doom
Profile: Jake Mazlum from Eccentric Sludgesters Kurokuma
Easy genre tags for the UK’s Kurokuma would be sludge and doom since, put quite simply, they do this combo extremely well. But a further look into their output thus far would uncover the heavy repetition of psychedelic metal along with the forward thinking of what avantgarde brings and nowhere is this heard better than on their upcoming EP, Sheffield’s Best Metal Band’s Vol. 1 due to the wicked Jamioquai cover and the strangely fitting acid hop EP closer. But, their insane heaviness is still the backbone of everything they do as they prepare for a future full length and the fact that they were recently described as ‘really stoned bisons that decided to drop some acid’ helps tremendously. Just ahead of this EP we had a chance to ask guitarist Jacob (Jake) Mazlum our set of Profile questions so head below to see how it went down. Continue reading
Album Review: Miscarriage – “Imminent Horror”
People constantly talk about how metal is over-saturated with thousands upon thousands of new bands that are all doing the same thing, exactly the same way. The ease of the internet to get your release out there removes the inhibitions of metal artists to put time and effort into developing their craft. Those that pay attention to such things, are constantly drowning in cookie-cutter, copy/paste versions of whatever the most popular band of a particular genre is. For those that know where to look (see releases from labels like Sentient Ruin, 20 Buck Spin, Gilead Media, Vrasubatlat, wins most fitting album title of 2019), you often are able to find those that are dedicated to themselves and their art rather than to clicks and streams. Behold, Miscarriage‘s Imminent Horror! Continue reading
Album Review: Bellrope – “You Must Relax”
I don’t like being told what to do. Unless it has to do with my overall well-being and tenacity, I am not someone who takes authority well. Thus, imagine when, randomly looking through the promo pile, Bellrope’s album name immediately caught my attention. At first, I thought of the title as a mere tongue-in-cheek reference; after all, what does an album know about my headspace at any given time? Well, as it would turn out, You Must Relax not only lives up to its tongue-in-cheek title, but its overall appeal lies within the chaotic yet claustrophobic mix of sludge and noise. Continue reading
Second Circle: WOORMS and Orchid
In Dante’s Inferno, the second circle begins the proper punishment of Hell, a place where “no thing gleams.” It is reserved for those overcome with Lust, where carnal appetites hold sway over reason. In Nine Circles, it’s where we do shorter reviews of new (ish) albums that share a common theme.
In sharing a common theme, Louisiana’s WOORMS and India’s Orchid are out there on the spectrum of tripping the light fantastic. One does it with mind melting sludge and noise while the other does it with mind challenging technical ecstacy in the form of the avantgarde and extreme. So, for this Second Circle we’re taking a look at Slake and Miasma and how it would be best to take both in separate listening sessions so complete brain corrosion is avoided. Continue reading
