TOP 16 ALBUMS: The Sour 16 for April 2017

Telekinetic Yeti

Yes, it is that time again O ye lover of riffs, “The Sour 16” returneth.  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 page views alone and 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 red)

16). Necrowretch – “Satanic Slavery” (438)

For something so embedded with crust, rust and cadaverous unmentionables, it is an incredibly refreshing, riff-dense monster of an album, almost ebullient in its putrid malevolence.

15). Witchapter – “Spellcaster” (521)

14). Hawkbill – “Self Titled” (578)

Track by track these rusted broke-down tractor boys weave a landscape that is reminiscent of the groovier parts of Grief or perhaps an even more slowed down and swampy take on some Weedeater.   With a natural emphasis on groove and natural timing and feel, this album moves like a sloth with a spliff in its mouth.

13). War Brides – “Regrets” (585)

Chicago bruisers War Brides raid the vaults of the noise rock greats to create a compellingly ugly debut LP in the shape of “Regrets”. It is a quick and dirty shot of addictive mayhem, channelling the nastiness of its influences to fine effect and offers hints of evolution into a stranger beast over the course of future releases.

12). Cowardice – “With Condolence (599)

the sound is relatable and as tender as a fingernail wrenched from its bed. It drifts between aching sadness and violent bouts of self-disgust. This stratum of emotional, chemical and physical self-destruction is the calling card of genuine, heartfelt sludge, and “Without Condolence” is definite rap on the door.

11). Ohhms – “The Fool” (600) 

 

10). Kenoma – “The Tides will Prevail” (611)

Kenoma are firmly focused on the metal side of the post-metal equation for the most part of “The Tides Will Prevail” and manage to create huge, enveloping sound constructions reliant on intricate interlocking guitar parts rather than a phalanx of effects pedals.  The albums extended gestation period has produced an absorbing set of finely honed post-metal behemoths.

9). Aathma – “Avesta” (634) 

Wonderfully straddling the line between a live and studio sound, thanks to the efforts of producer Carlos Santos and the unfailingly excellent mastering work of the ever-prolific James Plotkin, ‘Avesta’ sounds absolutely mighty.  A must-listen for fans of Yob, Baroness, Mastodon and anyone interested in ambitious stoner-sludge metal.

8). Earth Witch – “Out of the Shadow” (661) 

Every track is a winner. Every riff is massive. The production is raw and warm. Everything sounds big. Everything sounds heavy. This is surely exactly the record that Earth Witch set out to create and I applaud them highly for it. Fantastic and heavy stuff and one of the best albums I have heard so far this year.

7). Moloch/Disrotted & Cloud Rat/Moloch  - “Splits” (675)

6). Mage – “Green” (702)

No fuss, no messing about, just good quality stoner/doom of the finest order. Check this album out and check the band out live: I guarantee that you won't be disappointed.

5). Mastodon – “Emperor of the Sand” (794)

this is the best album in a long while from the band, it is accessible without straying that far from the band's template and still finds the band in a modern class of one. Time will reveal just how good this record is, but my feeling is that this one will stand the test of time.”

4). The Obsessed – “Sacred” (959)

Quite simply, I can't find anything on this album I don't like. The best comeback of the year, without a doubt. This record will be turning up in many year end lists, without a doubt. It could even be the best album by The Obsessed, but only time will tell on that one. I can't recommend this highly enough.

3). Artificial Brain – “Infrared Horizon” (1272)

The artwork depicting a mournful android grieving the loss of another android is absolutely devastating as a visual, and that same feeling permeates the whole musical experience.

2). Spidergawd – “IV” (1462)

“IV” is eight tracks that follow the verse-chorus-verse-chorus formula and does so with licks, vocals, lyrics and melodies that are sharp, fast, and poignant. As far as that’s concerned, there’s absolutely nothing to complain about

1). Telekinetic Yeti – “Abominable” (3755)

All in all, the recording has a huge sound and the production is absolutely amazing. It has everything you could ever want and I would rate it as a perfect 10. The album is truly remarkable and is sure to go down in history as one of rock’s greatest debuts. These guys are definitely heavyweight contenders to find their place at the top of the scene

A big thank you as always to our amazing writers, your dedication knows no boundaries and for that I am truly grateful.  April 2017’s “Sour 16” features reviews by:  Richard Maw, Daniel Jackson, Andre Almaraz, Grim Trashcan, Victor Van Ommen, Richard Maw, Charlie Butler, Jack Taylor, Conor O’Dea & Stephen Murray

ALBUM REVIEW - Necrowretch - "Satanic Slavery"

By: Conor O’Dea

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 14/04/2017

Label: Season of Mist

 

“Satanic Slavery” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1.Sprawl of Sin

2.Tredeciman Blackfire

3.Satanic Slavery

4.Evil Names

5.Hellspawn Pyre

6.Bestial Rites

7.Curse of Blasphemy

8.Verses from the Depths

The Review:

There's rigor mortis. There's decay. There's profound deliquescence. And then there's Necrowretch. “Satanic Slavery” is the third full length for these French madmen, and the old school approach to death metal here is almost ancestral in its atavism. While there are some Gallic contemporaries kicking out similar barbarisms, like Venefixion, and while there are obvious comparisons to Angelcorpse and Incantation, what really gets me charged up about this album is how much, for me, it evokes early Sadus and, to a lesser extent, Morbid Saint. I'm talking “Certain Death” era Sadus here. It's in the spastic energy. It's in the unhinged nature of the vocals. It is in the fact that the music feels ever so slightly 'dangerous' in that classic 'if you are a false, do not entry' way.

I'm at a bit of loss to really identify highlights as the album is pretty relentlessly excellent. Songs that really stand out for me in terms of brutally catchy hooks would be “Tredeciman Blackfire”, the title track and the closer, “Verses from the Depths”. However, the real standout factors for me are the decipherability of the thick bass, amazing runs like the Annihilator evocative riff midway through “Sprawl of Sin”, and the reverb-soaked vocals. This album is immensely enjoyable, almost ebullient in its putrid malevolence.

This corpse is filthy and moving indefatigably and relentlessly under its rotten machinery. For something so embedded with crust, rust and cadaverous unmentionables, it is an incredibly refreshing, riff-dense monster of an album. Who would have thought such a breath of fresh air would have come from the tomb? Elegantly and savagely decomposed.

“Satanic Slavery” is available here

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

A Year in Review: The Death Metal Sonic 6 of 2015

By: Aaron Pickford

The Sludgelord’s ‘Sonic 6’ for 2015 is compiled based upon page views alone and calibrated into the list below, so check out the Death Metal “Sonic 6” for 2015 (full reviews can be viewed by clicking the artwork and total views since the date of publication are highlight in red). 

6). Necrowretch– “With Serpents Scourge” (405)

It would be fair to say that I loved this record as soon as I heard it- it is immediate, relentless and nasty in its delivery. Necrowretch have come up with a great album here. For death and black metal heads everywhere.

5). Entrails – “Obliteration” (546)

Entrails offer up riffs, style and atmosphere in spades. They also offer up song writing that is excellent and not often equalled in this genre. If you wish Entombed were still around in the form that they were in 1992, or yearn for a Dismember reformation then this album is a must. Hell, if you even once played Slaughter of The Soul and quite liked it then you should check this record out. It's superb.

4). Horrendous – “Anareta” (576)

There’s so much to enjoy and unpack as I listen to this album again and again, because every song offers a new wrinkle to the formula or another compositional element that most bands wouldn’t think to use. It’s so fucking rich and dense. To put a finer point on things, ‘Anareta’ is the sort of album that lifts death metal as a genre up.  It’s everything I could ask of a death metal album in 2015 and there’s virtually nothing in metal as a whole that’s in Horrendous’ league right now

3). Feral– “Where Dead Dreams Dwell” (677)

Maelstrom finisher “Succumb to Terror” is a suitably brutal end to this very strong album. If you are a fan of the Swe-death genre, this record is a must. It's relentlessly beautiful in its own grotesque and noisy way.

2). Obsequiae– “Aria of Vernal Tombs” (766)

Two key stylistic elements—both very different degrees of old—come together to form something new. It may not be made completely from scratch, but the vision required to make something like this happen deserves praise. Not to mention that purely from a songwriting standpoint this is one of the better albums of the year thus far. Even on that basis alone, ignoring its other admirable qualities, ‘Aria of Vernal Tombs’ warrants the strongest of recommendations.

1). Malevolent Creation – “Dead Man’s Path” (910)

‘Corporate Weaponry’ has blasts aplenty, along with some excellent lead work. It certainly ticks all the boxes: memorable title and thus chorus, breakdown section, time changes and a superb production. Fast and furious in the main, this is a fine example of where Malevolent Creation are at in 2015. Simply put, if you like any of the band's previous work, you will love this. If you enjoy death metal that is not too far into tech-territory, then this record is for you. Death metal, for death metal fans.

Reviews featured in this article were written by: Richard Maw, Daniel Jackson 

Necrowretch - With Serpents Scourge (Album Review)

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 16/02/2015

Label: Century Media Records

‘With Serpents Scourge’ CD//DD//LP track listing:

1) Black Death Communion

2) Feast Off Their Doom

3) With Serpents Scourge

4) By Evil And Beyong

5) The Bells Of Evil Schism

6) He Thrones On Thy Sins

7) Even Death May Die

8) Infernal Imprecation

9) Mortem Ritu

Necrowretch is

Vlad | Guitars, Vocals

Amphycion | Bass

Ilmar | Drums

Review:

Yes! Having seen this French death/black metal outfit live at the ‘Live Evil’ festival a year or two ago I was very pleased when this latest release landed with me for review. The overall vibe of this is, as you would expect, very necro indeed. Vicious swirls of noise roll out of the speakers like a deathly mist of doom! It's raw, it's treble heavy, it features the word “Satan”! It is, quite simply, fucking metal.

‘Black Death Communion’ is like an inverted cross to the temple; uncompromising and deadly. The album continues without any let up into ‘Feast off Their Doom’. The riffs are surprisingly memorable- I was familiar with the record after two listens- and combined with thrash and rolling blast tempos. This is not anything like the death metal purveyed by the Floridian or US scene. Honestly, it has more in common with Dissection than it does Cannibal Corpse. The production is raw and noisy and suits the material perfectly- it's imperfect and sinister with a coldness to the sound of all instruments.

As the album progresses through the likes of the title track and ‘By Evil and Beyond’, I started to realise that there would not be any filler or tracks to skip past. It is an encompassing listening experience of some ferocity. The band brings together some of the best elements of black metal with their unusual brand of death metal to create a veritable vortex of aural chaos. The tracks don't outstay their welcome- all are under six minutes with most half to two thirds of that. This allows the band to concentrate on maximum intensity and horror. The angular ascending/descending riffs and guitar lines are a great feature of the record for me, being as they lend it a certain identity beyond endlessly thrashing riffs.

The likes of ‘The Bells of Evil Schism’ are feral in the extreme, likewise ‘He Thrones on Thy Sins’ is just as nasty. The record is intense, that's for sure. ‘Even Death May Die’ (Lovecraft influence?) is another whirlwind of hate before the brief, minute long, respite of ‘Infernal Imprecation’ and ‘Mortem Ritu’ pushes over five minutes and has atmosphere aplenty in its spiky riffs.

It would be fair to say that I loved this record as soon as I heard it- it is immediate, relentless and nasty in its delivery. Necrowretch have come up with a great album here. For death and black metal heads everywhere.

Words by: Richard Maw

You can pick up a copy here

For more information:

www.necrowretch.net | www.facebook.com/NecroWretch