Blackwitch Pudding - Taste The Pudding

Blackwitch Pudding is a Stoner Metal Band from Portland, OR, USA

The members are:

Space Wizard-Guitar
Lizard Wizard-Bass
Wizard Wizard-Drums

Blackwitch Pudding's debut album - Taste The Pudding - is currently generating a lot of buzz within the Stoner Metal community. So I decided to take a look and see what all the fuss or shall I say fuzz is all about.

Plus our good friend Cat Jones give me a tip to check them out. So here I am checking out this band. Now I have been told that Blackwitch Pudding describe themselves as Wizards. Hell they even dress up like them on stage. Check out the band members names.

I am pretty sure we just reviewed and interviewed a band called Lizzard Wizzard. Anyway back to Blackwitch Pudding. Taste The Pudding is fucking immense. There might be a lot of great humour within the song titles and lyrics but these guys take things very seriously in what they do.

If you want finely tuned and down-tempo Stoner Metal riffs then Taste The Pudding is the album for you. The album gets right down to business with excellent Montre'D. A superb hard-hitting almost 8 minute epic that shows you what Blackwitch Pudding are all about.

Blazing riffs and grizzled vocals all made by the magical power of the weed or should that be riff. Maybe it's both. But you can't deny what an excellent band these wizard's actually are. They may not be masters of magic but they are definitely masters of ther riff as Taste The Pudding is full of them.

It feels the band are playing a gig in your very own home with massive amounts of weed keeping you all on edge through out. Or that could be the albums psychedelic vibes trying to hypnotise you into surrendering your entire mind to these crazy insane wizards.

Now this album did have me laughing out loud on brilliant track - Gathering Panties - as the guys take demonic devil worshipping to laugh out loud heights with some crazy inspired lyrics of their own. Imagine Leisure Suit Larry selling his soul to the devil. That's how crazy this song is.

Now don't get me started on Shark Commando. Didn't the Syfy Channel make that as a film recently. It's another excellent song with more crazier inspired insane lyrics. That's all I am going to say.

How the fuck did this band get Billy Anderson to mix and master this release. Did they cast a spell on him. Did they sell him loads of weed or promised him loads of panties. I don't know but I would love to know how as Billy has done another wonderful job here. The album sounds incredible from start to finish.

• Are Blackwitch Pudding actual wizards?
• Are they over-aged Frat-boys who never grew up or passed the iniation stage?
• Or are they undiscovered Scooby Doo villians waiting for their chance to get their hands on Scooby Doo's infamous Scooby Snacks?

I feel these are questions we may never know the answer to. And that is so damn great about this album. If these guys think they are real wizards then maybe the real joke is on us for not believing them in the first place.

Look I have gone on long enough here. Taste The Pudding is excellent. That's all you need to know. Plus it's available to buy on BandCamp Buy Now Deal.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Thanks to Cat Jones at Southern Cross PR for the promo and tip about these guys.

Check The Band From Links Below

Facebook
BandCamp

Dune - Progenitor

Dune is a Progressive Sludge/Stoner Metal Band from Edinburgh, Scotland

The members are:

Simon Anger (bass/backing vocals )
Dudley Tait (drum)
Dan Barter (guitar/vocals)
Victor Vicart (guitar/vocals)

FUCK - Where did this EP come from. As Progenitor is a stunning debut release. 30 mins of finely tuned Prog Sludge, Doom, Space Rock and Stoner Metal. Imagine Mastodon, High On Fire and Baroness jamming together and doing a soundtrack to a fucked up Sci-fi Film. Well this is what you get with Dune. These highly talented Scottish Sludge Metallers have released a brilliant debut album with Progenitor.

It has more thrills, spills and excitement that a Hollywood Blockbuster can only dream about. The riffs are simply sublime through out. Dune are loud from the word go and they have a manic fast-paced energy that is sadly missing in some of our favourite current Sludge/Stoner Metal bands.

Progenitor impressed the hell out of me from the very first listen. Look at the excellent album cover to get the full effect of the album. As it will put you in a trance from the very first riff. I loved every second of Progenitor. I can't decide on a favourite song as they are all equally good as each other.

I would have to say it's the vocals that makes this album such a brilliant ride. As Dune have 3 outstanding vocalists each doing their own crazy insane thing. You will understand me once you have listened to the album.

Dune have the potential to one of the next big things in the UK Sludge/Stoner Metal scene as I cannot see any other band doing this sort of music. Maybe Gringo are the nearest thing but Dune have something special about them.

It's a shame Progenitor is only one for 30 mins as I wanted to hear more. It's a breathtaking debut release that Dune should rightly be proud of. Lets hope their debut full length isn't to far behind as I predict very big things for Dune in the next couple of years.

You can download Progenitor on Buy Now Download from BandCamp now. So get downloading now. You won't regret it. Trust us!!!

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Check The Band From Links Below

Facebook
BandCamp
Twitter

Altar of Betelgeuze - Darkness Sustains the Silence - Album Review

Altar of Betelgeuze is a Death/Doom/Stoner Metal Band from Finland.

The band members are:

Matias Nastolin (bass, death vocals, spoken word)
Olli "Otu" Suurmunne (guitar, clean vocals)
Juho Kareoja (guitar)
Aleksi Olkkola (drums)

Prepare yourself for the coming of 'Darkness Sustains the Silence', the debut full-length album by Finland's Altar of Betelgeuze. Have your record player ready and your front door open wide, your eager and darkly-clothed body mounted inside of it, and try (though this is not your main concern) not to scare the living shit out of your mail carrier when you snatch the LP from his suspicious and quivering hands.

Strong guitars start us off during "Epitaph" and there isn't an ant's crumb of a doubt in my mind that I am about to enjoy a very impressive body of work. It has got an instrumental sort of doom-laden Iron Maiden vibe to start us off; a very classic and infallible choice of introduction. I didn't know what turn the album was going to take once it broke into A World Without End, and then bam, hello, low, slow bass and drums of doom, how I welcome thee to my humble ears. Growling vocals are introduced and some truly evil-sounding spoken word paired with a quicker beat and this is when I realized I wasn't just being served a plate of doom-cakes, but a seven course meal consisting of every genre I love paired together with finesse.

Some damn catchy, quicker riffs come into play in Spiral of Decay. in addition to the death/doom styled vocals we are also introduced to cleanly sung vocals with a stoner vibe, paired with none other than stoner-doom riffs. My head was really banging once I hit this track.

Steamroller gives us some colossal doom to start and keeps it going with a clobbering base line throughout and more of those uniquely excellent, clean vocals. Vocally this song gives me a serious Goatsnake vibe, which I never would have expected from the beginning of the album and I am totally ok with this. "What do you say? i'm a one eyed man, i'm a one-eyed battering ram, i'm a full fledged steam roller…" Yeah, remember that, because it will be stuck in your head for days and you will like it.

Smoldering Clouds Above Orion is one of two epic-length tracks on this album. By this time i'm starting to realize just how perfectly each song is titled. Each track truly feels like it's name throughout it's entirety. We are now getting a desert rock, almost Egyptian atmosphere thrown in. Oh, wait, more scintillating death growls, blast beats. Egyptian death/doom, riffs soaring like a sacred ibis across the sky. Also being brought back into the mix is more of that gratifying baseline which transcends heavy genres and can only be described as Thorr bringing the mighty hammer, Mjolnir, repeatedly down upon your head. I mean really, if you aren't head-banging to this, I think you might need a metal health inspection.

The Approaching Storm, again, a very appropriate name for one of the more punishingly slow doom songs on the album. It ain't no funeral, but my it is fucking nice as hell on a frigid winter day. I would dare say that with the use of repeated baselines and certain other parts throughout the album that we could say there's a little drone thrown into this already rich and rare delicacy of a musical dish. With the following track, Out of Control, we get more of that stellar guitar work in the beginning and some almost thrashy guitar parts. Another track combining flawlessly the growling and clean vocals with spoken word thrown in at the end, haunting and black.

Now we come to Darkness Sustains the Silence, the gargantuan title track. It runs at the heaviness and speed of one-billion sloths in slow motion. For the first few minutes you may fall into slumber and dream a tantalizingly bleak dream as you throw your head back, before you awake, thrusting it forward again. We have more spoken word, clean vocals sparring off with quick and intense riffs, instruments becoming blackened, layers added to the sound, a dazzling guitar solo towards the end. Yet another special touch that just brings this album to the ranks of perfection is that we are given ten seconds of silence to end the track, once again feeling every bit in the image of it's title and giving us a quiet moment in the dark to let this album sink into our skulls.

Darkness Sustains the Silence is an elite, genre-transcending elixir that I feel certain will end up on quite a few lists upon it's release in 2014.This album offers a little something for everyone; death, doom, stoner, classic, drone, black metal… I'm going to go ahead and steal inspiration from the term "super-group" and call this "super-genre" (and how appropriate, being that Betelgeuse itself is a superGIANT). The band has managed to blend all of these styles together flawlessly and with absolute confidence throughout the album. No detail was left unnoticed, and each member completely dominates their part. It is absolutely delectable from beginning to end.

Written by Heather Stubbs

I agree with Heather's review of this excellent album. A thunderous album which will cause a sitr once it's released in early 2014. My advice - Buy it straight away!!!

Thanks to Raul at Memento Mori Records for sending us a promo to review. Darkness Sustains the Silence will be available to buy from Jan 1st 2014.

Check The Band From Links Below:

Facebook

BandCamp

Brillliant Machine - S/T EP Review

Brilliant Machine is a Stoner Metal Band from Ventura, USA

The members are:

Bill Bensen
Jerrod Wilson
Tony Cicero

"Brilliant Machine is a power trio that has roots in the dirt of Black Sabbath and branches in years of punk rock. Their down tuned, groove laden music is a perfect platform for the thought provoking lyrics. In the way the crust punks have rallied against the New World Order and the way Black Sabbath pointed a crooked finger at the “war pigs”, Brilliant Machine understands the need to shine a light in the dark corners of our world. 


Comprised of bass player and vocals; Jerrod Wilson, whose melodic and solid bass lines creep into your mind almost subliminally. Drummer and vocals; Tony Cicero, the swing and the thunder of his style moves asses and shakes your insides. Guitar and vocals; Bill Bensen, whose snarling, growling baritone telecaster and biting lyrics round out the trio.

Whether it’s the evils of man or the internal hell we bring upon ourselves, Brilliant Machine knows no boundaries or limitations. 

Their debut E.P. stirs like an army or orcs under watchful eye of Black Flag and Bonham; and ends in an introspective Gilmour/Iommi marriage. All the while warning the listener not to be complacent and never to become the sheep! If groove is king with these three, then heaviness is the knight!!"


The above description is from the band themselves and it brilliantly describes what to expect on their excellent S/T debut EP. These guys have done my job for me in reviewing this EP.

I don't know what more I can add to it. Brilliant Machine might be the perfect name for this band as they have some finely tuned riffs to check out. If you're a fan of Black Sabbath and Red Fang then is the band for you.

Brilliant Machine msy not be the most original of sounds but they definitely make you feel your having a great time especially on superb tracks - "Hey, Patriot", "Black Winter" and "Make You".

The EP could do with a bit more OOMPH in the volume but with this being their debut release they will hopefully improve that on their next release.

Brilliant Machine may never change the world but when the music is this good then you don't really care. All in all an excellent EP from a band with a very promising future indeed.

Brilliant Machine S/T EP is now avialable to buy from BandCamp now.

Check The Band From Links Below

Facebook
BandCamp

MONUMENTS COLLAPSE / BRÉAG NAOFA - SPLIT LP Review

 Bréag Naofa is a Sludge/Post-Metal Band from Seattle, WA, USA

Monuments Collapse is a Post-Metal/Crust Band from San Francisco, USA

MONUMENTS COLLAPSE / BRÉAG NAOFA - SPLIT LP

A new day, and a new split. It's been a good year for the split effort, many notables have crossed my path (and I even have another one to round out the year too). I really enjoyed spinning the Monuments Collapse release from earlier in the year, their brand of post metal was particularly pleasing to these ears, and so it was no great surprise when this split with Bréag Naofa landed in my lap that I was pretty excited. It's being put out in the US by Halo of Flies (always reliable), and it's a suitably tasty piece of wax.

Starting with the Monuments Collapse offerings, 'Starvation' is more immediate than some of their other pieces and is far shorter in length (they can average up to 20 minutes at times) but it is no less epic. Some heavy as balls post metal levelling of the playing field (not making things even, just destroying said field) definitely occurs, in the vein of CoL and other luminaries. No real build here, which has been their signature in the past, just volume and slow, winding riffs. 'Pathos' is more like what I have grown to expect from this group, light and delicate touches that increase and morph into a caged animal. My preferred cut of the two, it's full of bombast toward the end that'll make you feel full of life.

I must admit to not being aware of Seattle's Bréag Naofa prior to this split, but they tag team well with MC. Their styles are not a million miles apart and complement each other quite well. Also, I like numbered track titles. It's the Karma To Burn freak in me, I guess. It makes it all about the music, you have no preconceived notions heading into something if you can't judge a track by it's title. Starting with 'VII' (presumably their seventh track), it's more post metal goodness. Grandiose in display without being a show off, beautiful and elegant guitar even when it's being discordant, and some tremendously clear growled vocals delivered with meaning. Pretty much exactly what you want from this sort of thing. The other tune by them here is (maybe somewhat logically) 'VIII', which features a fantastic echoing effect for the intro and some meaty chug for the main course. It's got some real body to it and it sucks you in with some nice swaying riffs and huge cymbal crashes like waves against rocks. Some people find this sub genre of metal to be pompous, and it can be, but if it's done well it only presents clarity of vision and focus. And that's exactly what Bréag Naofa have achieved here.

Another great split from a year of great splits. Monuments Collapse confirm what I already knew they were capable of, and I definitely know who Bréag Naofa are now, as well of the fact that they quite clearly rule. If you like your metal post and colossal in form then go grab this today, without delay.

Written by Matt Fitton

Thanks to Bariann at The Black Birch PR for sending us a promo to review. You can buy this split LP from Dec 17th 2013 from the following links:

PREORDER:
 
HALO OF FLIES

PRESSING INFO:

Labels: Halo of Flies (Halo64) / Shove Records (SH43.5)

reverse board gatefold covers.
500 copies.
200 on bone/oxblood.

Check The Bands from Following Links:

MONUMENTS COLLAPSE:

BANDCAMP
FACEBOOK

BREAG NAOFA:

BANDCAMP
FACEBOOK

Pet Slimmers Of The Year - Fragments Of Uniforms - Album Review

Pet Slimmers Of The Year

Fragments Of Uniforms

Anchor Music
Released: Early 2014

The members are:

Gowan
Vinten
McKenna

Track Listing:

1. Arterias
2. Gathering Half the Deep and Full of Voices 

3. Tides 

4. Mare Imbrium
5. Churning of the Sea of Milk
6. Days Since I Disappeared
7. Fragments
8. La Tormenta

Running Time: 54 mins 32 seconds

Post-rock can be a tricky thing. It's a genre both boasting a wealth of talented bands and inventive musicianship while also being steadily bogged down by a host of copycats and bandwagon-jumpers, offering little to no originality in their music and appearing content in recycling the same, tired formula and ideas.

Pet Slimmers of the Year are a band from Peterborough, England and are no strangers to this blog. Formed in 2008 and having since released two EPs - the self titled Pet Slimmers of the Year in 2009 and 2010s ...And the Sky Fell, both of which were met with some fanfare here at The Sludgelord, they are finally set to release their debut full-length album which is scheduled to drop this winter. PSOTY are a band that are maybe not exactly reinventing the wheel, but are more than bringing enough to the table to warrant a place in any post-rock fans collection. That's for sure.

From the very first track of Fragments of Uniforms entitled Arterias, the gentle progression of the bands blend of post-rock and atmospheric sludge metal is clear, as the steady but thunderous drumming and the delicate instrumentation builds, the weight of the slowly layered guitar lines becomes more aggressive and the mood grows darker throughout the first half of the record. The subtlety of the progression in the tone and the gradual crescendo of intensity climaxes with the track Churning of the Sea of Milk which explodes immediately into a dose of riff-heavy, down-tempo sludge metal. A track that offers several changes in pace and a trading of the trademark light and dark of the elegant post-rock and the ugly sludge riffs, before the listener is again dragged back into the gentle nature of its smooth and refined soundscapes with the aid of some sparingly used and droning vocal harmonies. 

Most post-rock bands out there, of course, indulge in the minimalist, gradual build-up in their sound that the genre has become known for but with such an often-replicated and recycled formula, it is easy for a record to lose its direction. This record offers exactly what I believe a post-rock or post-metal album should offer. Both a light, easy and relaxing option for background music, and an album that only reveals it's real complexity when afforded a persons full attention. 

Fragments of Uniforms is a very precisely structured, intelligently crafted record and certainly benefits from repeated listens.

Written by Neil Ainger

Fragments of Uniforms will be available to buy early 2014. If you can't wait till then the band have about 9 copies left of their CD here. As they printed a limited edition batch of CD's before the release date. I bought my copy. And it's a truly breathtaking album.

Check The Band From Links Below:

Facebook

BandCamp

Bigcartel

Headover to their BandCamp Page to download their earlier excellent EP's for free.

71TONMAN - S/T - Album Review

 

71TONMAN is a Doom/Sludge Metal Band from Wrocław, Poland

The members are:

J.J.
M.Z.
T.G.
J.W.
K.J

Now I wasn't expecting much from this album. I mean look at the album cover. It looks something from a DIY comic book. But you know how the famous saying goes - Never judge a book by it's cover. And damn that statement is true for 71TONMAN. As their S/T debut is a fucking blast from start to finish.

Heavy Doom/Sludge Metal riffs to crush your skull to. I shouldn't of worried as these guys are from Poland and they have an awesome Doom/Sludge Metal scene currently going on. 71TONMAN are aptly named as the riffs are HUGE and FUCKING HEAVY.

This is an actioned packed 43 minutes with the album telling a superb story of the end of the world and mankind's struggle to fit in with their new surroundings. So the album has a very cool concept indeed and that album cover starts to to show you what to expect once 71TONMAN are in full flow.

The albums riffs are loud, epic and huge. The first track - Intro - provides some narration on what has happened to the world that 71TONMAN exist in. Guitar feedback slowly creeks in over the next two minutes or so slowly showing what is in store for you once the album actually kicks off with the excellent 2nd track - Bacon Bomb.

Yeah crazy title indeed but wait until the first gigantic riffs are played at breakneck speed with insane vocals to match. Damn these guys are heavy!!! - Some dangerous guitar riffs being played here folks with some fantastic drumming driving this album along to its natural conclusion.

If you're a fan of Church Of Misery and Black Sabbath then you're going to be in your element here. It's on the next two tracks where 71TONMAN take this album into greatness. Dr Psycho and Cyborg Jesus (Fucking Cool Names or what!!!) are two epic tracks running for 9 mins and 6:30 minutes respectively. 15 mins of brutal riffs that will definitely turn some heads especially when the band venture into Atmospheric Sludge territory. It gives their sound a truly apocalyptic feel.

This album had me hooked from the very first listen. 71TONMAN have delivered a fucking monster of an album. If you love Fat, low and slow riffs.... as the band have perfectly described their music then you need to check this album out now.

I don't want to spoil anything else about this album. But wait till you hear the 12:14 minute title track.  It's a jaw-dropping ride with more epic riffs for you to rock out to. This track shows what 71TONMAN are all about. A track which starts off with an eerie warning about mankind will do to this new world and what the new inhabitants of this strange world must do to survive. It's a scary tale that will send chills down your entire body.

I am glad I bought this album on a blind purchase and I knew back then this was a special album indeed even when I only listened to a couple of minutes. 71TONMAN is huge and epic as their brilliant name suggests.

This album is awesome. End Of.

You can buy 71TONMAN debut album from BandCamp now.

Check The Band From Links Below

Facebook

BandCamp