Release
date: September 11th 2015. Label: Consouling Sounds. Formats:
DD/Vinyl
III
- Tracklisting
1.The
Coming of Khan 06:38
2.Battering-Ram
05:58
3.Roaming
the Valley 07:20
4.Ruined/Decay
06:58
5.Forward
to the Abyss 11:46
Band
Members:
Guitars:
Roel Paulussen
Drums;
Jelle Stevens
Review:
Belgian
Instrumental Sludge Powerhouse – SardoniS – returns from a 3 year
slumber with their new album – ‘III’. Their style of
Instrumental Sludge Metal hasn’t changed much since their last
album – ‘II’. Though it is slightly heavier and possibly more
chaotic. Why change a good thing. SardoniS are classed as one of the
heaviest instrumental sludge metal bands around. It’s good to see
they still live upto that reputation as ‘III’ is packed with
heavy progressive stylish riffs.
Opening
track – The Coming Of Khan – opens with an ice-cold psych
down-tempo riff before SardoniS start adding layers of noise and
volume to the mix. It’s a slow start but when the heavy music kicks
in then all hell breaks loose. You begin to hear the familiar
SardoniS sound where power and precision is everything to this band.
The fast-paced down-tuned guitar matched against the ferocious
drumming makes you feel the full force of The Coming Of Khan. High On
Fire style atmospherics and heavy guitars make this a winning start
and mighty return from SardoniS.
Second
track – Battering Ram – aptly named as SardoniS come at you with
the full force of a battering ram. It’s a constantly loud affair
with the drums being the main highlight. The guitars add a more
slow-paced atmosphere though with this being SardoniS it’s a
menacing approach that brings the song to its natural conclusion.
Third
track – Roaming The Valley – echoes CONAN doomy based guitars
with a sludgier High On Fire outlook and it makes up for one of the
albums standout tracks. It’s perhaps the most the down-tempo song
on the album as it does take a while for the song to speed up and
that’s a good thing as you can sit back and be impressed with
SardoniS instrumental work Wait until 3 mins in and SardoniS speed
things up dramatically. Their sound becomes a sonic weapon of mass
destruction as it feels this is a much bigger band than the two
people actually playing on the album.
Fourth
track – Ruined Decay – opt for a fuzzier and psychedelic approach
with the riffs being played once again at a fast pace though SardoniS
add a more doom and gloom approach to their sound. The mini-battle
developing between Roel (Guitars) and Jelle (Drums) convincing and
heartfelt as ever. As these guys play out of their skins on this
track. Another superb track from the album.
Finally
is the fifth track – Forward To The Abyss – and one that runs for
around 12 mins or so. It’s a song that has quite a sad, mean and
moody atmosphere. Almost Post-Metal style theatrics. Though with this
being SardoniS you know what to expect by now. It’s SardoniS on
full battle mode and nowhere is safe. The riffs are sharp, brutal and
precise. It has traces of Psych Doom Metal running through out this
song and it gives SardoniS the chance to write perhaps one of the
most emotional songs of their career so far. With this being SardoniS
a brutal riff is never too far away. The last few moments offer a
sense of reflection and SardoniS wisely decide to end the song the
way it started. Slow, moody and majestic.
‘III’
may sound simplistic to some but it’s a complex and highly
progressive listen. As SardoniS may have created their finest work to
date. Check it out. You won’t be disappointed.
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks
to Consouling Sounds and Viral Propaganda PR for the promo. ‘III’ is now
available to buy on DD/Vinyl from Consouling Sounds and BandCamp now.
Links:
