We’ve been here before. One year ago, we journeyed deep into the forbidden zone, peering through the lens of Moscow photojournalist Rita Fevraleva into the dank world of the Russian heavy underground. When I heard there was something called a Sludge Convention, I was mad with curiosity. Rita’s photos of last year’s double header, Sludge Convention III in Saint Petersburg and Sludge Fest in Moscow introduced us all to a thriving community of metalheads, happily lost in the hypnotic swirl of downtuned riffs, crackling amps, and a deafening wall of sound. I think those unforgettable images of possessed souls will forever haunt me.

Now the 2017 gathering of the damned returns! Saint Sludge Convention IV was held once again on Friday May 26th in Saint Petersburg, followed by Sludge Fest in Moscow on Saturday May 27th, held in a club called Model T. I think you will agree, Rita’s snaps this time around are indeed stellar, giving us a trippy eyeful of regional heavyweights 609, C.X., ElectricJezus, Illegal Ones, Montezuma’s Revenge, and Remote.

Lovable Freaks!

I have a feeling I’d fit in just fine in this mess of misfits.

Strong Drink!

Handcrafted by Riffs ‘n’ Beers Brewery.

Groovy Merch!

Plenty of doomed discoveries right here.

Ghostly Images!

Rita’s masterful lens transports us a world away to experience memories of mayhem frozen in time.

609 (BOG/60g)

C.X.

ELECTRICJEZUS

And the crowd goes wild…

ILLEGAL ONES

MONTEZUMA’S REVENGE

REMOTE

Thus ends another successful synod of the dirging denizens of doom! No doubt we will have a chance to visit the rumbling Russian scene in the months ahead. Until then, I highly recommend diving into the cracks and fissures of the concrete and discovering the treasure trove of street doom that has made Moscow and the cities beyond such a thriving scene.