TOP 16 ALBUMS: The Sour 16 for November 2016

It is that time once again people to cast our minds back, and digest the 16 albums that would become November’s most viewed albums and form the basis for our 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 November, 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. All reviews and streams can be viewed by clicking the artwork . (Total views since their publication are highlighted in red). 

16). Spirit Adrift - "Chained to Oblivion” (380)

This album is elegantly forged from beginning to end, and has no definable weak chinks in its armour.  Overall, this is likely to be an AOTY candidate for me, and one I have found myself returning to again and again in a variety of moods.

15). Superjoint - "Caught up in the Gears of Application" (381)

This is gnarly and nasty music made by a figure that is both revered and reviled. Through all the controversy, one thing keeps me coming back to listen to Anselmo: the quality of the music. And the music is as potent as ever. A storming return.

14) Animals As Leader - "The Madness of Many " (388)

Tosin Abasi and company find expressionism through mathematic complexity.

13) The Judge – “The Judge (399)

This one is crazy good, and crazy Sabbath inspired too. Give this band a listen, you’ll dig it.

12). Wasted Theory - “Defenders of the Riff (417)

11). Desolate Pathway - "Of Gods & Heroes" (420)

Make no mistake, Desolate Pathway have delivered an epic doom record of epic proportions: light and shade, massive riffs, great performances, a downcast atmosphere... it's all here

10). Fvnerals - "Wounds" (443)

“Wounds” is a captivating set of songs that are simultaneously heavy and delicate. FVNERALS unique brand of doom-filtered slowcore creates a powerful feeling that stays with the listener long after the final note has rung out.

09). Holy Serpent - "Temples" (473)

All in all, “Temples” is a great record.  Holy Serpent nailed it.  The songs are well crafted, well-structured, the vocals are right on and the music is perfect parts psych, doom, sludge and out right heaviness.  Don’t hesitate, buy “Temples” immediately.

08). Dusteroid – “To Fathom Hell” (475)

They serve up a king size slice of skull crushing, heavy Sludge that feels like being hit with a sledgehammer repeatedly. Job extremely well done and then some

07). The Dead At Sea - "The Dead At Sea" (479)

A potent blend of early-Pelican crunch and Kyuss-style riffage, The Dead At Sea distil the sound of desert rock sinking into a cold watery grave.  “The Dead At Sea” is a compelling combination of killer riffs and hushed menace that perfectly evoke the bottomless depths of the ocean

06). Ortega - "Sacred States (500)

Ortega are not the first band to fuse post metal, doom and spaced-out sludge but they succeed by doing it bigger, better and heavier than most.  Sacred States” sees Ortega take their sound to the next level, delivering on the promise of previous releases and stretching out towards bold new horizons.

05). Call of the Void "A.Y.F.K.M." (508)

Call Of The Void’s sound is a potent cocktail of punk attitude and rock’n’roll swagger coated in a thick layer of sludge aggression. “AYFKM” is an intoxicating adrenaline rush that will keep you coming back for more.

04). 11Paranoias - "Reliquary for a Dreamed of World" (512)

What sets 11PARANOIAS apart from other bands operating in the realms of psychedelic heaviness is the otherworldly atmosphere they conjure. Every note is enshrouded in a hazy fog that lends their music a darkly unsettling feel.

03). Ghoul – “Dungeon Bastards” (828)

So many bands try to do what Ghoul is doing and just can't fucking get it right. This is a perfect storm. Superior song writing, technical prowess, and an awesome aesthetic.

02). Mother Mooch - "Nocturnes" (991)

Their blend of psychedelia with grunge and stoner rock/doom is a highly sought after formula and Mother Mooch are keeping the secret closely guarded - and rightfully so.  ‘Nocturnes’ is an astounding album from a band that have the potential to conquer the world.

1). Metallica - "Hardwired…To Self Destruct" (1565)

Metallica have rediscovered their mojo, brought the heavy and most importantly appear to be enjoying themselves. An album, of two halves, with a cracking opening salvo on side “A” and “B” side, marred only by one throwaway track.  If not perfect, it is the best music they have produced in over two decades and is the natural successor to the Black Album. 

A big thank you as always to our amazing writers, your dedication knows no boundaries and for that I am truly grateful.  September’s “Sour 16” features reviews by:  Richard Maw, Theron Moore, Charlie Butler, Conor O’Dea, Jake Wallace, Eric Crowe, Rick Ahmed, Bobo Coen & Phil Weller

ALBUM REVIEW: Ghoul - "Dungeon Bastards"

By: Rick Ahmed

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 29/07/2016

Label: Tankcrimes 

So many bands try to do what Ghoul is doing and just can't fucking get it right. This is a perfect storm. Superior song writing, technical prowess, and an awesome aesthetic.

“Dungeon Bastards” CD//DD//LP track listing:

01. Ghetto Blasters
02. Bringer of War
03. Shred the Dead
04. Dungeon Bastards
05. Ghoulunatics
06. Blood and Guts
07. Word is Law
08. Death Campaign
09. Guitarmageddon
10. Abominox

The Review:

My introduction to Ghoul was 2007's “Splatterthrash”. I instantly fell in love with their take on thrash. Everything about it was perfect; the guitar tone, the riffs, the melodies, and especially lyrics. It was glorious. I kept my eye on them throughout the next few years; none of their other releases really caught my ear though. When the pre-order for “Dungeon Bastards” came up in my facebook feed with the bad ass Mark Richards' illustrated cover, green splatter vinyl, and fold out drinking game, I said fuck it. Even if this album sucks it's worth the cool ass packaging.

This album does not suck. This is probably the best metal album of 2016. No bullshit. It blows my mind how few bands can't make an album with 2 good songs, but these freaks managed to come up with 10 rippers. This is actually better than “Splatterthrash”.

The first song “Ghetto Blasters" begans with a sample from what I'm assuming is an old sci-fi movie. The Last line being, "The people blindly followed a man who would become a tyrant." which is creepy as fuck considering the outcome of our last election. The sample fades out and the thrash fucking metal begins. The urge to bang ones head is quite strong on this first track, which is basically one riff on repeat with a tasteful lead over a few measures. Which is perfect, think Exodus type thrash if you must.

Song two "Bringer of War" opens with a solid blast and a riff that wouldn't be out of place on Carcass' “Heartwork”. The higher pitched vocals also bear a resemblance to Jeff Walker, which I'm not complaining about. The thing is, it never gets old with Ghoul, as they have a second guttural vocalist, as well as gang vocals, and a cast of characters they introduce throughout the album.

Like I mentioned earlier, every song rules. "Shred the Dead" is a solid thrasher. "Dungeon Bastards" starts with more Carcass feels. My personal favorite song "Ghoulunatics" has an awesome guitar melody, as well as a sick thrash breakdown at about 2:41. A bonus is that it seems to be about idiots like me, "an army of losers, the worst of the worst, to march to our orders and buy all our merch". As for the rest of the album, the hits keep coming. Just listen to the damn thing already!

So many bands try to do what Ghoul is doing and just can't fucking get it right. This is a perfect storm. Superior song writing, technical prowess, and an awesome aesthetic. My only fear is that people won't care to look past the masks and theatrics. These guys should NOT be written off as another gimmick band. That's what everybody did with Gwar, who also made amazing albums, but were under appreciated as anything more than a spectacle. That would be a damn shame as these dudes have the ability to churn out quality thrash!! LONG LIVE GHOUL!!

“Dungeon Bastards” is available here

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

FFO: Impaled, Carcass, Exhumed, Gwar

Cannabis Corpse/Ghoul - Splatterhash Split 12" (Review)

Album Type: Split 12”

Date Released: 7/1/2014

Label: Tankcrimes

‘Splatterhash’ Split CD/DD/12” track Listing:

1. The Inhalation Plague (CANNABIS CORPSE) (02:42)
2. Shatter Their Bongs (CANNABIS CORPSE) (03:07)
3. Inner Sanctum (GHOUL) (05:06)
4. Spill Your Guts (GHOUL) (01:43)

Bio:

Featuring four tracks of rabid, brutalic insanity, the Splatterhash 12” will be unleashed via Tankcrimes January 7, 2014 on CD and digital download. For their portion of the split, GHOUL returned to Earhammer Studios in Oakland, California where they recorded both Transmission Zero and Splatterthrash. CANNABIS CORPSE recorded at bassist/vocalist Land Phil’s own Blaze of Torment Studios in Richmond, Virginia. The whole rollicking shebang was mastered by Dan Randall at Mammoth Sound and Santa Cruz, California and features cover art by Andrei Bouzikov (Municipal Waste, Skeletonwitch, Toxic Holocaust). The release marks the first CANNABIS CORPSE material to feature Land Phil on vocals and Brent Purgason (Pustulus Maximus of Gwar) on lead guitar.

CANNABIS CORPSE, who recently joined the Season Of Mist roster, is amarijuana-themed death metal assault from Richmond, Virginia. Featuring members of Municipal Waste and Gwar, the red-eyed riffmanglers inCANNABIS CORPSE pride themselves in their exceptional knowledge of good green, face raping riffs and death metal parodies. Future live ceremonials from both

bands to be announced in the months to come.

The masked legion known as GHOUL – Cremator, Fermentor, Digestor, and Dissector – are mutants from Creepsylvania specializing in the execution of bone-snapping splatterthrash, grave robbing, flesh devourment and a variety of gory night time rituals. The band will bring their audio indecency to the stage Halloween night opening for the mighty Danzig in San Francisco. Additionally, GHOUL will co-headline the first annual Black Sky gala founded by Skinless’ Sherwood Webber. Denver Black Sky will be held on December 14th, 2013 and features a absurdly sick lineup of: Dying Fetus, Exhumed, Speedwolf, Power Trip, Mammoth Grinder, Call Of The Void, Reproacher, Weekend Nachos, Iron Reagan, Axeslasher, Primitive Man, Vimana, Of Feather And Bone, Native Daughters, Black Sleep Of Kali, Dead Temple and Flight Of Sleipnir.

Review:

At 12 minutes and 37 seconds, hand-delivered by a label in Oakland featuring bands from Richmond, Va. and deep within the bowels of Creepsylvania, ‘Splatterhash’ is a brutal, 4 song EP ready to assault any auditory system. Both bands destroy their tracks, doing what they do best, crushing metal filled with over-the-top gore & chaos.

Cannabis Corpse began when Phillip “Landphil” Hall and his brother Josh (aka, “HallHammer”) coined the term and thought it would be a great idea for a band. Weed themed death metal. I mean, right?!?  But here’s the twist, each of their songs’ characters always meet some horrible end from smoking weed, usually in a horrifically gory manner. Throughout the years, this band of deathly stoners has only released two albums and (now) three EPs, having been through several line-up changes and eventually settling as a three piece with Brent Pergason (also in Gwar) on guitar.

Their first track on the EP is ‘Inhalation Plague’, a gnarled tale about a green vapor of THC and bathsalts spreading over east L.A. Of course the protagonist must get high off the vapor, because why not? As the bathsalts begin to take over, he quickly loses his mind and breaks into the neighbor’s house to massacre the family. Why? Because METAL! ‘Shatter Their Bongs’ is the second song, about a mental patient forced to smoke weed for science until “he’s addicted to hi-grade potent weed eternally.”

And then there’s Ghoul, the mysterious madmen of Creepsylvania. A strange place with creepy trees and a sordid past, you can read all about Creepsylvania in the 11 paragraph history on Ghoul’s website. Pretty interesting stuff, Attila the Hun even briefly owned it until he “accidentally” lost it in a card game. However, these days the land is filled with bands of roaming ghouls mutilating people and playing metal.

The longest song on the EP at 5 minutes, “Inner Sanctum” is the band’s story on how they lure the innocent into their lair for grisly torture. Their second track, “Spill Your Guts,” continues the story with HOW Ghoul will torture you or anyone else they capture. I especially liked the line about once spilling your guts they’ll sop up the drippings “with your Iron Reagan shirt,” in a grim nod to one of Landphil’s other projects.

‘Splatterhash’ is short, fast and loud, capturing the best of both bands in just the right amount of time to piss off the neighbors when cranked up. It’s also one of the last recordings—if not the last--of Ghoul with alumni, Dan Randall, on guitar as Dissector (he also mastered the first few Iron Reagan EPs/album because the metal world is rad like that). You could always buy the cd or download it, but for just a little extra, why not pick it up on split colored vinyl? That way, when you’re old and broken, you can pass it onto the kids in one last attempt to prove you were once cool and thrashed with the best of them.

Words by: Mat Weir

You can pick up a copy here

For more information:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cannabis-Corpse-Official/104903899597371
http://www.cannabiscorpse.us
http://www.facebook.com/GhoulunaticsAsylum
http://www.creepsylvania.com
http://www.tankcrimes.com
http://www.facebook.com/tankcrimes