Riff Rewind: A Retrospective Review of The Sludgelord Archives

Whilst we’re still coming to terms with founding editor Steve Howe sadly leaving the blog, and with over 3000 articles published over the last 4 years, even the most ardent supporter of The Sludgelord, will not have read every one.   Today and over the weeks to come we present our retrospective rundown of the top reviews, free downloads, bands to check out, live reviews, interviews and much more as a tribute to what Steve started, what we continue to do and what we strive to achieve in future.

As you look through the archives, it is clear to see what Steve was attempting to achieve, indeed I think he acheived that, supporting the underground scene and giving exposure to heavy music.  This week on the inaugural Riff Rewind feature, we go back to the very beginning, all the way back to Friday 18/2/2011 and 5 bands you should most certainly need to check out.

As you dip into this feature, it’s only fitting we leave a final word of tribute to Steve’s work, Ted Smith a fan of the blog recently left this comment ‘It’s a real shame to hear you’re leaving, thanks for everything’. Thanks for everything Steve, hail the Riff! You can follow what Steve is doing via his new blog Outlaws of the Sun here

Now let’s get into the riffs, who’s heard of a band called Ghost, hell who remembers MySpace? 

Ghost

Ghost are a Swedish Black Metal/Progressive/Power Pop Band, this was according to their MySpace page way back in 2011. 

Ghost released their debut album ‘Opus Eponymous’ in 2010. It has been getting some rave reviews from the music press, but in some quarters they have reacted negatively due to it being too retro and perceived as nothing new.  Personally I think this is a brilliant album. So with the band set to release their third full length ‘Meliora’ via Loma Vista Recordings on 21^st August this year, Here is my fave track ‘Ritual’ from their debut. Enjoy!!! 

For more information:

Official: http://ghost-official.com/

Like: https://www.facebook.com/thebandghost

L’Ira Del Baccano

L'Ira Del Baccano is an Instrumental Psychedelic Doom Metal band from Italy who have released 2 albums to date.  Way back in 2011 they were offering their ‘Si Non Sedes iS’ live album for free via their website.  Described as ‘56 minutes of doomdelic instrumental rock, incorporating very heavy space Rock with lashing of psych doom.’, they went on to release their long awaited debut ‘Terra 42’ which we raved about and you can read it here

Whilst ‘Si Non Sedes iS’ is no longer free, you can pick up both records via their bandcamp page here

For more information:

Listen: https://liradelbaccanoofficial.bandcamp.com/

Like: https://www.facebook.com/LiraDelBaccano42

Koloss


Koloss from Sweden issued their debut album ‘End Of The Chayot’ way back in January 2011.  Originally released for free download, the band explained that everything was recorded, mixed and mastered by the band, therefore because there was no actually cost to produce the record, they offered it up for free.  Fast forward then to 2015, the band released their last record in October 2013, called ‘Empower the Monster, but their debut is still available as a ‘Name your Price’ download.  

So, if you’re a fan of ISIS, Baroness and Neurosis.  Download it now, this is awesome Stuff.   You can also check out this great interview Steve carried out with the band in 2013 here

For more information:

Listen: https://koloss.bandcamp.com/

Like: http://www.facebook.com/koloss

(C) Shannon Corr

 Kowloon Walled City

Kowloon Walled City is a superb band from San Francisco, California. They play really down and dirty sludge, noise-metal, with a shit ton of cool groove to match.

KWC have been going since 2007. To date they have released 1 EP ‘Turk Street’ 2 Albums ‘Gambling on the Richter scale’ and most recently ‘Container Ships’ (review here) and 3 Splits, most recently with Thou and Battilus.  Named after a densely-populated, autonomous region of Hong Kong known for its brothels, casinos and opium dens, Kowloon Walled City recently signed with Neurot Recordings and Gilead Media for the release of their upcoming record.  This band is a firm favourite at The Sludgelord, indeed if you like them, you’ll most certainly like the band Tigon too (review here). 

You download most of their music as ‘Name Your Price’ download from their band camp here.  This band is highly recommended.

For more information:

Like: http://www.facebook.com/kowloonwalledcity

Official: http://inthewalledcity.com/

Adrift for Days

Adrift for Days are band that need no introduction here at the Sludgelord. Given that we have lauded about them since 2011. Hailing from Sydney, Australia, they described themselves on their early bio as a psychedelic stoner/doom band, formed to entertain their love for down-tempo music; blues, psychedelia, post-rock, drone, doom, sludge, stoner rock, ambience (etc).

Their debut album "The Lunar Maria" is a sprawling 71-minutes magnus opus, a veritable smoked out, psychedelic drone fest that was originally released which was released on August 5th, 2010.   Inspired by such groups as Neurosis, Electric Wizard, Dax Riggs, Weedeater, Alice in Chains, Down, Om, Jimi Hendrix and Pink Floyd. Recording of their debut took place at The Brain Studios with additional recording, mixing and mastering completed by Tim Carr at 301 Studios.

Adrift for Days have since released another stunning record ‘Come Midnight’, that Steve voted as his no1 of 2012.  You can download ‘The Lunar Maria’ as well as their most recent record from their bandcamp page

This is another stunning band for you to check out and highly Recommended if your fans of Neurosis, ISIS and bands of that nature.

For more information:

Like: Facebook

Listen: BandCamp

Thanks for reading and hope you check out these fantastic bands. Thanks as ever for your support and hopefully this article will be the first of many to come. 

 

ADRIFT FOR DAYS - COME MIDNIGHT (Album Review)

Adrift For Days are a Sludge/Drone/Stoner/Doom/Post-Metal Band from Australia.

The members are:

Mick Kaslik - vocals, drone flute, fx
Steve Kachoyan - drums
Matt Williams - bass
Ron Prince - guitars
Lachlan Dale - guitars
Michael Taverner - live sound

If you’re a long time reader of this blog you know I am a massive fan of this amazing band. They totally blew my mind back in 2010 with their amazing debut album – The Lunar Maria. It was a 70 minute epic journey of Drone/Fuzz/Sludge/Stoner Metal riffs that struck a chord with many fans of the genre.

Adrift For Days sound like no other band I have heard in years. They became my fave act of recent years and I couldn’t wait to see what they delivered next. Well that time is now as they have a brilliant new album Come Midnight. Another 71 minute odyssey of amazing experimental Sludge/Stoner/Drone Metal tunes.

Come Midnight contains 6 sublime tracks that are very hard to categorize. You have Sludge, Drone, Stoner, Fuzz and Post-Metal which are all of my fave genres. As like their first album they even include some haunting tribal ambient riffs as well.

This album will just take over your mind, body and soul with its pulsating mix of Sludge/Drone/Stoner Metal riffs. There is no denying it. Adrift For Days have delivered another masterpiece of Modern Sludge/Stoner Metal.

The first track i.A Premonition ii.Void iii.The Aftermath is a 15 epic of psychedelic far out there riffs with great vocals to match. The song takes time in building the atmosphere of eerie ambient riffs. But when the loud riffage kicks do kick then they really do kick in big time. It starts off with a long drawn out Drone/Sludge Rock guitar that brings a forbidding sense of evil coming our way.

And sure enough around the 2 minute mark the vocals kick in. But after that it’s an epic monolithic journey that only Adrift For Days can deliver. The best part of the song is the final 4 minutes. The riffs are just first class and are expertly done. This is a song of despair told in 3 parts delivered by one of the finest upcoming bands in the genre.

Next up is another 8 minute journey of Sludge/Drone Metal wonder – Gravity Wall which adds more eerie atmosphere to the already populated Smoked Fuzz Encrusted Drone/Sludge world that has came before it. This is a song that will send chills down your soul with the creepy vocals and music portraying a sense of unease but with a creepy purpose as well.

Outstanding stuff so far.

Up next is another long drawn out masterpiece – The 13 minute – House Of Cards which has the perfect balance of Loud and Quiet Rock atmospherics with a truly breathtaking haunting ambient tribal passage amongst the underlying cold undertone. This song has some of the most haunting lyrics and vocals on the entire album that portrays a devastating picture at the end.

Listen this at your peril. You will be amazed by the different styles and genres this song has or even the album has by now. I was just totally sold on this amazing album on the first listen. I couldn’t believe to what I was listening to.

The album next takes a short breather as the 4 minute song – The Stonebreaker slows things right down in speed, scope and structure but still providing a cool ambient drone rock driven atmosphere. Before the last two epics resume business in crushing your soul.

You think with two songs remaining there would only be a short time remaining. Not really. You have 30 minutes more of top-notch Sludge/Drone/Stoner/Post-Metal riffs to shatter your spirit to.

Back From The Beyond is a 10 minute epic with more brutal hypnotic Sludge/Stoner Metal Carnage with the cool drone rock driving it through to a shattering climax.

The next track is an almost 20 minute epic called – Eyes Look Down From Above. This is where the band pay homage to legendary Drone Rockers – Earth. As this song has an Earth type feel. It’s primarily driven by a sublime Drone Rock Riff with loud blasts of Sludge/Stoner/Post-Metal coming through at different times of the song.

Haunting Vocals are there accompanied by a sub-dued ambient tribal echo being mixed into outstanding effect. This song can be very bleak at times but shows best what brilliant musicians these guys actually are.

Come Midnight leaves The Lunar Maria in its wake and shows a band on the verge of true greatness. This album should hopefully put Adrift For Days on the international map as a band to be reckoned with.

This is my fave record of 2012. I know I have said this on previous occasions with other releases but no other release has got my emotions into overdrive. This is the rare occasion where every second, minute and riff just had my jaw dropping to the floor. I don’t think any other album will come close to this. This is about as close to perfection as you can possibly get to.

I have listened to this album non-stop since I received it earlier this week. It’s a truly breathtaking record that should be called a classic. And a record that Adrift For Days should be proud of and applauded for.

Adrift For Days will be available to buy from July 15th 2012. I recommend you get your copy..

Highly Recommended.

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