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.
September Doom is Upon Us
It’s been a while since a record this fierce has com along. I present to you the self-titled, full-length debut by Vancouver’s BOG! Seven awesome tracks masterfully infusing dreamy, experimental textures with trippy psychedelic landscapes, blues touches, unrelenting hardcore sludge, and roaring vocals. Bog quite simply rule the night! Definitely one of the Best So Far, with delicious rage in every note. Give ‘Bog’ (2015) a spin and if you dig it (the first track should convince you), show the band some love.
Doom Metal Meets Independent Film
And now for something completey different! We present to you a 40-minute silent fim (that’s not so “silent” - I’ll get to that in a moment) called The Ten: Vancouver City Ransom, a satire written and directed by Canadian film-maker dark comedy, directed and edited by one Tyler Barnes. Here’s the gist of it:
Ryan and Alex, of River City Ransom, were walking down the street with their girl friends, to go see a movie when they got jumped by a gang of masked demons. The two brothers get beat up and their girl friends get kidnapped, this kicks of the quest to take down the gang. Along the way they get help from Haggar, Cody and Jessica, from Final Fight, and Billy Lee from Double Dragon.
The Ten was unveiled earlier in the week and has a soundtrack comprised of BOG, Winter’s Edge, Balls Deep in your Step Mom, Stone Circle, Adam Turner, Sea Bastard, David Akselrod, Dragon Throne, Crucifliction, and Primitive Man
Absolutely LOVING this brand new, darkly beautiful, low-tuned stoner-sludge from Cali’s BOG OAK. Look for “A Sea Without A Shore” to emerge from ‘A Treatise On Resurrection And The Afterlife’ (Svart Records) on November 28th! Can’t wait. This band is so amazing!
-BillyGoat-