ALBUM REVIEW: Ortega - "Sacred States"

By: Charlie Butler

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 05/10/2016
Label: Consouling Sounds |
Tartarus Records |
Narshardaa Records

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.

“Sacred States” CD//CS//DD//LP track listing:

1. Strong Eye (11:25)
2. Maelstrom (09:31)
3. Descending Ladders (05:24)
4. Crows (18:48)
5. Void (11:18)

The Review:

Ortega’s new LP “Sacred States” has been a long time coming. Anticipation has been high for the Groningen post metal quartet’s first full-length since their excellent 2012 EPs “The Serpent Stirs” and “A Flame Never Rises On Its Own”. They 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.

Opener “Strong Eye” begins with some insistent chugging before launching into fearsome, lumbering riffage reminiscent of a more immediate Neurosis. “Maelstrom” continues in a similar vein with melodic guitar parts echoing “Panopticon”-era Isis, while “Void” sees the band add some of Yob’s psychedelic crunch to the mix.

“Descending Ladders” marks the mid-point of the record with a swirling cauldron of noise and gut-churning heaviness. In contrast to the other epic compositions here, the track focuses on hypnotic repetition and minimal riffs to create a dark cloud of menace. This sets the scene for the 19 minute behemoth “Crows”. The track is Ortega’s finest hour and showcases their considerable song writing skill.

Often bands stretch tracks into double figure duration by stringing together unconnected ideas and relying on predictable quiet/loud dynamics. “Crows” is a fine example of a monstrous track that justifies its length, a sprawling journey into the unknown where each section flows naturally into the next. In amongst the crushing riffs and ominous clean guitar lines, Ortega also expand their post-rock side with a captivating and atmospheric passage in the middle of the song.

“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. Hopefully the wait for their next opus won’t be so long. 

“Sacred States” is available on CD here, vinyl here, cassette here and digitally here

Band info: facebook || bandcamp

FFO: Neurosis, Isis, Cult of Luna, Minsk

ALBUM REVIEW: Mouth of the Architect - "Path of Eight"

By: Charlie Butler

Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 07/10/2016
Label: Translation Loss

“Path Of Eight” is a fine demonstration of a band evolving their sound without losing sight of what made them great in the first place. Mouth of the Architect have come into their own with this record and hopefully it will gain them some much deserved attention.

“Path of Eight” CD//DD//LP track listing:

01. Ritual Bell
02. Fever Dream
03. The Priestess
04. Sever the Soul
05. Drown the Old
06. Stretching Out
07. Fallen Star
08. Path of Eight

The Review:

It’s been a while since I checked in with Mouth of the Architect, my last contact being their 2008 grand opus “Quietly”. Their new LP “Path of Eight” demonstrates that the Ohio post-metallers have undergone quite a metamorphosis in the intervening years.

The shimmering haze of “Ritual Bell” opens the album in subtly hypnotic style. Faraway vocals draw you in, alternating with restrained bursts of distortion to provide a quietly ominous start to proceedings. From here, the album begins to slowly unfold with the heavy psychedelia of “Fever Dream” and “The Priestess”. The bands post-metal roots are still evident on these tracks but the prominence of keyboards and cleaner vocals bring a more distinct character to their sound.

Things take a heavier turn with “Sever The Soul”. An intense combination of intricate guitar lines and outbursts of gnarly riffage, it brings to mind “Red”-era Baroness and sees “Path of Eight” shift up a gear. The second half of the album sees Mouth of the Architect ramp up the distortion while maintaining their new exploratory tendencies to great effect. “Drown The Old” wrings maximum results from the classic quiet/loud dynamic, tender melodic verses giving way to skull-crushing choruses, culminating in a punishing riff onslaught. The double header of “Stretching Out” and “Fallen Star” sees them hone their cosmic post-metal attack to perfection before signing off with the glorious title track. A four-minute distillation of this awesome album, it sees the band really cut loose and unleash some unhinged fretboard mangling.

“Path Of Eight” is a fine demonstration of a band evolving their sound without losing sight of what made them great in the first place. Mouth of the Architect have come into their own with this record and hopefully it will gain them some much deserved attention. 

“Path of Eight” is available here

Band info: facebook || bandcamp

FFO: ISIS, Cult of Luna, Neurosis, Minsk

The Sludgelord EP Premiere: "Alteration" by Khaldera

 

Born from the embers of endless hours of improvisation; the music of Khaldera is the reflection of what is created on the spur of the moment. Something that is beyond the grasp of rational thought, Khaldera creates a distinct atmosphere with carefully designed guitar lines, visceral drumming and solid fretless bass playing. Mesmerizing and fateful drones with transcendental qualities swell into cathartic destruction just like a peaceful stream swells into a violent, cleansing river.

 

Situated seomwhere amidst the gentle hills of the Swiss Plateau, Khaldera self-released their debut EP “Relief” in 2013 (mixed and mastered by Aaron Harris and Chris Common respectively) before being signed to Czar Of Revelations and are due to releasetheir follow up EP “Alteration” on 26^th August 2016

 

With the release only a few short days away, today at the The Sludgelord, we are streaming “Alteration” in full and you can check it out below.  So if you’re a fan of instrumental pychedelic ambient rock and dig the sound of Russian Circles, Isis, Cult Of Luna, Ulver, Earth, Tool and Minsk, then this could be the EP for you. 

 

“Alteration” will be released via Czar of Revelations on 26^th August and is available here



 

“Alteration” CD//DD track listing:

 

1. Impending Tempest

2. The Inevitability Of Transition

3. Afterglow

 

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

Bloodiest - "Bloodiest" (Album Review)

By: Charlie Butler

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 15/01/2016

Label: Relapse Records

“Mesmerize” sets the tone for events to come. The band launch straight into a rumbling, menacing riff, like Tool jamming with The Jesus Lizard while Shellac look on approvingly. This track exemplifies what Bloodiest do so well on this LP; relentless repetition of a phrase, letting it slowly transform while building towards a furious climax. They manage to do this in a fluid, hypnotic fashion, avoiding the pitfalls of obvious quiet/loud dynamics.  There is a lot of great, heavy music around today, but it’s rare to hear something as fresh and compelling as this LP. Bloodiest have crafted an incredible piece of work here, challenging without being difficult and crushing without always resorting to amplification-overload.

“Bloodiest” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1). Mesmerize

2). The Widow

3). Condition

4). Broken Teeth

5). Mind Overlaps

6). He Is Disease

7). Separation

8). Suffer

The Review:

“Supergroups” inspire high expectations. In the case of Bloodiest’s new self-titled LP these preconceptions are met and then some. The Chicago band features current and former members of a diverse array of awesome acts such as Yakuza, Russian Circles, Minsk and 90 Day Men. As well as sounding like a perfectly proportioned mix of these other projects, the brilliance of this album eclipses all their previous work.

The record begins with the aptly titled “Mesmerize”, setting the tone for events to come. The band launch straight into a rumbling, menacing riff, like Tool jamming with The Jesus Lizard while Shellac look on approvingly. This track exemplifies what Bloodiest do so well on this LP; relentless repetition of a phrase, letting it slowly transform while building towards a furious climax. They manage to do this in a fluid, hypnotic fashion, avoiding the pitfalls of obvious quiet/loud dynamics.

Tracks like “Broken Teeth” and “He Is Disease” hit a perfect middle ground between weighty, metal attack and jagged, noise-rock angularity. The latter is the heaviest number here, melding huge Melvins riffs to the widescreen ambition of Swans with restless math-rock touches creeping in as time progresses.

The highlight of the album comes when Bloodiest venture furthest from the realms of metal. “The Widow” begins with a minimal bass and drums throb, soon joined by eerie acoustic guitar and piano. The track then slowly unfurls over its 8-minute duration as an epic, brooding slow-burn. Bruce Lamont’s vocals are strong throughout the album but they really come into their own here, his half-spoken croon, heightening the drama. The overall effect is like Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds taking on the gothic darkness of Oxbow’s “Serenade in Red”.

There is a lot of great, heavy music around today, but it’s rare to hear something as fresh and compelling as this LP. Bloodiest have crafted an incredible piece of work here, challenging without being difficult and crushing without always resorting to amplification-overload.

“Bloodiest” is available here

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

Buried At Sea - 'Migration' Reissue (Album Review)

By: Chris Bull

Album Type: Full Length (Reissue)

Date Released: 12/2015

Label: War Crime Recordings

After the squeals of feedback, the chords, drums and vocals kick in simultaneously with the force of a boot to the face. A trance like middle section battens down the hatches and prepares for the eventual destructive storm that soon develops.  You're left feeling like a survivor from the Titanic; battered and bruised but thankful to be alive to tell the tale.  This record is absolutely essential for fans of crushing doom

‘Migration’ LP track listing:

1). Untitled (I)

2). Untitled (II)

3) Untitled (III)

Buried at Sea is

Bill Daniel | Drums

Jason Depew | Guitars

Brian Sowell | Bass, vocals

Sanford Parker | Guitars, vocals

The Review:

If I was asked to use 3 words to describe Buried At Sea I would say 'REALLY FUCKING HEAVY' because Sandford Parker and Co really are heavier than you.  'Migration' was released in 2003 and perforated eardrums on its initial release. Now reissued through Parker's own War Crime Recordings for the first time on vinyl, it's a chance for those who missed the boat (a maritime warship in this case) to get on it and sink with it. 

'Untitled I' which is a reworking of 'Man In Search Of the Perfect Weapon' from their 2002 demo, attacks the senses from all angles. After the squeals of feedback, the chords, drums and vocals kick in simultaneously with the force of a boot to the face. A trance like middle section battens down the hatches and prepares for the eventual destructive storm that soon develops. It builds and builds before cutting out to let some sound effects creep in, then it's all hands on deck as the riff from the aforementioned demo song rears its colossal brow from the murky depths.

Some wintry wind noises bridge the gap between that and 'Untitled II' before its bone crushing guitar sound saws through with the doomiest riff on the album. A fragment of a post metal riff is played before it gets ridiculously heavy again and I'm beginning to wonder what I've done to deserve such a level of sonic punishment. The song goes through several transformations before settling on a hammer and nails doom. 'Untitled III' was called 'The Aquanaut' on the demo and is the song I've listened to the most by BAS. Building from a brooding melodic guitar riff, the track gathers momentum before cutting out and another bludgeoning riff takes hold.

Vocals from Parker and bassist Brian Sowell work in tandem and to devastating effect, occupying slightly different frequencies with their screams. Even when they split the vocal duties they still sound devastating. After a run of riff and hammer, it's over. You're left feeling like a survivor from the Titanic; battered and bruised but thankful to be alive to tell the tale.

This record is absolutely essential for fans of crushing doom. If you have this digitally or on CD, now’s your chance to hear it in its rawest form. Hipster doomsters beware; abandon ship, this is the real DOOM.

‘Migation’ is available here

FFO: Sea of Bones, Minsk, Neurosis, Eyehategod

Band info: facebook

Minsk - ‘The Crash and The Draw’ (Album Review)

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 03/04/2015

Label: Relapse Records

‘The Crash and The Draw’ CD//DD//LP track listing:

1. To The Initiate

2. Within And Without

3. Onward Procession I. These Longest Of Days

4. Onward Procession II. The Soil Calls

5. Onward Procession III. The Blue Hour

6. Onward Procession IV. Return, The Heir

7. Conjunction

8. The Way Is Through

9. To You There Is No End

10. To The Garish Remembrance Of Failure

11. When The Walls Fell

Minsk is

Aaron Austin | Guitar
Christopher Bennett | Guitar & Vocals
Zachary Livingston | Bass
Timothy Mead | Vocals & Keyboards
Kevin Rendleman | Drums

Review:

Chicago outfit Minsk have returned after a long spell on the sidelines, with a new album which is set to top many end-of-year lists come December.

After three stunning psychedelic metal releases towards the end of the last decade, Minsk took a hiatus. It lasted six years, and appeared to take its toll on the band – Sanford Parker and Tony Wyioming left, having been mainstays since 2007's ‘Out of a Center Which is Neither Dead nor Alive’. On the positive side, founding members Chris Bennett and Tim Mead have remained – and it's hard to think of many bands who have managed to maintain, if not build upon the quality of previous releases despite losing two vital members.

‘The Crash and the Draw’ is simply colossal. It is brimming with clever musical ideas, twists and turns, and never fails to captivate the listener. It's the sheer variety that appeals - one moment a huge, melodic chorus like in ‘Conjunction’, then the a track like ‘To You There Is No End’, which gives Locrian a run for their money with it's warped synths and hypnotic drumming. The riff work on display here is utterly sumptuous too – post-apocalyptic Neurosis-esque workouts aplenty, and highly melodic and inventive proggy passages.

Minsk has expanded their sonic palette here. The drumming is more furious than ever – new sticksman Kevin Rendleman appears to have brought some new flavours to the band, including passages that are more akin to thrash and black metal than what is usually to be expected of Minsk. The vocals were aggressive on previous records, but at times on here they reach a new level of vitriolic rage, which is astonishingly powerful – it's hard to believe messers Bennet and Mead have any vocal chords left after the centrepiece, ‘Onward Procession’.

Minsk's fourth full length is arguably their best, and must be heard by anyone who is into forward-thinking, expansive metal. 76 minutes of pure metallic joy – let's hope it's not so long before we are treated to its follow-up.

Words by: Jack Taylor

‘The Crash and The Draw’ is available everywhere now

For more information:

Minsk on Facebook | Minsk on Twitter | Minsk on Instagram | Minsk on Bandcamp
Official Site

The Sludgelord News: Minsk Unveil New Single From 'The Crash & The Draw'

The Crash & The Draw, is the title of  new full-length from Illinois based band, MINSK and withless than one month away from it’s official release, fellow noise dealers Steel For Brains have been given the pleasure of hosting the eighth movement, from that record, entitled "The Way Is Through,"

After more than a half decade in hiberation, MINSK have emerged from hiatus to  deliver a stellar eleven track opus incorparating a myriad of post-metal, sludge and psychedelic noise, which will certainly end up on many end of year lists. 

MINSK guitarist/vocalist Christopher Bennett offers this insight to to this  album teaser, "The Way Is Through:" "To seek and discover, to die and become. Forever in a circle. There exists treasures waiting for our search. All of these are within our reach. They are a part of us all. Awaken to begin. No circumventing here. Come along, do not hesitate. The world will be built again. 'The Way Is Through' is a reminder to stay the course. The desire to gain knowledge and understanding of the world around us, of the past, present and future, must be accompanied by the Will. Thought without action is useless. This song is our offering and our translation of the experience on the path; an experience that can be at once understated and tranquil, yet outlandish and overwhelming."

  

Hear for yourself at THIS LOCATION.

In related news, MINSK embark upon an adventure to conquer Europe next month commencing with an appearance at this year's Roadburn Fest with additional live ceremonies to be announced in the months to come.  

MINSK:

4/09/2015 Roadburn Festival - Tilburg, NL

4/10/2015 Doom Over Leipzig - Leipzig, DE

4/11/2015 Hafenklang - Hamburg, DE

4/12/2015 Cassiopeia - Berlin, DE

4/13/2015 Hydrozagadka - Warsaw, PL

4/14/2015 007 - Prague, CZ

4/15/2015 P.M.K. - Innsbruck, AU

4/16/2015 Feierwerk - Munchen, DE

4/17/2015 Freakout - Bologna, IT

4/18/2015 Lo Fi Club - SoloMacello Fest - Milano, IT

4/19/2015 Le Romandie - Lausanne, CH

4/20/2015 Escape B - Paris, FR

4/21/2015 La Scene Michelet - Nantes, FR

4/22/2015 La Peniche - Lille, FR

4/23/2015 FZW - Dortmund, DE

4/24/2015 Desertfest - London, UK

4/25/2015 Kavka - Antwerp, BE

MINSK's The Crash & The Draw will be released via Relapse Records in North America on April 7th, 2015, April 3rd, 2015 in Germany, Benelux and Finland and April 6th, 2015 in the UK and rest of the world and come available on CD, double LP and digitally. Preorder your copy today at THIS LOCATION. For digital orders, go HERE.

Source: Earsplit PR

Posted by: Aaron Pickford

For more information:

http://www.facebook.com/Minsk
http://www.thesoundofminsk.com
http://www.relapse.com
http://www.facebook.com/relapserecords

The Sludgelord News: MINSK: Midwest Atmospheric Metal Conjurors Unveil New Tune; The Crash & The Draw To See Release In April

Scattered between the sleepy city of Peoria and metropolis of Chicago and drawing inspiration from a remote Belarusian city that has been burned to the ground only to be rebuilt like a phoenix rising from its own ashes, MINSK has been cultivating sonic exploration and alchemical outpourings since 2002. Rooted in the post-metal landscape that brought forth visionaries like Neurosis and Isis, with their latest opus, The Crash & The Draw, MINSK step out of the shadows of the giants of their genre to create a psychedelic blend of tuneful, trance-inducing heaviness.

Set to drop via Relapse Records this Spring, The Crash & The Draw follows the eclectic collective's six-year hiatus and boasts eleven arresting psalms that transcend far beyond the boundaries of post-metal, sludge and psychedelia. An instant contender for one of the most forward-thinking metal records of the year, each cascading movement is a crucial sonic passage through dark and light. At once crushing, hallucinatory and at times, spiritually illuminating, tracks ebb and flow with a pastoral elegance and tangible urgency.

Reflects co-founding member Timothy Mead (vocals, keyboards) of the recording: "So much attention and care have gone into this process, this renewal. We knew in order to really move MINSK forward in a meaningful way we would need to raise the bar all over again. This realization lit a fire within us to transcend what was. Lots of changes, to be sure, and yet the results are unmistakably MINSK."

Adds co-founder Christopher Bennett (guitars, vocals): "This new album will present inroads to some of the musical archetypes we initially discussed when starting this band, but ones we have not yet touched on in the macrocosmic sense. It embodies the furtherance and expansion of MINSK in ways desired in the past, but not realized until these songs began to show themselves to us. The aggregate elements combining into a solid form. We hope to reveal this process to any and all who have the ears to hear."

"We are very pleased to finally be able to share an actual piece of the record," Mead continues of "To The Garish Remembrance Of Failure," available for the first time today for public consumption. "As always with MINSK, it's incredibly difficult to lift out one piece of the narrative and imply that it is fully representative of the whole, but I think that 'To The Garish Remembrance Of Failure' is a fitting first taste, something succinct, and something that feels really good to turn up loud. The phrase alone, to the garish remembrance of failure, is exceptionally meaningful to us, and we are proud to share a first glimpse of some of what is ahead. Raise a glass, feel and know the vivid memory of what has gone wrong and what must change... to the garish remembrance of failure."

Sample "To The Garish Remembrance Of Failure" via YouTube HERE or SoundCloud HERE.

Recorded almost exclusively in The Prairie State, The Crash & The Draw was captured by the band alongside Sanford Parker (Twilight, Voivod, Eyehategod, Yob etc.) at Earth Analog in Tolono, mixed by Parker and MINSK at Hypercube in Chicago and mastered by Collin Jordan (Eyehategod, Indian, Wovenhand, Voivod etc.) at The Boiler Room in Chicago with additional vocal tracking by Scott Evans (Kowloon Walled City. Old Man Gloom, Floor etc.) at Antisleep Audio in Oakland, California and further tracking, editing, and mixing by Kevin Rendleman at Trash Rocket Audio and Aaron Austin at We Know Who You Are, both in Peoria. The record includes the striking cover creation of Orion Landau (Yob, Inter Arma, Red Fang etc.), a reinterpretation of original artwork by contributing artist, Corinne Reid.

MINSK's The Crash & The Draw will be released via Relapse Records in North America on April 7th, 2015, April 3rd, 2015 in Germany, Benelux and Finland and April 6th, 2015 in the UK and rest of the world and come available on CD, double LP and digitally. Preorder your copy today at THIS LOCATION. For digital orders, go HERE. 

Source: Earsplit PR

http://www.facebook.com/Minsk 

http://www.thesoundofminsk.com 

http://www.relapse.com 

http://www.facebook.com/relapserecords

The Sludgelord News: MINSK: Midwest Sound Alchemists To Release The Crash & The Draw; Trailer Posted + Preorders Available

The Crash & The Draw is the long-anticipated new full-length from Midwest sound exhibitionists, MINSK. Set to drop via Relapse Records this Spring, The Crash & The Draw follows the enigmatic collective's six-year hiatus and delivers eleven arresting movements that transcend far beyond the boundaries of post-metal, sludge and psychedelia.

Recorded almost exclusively in The Prairie State, The Crash & The Draw was captured by the band alongside Sanford Parker (Twilight, Voivod, Eyehategod, Yob etc.) at Earth Analog in Tolono, mixed by Parker and MINSK at Hypercube in Chicago and mastered by Collin Jordan (Eyehategod, Indian, Wovenhand, Voivod etc.) at The Boiler Room in Chicago with additional vocal tracking by Scott Evans (Kowloon Walled City. Old Man Gloom, Floor etc.) at Antisleep Audio in Oakland, California and further tracking, editing, and mixing by Kevin Rendleman at Trash Rocket Audio and Aaron Austin at We Know Who You Are, both in Peoria. An instant contender for one of the most forward-thinking metal records of the year,each cascading movement is a crucial sonic passage through dark and light. At once crushing, hallucinatory and at times, spiritually illuminating, tracks ebb and flow with a pastoral elegance and tangible urgency. Only furthering the record's captivating allure, The Crash & The Draw is a thematic continuation of the group's long-standing attraction to alchemical and esoteric ideologies, with marked nods toward the thought and writings of perennial inspiration, Kahlil Gibran, and the espoused words of Hermes Trismegistus, the fabled author of the Corpus Hermeticum and other sacred texts and serves as a fitting audio soundscapade for those souls devoted to the manifestations of Neurosis, Rwake, Yob, Isis and the like.

Comments the band of their latest output: "We are so thrilled to be able to finally share this next chapter. Much time has passed. New lines have formed on faces and hands. And new faces have emerged. The spirit arose once again, and the call was answered, with every ounce of will, and care, and attention as was available. There is still much to be discovered. We thank you for your interest, for your attention. There is no currency as valuable."

Fade into the world of MINSK with

The Crash & The Draw video trailer at THIS LOCATION.

Scattered between the sleepy city of Peoria and metropolis of Chicago and drawing inspiration from a remote Belarusian city that has been burned to the ground only to be rebuilt like a phoenix rising from its own ashes, MINSK has been cultivating sonic exploration and alchemical outpourings since 2002. Rooted in the post-metal landscape that brought forth visionaries like Neurosis and Isis, with their latest offering, The Crash & The Draw, MINSK step out of the shadows of the giants of their genre to create a psychedelic blend of melodic, trance-inducing heaviness.

MINSK's The Crash & The Draw will be released via Relapse Records in North America on April 7th, 2015, April 3rd, 2015 in Germany, Benelux and Finland and April 6th, 2015 in the UK and rest of the world and come available on CD, double LP and digitally. Preorder your copy today at THIS LOCATION. For digital orders, go HERE.  

http://www.facebook.com/Minsk
http://www.thesoundofminsk.com
http://www.relapse.com
http://www.facebook.com/relapserecords

Source: Earsplit PR