ABYECTO - S/T (EP Review)

Release Date: January 11th 2023. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

ABYECTO - S/T: Tracklisting

1.Intro 02:14

2.Errante 03:04

3.Presagio/Llamado 05:23

4.Periplos 03:56

5.Aeon 05:34

6.Outro 02:19

Review

ABYECTO is a Sludge/Doom/Stoner Metal band from Mexico who bring a gloomy CRUST atmosphere to their overall sound. Their debut self-titled release lasts around twenty minutes and sees the band move within the confinements of the Sludge/Doom/Stoner Metal underground scene by doing things their own way. The EP does have a LO-FI sound throughout which allows the band to have a DIY approach to the album and the record can be too “full on” at times though they show a lot of promise especially within the first two tracks of Intro and Errante.

Intro is a Spaced Out and Ambient driven instrumental offering which I enjoyed immensely and wanted the band to use this style of music for other areas of the EP which they do within the final track Outro. For the next few songs ABYECTO play their heavy blend of Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal with a sublime metallic edge. The vocals are mighty aggressive which isn’t surprising with the style of music that ABYECTO play for this EP. 

The music is always on the right side of HEAVY with the band perhaps showing their true creative worth on tracks Presagio/Llamado and Aeon being the highlights of this EP. I did admire the fast paced nature of the grooves contained on the record which makes this a more exciting release when they appear. ABYECTO do inject a Post-Metal sound into the mix on tracks such as Periplos and Aeon.

Overall, ABYECTO debut release is a mighty fine slab of modern day Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal that is highly atmospheric with a harsh Psychedelic flavour coming when you least expect it. 

Words by Steve Howe

Links:

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KOLLAPS\E - Phantom Centre (Album Review)

Release Date: 13th January 2023. Record Label: Trepanataon Recordings. Formats: CD/DD/Cassette

Phantom Centre: Tracklisting

Era

Beautiful Desolate

Uhtceare

Anaemia

Brant barn skyr elden

Radiant//Static

Murrain

Members

Dennis Akesson - Bass

Johannes Landgren - Drums

Peter Walefors - Guitars

Daniel Wallenborg - Guitars/Vocals

Review

Swedish Sludge/Post-Metal collective KOLLAPS\E debut album Phantom Centre follows the similar destructive path that bands such as Neurosis, ISIS and CULT OF LUNA are known for. There's more of a Crust Punk and Doom Metal flavour to KOLLAPS\E overall sound. The harsh vocals and Ambient Post-Rock hooks offer a bleak exercise which the band exploit to their full creative advantage.

Opening song Era is a gloomy violent song with bleak vocals merging with Ambient Post-Rock and Psych Metal surprisingly well. The Sludge/Post-Metal grooves are a mixture of fast-paced sounds and slower soundscapes for a song that's quite exciting to hear once the band unleash a torrent of Sludgy riffs with Psychedelic elements that can be quite "riff-centric". The "less is more" production style for the album allows KOLLAPS\E to bring a more realistic approach to their music and reminds me of early-era ISIS.

Second song Beautiful Desolate continues with the harsh Post-Rock/Post-Metal landscape but with a faster approach where the music is concerned. Bleak vocals and dark lyrical content sees the band move further into Progressive Metal territory with a wonderful sounding Psych Sludge Metal backdrop that has an air of calmness despite the superb and intense vocals from Daniel. The song does have an "Industrial" vibe towards the later stages of the song that allow this track to be one of the standout tracks on the album.

Third song Uhtceare opens with a gloomy Psych Post-Rock riff that lasts an age. Ice cold and quite solitary before the band start adding Ambient textures with Post-Doom guitars that can be quite distorted in places. The song is quite multi-layered with the QUIET vs LOUD moments offering KOLLAPS\E plenty of room to play heavier sounds. The song feels inspired by CULT OF LUNA classic album Eternal Kingdom but still being it's very own thing. The Crust sound is very atmospheric and this ends up being another one of the album's standout tracks. 

Three songs down and four to go with KOLLAPS\E impressing even further on tracks such as: Anaemia, Brant barn skyr elden, Radiant//Static and Murrain being even heavier than the first half of the album despite the majority of the tracks running under the five minutes mark. Heavy Psych Sludge guitars are perhaps the main creative weapon of choice for this part of the album. Though, the songs are vastly different to each other especially on Anaemia and Radiant//Static being the standout tracks on this part of the album.

The instrumental work is excellent yet again with KOLLAPS\E bringing back the mid-2000's legendary Post-Metal sound but giving it a more modern Psychedelic Sludge and Ambient Post-Rock edge. The production values as I said earlier are more DIY based compared to other bands within the scene, However, everything sounds EPIC and has a seedy tone that definitely allows KOLLAPS\E to create an unflinching and highly unapologetic atmosphere which what a great Post-Metal album should have.

Overall, Phantom Centre is an excellent release and welcome addition to the Sludge/Post-Metal underground scene with KOLLAPS\E proving their creative worth here. The album could have been on a little bit longer but apart from that minor complaint, Phantom Centre is a first rate album packed full of sublime heavy grooves and Ambient sounds that showcases why KOLLAPS\E could become major players within the underground scene in the years to come.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to KOLLAPS\E for the promo. 

Phantom Centre will be available to buy on CD/DD/Cassette via Trepanation Recordings from January 13th 2023.

Links:

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Okkultokrati - La Ilden Lyse (Album Review)

Release date: May 15th 2020. Label: Southern Lord Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

La Ilden Lyse – Tracklisting

1.Thelemic Threat 03:44

2.Grimoire Luciferian Dream 05:40

3.Loathe Forever 04:38

4.Freezing Vortex Death Dreamer 04:02

5.Cold and Cruel 04:35

6.Kiss of Death 06:14

7.Mother Superior 05:18

8.Lunatics - Mondsüchtig 05:07

9.The Dying Grass Moon 07:02

Review

La Ilden Lyse is the new album from Black Metal/Hardcore/Sludge Metal Mob – Okkultokrati – and their first new material in four years. The band continue their punishing and brutal blend of pitch black music that combines Crust Punk, Doom Metal, Sludge Metal, Black Metal with a blistering Hardcore edge. The band are now 5 albums into their 12 year career and the band are just as hungry as ever.

La Ilden Lyse is an uncompromising listen with it’s fair share of Blackened Sludge Metal Grooves and vocals to match. Okkultokrati have got their blend of music down to a fine art but this is perhaps the bands most nightmarish and surreal offering to date with the Black Metal vibes leading the way from despairing journey to the next with 9 songs listed on the album.

The vocals are quite volatile from start and the band play a fast-paced of music which is perhaps down to the Crust/Hardcore Punk influences that Okkultokrati use for this album. This is quite a challenging album and one that is more technically impressive compared to their 2016 offering Raspberry Dawn. The music is more abrasive here with the lead vocals having a classic Thrash/Punk/Death based feel to them.

Standout songs on this album include: Grimoire Luciferian Dream, Loathe Forever, Cold And Cruel, Kiss Of Death and The Dying Grass Moon. - with these songs containing the heaviest and bleakest grooves on the entire album.

La Ilden Lyse shows Okkultokrati on truly inspired form especially when they bring their Hard Rock/Heavy Metal style of music to the album and offer a more heavy stylized version of Crust Punk/Blackened Sludge Metal that has quite a few head-banging moments along the way.

This is without a doubt Okkultokrati best album to date.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Lauren at Rarely Unable PR for the promo. La Ilden Lyse is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Southern Lord Records.

Links:

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Chimpgrinder/Miscegenator 7” (7" Review)

Release date: October 28th 2015. Label: Self Released. Format: DD/7 inch Vinyl

Chimpgrinder/Miscegenator 7” – Tracklisting

Chimpgrinder – Silver Arcs

Chimpgrinder – Gates

Miscegenator – Hate Hate Hate

Miscegenator – Random

Miscegenator – Bowties and Beanpies

Miscegenator – Xactleys

Miscegenator – A to the SS

Miscegenator – Tony Randall Was Right

Chimpgrinder - Band Members:

Aaron, Steve, Chris, Chris

Miscegenator - Band Members:

Shithead -Tim - Rikk - Rich

Review:

Chimpgrinder and Miscegenator team up for this violent slab of Sludge/Doom/Punk/Stoner Metal 7inch record. There’s a lot of fun to be had despite the short running time. Both bands offer 6 mins of new music and each band brings their own take on all things HEAVY.

Chimpgrinder will appeal to fans of old-school Mastodon with a few thrash beats to give their sound a gloomy feel. Opening track – Silver Arcs – is a short peice but they use the time wisely to create a song that’s packed full of proggy punk based Doom/Sludge based riffs. The vocals can be very trippy at times but it’s a great song to open the record with.

Chimpgrinder’s second track – Gates – is the best track on the record as it offers another heavy slice of Sludge/Stoner Riffs with psychedelic noises being added. It’s another doomy affair with the band showing what they can do with a longer time-frame to work with. The vocals are clean based as their lead vocalist – proves his worth with a highly confident vocal performance. Though it’s the music that holds your attention as the music will appeal to fans of Down, Baroness and Mastodon.

Time for Miscegenator to impress me. Miscegenator offer 6 tracks that are full of fast-paced Punk/Doom/Sludge almost Grind based riffs. Songs last from 29 seconds to a more epic 1:34 mins, well its epic for this band. Miscegenator have written a set of cool tunes to let all your aggression out to though it would have been great to see the band offer that little more variety. Then again songs such as Random and Xactleys don’t mess around as the band go straight for the jugular and the band doesn’t stop until this violent noise-fest comes to its natural conclusion.

Chimpgrinder & Miscegenator 7inch record is a very good record indeed. If you haven’t heard of these guys then this is the perfect way for the band to introduce themselves to you. The production is first-rate through out. I do want to hear longer releases from both bands and hopefully both bands will release a proper record in the near future.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Chris from Chimpgrinder for the promo. Chimpgrinder & Miscegenator 7” is available to buy now on DD/Vinyl.

Chimpgrinder Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Miscegenator Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Extreme Noise Terror - Extreme Noise Terror (Album Review)

Release date: November 05th 2015. Label: Willowtip. Format: CD/DD

Extreme Noise Terror – S/T – Tracklisting

1. Punk Rock Patrol

2. Dogma, Intolerance, Control

3. No One Is Innocent

4. I Like Coca (Outo “I Like Cola”)

5. Think Outside The Box

6. Chained & Crazed

7. An Endless Cycle Of Misery

8. Sheep In Wolf’s Clothing

9. Cash And Trash

10. Cruel And Unusual Punishment

11. Last Fix Of Fame

12. Cage Paralysis

13. Only In It For The Music Pt. 27 (Black Putrefaction)

Band Members:

Dean - Vocals, Ben - Vocals, Ollie - Guitar, Andi - Bass

Review:

As one of the most influential UK punk/hardcore/grind bands that there has ever been, second only to the mighty Discharge in terms of the sheer number of bands that they have influenced I would say, it is refreshing to hear that the legendary Extreme Noise Terror are back with their first new album in six years and even more refreshing to hear that the bands brand of the obnoxious mix of hardcore punk and grindcore is still as fast, loud and nasty as it has ever been.

It is also refreshing to hear that vocalist Dean Jones sounds as good as ever, angrier, hungrier and more vital to be exact and with Jones and new co-vocalist Ben McCrow (formerly of Gorerotted and then the Rotted) barking out this new set of grind anthems that is as raw and intense as anything from the bands heyday, it will bring a smile to the face and a ringing in the ears of any punk/grind fiend.

Extreme Noise a Terror don't fuck about on this self titled album and straight from the start on the opening detonation of Punk Rock Patrol, the band are on all out attack mode and this relentless attack doesn't stop until the last bit of feedback on closing track Only In It For The Music, Pt 27 (Black Putrefaction) has subsided.

The likes of An Endless Cycle Of Misery, Sheep In Wolves Clothing, Last Fix Of Fame and Dogma, Intolerance, Control are all classic Extreme Noise Terror with Jones on fine form, sounding unhinged and with more energy than a man half his age and is aided brilliantly by McCrow, both vocalists barking out the lyrics with intense aplomb and the furious hardcore holocaust of the rest of the band backs the vocalists up in gloriously intense style.

With this album Extreme Noise Terror have made an album that sees the band at the top of their game with a set of raw hardcore punk anthems that shows that the bands music is still as relevant as when they first started 30 years ago and the fact that their message is still the same as when they first started is admirable and the fact there are still so many problems in this country nowadays as there were when ENT started, it's good to have them back and kicking against the pricks that run the country in their own defiant style.

Words by Gavin Brown

Thanks to Earsplit PR for the promo. Extreme Noise Terror is available to buy now on CD/DD from Willowtip.

Links:

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GROAK - Masticator (EP Review)

Release date: September 14th 2015. Label: Self Released Formats: DD

Masticator EP – Tracklisting

1.Trichobezoar 04:33

2.Despite the Gawker 07:21

3.Gastric Interruptions 07:23

4.Notebook 05:39

Band Members:

JH, BS, SM

Review:

Groak is a Sludge/Crust/Doom Metal Band from Leeds, UK and they've just released their heavy as fuck debut EP - Masticator

When I promoted this on the Outlaws Of The Sun Facebook Page I originally stated - “This is brutally heavy or heavily brutal” - I sill stand by those words as Groak's debut EP is filthy and I mean downright filthy. If you dig THOU then Groak will be the band for you.

From the heavy down-tuned riffs of opening song - Trichobezoar – this EP has the power to fuck-up your entire day as the guitars are down-tuned to hell. The vocals are punishing and brutal as they have enough power to drive you to insanity.. The atmosphere is one of violent despair as the mood stays bleak and remorseful through out.

Second track – Despite The Gawker – carries on the torturous doom and gloom atmospherics as the band speed things up slightly though the almost indecipherable vocals can be very distracting at times. I haven't a clue what is being said but it's the music that holds your attention.

The production on the EP varies throughout. Sometimes the production is superb and other times it's feels rather flat and that's a shame as if Groak had some proper production values then these guys would sound something special indeed. Groak can build upon that with future releases and I have a feeling they will. If you dig your Sludge/Doom Metal full of despair, anger and depressing riffs then check these guys out as  Groak are definitely worth your time.

Words by Steve Howe

Links:

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Space Bong - Deadwood To Worms (Album Review)

Release date: October 20^th 2015. Label: Art As Catharsis / FALSExIDOL Records. Formats: DD/Vinyl

Deadwood To Worms – Tracklisting

1.Slow spring

2.Burnt by time

3.Deadwood to worms

4.High priests and petty thieves

5.If I'm in luck I might get picked up (Betty Davis cover)

Band Members:

Dave: guitar

Jamie: vox 1

Gully: bass

Michael: drums

Monster-D: guitar

Kegan: vox 2

Review:

Space Bong play the sort of music that would scare people of a nervous disposition with their intoxicating mix of sludge, drone, stoner, crust and black metal combined with the some of the bleakest doom you can imagine. Having gained a sizeable following upon the release of their debut album in 2009, Space Bong follow it up with their second full length Deadwood To Worms and this album is going to get them even more riff worshipping fans.

Deadwood To Worms follows up from their mini EP In Doom We Crust which was released earlier this year and continues their rich vein of blackened sludge to the extreme. Much like Eyehategod and the much missed Iron Monkey, this is a bleaker than bleak noise with so much hate that it's infectious.

Opening up the album with the monolithic Slow Spring gets things started in the most misanthropic way possible with the opening riffs spewing as much hatred as possible. When the blackened vocals kick in, things get even nastier and the intoxicating and vile atmosphere on the song marches on with an unsurpassable level of dread pervading and the riffs on Slow Spring are so remorsefully negative but also have a hypnotising effect that makes them feel strangely uplifting after a while and basking in this negativity is something that Space Bong do extremely well.

This is the perfect way to open the album and lays Space Bongs agenda firmly on the table. The band have shot an accompanying short film for the track that every fan should check out as it is as crushing and mesmerising as the song and has to be seen to be believed such is its complete headfuck of a concept with stunningly horrific visuals that have to be seen to be believed and visuals that complement the song perfectly as its negativity burns as deeply into your psyche as the songs does.

Burnt By Time is no less hateful and again when the mammoth strung out opening riff dominates into life over a surge of feedback and the pounding drums, defiant snarling and screeching of the dual vocals kick in (and the contrast the differing vocals are pitted against each other works well) there really is no escape from the relentless heaviness and nobody listening would want to escape from that heaviness to be honest such is its power in the hands of Space Bong. The phenomenal guitar solo towards the end of Burnt By Time fully seals the deal that you are listening to sludge metal perfection.

The rest of Deadwood To Worms is no less intense and hateful with the albums title track being a nihilistic slice of pounding riff laden brutality laced with some smoke and hate filled epic grooves complete with some of their abominable vocal assaults while Deadwood To Worms finishes off with the brilliantly heavy High Priests And Petty Thieves and a cover of If I'm Lucky I Might Get Picked Up by Betty Davis that is fully given the Space Bong treatment to the full extent.

Space Bong have taken the extremity of their debut and upped it to an even more extreme degree and Deadwood To Worms should see them playing to more and more people eager to worship their blackened sludgy doom and its epic riffs. A magnificent album and one that revels triumphantly in its its negative outlook and execution.

Words by Gavin Brown

Thanks to Lachlan at Art As Catharsis for the promo. Deadwood to Worms will be available to buy on DD/Vinyl from Art As Catharsis / FALSExIDOLRecords from October 20^th 2015

Links:

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Drowning Horse - Sheltering Sky (Album Review)

Release date: Oct 22^nd 2015. Label: Art As Catharsis. Formats: DD/Vinyl

Sheltering Sky: Tracklisting

1. Dead River

2. Echoes

3. Cursed

4. Red Earth

5. The Barrow Stones 13:36

6. Black Waters

7. Dying Words

8. Sacrifice

Band Members:

Brendan

Kim

James

Michael

Robin

Review:

Drowning Horse were an unknown entity to me a few months ago until they premièred one of the new songs from their soon to be released album – Sheltering Sky. I finally received their album to review and it literally blew my fucking mind. There's no way denying that Sheltering Sky is perhaps the heaviest album I've heard this year.

Drowning Horse continuous use of punishing drone riffs mixed with instances of Doom, Sludge, Crust and Post-Metal make Sheltering Sky one of the most emotionally involving and brutal experiences I've heard this year. Some people will say they've heard heavier albums than this but it's the way Drowning Horse deliver their music. Their brutal and unflinching in their approach. Even on some of the albums quieter drone based moments, there is still a sense of danger lurking behind every corner. The vocals drift between hardcore based death growls to the more eerie based chanting.

The music brings back memories of early Earth matched against Neurosis style ferocious Sludge/Post-Metal rhythms. The album is the perfect balance between light and dark. The Post-Rock interludes are dark as they're soaked in Drone based noises especially on the opening two tracks – Dead River and Echoes. Dead River opens with an epic drone metal riff before the guitars add a nightmarish presence. The vocals are etched in gloom and misery. Drowning Horse are here to bring your nightmares to life.

Second track – Echoes – is one of four epic songs on the album and this is where Drowning Horse show who they really are and it ain't a pretty picture. Long drawn out drone based noises with eerie chants soon give way to heavier pummelling sludge/post-metal guitar tones with the atmosphere turning quite sinister. Fans of Neurosis, Earth and Whitehorse will be in there element here. The album stays in this dark and violent tone for the full 75 minutes. If you're looking for an uplifting album, look elsewhere as Drowning Horse are the embodiment of sonic based torture.

Third Track – Cursed – is the albums longest track running at 17 minutes in length. It's another punishing exercise for Drowning Horse to test your limits with as the music draws inspiration from all corners of Sludge, Post-Metal, Drone, Doom and even Crust. It's a highly original offering as the band create delicate moments of calm against the heavier nightmarish riffs. It's possibly the stand-out track on the album but it's more of an endurance exercise for you to survive from.

On the shorter tracks such as Red Earth, Black Waters and Dying Worlds, Drowning Horse prove they're just as capable in creating heavy barren soundscapes as seen on the albums lengthier tracks. I would say the shorter tracks are possibly the more experimental as the band have less time as they create a more direct approach with their music. The shorter tracks have a slight BONG influence with the drone/doom movement lurking in the air. Though Drowning Horse add a more sinister approach to their music with the mix of death based growls and doomier guitars.

Closing track – Sacrifice – is another stand-out track on the album as Drowning Horse leave you with a sense of wanting more. It's a beautifully played and written track and a great way to end the album with. It's a final round of heavy pounding riffs that drift between calm and violent slabs of destructive noises.

The album sounds incredible from start to finish. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that Sheltering Sky is my favourite album of 2015. It will end up as my No 1 album of 2015 as I don't think nothing is going to top this incredible experience. Sheltering Sky is a masterpiece Drowning Horse is a band we will be hearing a lot more from in the years to come.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Lachlan at Art As Catharsis for the promo. Sheltering Sky will be available to buy on DD/Vinyl from October 22^nd 2015 via Art As Catharsis Records.

Links: 

Official | Facebook | BandCamp