A Year in Review: Victor Van Ommen's Top 10 Records of 2015

By: Victor Van Ommen

2015 was a year which brought out two heavy rock masterpieces and one Clutch album. These three albums are tied for my number one spot. The other seven records on my top ten are there because of how god damn tasty the jams were and that a feeling of guilt rose up inside of me every time I returned the album to its sleeve. Though in terms of innovation and genre-defying riffs, there was little on offer in 2015 but none the less, I got quite a kick out these ten albums and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. So without further ado, my top ten albums of 2015 are: (click on the artwork for full review links)

10). Brent Best – “Your Dog, Champ”

In the song “Good Man Now,” Brent Best sings:

Momma, you always told me that the only good man was a dead man

and I guess it had something to do with who you chose to be your husband

So I go to him at night and I nailed him to his bed

And I stood there and I laughed while the sheets were dripping red

So momma please don’t cry, he’s a good man now

It may be acoustic but hot damn, its heavier than a slab of Texas BBQ Spare Ribs.

9).  Ecstatic Vision – Sonic Praise

Ecstatic Vision released a strong debut that mixed elements of Hawkwind with Monster Magnet. So I ask you, what’s not to like?

8). Weeed – Our Guru Brings Us the Black Master Sabbath

These guys took me by surprise. I generally let bands with such names pass me by because I’m a fan of subtlety but I couldn’t deny the raw, spiritual groove in album opener “Bullfrog.” I don’t remember why I put the song on in the first place but I’m glad I did.

7) The Midnight Ghost Train – Cold Was the Ground

Aside from this album being 11 songs of hard-rock riffs that pound you in the face, there’s not much here in terms of wow-factor. That said this doesn’t take away from how good these songs are. At times they miss a little depth but the amount of energy exuding from these tracks makes up for it.

6). Death Alley – Black Magick Boogieland

There are a surprising amount of fantastic Dutch bands out there – I’m looking at you, Astrosoniq – and now we can add Death Alley to that list. Check these guys out, you won’t regret it.

5). Snail – Feral

I had never been completely impressed by Snail but I also never gave them a fair chance. This changed when I was sent their new album “Feral,” to review. As an album, it pits heavy riffing against a light vocal delivery which is a combination that will get me every time.

4). The Atomic Bitchwax – Gravitron

This shit-kickin’, diesel-fueled barn burner of an album is all things that I like about stoner rock. Speed, riffs, solos, drums, and strong choruses. I can’t get enough of these guys.

3). Clutch – Psychic Warfare

I can’t remember the last time a Clutch album didn’t rock. I’m hearing a lot of grief that “Psychic Warfare” sounds too much like “Earth Rocker.” My response to this is, “so what, that was a damn good album, too!” In my book, Clutch can do no wrong.

2). All Them Witches – Dying Surfer Meets His Maker

All Them Witches is a band that I wish had more than just three albums out. With their new one, “Dying Surfer Meets His Maker,” the band has crafted something that is heavy according to every definition of the word while never really going over the top. They take their time unfolding these tunes yet the album is still too short. I can’t get enough of these guys. An absolute classic that I will be talking about for years to come.

1). Elder – Lore

I never liked Elder very much. And then Lore came out. Now I can’t stop listening to them.

A Year in Review: The Psychedelic 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 Psychedelic “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). Snail – “Feral” (597)

As far as tone and mood are concerned, “Feral” is far from untamed. To the touch, these eight cuts are smooth, the production doing what it needs to do to keep this beast domesticated. At the end of the day, though, this beast is hard to ignore, which is the justification for the album’s name.

5). Colour Haze – “To The Highest Gods We Know” (879)

Whether the band is up on stage nonchalantly kicking ass or their records are spinning on a turntable, Colour Haze is one of few bands that has consistently produced music of quality and integrity. “To The Highest Gods We Know” is no different. Though this album may not fully exemplify the band due to its short running time, it is an album that will stand proudly as the latest addition to the Colour Haze discography.

4). Weedpecker – “II” (913)

Weedpecker have created a sonic experience that demands your full attention as this is one of the most powerful Stoner Metal albums you'll hear all year. II is a contender for one of the albums of the year. Brilliant.

3). Sacri Monti – “Sacri Monti” (1091)

Sacri Monti's debut album is one that surprised me in a big way. Yeah it did take around 4 to 5 listens to fully appreciate the whole experience. So expect to take your time with this album. All in all Sacri Monti have created a stunning debut album.

2). My Sleeping Karma– “Moksha” (1421)

What can I say? My SLeeping Karma are one of those rare bands who follows their own path 100% and that's called freedom and liberation. Add excellent instrument skills to this and you have 'Moksha'. Rarely will you find a band or an album this good. We all make our own decisions but I urge you to seek out this band and follow in their foot steps. Your life will be so much better for it!

1). Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats – “Night Creeper” (1737)

If the record will be met by their adoring fan base with the same hype and admiration 2011’s insatiable ‘Blood Lust’ was, or be deemed as an adequate successor to the robustness of ‘Mind Control,’ only time will tell. What we do know, however, is that it’s another impressive release from this consistently unique and enrapturing Cambridge quartet.

Reviews featured in this article were written by: Victor Van Ommen, Steve Howe, Hakan Nyman, Philip Weller

The Sludgelord Sour 16 for September 2015

Welcome, all lovers of the riff, you know the deal by now, however for those of you that do not, let us recap.  Each month, you the reader are unwittingly compiling a list of the top 16 records of the month, covering all genres of metal, but predominately the best the doom, sludge, stoner-psychedelic genres have to offer.  Is it not a chart, in which reviewers or contributors extol their opinion about their favourite music, but simply, the ‘Sour 16’ are the records you guys (readers) have been most interested in over the last month and checking out on this page.

So here is the The Sludgelord’s ‘Sour 16’ for September 2015, the 16 records you’re most looking forward too or are currently checking out.  Dig in, spread the word and perhaps revisit some records you may have overlooked.  The results are compiled based on page views alone and calibrated into the list below. So without further ado, enjoy the ‘Sour 16’. Roll up, kick back, chug a beer and Hail the riff! For more info click on the artwork. (Total views at the time of publication highlighted in red)

16). Slayer – ‘Repentless’ (271)

Overall, I would be confident in hailing this the best Slayer album for some time. It is certainly better than “World Painted Blood” and, for all its fury, “Christ Illusion” had no real staying power for me. It is not perfect by any means, and is perhaps a couple of tracks too long, but all in all, this is SLAYER. No sell out, no compromise, no change. Business, in fact, as usual.

14) = Wild Throne – ‘Harvest of Darkness’ (281)

Alongside the ingenuities and provocative pieces from ‘Blood Maker’ ‘I Of The Prism’ is another scintillating highlight. It’s brazen guitar work and searing vocal lines force a real sense of horripilation upon you, you don’t so much as listen to this as you do experience it. It’s structure is a labyrinth of crazed punk drumming, a really atmospheric but menacing ,reverb drenched instrumentation and enough melody to blind a unicorn.

14) =Fvnerals - ‘The Path’ (281)

There are not a lot of bands that are easily comparable to FVNERALS, as they effortlessly draw together various elements of such sounds as if Swans and My Bloody Valentine had a sleek, crooning child in an underground speakeasy.

13). Hangman’s Chair – ‘This is not supposed to be positive’ (292)

A record as powerful and as potent as this, cannot be ignored. An absolutely sterling effort, it stirs something within you like no other music can.

12). Venom Prison – ‘The Primal Chaos’ EP (295)

This is a nasty little EP from the South Wales mob- “Babylon The Whore” showing you what they are all about in its three and a bit minutes. Noise, blasts, grooves, feral production- it's all here.  This is a fine EP and if you have any interest in death, grind, hardcore, crust or any mixing of any of those sub-genres... you should hear this.

11). Iron Maiden – ‘The Book of Souls’ (316)

If you approach The Book of Souls with an open mind and accept the more bombastic moments, you will find a huge amount to enjoy. By my count, there are at least eight top notch tracks here. There may well be more, it is just that this is a genuine double album and has such scope and depth that it is hard to become familiar with it (perhaps concentrate on one disc or one slab of wax at a time?!). Eight out of eleven tracks rated as top grade is a fantastic tally. Still the Kings. Long may they reign.

10). Cult of Occult – ‘Five Degrees of Insanity’ (325)

An ominous amp hum builds before erupting into the gut churning opening riff of “Alcoholic”. What follows is a 15 minute onslaught of bleak sludge, harrowing vocals and an evil guitar tone Bongripper would be proud of. Cult of Occult employ repetition to great effect, playing each riff until breaking point before moving to the next.

9). Luna Sol – ‘Blood Moon’ (326)

Luna Sol has the material – the riffs, the attitude, and the songs – to be able to stand on their own two feet.  if you’re looking for some burly, tough, guitar driven, American rock music with inviting choruses and a strong sense of melody, then go ahead and slip this disc in your car’s CD player and go for a long drive.

8). Motorhead - ‘Bad Magic’ (353)

If this is to be the last album, then the band have added to their legacy, kept their powder dry once again and gone out all guns blazing. If it isn't, well the next one will be along in a couple of years and will no doubt give your ears a good hiding when it does. Still the best rock and roll band in the world, and as the man says, the last one you can trust until the end.

7). Hate Eternal – ‘Infernus’ (360)

There aren't many bands out there that can punish your ears with such consummate brutality, which is what Hate Eternal succeeds at doing from start to finish on this disc. Highlights? 'TheChosen Ones' has bewilderingly epic bass guitar work which is fully audible beneath the atonal guitar-mashings of main man Erik Rutan.

6). Sweat Lodge - ‘Talismana’ (371)

With such mean songwriting skills as is on display here it’s rather difficult to pick favourites. ’Talismana’ definitely brings stand-out tracks but the band with their strong sense of vision and penchant for killer riffs and catchy hooks all coated with stirring vocal melodies manages to blend it all into one cohesive whole. This is one superb debut from this Texan group and definitely one of this year’s not to be missed out on.

5). Snail – ‘Feral’ (440)

As far as tone and mood are concerned, “Feral” is far from untamed. To the touch, these eight cuts are smooth, the production doing what it needs to do to keep this beast domesticated. At the end of the day, though, this beast is hard to ignore, which is the justification for the album’s name.

4). Indian Handcrafts - ‘Creeps’ (444)

The consistency of the record is well, well above par too. Every song has its own unique character and sense of self. They never repeat the same formula or trick – they simply don’t need to rely on any form of cyclical cop out – and no track is starved of quality alongside the rest of the pack.

3). Belzebong – ‘Green Inferno’ (717)

‘Inhale in Hell’ honestly is just one massive slow chug fest, filling every available space with some ridiculous throbbing string torture with a sweet backing beat. It sounds akin to a giant walking the earth, simply moving things aside without noticing. True evil blues this band has summoned, and you the listener, shall reap their rewards! From that slow, massive chugging into feedback and staccato wah picking, they have no problems slamming you up against the wall and rifling through your pockets for some loose cash.

2). Uncle Acid and The Deadbeats – ‘The Night Creeper’ (1192)

“Horror films don't create fear. They release it,” – Wes Craven (1939-2015)

1). With The Dead – ‘With The Dead’ (1254)

It's evident that Bagshaw has acquired a few new fuzz pedals since the last Serpentine Path album as opening track 'Crown Of Burning Stars' is so oppressive, fuzzy and dense that it made my teeth itch. After the backwards speaking samples, the crunch of the guitar is incredible. The vocals are classic Dorrian and the bands sound on a whole is somewhere between Serpentine Path, 'Dopethrone' era Electric Wizard, early Cathedral and 'Misanthropic Alchemy' era Ramesses.  This for me is an album of the year contender, the kind of thing you'd expect from 3 of the scene's most influential figures. All expectation has been lived up to. Prepare to be blown away.

This list features reviews by, Chris Bull, Philip Weller, Hunter Young, Richard Maw, James Taylor, Victor Van Ommen, Charlie Butler, James Harris & Joosep Nilk

Snail - 'Feral' (Album Review)

By: Victor Van Ommen

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released:  25/09/2015

Label: Small Stone Records

As far as tone and mood are concerned, “Feral” is far from untamed. To the touch, these eight cuts are smooth, the production doing what it needs to do to keep this beast domesticated. At the end of the day, though, this beast is hard to ignore, which is the justification for the album’s name.

‘Feral’ CD//DD//LP track listing:

1. Building A Haunted House
2. Smoke The Deathless
3. A Mustard Seed
4. Thou Art That
5. Born In Captivity
6. Derail
7. Psilocybe
8. Come Home

Snail is:

Mark Johnson | Guitars, lead vocals, keys
Matt Lynch | Bass, keys, vocals
Marty Dodson | Drums, percussion, vocals

The Review:

Snail plots out a journey of an unsound mind during the course of “Feral.” Between album opener “Building a Haunted House” and the eerie closer “Come Home,” Snail tells a haunting story in a short 45 minutes. These tales dip into deeply rooted issues pertaining to humanity and mortality. A fearful calm blankets the psychotic vocals while the aggressive guitars and drums are harnessed by warm fuzz. It’s the pitting of these polar opposites across from each other that make “Feral” such an engaging listen.

As far as tone and mood are concerned, “Feral” is far from untamed. To the touch, these eight cuts are smooth, the production doing what it needs to do to keep this beast domesticated. At the end of the day, though, this beast is hard to ignore, which is the justification for the album’s name. Be it in the Camaro-rockers or the slower, doomier tracks, the struggle to tame this beast is a concise exercise in master and slave.

Snail translates this struggle to music really well. “Building A Haunted House” sets the scene with its siren call and bass performance that’s felt down to the gut. “Smoke the Deathless” is a great follow up, kicking up the bpm a little and not being afraid to deliver something that’s actually catchy without sacrificing any heft. The upbeat verses and sprawling choruses work well to continue the theme of opposing forces. Snail’s new found fuzz in the lead guitar should garner the interest of those who couldn’t previously get into them. There’s even more of that comforting fuzz in “A Mustard Seed,” a song which exemplifies Snail’s new direction. With a steady groove, smooth transitions, airy vocals, and killer melodies, the first three songs open up “Feral” with some unexpected surprises when put up against their previous releases.

But fear not, the Snail rawness is still alive and well, albeit being held taught. Certainly cuts like “Though Art That” and “Psilocybe” have taken pages out of the book of Snail’s past. “Though Art That” marks the first break from the album’s red zone, slowing down the pace and bringing down the mood. The production remains smooth and the vocal delivery is still airy, but in some ways “Though Art That” offers more bite than the chuggers that preceded. “Psilocybe” tries to do the same but fails to hold interest during the song’s full duration.  

“Psilocybe” may be the album’s only track that doesn’t completely hit the mark but it’s sandwiched by “Feral”’s two ultra-standout tracks. The downright bluesy attack in “Derail” is the first moment that our narrator sheds any light on wanting to give up. “Derail that train into the pain,” sings Johnson as the music behind powerfully goes along with each syllable. “Derail”’s partner in crime is “Come Home,” the song that closes the album. Keeping in mind that “Feral” began with a story of above ground coffins in the back yard, “Come Home” gets a little spooky as the album closer when Johnson steps up to the microphone to deliver the line “so come home girl, I need you/ you calm the voice in my head.” The three quarter time and Hammond-led chorus gives the impression that all is well but the haunted house built in the album’s opening minutes is incomplete sans female companionship. An absolutely powerful finish to an already intense journey.

‘Feral’ is available here

Band info: Official | facebook | twitter