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.

Yes, There Was a Sludge Convention
               …This is What it Looked Like

It happened in the last days of May, right on the cusp of summer. The fandom of filthy, distorted riffs converged upon Moscow to celebrate the riff. This was the third such meeting, held at China Town Cafe, many of the bands representing the finest this new generation of Russians have to offer.

We’ve sung the praises of bands like Pressor, ИЛ, Remote, Roswell Surgery, Crypt Jaintor, and of course Without God on Doomed & Stoned before - and I was excited to discover the new names among the rotten lot. Here is a taste of the bands that were featured at Sludge Convention III.

DAY ONE

Buzzliner

Explore the music of Buzzliner here.

C.X.

Explore the music of C.X. here.

Illegal Ones

Explore the music of Illegal Ones here.

Red River Hog

Explore the music of Red River Hog here.

609 (BOG) 60g

Explore the music of 609 (BOG) 60g here.

Stone Tree

Explore the music of Stone Tree here.

Without God

Film by Darkiya

Explore the music of Without God here.

DAY TWO

Burning Loss

Explore the music of Burning Loss here.

Crypt Jaintor

Explore the music of Crypt Jaintor here.

Dronegoola Machine

Explore the music of Dronegoola Machine here.

ИЛ

Explore the music of ИЛ here.

Montezuma’s Revenge

Explore the music of Montezuma’s Revenge here.

Pressor

Explore the music of Pressor here.

Remote

Explore the music of Remote here.

About That Poster….

For the last three years, Kastyan Kastyanych (of the band C.X.) has been drawing that Sludge Dude you see on the festival poster. Over the years, the Sludge Dude has become symbolic of the Russian doom-sludge metal and stoner-psychedelic rock scene. The Sludge Convention is a veritable family reunion of fans and bands who come together to celebrate all things heavy!