Release
date: December 02nd 2017. Label: Inverted Grim Mill Recordings.
Format: CD/DD
Lump
Hammer – S/T – Tracklisting
Party Time
Stacey Dooley
Intruder
Love Song
Members
Kevin Rajiah -
Guitar
Tim Croft - Drums
James Watts - Vocals
Review
Lump
Hammer are from Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK. My home town. This is a band
who I've seen multiple times over the last few years and I was
excited to receive this new EP from the band. The self titled EP
contains 4 tracks and runs for under 23 minutes.
Now
the hardest thing to describe about Lump Hammer is their actual
sound. The band play a twisted kind of Noise Rock, Doom Metal, Sludge
Metal and Industrial Metal. This EP isn't the best produced sound
you'll ever likely encounter. Though that's not the point as Lump
Hammer are pure chaos and play the fuck whatever first comes into
their heads.
Opening
track – Party Time – is a noise rock/experimental/doom/sludge
metal punch up of angry reckless and huge ugly sounds. And it's even
more brilliant as a result. Two minutes of pissed-off vocals will
soon get you in the mood.
Second
track – Stacey Dooley – is where Lump Hammer try to do the
“professional” song-writing thing as they create a Melvins style
sonic/noise rock odyssey. Very slow burning at times but highly
intriguing at the same time. The music is very down-tempo with the
doom/sludge/noise riffs making the mood slightly awkward and
downright depressing at times. Yeah the song is ugly but you can't
turn away as Lump Hammer bring your twisted nightmares to life.
Third
track – Intruder – is back to the more faster sludge/doom/punk
riffs heard on the opening track. This song still carries on the
nightmarish vibe of the previous two songs. However the band try
their hand at a standard Sludge Rock sound. The industrial sounds
allows Lump Hammer to bring a more menacing Doom Metal approach to
their music.
Fourth
track – Love Song – starts off really slow with drone/doom
atmosphere for the first few moments of the song. The song really
kicks off around the 4th minute when the Sludge/Industrial
riffs appear and all HELL BREAKS LOOSE. As Lump Hammer blends their
nightmarish Sludge/Doom/Industrial sounds against a sombre
drone/ambient instrumental piece. This is perhaps the best song on
the EP as it shows how inventive and Lump Hammer can really be. I
would love to hear the band play this style of music more on future
records.
If
you ever see Lump Hammer live on stage then be prepared to see
something wholly different and original. These guys are very hard to
define and this EP struggles to capture their brilliant live stage
presence. Though as an introduction to the band, Lump Hammer's self
titled EP is work of twisted and dark genius. Especially if you're
into Experimental Doom/Sludge Metal.
Excellent
and Highly Recommended.
Words
by Steve Howe
Links:
