“11 is one Louder”: Cryptworm from New England Doom overlords Black Tomb picks his Top 5 sludge/doom albums

Hailing from New England, Black Tomb recently brought to the table their debut self titled release just in time for the Halloween season. Black Tomb are a band that brings the darkness out of you and your mind can’t help but get lost in powerful riffs drenched in the fumes of hatred and despair while the fuzz shakes your core and vibrates the cavity causing all vital organs to hit the floor with a splat, while you bang your head against the wall from sheer madness.

Their debut is certainly something very special, it is album you’ll want to play very very loud, with little regard to your own mental stability.  The band have virtually obliterated the doom scene this year with their scuzzed up tones, securing a deal with via Totem Cat Records in process, as well as slot on the upcoming Dreadfestin Leeds, England next year.

Today we asked Cryptworm from the band to turn his amp all the way up to 11 and choose his top 5 sludge doom albums in our weekly feature “11 is one Louder”. 

Acid Witch – “Stoned” (2010)

There's nothing better than punks playing doom. Unless it's punks playing death-doom with 80's horror keys behind it. There's nothing better than that. Every Acid Witch release is perfect - from the artwork, down to the maniacal witch laughter. This was the first album I heard by them and I was blown away that anyone could turn old school doom influences like Trouble and Witchfinder General into this very cohesive Frankenstein monster of death metal, doom, and punk rock. They continue to pull it off every time. Just like the heavy metal greats, they only take themselves as seriously as they need to, which leaves a lot of room for incredible Fastwaycovers and throwing spider webs into crowds.

Witchfinder General – “Death Penalty” (1982)

This record. This is one that changed my life when I was younger. There is zero fat on this record. Front to back, it's one of the best things I've ever listened to. The song writing is brilliant and the structure of the album kills as well. It's a wild ride of perfect NWOBHM and old school doom that reminds you just how important it is to keep your songs catchy. One of a kind.

 Serpentine Path – “Emanations” (2014)

The only downside to this record is that the serpent worshiping cult creatures on the cover aren't in the band. This thing drags you down from the very start with ruthless oppression. I love when an album just gets straight to the point like this one. Incredibly crushing tones are achieved and the vocals are mixed so well underneath those commanding riffs. One of the most menacing examples of sludge ridden doom.

Candlemass – “Nightfall” (1987)

One of the greatest things to ever happen... What can I say about Candlemass that hasn't already been said? 'Nightfall' is jam packed with epic hymns for the melancholy souls of doom. It makes you feel like you're trapped in the saddest Dungeons & Dragons campaign you could ever imagine.

Electric Wizard – “We Live” (2004)

The most obvious for last... I feel like not including Wizard on this list would be me trying too hard to come up with something different. To me, Wizardis to doom what Sabbathis to heavy metal. 'We Live' is dripping with hatred and despair. There's no phoning it in here. This is genuine discontent for the world. The haunting and repetitious leads just creep under your skin. They keep this record monumentally heavy and you can't forget a single part of it.

You can check out Black Tomb below and their album “Black Tomb”is available digitally here

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

TOP 16 ALBUMS: The Sour 16 Chart for October 2016

By: Aaron Pickford



Alter Bridge

It is that time once again people to cast our minds back, and digest the 16 albums that would become October’s most viewed albums and form the basis for our sacrilegious ‘Sour 16’, the finest and most profane riffs around bundled together into a premium sized sonic soufflé.

You know the drill, each month; you the reader are unwittingly compiling a list of the top 16 records that we featured in October, covering all genres of metal.  Is it not a chart, in which reviewers or contributors extol their opinion about their favourite music.  The ‘Sour 16’ are the records that have been trending the most at Sludgelord Headquarters.

The results are compiled based on page views alone and calibrated into the list below. All reviews can be viewed by clicking the artwork and we have included album streams wherever possible. (Total views since their publication is highlighted in red). 

16). Headless Kross - "Projection I” (377)

 

15). Holy Serpent - "Temples" (404)

All in all, “Temples” is a great record.  Holy Serpent nailed it.  The songs are well crafted, well-structured, the vocals are right on and the music is perfect parts psych, doom, sludge and out right heaviness.  Don’t hesitate, buy “Temples” immediately.

14) Truckfighters - "V" (406)

All in all, a solid offering; a sound that is current; one that rocks effortlessly and one that proves regardless of line-up changes Truckfighters continue to be strong.

13) Zaum – “Eidolon (423)

“What makes Zaum’s music so intoxicating is the sheer density of their sound. Layers of synths, sitars, flutes and who knows what else, build up to create a foundation of all-encompassing drone for the bands epic compositions.  Prepare to be transported to a higher realm.”

12). Various Artists - “Meantime (Redux)” (442)

Meantime (Redux)” is a face-melting reinterpretation of what many consider Helmet’s finest hour, it   pulls off the tricky balance of paying respectful tribute to a classic album while being an excellent listen in its own right. Hopefully it will introduce long-term Helmet fans to some exciting new bands and make any other people with their ears stuck in the underground realise that Helmet were great all along.

11). Charred Wall of the Damned - "Creatures Watching Over The Dead" (460)

Richard Christy & Co have created something special with “Creatures Watching over the Dead.” It needs to be heard and talked about.  This is metal with heart.  Metal with soul.  And most of all?  Metal that’s larger than life.

10). Vermin Womb - "Decline" (541)

Vermin Womb succinctly distill the essence of their sound into one word: “Violence”.  It is a grimly exhilarating ride, but an oppressive racket that is hard to resist.

09). Yawning Man - "Historical Graffiti" (563)

“Historical Graffiti” is a drug that calms the soul of the listener”

08). Obsidian Kingdom – “A Year of No Summer” (578)

 

“This record is well constructed and the instrumentation is very impressive. But for those looking for similar fare to their previous work, they’d best keep looking.”

07). Black Tomb - "Black Tomb" (585)

 

06). Fistula - "The Shape of Doom to Cumm)))" (612)

The Shape of Doom to Cumm)))” is dripping with sardonic hatred for scenesters and fad chasers, scrapping rusty barbed wire across the speakers as if to wound those who listen. They bring the noise, the hate, and will tell you to your face if there’s even a hint at being a douchebag.

 

05). Witchthroat Serpent - "Sang-Dragon" (640)

This is a dominating record and something which the band can be sure will appeal to all kinds of fans of stoner doom and sludge. Witchthroat Serpent have left a deep scar in the genre and it will take a long time to heal with a record so devastatingly heavy.

 

04). Watchtower  - "Concepts of Math: Book One" (781)

The guitars crunch, the vocals bite, and the band chemistry shines through on each song, almost as if they know what each other’s gonna do before they do it. A near perfect record, which for Watchtower, is pretty much par for the course.

03). 40 Watt Sun – “Wider Than The Sky” (827)

Although the record may find itself on the fringes of metal, the empathetic feelings Walkershares over soaring ten minute tracks should cause anyone who has felt anything before to reflect in some meaningful way. “Wider than the Sky” challenges its listeners to reflect for themselves, because after all it’s important to remember where one stands. 40 Watt Sun’s latest record is likely to find itself among the best records released this year.

02). Asteroid - "III" (1716)

 

It is a hugely diverse record and shows the advanced musicianship between the band, blending all kinds of stoner rock and fuzz. This is a band who are firmly on the rise to the top and know exactly how to get there. One of the best releases of 2016 without a doubt.

 

1). Alter Bridge - "The Last Hero" (20494)

If you have any interest in the more commercial end of the rock and metal spectrum i.e. Metallica, Maiden, Soundgarden and so on then this album could be a fine intro to the band. If you are a fan already you will enjoy this one immensely. Alter Bridgeare leading lights in modern rock and may well be the last of a dying breed.

 

A big thank you as always to our amazing writers, your dedication knows no boundaries and for that I am truly grateful.  September’s “Sour 16” features reviews by:  Richard Maw, Theron Moore, Charlie Butler,  Victor Van Ommen, TJ Kliebhan, Jake Wallace, Hunter Young, Kat Hilton, Stiq & Jay Hampshire







ALBUM REVIEW: Black Tomb - "Black Tomb"

By: Stiq

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 31/10/2016

Label: Graven Earth Records |

Hellas Records

“Black Tomb” CS//DD//LP track listing:

1). Under the Pine

2). Eyes at Midnight

3). Swine

4). Mortuary Rites

5). Draped in Flesh

6). Lust and Saturn

7). Turning Worm

8). Church on the Hill

The Review:

Black Tomb will bring the darkness out of you. Stomping though the muck of an empty soul. A once innocent Doom/Stoner child left rotting in a sludgy old church basement with his warped Electric Wizard records and beaten mercilessly with raw electric power from an old musty amp caked in depravity.

               

The mind can’t help but get lost in powerful riffs drenched in the fumes of hatred and despair while the fuzz shakes your core and vibrates the cavity causing all vital organs to hit the floor with a splat, while you bang your head against the wall from sheer madness. This is certainly something you’re going to want to listen to very very loud and with little regard to your own mental stability.

Hailing from New England, Black Tomb has brought to the table their debut self titled release just in time for the Halloween season. Now you can keep all the candy for yourself by scaring away all

those pesky trick-or-treaters, while leaving a bad taste in your neighbors mouth.

               

This album is going to be a staple for your record collection and will be released on double disc vinyl for your listening pleasure soon enough. Until then, feel free to rot what’s left of your already decaying brains by listening to them here

p.s. Drug use is highly recommended while ingesting this noise.

“Black Tomb” is available digitally here and on cassette here

Band info: bandcamp|| facebook

FFO: Graves at Sea, Cough, Electric Wizard, Fistula