1717)

What SUMAC have come up with, sounds like a band that has been playing together for years, which is completely at odds with the fact that up until a month ago, all three of the members hadn’t had a chance to jam together for once. Despite such an arrangement, ‘The Deal’ really is everything we could have imagined, yet the resulting creation is no less astounding.





07). Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats  - “Nightstalker” (1746)

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.



06). Mutoid Man – “Bleeder” (1751)

I can’t see many other records released this year being as abused as this in my music collection. It’s short, sharp and inarguably enthralling, simplistic yet over-the-top at the same time. If there’s two things in life I love it’s rock n’ roll and beautiful contrasts, this album has both of those ingredients…and it can improve the blood flow to an old man’s cock to boot. 



05). Faith No More – “Sol Invictus” (1791)

You could sit and list every element of spectacle about this album, every moment that grips you vice-like – such is the attention to detail here. But all you really need to know is this: ‘Sol Invictus’ sounds like Faith No More and no one else. It’s diverse, thrilling. The burdening weight of expectancy may have hinged on their shoulders, the desperation from the fans of this record being worth the slow and painful wait, but Faith No More didn’t even seem to notice. They perform like they never went away and, when it sucks you in, it honestly feels like they never did.  



04). Paradise Lost – “Plague Within” (1912)

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.




03). With The Dead – “With The Dead” (2326)

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.



02). Elder – “Lore” (2948)

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.



01). Ghost – “Meliora” (5785)

‘Today, Ghost still manage to shock and surprise us in a society where we’ve seen and heard it all before. People are fascinated, fixated even with finding out their true identities. Their music is more powerful than it ever has been too. ‘Meliora’ is a spellbinding listen and one which will see them elevated to greater plains of existence. It affects you, leaves you shaken. They can make you laugh or cry without so much of a flick of the wrist and, although the music we love is basking in something of a purple period right now, a band as potent as this is still a rarity.’




This list features reviews byChris Bull, Philip Weller, Hunter Young, Richard Maw, Daniel Jackson, Joosep Nilk, Hakan Nyman, Steve Howe

Tuesday 22 December 2015

Implore - "Depopulation" (Album Review)

By: Charlie Butler

Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 04/09/2015
Label: Pelagic Records


“Depopulation” works particularly well due to the variety of tempos employed throughout the record. Implore never let up on the volume and distortion front, but the transitions between pummelling blastbeats and mid-paced grooves really work well.  There are enough interesting touches here to make Implore stand out from their peers without compromising on aggression and attack. This is a strong debut that hints at an interesting future ahead.


“Depopulation” CD//DD//LP track listing:  

1). Epicyte/Parasite
2). Sentenced
3). Thousand Generations
4). Homo-Consumens
5). Hegelian Dialectic
6). Cadaves on Parade
7). Hoax
8). Anthropocentric Selfishness
9). Iscariote
10). Neo Luddite
11). Ruthless Conspiracy
12). Bohemian Grove
13). Intrincated Scapegoat
14). Inexorable Malignancy

The Review:

Implore certainly don’t mess around on their debut full-length. The Hamburg-based trio furiously blaze through 14 tracks in half an hour on “Depopulation”.

The band deal in a raging yet compelling blend of crust and grind with a death metal edge. Implore take the filthy, buzzing guitar tone of Trap Them and Black Breath and meld this to the frantic velocity of the likes of Nasum. There are also occasional touches of anthemic melody reminiscent of At The Gates’Slaughter of the Soul, particularly on “Anthropocentric Selfishness”.

Depopulation” works particularly well due to the variety of tempos employed throughout the record. Implore never let up on the volume and distortion front, but the transitions between pummelling blastbeats and mid-paced grooves really work well. Opener “Epicyte Parasite” is a good example of this, building up the riffs and intensity for a couple of minutes before fully letting rip with a glorious howl. Instrumentals “Hegelian Dialectic” and “Ruthless Conspiracy” also add a further dimension. Both deliver crushing, sludgy riffs offering respite from the velocity elsewhere but no escape from the brutality.

Pelagic Records, run by Robin Staps of post-metal collective The Ocean, initially seems like an odd home for Implore. After a few listens to “Depopulation” it all seems to make sense though. There are enough interesting touches here to make Implore stand out from their peers without compromising on aggression and attack. This is a strong debut that hints at an interesting future ahead for Implore.  

“Depopulation” is available here


FFO: Black Breath, Trap Them, The Secret, Rotten Sound


Band info: facebook | bandcamp

Groak - "Masticator" EP (Review)

By: Chris Bull

Album Type: EP
Date Released: 14/09/2015
Label: FHED Records


The four servings here offer rotten scraps of rancid sludge, this is certainly not easily digestible!  Goddamn this is filthy! Groak have crawled from the murky depths of the Leeds underground scene and are proving themselves to be a force to be reckoned with.

“Masticator” CS//DD track listing:  

1.Trichobezoar (04:33)
2.Despite the Gawker (07:21)
3.Gastric Interruptions (07:23)
4.Notebook  (05:39)

The Review:

Goddamn this is filthy! Groak have crawled from the murky depths of the Leeds underground scene and are proving themselves to be a force to be reckoned with. Originally released as a digital download only, the wonderful person behind F H E D has seen fit to release their 'Masticator EP' on black cassette.

The four servings here offer rotten scraps of rancid sludge, this is certainly not easily digestible! Crumbs of crusty hardcore are added to flesh out each portion on tracks such as 'Trichobezoar' and 'Gastric Interruptions' but they are quickly soaked up in the festering slime. 'Notebook' has that Meth Drinker stench to it and instantly makes you want to wash your hands and face.

With this EP and a split release already in the bag for this year, its evident Groak are a band who won't rest on their laurels. The future is suitably grim for these lads.

“Masticator” is available here



Band info: facebook | bandcamp

Black Shape of Nexus - 'Nothing New - 10 Years Of Fresh Air Enjoyment' (Album Review)

By: Chris Bull

Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 04/12/2015
Label: Wolfbiker Records |
Meta Matter Records


If you're reading this, chances are you've heard of BSON and are fully aware of what this will bring. What they bring is pummelling, noisy doom.

“'Nothing New - 10 Years Of Fresh Air Enjoyment' CD//DD track listing:  
1). Honour Found In Delay
2). Always And Only
3). VIIIe
4). Heute Spaß, morgen Tod
5). VII

The Review:

'Nothing New - 10 Years Of Fresh Air Enjoyment', the compilation of songs released by Black Shape Of Nexus is exactly what the label would suggest. If you're reading this, chances are you've heard of BSON and are fully aware of what this will bring. What they bring is pummelling, noisy doom.

The pun-tastic 'Honuor Found In Delay' delivers a few moments of calm before the knuckle dragging doom dredges through the mire while spacey swoops travel between eardrums. The pace picks up and wanders into High On Fire territory before the cacophony of feedback at the end. Song length in the BSON camp has always been a variable affair as the 8 minute sludgathon of 'Always and Only' is followed by Uber Doom track 'VIIIe'. 'Heute Spaß, Morgen Tod' is (from what I can tell) the only song sung in their mother tongue and a neanderthalic club to the head. By the time the fifth and final track 'VII' comes around, you'll have a sore head and neck...and that's set to worsen with the punchy instrumental that's on offer here.

This is more of a collector’s item in my opinion. What I hope is that this is just a sweetener, a little taunt before the crushing blow of another full length is dished out. A man can hope.

'Nothing New - 10 Years Of Fresh Air Enjoyment' is available here



Band info: facebook | bandcamp


Instrumental Interpretatons Part III: Instrumental (adj.) - A Series of Disagreements EP (Review)

By: Phil Weller

Album Type: EP
Date Released: 17/11/2015
Label: Art As Catharsis


This is finely concocted instrumental music. It paints a thousand pictures through the linguistic intricacies of their music, rendering the need for a singer futile.

“A Series of Disagreements” DD track listing:  

1). A Series of Disagreements
2). Fibonasty
3). The Nightmare of Adulthood


The Review:

Trying to follow the frantic, scattershot jazz meanderings of this Sydney trio is like chasing an excitable puppy around the park. A puppy that has just broken free from its lead and is relishing its new and empowering freedom; or alternatively it’s like trying to catch a fly with chopsticks. Either way, it’s bonkers.  

The three songs that make up ‘A Series of Disagreements’ are restless and delirious; they forage through a myriad of tempos, feels, atmospheres and guises in an instant. Structurally, something as ad hoc and disjointed as this should make for uncomfortable listening, yet there’s a gracefulness to their madness, a prevalent method to the way it never sits still or becomes either stagnated or predictable. 

Throughout the many plot twists, sub-plots, sub-sub-plots and schizophrenia tinted changes in direction which characterise the opening title track, they still manage to pierce a reoccurring theme into the composition. During serene calm, where the music floats atop soothing drum work and ethereal clean guitars, or during foot-to-the-floor metal revelry a la Mastodon, Tool and more, there is still a familiar melodic phrase lurking in there somewhere. At times its presence is subtle, it waits in the shadows. At others it is more abrasive and snaps at you like a Venus Fly Trap. But its omnipresence is what ties the song together and they do it so impeccably well. It adds a polish and a purpose to what is otherwise a song that is simply all over the place.

The title track sets the tone for the two tracks which follow, and this really is methodical madness at its finest. ‘Fibonasty’ is lighter, an airy groove breezing through its veins, while oddly but perfectly place seismic shifts see them temporarily shifting through the gears. It all lets guitarist Simon Dawes flaunt his wide ranging musical vocabulary with jazzy lead work which dances to his rhythm sections lively but not overblown foundation. It’s interspersed however, with some real guitar hero moments where he lets fly and produces some dextrous and scintillating solos.

Where ‘Fibonasty’ is light, however, ‘The Nightmare of Adulthood’ acts as the perfect counter weight. Aggressive, pounding and hammering through a selection box of time signature changes throughout, it’s as frantically off-kilter and garish as its title suggests. The jagged edges of the song and their smart use of textures create a sense of diversity keeps you on your toes and your interest piqued.

This is finely concocted instrumental music. It paints a thousand pictures through the linguistic intricacies of their music, rendering the need for a singer futile. Indeed, the heavy jazz leanings and their general resistance to conformation will make this EP hard to digest for some people, but for those who seek adventure and endangerment, something to drag you into its cosmic vitality and swallow you whole for a short while, then ‘A Series of Disagreements’ is begging for your attention.

“A Series of Disagreements” is available here



Band info: facebook

Vastum - ‘Hole Below’ (Album Review)

By: Daniel Jackson

Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 6/11/2015
Label: 20 Buck Spin



Each member plays so well into all of the others’ strengths that the album feels more like one gigantic being, lurching and smashing in unified movement, rather than five separate pieces trying their best to come together.

Hole Below’ CD//LP//CS//DD track listing:

1. Sodomitic Malevolence
2. Amniosis
3. In Sickness And In Death
4. Intrusions
5. Hole Below (A Dream Of Ritual Abuse)
6. Empty Breast

Vastum is:

Daniel Butler | Vocals
Leila Abdul-Rauf | Guitar, Vocals
Shelby Lermo | Guitar
Luca Indrio | Bass
Adam Perry | Drums

The Review:

As I’m writing this, Vastum’s new album, ‘Hole Below’ has been out for over a month and the praise for it has been substantial. In the interest of telling a complete story about my feelings toward the album, I didn’t really get it at first. My initial thoughts were essentially that it sounded fantastic recording-wise, but that the production was something of a masking agent for a very by-the-numbers death metal album. While there’s no denying that the album is very straightforward from a compositional standpoint, that simplicity also betrays just how clever this album is.

It took a number of listens to really sink in, to the point that when I first tried writing about the album, I was ready to work from the standpoint that some of my fellow metal writers had been dazzled by what is an unquestionably fantastic production job. The truth of it is that I was simply late to the dance in terms of understanding just how strong these songs really are. Vastum seem to have graduated from the Bolt Thrower school of knowing that it can be just as effective making each and every note count as it can be when working with a much more technical formula.

If I have any complaint about the album now, it’s that I wish there was more dark, melodic guitar leads like the one woven throughout the album’s closing song “Empty Breast”. Even there, the leads are deceptively simple, but they’re insanely satisfying from a song writing standpoint. It’s one of many reasons I’m glad I stopped writing that first draft, knowing now that I would have regretted being so negative about an album that didn’t deserve it. Indeed, the whole of the album is absolutely devastating, sonically, and the album’s reserved tempo is one of its strengths rather than a liability. That refusal to go full speed ahead in the drumming allows the songs breathing room rhythmically, and Adam Perry’s loose, natural style behind the kit has a lot to do with why ‘Hole Below’ is such a massive success.

In truth, Vastum is a band with a musical chemistry that very few death metal bands possess. Each member plays so well into all of the others’ strengths that the album feels more like one gigantic being, lurching and smashing in unified movement, rather than five separate pieces trying their best to come together. ‘Hole Below’ is showing up on a lot of year end lists, and I finally get why that is. If you’ve tried this album already and found yourself wondering what the hype was all about. Do yourself a favor and give it more time. I’m happy that I did.

“Hole Below” is available digitally here and a CD/LP/CS copy here.


Band info: Facebook

Monday 21 December 2015

Imbroglio - "For What It's Worth" (Album Review)

By: Charlie Butler

Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 11/09/2015
Label: Independent


“Vulnerable State” shudders into life with some satisfyingly languid blown-out sludge before Imbroglio really go for the throat. Combining the mathematical complexity of Botch with the unbridled aggression of Gaza, the band launch into an assault that is equal parts smart and savage. Imbroglio hone this combination to perfection over the majority of this release, adding in touches of the broken-glass sharpness of Coalesce for extra impact.  This is easily one of the finest heavy releases of the year so I strongly suggest you download now and give generously.

“For What It’s Worth” DD track listing:

1). Vulnerable State
2). Aftershock
3). Internal Altercation
4). Kintsugi
5). Prohibitive Lessons
6). Snake Charmer
7). Suppressed Repetition
8).  Haunting Cessation

The Review:

Dayton, Ohio’s Imbroglio does not appear to have had the easiest of rides in recent times. The making of new album “For What It’s Worth” seems to have been drawn out by line-up changes and van issues amongst other things. Now this beast has been released into the world, it sounds like all of the band’s hard work has been more than worth it.

“Vulnerable State” shudders into life with some satisfyingly languid blown-out sludge before Imbroglio really go for the throat. Combining the mathematical complexity of Botch with the unbridled aggression of Gaza, the band launch into an assault that is equal parts smart and savage. Imbroglio hone this combination to perfection over the majority of this release, adding in touches of the broken-glass sharpness of Coalesce for extra impact. “Internal Alteration” offers the best distillation of everything that makes this album great, kicking off with a devastating riff that will burrow into your brain and take permanent residence.

Although a full half hour of face-rippers like the brief “Suppressed Repetition” would be fine with me, Imbroglio throw in some changes of mood to great effect. “Prohibitive Lessons” begins in slow, brooding fashion before settling into some dark riffing reminiscent of Pelican at their best while “Snake Charmer” begins as a gently psychedelic instrumental before dialling the distortion back up for a punishing climax.

Currently “For What It’s Worth” is only available via bandcamp on a pay what you like basis. This is easily one of the finest heavy releases of the year so I strongly suggest you download now and give generously. Imbroglio’s future as an active live band is currently in doubt, as is any physical release of this album, so any encouragement to get them back in action and help them gain the attention they deserve is fully worthwhile.

“For What It’s Worth” is available here




FFO: Gaza, Coalesce, Botch, Pelican