REVIEW & EXCLUSIVE TRAILER: Khemmis, “Desolation” & Phil Pendergast on Hendrix, Fahey & Sonny Boy

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 22/06/2018

Label: Nuclear Blast |

20 Buck Spin

Six tracks, all uniformly of a high standard and with a production that suits the record perfectly. This is a fine modern American doom album and will feature on many year end lists. This is doom for the doomed!

“Desolation” CD//DD//LP

1). Bloodletting

2). Isolation

3). Flesh to Nothing

4). The Seer

5). Maw of Time

6). From Ruin

The Review

Colorado's Khemmisreturn with this, their third full length and follow up to the very well received “Hunted” from 2016. This is doom metal, for sure- proper doom; with real singing, melodies, dark sounds and tempo changes in the vein of Sabbath.

It is not a million miles away from Sabbath or Dawn of Winter but perhaps closer to Apostle of Solitude  in that it is modern in sound and scope but with a firm grip on the genre's past. It is also distinctly American in approach- no way would you mistake this for Witchsorrowor Serpent Venom. With “Bloodletting”sslow slog to open, the listener is in no doubt that this is traditional doom. “Isolation” may be a few steps quicker, but these Denver cowboys know how to ride a groove: not too quick and they are able to make these songs swing a little rather than just plod. There is dark fare on offer here- “Flesh To Nothing”, for instance is as black as the title suggests.


The rumbling of “The Seer” is impressive and the band plays wonderfully through the changes. My personal favourite, “Maw of Time” (for obvious reasons) is a monolithic slab of sorrow and dark doom with death growls. The nine and a half minute closer “From Ruin” finishes the album off before it outstays its welcome.

Six tracks, all uniformly of a high standard and with a production that suits the record perfectly. This is a fine modern American doom album and will feature on many year end lists. This is doom for the doomed!

“Desolation” is available here

Band info: bandcamp|| facebook

EXCLUSIVE TRAILER: Genre and Where Earthless Fits

San Diego-based trio Earthless return with their new full-length album “Black Heaven” on March 16 via Nuclear Blast Entertainment.  As commented on this here blog, the synchronicity displayed and the deep understanding of each other’s playing styles sets them apart from most instrumental jam bands right now, the trio, consisting of Isaiah Mitchell (Guitar), Mike Eginton (Bass) and Mario Rubalcaba (Drums) have an untouchable ability to jam flawlessly, fusing heavy psychedelic rock with krautrock and blues.  Today THE SLUDGELORD are thrilled to be able to share an exclusive trailer of the band sharing their thoughts on genre and where Earthless fits.  “Black Heaven” is available here 

Band info: facebook

EXCLUSIVE TRAILER: MICHAEL SCHENKER FEST - Grand Magus' JB on his love of Schenker

The first Michael Schenker Fest studio album, “Resurrection”, is in stores now following its on March 2nd 2018 via Nuclear Blast. Schenker recorded the album alongside producer Michael Voss-Schoen and was joined by the three legendary M.S.G. singers: Gary Barden, Graham Bonnet and Robin McAuley. Doogie White (Michael Schenker's Temple Of Rock) also makes an appearance, as well as musicians Steve Mann (guitars, keyboards), Ted McKenna (drums) and Chris Glen (bass). In addition, there are also some guest appearances from Kirk Hammett, Wayne Findlay and Michael Voss-Schoen.

Today's album trailer features Grand Magus' JBon his love of Michael Schenker, including his choice of his favourite Schenker riff.  “Resurrection” is available here

EXCLUSIVE TRAILER: Enslaved | Grutle and Ivar discuss early influences

I’m fairly certain that in 2017, an overwhelming majority of our readership, although not specifically fans of their music, will know about ENSLAVED and may have formed an opinion on their careers to this point.  Indeed, I further surmise there are going to be some people reading this who fall into the category of ‘E’ being their first ENSLAVED album; but I’d have to imagine there aren’t many.

On October 13th, true avant-garde Norwegians ENSLAVED will unleash their highly anticipated studio album “E”, which sees the band taking a more progressive approach to their sound. 

Everyone has “their” ENSLAVED album and that runs a wide spectrum of possibilities because ENSLAVED have been excellent in a number of different ways. ‘E’ is just another example of ENSLAVED finding a new energy and turning that energy into something beautiful. With “E” due for released on Friday October 13^th, check out the video below as Grutle and Ivar discuss their early influences.  “E” is available to order/buy here

Band info: official | facebook 

EXCLUSIVE TRAILER: KADAVAR | Lupus discusses how Witch's self-titled album influenced him

Unless you have been living under a rock or in hibernation for the last seven years, there really is no excuse for you to have missed Berlin based rock overlords Kadavar rising ascendency.  With 3 full lengths under there belts and having notch up thousands of air miles during a hectic touring cycle, this Germanic powerhouse are set to do all again, with the impending release of their fourth record “Rough Times” via metal heavyweight Nuclear Blast   on 29 September 2017.

While Kadavarare certainly not averse to sounding like Aston’s finest, Black Sabbath, on their third album “Berlin” they began to cast their net further into the seas of classic rock incorporating fizzy Stoogesstyle riffs, groove reminiscent of The Who drenched in fuzz and the odd smattering of Hendrix/Creamflavour into proceedings and packed killer chorus’s into the mix which ensured the album was lodged in your brain for weeks.

Kadavar have always seemed to avoid the pitfalls of slavishly recreating the sound of rock legends of yesteryear. Instead they have taken their obvious influences and reassembled them in an exciting new configuration. The sheer exuberance and energy of their delivery, combined with masterful song writing skill, sounds completely vital whilst being unashamedly in thrall to the past. On new album “Rough Times” Kadavar offer yet another example of why they  should be held in the same esteem as their  heroes and be immortalised as masters of their craft by future generations.

Today ahead of the album’s official release on Friday, we offer you another trailer.  Watch below as Lupus discusses how Witch's self-titled album influenced him

“Rough Times” will be released on September 29 via Nuclear Blast qnd you can order a copy: here  UKfans can catch Kadavar live:

30.09. London- The Dome, UK
01.10.  Sheffield - HRH Doom vs. Stoner, UK

Band info: facebook