INTERVIEW: THE SLUDGELORD RORSCHACH TEST with John Hoffman (Ledge/ Ex-Weekend Nachos)

In a twist to the usual interview format  our very own Nikos Mixas suggested THE SLUDGELORD RORSCHACH TEST: there are no inkblots and we won’t be subjecting bands to psychological profiling, rather we give photos that relate to metal then ask the bands to give THE SLUDGELORD their thoughts and/or your impression of every photo.  There is no right or wrong answers. 

Today at THE SLUDGELORD we invite John Hoffman formerly of Weekend Nachos and now mastermind behind his ripping new project Ledge to take part, so check out his answers below.  “Cold Hard Concrete” is streaming below and available to order here

1). Ex-BLACK SABBATH Drummer BILL WARD On His Former Bandmates: 'It's Plain To Me We're As Opposite And Opposing As Ever'

At first I thought this was just some scumbag from the Sopranos. I think Bill Ward is basically saying "We're a rock band, and we're friends, but we play music together. We're not always going to be pals." I can relate to that!

2). Rigs of Doom artwork ripped off by Metallica

Hmm, the colors are cool but I don't really have any opinion on this whatsoever. Totally indifferent but I love Metallica's first 6 albums!

3). Ledge – “Cold Hard Concrete”

It's the record I released this year! I'm pretty happy with the way it came out, and the artwork is bold, simple and brutal. If I weren't the main person behind this project, I'd probably still be very interested in checking it out!

4). Quicksand Announce First Album in 22 Years

I knew that was Walter on the right. Quicksand is a cool band but I never really got into them. I'm far too stupid and dense to really sink my teeth into a band like Quicksand or Rival Schools. Excellent stuff, though.

5). Ronnie James Dio Hologram Books First World Tour Dates

Well, it's about time. I have always preferred Ozzy-era Sabbath but Dio is so much more of a cool metalhead. I take that back, actually. Ozzy in his prime is 100% the best. I think I just get confused because Ozzy now is on TV wearing track pants and mumbling gibberish at his Hot Topic children. Dio never sunk that low. R.I.P.

6). Chris Cornell passing

Fucking awful. I love Chris Cornell's music. Well, I'm talking about Soundgarden. "Blow Up The Outside World" was one of the first songs that made me realize other people hated society besides me, I know the lyrics aren't really about that but just the song title made it click in my head and I remember that moment in my childhood. It was before I got into punk. Suicide is a tragedy. R.I.P.

7). Kid Rock Announces Senate Run

Nothing surprises me anymore. If only Joe C was still alive to be his assistant. Politics are a fucking joke and you know this.

8). Gene Simmons Attempts to Trademark "Metal Horns"

KISS was incredible but man, fuck that guy and his bullshit views. He's a fucking asshole.

9). Bloodhag Vocalist Dumps Coffee on Alex Jones

I thought that was Bill Stevenson at first. I'm not good at recognizing anybody but regardless, I could care less about this guy or his coffee. Doesn't seem like a nice thing to do to somebody though.

10). Full Of Hell Creates New T-shirt

Weekend Nachos and Full of Hell are friends! That t-shirt was funny but honestly, we made much funnier shirts.

Band info: bandcamp

ALBUM REVIEW: Friendship - "I&II"

By: Charlie Butler

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 10/02/2017

Label: Sentient Ruin Laboratories

“I & II” is a devastating slab of high octane noise-riddled evil that makes most heavy bands sound weak and feeble in comparison.  The band’s brief outbursts of messy, feedback riddled punk mayhem are as exhilarating as they are terrifying.

“I & II”CS//DD//LP track listing:

1). Jerusalem

2). T.R.Ø.Y

3). Bill Evans

4). €ompton

5). Represent

6). Bottomless Pit

7). Abuse

8). SB

9). Hype

10). Slaughterhouse

11). Law

12). El Chapo

The Review:

Japan’s Friendship have delivered the nastiest listening experience of 2017 in the form of their “I & II” LP. This release brings together their first two self-released EPs to form one concentrated blast of aural terror. Incendiary opener “Jerusalem” packs more carnage into thirty three seconds than most bands manage in a whole album. It’s a punishing onslaught of frantic, ugly grindcore that sets the tone for horror to come.

Friendship take the sludge-coated powerviolence of Iron Lung and Weekend Nachos and ramp up the intensity and aggression way into the red and beyond. The band’s brief outbursts of messy, feedback riddled punk mayhem are as exhilarating as they are terrifying but they are at their most effective when they explore the extremes of the tempo spectrum within the space of a single track.

“T.R.Ø.Y” begins at a snail’s pace as the bass and drums carve out a torturous minimal riff that creates an air of bleak foreboding. This makes the eruption of furious crust that follows all the more potent. There are hints of off-kilter noise rock weirdness in amongst the wreckage too, best exemplified by the insane opening riff to “€ompton”. Somehow Friendship manage to take this construction of pummelling chords, bizarre string bends and ringing discord and make it the basis of a straight ahead grind assault. As the track progresses it slows and degenerates into a pit of barely-mobile doom torment reminiscent of Primitive Man at their most oppressive.

“I & II” is a devastating slab of high octane noise-riddled evil that makes most heavy bands sound weak and feeble in comparison.  If these two EP’s are a hint of Friendship’s fearsome power I suggest taking cover now in preparation for a full-length offering.      

“I & II” is available here

ALBUM REVIEW & FULL STREAM: Ledge - "Cold Hard Concrete"

By: Ernesto Aguilar

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 25/08/ 2017

Label: Translation Loss Records

“Cold Hard Concrete" is that uneasy masterpiece you will value even more by year's end.

"Cold Hard Concrete" CD//DD//LP track listing:

1. Through Your Skull

2. Blacked Out

3. You Know Who You Are

4. Stalk Your Enemies

5. Disappearing God

6. Fuck Yourself

7. Last Shred of Hope

8. Condemned

The Review:

Metal music has had, over the years, many solo projects, intentional or less so as the bands lived on. Sometimes these projects can be quite divine, because they carry forward an artist's unique musical vision. Other times, you wonder how much it can be a self-indulgent endeavor or vanity plate weighed down by one musician's inability to work with others or compromise for the sake of art. Who of us has not witnessed a flabby presentation or two?

When it comes to Ledge, though, the debut full-length is much more of the former rather than the latter.

Ledge has been a prolific act so far, with a demo and a split LP with the band Disrotted both released within the last year. John Hoffman's one-man extreme music escapade merges doom, hardcore and traditional death metal in an eight-song package that convincingly stands out from the crowd. Much of that distinction is simply due to Hoffman's style. He's held the microphone for the likes of hardcore outfit Spine and grindcore act Weekend Nachos. In fact, Hoffman's body of work has always been quite original, with black metal and punk influences throughout. When you check out these previous performers, you will notice immediately Hoffman's copious contributions. Ledge is seemingly an outgrowth of the sort of creative output that requires enough room to put it all out there. This time around, Hoffman is the boss of everything, covering bass, drums and vocals. The result is a bruising musical trip certain to exceed your hopes for this stylish premiere.

On top of Hoffman's on-mic performance, "Cold Hard Concrete" stands out for a few different reasons. His arrangement of this full-length, sans extra musicians, is well done and pairs tracks stunningly. For instance, "Blacked Out" rampages at you from the start, only to grind to a sludge, then seguing powerfully into "You Know Who You Are." Hoffman's ravenous lyrics on "Stalk Your Enemies" find fellow travelers in the themes that come up in "Disappearing God." As you reach the doom-laden "Last Shred of Hope" and the doom/death metal-tinged closing song, "Condemned," it is hard not to appreciate how Hoffman composed cuts to build on moods. Bass and drums set the apprehensive body from whence Hoffman's words lash out. "Cold Hard Concrete" is that uneasy masterpiece you will value even more by year's end.  Check out the album in full below.  

"Cold Hard Concrete" is available here

Band info: bandcamp

ALBUM REVIEW: Let It Die - "The Liar & The Saint"

By: Chris Wilson

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 17/11/2016

Label: Independent

“The Liar & the Saint” can be summed as follows; if you have any kind of interest in grindcore / extreme metal / death metal / hardcore whatever you want to call it, you cannot afford to miss out on this. Don't even debate investing in this. Just get it. This is a Future classic.

 

“The Liar & The Saint” DD//LP track listing:

1). Release

2). One Hundred Days

3). Punish

4). Take All The Heads of The People, And Hang Them Up Before The Lord Against The Sun

5). Dysphoria

6). Oderint Dum Metuant

7). Pathetic

8). Soul Deceiver

9). Choke

10). The Last Monument

11). Heaven And The Eternity Of Tears (Part I)

12). Heaven And The Eternity Of Tears (Part II)

The Review:

So I recently went to see Wormrot. Having been impressed with their recorded output I was looking forward to it, but not expecting much. In the event they handed my ass to me. I now fully understand and appreciate this magnificent force of brutalising destruction and consequently went back to their albums with a newfound appreciation.

It had been a while since I encountered an act which came close to the first time I saw Nasum, or heard Pig Destroyer. It would be unreasonable to expect to see such acts every few years. Two days later I saw Let It Die who pretty much stood up to Wormrot. That I had encountered another act with that same sense of reckless aggression, that understands the need to go all out with no consideration for melody, but instead the focus on pure adrenaline. That an act can be almost mindlessly and needlessly brutal to give you hope for the genre. So I thought it would be advisable to purchase their latest album, “The Liar & The Saint”.

This particular form of grind is interspersed with groove orientated riffs, giving it some much needed variety. Speed and noise is all well and good, but mixing it up proves more effective as displayed to great effect in the appropriately named “Punish”, which features Weekend Nachos John Hoffman, as if further endorsement were needed.

Highlights include “Soul Deceiver” and “Oderint Dum Metuant” which starts with a nice doomy sludge intro before flying off into discordant crust and then a stomping Nasum / Nails hybrid section. The ending is simply aural destruction. Elsewhere there is plenty of dischordant tremolo picking, blast beats, all out noise and general riotousness.

In places it comes across like a death metal inflected Rotten Sound with slight hints of acts such as Nails. The dynamics shift nicely between speeds so it never gets repetitive and the more chunky sections give an oppressive sense of disgust and sludgy nihilism when needed.

“The Liar & the Saint” can be summed as follows; if you have any kind of interest in grindcore / extreme metal / death metal / hardcore whatever you want to call it, you cannot afford to miss out on this. Don't even debate investing in this. Just get it. This is a Future classic.

“The Liar & The Saint” is available here

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

ALBUM REVIEW: Weekend Nachos - "Apology"

By: Charlie Butler

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 20/05/2016

Label: Full Length

The passage of time has done nothing to calm Weekend Nachos. There may be moments where they explore more melodic avenues but for the most part “Apology” is a shot of high-octane, feedback-riddled rage. The band’s unique blend of hardcore and powerviolence with a weakness for punishing sludge riffs is as potent as ever. “Apology” is a fine swansong for Weekend Nachos. It provides an effective reminder of the band’s devastating power while offering a tantalising glimpse of what might have been.

“Apology” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1). 2015

2). Dust

3). Fake Political Song

4). All

5). Judged

6). Dog Shit Slave

7). Writhe

8). N.A.R.C

9). POW MIA

10). World Genocide

11). Eulogy

12). Night Plans

13). Apology

The Review:

“Apology” is a bitter-sweet release from Weekend Nachos. The Illinois quartet have decided to call it a day after twelve years of fury but not before releasing this bile-soaked missive.

The passage of time has done nothing to calm Weekend Nachos. There may be moments where they explore more melodic avenues but for the most part “Apology” is a shot of high-octane, feedback-riddled rage. The band’s unique blend of hardcore and powerviolence with a weakness for punishing sludge riffs is as potent as ever. Dylan Walker from Full of Hell, shows up to add his bark to the breakneck “Dust”. Elsewhere the band vent their anger at the state of the world and poisonous friendships.

Most surprising is the epic ten minute title track. A sprawling, snail-paced instrumental reminiscent of label-mates Primitive Man’s more subdued moments, it sits crushing doom riffs either side of an unexpected sparse piano centrepiece. This central section evokes a haunting menace that makes the thunderous finale all the more effective when the full band rumble back into play. The track provides an appropriately grand finale for 

“Apology” but also shows that the band were still a strong creative force. It’s a shame this is the end of the road as it would’ve been interesting to see them go further down this path and integrate these more exploratory sounds with their usual primal attack.

“Apology” is a fine swansong for Weekend Nachos. It provides an effective reminder of the band’s devastating power while offering a tantalising glimpse of what might have been.

“Apology” is available here

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

RIYL: Nails, Trap Them, Dead in the Dirt, Napalm Death

Weekend Nachos - Still (Album Review)

Album Type :  Full Length

Date Released : 11/11/2013

Label :  Relapse Records

STILL, album track listing :

1). Sickened No More 00:44

2). No idols and No Heroes 01:41

3). S.C.A.B. 01:35

4). Satan Sucker 01:36

5). Late Night Walks 01:00

6). Watch You Suffer 03:26

7). Wolves 01:42

8). You’re Not Punk 00:58

9). Ignore 01:36

10). Yes Way 01:47

11). Broken Mirroe 01:42

12). Still 03:51

Bio :

Despite their misleadingly amiable moniker, Weekend Nachos happens to be one of the most unnervingly aggressive and pissed-off bands to emerge within the last decade. The band- featuring Aaron Ross, John Hoffman, Varg Campos, and Brian Laude-hails from Chicago, IL and creates a distinctive squall of sound that Decibel Magazine aptly describes as “a muscular hardcore paean to hatred.”

After several vicious EPs and split releases, Weekend Nachos unleashed their debut record, Punish and Destroy, in 2007 on Regurgitated Semen Records. Off the strength of this album, Weekend Nachos soon began to attract a loyal following and gain the attention of many notable audiences through their relentless touring and furious live shows. After the release of 2008’s self-titled EP on Drugged Conscience, the band was signed to Relapse Records.

Since the release of 2010's Worthless, Weekend Nachos has toured relentlessly, performing at such notable festivals as Rain Fest 2012 and Obscene Extreme 2012, as well as performing shows with Converge, Municipal Waste, and Cough.Combining elements from all areas of extreme music – from powerviolence to sludge – Weekend Nachos is undoubtedly one of the most vicious acts in the underground metal scene. According to Weekend Nachos vocalist John Hoffman, “There’s definitely no formula to our songwriting. We just operate by riffs, tones and volume.” This objective is immediately evident on each of the band’s records and allows Weekend Nachos to remain a refreshingly consistent act who still manages to keep its audience on their toes. So crank that volume, get angry, and grab some snacks: Weekend Nachos isn’t going away any time soon

The Band  :

Aaron Ross

John Hoffman

Varg Campos

Brian Laude

Review :

Chicago Power Violence merchants Weekend Nachos return with a suitably loud bang on new album 'Still' (again on Relapse), and unsurprisingly it sounds like it was recorded in the middle of a gang fight. Just like West Side Story, but with Power Violence. Actually, put that film on mute and play this over it. I bet that's absolutely fucking amazing, and in no way at all a complete waste of your time.

 Know what I'm gonna do later. It's called 'West Side Nachos', and you're welcome.

I immediately want to single out 'S.C.A.B.' for the furious slice of fury that it furiously is. Initially starting out as straight bonkers punk metal brutality, it blossoms into a tremendous HxC pit baiter at the end. So much chug per square inch. More chug than pug memes. That's right, I'm calling out pug memes, bitchez. Try to stop me.

It's immediately followed by 'Satan Sucker', which goes for the artery in your neck with teeth bared. Their riffs continue to be deeper than deep, and razor sharp. For a bunch of dudes that always come across in interviews as being pretty chill, they sure sound on record like they want to rip your traitorous heart out.

'Watch You Suffer' denies the accumulation of scene points (as Weekend Nachos also do) by clocking in at a practically Genesis-standard for Power Violence 3 minutes +. Their ability to channel pure and undiluted aggression is staggering, and their breakdowns are built like tanks. More traditional in nature than some modern stagnant deathcore / whatever stuff, but packing way more heat. Kicking it real in the old skool style.

'Yes Way' is another standout cut that features some great bouncing beats and riffs to match. Brimming with punk attitude and mean vox, and more breakdowns that could affect your contents insurance if it were discovered that you were keeping them in your house. Honestly, it's so heavy at times that it hurts.

Weekend Nachos breathe new life into their continued campaign of brutality here with the release of 'Still', and will probably embark on some world conquering tour in the near future like the tarmac warriors that they are. A truly vital band in every sense, and a more than worthy addition to the PV section of your record collection. Go pick it up today.

Words by :  Matt Fitton

You can buy it here

For more information :

Weekend Nachos on Facebook
Weekend Nachos on Twitter
Weekend Nachos on Bandcamp