ALBUM REVIEW: The Lord Weird Slough Feg, "New Organon"

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 21/06/2019

Label: Cruz Del Sur Music

“Stylistically, it all hangs together superbly and delivers a complete album listening experience.”

“New Organon” CD//DD//LP track listing

1. Headhunter
2. Discourse on Equality
3. The Apology
4. Being and Nothingness
5. New Organon
6. Sword of Machiavelli
7. Uncanny
8. Coming of Age in the Milky Way
9. Exegesis/Tragic Hooligan
10. The Cynic

The Review:

Slough Feg, or The Lord Weird Slough Feg- to give them the moniker they have now reverted to, are a unique proposition and as such are an acquired taste. We are five years on from their last album, “Digital Resistance”, but in terms of sound and approach, we may as well still be in 1976. This is clear and live sounding and traditionalist in approach.

TLWSF continue ploughing their singular furrow here; yes of course there is Jethro Tull, Thin Lizzy, Sabbath and Wishbone Ash... just pick any track and you will hear all those bands and more. Take the third track, “The Apology”; perfect in its pomp and heaviness. Philosophical references abound throughout; from the title to most tracks- considering frontman’s Scalzi's day job it's not surprising...

There are bursts of pace which bring in heavier and (slightly) more modern fare; Iron Maiden spring to mind on “Being and Nothingness”. The clear influences are one thing, but the overall quality and assuredness with which the band deliver the record is another. Slough Feg are a unique band and are traditional metal, heavy rock, folk-rooted and eccentricity all rolled into one. The title track marks the half way point and by that time you will either be sold on this album or you will not. If you enjoy any of the bands mentioned, plus bands like Wytch Hazel from the modern canon, then you will find something to enjoy here.

Stylistically, it all hangs together superbly and delivers a complete album listening experience. It's hard to pick stand out cuts- that's either positive or negative, depending on your approach, but it could be said that there are a couple of perhaps weaker tracks (“Sword of Machiavelli” is one for me) even if that is then made up for with the storming “Uncanny”.

Across its concise and one-side-of-a-cassette playing time, the band lean on philosophy, olde worlde references both musical and lyrical and a steadfast dedication to all things heavy circa 1970-1980. This may well be too quaint or even trite for some, but The Lord Weird Slough Feg are a heavy music gem and operating in a  field of one- both in America and elsewhere. That's worth something and they are to be cherished and enjoyed while they are still around.

Much like Manilla Road, they are perhaps a strange and cult-like band, but their music speaks to their fans profoundly. With Mark Shelton of Manilla Road now gone from this earth for over a year, I feel it is important to enjoy and appreciate such bands whilst they are here. Slough Feg won't be here forever- none of us are- so if you weren't sure about trying them out, this could be a great place to start. As “The Cynic” closes the album out, you'll be glad that you did.

“New Organon” is available HERE

Band info: bandcamp || facebook