Thursday 19 July 2018

The Sledge - On The Verge Of Nothing (Album Review)


Release date: June 15th 2018. Label: Kozmik Artifactz. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

On The Verge Of Nothing – Tracklisting

1.Tantra 06:21
2.Death Drome Doline 05:52
3.Curtains 06:06
4.Running Down The Mountain 02:53
5.179 Liars 03:39
6.Like Shit 01:08
7.Yet Untitled 06:53
8.Flammehav 09:27

Members

Palle — Guitars, keys, percussion, vocals
Kim — Drums, vocals
Claus — Bass

Review

The Sledge have just released their debut album - On The Verge Of Nothing. You may remember these guys under their original name - Hjortene, from a few years back. They released a few great records and this album continues the great work they achieved with this band but with a more cosmic Doom Metal feel.

Opening track -Tantra - is a slow-paced heavy thunderous song with the band adding Psych, Doom, Classic Rock and Stoner Metal riffs. The production isn't as heavy as I would personally like however the mood is still loud from the start. The vocals do take a different turn towards the edge of the song with a more Punk/Classic Rock feel.

Second track - Death Drome Doline - is a more Desert Rock affair with a heavy Garage Rock sound. There are more doomier elements contained with the lyrics and with the vocals as well. Though it's the Kyuss sounding Desert Rock vibes that holds your attention. The Sledge are quite adverse in merging the different musical sounds they have included on the album.

On The Verge of Nothing does see The Sledge experiment with their sound on different parts of the album. Most of this is very successful. However there are a few parts of the album that didn't quite work for me. I admire the band's vision for doing something different with their music. However the album is more enjoyable when The Sledge play a more standard Desert/Stoner Metal sound.

Songs such as Curtains, Running Down The Mountain 179 Liars, Yet Untitled and Flammehav are the best parts of the album with The Sledge proving they know how to write and perform a lean sounding Desert/Stoner Metal riff. The Sledge have delivered a well-rounded and hugely entertaining album with On The Verge Of Nothing. It isn't the most easiest album to listen to. So you will need to give this album multiple listens to fully appreciate.

On The Verge Of Nothing is a little rough around the edges but when The Sledge are on form there is no stopping them creating a highly polished and unstoppable sound especially on the final two songs - Yet Untitled and Flammehav.

The Sledge is currently signed to Kozmik Artifactz and you can see why the band is signed to that great label. As The Sledge's sound is tailor made for that label. If you're a fan of Kozmik Artifactz then The Sledge are a band you need to know about now.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Kozmik Artifactz and The Sledge for the promo. On The Verge Of Nothing is available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl now via Kozmik Artifactz.

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