The Sludgelord’s ‘Sour 16’ is back to present another selection of the finest riffs around. You know the deal, 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 Sludgelord Headquarters.
So here is the The Sludgelord’s ‘Sour 16’ for
March 2016. Dig in, spread the word and perhaps revisit some
records you may have overlooked. The results are compiled based on page
views alone and calibrated into the list below. So roll up, kick
back, chug a beer and Hail the riff! 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 red)
16). Mondo Drag – “The Occultation of Light” (316)
Compared to their self-titled from last year ’The Occultation Of Light’ is more intense and direct in its offering. Yet similarly to that previous effort, the album’s strength again lies rather in that which is left unsaid. What can also be heard is a matured band more comfortable in delving into different frames of mind, knowing full well how to stay the course on an even keel, paying reverence to their array of influences yet earnestly exploring previously uncharted territories.
Compared to their self-titled from last year ’The Occultation Of Light’ is more intense and direct in its offering. Yet similarly to that previous effort, the album’s strength again lies rather in that which is left unsaid. What can also be heard is a matured band more comfortable in delving into different frames of mind, knowing full well how to stay the course on an even keel, paying reverence to their array of influences yet earnestly exploring previously uncharted territories.
15). Burn Thee Insects - “Droid Intelligence” (317)
The album starts with "Hydroponics," a killer
track that pulls out all the stops. This song sets the tone immediately with a
rough and tumble riff and monotone vocals. In a nutshell, this is the Burn Thee
Insects sound. "Concrete Pillow" carries the torch of the opener into
some heavy plodding, reminding a bit of Mars Red Sky, an influence that rears
its head again in the slower "Through the Fog.” The riffs that Burn Thee
Insects bring to the fore are compelling enough that even though we are four
months removed from the release date; it’s still worth noting that "Droid
Intelligence" exists and that it is recommended by us here at The
Sludgelord.
14). Latitudes – “Old Sunlight” (326)
Their
crunchy take on Pelican’s colossal ambition shot through with Mastodon’s
progressive grit is as potent as ever, particularly evident on the monstrous
“Altarpieces”. “Old Sunlight” is no retread of former glories though, every
track crackles with the energy of the band expanding their horizons.“Ordalian”
and “Gyre” are riddled with frantic black metal-influenced tremolo picking,
injecting an air of grandiose melody to the Latitudes already epic sound. “Old
Sunlight” consolidates all that was great about Latitudes and stretches it in
intriguing new directions to intoxicating effect. Hopefully they won’t leave
another four years until the next time.
13). RIP – “In The Wind” (333)
This
is a doom record, for sure, but of the vintage variety and with a distinctly
American flavour. Retro in approach, satisfying in content, R.I.P. are a
welcome addition to the great tradition of rebel outsiders which litter the US
12). Beastmaker – “Lusus Naturae” (346)
“Lusus
Naturae” is a fine entry into the Book of Doom; and one that points towards
great things to come. With the backing of Rise Above Records, the band are sure
to become cult favourites. The upcoming April UK
11). Ifrinn – “Ifrinn” (355)
I’ve
spent a lot of my life listening to 90s black metal, and those bands seeking to
duplicate that sound in the present. There are bands that that can do it well,
even if they’re outright re-using another band's ideas. That’s not Ifrinn. This
isn’t a clone band. They’re a band entrenched in the past creating music that
would be revered alongside the classics of that era, were it released at the
same time. Instead, “Ifrinn”is one of the great black metal albums of
2016, despite looking backward rather than forward.
10). Station Twenty7 – “Beyond The Darkness” (364)
“Before The Gates” lets you
know exactly what you are in for; thrash metal, no more and no less- resolutely
traditional but with strong production, world class hooks and world class
performances on display.
09). Zun – “Burial Sunrise
The slowness of “All That You Say I Am” or the moment
in “All For Nothing” that the bass loses its raunchiness and transforms into a lush
swelling of lower tones, define this record. The mood is laid back, the
pretense is absent, and the vocals that drift by like a breeze on a cold night
add up to something special. “Burial Sunrise
08). Monomyth - “Exo” (380)
The
quintet from The Hague
07). Capsized – “Overwhelming the Circles” (386)
Gravelly
harsh vocals collide with discordant riffs that get glued inside your mind very
quickly and the off centre type riffs remind me of what Hydra Head Records used
to do. The weight of this album is intense and at times an immeasurable force
that can be uplifting and downtrodden at the same time, which is great to hear
in songwriting these days. Things are stirring in the South, that’s for sure,
and I know for a fact it has more to offer than just NOLA. Keep listening, keep
looking. Capsized is one that’s moving and gaining momentum!
06). Tombs – “All Empires Fall” (407)
Tombs
are swiftly becoming a force to be reckoned with in today's bloated extreme
metal landscape. They are a band that take no prisoners and continue to push
the envelopes in terms of originality. This EP is quite simply exceptional.
Mike Hill's vocals are more acerbic than in previous efforts as the blackened
riffs from Hill and Evan Void are full of contempt as they burn and scrape like
razorwire being dragged across bare skin.
05). New Keepers of The Water Towers - “ Infernal Machine” (517)
Whilst the tracks are lengthy, the album as a whole does not feel
too long. Not once will you find yourself wanting to hit skip. New Keepers of
the Water Towers are a hidden gem of a band, mixing the influences of heroes
such as Pink Floyd and King Crimson along with modern day prog masters such as
Opeth and Steven Wilson is not an easy trick, but New Keepers …pull it off
excellently.
04). Elephant Tree – “Elephant Tree” (680)
If you’re on a quest for the next hit of
sludgy psychedelic riffing to satisfy your music addiction, Elephant Tree is
the thing to go for. They offer up the heaviness of slow, European doom and
counter it with a classic rock swing. This is blended seamlessly with melody,
both in the riffing as well as the vocals, drawing as much from the annals of
rock music as it does from the modern stoner scene. The album is made up of
riffs that beg to be played over and despite the amount of repetition Elephant
Tree does in fact use, the inherent quality of these riffs is that they aren’t
given their due no matter how many times they get thrown at us. The quality of
this album will prove itself once year-end list season comes around.
03). Curse The Son – “Isolator” (720)
02). Lord Mantis – “NTW” (800)
01). Goya – “The Enemy” (916)
"The
buzz saw grind that so powerfully embodies Goya is, on this four track EP,
infested with a horripulation that sees the Arizona three-piece sounding
creepier and more terrifying than ever before."
A
big thank you as always to our amazing writers, your dedication knows no
boundaries and for that I am truly grateful.
March’s “Sour
16” features reviews by, Chris Bull,
Philip Weller, Richard Maw, Daniel Jackson, Dominic Walsh, Victor Van Ommen,
Charlie Butler, Joosep Nilk and Eric Crowe
