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| Vokonis (2017) |
Yes, it is that time again O ye lover of
riffs, “THE SOUR 16” returns.
You know the drill by now, 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 THE SLUDGELORD Headquarters.
The results are compiled based on the amount of
page views the reviews have received and are then calibrated into the list
below. 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 the red)
16). Coltsblood - "Ascending Into Shimmering
Darkness" (324)
Coltsblood refine their unique brand of bleak, bludgeoning doom to
punishing effect on “Ascending Into Shimmering Darkness”. This is a mighty
collection that marks out the band as one of the most underrated heavy acts in
the world.
15). blyh - "Transparent to the World" (358)
Short, to the point, but excelling in both subtlety and savagery,
blyh is a band to watch out for.
14). Iced Earth - "Incorruptible" (361)
This is the kind of album that Judas Priest should be making- and
used to make. “Incorruptible” is a great metal album, it delivers on every
level, with every band member excelling in their field. Time for me to get hold
of the back catalogue as well, as “Incorruptible” has converted me to being a
fan of the band. After nearly thirty years of albums, Iced Earth are deadlier
than ever.
13). Avatarium - "Hurricanes And Halos" (395)
This is another great record from Avatarium and one which places the
band firmly in the upper echelons of doom outfits operating today. There is
nothing to fault here. If you enjoyed the band's previous work, don't hesitate.
If you have never heard the band, then this is as good a place as any to start.
Great record.
12). In Human Form - "Opening of the Eye by Death of the
I" (467)
The complexity of the songwriting on all of
the tracks leaves the listener discovering many layers over multiple listens.
This band has some serious talent, and absolutely deserves your time. A
massively unique release weaving together so many influences it’s difficult to
quantify them all. This is excellent music, and I can’t wait for future
releases from this band.
11). Schammasch - “The Maldoror Chants: Hermaphrodite”
(EP) (471)
Schammasch have created something remarkable with this most recent
artistic expression, sophisticated, complex and yet somehow, eminently
accessible. Get lost. It is worth your time to find a way out.
10). USA/MEXICO - "Laredo" (472)
This is the kind of garage rock where the car is still parked inside
with the engine running, warping the bands minds with
fumes. “Laredo” is an awesome offering from USA/MEXICO, a
perfect blend of dumb headbanging heaviness and tripped-out weirdness.
9). Bereft - "Lands" (490)
There are other bands creating doom in a similar style to Bereft but
few do it on such a grand scale. The Wisconsin quartet’s latest release
comprises of four epic journeys into the abyss with a massive production
that matches their towering ambition. “Lands” is a fine album that is
sure to win Bereft a legion of new followers.
8). Vallenfyre - "Fear Those Who Fear Him" (511)
All in all it’s another good album that sees the band dishing out
shorter and faster songs than we’re used to getting from them, while not losing
the razor sharp edge of that classic Vallenfyre musical mastery and might.
7). Pyreship - "The Liars Bend Low" (579)
The Houston quartet deal in a captivating brand of complex
sludge with a perfect balance of melody and grit. “The
Liars Bend Low” is a debut brimming with potential for a glowing
future.
6). Mantar - "The Spell" (EP) (669)
Mantar’s strength lies in their ability to maintain a perfect
balance of dirty, underground grit and catchy stadium-bothering rock’n’roll
ambition. Opening track “Pest Crusade” demonstrates this in style. It is a
complex track composed of shifting tempos and styles, encompassing shards of
raging black metal, stop/start riffage and blasts of no-nonsense stoner
punk. The three flawless tracks that make up “The Spell” demonstrate
that Mantar’s unique brand of heaviness is growing ever more potent.
5). Bison - “You Are Not The Ocean, You Are the Patient”
(707)
“You Are Not The Ocean, You Are the Patient” is an amalgamation of
everything that Bison does well. If you love anything in the realm of
sludge or stoner metal, this is a must for you.
4). Beastmaker - "Inside The Skull" (762)
It's impressive that, only a year and a bit after their debut,
Beastmaker have taken their sound and improved upon it with sharper song
writing and an impressive grasp of what makes music of the trad doom genre
tick.
3). Paganizer - "Land of Weeping Souls" (787)
Rogga Johansson shows no sign of letting up at all; another album,
another line up, another master class in Swedish death metal. This is
absolutely business as usual for Paganizer, possibly the finest and purest
exponents of this type of metal around. Highly recommended.
2). Elder - "Reflections of a Floating World"
(822)
Reflections of a Floating World’ is both a glance back and a stride
forward. The direct nature of some of the riffs and the weight of their
execution sit it comfortably between ‘Spires Burn/Release’ and ‘Lore.’ The
expansion of ambition and variety in musical approach however, keep Elder’s
eyes firmly fixed on the horizon
1). Vokonis - "The Sunken Djinn" (964)
Whilst being undoubtedly heavy what makes this sophomore effort
stand out is the variation employed in the bludgeon. By embracing less
traditional doom landscapes ‘The Sunken Djinn’ has allowed Vokonis room to
demonstrate the full raft of their audio-weaponry, and in doing so propelled
them to the forefront of the heavy underground.
A big thank you as always to our amazing
writers, your dedication knows no boundaries and for that I am truly
grateful. June 2017’s “SOUR 16” features reviews by: Richard Maw, Andre Almaraz, Charlie Butler,
Conor O’Dea, Brandon Green, David Jupp & Mark
Tremblay
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