ALBUM REVIEW: Lord, "Desperation Finds Hunger in All Men"

By: Charlie Butler

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 24/08/2018

Label: Heavy Hound Records

“Desperation Finds Hunger In All Men” takes the thrash infused sludge of last years “Blacklisted” record and blows it up on a grand scale to deliver the Virginia quintet’s finest work to date.

“Desperation Finds Hunger In All Men” CD//DD track listing:

1). No Sunrise on the Third

2). Scorched

3). Nature Knows No Kings

4). At First I Didn’t Believe It

5). La Fleur du Cobalt

6). August 11, 2017

7). Whispering Snakes

8). Mutilation Rites

9). Have A Look For Yourself

10). This Lonesome Linger

The Review:

The joyous news of the arrival of a new Lord album is tempered by the fact it will be their last. “Desperation Finds Hunger In All Men” takes the thrash infused sludge of last years “Blacklisted” record and blows it up on a grand scale to deliver the Virginia quintet’s finest work to date.

It is not certain whether or not this release was created knowing it was to be Lord’s swansong. Either way, it is brimming with a fearless urgency and restless urge to experiment that feels born of a band determined to go down swinging. “No Sunrise On The Third” wastes no time in getting things moving with a rumbling Soundgarden style riff. Lord soon introduces a healthy dose of southern sludge Down would be proud of and some surprisingly melodic vocals which contrast well with the surrounding heaviness.

From here, “Desperation Finds Hunger In All Men” charts a journey through concise, fist-pumping stoner anthems like “At First I didn’t Believe It” and “Whispering Snakes” and massive, slowly-unfolding epics. “Scorched” comes across like Crowbar branching out into progressive territory while “La Fleur Da Cobalt” finds the band at their most passionate and enraged. Most devastating of all is the monstrous “Nature Knows No Kings”. It begins with what feels like the cacophonous climax of a punishing doom track and proceeds to drive a single ominous riff further and further into the depths of despair. Over the course of eight and a half minutes, Lord create a broiling cauldron of crushing sludge, squalling feedback, unhinged lead guitar and desperate vocals that makes for a unique ride into the beyond.

Just when you thought there were no more twists and turns to negotiate on this LP, Lord sign off with “This Lonesome Linger”, a twelve minute acoustic piece. The style really suits the band with their complex compositions working equally as well with the volume down, embellished with string arrangements.

Lord can be proud that they have gone out on a high with “Desperation Finds Hunger In All Men”. Hopefully this album will inspire others to follow their path into uncharted waters of doom and sludge.

“Desperation Finds Hunter In All Men” is available to preorder/buy here

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

Crawl - “Old Wood and Broken Dreams” (Album Review)

By: Chris Bull

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 18/10/2015

Label: Stone Groove Records

Music like this doesn't need to be complex or challenging to be brilliant, its barbecue music for bloodshot eyed slackers, music to blare out the speakers of your pickup truck on your way to buy more beer. The world needs music like this, thank your chosen deity that Crawl are more than happy to oblige.

“Old Wood and Broken Dreams” CD//DD track listing:

1). Crack Tea

2). Don’t Kid Me

3). Pilldust

4). Useless

5). Nigredo

6). 3AM and a Loaded Gun

Crawl is:

Tyler Akers | Lowend Assault
Tommy Butler | Barbaric Blasts
Eric Crowe | Guitar and Vocals 

The Review:

Atlanta, Georgia's Crawl bring us this glorious chunk of Southern swamp metal on 'Old Wood and Broken Dreams' and while it doesn't break new ground (it's not fucking supposed to!), it's sure to drive people to break open a beer and smile gleamingly and nod in approval.

Stone Groove Records have handled the CD release here and have obviously been hard at work ensuring the packaging is immaculately presented to give the listener the whole experience.

'Crack Tea', the first of 2 instrumental tracks here, belches out some quality groovy sludge before 'Don't Kid Me' swaggers through in all its whiskey swilling goodness. Vocalist/guitarist Eric Crowe sounds like a man who smokes fifty filterless Marlboro’s a day in between bottles of Jim Beam as he croaks over some solid riffs on 'Useless' and screams incessantly over the noisy sludge that is '3AM And A Loaded Gun' as well as cranking out some sublime instrumental goodness as he does on 'Pilldust'. A personal highlight is 'Nigredo' where the rhythm section of drummer Tommy Butler and bassist Tyler Akers keep it inhumanly tight while Crowe riffs and bellows for the first half of the track before going all clean and sounding a lot like Scott Kelly on his earlier solo work.

Music like this doesn't need to be complex or challenging to be brilliant, its barbecue music for bloodshot eyed slackers, music to blare out the speakers of your pickup truck on your way to buy more beer. The world needs music like this, thank your chosen deity that Crawl are more than happy to oblige.

“Old Wood and Broken Dreams” is available here

FFO: Alabama Thunderpussy, Bongzilla, Artimus Pyledriver, Eyehategod

Band info: bandcamp | facebook

LAMPERJAW - Demo EP 2014 (EP Review)

Album Type: EP

Date Released: 26^th July 2014

Label: Self Released

Demo EP 2014 – Track Listing

1.Throw Me a Stone 03:48

2.Blood Dreams (ᎩᎦ ᎠᏍᎩᏥᏍᏗ) 03:57

3.Menace of a Cruel Earth 07:16

Bio

Prepare to be confounded by the audacious, audial onslaught of this low-down, dirty band of bow-legged, box-ankled, lantern-jawed, crooked-nosed, wall-eyed, gun-totin', goozle-chopping, cat-hamed pukes. Open your ears and hold your noses. Open wide your gullets and exuberantly imbibe the pile-driving dose of Southern remedy you never knew you needed.

Members

Dedrian—guitar/vocals

Lane—bass/vocals

Codi—drums/vocals

Review:

OH HELL YEAH – Lamperjaw blend of Southern Metal tinged with slabs of Sludge, Stoner and Doom Metal should get your heart-beat pumping as it's packed full of great riffs. Lamperjaw may not have the most complex of sounds but they make up for that in with groovy as hell licks and awesome vocals to match.

Lamperjaw do add elements of good-time Boogie Rock to their sound especially on the opening track – Throw Me A Stone – that matches 70s Boogie/Southern Rock with a more modern style of Stoner Metal sound to show the band mean business. It's good old fashioned rock number that shows you how talented the guys are.

Lamperjaw change tact and style for the 2^nd track – Blood Dreams (ᎩᎦ ᎠᏍᎩᏥᏍᏗ) – which goes for a more violent Sludge Metal style of sound which gives Lamperjaw an air of menace and authority to take notice of. The vocals can be a bit choppy at times but you can feel the passion and raw anger coming at you from every direction. Some intense guitar solos make this a great song for Lamperjaw just show their Sludge Metal credentials.

Though its' the final epic track where Lamperjaw show what they can really do as they unleash an unstoppable force of awesome Sludge/Stoner riffs for you to chew on. Menace Of A Cruel Earth is a song DOWN would be proud to call their own. Lamperjaw capture an emotional vibe that will have you pumping your fists in the air as they tell about all the injustices going on in their world. Lamperjaw add some smokey psychedelic guitar licks near the middle which makes this song definitely the standout track.

Lamperjaw are a band to keep an eye on as they have the potential to go a long way indeed. Southern Metal with a dark, dangerous and addictive edge. Awesome stuff. Check it out for yourself as the Demo is available to download on Buy Now Download from BandCamp. There is also a CD to buy as well.

Words by Steve Howe

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CRAWL - Old Wood and Broken Dreams (Album Review)

Album Type: Album

Date Released: TBA

Label: Stone Groove Records

Old Wood and Broken Dreams – track listing:

Crack Tea

Don't Kill Me (w/ guest vocals from Chris Fane of IRON WITCH)

Pilldust

Useless (Buzzoven Cover)

Nigredo

3 A.M. And A Loaded Gun

Bio

Crawl began Spring 2012 with a core trio of which have been past members of FULCI, Social Infestation, Molehill, Hog Mountin & Sons of God! Their initial rumblings comprised of immense detuned riffing and sociopathic chants alongside bulldozing sub frequencies and Neanderthal tar-pit beats, bringing together the drunken groove of classic southern rock and prime Sabbathian riffage with the bowel churning devastation of contemporary Doom Metal and sludge rock. Crawl swings a heavy hammer as they deliver crushing Deep South destructo-sludge.

2012 - Crawl began in April with the exchanging of ideas between Eric Crowe, Tommy Butler and John Holloway; slowly getting schedules together to begin writing. By July writing was in full swing but still having major delays. Our search began for a new bassist and in that time decided to go ahead and record the "Crawl" demo with the help of our friend Brad Claborn recording us and filling in bass duties for the demo. Just after this, enter Tyler Akers in September. We released our demo, then in December released the CD split with Black Tar Prophet as well as playing out.

Members

Butler - Barbaric Blasts

PLowe - Low-end assault

Crowe - Guitar / Throat

Review:

I have been a fan of CRAWL for quite a while now as they do something different with their style of music. CRAWL mix Southern Metal with elements of Doom, Sludge, Stoner and Drone for one heavy as fuck experience. They have released a demo, an EP and split EP with Black Tar Prophet over the years, but it's now time for CRAWL to announce their arrival to the world with their debut album. Old Wood and Broken Dreams is a stunning and heavy as hell experience that will have you begging for more.

Old Wood and Broken Dreams is one of those debut albums that doesn't come around often. Mainly an album that you know is something special from the very first listen. It's a spellbinding and almost violent experience packed full of dark moments that will beat you into submission. So lets get down to business with Old Wood and Broken Dreams. Opening Track – Crack Tea – is a 1:36 minute instrumental track that perfectly sets the mood for the album. Drone based Sludge/Doom/Stoner Metal riffs played at a slow pace that allows the music to breathe and expand with each passing moment.

Second track – Don't Kid Me – starts with a haunting guitar solo with a creepy soundbyte setting the scene for CRAWL to unleash their nightmarish riffs onto an unsuspecting audience. The vocals is the perfect foil to the drone based riffs that CRAWL have in store for you. KUDOS to CRAWL for getting Chris Fane from UK Sludge Metallers – Iron Witch to appear on this track. It's a loud and pulsating experience that I find very hard to describe as CRAWL don't stick to one particular sound. They blend elements of Sludge, Stoner and Doom with a loud emphasis on Drone being the main driving force. It's a more distorted and dangerous version of WO-FAT.

The next track is where CRAWL actually show you realm of Sludge/Doom/Stoner Metal with the albums standout track – Pilldust – an instrumental track that feels like an out-of-body experience as CRAWL take you to places you can only imagine. Drone distorted Sludge/Stoner/Doom riffs are the main order of business once again. CRAWL include a few quiet ambient based moments for you to catch your breath before the band unleash the heavy thunderous riffs you can't help but fully lose yourself in.

CRAWL pay homage to one of their musical heroes – BUZZOVEN – on the next track with their excellent cover of BUZZOVEN classic – Useless. It doesn't stray to far from the original but it's still great to hear a classic track such as this giving a more modern makeover. Crowe's vocals are on fire here. You can feel the pain and intensity in his vocals. That's the way it should be if you're gonna cover a brutal track such as this.

CRAWL unleash another epic track to punish your senses with. Nigredo is the 12 minute plus track which sees the band at their most creative and edgiest as they play their way through a song that puts you through a pummelling survival program. Trust me. This track is EPIC in every sense of the word. The dangerous and heavy as fuck riffs give CRAWL's debut album an unsettling edge where you need your wits about you. The heavy pounding riffs and bleak vocals all adds up for one thrilling dark ride.

Last but by no means least is – 3 A.M. And A Loaded Gun – is the most sinister track on the album as it opens up with a frightening soundbyte with creepy ambient noises creating a deeply unflinching atmosphere. The song becomes more frightening as time goes by. CRAWL stay brutal as hell until the very end. When this track finishes you have been put through a gruelling exercise in noise and terror.

Old Wood and Broken Dreams is an album that will pulverize some listeners. It's a complex, brutal, scary and heavy as hell album that I can't wait to experience again. Its an incredible album on every level. End Of.

Thanks to the band for sending me a promo to review. Old Wood and Broken Dreams will be available to buy soon.

Check The Band Form Links below

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Written by Steve Howe

Wasted Theory - Death And Taxes - Album Review

Album Type: Album

Date Released: May 30^th 2014

Label: Self Released

Death And Taxes - track listing:

1.Dead is Dead 03:43

2.Boogie On Pony Boy 03:47

3.Hellfire Ritual 04:50

4.Hexes 04:04

5.Celestial Voodoo Lounge 05:14

6.Absinthe Queen 03:18

7.Tire Iron (The Stone Giant) 04:28

8.Black Widow Liquor Run 04:09

Bio

"...Wasted Theory plays their own version of heavy stoner metal with some 70's swagger, bluesy undertones, mixed with some deep-fried southern doom, and topped with some diesel-laced mountain rock for good measure…" Yea, that sounds about right.

Band Members

Jonathan Charles

Brendan Burns

Larry Jackson, Jr.

Dave McMahon

Review:

Wasted Theory’s debut album is a stirring mix of Southern Metal, Hard Rock and Stoner Metal riffs. If you’re a fan of Black Label Society, Down and Crowbar then you’re in luck as their debut album – Death And Taxes – is a hard rocking affair jam-packed with monstrous riffs.

Tracks such as Hellfire Ritual, Boogie On Pony Boy, Celestial Voodoo embrace the Southern Rock/Metal vibe that plays out like a soundtrack to a classic western movie. You can feel the pummelling riffs coming at you from your speakers as the riffs are blazing hot with anger and fury. There maybe some Zakk Wylde guitar worship going on here and there but when it's this good who freakin cares.. Just soak up the excellent music that Wasted Theory have in store for you.

Wasted Theory are on fire through out as they leave no stone unturned in entertaining the hell out of you from start to finish. This album is becoming a firm favourite within the Stoner Metal community and on this evidence it's not hard to see why. Wasted Theory will take you on an action packed ride that will make you feel you're living life on the edge.

My advice is – Buy This Album Now as it's an excellent album showcasing a band who know how to ROCK!!!

Awesome Stuff!!!

Death And Taxes is available to buy now. Thanks to the band for sending me a copy to review.

Check The Band From Links Below

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Written by Steve Howe

GURT - HORRENDOSAURUS - Album Review

Album Type: Album

Date Released: June 09th 2014

Label: When Planets Collide

Horrendosaurus - track listing:

1. Gardening with Cthulhu

2. Sludgepuppies

3. Horrendosaurus

4. Eve’s Droppings

5. Winston (They will use your own Lyrics against you)

6. Hoboreaper

7. Exscriptus Spiritus

8. Spiced Doom

Bio:

GURT - Started with 4 lads wanting to make some bloody awful noise and that they did! Made up by Growth, Jbob, Simo and Iron Fist.. sharing a love of bands such as EyeHateGod, Weedeater, Down, Crowbar, Iron Monkey and all the is Sludgy!

GURT have been responsible for sore necks in and around London since 2010 and take no more pleasure than in hearing new fans claim that they ‘don’t usually like metal’ at the end of a gig. Some say their wide appeal is no surprise considering the diverse mix of influences and experiences they pull together from previous bands.

Description

GURT take the blues and groove of 70s rock and drag it backwards through the swamps of Louisiana. The drums are thunderous, the vocals demonic and the guitars down-tuned, down-tempo and down-right sexy. This is not doom, this is not sludge, THIS IS GURT.

The Band Members

Gareth Kelly - Growth - Mouth

Simon Edwards - Simo - Bashing

Dave Blakemore - Spice - Bassmaster

Rich Williams - Sedulurt - Riffmonster

Review:

After releasing a string of EP's, GURT are ready to unleash their debut album and hell on earth in the process. As HORRENDOSAURUS is a pummelling beast of an album.

First track – Gardening with Cthulhu – starts with a pissed off speech from a demented religious figure declaring we are going to hell if we don't believe in the almighty. And what is GURT's response to this. A barrage of unstoppable NOLA based Southern Sludge Riffs with the added menace of early Pantera groove. It paints the picture of a bleak atmospheric ride that will push you to the edge for the next 40 minutes or so.

Second Track – Sludgepuppies – carries on with the filth ridden despairing riffs that the first track unleashed upon your soul. When Gareth shouts out – DIE MOTHERFUCKER!!! - you know GURT are a band not be messed with. Remember these guys are from the UK and not the legendary NOLA swamp scene. This album is so powerful it will eat you alive in one go. The band lay down some menacing riffs that pays homage to their musical heroes though there is a slight Blues Rock vibe lurking in.

With some of the legendary NOLA/Sludge Metal bands such as EYEHATEGOD, DOWN and Corrosion Of Conformity releasing new records it's great to see that the new generation of bands such as GURT putting their own spin on some recognisable vibes and riffs.

Though HORRENDOSAURUS has a killer charm of it's own. GURT stay loud through out the entire album so you don't have to worry of there being a “LIGHTER/MOBILE IN THE AIR” type song as that ain't GURT's style. The band stay pissed off through out as they unleash a barrage of brutal songs to rock out to. Tracks such as Horrendosaurus, Eve's Droppings and Hoboreaper have a constant supply of dangerous riffs which the band expertly delivers time and time again.

If Gareth isn't scaring the hell out of you with his impressive death based growls then the action packed riffage the band lay down will have you begging for more. This is one hell of an impressive debut album. I haven't stopped listening to it since I received a copy to review.

This album is meant to be played as loud as you can. Who gives a fuck if it upsets your neighbours. Tell em you're partying with GURT and their monster of a record called HORRENDOSAURUS. And they ain't fucking invited. If the afterlife does indeed sound like this then I may never want to leave!!!!

Brilliant and Highly Recommended.

Thanks to Gareth and GURT for sending me a copy to review. HORRENDOSAURUS will be available to buy from When Planets Collide Records on CD/DD/Vinyl from June 09^th 2014.

Check The Band From Links Below

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Written by Steve Howe

Menhir - Uberlith and Uberlith II

Menhir is a Stoner Rock Band from Groningen, Netherlands

The members are:

Frank: Bass/Vocals
Arjan: Bass/Vocals
Sven: Drums

Menhir is a brilliant band playing Southern Metal and Stoner Rock which oozes awesomeness from start to finish.

They have released two excellent releases so far. Both available for Buy Now Download from their BandCamp Page.

2012 - Uberlith
2013 - Uberlith II 

Both releases show what these Menhir do so brilliantly well. Action packed tunes played at full throttle. Remember these guys don't have a regular guitar player. They have two bassists in their line-up and it's one loud heavy fuzzed up experience you all need to hear.

Their new EP - Uberlith II - is one hard rocking affair with a strong social conscience showing the injustices in the world. It can get be hard-hitting at times but that's what makes Menhir such a brilliant band to check out.

I am becoming quite a fan of the Dutch Stoner Rock scene thanks to bands such as Monomyth, Dresden/Leningrad, Komatsu and now Menhir. The Dutch Stoner Rock/Metal scene aren't afraid to take risks and be different to other bands. And that is the same with Menhir.

You need to download Uberlith II now as it's a highly important release from the Dutch Stoner Rock scene. It's powerful, dangerous and has enough riffs to kickstart a revolution.

A fucking brilliant release from a truly important band. Menhir have the potential to be huge when they release their debut full length record. Believe me folks when I say download both of these excellent EP's now. You won't be sorry.

My fave track has to be Mt Aloha from Uberlith II as it shows how dangerous Menhir can actually be while still providing loads of great Stoner Rock riffs to head-bang to.

WOW!!! - Download this now.

Brilliant and Highly Recommended.

Check The Band From Links Below

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ALBUM REVIEW: Howl - Bloodlines

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 29/4/2013

Label: Relapse Records

 

“Bloodlines” CD//DD//LP  track listing:

1) Attrition 3:15

2) Midnight Eyes 4:14

3) Demonic 3:29

4) One Last Nail 3:06

5) Down So Low 3:29

6) Your Hell Begins 4:58

7) With A Blade 5:22

8) Of War 3:00

9) The Mouth Of Madness 4:29

10) Embrace Your Nerve 4:44

Review:

Howl are listed on Wikipedia as doom metal, but there is much more going on here than that as first track “Attrition” indicates. It is most certainly metal, most certainly with the sense of drama and foreboding that that the best doom has, but the band play deftly and are rather more fleet of foot that you might imagine given their Wikipedia page description. There are Mastodon-like elements here too, both in the arrangements and playing. “Midnight Eyes” keeps the energy and pace quite high, while “Demonic” is closer to Testament's thrash album of the same name than it is to anything in the Sabbath canon.

There is lovely guitar work throughout as two guitars make use of harmony, solos and riff interplay. The tempos are varied and the songs well constructed with bridges, choruses, breakdowns and any other trick you can think of. The vocals, though guttural in parts, are always intelligible and this adds to the listening experience. They are also mixed up front so you can really hear what is going on- it is refreshing to hear a band with confidence in their vocals in this sub/sub-genre.

“One Last Nail” continues the high bar set early on with excellent chugging riffs and lead guitar work. “Down So Low” starts ominously and with a Type O-esque vibe. The track represents the closest to the true doom sound of the album up to this point. The pace and groove stay locked down allowing the track to breathe and take on its own life. A tempo shift comes around the half way point, but doesn't outstay its welcome and leads into a well thought out guitar solo.

The pace of “Your Hell Begins” is positively rampant and kicks off the second half of the record in keen style. Again, the harmony guitar work and subtle pace changes stop this from becoming needlessly aggressive and thus highlights the affinity the material may have with doom even when not operating in that particular genre specifically.

“With A Blade” starts with the kind of groove riff that Pantera would have been very proud of. The verse that follows an unusual riff- keeping things unpredictable and fresh. The band plays superbly here, making the track flow well even with the tempo shifts and rhythmic nuances. A very melancholic doom section hits the listener around two minutes from the end, which in turn gives us a chugging crawl that Crowbar would be happy with. Immense!

The almost Maiden vibe of the initial riff opening “Of War” gives way to straight forward metal in the verse and lead breaks in between. Further twists and turns follow- the track crams a lot into its three minutes. The penultimate track “The Mouth of Madness” builds from a down beat start into a rather despairing track- again, doom rears up here. “Embrace Your Nerve” starts slow and takes the album into melancholy territory again before a Mastodon type verse takes over with time changes taking place under the vocals (a neat trick that appears on the album).

If you are looking for ten tracks of superior metal, incorporating doom, trad, modern southern styles and more- don't hesitate to pick this one up. Good band, great album.

“Bloodlines” is available here.

 

Band info: Bandcamp || Facebook