Subetroth- Agnozia (2017)

Sometimes a band comes along that defies any sort of categorization. I mean Subetroth play sludge metal, and it's heavy as fuck that's for sure. However, that's just the foundation of what they do. The album opens up with a massive stoner sludge riff, that sways with an odd swagger. Then there's there fucking banjo on top of that! Oddly enough it's not out of place! The opening track "Ungrown Tug" continues to take many twists and turns on what seems to be a bumpy ride through the back roads of a swamp. Blast beats, check! Death growls, check! Harmonica, check! I mean I don't want to give the sense that dudes are like the Mr. Bungle's of sludge, because they're really not. These changes through this song in particular are seamless. However, this shit is still pretty wild!

We shift gears with the song "Preacher, Drunker Killer" which starts off a little more somber, and then adds synths and female backing vocals giving it a subtle gothic vibe, However, once again the song gets heavy as fuck with super detuned riffs toward the later part of the song. It's almost like the non heavy parts give you a greater appreciation for when these dudes really throw down, and once they do it's a cataclysmic event that shatters your skull with ecstasy. Next in line is the final track "Rubber Band Moan", which starts out with a backwoods country feel to it, then just like the other two (hope you're noticing a trend here), it crushes with devastating heaviness. taking the licks from the intro and turning them into a pulverizing force of heavy duty stoner sludge. The song continues its relentlessness onslaught to the very end, with a some ultra heavy detuned riffage at the gooey center of  tasty morsel. 

Overall "Agnozia" is a unique slice of experimental avant garde sludge. It defies categorization like I mentioned, and I really don't know who to compare them to? I mean I mentioned Mr. Bungle as a sort of reference, but they aren't them, and they're definitely their own thing. I loved this album, and I think you should give it a listen. One of my favorites of 2017 so far. Well done! Cheers! -Samir

Subetroth's Facebook

Come to Grief- The Worst of Times (2017)

I've referenced Grief before on this blog. To me when it comes to sludge, the Melvins, Grief, Crowbar, Dystopia and Eyehategod are the originals for which all should be judged upon. Many have come, but these are the godfathers I look to when comparing something new. Grief has been M.I.A for a minute not playing live or releasing anything new, not until Terry Savastano (an original founding member of Grief) decided to form Come to Grief, named after the Grief album. What follows is a crushing return to form. Extreme sludge metal the way it's supposed to be played. Moving at a crawl, with fat depressing riffs, and harsh vocals, it's the kind of sludge doom I want to be listening to right now. While it does seem like a throwback, and nothing is new under the sun anymore, it's got a classic sound that just can't be fucked with. Simple, threatening, and brutal "The Worst of Times" gets the job done, and keeps me satisfied until their next release. Which I read is a split with Fistula so definitely expect a review for that when it comes out. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised to discover this had been released, and you should do yourself a favor and listen to these masters putting on a clinic to show you how it's done. Cheers! -Samir 

Come to Grief's Facebook

Saturndust- RLC (2017)

I heard Saturndust's S/T LP back in 2015 when it first came out. I was completely blown away by it. I was like where the fuck did these dudes come from? They were just an amazing space doom band, with amazing tones, and a killer fucking album from front to back. I remember sharing their bandcamp on facebook with people saying like "you gotta hear this!". So out of nowhere it seems, I find out that after resting in their hyper sleep chambers for two years, the dudes from Saturndust have continued where they left off with "RLC". There was no hesitation on my part to listen to it. It was an immediate, "Oh fuck yeah I'm gonna stop listening or doing whatever I'm doing and I'm going to put this on right fucking now!". I'm glad to say this did not disappoint. While the band seems to have not skipped a beat, their return does come with a few surprises.  There seems to be more use of synths on this one, and I don't mean this as a complaint in the least bit. The synths add a layer to each song that seems appropriate and almost needed to capture the vast darkness of outer space dread. Definitely a lot of chill moments on this one which seems like a departure (they don't suck), but it doesn't outweigh the heavier ones which are chunky, crushing, and nasty. There's also different points throughout where the vocalist Felipe Dalam lets out death growls which I'm totally all about, and the first track "Negative-Parallel Dimensional" has a blasting grindy part which I'm also all about Doom bands doing as well. Overall, very enjoyable, and worth the wait! If you've never heard Saturndust before, check out their S/T LP as well when you're listening to this one. This is a great album with well written tunes, an amazing sound, and is most definitely one of my favorites of the year thus far! Cheers! -Samir

Saturndust's Facebook

Sabretooth- Metal Animals Demo (2017)

Fat, messy, raw- that's what you can expect out of a speed metal assault by Sabretooth. On their first ever release "Metal Animals", they channel the power of wild beasts and use that force to tear down anything in their path- including you! The rhythm has the driving force of a charging rhino and the leads will tear into you with the ferocity of a tiger. There's no mercy with this one, as every moment from beginning to end is frantic. The production values sound like they were lifted from an old school black metal band. When you combine that fact with the jungle themes I almost imagine these guys as a bunch of Tarzan-esque barbarians going nuts and recording this in a cave somewhere. Whatever the case, it works because these songs have me crackling up the volume and banging my head. Only downside is that it's short- only 17 minutes. I'm hungry for more! -Brandon

Sabretooth's Facebook

Iron Buddha- RAT (2017)

Hailing from the swamps of Florida, Iron Buddha emerges to bring us their first album, "RAT". This one is a strong stoner/doom release that doesn't take itself too seriously. There's a good mix of songs on this album, some of which follow a traditional dark, gloomy motif, while others are silly and upbeat. "Wizards v. Aliens" is an especially fun track about aliens with fancy weapons and a wizard who ain't gonna deal with none of their nonsense. However, "Winds of Suffering" is a more serious experience that evokes imagery of someone waiting in the darkness. "RAT" is definitely not a one-trick pony and you'll be getting something a little different with every track. Songs might creep along slowly, or they might work up a quick groove. Some of the best moments on the album are when the two members of the band, Emilio Acosta and Jihad Nasser are both singing on a track. Their voices really work well together, whether they're trading off parts or shouting at the same time. Overall, this is a cool combination of different stoner/doom perspectives, so chances are you're going to hear something you like on here. -Brandon

Iron Buddha's Facebook

Bummer/Pinko Split (2017)

Bummer sounds like the missing link between Helmet and Unsane. Brutish, stiff, and straight to the point, Bummer play aggressive sludge rock for those looking to unleash their inner captain caveman. As more bands are riding the whole noise rock revival thing like Whores and Wrong, Bummer keep it simple and catchy. These dudes will bludgeon your mellow with sheer sonic force. I've been a fan of these dudes since their "Milk" EP, and they continue to slay it with each and every new release.

Pinko sound like something off of the 31G label. A raw combination of noise punk and post hardcore fierceness. This Texas trio sounds like a side project from members of Fugazi and Refused if they decided to form a super group. These dudes weave together this chaotic frenetic energy that makes them a beacon of hope and a ray of sunshine for noise rock. If Bummer knocked you down and you lived to tell the tale, Pinko will finish you off by picking you up and sending your head straight through a window. Well done dudes! Cheers! -Samir

Bummer's Facebook

Ockultist- Present Day Neglect (2017)

Ockultist fucking rules! They play blackened sludge/doom that oozes like a festering wound. This is the epitome of what a blackened doom band should sound like. Just take Sleep, Eyehategod, and Iron Monkey and pour a bunch of filth, pus, and bile on them, and somewhere in there emerges the dark cloud that is Ockultist. I mean this is so fucking evil sounding it's fit for a failed exorcism. It's as if the band was there to witness cheering on in victory, and their instruments and amps are covered in the piss, shit, vomit, and blood from the aftermath. The pace of the album moves like a syrupy river of black slime. The mixture of detuned swamp riffs and possessed harsh vocals create a cacophony of misanthropic delight. Highly recommended for anyone looking for some hateful doom metal to brighten up their day. Cheers! -Samir
  

Ockultist's Facebook