VIDEO PREMIERE: Grave Lines Live Session, "Loathe/Displace"

London/Brighton heavy contingent Grave Lines who released latest album ‘Fed Into The Nihilist Engine' in the first half of 2018 have announced UK tour dates for February 2019 with Dystopian Future Movies. To help promote this upcoming tour Grave Lines have filmed some very slick live session videos and today you can check out part 1 of the session featuring “Loathe / Displace” below, vocalist Jake Harding commented on the sessions

'As something a bit different we thought it would be cool to capture the more ambient side of Grave Lines with some live sessions. Our good friend Rob "longarms" kindly let us come and do it on his beaten up old canal boat so in a lapse of judgement we decided to go and do it on one of the hottest days of the year.

Sweating bullets and burning in the sun aside we had a blast and the videos speak for themselves.

These are the 'interludes' from our album which tell their own individual stories and at the same time act as part of the narrative of 'Fed into the nihilist engine'. They explore the human relationship with negativity, but act as isolated thoughts within us.

This first track was a bit of an experiment by Julia with synths and took us all by surprise but very quickly became an integral part of the album so it’s been great working it into our live set.

As is always the case with our band this filming was made possible by our talented friends.

Camera work by the amazing Josh gaunt and Florence Pellacani.
Sound recorded and mixed by the unstoppable Chris West (check out his new project Crawling For Carrion here

UK Live Rituals dates w/ Dystopian Future Movies:

Thursday 7th February, Record Junkee, Sheffield

Friday 8th February, Wharf Chambers, Leeds

Saturday 9th February, Black Heart, Camden, London

Sunday 10th February, Chameleon Arts Cafe, Nottingham

Band info: facebook

VIDEO PREMIERE: Belgian doom duo SLOW debut re-recorded remastered version of "The Break of Dawn"

On January 25th 2019 code666 will release a re-recorded, remastered and remixed version of “IV – Mythologiae” by Belgian doom duo SLOW. The album will be released on vinyl, CD and as a digital download.

The album was previously released in 2015 in very small quantities and sold out quickly. Now, due to a data loss the album has now been completely re-recorded, remastered and remixed and includes a never before released bonus track "At The Break of Dawn", as well as new artwork.  Today ahead of the release which is a couple of week from now, we can present an exclusive premiere of a track lifted from this massive slab, entitled “The Break of Dawn” which you can check out in full below. 

Band info: facebook

VIDEO PREMIERE: Chicago's Of Wolves return with "Heart To Hand"

Hailing from Chicago, Illinois Of Wolves play a raw and heavy blend of punk and metal from stoner sludge to hardcore & post punk. Releasing their debut record “Evolve” in May 2013, it was a caustic, white-knuckle roller-coaster ride, fueled by a righteous fury at the world around them.  An album full of skull crushing riffs and lumbering bass pierced with a load of heavy grinding monster beats and stomping blasts that open up like bursts of machine-gun fire.  This devastatingly intense band write songs to deal with stress, disillusionment, social injustice.

6 years have now passed since their debut and Of Wolves have a new album in the can which is set for release via Cimmerian Shade Recordings next year.  Given the fact that we loved their debut so much, it was a no brainer when we were asked to debut a brand new track  and today at THE SLUDGELORDwe’re stoked to be premiere “Heart to Hand” which you can check out below.  More new about their sophomore will be announced when we know more.  In the meantime, turn the volume to 11 and watch your speaker die!!!

Band info: Facebook || Bandcamp

VIDEO PREMIERE: Stockholm's brightest new band The Riven debt "Shadow Man"

Self releasing their debut EP “Black Bird” in April 2017 Stockholm based heavy rock band The Riven will undoubtedly take 2019 by storm with the release of their debut full length set for release via The Sign Records.   Though little is known about their forthcoming album, the band have already started the promotion of the record with the recent release of the track “Fortune Teller” and today what better way to deliver  some Christmas cheer than to debut another kick ass track from arguably one of the brightest new talents in heavy rock.  Check out “Shadow Man” below and read what vocalist Totta has to say about the track

“There he goes into the unknown… The lyrics came to mind as I travelled on a train in Sardinia one warm and hazy afternoon. Representing your inner voice and angst, but also refers to your shadow that follows you wherever you go as long as you let the light shine on you. There was this one time when bass player Max decided to record a phrase on his phone. When I heard this ”oh shadow man” I knew this was the melody and name for the song I’d started writing some time before. The video for "Shadow Man" shows The Riven playing the song live. Roberto, who we worked with, captured us and the energy of a live performance. In Shadow man we wanted to introduce the band to everyone who hasn’t yet put a face on The Riven. Have a look, grab a beer and remember that Shadow man stands and falls with you.”   From Totta, The Riven

Band info: bandcamp|| facebook

THE SLUDGELORD PREMIERE: Montreal quartet Modern Eyes deliver vicious new video “Hérésie”

“Tragedies Dictate Our Lives” is the first full length by Montreal quartet Modern Eyes and what you get is twelve crashing and gloomy tracks mixing elements of d-beat, crust, post metal, hardcore executed in a very defined and unique way.

Formed in 2015, Modern Eyeshave released two EP’s during which they have experimented with their sound and played various showcases and Canadian Festivals.  Lyrically the new record varies from frustrations with modern systems to emotional distress caused by social oppression and every days ordeals.

Produced by Topon Das “Tragedies Dictate our Lives” should undoubtedly serve as the turning point for this Canadian quartet because on this record it achieves the perfect combination of chaotic intensity and melodic soundscapes.  With a release date set for early 2019, today THE SLUDGELORD is exclusively debuting the brand new video for the track “Hérésie” which you can check out below.  Crank this one up and watch your speakers die!!

Band info: facebook

VIDEO PREMIERE: Southern Ohio progressive grunge band Static Tension debut "Bury My Body"

As a follow up to their 2017 EP "Out Of Reach", Static Tensionwill re-emerged with their first full-length album "Ashes To Animation", which is set for release in January of 2019.  The Southern Ohio based quartet delves into new musical territories with this new release, offering a full pallet of sounds ranging from soft acoustics to intricate, progressive metal riffs. 

Drawing upon influences from classic rock, grunge, and progressive metal, Static Tensioncreates a sound unique to their own, self described as "Progressive Grunge".  The band's influences are vast and diverse, at times resembling classic sounds of Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, while also channelling a grungy, sombre atmosphere similar to Alice In Chainsand Soundgardenwith hints of modern, heavy tones of Mastodon and Gojira. 

“Bury My Body” is a song that touches on the final breaking point in a person - the moment that makes their end seem appealing to them. Nobody really wants to die unless their life is more painful than they can imagine their death being. The song also has undertones of wanting to disappear completely - to be buried alone and not remembered at all, just erased from all memory. Life is not always butterflies and roses, and this song is a reflection of those aspects. 

Despite the tracks heavy subject matter, mental health is something that everyone needs to talk about, because conversation can be therapy in itself.  So what better way to deal with dark feelings of one’s own thought that to channel that into music, which can act as catharsis for the composes but as also be used a therapy for the listener.  “Bury My Body” is streaming in full below, so crank it up and allow this music to be your catharsis

Band info: facebook || bandcamp

VIDEO PREMIERE: self confessed Dark Witch Doom Duo Blacklab release "His Name Is..."

Hailing from Osaka, Japan self confessed Dark Witch Doom Duo Blacklab,  deliver  a full frontal assault of distorted riffs, howls and ghostly vocals, as well as bags of riot girrl attitude and lo-fi bravado.  Having released their new record “Under The Strawberry Moon 2.0” on July 20^th via New Heavy Sounds, expect the usual nod to Sabbath but Blacklab have a vibe and experimental undertow not to dissimilar countrymen to Boris  incorporating elements of doom, drone, sludge and black metal to produce some truly unique.  This first Blacklab release on NHS, is a version of their ‘Under The Strawberry Moon’ album which was released in tiny numbers on CD only in Japan, a pull together of previous tracks and new songs recorded over 2017.

Remixed by Wayne Adams @ Bear Bites Horse Studio to maximum effect, make no mistake this band will not disappoint and today at THE SLUDGELORD we are very fortunate to be able to debut Blacklab’s new video for the track “His Name Is ..” which you can check out below. 

Blacklab are: Yuko Morino | guitar, vocals and Chia Shiraishi | drums.  This is what the band had to say about the track

“His Name Is ..”.is a rough rock tune, which has an irregular meter and shuffle beat. The lyrics are written in Nihon-go. The song mixes melodic and barking vocals to add a hardcore element, which is very much part of our sound.  It's the song composed soon after we formed the band, and it's one of the songs that we often play when we're asked for encore.

Band info: Facebook || BandCamp

VIDEO PREMIERE: Barbarian Hermit deliver gravy thick riffs on "Black Mass"

Since their emergence in 2017, APF Records have set out to support the very best bands from the UK’s thriving underground doom scene.  Home to the likes of Ba'al, Battalions, Blind Haze, BongCauldron, Desert Storm, Diesel King, Mastiff, Nomad, Pist, RedEye Revival, The Hyena Kill, The Wizards Of Delight, Tronald, Under and Trevor's Head, label head Andrew Field exudes a sense of family within his ranks and is supporting bands that he himself enjoys.  In essence APF Records is about a love of music and is a platform for them to help nurture bands they enjoy.

With around 16 releases to their name in an 18 month period, that is no small achievement, what’s more the standard of music has been extraordinarily high and that is set to continue on 16^th November and the release of “Solitude and Savagery” the debut album by Barbarian Hermit, a Manchester sludge five piece known for giving it some bastard and bringing the thick, Northern gravy.   Today we have been tasked by wonderful people at Hold Tight PR and APF Records to present the brand new video for the track “Black Mass” which you check out below.  But first check out what the band had to say about the track. 

Introducing ‘Black Mass’, the second single from our forthcoming album, “Solitude and Savagery”.  The track is a twisting, turning sonic assault that meanders through passages of tripped out psychedelia, pure Sabbath worship, thrash and trademark Hermitheavy groove, so it’s fitting that the video that goes along with the song is just as disorienting.

It was actually our old singer Si Prato-Scarlett that approached us to do the video, as since he parted ways with the band he’s been dabbling in film production, whilst also remaining a friend and supporter of Barbarian Hermit. He'd already done the video for “Widowmaker” back in the day so we knew he'd do a fantastic job, but he really knocked it out of the park with this one.

We filmed it over a few days at our practice studio at BrunswickMill in Manchester, which is full of eerie corridors and weird and wonderful trinkets, which lent themselves perfectly for the dreamlike atmosphere that Si wanted to create.

Ed’s lyrics for the song were inspired by a dream/nightmare/vision he had of a dark figure, a black mass that hovered before him, filling him with fear. The song is about facing those fears head on and letting hope guide your way, though much like the imagery that Si has thrown into the video, the lyrics are very much open to the listener’s own interpretation.

"Solitude & Savagery" is set for release on 16/11/2018 via APF Records and orders are being taken link: HERE and you check out the video to “Black Mass”exclusively below

Live Rituals

November 10th – Cvltfest, Café Independent, Scunthorpe

November 16th – Album Lunch, Kosmopolitan, Manchester
November 17th – Ale Fest, Northern Monk Brewery, Leeds
December 22nd – Rebellion Christmas Party, Rebellion, Manchester

Band info: facebook || bandcamp

VIDEO PREMIERE: Swiss sluggers The Crotals deliver a sonic counter punch with "Falling"

Following the release of their debut full-length album “Fuel! Flames! Blast!”, a thrilling experience that THE SLUDGELORD recommend  very highly.  Indeed until the new High On Fire album is released then this band’s new sophomore release“Horde” is your next must have album. High praise, you might say, and rightly so, but it is most definitely justified.  One play through of "Horde" will have you chanting “Hail Satan”, whilst watching your speaker melt because of the sludgy, waxy build-up their riffs will leave on the speaker material.

 “Horde” sees The Crotals going for a heavier route, combining the raw and corrosive riffing of Entombed, Motörhead and High On Fire with the groovy vibes of Kvelertakand Black Cobra.  “Horde” is set for release on CD and LP on September 7th via Tenacity Music(available HERE) and today at THE SLUDGELORD, we're excited to debut their heavy as balls new video for “Falling”.  Check it out below and let your speakers die!!!

Band info: facebook

VIDEO PREMIERE: La Chinga, "Wings of Fire"

La Chinga’s classic-rocking, sophomore record “Freewhelin,’” harkened back to the days of yore when a band would roll into town and bring a party with them. Forged in 2012, La Chinga’s style of retro-rock serves up that saucy 70s vibe, with an Aerosmithswagger, Van Halenstyle riffing and that all important bad ass guitar solo. At the end of the day, each song is a party and luckily today y’all are invited for the ride as we debut their brand new video “Wings of Fire” lifted from their forthcoming album “Beyond The Sky”set for release via Small Stone Records on 07/09/2018 (available here).  Check out the video below and what director of the video R.D. Cane had to say about it.

La.Chinga….When they asked me to shoot a video I had to really think about how to pay all due respect to their guitar heavy forefathers and still visually knock the socks off of a whole new generation of young rockers. We knew we wanted to make it colourful and exciting but simple enough to not get in the way.  “Wings of Fire” just rocks.  La Chinga know their thing and they do it so well.  Thanks La Chinga, this was a blast to shoot and hanging out was very cool, I really can’t wait to do more…

Band info: Facebook || Bandcamp

VIDEO PREMIERE: Ukranian progressive stoners Stoned Jesus debut "Hands Resist You"

On September 7th STONED JESUS will deliver their next solid load of progressive stoner rock on Napalm Records entitled “Pilgrims”.  With their fourth album the Ukrainian trio offers much more than your usual Kyuss wannabe or your average desert session band and let’s face it Kyuss hasn’t but out a record for nearly 25 years and we need some fresh jams.

With “Pilgrims”, STONED JESUS have delivered a multi-faceted album mixing groove with noise rock elements, lots of proggy infusions and giant such as Mastodon and Melvins come to mind in terms of tone and texture.  Make no mistake STONED JESUS can’t be pigeonholed and “Pilgrims” is very fine album indeed.  The band comments on the new album:

"This record was inspired by our relentless touring and the feelings you get - or more precisely you lose - because of it. It's weird how disconnected one becomes when constantly surrounded by people. Musically it's pretty different from what we've done, it's more song-oriented but simultaneously more challenging than before - sonically and structurally"

Today THE SLUDGELORD is stoked to host UK premiere of STONED JESUS’ brand new video for “Hands Resist Him” which you can check out below

Band info: facebook|| bandcamp

VIDEO PREMIERE: Piss River deliver kick-ass riffing, kick-ass vocals and a party time vibe on "Thor Is Strong"

On the 24th of April 2018, Piss Riverreleased their self-titled debut album via The Sign Records. The album combines a variety of influences and results in a sound that can only be described as a cross between Girlschool, L7, The Gitsand Annihilation Time. 

The album contains tracks such as”Speed Machine”,”Take Me To Rusk” and ”Thor Is Strong” that shows the band's NWOBHM background. While "Sparks” is a tribute to L7s Donita Spark. Other stand out tracks includes ”Bad Reptution” that have that has a driving punk rock attitude that will turn any party upside down. A cover of Larry Wallis’ song”Police Car” ties together the albums many and mixed influences into this infectious rock n roll nightmare.  Today coming 4 weeks after the album’s release, we have been given the chance premiere the band’s kick ass new video for “Thor Is Strong”, which you can check out below.  You can purchase the album here

Band info: facebook

VIDEO EXCLUSIVE: Graveyard - Truls Mörk discusses Peace and new drummer Oskar

With their fifth album, “Peace”, GRAVEYARDguides the listener through an ever-changing musical landscape filled with their trademark take on classic rock. From the opening track’s blistering declaration that ‘It Ain’t Over Yet’ to the final note of heart beating bass on the epic and moody rocker ‘Low (I Wouldn’t Mind)’ the band manage to squeeze out every last creative drop of what there is to know, hear and love about GRAVEYARD in 2018.

To anyone who has followed GRAVEYARD throughout their career it comes as no surprise that »Peace« offers yet another passionate display from band that utilises a wide variety of styles and moods. But, if you were to pin-point the one thing that really sets “Peace” aside from the band’s previous albums, it would be that the production on “Peace” is the band’s heaviest and most solid to date. With the album release last Friday, 25^th May, today you can check out an exclusive video of Truls Mörck talking about why the album is fucking awesome and what new drummer Oskar brings to the fold. “Peace” is available HERE

Band info: facebook

VIDEO PREMIERE: Coilguns announce Ireland Tour & debut "Millenials" live performance

Fresh from decimating the UK and Europe with a string of stunning live shows following the release of their critically lauded new LP, “Millenials” Coilgunsare set to hit Ireland for a batch of live  dates kicking off on the 15^th May.  The band commented:

"We’ve toured Ireland twice a few years back and we are stoked to be returning to the place where we’ve made so many friends. We’re even happier that the tour is promoted by Ruiair and Josh from FEAST. We toured together with Josh’s band Ilenkus back then and when FEAST just started doing local shows. It’s great to see them now taking over national tours. As this wasn’t not enough, support for these shows will come from Bailer which features David Cleere on bass. I can’t even recall since when David and us are friends but sharing the tour with him and the lads will surely be a blast. Ireland, get your helmets on."

“Millennials “is available at the following links.  For physical: here and digital at the usual outlets.  To demonstrate just how devastating their live performances are,  check out the ferocious performance of their track “Millennials” below.  A full list of dates can also be found below.  

Coilguns Irish Live Rituals:

May 15th - Belfast @ Voodoo Belfast w/ Disconnect, Bosco Ramos*
Coilguns / Bailer / Disconnect / Bosco Ramos

May 16th - Dublin @ Grandsocial*

May 17th - Cork @ Fred Zeppelins w/ God Alone.*
Coilguns / Bailer / God Alone (Cork)

May 18th - Limerick @ Dolans Pub w/ Shardborne*
Coilguns / Bailer / Shardborne - Kasbah, Dolans, Limerick

May 19th - Galway @ Roisin Dubh*
Coilguns + Bailer

Band info: facebook || bandcamp

VIDEO PREMIERE: Demon Head deliver the "The Resistance" on 420 Day!!!

Demon Head is pleased to unveil their new 7" “The Resistance”, this new release is an epilogue to the bands last album 'Thunder on the Fields’ and contains two stories that will enthral the listener. The first single “Rivers of Mars” is a haunting rock song that somehow blends the scene of a forest night with the discovery of water on the Red Planet - our closest, still unknown neighbouring world.
 

“The Resistance”is the timeless narrative of the struggles and nightmares of an underground, partisan movement in the face of totalitarian power. Demon Headhave crafted the music as a sinister rock soundtrack to tell this tale: our homage to those who defy tyranny and today you can check out the video to accompany “The Resistance” below.  The 7inch drops today via The Sign Records and is available here

Band info: facebook

VIDEO PREMIERE: LLNN deliver "Appeaser", a monolith of monstrous dimensions

Copenhagen's LLNN burst onto the international scene with 2016's critically acclaimed debut album “Loss”.  After a split EP with LA's WOVOKA in the summer of 2017, LLNN now return with their sophomore album, “Deads”, an erosive, abrasive, dystopian, apocalyptic monolith of monstrous dimensions: more compact, yet more complex and organic all at the same time.  Released on the 27^thApril 2018 via the celebrated Pelagic Records, today you can check out a brand new video for the track “Appeaser” and the band offer the following insight below. You can preorder here

"We are fascinated by how the human mind tends to interpret random images, or patterns of light and shadows, as creatures and structures.  A psychological phenomenon called “Pareidolia”. And how music and visuals can evoke certain emotions in us and let our imagination unfold into abstract storytelling.

These are the thoughts behind the music video and the album artwork of “Deads” (with photographs by drummer Rasmus G. Sejersen).  The overall album theme of “Deads” is about births and downfalls of civilizations in other worlds throughout the universe.From creation to final decay, the depletion of the host - scenes which inspired the music video. All the footage is filmed mostly with macro lenses to create the extreme close-ups in combination with a few wide shots.  Created in a minimalistic setup in our parents home. (Combined with some heavy Halo Reach 2v2 gaming. Come get some!

LLNN + BISON Live Rituals

22.04.18 NL ROADBURN
23.04.18 DK Copenhagen
25.04.18 NO Oslo
26.04.18 SWE Stockholm
28.04.18 DE Hamburg
29.04.18 NL Utrecht
30.04.18 DE Karlsruhe
01.05.18 DE Wiesbaden
02.05.18 BE Brussels
03.05.18 CH Bulle
04.05.18 CH Porrentruy
05.05.18 F Paris
06.05.18 UK DESERTFEST (London)
08.05.18 CZ Prague
09.05.18 AT Vienna
10.05.18 CR Zagreb
11.05.18 RO Cluj
12.05.18 RO Craiova
13.05.18 RO Bucharest
14.05.18 HU Budapest
15.05.18 PL Krakow
16.05.18 PL Warsaw
18.05.18 DE Kiel
19.05.18 DE Berlin (PELAGIC FEST)

Band info: facebook|| bandcamp

VIDEO PREMIERE: Swiss chaotic wrecking crew Coilguns make a statement with "Millennials"

You know that feeling when you discover a new band and they basically knock you on your ass, rewind to March 2012 and by the luck of happenstance I discovered Swiss chaotic hardcore post whatever you want to call it sludge titans Coilguns and their hugely impressed debut EP “Stadia Rods”, a 6 song set all the more bewildering by the fact it was recorded by the band (a then three piece) live in one take with little or no overdubs, it was a hugely impressive debut and left a lasting mark upon me.  Fast forward a year and the band would issue debut full length “Commuters”via Pelagic Records,  an album with its frequent twists and turns, both confused and enthralled me  in equal measure,  resulting in a record that unfolded over time and one that with repeated sessions unveiled yet more intricacies and hidden moments of wonder amongst the chaos. 

Well, after 5 long years Coilguns are back with new album “Millennials”, which is set for release via their own imprint Hummus Recordson 23^rd March.  “Millennials” is a violent and over-the-top distorted record, born in a completely saturated scene and the band are ready to deliver a statement, that this isn’t a band to messed with and is one to take notice of in 2018.

“Millennials” was written and recorded in January 2016 by the band, self-engineered on the inside of the desperate monoculture landscapes of central Germany. What is a breathless, lo-fi and lo-tuned epileptic record that roughly questions their own behavior as partially conscious citizens of a scary weird and exciting globalized music world.

The band commented, "We have this manic habit of using crazy sounding Wikipedia article titles as track names, just to blur our traces and look smart I guess. It always creates a funny gap in between the song's lyrical content and its final title. Our favorite on this album is clearly "spectrogram", one can easily guess why."  You can check out the exclusive  and stellar album title track “Millenials” below and preorders are available here 

Band info: facebook|| bandcamp

VIDEO PREMIERE: Kansas City post metal sludge trio Orphans of Doom debut "Harvest"

The Company is a specialist DIY label based out of Kansas City, whose vision for the label was to put the spotlight on the heavy scene in the local area.

Following recent news that The Companyartist Hyborian would go on to sign for metal heavy weight Season of Mist, on the strength of their outstanding debut album, it is true to say that bands just need an opportunity, for someone to take a leapt of faith.  In respect of The Company, taking their own passion for releasing top quality vinyl and nurturing talent has paid dividends, because another top class label is now on the map and issuing albums lauded by the underground scene .

Onto the next chapter then and enter Orphans of Doom, the latest recruit to The Company, a three piece who are certain to have the big boys sniffing around them like a dog on heat.

Continuing with their modus operandi of signing bands to his label exclusively from Kansas City, Orphans of Doom, will tantalise your lugholes with their debut album “Strange Worlds/Fierce Gods” in fact I am certain that if you’re a fan of such undergrounds luminaries like Elder, Sumac and Pelican, then this a record you won’t want to miss. 

With the official release for “Strange Worlds/Fierce Gods” set for 26/1/2018, pre orders will go live today at NOON Central Standard Time.  If you’re still undecided about placing an order,  you can check out the awesome track “Harvest” to ensure you press the pre order link here.  

Band info: facebook

VIDEO PREMIERE & REVIEW: Norilsk - "Le Passage des Glaciers"

By: Ernesto Aguilar

Album Type: Full length

Date Released: 24/11/2017

Label: Hypnotic Dirge Records

French canadian doom duo Norilskreturn from a two-year layoff with a surprising new album, one that gives a reengaged sound to the pair's signature style.  Norilskmanages to be bold without being alienating, and that is indeed refreshing.

"Le Passage des Glaciers" CD//DD track listing

1. Midnight Sun

2. Le puits de l'oubli

3. Namolennye

4. La voie des morts

5. Ghosts of Loss (Passage pt. I)

6. Noirceur intérieure

7. L'érosion (Passage pt. II)

8. Ellesmere

The Review:

French Canadian doom duo Norilskreturn from a two-year layoff with a surprising new album, one that gives a reengaged sound to the pair's signature style.

Norilsk's 2015 full length, "The Idea of North," was praiseworthy as a doom record. From its terse moments to unique departures, the album conjured up recollections of some of the better moments of groups like Last Sacramentand a more downtempo Temple of Void. In other words, Norilskforged a steadfast doom metal path, with new wrinkles – a touch of moody ambience and experimental music most notably was part of the band's approach.

With "Le Passage des Glaciers" Norilsk plunges headlong into an atmospheric realm that is far bolder than past offerings. "Midnight Sun" begins seemingly where "The Idea of North" left off, until it doesn't. There's that familiar doom metal footprint to the cut that veers off into unusual territory. A spoken word bridge into a dirge-like guitar progression floats into "Le puits de l'oubli," which follows an identical road. Strong, classic doom arrangement makes the song outstanding, while Nicholas Miquelon’s low vocals set a depressive tone. There's a psychedelic riff that emerges about three minutes in, before giving way to rapturous doom. You hear these idiosyncratic elements throughout "Le Passage des Glaciers" to varying impact. There's the prog-rock introduction to "Namolennye" and the grubby blues riffage of "La voie des morts," which spins a hypnotic tempo. Norilskmanages to be bold without being alienating, and that is indeed refreshing.

Hardcore doom fans may like Norilsk'slatest because it is molded with an eye to old-school doom records; seldom does the album go past a glacial pace, with even the stylistic flourishes never distracting the duo's strong suit. Songs such as "Ghosts of Loss (Passage pt. I)" and "Noirceur intérieure" prove to be deceptively good because they center the fundamentals: exceptional guitars, compact drumming and a reverberating vocal. Even as a selection like "L'érosion (Passage pt. II)" charts into post-rock territory, Norilsk keeps its core doom aesthetic as its compass. Again, such is a philosophy that is good because it is harder to pull off than the casual listener realizes, though musicians may well appreciate most how well "Le Passage des Glaciers" steps out while also seeming to be part of the greater canon.

As the release ends with the curiously quiet "Ellesmere," the listener has to appreciate the risks Norilsk took to get here. The band's subtle experiments deliver in ways you hear a few listens in, presenting a stunning return for the Canadian act.

"Le Passage des Glaciers" is available hereand were also excited to premiere “Noirceur intérieure”. A hybrid between a lyric video and a music video, it features a storyline developed jointly between the band and Erik Labossiere of Wikked Twist Films, and uses both French lyrics subtitles and their English translation.

Band info: bandcamp || facebook