TOP 16 ALBUMS: The Sour 16 for November 2016

It is that time once again people to cast our minds back, and digest the 16 albums that would become November’s most viewed albums and form the basis for our sacrilegious ‘Sour 16’, the finest and most profane riffs around bundled together into a premium sized sonic soufflé.

You know the drill, each month; you the reader are unwittingly compiling a list of the top 16 records that we featured in November, covering all genres of metal.  Is it not a chart, in which reviewers or contributors extol their opinion about their favourite music.  The ‘Sour 16’ are the records that have been trending the most at Sludgelord Headquarters.

The results are compiled based on page views alone and calibrated into the list below. All reviews and streams can be viewed by clicking the artwork . (Total views since their publication are highlighted in red). 

16). Spirit Adrift - "Chained to Oblivion” (380)

This album is elegantly forged from beginning to end, and has no definable weak chinks in its armour.  Overall, this is likely to be an AOTY candidate for me, and one I have found myself returning to again and again in a variety of moods.

15). Superjoint - "Caught up in the Gears of Application" (381)

This is gnarly and nasty music made by a figure that is both revered and reviled. Through all the controversy, one thing keeps me coming back to listen to Anselmo: the quality of the music. And the music is as potent as ever. A storming return.

14) Animals As Leader - "The Madness of Many " (388)

Tosin Abasi and company find expressionism through mathematic complexity.

13) The Judge – “The Judge (399)

This one is crazy good, and crazy Sabbath inspired too. Give this band a listen, you’ll dig it.

12). Wasted Theory - “Defenders of the Riff (417)

11). Desolate Pathway - "Of Gods & Heroes" (420)

Make no mistake, Desolate Pathway have delivered an epic doom record of epic proportions: light and shade, massive riffs, great performances, a downcast atmosphere... it's all here

10). Fvnerals - "Wounds" (443)

“Wounds” is a captivating set of songs that are simultaneously heavy and delicate. FVNERALS unique brand of doom-filtered slowcore creates a powerful feeling that stays with the listener long after the final note has rung out.

09). Holy Serpent - "Temples" (473)

All in all, “Temples” is a great record.  Holy Serpent nailed it.  The songs are well crafted, well-structured, the vocals are right on and the music is perfect parts psych, doom, sludge and out right heaviness.  Don’t hesitate, buy “Temples” immediately.

08). Dusteroid – “To Fathom Hell” (475)

They serve up a king size slice of skull crushing, heavy Sludge that feels like being hit with a sledgehammer repeatedly. Job extremely well done and then some

07). The Dead At Sea - "The Dead At Sea" (479)

A potent blend of early-Pelican crunch and Kyuss-style riffage, The Dead At Sea distil the sound of desert rock sinking into a cold watery grave.  “The Dead At Sea” is a compelling combination of killer riffs and hushed menace that perfectly evoke the bottomless depths of the ocean

06). Ortega - "Sacred States (500)

Ortega are not the first band to fuse post metal, doom and spaced-out sludge but they succeed by doing it bigger, better and heavier than most.  Sacred States” sees Ortega take their sound to the next level, delivering on the promise of previous releases and stretching out towards bold new horizons.

05). Call of the Void "A.Y.F.K.M." (508)

Call Of The Void’s sound is a potent cocktail of punk attitude and rock’n’roll swagger coated in a thick layer of sludge aggression. “AYFKM” is an intoxicating adrenaline rush that will keep you coming back for more.

04). 11Paranoias - "Reliquary for a Dreamed of World" (512)

What sets 11PARANOIAS apart from other bands operating in the realms of psychedelic heaviness is the otherworldly atmosphere they conjure. Every note is enshrouded in a hazy fog that lends their music a darkly unsettling feel.

03). Ghoul – “Dungeon Bastards” (828)

So many bands try to do what Ghoul is doing and just can't fucking get it right. This is a perfect storm. Superior song writing, technical prowess, and an awesome aesthetic.

02). Mother Mooch - "Nocturnes" (991)

Their blend of psychedelia with grunge and stoner rock/doom is a highly sought after formula and Mother Mooch are keeping the secret closely guarded - and rightfully so.  ‘Nocturnes’ is an astounding album from a band that have the potential to conquer the world.

1). Metallica - "Hardwired…To Self Destruct" (1565)

Metallica have rediscovered their mojo, brought the heavy and most importantly appear to be enjoying themselves. An album, of two halves, with a cracking opening salvo on side “A” and “B” side, marred only by one throwaway track.  If not perfect, it is the best music they have produced in over two decades and is the natural successor to the Black Album. 

A big thank you as always to our amazing writers, your dedication knows no boundaries and for that I am truly grateful.  September’s “Sour 16” features reviews by:  Richard Maw, Theron Moore, Charlie Butler, Conor O’Dea, Jake Wallace, Eric Crowe, Rick Ahmed, Bobo Coen & Phil Weller

ALBUM REVIEW: FVNERALS - "Wounds"

By: Charlie Butler

Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 14/10/2016
Label: Golden Antenna Records |
The Native Sound

“Wounds” is a captivating set of songs that are simultaneously heavy and delicate. FVNERALS unique brand of doom-filtered slowcore creates a powerful feeling that stays with the listener long after the final note has rung out.

“Wounds” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1.Void (02:23)
2.Wounds (06:00)
3.Shiver (05:23)
4.Teeth (05:53)
5.Crown (07:21)
6.Antlers (04:02)
7.Where (08:38)

The Review:

This is the perfect time of year for the music of FVNERALS. The bleak and desolate atmosphere of new LP “Wounds” completely captures the feel of days when you leave and arrive home in cold darkness.

The Glasgow trio’s distinct sound does not fit the standard mould of metal but it hits harder than the heaviest of doom bands. An intoxicating blend of Earth’s dustbowl minimalism, the spiky dissonance of Slint and the hushed intimacy of Grouper, FVNERALS power comes from hypnotic simplicity and restraint. Sparse guitar lines, deep drones and ominous drums make an ideal backdrop for Tiffany’s haunting vocals, a key element to the weighty emotional punch of this album. The climax of the title track is all the more affecting when wordless howls wash over the crushing distortion that breaks the rising tension of the quiet build-up. The mid-section of “Shiver” provides one of the albums hardest hitting moments when the track falls away to just organ and hushed vocals.

Although the moments when the band cut loose on the volume front are few, when it happens they make it count. The snail-paced riff that brings nine minute finale “Where” to a close is a stark contrast to the surrounding taut menace, its impact amplified via glorious repetition.

“Wounds” is a captivating set of songs that are simultaneously heavy and delicate. FVNERALS unique brand of doom-filtered slowcore creates a powerful feeling that stays with the listener long after the final note has rung out. 

“Wounds” is available in the US on vinyl (here) and in Europe on CD//LP (here)

Band info: facebook || bandcamp  

Live Review: NOIZ All Dayer, Rebellion Bar, Manchester, 2/4/2016

By: Dominic Walsh

Boasting one of the best heavy metal bills in Manchester in a long time, NOIZ promotions’ NOIZ All Dayer in Manchester seemed almost untrue with the amount of talent on show.

Drone duo, Khost, opened up the day with a massively heavy amount of tone and drone for the small crowd. It was only 12.30 when they took the stage so people were still filing in through the doors, although there were a couple of people who had made the effort to see Khost based on their attire.

From here on in, the bill changed shape with bands moving up and down the bill continually. Presumably this was due to people arriving/being delayed etc.

One band that did take the stage at their scheduled time was PIST. Now, for those who haven’t heard PIST, the clue is in the name. 1pm was a remarkably early time for the Bury quartet to hit the stage, however their groove laden angsty southern sludge did more than wake the gathered masses, and blow any Friday night cobwebs away.

As the afternoon progressed, Fvnerals and Dystopian Future Movies (both late additions to the bill due to cancelled gigs in the area) serenaded the crowd with dark post rock and doom laden riffs that slowed the pace somewhat during the afternoon. The slower pace did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of the crowd. Both bands have been touring together; if you’re a fan of Neurosis, Bossk, Long Distance Calling (or bands to that effect), give them a whirl.

Either side of Fvnerals and DFM, there were arguably some of the star turns of the day. Another local band who are making plenty of waves in the metal world, Boss Keloid, were in celebratory mood with a storming set which showed how much the band have evolved. They are much tighter as a band, and the material from their new LP ‘Herb Your Enthusiasm,’ sounded incredibly strong. To bring the pace down again slightly, were Witchsorrow. Although they’re a doom band, their latest LP, ‘No Light, Only Fire,’ has plenty of more up tempo selections. A mix of these tracks and cuts from “God Curse Us” helped them deliver a great set.

Towards the top of the bill was heavy rock trio The Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell, who did not disappoint. Complete no frills rock and roll just the way it should be. Steak ably assisted with their fuzzy stoner rock keeping the pace up as the crowd got steadily more lubricated.

One of the absolute star turns of the day however, took place early in the afternoon. London’s Vodun turned many heads in Rebellion. The trio, who have just released their debut LP “Possession”, took to the stage in their ‘tribal’ attire and delivered a scintillating performance. Chantal Brown’s vocals can easily draw comparisons with Skunk Anansie’s Skin, and the riffs swerve from thrash, to stoner, to doom. Over the course of their short set, Vodun proved why they are getting many great reviews of “Possession”. Another afternoon success came in the form of their tour mates, Limb. Showcasing some prime cuts from 2015’s “Terminal”, the band delivered a stomping set against a hazy white light back drop; foggy and fuzzy on many levels! “Down By The Banks” is a monster of a track; Limb deserve to be edging themselves up bills. They have the songs and presence to be huge.

The day ended with Israeli sludge mob Dukatalon playing host to a fully liquored audience. Their stomping set ended with a huge stage invasion capping off an excellent day of heavy metal. The amount of bands on the bill only scratches the surface of the amount of great bands out there. NOIZ are behind many of Manchester’s all day metal events – if you are even the slightest it curious, go along and check out some of the bands; it’s almost a dead cert you’ll find something you enjoy.

You can check them out here: https://www.facebook.com/noizpromo/

The Sludgelord Sour 16 for September 2015

Welcome, all lovers of the riff, you know the deal by now, however for those of you that do not, let us recap.  Each month, you the reader are unwittingly compiling a list of the top 16 records of the month, covering all genres of metal, but predominately the best the doom, sludge, stoner-psychedelic genres have to offer.  Is it not a chart, in which reviewers or contributors extol their opinion about their favourite music, but simply, the ‘Sour 16’ are the records you guys (readers) have been most interested in over the last month and checking out on this page.

So here is the The Sludgelord’s ‘Sour 16’ for September 2015, the 16 records you’re most looking forward too or are currently checking out.  Dig in, spread the word and perhaps revisit some records you may have overlooked.  The results are compiled based on page views alone and calibrated into the list below. So without further ado, enjoy the ‘Sour 16’. Roll up, kick back, chug a beer and Hail the riff! For more info click on the artwork. (Total views at the time of publication highlighted in red)

16). Slayer – ‘Repentless’ (271)

Overall, I would be confident in hailing this the best Slayer album for some time. It is certainly better than “World Painted Blood” and, for all its fury, “Christ Illusion” had no real staying power for me. It is not perfect by any means, and is perhaps a couple of tracks too long, but all in all, this is SLAYER. No sell out, no compromise, no change. Business, in fact, as usual.

14) = Wild Throne – ‘Harvest of Darkness’ (281)

Alongside the ingenuities and provocative pieces from ‘Blood Maker’ ‘I Of The Prism’ is another scintillating highlight. It’s brazen guitar work and searing vocal lines force a real sense of horripilation upon you, you don’t so much as listen to this as you do experience it. It’s structure is a labyrinth of crazed punk drumming, a really atmospheric but menacing ,reverb drenched instrumentation and enough melody to blind a unicorn.

14) =Fvnerals - ‘The Path’ (281)

There are not a lot of bands that are easily comparable to FVNERALS, as they effortlessly draw together various elements of such sounds as if Swans and My Bloody Valentine had a sleek, crooning child in an underground speakeasy.

13). Hangman’s Chair – ‘This is not supposed to be positive’ (292)

A record as powerful and as potent as this, cannot be ignored. An absolutely sterling effort, it stirs something within you like no other music can.

12). Venom Prison – ‘The Primal Chaos’ EP (295)

This is a nasty little EP from the South Wales mob- “Babylon The Whore” showing you what they are all about in its three and a bit minutes. Noise, blasts, grooves, feral production- it's all here.  This is a fine EP and if you have any interest in death, grind, hardcore, crust or any mixing of any of those sub-genres... you should hear this.

11). Iron Maiden – ‘The Book of Souls’ (316)

If you approach The Book of Souls with an open mind and accept the more bombastic moments, you will find a huge amount to enjoy. By my count, there are at least eight top notch tracks here. There may well be more, it is just that this is a genuine double album and has such scope and depth that it is hard to become familiar with it (perhaps concentrate on one disc or one slab of wax at a time?!). Eight out of eleven tracks rated as top grade is a fantastic tally. Still the Kings. Long may they reign.

10). Cult of Occult – ‘Five Degrees of Insanity’ (325)

An ominous amp hum builds before erupting into the gut churning opening riff of “Alcoholic”. What follows is a 15 minute onslaught of bleak sludge, harrowing vocals and an evil guitar tone Bongripper would be proud of. Cult of Occult employ repetition to great effect, playing each riff until breaking point before moving to the next.

9). Luna Sol – ‘Blood Moon’ (326)

Luna Sol has the material – the riffs, the attitude, and the songs – to be able to stand on their own two feet.  if you’re looking for some burly, tough, guitar driven, American rock music with inviting choruses and a strong sense of melody, then go ahead and slip this disc in your car’s CD player and go for a long drive.

8). Motorhead - ‘Bad Magic’ (353)

If this is to be the last album, then the band have added to their legacy, kept their powder dry once again and gone out all guns blazing. If it isn't, well the next one will be along in a couple of years and will no doubt give your ears a good hiding when it does. Still the best rock and roll band in the world, and as the man says, the last one you can trust until the end.

7). Hate Eternal – ‘Infernus’ (360)

There aren't many bands out there that can punish your ears with such consummate brutality, which is what Hate Eternal succeeds at doing from start to finish on this disc. Highlights? 'TheChosen Ones' has bewilderingly epic bass guitar work which is fully audible beneath the atonal guitar-mashings of main man Erik Rutan.

6). Sweat Lodge - ‘Talismana’ (371)

With such mean songwriting skills as is on display here it’s rather difficult to pick favourites. ’Talismana’ definitely brings stand-out tracks but the band with their strong sense of vision and penchant for killer riffs and catchy hooks all coated with stirring vocal melodies manages to blend it all into one cohesive whole. This is one superb debut from this Texan group and definitely one of this year’s not to be missed out on.

5). Snail – ‘Feral’ (440)

As far as tone and mood are concerned, “Feral” is far from untamed. To the touch, these eight cuts are smooth, the production doing what it needs to do to keep this beast domesticated. At the end of the day, though, this beast is hard to ignore, which is the justification for the album’s name.

4). Indian Handcrafts - ‘Creeps’ (444)

The consistency of the record is well, well above par too. Every song has its own unique character and sense of self. They never repeat the same formula or trick – they simply don’t need to rely on any form of cyclical cop out – and no track is starved of quality alongside the rest of the pack.

3). Belzebong – ‘Green Inferno’ (717)

‘Inhale in Hell’ honestly is just one massive slow chug fest, filling every available space with some ridiculous throbbing string torture with a sweet backing beat. It sounds akin to a giant walking the earth, simply moving things aside without noticing. True evil blues this band has summoned, and you the listener, shall reap their rewards! From that slow, massive chugging into feedback and staccato wah picking, they have no problems slamming you up against the wall and rifling through your pockets for some loose cash.

2). Uncle Acid and The Deadbeats – ‘The Night Creeper’ (1192)

“Horror films don't create fear. They release it,” – Wes Craven (1939-2015)

1). With The Dead – ‘With The Dead’ (1254)

It's evident that Bagshaw has acquired a few new fuzz pedals since the last Serpentine Path album as opening track 'Crown Of Burning Stars' is so oppressive, fuzzy and dense that it made my teeth itch. After the backwards speaking samples, the crunch of the guitar is incredible. The vocals are classic Dorrian and the bands sound on a whole is somewhere between Serpentine Path, 'Dopethrone' era Electric Wizard, early Cathedral and 'Misanthropic Alchemy' era Ramesses.  This for me is an album of the year contender, the kind of thing you'd expect from 3 of the scene's most influential figures. All expectation has been lived up to. Prepare to be blown away.

This list features reviews by, Chris Bull, Philip Weller, Hunter Young, Richard Maw, James Taylor, Victor Van Ommen, Charlie Butler, James Harris & Joosep Nilk

Fvnerals - 'The Path' 7inch (Review)

By: James Harris  

Album Type: 7inch

Date Released: 03/08/2015

Label: Eerie Echoes|
Throne Records

 

There are not a lot of bands that are easily comparable to FVNERALS, as they effortlessly draw together various elements of such sounds as if Swans and My Bloody Valentine had a sleek, crooning child in an underground speakeasy.

‘The Path’ DD//7inch track listing:

1.Solemn (05:53)
2.Ruin (04:57)

The Review:

I once compared this band to Chelsea Wolfe and Earth, but on this EP FVNERALS have further matured into a unique middle path between melodic gloom and bleak monochrome doom sensibilities. These two tracks elevate the darkness and sense of style and groove that made me love their last offering, last year's 'The Light' (review) so much while adding an added menace to their sound in the form of some extraordinary funereal riffing on the second track, ‘Ruin’, this new jagged edge makes a great counterpoint to their sparse, subtle lounge-drone tone, clashing in a crushing back-and-forth that is their most exceptional material to date.  

The first song, ‘Solemn’ opens with melodic, harmonizing layers of vocals that seem to waver between optimistic tunefulness and an example of the drone to come. Still, expansive, but stark, this band has always made great use of empty space between the sounds and this record is no exception. A big emptiness exists between every instrument, a space they sometimes attempt to fill, sometimes seem to shrink from, but never ignore. A chiming guitar over smoky candle lit cabaret motif dragged through the tomb, organ drones under the spectral voice of singer Tiffany. The silence between songs is abruptly shattered, big, loud chords pounding sluggishly in the intro to ‘Ruin’ before abruptly stopping. The intervening moment heavy in its own fashion, with a dread-filled folk mesmerism. A plaintive and spooky clean guitar icily winds its way around the fog and darkness before the hook brings back the wickedly heavy riffs of the intro.

There are not a lot of bands that are easily comparable to FVNERALS, as they effortlessly draw together various elements of such sounds as if Swans and My Bloody Valentine had a sleek, crooning child in an underground speakeasy. They have drifted from the sometimes sneaky sleazy timbre of ‘The Light’ toward a more sincere, direct, path of abjection. A straight walk down a moonless road, barefoot on the rocks. The only complaint I have is that it should be much longer, as it is over before you realize it.

‘The Path’ is available here and here

FFO: Chelsea Wolfe, Earth, Swans, My Blood Valentine

Band info: official  | bandcamp

Fvnerals - The Light (Album Review)

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 1/12/2014

Label: Eerie Echoes / Throne Records

‘The Light’ DD/LP track listing:

1. Oath (04:32)
2. Vakna (05:48)
3. Aryd (05:11)
4. Shine (05:27)
5. Tiga (03:33)
6. Closer (05:07)
7. The Light (Part I) (03:36)
8. The Light (Part II) (05:55)

Bio:

Fvnerals is a band from Brighton. Syd (guitar) and Antoine (drums) met Tiffany (vocals/synth) in the south coast town of Brighton in the beginning of 2013.  They recorded and released their first EP “The Hours” in February via their label Eerie Echoes and started gigging in May the same year. In the beginning of 2014, Syd and Tiffany released an album and toured with their side project Myyths putting Fvnerals on hiatus for a few months. During the summer of 2014, the trio moved in together and started playing as a band again, working on new songs that led to the recording of their debut album “The Light”.

Review:

It's been a long wait since this trio's early 2013 EP ‘The Hours’, but immensely worth it as their debut full length is a sparse and elegant jewel that has already earned many repeat plays. A fully-realised sound, well-mixed, well recorded. Awash in Earthish-tones and haunting drones, it envelopes you with emptiness. Clean, often subdued, but seething under it's sleek hood; it has an eerie menace to it that evokes the slowest of shoegazers getting ritually knifed in a basement by Chelsea Wolfe and Bohren und der Club of Gore.

After an unearthly intro, briefly narrated by ethereal-to-unintelligibility vocals, the second track ‘Vakna’ is a mesmerizing standout on the album. A persistent drone builds in intensity, meshing beautifully with vocalist Tiffany's echo-heavy wailing and forlorn melody. Smoky, sultry singing juxtaposed with shattered laments, carry so much of this album, but ‘Aryd’ comes of as positively noir in a sensual femme-fatale turn, on top of a nodding groove and an almost sleazy motif. "It drags you down, to where it finds you"…I keep wanting to compare this to a King Dude, Crippled Black Phoenix, or even Nick Cave at times despite not having a lot of technical or musical similarities. They share something else, that vibe of resolute negativity, restless darkness. Something ephemeral in the gloom connects them. Musically they resemble nothing so much as the aforementioned Earth and Chelsea Wolfe, at times channelling the darkest moments of Have a Nice Life, or a freshly showered Giles Corey.

Skipping ahead, the fifth tune on this disc, ‘Tiga’, teases a release that never comes. The pulsing undertones of heaviness from the climactic moments, which are scattered throughout the album never show themselves, and it maintains its tense peace until the end. Following that with a more accessible gloom-rock piece titled ‘Closer’, the band shows a little more range than on the rest of the album; more musicality, less drone. Yet more melody and the interesting choice of a distinctly -metal- drumming style, complete with double bass, under these harmoniously bleak auspices leading up to a crashing end. ‘Closer’ fades out to a hum that begins ‘The Light Pt 1’.: an instrumental drone track serving as introduction to ‘Pt 2’. The haunting becomes more aggressive on this final dirge; a seance gone awry, a spook that's searching for you. Aptly placed at the end, maybe because it finds you?

A spectral vigil for the death of shoegaze, a cadaverous take on the cabaret, this album is dark and droning enough to satisfy doomsters while maintaining a sound on the far end of an austere gothic restraint, and the members' other bands aren't bad at all either. If this band tickles your fancy be sure and check out (www.myyths.com), (www.simianhunters.bandcamp.com), and (www.chromes.bandcamp.com). ‘The Light’ is coming out in a few weeks on Throne Records (http://www.thronerecs.com) and a couple tracks are posted on their bandcamp (www.fvnerals.bandcamp.com). For now you can listen to ‘The Hours’ for free there, while you are waiting for ‘The Light’, as anxious as I am.

Words by: James Harris

You can pick up a copy here

For more information:

http://fvnerals.com/

http://fvnerals.bandcamp.com/album/the-light

https://www.facebook.com/Fvnerals