 |
| SubRosa
|
It is time cast our minds back upon the month of August
and digest the 16 albums that would become August’s sacrilegious ‘Sour
16’, the finest and most profane
riffs around bundled together into a premium sized sonic soufflé.
You
know the drill, each month; you the reader are unwittingly compiling a
list of the top 16 records that we featured in August, covering all genres of
metal. Is it not a chart, in which reviewers or contributors extol their
opinion about their favourite music. The ‘Sour
16’ are the records that have been trending the most at Sludgelord Headquarters.
The
results are compiled based on page views alone and calibrated into
the list below. So kick back, with a cold one and let the power of
the riff compel thee! All reviews can be viewed by clicking the artwork. (Total views since their
publication are highlighted in red)
16). Bossk - "Audio Noir" (364)
The shimmering
soundscapes of “The Reverie” gently ease the album into life. The track glides
through waves of serene guitar atmospherics, before being crushed under a slab
of molten distortion. Even though the classic quiet/loud dynamics of post-rock
are employed here, Bossk manage to avoid the obvious, telegraphed crescendos by
taking a more understated approach, conversely when they crank up, Bossk prove
that they have honed their riffcraft to perfection. “Heliopause” is a
relatively short burst of stoner aggravation while “Atomsmasher” fully delivers
on the cataclysmic power of its name. In summation, Audio Noir” is a triumph
for Bossk that sees them comfortably deliver on their fans’ anticipation for a
full-length.
15). Body Void - "Ruins" EP (371)
Sounding
like a seismic shift, 'Swans' instantly obliterates everything. The riffs
slowly and mercilessly attack the central nervous system while the vocals
suffocate and strangle. At the tail end of this EP comes the even more epic and
gigantic 'Ruins', if you can imagine Andy Dufregne's escape in ' The Shawshank
Redemption'; slow, filthy, dark, foreboding, this track is the embodiment of
it. Body Void have set the bench mark pretty damn high now, surely they will
follow this up with something truly amazing.
14). Warfather - "The Grey Eminence" (397)
“The Grey
Eminence” is a better record than Warfather's debut (which was in itself a good
album!) and is a credit to those involved. This is a style of death metal I like
a lot; a mixture of all elements of the genre without too much of any one
thing. This is controlled force and a must listen for death metal heads
everywhere.
13)= Earthship - "Hallowed" & Khünnt - "Failures" (405)
“Hallowed”is
well represented with monolithic riffs, multi layered vocal arrangements and in
standout track “Monolith” it delivers one of the heaviest moments within the
course of the album. To me it appears as if the band had held back on us up
until this point, because they have unleashed a truly astonishing album, which
pummels and pounds you with a thick narcotic groove. This album is sonic
alchemy of all their best elements, making this album a great listen and one to
be admired.
Khünnt create the kind of bleak racket that would make even Khanate cry themselves to sleep, echoing the ragged noise rock monotony of Shit and Shine it is strangely euphoric and completely crushing in equal measure. “Failures” is a bold step forward from Khünnt. It sees them maintain their reputation for sonic drudgery while finding new ways to subject the listener to aural torment.
11). Howling Giant - “Black Hole Space Wizard”: Part
1” (EP) (469)
Howling Giant come across as a confident
band that are bursting at the seams with invigorating hooks that sound as
familiar as they are new. They have the discipline to take their time fleshing
out riffs without losing sight of the song, their energy and passion is felt
throughout, which is the glue that holds this EP together.
10). Make - "Pilgrimage of Loathing" (526)
An encompassing album that sees Make drag the psychedelia and post-metal of
their previous recordings into a sludgy realm full of menacing atmospherics and
hard-hitting riffs, Pilgrimage Of Hate is sure to please those who like their
doom dark and heavy, but less predictable than the average group.
09). Lord Vicar - "Gates of Flesh" (551)
For
anyone wanting quality traditional doom, the purchase of this album is a no
brainer. Lord Vicar represents the very best in the genre and this album is a
focused and fulfilling listen.
08). Hexxus - "Tunguska " (577)
Hexxus brings
something different from the word go, desolation lays in their wake, pain and
fear tremble before their sheer levels of decibel destruction.
7). Yeti On Horseback – “The Great Dying” (583)
Soaring
melodies, crushing and enveloping riffs, brutal vocals, “The Great Dying” has
got the lot! It's beautifully downtrodden in it's make up and utterly
captivating.
6). Devil Electric - "The God's Below" (EP)
(647)
Hailing
from the Melbourne , Australia
5). Black Tar Prophet/Iron Gavel - "Black Tar
Prophet/Iron Gavel" Split (636)
4). Castle - "Welcome to the Graveyard" (829)
This
is fantastic heavy metal of the most traditional kind, forged, I can only
assume, in the fires of hell
3). Shadow Witch - "Sun Killer" (915)
This
record is a fine debut and places the band amongst the retro rock/doom/metal
scene but shows that they have a unique sound and approach. If you have been
enjoying bands such as Demon Eye, R.I.P, Uncle Acid, Satans Satyrs, Electric
Citizen and so on, well, Shadow Witch are better then some of them and can mix
it with the best of them!
2). Slomatics – “Future Echo Returns” (1608)
When a band's guitarist has their own signature fuzz pedal, it's a
safe bet that they can cut through solid rock with their riffs; when both
guitarists have an alternate version of the same pedal then prepare your
eardrums for some serious, rock crushing heaviosity. The towering heaviness of
the riffs and the images of the infinite, shimmering darkness of space is
executed and captured perfectly. An amazing album worthy of any and all praise
it will undoubtedly receives.
1). SubRosa - "For This We Fought the Battle
If
you love really emotionally charged hard hitting music, give this record a
listen. I had very high expectations of this record, and those expectations
were met and then exceeded.
A
big thank you as always to our amazing writers, your dedication knows no
boundaries and for that I am truly grateful.
August’s “Sour 16” features reviews by: Richard Maw, Dan Brownson, George Parr,
Charlie Butler, Chris Bull, Hunter Young, Eric Crowe, Victor Van Ommen & Gerardo Pacheco
