Release
date: November 24th 2017. Label: Self Released. Format: CD/DD
Svårfödd-
Tracklisting
They
Sell Conflict
Dead
Horse
Holyman
Underminer
Cock
Will Burn
Under
The Wheels Of The Juggernaut
Lockjaw
Fractal
And Shapeless
Members
Jonas
- Vocals and Bass
Elias
- Guitar
Ola
- Guitar
Pontus
- Drums
Review
Signo
Rojo was a band I was not expecting to hear from. So imagine my
surprise and delight when the band announced they released a new
album Svårfödd and sent a copy to review. An early Xmas Present for
myself. As these guys was one of the very first bands to ever send me
a promo to review when I started The Sludgelord back in 2011.
This
album was meant to be released years ago but is now finally seeing
the light of day now. Signo Rojo have endured an extremely tough time
recording and releasing this album. Illness, personal issues and the
folding of not one but two record labels that were meant to release
this album.
Now
Signo Rojo is finally here to proclaim their rightful place as one of
the best upcoming bands from the infamous Swedish Doom/Sludge/Stoner
Metal scene. Their new album - Svårfödd - is an intense blast of
Sludge/Post-Metal grooves merged with modern sounding Doom/Stoner
Metal riffs. Sure the album may sound very similar to Baroness and
Mastodon at times. Signo Rojo has managed to create an album that
sounds remarkably frank and fresh in parts.
The
opening three songs They Sell Conflict, Dead Horse and Holyman sees
the band blast their way through a modern sounding progressive style
of Sludge/Post-Metal riffs with harsh vocals to match.
Baroness/Mastodon soundscapes are perhaps a direct influence but the
band still manage to create an addictive and even slightly depressive
doom metal atmosphere. The mixture of thrash based sounds and
easy-going Sludge/Stoner Rock riffs have the right amount of passion
and aggression to keep listeners entertained from the start.
Other
songs on the album - Underminer, Under The Wheels Of The Juggernaut,
Lockjaw and the brilliantly epic Fractal And Shapeless all show the
hidden turmoil the band went through with the making the album. The
lyrics and vocals are quite angry and heartfelt on different parts of
the album. Signo Rojo do experiment and play with their sound on the
album as they bring in elements of Post-Rock and Psychedelic Rock
which allows their sound to be more expansive and even heavier in
parts.
If
you miss the good old days when Baroness/Mastodon were a primarily
Sludge Metal band weren't focused more on their commercial aspects of
their music then I recommend you give Signo Rojo a try. As these guys
have the earlier classic sound of those two great bands but move it
along a more Doomier and Psychedelic direction.
Signo
Rojo are currently hard at work in releasing a new EP next year and I
don't know if the guys will sound the same or moved onto something
different altogether. Until then I recommend you immerse yourself
with Signo Rojo's triumphant new album. As this is an exciting album
that will hopefully put Signo Rojo back on the right path to
greatness after so many difficult setbacks. They deserve every
success coming their way with this record.
Excellent
and Highly Recommended.
Words
by Steve Howe
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