Stressball.

So the other day, I'm trying again to have Superjoint Ritual click with me and I'm faffing around on Metal Archives, as any self-respecting Metal fan might. Checking out the recording line-up right? Anyway, the guy who drums on the first Superjoint record not only did a stint in EyeHateGod and Hank Williams III but also had his own NOLA sludge band going on. The name is pretty cool too - Stressball. I mean, Madball had already been around by then, but still. There's enough ball in the world to go round right?

I thought the record was pretty solid. A slight Godflesh feel going on too.
Hidden NOLA sludge gem.

1. Dust (02:47)
2. Pressure (01:41)
3. Time of Pain (02:48)
4. Solitude (05:42)
5. Column (03:13)
6. Transgressor (04:20)
7. Unspoken (02:12)
8. Empty Promises (02:56)
9. Overpowering (03:56)
10. Strain (3:40)

DOWNLOAD HERE.

Sky Pig - It Thrives in Darkness

Considering how many Sludge Doom bands there are, I often find myself coming across wholly competent acts that don't quite capture my imagination. Here, Sky Pig captured me with that heavy mid-range phatness. Neat record to stumble on for sure.

I also like the artwork too? Photoshop but not lame like happens so often. 

Meth Drinker - Discography

I don't post here very often at all. But this one was easy and instant for me to put forward to you. Possibly some of the best sludge ever produced in my humble opinion. The self titled was on heavy rotation back when it came out in 2014... and here it is for free and remastered (ridiculous). 

Even more ridiculous, the 2nd album is also free: Meth Drinker - Oil.
Perfect soundtrack for the continuing shite of 2021.

Toke.

The jams might seem like your standard sludge fair, but please acknowledge the uninhibited level of groove shown in these two tracks! I have a soft spot for Toke though and it happens to be a regional thing. Toke hail from North Carolina, home of the mighty and legendary Buzzov-en. Like some other NC brethren Weedeater, Toke have also sought to honour this heritage in their sound. Recognize.

2014 - Demo

Reclvse.

First things first, Demon Head, who I'd been quite tough on some weeks back, just released a new song along with a re-recording of my favourite song off their demo. Along with giving themselves even more of their own sound.. they come off in parts like a mixture of Internal Void and early Pentagram. Utterly delicious. 

Second, ASTRAL DOOM actually have a give-away! If you're after some hateful misanthropic sludge, you can win a free Grey Widow download. First person to hit me up on the Facebook page claims it! But only bother if you feeling the jams people. They'll be touring the UK w/ Cult of Occult later this year! Details here and a heads up, the London show will be completely FREE! So no fucking excuses brothers and sisters.

Last, but definitely not least, is Reclvse. From the land of the world's biggest LSD factory we have some downbeat doom. The demo sound itself is pretty rough but the music itself I'd say is very highly articulated. They remind me of Marble Chariot who I also really like. I'll be quite honest and say I'm not particularly acquainted with this side of doom, although I'm probably just being a moron as they have more to do with Revelation and Warning then something like Draconian. But anyway, the songs are crafted way beyond the quality of the sound and you can imagine (or at least I can), with the right collection of songs and production you've easily got yourself another Doom Metal album in the end of year lists in assorted Metal publications. The vocals also also have this strange chant quality to them which is entirely hypnotising. Hopefully they play Desertfest or something soon!

2014 - Reclvse [Demo]

Ignominy.

Souls at Zero by Neurosis remains one of my favourite albums of all time. I do hear similar ideas touched and investigated in Come Abuse, who borrow from the aforementioned classic. However, Ignominy have a much greater sense of abandon in their writing. Most of it follows a well trodden path, but the disharmonic nature of some of the riffs and melodies used lets it feel very fresh. The band are considerably closer to playing something akin to experimental hardcore then 'post-metal' as a result. In that sense, it does remind me of an aggressive, modern, re-rendering of the first Killing Joke album. Have a listen on the stream below or DOWNLOAD HERE.

If you're into something slightly more hypnotic and drone orientated, Dying Sun just put out their new album, Transcendence. Band member Dan also decided to share his lucky used book store find below. Yes, I am jealous!!

2014 - Come Abuse

Dual Split Attack!

Iron Witch & The Atrocity Exhibit 7" Split

This isn’t the first time me and Withered Hand Records have crossed paths... the last time, maybe around 6-7 years ago was when I uploaded his band's album, Among The Missing, onto KerrazY Torrents (synonymous with the Metal Community at the time). Fair play to the guy, just asked for a link for where to purchase the badboy as well as offering to include a live video with it! Anyway, it gives me pleasure to let you know about a new 7” with two UK acts he’s putting out, Iron Witch and The Atrocity Exhibition. BUY HERE.

The Cosmic Dead & Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs 12" Split

The Old Noise are putting out their very first release, ltd to 300 copies. The Cosmic Dead hail themselves "Scotland's foremost Hawkwind tribute band", as for Pigs x7? They're a little more difficult to pigeon hole.. but imagine a little hardcore, a little stoner rock and a little Electric Wizard  drone pieced together in some kind of disfigured jigsaw. It's good shit.   BUY HERE.

Sunburster.

I should of really done something cool for Halloween on the blog but, bleeeeeurgh, it didn't even come into my mind. Thankfully, Zodiac, who had previously featured on the blog put out a new song to mark the occasion. It's a little more melodic than their previous output, but still outstandingly good.

Moving on, considering the amount of 'typical doom' stuff I'd been sharing I thought it time to delve back into some stuff with hardcore/sludge tendencies. Consequently, I present Sunburster. The artwork is really killer for just a tape release. The music is exceptionally well crafted too. There is a somewhat angular quality to the riffs.. but that seems an inappropriate description when what you get is something akin to early Cro-Mags playing Sleep riffs. The drummer also is distinctly talented with some really elegant and sophisticated touches in the way he plays. If you like Eyehategod, Brainoil and groove, you'll feel instantly at home. Don't sleep on it...! 

2012 - Sunburster [EP]

Moloch.

Though perhaps quite a familiar name for those in North England, Moloch are still relatively unheard of considering they represent some of the best Sludge the British Isles have to offer. One of the Moloch dudes also runs the fantastic and essential 'Feast of Tentacles' label/distro. News is they've got a spilt coming with Meth Drinker which I expect will make Zero Dark Thirty's depiction of torture seem like Sesame St.

This is all freely available so chuck a in quid or two!

2008 - Moloch



2011 - Posession

Evilhorse.

This actually came out last year... but I imagine apart from those keeping up with the Spanish scene most would have missed it (you all know Moho and Monkeypriest at least though, right?). Anyway, there is quite rather difficult mixtures of styles in play here... quite trippy, psychedelic moments but all set against the kind of mid-paced 'doomy' moments you'd expect from Celtic Frost. These musical shifts keep the long songs feeling fresh and are definitely enhanced by the production on this release, the bass just feels absolutely thunderous, the drum symbols are crunchy and the guitars are given a suitable level of clarity. 

The amount of quality releases popping up for free on Bandcamp is literally ridiculous.   

2012 - Cabeza De Vaca

Tentacle.

Almost a week late on this one. In fairness however I only got round to signing up a Bandcamp fan account yesterday and only caught sight of this then. Tentacle, a side-project of the relentless Ice Dragon dudes, is finally out with an LP length release. I really dug their Void Abyss EP from last year and although I've only just given the new release a quick stream on Bandcamp it already sounds even better.

Tentacle play with an otherworldly dirge, wailing vocals and subtle Sabbathian-plod melodies. I just imagine this is exactly what those reptilian space aliens that David Icke is always on about would listen to, maybe not on Earth, but definitely on a spaceship. In all seriousness though, to me, they've tapped into quite a unique vibe with this project so give it your time and possibly your money!

2012 - Void Abyss [EP]




2013 - Ingot Eye