TOP 16 ALBUMS: The Sour 16 for April 2017

Telekinetic Yeti

Yes, it is that time again O ye lover of riffs, “The Sour 16” returneth.  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 The 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). Necrowretch – “Satanic Slavery” (438)

For something so embedded with crust, rust and cadaverous unmentionables, it is an incredibly refreshing, riff-dense monster of an album, almost ebullient in its putrid malevolence.

15). Witchapter – “Spellcaster” (521)

14). Hawkbill – “Self Titled” (578)

Track by track these rusted broke-down tractor boys weave a landscape that is reminiscent of the groovier parts of Grief or perhaps an even more slowed down and swampy take on some Weedeater.   With a natural emphasis on groove and natural timing and feel, this album moves like a sloth with a spliff in its mouth.

13). War Brides – “Regrets” (585)

Chicago bruisers War Brides raid the vaults of the noise rock greats to create a compellingly ugly debut LP in the shape of “Regrets”. It is a quick and dirty shot of addictive mayhem, channelling the nastiness of its influences to fine effect and offers hints of evolution into a stranger beast over the course of future releases.

12). Cowardice – “With Condolence (599)

the sound is relatable and as tender as a fingernail wrenched from its bed. It drifts between aching sadness and violent bouts of self-disgust. This stratum of emotional, chemical and physical self-destruction is the calling card of genuine, heartfelt sludge, and “Without Condolence” is definite rap on the door.

11). Ohhms – “The Fool” (600) 

 

10). Kenoma – “The Tides will Prevail” (611)

Kenoma are firmly focused on the metal side of the post-metal equation for the most part of “The Tides Will Prevail” and manage to create huge, enveloping sound constructions reliant on intricate interlocking guitar parts rather than a phalanx of effects pedals.  The albums extended gestation period has produced an absorbing set of finely honed post-metal behemoths.

9). Aathma – “Avesta” (634) 

Wonderfully straddling the line between a live and studio sound, thanks to the efforts of producer Carlos Santos and the unfailingly excellent mastering work of the ever-prolific James Plotkin, ‘Avesta’ sounds absolutely mighty.  A must-listen for fans of Yob, Baroness, Mastodon and anyone interested in ambitious stoner-sludge metal.

8). Earth Witch – “Out of the Shadow” (661) 

Every track is a winner. Every riff is massive. The production is raw and warm. Everything sounds big. Everything sounds heavy. This is surely exactly the record that Earth Witch set out to create and I applaud them highly for it. Fantastic and heavy stuff and one of the best albums I have heard so far this year.

7). Moloch/Disrotted& Cloud Rat/Moloch - “Splits” (675)

6). Mage – “Green” (702)

No fuss, no messing about, just good quality stoner/doom of the finest order. Check this album out and check the band out live: I guarantee that you won't be disappointed.

5). Mastodon – “Emperor of the Sand” (794)

this is the best album in a long while from the band, it is accessible without straying that far from the band's template and still finds the band in a modern class of one. Time will reveal just how good this record is, but my feeling is that this one will stand the test of time.”

4). The Obsessed – “Sacred” (959)

Quite simply, I can't find anything on this album I don't like. The best comeback of the year, without a doubt. This record will be turning up in many year end lists, without a doubt. It could even be the best album by The Obsessed, but only time will tell on that one. I can't recommend this highly enough.

3). Artificial Brain – “Infrared Horizon” (1272)

The artwork depicting a mournful android grieving the loss of another android is absolutely devastating as a visual, and that same feeling permeates the whole musical experience.

2). Spidergawd – “IV” (1462)

“IV” is eight tracks that follow the verse-chorus-verse-chorus formula and does so with licks, vocals, lyrics and melodies that are sharp, fast, and poignant. As far as that’s concerned, there’s absolutely nothing to complain about

1). Telekinetic Yeti – “Abominable” (3755)

All in all, the recording has a huge sound and the production is absolutely amazing. It has everything you could ever want and I would rate it as a perfect 10. The album is truly remarkable and is sure to go down in history as one of rock’s greatest debuts. These guys are definitely heavyweight contenders to find their place at the top of the scene

A big thank you as always to our amazing writers, your dedication knows no boundaries and for that I am truly grateful.  April 2017’s “Sour 16” features reviews by:  Richard Maw, Daniel Jackson, Andre Almaraz, Grim Trashcan, Victor Van Ommen, Richard Maw, Charlie Butler, Jack Taylor, Conor O’Dea & Stephen Murray

11 IS ONE LOUDER: Kenoma bassist Doug McGinnnis talks us through his Top 5 post metal, doom albums

Eleven years in the making, Dayton, Ohio atmospheric post metal collective KENOMA recently released their highly anticipated debut full length record entitled, “The Tides Will Prevail” via Translation Loss. Having flown under the radar following their contribution to the 2006 critically acclaimed split release with Mouth Of The Architect, “The Tides Will Prevail “could be considered something of a rebirth for the band.  This extended gestation period has produced an absorbing set of finely honed post-metal behemoths.  Kenoma are firmly focused on the metal side of the post-metal equation and for the most part of “The Tides Will Prevail” manages to create huge, enveloping sound constructions reliant on intricate interlocking guitar parts rather than a phalanx of effects pedals.

With their style of sludge-induced atmospheric instrumentals, Kenoma have etched their way into creating climatic and expansive journeys, pushing them to the forefront of their ever dilating genre. Kenoma create landscapes you want to explore and get lost in. The subtle nuances of their valleys are mesmerizing and their peaks are crafted with boiling points overflowing with beauty. As for the 11 year gap between releases, it is a journey that would eventually lead to the creation of their brilliant new album and today we have invited bassist Doug McGinnis to talk us through his top 5 post metal, doom records. So prepare to worship at the altar of volume, as we take our weekly trip into the extreme and turn the volume all the way up to 11.  Why do we go to 11,  because “It’s one louder, isn’t it?”

1). Neurosis: “Through Silver In Blood”

This album was not my first introduction to Neurosis, but it had the biggest impact on me and my writing style. “Through Silver In Blood”is one of the heaviest and most complex albums I have ever heard. The siren like screams and the destructive riffs paired with the textured soundscapes made for one of the most influential albums to date. It’s hard to deny an album, or a band, that single handedly create a whole sub-genre of bands struggling to grasp Neurosis’s immense vision. This is still one of my favorite Neurosis albums and probably always will be.  

2). His Hero Is Gone: “Fifteen Counts Of Arson”

His Hero Is Gone: “Fifteen Counts Of Arson” was one of the first albums my group of friends all came together around. When it came out none of us had heard a mix of styles quite like these guys put together. It was a ferocious album that went from grinding you into the dirt with their crust punk stylings to smashing you over the head with their oppressive doom style riffs. This album had it all and could effortlessly flow from one style to the next without batting an eye. This record will make you want to buck the system and burn it to the ground.

3). Tarentel: “The Order Of Things”

This is one of my favorite albums of all time. “The Order Of Things” evokes emotions and feelings with each changing note. The pairing of the organic sounding instrumentation and the soundscapes makes for an immersive listening experience. I still get lost in these songs and find myself reflecting on the past, present, and future every time I spin this record. This album is highly recommended and will provide a very lush listening experience.  

4). Grief: “Come To Grief”

This album is one of my favorite doom records ever recorded. The weight that this album carries is immense. It had an influence own my writing style even before I started Kenoma, when I was still in Rune.  The down tempo riffs on this album are unmatched by any of its predecessors. I would not be surprised if this album hasn’t led to a significant decline in the human population.  No one can match the level of doom unleashed on the world as this album has produced. Doom On and Drop Out… 

5). Red Sparowes: “At The Soundless Dawn”

“At The Soundless Dawn” grips the listener right from the beginning and doesn’t let go until the album is done. This is my favorite Red Sparowes release and has had a large impact on Kenoma’s approach to song writing. This engaging release commands the attention of the listener and takes them on a ride through beautifully crafted textures and sweeping riffs. The dynamics are on point and it is full of emotive highs and lows. Get ready for a ride when listening to this album. 

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

ALBUM REVIEW: Kenoma - "The Tides Will Prevail"

By: Charlie Butler

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 28/04/2017

Label: Translation Loss

Kenoma are firmly focused on the metal side of the post-metal equation for the most part of “The Tides Will Prevail” and manage to create huge, enveloping sound constructions reliant on intricate interlocking guitar parts rather than a phalanx of effects pedals.  The albums extended gestation period has produced an absorbing set of finely honed post-metal behemoths.

“The Tides Will Prevail” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1). The 33^rd Parallel

2). 1913

3). Curse of Tecumseh

4). Sleeping Prophet

5). Nature of Empire

The Review:

Bands often take their time to craft their debut full-length but it rarely takes a staggering eleven years. Dayton, Ohio instrumentalists Kenoma have had some ups and downs since their 2006 split with Mouth of the Architect but they have battled through and now emerge triumphant with “The Tides Will Prevail”.

This extended gestation period has produced an absorbing set of finely honed post-metal behemoths. “33^rd Parallel”begins in crushing fashion, a slow motion crawl with echoes of Yob and Pallbearer. A stirring melodic guitar line rises from the smouldering ashes of this introduction that drives the track towards an epic riff onslaught. Kenomaare firmly focused on the metal side of the post-metal equation for the most part of “The Tides Will Prevail” and manage to create huge, enveloping sound constructions reliant on intricate interlocking guitar parts rather than a phalanx of effects pedals.

The band are not completely averse to the subtle integration of otherworldly textures into the mix though. “Sleeping Prophet” opens with a wall of woozy synths that morph into hazy psych rock in the vein of Grails while apocalyptic closer “Nature of Empire” starts as a menacing cloud of delayed guitars then erupts into punishing doom laden with samples of air raid sirens. Even when Kenoma lay off the volume it is never long until they unleash their full weight again, like when the sparse nocturnal quiet of “Curse Of Tecumseh” is engulfed by a wave of sweet distortion.

Kenoma’s distinct brand of sludged-up, riff-heavy post-metal is a welcome racket in 2017. Let’s hope it doesn’t take another eleven years to produce the follow-up to “The Tides Will Prevail”.

“The Tides Will Prevail” is available to preorder/buy here

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

TRACK PREMIERE: Atmospheric post metal collective Kenoma's journey of struggle, progress and regression delivers spell binding results with "1913"

 

 

Eleven years in the making, Dayton, Ohio atmospheric post metal collective KENOMAare set to release their highly anticipated debut full length record entitled, “The Tides Will Prevail” via Translation Loss. The album is set to hit the streets on 28 April 2017, but having flown under the radar following their contribution to the 2006 critically acclaimed split release with Mouth Of The Architect, “The Tides Will Prevail “could be considered something of a rebirth for the band. 

KENOMA began constructing their riff-filled peaks and valleys in 2005 and quickly became a sought after name. With their style of sludge-induced atmospheric instrumentals, KENOMAhave etched their way into creating climatic and expansive journeys, pushing them to the forefront of their ever dilating genre. KENOMA creates landscapes you want to explore and get lost in. The subtle nuances of their valleys are mesmerizing and their peaks are crafted with boiling points overflowing with beauty. As for the 11 year gap between releases, bassist Doug McGinnis offers some insight on their journey that would eventually lead to the creation of their brilliant new album

Kenoma has been working through issues along with continued member changes since around 2005. Translation Loss provided us with an opportunity early on in our inception to do a split release with Mouth of the Architect. This opportunity came after our first show as a band. Kenoma jumped on the chance to release a split with our friends in MOTA. Looking back on the opportunity, it probably came a little early in our career. Collectively Kenoma walked away from the experience learning a lot, but none of us were very happy with the recording. We felt that it did not accurately represent the vision that we had in mind. After a few more line-up changes and some time off, Kenoma was reformed in its current state.

With this line-up Kenomafelt like we would finally be able to accurately represent the vision that had escaped us and decided to rework some of our older material. The songs came together great. We added a third guitar player and some soundscapes to complete our vision. The textures and tones of the songs were finally in place, so we decided that it was about time to head back into the studio.

“The Tides Will Prevail” is a very personal journey of struggle, progress, and regression. Kenomahas been able to weather the tides in order to finally produce a quality product. We, as a group, have come together, and in the face of adversity have been successful in finally bringing to life what we set out to create from the beginning. It has been a long process to get to this point, but through our strength and determination Kenoma has been able to bring to life the original vision that we had in our mind. “The Tides Will Prevail” is a look into the lives and times of everyone that had once been involved in Kenoma and the journey that it took for us to get to this place and time."

Translation Loss Recordswill release “The Tides Will Prevail” on multiple formats including a special edition, mailorder only coloured vinyl edition as well as compact disc and digital.  Today were excited to debut the track “1913” which you can check out below.  Was 11 years worth the wait, you decide? Pre-orders are available here.

Band info: bandcamp|| facebook