sludge

2020 Albums

Album Review: Body Void/Keeper Split 9 (Death Sludge)

January 4, 2020 Melinda (Carcassbomb)

I always enjoy a good split. There’s so much you can do with them, whether it’s two completely different bands, a consistent theme or some esoteric experiment. My expectations take a back seat with these kinds of releases and the ride I’ve received on this Body Void/Keeper split is something else. The surprise is the best you can hope for with a split. If you loved the earlier work of either of these bands then the vinyl and tape releases are a no brainer, you don’t even need a preview. It’s raw and sincere sonic mayhem. […]

2019 Albums

Microdose: Xeno Ooze – Parasligm Shift (Grindcore)

November 17, 2019 Melinda (Carcassbomb)

Xeno Ooze are a unique new force in the grind underground. They formed in 2018 – making this their very first LP, but you couldn’t guess that just from listening. I love the level of vocal commitment on this album, it’s a hardcore style that sounds super throaty. It plays well the trebelled out mix of lofi grind and sludge riffage. It’s also a lot of fun, something important for any grindcore album no matter how bad ass the covers get. […]

2019 Albums

Album Review: Ocultum – Residue 8 (Stoner Doom)

September 13, 2019 Melinda (Carcassbomb)

I’ve covered a lot of stoner doom on here, but the genre manages to keep throwing new approaches at me, or new trends in artwork or production. There’s always a fresh take around the corner if you know where to look. Ocultum has a lofi approach to their music that I find really intriguing, with vocals more suited to raw black metal than doom metal. It’s oddly endearing and prevents it from going the same stale route as many other bands currently are, with the wide Mastodon/Gojira vocal styling. There’s something different here, it’s dark and anti marketing in its presence. […]

2019 Albums

Album Review: Gurt – Bongs Of Praise 7 (Stoner Doom)

September 7, 2019 Melinda (Carcassbomb)

Gurt are back, a sludgy UK band I’ve posted on IG in the past for their wonderful album covers, something they’ve kept consistent. Presentation is an important thing to Gurt and we are all rewarded for this. They have a unique style that’s difficult to pin down with elements varying between doom metal, death rock and punk and just a lot. They are a lot. Bongs Of Praise in particular is a weed fuelled doom/sludge album that will be a sure hit for stoner doom fans. […]