11 IS ONE LOUDER: Würzburg post metal titans Cranial choose their Top 5 albums from post metal / sludge / doom

The debut LP from Würzburg’s Cranial was an album high on our list of most anticipated heavy releases of 2017. “Dark Towers / Bright Lights”delivered on these high expectations with four huge cuts of intelligent sludge.

Cranial honed their Earth-shattering attack to razor-sharp perfection and expanded the scope of their music to galactic levels of grandeur.  All of the hallmarks of post-metal are present; epic ten minute compositions, seismic shifts in dynamics, crushing riffs, however what set Cranialapart from their peers is the venom in their delivery, all of the smooth edges have been filed away to leave only the heaviest and nastiest elements. The band are a relentless riff engine, churning out a constant flow of thick sludge, like Neurosischannelling the almighty crunch of early Mastodon. This is best exemplified by the cataclysmic ending on the track “Dark”. Just when you think the dust has settled on the track, an ominous riff slowly moves into view which, when fully unleashed, feels like it could level all buildings in a ten mile radius, like a Godzilla-sized version of Sumac.

Cranial have taken a genre that now often sounds slick and safe and stripped it back to its raw essence to make it furious and alive once more. This German quartet has well and truly imprinted themselves upon us at The Sludgelord and have firmly establishing themselves as one of our favourite bands and we can only hope they leave the same impression upon you. 

Today we invite Bastian, Michael, Julian and Cornelius, better know as Cranial to choose their top 5 albums from post metal and sludge, as take our weekly trip into the extreme, by cranking it to 11.  Why do we go to 11,  because “It’s one louder, isn’t it?”

Men In Search Of The Perfect Weapon – “S/T” chosen by Cornelius

Heavy, Doom, Sludge, Melody - one of my favourite albums that leaves nothing to be desired concerning sound, songwriting, rhythms and riffs. Published in 2005, the album still shows how it’s done. Sadly they split up not too long afterwards.

Neurosis – “Souls At Zero” chosen by Bastian

It’s not easy to pick one album by Neurosis but I think the one that had the biggest impact on me and how I still see music is “Souls At Zero”. This album marks (in my eyes) the transition between Hardcore/Punk and atmospheric heavy music. Perfect atmosphere, dark melodys and heavy riffs without any savage Metal-Attitude.

YOB – “The Unreal Never Lived”chosen by Michael

I stumbled over YOB's– “The Unreal Never Lived” a decade ago in a local record store. The opener "Quantum mystic" with its mesmerizing and thundering main riff was and is still an instant jawdropper. If you can handle Mike's pissed-off-grandma clean vocals, YOBdeliver a unique, earthshaking sound that bulldozes everything in its way und grabs you by your balls. This band is probably the biggest influence on my guitar play.

Hellshock – “Shadows Of the Afterworld”chosen by Julian

This album (released 2005) is very groundbreaking and there is no way to get along without it. No matter how many times I put on the record, everything’s still hard, fast, dark, and above all ... just a masterpiece. Especially the vocals, very cold and straight, but the feeling of gloom never breaks down. A must have for those, who like dark anthems in their purest form.

Eyehategod – “In The Name Of Suffering”chosen by Bastian

I discovered the debut album of Eyehategod when I was 15. I was heavy into Punk and this music was scary and fascinating at the same time for me. So nihilistic and sick, it totally caught my attention.

Cranial’s latest album “Dark Towers/ Bright Lights” is available here

Band info: facebook



TOP 16 ALBUMS: The Sour 16 for January 2017

Soen

Let it be known fellow Sludgelordians, The Sour 16returns.  The Sludgelord presents the very best Diabolus in Musica to pour scorn on this desolate day and strike upon us the might of the riff, to inject our veins with sin and guide us on journey of subservice to doom, an act that goes against the very laws and teachings of populist culture, and for those that wish to come with us on our quest, kneel with me as we embrace the thunderous din that is, The Sour 16.

You know the drill by now, each month, you the reader are unwittingly compiling a list of the top 16 records of the month, covering all genres of metal.  Is it not a chart, in which reviewers or contributors extol their opinion about their favourite music.  To put it simply, 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 are highlighted in red)

16). Terrifier – “Weapons of Thrash Destruction” (552)

15). 1968 – “Fortuna Havana” (571)

1968 wear their influences on their sleeve. There are plenty of bands that stalk the planet playing classic/hard rock; the trick is to make it your own and not become a cliché. 1968 walk the line well and come out with originality whilst using their influences to great effect.

  

14). Cranial – “Dark Towers / Bright Lights” (588)

Cranial have honed their Earth-shattering attack to razor-sharp perfection and expand the scope of their music to galactic levels of grandeur.  The band are a relentless riff engine, churning out a constant flow of thick sludge, like Neurosis channelling the almighty crunch of early Mastodon. “Dark Towers / Bright Lights” does not break down any musical barriers but it is poised to blow your mind with its dark intensity.

13). Lizzard Wizzard – “Total War Power Bastard” (612)

This album is defined by tones as sweet as a glass of warm tar, sparse arrangements, sluggish tempos and venomous attitude. To listen to “Total War Power Bastard” is to get lost in a haze of looping riffs, humming amplifiers, grimy guitar fuzz and putrid vocals.

12). Lecherous Gaze – “One Fifteen” (688)

Imagine what would happen if Howlin’ Wolf grew up in the 80s, spent his time jamming The Ramones and getting fucked up on anything that came his way. If such prospect tickles your curiosity, then by all means, jump on board the “One Fifteen” train, Lecherous Gaze’s new album.

11). Frozen Planet...1969 - "Electric Smokehouse" (730)

The chemistry between the players – Paul Attard on guitar, Lachlan Paine on bass and Frank Attard on drums – can be heard in each one of these cuts. In fact, it’s not only heard, its felt, and that’s what makes this record sound so great. The music is alive, it moves, it gels, and best of all, it’s both heavy and psychedelic.

10). Demonic Death Judge – “Seaweed”(741)

The Finnish quartet deal in a potent blend of filthy sludge-encrusted riffs tempered by hypnotic stoner grooves and nasty gravel gargling vocals. The band conjure up the sound of a bar room brawl between Weedeater and Colour Haze.

09). Gloson – “Grimen”(776)

"Grimen" keeps getting better, the more you listen. It stirs the imagination with its ferocity and complexity. From its excellent pacing to its subtle use of varied instruments, it's a breathtaking achievement for a band that's just getting started.

  

08). Suma - "The Order of Things" (837)

Suma have proved that, over fifteen years on from their formation, they can still challenge listeners, in terms of their expectations and their open-mindedness. This is a sprawling record that impresses, uplifts, and imparts melancholia in equal measure. It’s a feat, and one that makes it sorely apparent that the Malmo crew deserves much more recognition then they are afforded.

  

7). Book of Wyrms - "Sci-fi/Fantasy"(921)

The legendary Hawkwind would be happy with the sounds exhibited on “Nightbong”, while the darkness on “All Hollows Eve” is right in sync with Uncle Acid et al.  This is a good record which combines some of the best of space/stoner/doom in one package. A band to watch in 2017.

6). Kreator – “Gods of Violence” (1109)

There are so many great riffs, solos, hooks and vocals over the course of the record that there is absolutely nothing to complain about here. Kreator have produced another very worthy entry into their impressive back catalogue. Fans of their later work will love what is on offer here as it is a continuation of their most recent and very impressive albums.  This is a hooky, vicious, well produced thrash record which is every bit as good as anything which has come out of America in recent times. Recommended.

  

5). Goya – “Harvester of Bongloads” (1015)

It is start to finish, packed with massive fuzzed out riffs, deep despair and copious nods to the sweat leaf that Goya pay homage to throughout the entire album.  Small wonder in the midst of our current political nightmare that Goya would drop a jewel heralding the end, before escaping in the smoky haze of their own retreat.

4). Bathsheba - "Servus" (1106)

The biggest strength of the album is its tactful and haunting use of atmosphere. This is achieved through the skilful use of dynamic contrast, organically unfolding transitions and changes in the timbre of the music, particularly in the playing of guitarist Dwight Goossens.  Tracks such as “Manifest” and “Demon” see Goossens change from chilling, ambient clean tones to rich, roaring fuzz tones that could satisfy even the hardest to please doom fans.

3). Sepultura - “Machine Messiah” (2115)

Will this convert early-Sepultura-only fans? Unlikely. Will it convert Cavalera only Sepultura fans? I doubt it, as those people have made their decision and won't entertain that a Sepultura can exist without the Cavalera brothers. However, this is yet another high quality entry into the Sepultura discography and is one of the best records the band has made.

2). Dead Witches - "Ouija"(3048)

This is another perfectly fuzzed out slab of doom from a band that doesn’t seem to know any other way.

1). Soen – “Lykaia”(3106)

On Soen’s third full length record their own explorative hunger is satisfied in the most delicious of ways, resulting in their most dynamically versatile but free flowing release to date.  An explorative and colourful record, there is a lot to take in with this record, many dimensions in which to get lost in. Repeat listens bear gorgeous fruits.

A big thank you as always to our amazing writers, your dedication knows no boundaries and for that I am truly grateful. January’s “Sour 16”features reviews by:  Richard Maw, Phil Weller, Victor Van Ommen, Jay Hampshire, Ben Fitts, Josh Nichols, Charlie Butler & Dominic Walsh 

ALBUM REVIEW: Cranial - “Dark Towers / Bright Lights”

By: Charlie Butler

Album Type: Full Length

Dare Released: 10/02/2017

Label: Moment Of Collapse

Cranial have honed their Earth-shattering attack to razor-sharp perfection and expand the scope of their music to galactic levels of grandeur.  The band are a relentless riff engine, churning out a constant flow of thick sludge, like Neurosis channelling the almighty crunch of early Mastodon.  “Dark Towers / Bright Lights” does not break down any musical barriers but it is poised to blow your mind with its dark intensity.

“Dark Towers/ Bright Lights” CS//CD//DD//LP track listing:

1). Dark

2). Towers

3). Bright

4). Lights

 The Review:

The debut LP from Würzburg’s Cranialwas high on my list of most anticipated heavy releases of 2017. “Dark Towers / Bright Lights” delivers on these high expectations with four huge cuts of intelligent sludge.

Apart from the brief electronic passages that introduce each track, the band don’t deviate far from the sonic blueprint laid out on their killer debut EP “Dead Ends”. Instead Cranial have honed their Earth-shattering attack to razor-sharp perfection and expand the scope of their music to galactic levels of grandeur.

All of the hallmarks of post-metal are present here; epic ten minute compositions, seismic shifts in dynamics, crushing riffs, however what sets Cranial apart from their peers is the venom in their delivery, all of the smooth edges have been filed away to leave only the heaviest and nastiest elements. The band are a relentless riff engine, churning out a constant flow of thick sludge, like Neurosis channelling the almighty crunch of early Mastodon. This is best exemplified by the cataclysmic ending of “Dark”. Just when you think the dust has settled on the track, an ominous riff slowly moves into view which, when fully unleashed, feels like it could level all buildings in a ten mile radius, like a Godzilla-sized version of Sumac.

There are quieter moments in amongst the carnage which serve to enrich the atmosphere. The band pair delayed guitars with glacial doom and harsh vocals to great effect in ”Dark” and create a hazy cloud of menace atop dirty metronomic basslines in the mid-section of “Bright” to heighten the drama. All of this only serves to heighten the colossal impact when they return to maximum volume.

Cranial take a genre that now often sounds slick and safe and strip it back to its raw essence to make it furious and alive once more. “Dark Towers / Bright Lights” does not break down any musical barriers but it is poised to blow your mind with its dark intensity.

“Dark Towers / Bright Lights” is available preorder/buy here

 Band info: facebook