ELEVEN IS ONE LOUDER: Philadelphia shamanic sludgers Got Root discuss their favourite riffs

Former Sadgiqacea vocalist/drummer Fred Grabosky brings us his new project God Root and what a project it is, following up their 4 track EP released last year, the band have roared back with their debut full length released on the 11 July and to put it simply, “Salt and Rot” is one of the best records we’ve heard this year, and a uniquely disorienting listen.  With its balance of inhuman tones and ritual chants, it feels simultaneously outside of history and utterly indebted to it.  Packing such epic arrangements into a 33 minute record feels impossible, as lesser acts have failed to deliver similar ambitions into double disc efforts. 

As with Sadgiqacea, these Philadelphia avant-garde sludge shamans accentuate the heavy parts with quiet moments to create their own brand of primitive and tribalistic sludge, with doomed cinematic soundscapes.  Each element is added very carefully as to not over saturate the compositional structure of the record, with songs often building tension until you are served with a crushing finale.  

Today with the album but a few weeks old, we invited the band to talk about the lifeblood of all bands worldwide, the might of the riff.  So come with us as we take our weekly trip into the extreme and turn the volume all the way up to eleven, as God Root choose some of their favourite riffs of all time.  

“Each of us has immense respect for the song writers who push riffs with their hearts. We like to think we take after that mind set in our own writing. We want to feel it. “Salt and Rot” contains a lot of riffs that we really feel in our loins. Here's a list of some of all-time favourite riffs that we've been inspired by and aspire to live up to”.

The Mars Volta– “Take the Veil Cerpin Taxt” (chosen by Jordan)

I can't think of a band that mixes intricate guitar parts and noise any better than The Mars Volta. At 3:40, after being taken on what is already an insane sonic journey, the song quiets and out of this King Crimson-esque mellotron part starts to bubble this stumbling, idiotic riff that sounds like it's had a little too much to drink. The riff seems like it was written by a toddler smashing their toy truck into a step sequencer at first but then you start to realize that this is a riff and "oh shit, it's angry." before you have enough time to say "I get it" this phaser of death swallows it up and the rest of the band joins back in to form this ultra-noisey super groove.

Runner up: “Red” by King Crimson

The Melvins– “Boris” (chosen by Ross)

This riff is the grandpappy of 10,000 bands and 100,000 songs. A riff you name your band after. A riff I named my cat after. A riff so heavy you laugh at it when you first hear it. Like "what the fuck is this... he's basically playing 3 notes for 9 minutes." And then you find yourself craving it. Always wanting more. Chasing that riff dragon. But no other riff comes close. Never like that first time. Extra props to the live version with the Big Businessboys joining in for insane 4 part harmonies.

Runner up: “Christbait Rising” by Godflesh

Morbid Angel – “God of Emptiness” by (chosen by Keith)

The opening riff of this song is perfect. The snaking, unpredictable, and totally crushing guitar immediately conveys blasphemy and total evil. Morbid Angelhas a way of finding the perfect "wrong" notes in their riffs and it makes them sound completely sinister and alien like pronouncing the name of some ancient Lovecraftian beast. It's just the most pulverizing thing I've ever heard.

Runner up:  “Sight Beyond Sight” by Rwake

Neurosis – “The Doorway” (chosen by Fred)

This is kind of a no-brainer for most people that love heavy music I guess, and maybe even an unoriginal answer to some, but I don't care. I honestly would like to lump this whole damn song into one "favorite riff", but if I had to choose a specific riff in this song, it would have to be the breaking point riff with an epic crash at 3:20 in. This riff is so damn good it's stupid. It's set up perfectly to pummel you after 3 minutes of 2 swirling riffs that seem to send you into a daze from violent electric shock. A haunting and intense stupor washes over you as you hear both Scott and Steve bark and howl at you...and then it hits. Holy fuck, it's like the earth is being split open only to send your body hurling into the abyss. As you're free falling through the earths core at disgusting speed, the mid tempo riff evolves with clever harmonic palm mutes...and then you're legally dead, you smash into the surface below, but the next riff violates your obliterated corpse even further... the song is an all out assault on the psyche for a solid 7 minutes. I have so much love for this band, this album and this riff.

Runner Up: “Set the Controls for the Heart of The Sun” by Pink Floyd 

James Brown– “Ain't it Funky Now” (chosen by Joe)

The teeth-grinding single mindedness that this riff is played with is something I think about a lot. The whole rhythm section is on board with that attitude and the tension is physical. The way they just lean into it unceasingly for minutes at a time never fails to make my muscles tense up involuntarily. This riff is a great example of the power of sheer repetition in music. 

Runner up: “Journey Into Satchidananda” by Alice Coltrane 

Band info: bandcamp|| facebook  || Instagram

TRACK PREMIERE: "Conscious Disease" by Philadelphia avant-garde sludge shamans GOD ROOT

Dante Torrieri (C)

Former Sadgiqacea vocalist/drummer Fred Grabosky brings us his new project God Root and following on from their 4 track EP last year, the band are back with their forthcoming release “Salt and Rot” set to hit the streets on CD and digital download on 11 July. 

As with Sadgiqacea, these Philadelphia avant-garde sludge shamans accentuate the heavy parts with quiet moments to create their own brand of primitive and tribalistic sludge, with  doomed cinematic soundscapes.  Each element is added very carefully as to not over saturate the compistional structure of the record, with songs often building tension until you are served with a crushing finale.  

For a band still in its infancy, imagine 'Eye Of Every Storm' era Neurosis with John Dyer Baizley circa 'Red Album' on vocals and you'd be halfway to close to what this record delivers and today we are pleased to be able present a new track in the form of “Conscious Disease”. You can stream it below and check out what vocalist Fred Grabosky (drummer/vocalist) had to say about it. Preorders are available here  and digitally here

"We are quite pleased with how this track came together. It's the most vulnerable and personal piece we've put out thus far. We created 3 personas and the song acts as sort of a dialogue between them. It's essentially the push and pull of oppressive forces, human frailty and self reliance. In some capacity, everyone can relate to this battle of control and weakness. Much like the rest of the album, we poured a lot of our personal pains and strife into this as a release and hope it can do the same for the listener. 

I think of a "conscious disease" as this sort of infectious and destructive thought pattern. It floats among us and attaches to us like a virus to a blood cell. We all know it's there, but we have the power to produce the antibodies to fight it off, or it can consume us whole."

God Rot Live Rituals

8/03 Brooklyn, NY
8/04 Providence, RI
8/05 Kingston, NY
8/06 Syracuse, NY
8/07 Ithaca, NY
8/08 Rochester, NY
8/09 Buffalo, NY
8/10 Cleveland, OH
8/11 Detroit, MI
8/12 Kalamazoo, MI
8/13 Milwaukee, WI
8/14 Chicago, IL
8/15 Indianapolis, IN
8/16 Lexington, KY
8/17 Pittsburgh, PA
8/18 Washington, DC
8/19 Philadelphia, PA 

All dates with SUNROT

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

RIFF REWIND (18/05/2013): Sadgiqacea - "False Prism"

Sadgiqacea is/were a two piece hailing originally from New Jersey from their humble beginnings in March of 2010, they took hold of the metal scene by the throat with every mind-altering note they play.

Playing almost every show they were offered and rumoured to always have a smile on their faces. They were grateful to play and be heard.   This obviously did not go unnoticed, because they would go on to  have share the stage with 40 Watt Sun, EYEHATEGOD, Floor, Tombs, Cough, Weedeater, Fight Amp, Mose Giganticus, ASG, Funeral Pyre, Hull, and many many others.  They have toured extensively throughout the United States and allow the current status of the band seems to be currently on hold; Sadiqaecea released one of the great albums of 2013.  So let us rewind the riffs to this day 4 years ago, with a review of their debut album ”False Prism” which you can check out below.

By: Steve Howe

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 07/05/2013

Label: Anthropic Records |

Candlelight Records

The production is superb throughout, the range of emotions and styles of riffs are incredible, so just press play and let Sadgiqacea take you to hell and back. It is a journey that will last long in the memory.  Sadgiqacea have matched their full potential. I cannot wait to see where they go from here as they could be on the verge of greatness.

“False Prism” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1). False Segments

2). False Cross

3). False Prism

4). True Darkness

The Review:

Sadgiqacea are a band who feature two highly talented individual individuals  who know how to write & perform a bone-crunching riff. Band Member, Evan is also a member of Ominous Black, Hivelordsand more recently Tombs

Sadgiqacea’s  blend of hard-hitting blackened sludge doom is present here, as they are about to release their debut album “False Prism”, a 4 song 40 minute assault on the senses.

Sadgiqacea harness the power of legendary bands such as ISIS and Neurosisbut match it with their own sludgy progressive genius that would make the likes of Mastodon and Baroness blush. That is only half the story though, because Sadgiqaceaadd ambient style noises to the mix along with a dose of black metal gloom  to the mix.

“False Prism”demonstrates that Sadgiqacea have finally arrived in a big way. After a string of acclaimed EP’s and live performances, with this album Sadgiqacea will leave you in little doubt that a truly important band has arrived.

Opening  track “False Segments” is an epic beast full of snarling sludge/post-metal riffs that will tear at your very soul. It is unrelenting in its brutality but still has quite a groove to it. Some superb psych based riffs  also come into play, demonstrating that Sadgiqacea are a band that is not afraid to experiment with their own sound.

“False Cross” is where things start to get heavier, Sadgiqacea throws down the riffs in a big way. Vocals are screamed at a frightening pace to match the loud carnage destroying everything around them. It is loud from the word go and it feels like this band have the potential to destroy everything in their wake. Do I hear a black Metal vibe coming into play? Maybe. However, it does not matter as Sadgiqacea prove with “False Cross” that this album is something special indeed.

The title track “False Prism” is the shortest track on the album. A mere 6:06 minute song, which is played at such an intense rate you will be gasping for breath. This is probably the most accessible track on the album but it still packs an almighty punch. Vocals are screamed at a harsh level to match the intensifying riffs on display and it has a great psychedelic vibe running through its veins. Just close your eyes and be ready to be transported to the harsh world that is Sadgiqacea.

Well all great albums need an epic track to end things on and “False Prism” is no different. Sadgiqacea have now entered the darkness with the brilliant almost 15 minute epic “True Darkness”.  Sadgiqacea throw caution to the wind and blast their way into your subconscious. The track takes what has came before it and turns it on its head. The drumming is simply astonishing on this track. Full of hard-hitting power that feel like they could start a war of their own. It feels like the drums and guitars are in a battle with each other, both vying for supremacy. I have to say on this song the drumming is the overall winner, fast, loud, angry and all played with a just cause. “True Darkness” is where Sadgiqacea embrace the darkness with relish and this track is a fitting end to an astonishing record.

The production is superb throughout, the range of emotions and styles of riffs are incredible, so just press play and let Sadgiqacea take you to hell and back. It is a journey that will last long in the memory.  Sadgiqacea have matched their full potential. I cannot wait to see where they go from here as they could be on the verge of greatness.

“False Prism” is available here

Band info:Facebook|| Bandcamp