Release Date: January 28h 2022. Record Label: Wise Blood Records. Format: CD/Cassette/DD
Caterwaul - Tracklisting
1.Intro 00:33
2.Dead Inside 02:35
3.Recognize 04:30
4.Matapacos 02:42
5.Stoner Safari 04:50
6.Step Off 03:34
7.Space Force 04:25
8.Fake News Blues 03:18
9.Wall 03:25
10.Forgotten Death 04:46
Members
Ty - guitar and vocals
Andy - bass, vocals, and synth
Nick - drums
Review
Sludge/Stoner Punk Rockers Milquetoast should be suffering from an identity crisis on their debut album Caterwaul. As they play a mixture of Punk Rock, Sludge Metal, Stoner Metal, Doom Metal and elements of early Proto-Heavy Rock. However, Milquetoast impressed me early on with their fast-paced style of gloomy and grimy based grooves that wallowed in the Punk Rock movement before bringing the heavy presence of Sludge Metal and Stoner Metal to the party.
The album is fast-paced with an addictive “KNOW IT ALL” and “ALWAYS RiGHT” attitude which can be heard through the spiky vocal performances and harsh lyrics. An album of this quality caught the attention of CONAN’s very own Chris FIelding who mastered this album. This album is the furthest album I would expect Chris to be involved with but he does a great job here.
Imagine a mixture of Black Flag, Fu Manchu, The Shrine and The Melvins joining forces for one insane recording session and this is what to expect here. It’s loud, noisy, messy and this record still ends up being a gloomy and grimy riff-fest with some epic guitar solos along the way. Distorted Amplifier Sounds can be heard from start to finish even if they’re forced along by Punk Rock themes.
The songs are a mixture of different styles and lengths that all end up having their own identity. Everything is violently abrasive but also delightfully hip and having a great sense of humour for an almost PARTY based ATMOSPHERE.
Standout songs include: Dead Inside, Recognize, Stoner Safari, Space Force, Wall and Forgotten Death.
Caterwaul are a breath of fresh air for the world of Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal. As they guys play around with genre rules and conventions whilst having something to say even if it’s done with a bleak and sly sense of humour.
All in all, Caterwaul is an action-packed and Punk-tastic release to please almost everyone within the Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal community.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Wise Blood Records for the promo.
Caterwaul is available to buy now on CD/DD/Cassette from Wise Blood Records.
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