“11 is one louder”: Headless Kross guitarist/vocalist Tommy Duffin picks his Top 5 from the psychedelic to the sludge

With their music seemingly forged from grit and steel, Headless Kross have been plying their trade since 2011; certainly the band’s compositions are the perfect soundtrack to the impending winter. Releasing their debut album “Bear” in 2011, a self released split with War Iron and a split with Lazarus Blackstar would follow.  “Volumes” the band’s second full length was released in April 2015 and recorded at Skyhammer Studio.  Comprising of 3 tracks their compositions had enough breathing space to ensnare and hypnotise the listener, but retain the thickness of their sound and would see the band continue as Glasgow’s No.1 volume dealers. 

It is true to say that Headless Krosshave evolved as a band, and whilst “Volumes” would see the band shedding some of their sludge doom roots,  their new album “Projections 1” released on November 18th, via  At War With False Noise is an album of Long songs, deep grooves  and tortured vocals”. Today we invite guitarist/vocalist Tommy Duffin to choose his top 5 albums according to the genre their own band is known for. That genre is loosely speaking psychedelia, sludge and doom, so it is time to turn it up to 11 and checkout some classic picks from Glasgow’s finest riff dealers. 

Black Flag - "My War" (1984)

I'm sure there are people who will disagree with me but I reckon side B of this record is ground zero for sludge. Up until this point Black Flag were known for short, fast and chaotic hardcore punk. This however, sounds like they've drank a load of Benylin and recorded an all night jam. The band sound like they're sinking into a tarpit and Rollins definitely hates himself and everyone else. I love the guitar leads on this album. Atonal jazz noise that perfectly backs up the overall misanthropy.  Half the time it sounds like the vocals were recorded in the toilet bowl. Classic.

Eyehategod - "Dopesick" (1996)

The band's third album and arguably my favourite, this is like Black Flag crossed with Black Sabbath in a pharmaceutical warehouse. Negative energy never sounded so good. Absolutely pummeling drums, totally wretched vocals and then there's the feedback drenched riffs lurching from doom, hardcore and somehow a kind of heavily-sedated southern boogie! 

Om– “Conference of the Birds” (2006)

 

Sleep, as you would imagine, are an obvious influence on our sound but I love how the band split into two quite different bands and Om's approach, long meditations on bass and drums, really drew me in and made me want to explore the long song format. I'm into all their records but this is probably the one I reach for most often.

High On Fire – “The Art of Self Defense” (2000)

On the other side of the Sleepdivide you have High On Fire and their first album is a stoner metal classic. I don't like my heavy metal to be shiny and new. I like it murky and covered in mould. This record definitely fits the bill. “Blood from Zion” is probably my favourite HOF song. I'm into all their stuff and the way they've progressed with each album is an inspiration too. Not prepared to stand still.

Hawkwind – “Space Ritual” (1973)

The daddy of the space rock genre and possibly the best live album of all time. I can only imagine what it would have been like to see that tour. The record is pretty head-melting even without the visuals of the original show. Time seems to stretch and contract when you listen to this and that is what we aim for in Headless Kross. This is music that takes you to another place and time completely. 

Band info: facebook | | bandcamp 

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: Headless Kross - “Projections I”

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length
Date Released:18/11/2016
Label: At War With False Noise

“Projections I” track listing

1)…Does Not Equal time

2). Practical Mental Effects

3). Church of the Fifth Season

4). The Map is Not the Territory

The Review:

Headless Krossplay psych doom and hail from Glasgow Scotland. It's bleak enough up there for this storming four track record to be wholly convincing. Long songs, deep grooves, tortured vocals... all present and correct. I can only hope that they took their name from the underrated and hard to find Tony Martin-era Black Sabbath album, which I have been playing a lot recently.

The eight minutes plus of “Does Not Equal Time” takes in doom, sludge, stoner and psych to brew a heady mixture of those four genres. The rest of the album does not disappoint and shows that the band come fully formed and ready to go; the slow burn of “Practical Mental Effects”, the centrepiece of “Church of The Fifth Season” sprawls out over ten minutes- albeit with several of those minutes filled with samples and not riffs.  “TheMap is Not the Territory” is a lengthy crawl through the combined genres darker areas and hits home hard.

It's easy to sum up: if you are a fan of sludge/doom/psych/stoner or think that you might love to hear a record that combines all those together effectively, this record is certainly for you. Dark.

“Projections I” will be available herefrom 18/11/2016 and digitally here

Band info: Facebook || Bandcamp