Release Date: August 02nd 2024. Record Label: APF Records. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl
Mean Sugar: Tracklisting
1.Mean Sugar 04:58
2.Battle Of Kompromat
3.Out Come The Boasts
4.Who Put 50p In You?
5.Stitched Up
6.Deadbolt
7.Kick Up The Dust
8.Stranger Than Fiction
9.Heal The Tyrant
Members
Mike Regan (guitars)
Adam Robertshaw (guitars)
Rob Sutcliffe (bass)
Gareth Manning (drums)
Simon Scarlett (vocals)
Review
Mean Sugar is the new album from Manchester, UK, Sludge/Stoner Metallers Barbarian Hermit and it’s their first new album in six years which sees the band add a more subversive Psychedelic and Groove Metal orientated sound. Though, the album acts as the perfect follow up to their celebrated debut album Solitude And Savagery.
With a thuggish attitude being the main powerful force for Barbarian Hermit to deliver their music with, there’s still some welcome warm-hearted Psychedelic Melodies which bridges the gap between Progressive Sludge grooves and an almost Stadium Rock style delivery which can see the bands compared to acts such as Mastodon, Baroness and TORCHE in places.
The opening tracks of Mean Sugar, Battle Of Kompromant and Our Come The Boasts are fueled by real life UK based NORTHERN GRIT which shines through with their lyrics and high voltage based vocals. Barbarian Hermit go under a DOOM-POP and POST-PSYCH transformation on the outstanding Battle Of Kompromant which features one of the most outstanding and highly melodic instrumental passages which brings a focused Post-Rock and Shoegaze attitude.
Though, the THRASH/GROOVE/SLUDGE grooves changes into a slightly APOCALYPTIC flow when the Ambient and Distorted SPACED OUT rhythms begin to breathe exciting possibilities into the album on Our Come The Boasts which then moves into similar themes heard from fellow Mancunian Sludge/Stoner Metallers BOSS KELOID.
Barbarian Hermit have named their album MEAN SUGAR perfectly as the record achieves the perfect balance of HARSH and POUNDING Sludge/Stoner Metal grooves against the Psychedelic Textures that allows the band to become more sweet-natured even when they write hard-hitting lyrics throughout the album on tracks such as Who Put 50p In You?, Stitched Up, Kick Up The Dust and Stranger Than Fiction.
Mean Sugar is a deliriously addictive record from start to finish that showcases why Barbarian Hermit are one of the most essential bands to rise triumphantly from the Mancunian Sludge/Stoner Metal scene. The vocals maybe harsh at times but they’re delivered with loving care which is the same melodic tone the instrumental sounds are built with as well.
Barbarian Hermit have created an album that has a fearless attitude and a ton of first rate grooves, sounds and melodies that will have you coming back to this album time and time again in the years to come.
Mean Sugar is an unmissable album and one that you need to have in your collection right now….
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to For The Lost PR for the promo.
Mean Sugar will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via APF Records from Friday 02nd August 2024.
Links
Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram
