Release Date: October 04th 2024. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: Cassette/DD
Return To The Gutter South: Live At Cherry Street Tavern - Track Listing:
1.Feast Of Snakes (Live)
2.Belly Lint (Live)
3.The Cycle (Live)
4.Waiting Around to Die (Live)
5.Fiending For A Feeling (Live)
6.Anxiety (Live)
7.Folk Magic
Review
Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metallers Dope Skum return with their new Live EP - Return To The Gutter South: Live At Cherry Street Tavern. The EP consists of live recordings of previously released EP’s Tanasi (December 2021) and Gutter South (April 2023), as well as the new track “Fiending for a Feeling”. This is another excellent release from Dope Skum who bring their style of “NO FUCKS GIVEN” based Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal to the live stage with fans of WEEDEATER and BONGZILLA should immediately take refuge with.
The music is raw, filthy and deeply unapologetic that captures Dope Skum creating a whole load of noise and trouble across seven great tracks. The whole vibe is similar to a PUNK ROCK live album with the lo-fi recording techniques and production values used for the record. You feel every snarling Sludgy movement from all angles that Dope Skum presents themselves in.
Return To The Gutter South: Live At Cherry Street Tavern is full of twisted and down-tuned energy with distorted guitars and seedy FUZZY REVERB appearing throughout the record with some of my favourite tracks being performed here sounding even better than the original versions especially tracks such as Feast Of Snakes. Belly Lint, Waiting Around To Die and Folk Magic.
The live versions of these tracks sound more cerebral and have a heavier aggressive energy to them. The performance can be hap-hazard and bombastic in places but Dope Skum sound perfectly committed to the underground cause and the new song of Fiending For A Feeling is one of the best tracks I’ve heard from the band that shows a slightly heavier direction from them.
Return To The Gutter South: Live At Cherry Street Tavern allows Dope Skum to position themselves once again as one of the best uncompromising Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal bands within the underground scene. They may not be the most original band around but it’s what they do with their music and how they deliver their intense WEEDIAN sound that truly matters.
These guys have a dangerous QUALITY to them and I’m hoping there’s a full length album being planned in the near future.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Dope Skum for the promo.
Return To The Gutter South: Live At Cherry Street Tavern will be available to buy on Cassette/Digital Download from Friday 04th October.
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