Let it be known fellow Sludgelordians, “The Sour 16”returns. The Sludgelord presents the very best riff based music 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 SludgelordHeadquarters.
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). Morta Skuld - "Wounds Deeper Than Time" (579)
15). Crystal Fairy - "Crystal Fairy" (629)
14). Woe - “Hope Attrition” (660)
13). Weltesser - "Crestfallen" (711)
12). Grey Widow - "II" (720)
11). Dread Sovereign - "For Doom The Bell Tolls" (739)
10). Brutus- "Burst" (820)
9). Wiegedood - “De Doden Hebben Het Goed II” (924)
8). Psychedelic Witchcraft– “Magick Rites and Spells" (979)
7). Darkest Hour - “Godless Prophets & the Migrant Flora”(1011)
6). Death Alley - "Live At Roadburn" (1023)
5). Cult of Occult / Grim Van Doom - "Split" (1096)
4). Sleep - "The Clarity" (EP) (1437)
3). DOOL - "Here Now, There Then" (1439)
2). Unearthly Trance - "Stalking the Ghost" (1526)
1). Widows - "Oh Deer God" (1705)
A big thank you as always to our amazing writers, your dedication knows no boundaries and for that I am truly grateful. February’s “Sour 16” features reviews by: Victor Van Ommen, Ben Fitts, Theron Moore, Brandon Green, Charlie Butler, Chris Bull, Jake Wallace, Conor O’Dea & Grim Trashcan
'Magick Rites and Spells' is a fresh, authentic display of classic occult rock being performed in the present day. It's a blessing to see a band who are truly absorbed in this genre, leading the way for all modern day occultists to follow. It's a very well-balanced mix of old, new and cover songs and an incredible follow-up to the masterpiece that was 'The Vision'. This band are only getting started and I'm truly excited to see what the future holds for Virginia and the guys.
“Magick Rites and Spells” CD//DD//LP track listing:
1. Come a little closer (Exclusive to this release) 2. Godzilla (Blue OysterCult cover, Exclusive to this release) 3. Set me free (Re-recording, Exclusive to this release) 4. Wicked dream (Re-recording, Exclusive to this release) 5. The dark Lord (Originally performed by Sam Gopal, with Lemmy) 6. Angela (taken from the “Black Magic Man” EP) 7. Lying on iron (taken from the “Black Magic Man” EP) 8. Black magic man (taken from the “Black Magic Man” EP) 9. Slave of grief (taken from the “Black Magic Man” EP)
The Review:
Psychedelic Witchcrafthave just brought out their latest album 'Magick Rites and Spells'. This band certainly know how to churn out songs as their last album, the critically acclaimed 'The Vision' only came out back in April, 2016.
We dive into the mystical land of the occult with 9 tracks comprising of 3 brand new tracks, 2 covers and 4 tracks from the “Black Magic Man” EP, released back in 2015.
Track 1, 'Come a Little Closer', starts the album off with some elegant, flowing guitar sounds before the main riff begins and Virginia Monti takes control, doing what she does best. Such a powerful voice which can also be toned down for those hypnotic lyrics, entrancing you as the song goes on. There's some great lead guitar work in this track too, providing just enough of a taste without overcompensating. It's a very enticing opening track and a great start to a superb album.
Track 2 is a cover of 'Godzilla' by Blue Oyster Cult. This is the first time I’ve heard a female sing this song and it sounds absolutely fantastic. I saw Blue Oyster Cult a few months back and they played this song but to be perfectly honest, Psychedelic Witchcraft do a better job than B.O.C did live. It's also very refreshing seeing a couple covers. A lot of bands have strayed away from covering songs in recent years but when you can add your own signature touch, like these guys have, then by all means, cover that shit!
Track 3, 'Set Me Free', is a true piece of Sabbathian occult rock. Everything blends incredibly well and there's still a lot of breathing room with the guitar and bass tones so it's not total overkill. Virginia's vocals soar over the top of some very tight riffage before a great breakdown with just drums and bass involved. This leads way to another ripping solo from Jacopo Fallai as the track comes to a close.
'Wicked Dream'is the 4th track on the album and the last of the brand new, original material that is exclusive to this release. These guys create such a dark, gloomy vibe to rock and roll but it works a treat and the visual imagery and lyrical themes all work as a cohesive unit.
'The Dark Lord'is another cover of the famous Sam Gopal song that featured Lemmyon lead vocals. It is in itself a fucking incredible song and it's so great to see recognition of it and Psychedelic Witchcraft do a superb job at doing it justice. As much as I love original material, I'd love to see these guys do a full cover album just to see what they would pick and see how Virginia can lend her voice to pretty much anything and do a fantastic job.
Track 6'Angela' is the first track taken from the “Black Magic Man” EP from 2015. This time round it sounds much more polished and it's great to see their older stuff rearing its head again. Psychedelic Witchcraft defined their style early on and they still stay true to the Coven-esque style of occult rock. There are also more current influences such as Blood Ceremony or Ruby the Hatchet who play very similar styles of music but I think Psychedelic Witchcraft are the most authentic occult-styled band.
Track 7 'Lying on Iron' is another track from the “Black Magic Man” EP. It is a beautiful, yet haunting piece of music and one of the more mellow tracks on the album. The musicianship in this band is of a very high standard and the fusion of guitar, bass and percussion is extremely affective in creating this sound. The guitar solo uses a Jimi Hendrix'Little Wing' sounding tone and works fantastically with the backing music. There are a million ways to describe how good Virginia's vocals are and yet again, she delivers an impeccable performance.
Track 8 'Black Magic Man' is the title track from the EP of the same name. This was one of the first Psychedelic Witchcraft songs I heard and got me into listening to them. It definitely sounds a lot fuller this time round and reminded me why I love this band. Parts of this song remind me of early 90s desert rock but tainted with a hint of darkness.
The final track on the album 'Slave of Grief' is also re-released from their debut EP. It has a very simple chord progression which is perfect for letting Virginiagrab your attention with her lyrics and vocals. It slowly chugs along and opens up around the 3 min mark with another ripping, fuzzed out guitar solo. Some of the tones on this album are very thick and fuzzy and some are clean and appropriate to the style of each song. This one is steeped in that classic vintage fuzz tone. The drums are absolutely on fire towards the end of this track and it all culminates in a witch's cauldron of musical brilliance as the track fades out.
'Magick Rites and Spells'is a fresh, authentic display of classic occult rock being performed in the present day. It's a blessing to see a band who are truly absorbed in this genre, leading the way for all modern day occultists to follow. It's a very well-balanced mix of old, new and cover songs and an incredible follow-up to the masterpiece that was 'The Vision'. This band are only getting started and I'm truly excited to see what the future holds for Virginia and the guys.
This is another perfectly fuzzed out slab of doom from a band that doesn’t seem to know any other way.
“Ouija” CD//DD//LP track lisiting:
1.Intro 2. Dead 3. Drawing Down The Moon 4. Ouija 5. Mind Funeral 6. A World of Darkness
The Review:
Dead Witches is the latest incarnation of occult doom perpetrated on an unsuspecting world by Mark Greening (former Electric Wizard, also of Ramesses, With The Dead) and vocalist Virginia Monti (Psychedelic Witchcraft). With the help of Carl Geary on bass and the dearly departed Greg Elk on guitar, they have churned forth “Ouija” for your consideration, meditation and devastation. They aren’t trying to reinvent the genre here. With their history and pedigree, you wouldn’t expect them to. This all to brief slab of sludgy goodness is just the latest chapter in their already stellar careers.
“Ouija” creeks to life with a classic doom intro of rain on organ with cavernous guitar emanations, perhaps giving rebirth to the cover arts dead witch in the graveyard, courtesy of the always epic and over the top Goatess Doomwych. The intro gives way to “Dead”, a lumbering slow burn with crisp percussion and thick riffs, along with our first taste of Virginia Monti’s vocals, hazy and slightly distorted, with a tinny almost ham radio quality, like a voice from beyond.
On “Drawing Down the Moon” everybody flexes just a little. They take the tempo up a notch, Mark Greening gets loose on the kit, the riffs get thicker and more fuzzed out and the vocals wail and get more insistent as the song progresses. The back half of the track revs up to an unhinged gallop as Greg Elk works out a brief keening solo that struggles for life over the top of the jam session created by the rhythm section. The title track, “Ouija” follows, stepping the pace back to the lumbering burn of “Dead” but with a heavier back beat at the chorus. This track is also the best showcase for Virginia Monti’s vocals, which find more range and swagger throughout.
The final two tracks are a perfect pairing of heavy doom, and my favorites of the album. “Mind Funeral” is the heaviest track and Mark Greenings finest behind the kit. Engulfed by a huge riff and a filthy vocal delivery from Monti, Greening throws away the wing nut on the high hat and proceeds to lay about the place, dealing fills at every opportunity for an epic highlight. They segue with ease as Greening cools it down with the 90 second intro to “A World of Darkness”. Everything goes quiet and a girls voice says “you’re gonna die up there” and they launch into another thundering riff, another stellar jam, another perfectly fuzzed out slab of doom from a band that doesn’t seem to know any other way.
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