Clover - "Exile" (Album Review)

By: Chris Bull

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 05/04/2016

Label: Manic Progression Records

“Exile” CD//DD track listing:

1). Monolith

2). Next of Kin

3). The Woven Stone

4). Into Exile

5). Scorn

6). Wormwood

7). Mantle

8). Elegy

The Review:

'Exile' from New York's hardcore/sludge/post metal trio Clover is a bit of an interesting find. All 3 elements mentioned above are blended so well that neither takes centre stage.

Imagine if you will a heavier, growlier Kowloon Walled City or maybe Black Shape of Nexus with far fewer fuzz pedals and you'd be almost there! All 8 tracks offer a distinctive punch, weight and flow that blurs genre lines. Vocalist/bassist Andrew Guthaus' half scream, half growl is distinctive enough to permeate the no frills production. There are plenty of enjoyable moments on offer here, such as the chugging, His Hero Is Gone esque riff of 'Monolith' that bleeds back into the opening riff and the very KWC sounding 'Into Exile' as well as the biting aggression of 'Scorn'.

It's a good effort from this Kingston New York trio, unlikely to be at the top of anyone's "End of Year" list but a very solid effort.

“Exile” is available here

Band info: official | facebook | bandcamp

The band will be on tour all spring and summer to promote the record with the east coast leg kicking off on April 8th at The Anchor in Kingston, NY.

4.08 - Friday // Kingston, NY @ The Anchor
4.09  - Saturday // Frederick, MD @ Guidos Speakeasy
4.10 - Sunday // Wilmington, NC @ Scrap Iron Bike Shop
4.11 - Monday // Jacksonville, FL @TBA
4.12 - Tuesday // Orlando, FL @ TBA
4.13 - Wednesday // Gainesville, FL @ TBA
4.14 - Thursday // Charlotte, NC @ The Milestone
4.15 - Friday // Louisville, KY @ Modern Cult
4.16 - Saturday // Akron, OH @ Crozberry House
4.17 - Sunday // Ithaca, NY  @ TBA