Release Date: July 21st 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD
Rūdus - Tracklisting
1.Entrance 00:34
2.Atoll 11:38
3.Procession 08:38
4.Wildfire 09:04
5.Exo 05:20
6.Dirge 02:45
Members
Michael Phillips - Drums & Brass
Ethen Scruggs - Bass
Ryan Weston - Guitar
Review
Psych/Doomgaze/Stoner Metallers Rūdus debut album is a sludgy excursion into the Shoegaze environments of Doom Metal and Stoner Metal. The record is cautiously slow with Rūdus playing an aggressive style of Droned Out surroundings with some haunting vocals and chants appearing within the long drawn out second track of Atoll. Before that Rūdus play a thirty four second track called Entrance where the band play a simply played Ambient, Psych and Drone number with some heavy passages that sneakingly changes into a slow paced style of music within the second track of Atoll.
Second track Atoll feels inspired by the likes of SUNN O))), Pelican and OM but with the bleakness of BONGRIPPER. The vocals / chants give Rūdus an air of mystery to their music with the band having a DEMONIC attitude within how they deliver the vocals. Perhaps a clever way to hide behind the opaque and darkness that Rūdus generates with this epic sounding track. There is a great melodic flow when Rūdus changes from Doomgaze to full on Post-Rock / Post-Metal riffsters where the music becomes slightly faster and way heavier with the sound having a muscular presence towards the final stages of the track.
Third track Possession opts for a distorted Stonergaze momentum with brief glimpses of Desert Rock and Fuzz melodies which doesn’t shy away from that heavy DOOM & GLOOM creative energy which is the standout part of the whole album. The cautious STOP/START effect returns with Rūdus leaning heavily more on the Psychedelic Rock/Metal aspect of their overall sound. Different sound effects and vocals combine for a trippy and lysergic experience which is quite freakish and soulful at the same time. As before, the heavier and groove based moments appear within the final stages of the track where Rūdus once again transform into Post-Metal beasts of the highest order.
Fourth track Wildfire is dominated by a Grunge and Shoegaze effect with Rūdus feeling more confident within their Droned Out and Stonergaze confinements. The instrumental passages have more melody and depth to them which sees a welcoming Post-Stoner attitude reminding me of KING BUFFALO at their most ethereal and heaviest. Rūdus still stays within their remit of Drone Metal whilst allowing other areas of Doom, Stoner and Sludge sounds to appear. The vocals appear only when they’re needed and have a fuzzy and distant feeling to them. Different areas of Desert Rock and Psych Rock combine for a sublime GLOOMY POST-ROCK sound that transforms into something different with Rūdus bringing the heaviest instrumental passages within the final few moments of the track. There’s some screeching sounds that takes the album to an altogether higher level of noise and volume.
The final two tracks of Exo and Dirge is perhaps the fastest and riff-centric parts of the record with Rūdus tapping into the sound that PELCIAN and RUSSIAN CIRCLE have made themselves well known with but with that epic Doomgaze/Stoner Metal sound giving the album a subtle Post-Metallic drive before everything is said and done.
Rūdus debut album offers a fresh and heavy perspective within the Doomgaze/Stonergaze scene that will surprise you with it’s superb experimental style being heard throughout. This is another great band to check out from the famous Texas underground Doom/Stoner Metal scene. You won’t be sorry!!!
Excellent and Highly Recommended.
Words by Steve Howe
Links
Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram
