Release Date: August 22nd 2025. Record Label: Third House Communications. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl
S.S.R.I - Tracklisting
1.Flatline
2.Formaldehyde
3.Goddamn
4.10-56
5.Alone
6.Breath
7.Break
Members
Marc Phillips – Vocals
Zach Hunter – Guitar
Braun Dabney – Bass
Andrew Beauvier – Drums
Review
S.S.R.I is the sophomore album from Grunge/Doom/Stoner Metallers CROP who bring a wave of gloomy surroundings to their next stage of their musical evolution. There’s more emphasis on Sludge Metal and Post-Metal on this record compared to their debut album with CROP feeling inspired by the likes of Alice In Chains, Type O Negative, DOWN, YOB and Soundgarden whilst holding their own creative ground.
The record is constantly changing tone and direction with a grizzled determined attitude coming through Marc Phillips’s epic vocals that has echoes of someone who faced every bleak and horrible challenge that life throws at you but still comes out surviving living to tell the tale. The record is quite bleak and taps into the Nineties Grunge, Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal scene with absolute conviction with the music topped off by epic strands of Psychedelic instrumental passages and sublime violent AMPLIFIER HEAVINESS levels of seedy FUZZ within the opening tracks of Flatline, Formaldehyde and Goddamm.
However, CROP knows when to hold things back and play a more soulful and forgiving style of music that can be quite hopeful in places which leads into the most memorable and intricate melodies of the album. Though, the record will perhaps impress the most when they blend Alice In Chains grooves and the Psychedelic textures of YOB throughout the album.
The lyrics are superb and offer a real insight into the creative process that CROP brings to this album. Sometimes it’s not pretty but at least it’s 100% straight from the heart. The rest of CROP play like their fucking lives depeneded on it with Zach Hunter (Guitar), Braun Dabney (Bass) and Andrew Beauvier (Drums) playing a destructive force of Doomed Out NATURE with heavy melodies and switching over to epic Progressive guitars that allows the most riffiest and meatiest grooves to appear. Marc’s vocals most definitely hold their own with the fast-paced instrumental sounds that run into heavier waters on standout tracks such as Formaldehyde, Goddamm, 10-56, Alone and Breath.
CROP have transformed into a different, heavier, complex and better band since their 2021 debut album where I feel the time away from the underground scene and releasing minimal new material worked to the band’s credit. As this feels like the real “CROP” have emerged from the sidelines to forge an exciting career and loyal dedicated following to become more known within the Heavy Rock Scene. And truth be told, S.S.R.I is the album that should get them closer to that kind of reward, respect and attention.
S.S.R.I is an outstanding record and one that will surprise a lot of people within the underground scene. Add to this collection ASAP. You won’t be sorry.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to C Squared Music for the promo.
S.S.R.I is available to buy now on CD/DD.Vinyl via Third House Communications.
Links
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