Release Date: April 30th 2025. Record Label: Suicide Records. Formats: DD/Vinyl
Absolutely Launched - Tracklisting
1.90's Violence 03:34
2.Natural Wine Guy
3.You've Got Red On You
4.Goner 04:54
5.Dead Dogs
6.I Realize That... Now
7.Spliffhanger
8.Absolutely Launched
Members:
Jaakko Heinonen - vocals
Eetu Lehtinen - bass
Lauri Pikka - drums
Toni Raukola - guitar
Review
Sludge/Stoner Metal heavyweights Demonic Death Judge are back with a BANG after a five year absence with Absolutely Launched. This record sees the band leave the deeper depths of the aquatic world heard on their previous records and launch an almighty assault on DRY LAND but still keeping the oceanic theme but a healthy dose of black humour which you can see from the brilliant album cover.
Demonic Death Judge covers a lot of ground on this release with inspiration coming from The Melvins and UNSANE with the band still providing their own wicked blend of Sludge/Stoner Metal grooves. The harsh vocals of Jaakko Heinonen once again surround the fast-paced instrumental sounds with a heavy dose of FINNISH underground attitude being contained within the kick-ass lyrics. This is Demonic Death Judge’s most outrageous and fun record to date. There’s still a high amount of bleak sounding moments but the band are sure having a hell of time on this record and no doubt the listener will too.
The songs are spiky and fresh with a GONZO sense of Surf Rock appearing on the opening tracks of 90’s Violence and Natural Wine Guy. Some clever word play and fast paced sounds blends Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal imagery into a frenzied metallic approach which can be quite melodic in places but still maintaining their subtle aggressive attitude.
The delicious and seedy level of FUZZ ROCK becomes ever more dominant throughout the album but most noticeable on the excellent third track You’ve Got Red On You which has first rate melodic Psychedelic passages. Jaakko’s vocals once again adds a demented atmosphere to proceedings with music that will appeal to fans of Church Of Misery and BONGZILLA. Slightly depressing soundbytes appear which shows that Demonic Death Judge haven’t left their old school vibes behind even within this record, perhaps being their most modern sounding record to date.
The band reinvent themselves in so many different ways with Absolutely Launched with subtle changes in melodies and story themes projected into the album. What hasn’t changed is Demonic Death Judge’s talent for conjuring up a mighty THICK WEEDIAN RIFF out of thin air and transforming into a highly original style of music you haven’t heard before. The record is also heavily distorted with plenty moments of down tuned instrumental sounds where the AMPS most definitely at bursting point. The aquatic moments add an almost surreal Post-Rock vibe before the classic Stoner Metal surroundings restore creative order.
Other great tracks to check out are: Dead Dogs, Spliffhanger and Absolutely Launched.
Absolutely Launched is dynamite entertainment which sees Demonic Death Judge on top of their game and having a blast from start to finish. This is one of the band's standout albums to date and will impress anyone who listens to it.
Brilliant stuff. End Of.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Viral Propaganda PR for the promo.
Absolutely Launched will be available to buy on DD/Vinyl via Suicide Records from Wednesday April 30th 2025.
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