Release
date: October 20th 2017. Label: Riff Rock Records. Format: CD/DD
Arianrhod
– Tracklisting
1.Fateweaver
05:47
2.Where
Strides The Colossus 03:12
3.Toegrinder
03:55
4.Moon-Hooch
07:33
5.Crimson
Skull 06:02
Members
Tom
Dimmock- Riffsmith (guitar)
Tyler
Hodges-Throat Lord and Skin Smasher (vox and drums)
Review
UK
Sludge Metallers - Tuskar - have been gathering some major buzz
recently before the release of their debut EP. Is the hype justified.
You bet. Especially after listening to their debut EP - Arianrhod.
So what can you expect. Heavy Sludge Riffs that bring back memories
of Mastodon and The Melvins in places.
Opening
track - Fateweaver - takes it time with Tuskar playing a heavy
distorted and almost droned out riff before exploding into a doom
based thunderous noise. Tuskar have elements of Ufomammut psychedelic
doom appearing throughout the song. Vocals from Tyler are firmly
rooted in the Sludge Rock arena. The vocals are mostly clean but sang
in an angry fashion with hardcore style growls appearing towards the
end. Fateweaver has a slight DIY approach but it still sounds
remarkably clear and fresh.
Second track - Where Strides The Colossus - is a huge sounding song with Tuskar proving their worth by creating one of the EP's best songs. The fast-paced drumming adds real volume and weight to the band's overall sound. The mixture of the stop-start rhythms played against the Sludge/Stoner Metal backdrop sees the band playing their own sound. This is music to violently lose yourself in. Arianrhod is violent and it makes no apologies for that. Though Tuskar still bring moments of melodic Sludge/Stoner Rock at different parts of the EP.
Second track - Where Strides The Colossus - is a huge sounding song with Tuskar proving their worth by creating one of the EP's best songs. The fast-paced drumming adds real volume and weight to the band's overall sound. The mixture of the stop-start rhythms played against the Sludge/Stoner Metal backdrop sees the band playing their own sound. This is music to violently lose yourself in. Arianrhod is violent and it makes no apologies for that. Though Tuskar still bring moments of melodic Sludge/Stoner Rock at different parts of the EP.
Third
track - Toegrinder - has a very cool sounding progressive
sludge/stoner rock melody that will no doubt appeal to fans of Torche
in places. The mood becomes very psychedelic in parts and it's good
to see another side to Tuskar's angry personality. The music is
calmly played with measured assurance.
The
final two tracks - Moon Hooch and Crimson Skull - lay on the
Mastodon-esque atmosphere with aplomb. As the riffs become heavier
and dirtier in places. The progressive sounds adds a heavy touch of
class with the distorted DIY approach to Tuskar's music makes them
standout from the crowd. The vocals veer into more dreamlike and
psychedelic territory especially Moon Hooch before the sludge/doom
growls fully take over. Tuskar's debut EP is a winning combination of
many different heavy Sludge, Doom and Stoner based sounds. Though it
mainly shows that Tuskar are perhaps destined for bigger and greater
things in the years to come.
The
last time I was genuinely excited for a UK Doom/Sludge Metal band was
the mighty OHHMS. Look how far those guys have progressed over the
last few years or so. Tuskar have similar qualities to OHHMS as they
strive to create music on their own terms and what is meant to be
heard by the biggest audience possible. Tuskar are going places.
Watch these guys soar!!!
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks to Richard at
Sheltered Life PR for the promo. Arianrhod is available to buy on
CD/DD via Riff Rock Records now.
