Release
date: August 20th 2018. Label: Self Released. Format: DD
CITYSLICKER–
Tracklisting
1.Underture
2.I'm
Your Maker
3.Sunder
4.Robot
5.Drench
6.Ravenous
7.Rend
Review
Saltbuck
is a UK Doom/Sludge Metal band who is influenced by bands such as
Electric Wizard, CONAN, Church Of Misery and Slabdragger. Their debut
album CITYSLICKER is a gloriously heavy and filth ridden Sludge/Doom
Metal odyssey which will leave you feeling quite angry against the
world' As the album is filled with intense gloom and despairing
sounds. The vocals omit a depressing vibe. Though the band do add
elements of Psych Rock and Stoner Metal on parts of the album.
The
songs can be quite progressive especially on the epic songs such as:
I'm Your Maker, Sunder, Robot, Drench, Ravenous and Rend. OK, that's
nearly the entire album. Saltbuck are not afraid to experiment with
their music and the psychedelic elements allow the band to create a
more diverse sound. The songwriting is quite intense. This isn’t
surprising considering the dark progressive melodies Saltbuck have
written for the album. Some parts of the album can be overbearing at
times but overall this is a superbly entertaining and well-made
album.
The
production is first rate and I didn't expect that. As I was expecting
a rawer and dirtier sound. So kudos to the band for releasing a
superbly produced album such as this. My favourite songs on the album
are: Sunder, Ravenous and Rend. As that's where Saltbuck create the
most threatening and violent parts of the album. With moments of
Psych Stoner Metal being played in the background. The soundclips
spliced with certain songs is a nice touch. As the soundclips feel
like they are warning you to expect more heavy punishment from
Saltbuck.
The
album does feel slightly long at over fifty minutes in length.
However at least Saltbuck have a lot to say with their music despite
the bleakness and heaviness of it all. The band does have a flair for
playing more straight-forward Sludge/Stoner Metal riffs especially on
Robot. So CITYSLICKER does have a few brief uplifting passages if you
need a break from the relentless bleak sounds. There's not many of
those moments but it does show that Saltbuck are more than capable to
add a more upbeat sound into their music.
Overall,
CITYSLICKER is an album that shows you why that Saltbuck have plenty
of potential in the future. If you're a fan of Slabdragger then
you're going to love this band. Excellent and Highly Recommended.
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks
to SALTBUCK
for the promo.e
promo. CITYSLICKER
will be available to buy on DD from August 20th
2018.