TOP 16 ALBUMS: The Sour 16 for November 2016

It is that time once again people to cast our minds back, and digest the 16 albums that would become November’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 November, 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 and streams can be viewed by clicking the artwork . (Total views since their publication are highlighted in red). 

16). Spirit Adrift - "Chained to Oblivion” (380)

This album is elegantly forged from beginning to end, and has no definable weak chinks in its armour.  Overall, this is likely to be an AOTY candidate for me, and one I have found myself returning to again and again in a variety of moods.

15). Superjoint - "Caught up in the Gears of Application" (381)

This is gnarly and nasty music made by a figure that is both revered and reviled. Through all the controversy, one thing keeps me coming back to listen to Anselmo: the quality of the music. And the music is as potent as ever. A storming return.

14) Animals As Leader - "The Madness of Many " (388)

Tosin Abasi and company find expressionism through mathematic complexity.

13) The Judge – “The Judge (399)

This one is crazy good, and crazy Sabbath inspired too. Give this band a listen, you’ll dig it.

12). Wasted Theory - “Defenders of the Riff (417)

11). Desolate Pathway - "Of Gods & Heroes" (420)

Make no mistake, Desolate Pathway have delivered an epic doom record of epic proportions: light and shade, massive riffs, great performances, a downcast atmosphere... it's all here

10). Fvnerals - "Wounds" (443)

“Wounds” is a captivating set of songs that are simultaneously heavy and delicate. FVNERALS unique brand of doom-filtered slowcore creates a powerful feeling that stays with the listener long after the final note has rung out.

09). Holy Serpent - "Temples" (473)

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.

08). Dusteroid – “To Fathom Hell” (475)

They serve up a king size slice of skull crushing, heavy Sludge that feels like being hit with a sledgehammer repeatedly. Job extremely well done and then some

07). The Dead At Sea - "The Dead At Sea" (479)

A potent blend of early-Pelican crunch and Kyuss-style riffage, The Dead At Sea distil the sound of desert rock sinking into a cold watery grave.  “The Dead At Sea” is a compelling combination of killer riffs and hushed menace that perfectly evoke the bottomless depths of the ocean

06). Ortega - "Sacred States (500)

Ortega are not the first band to fuse post metal, doom and spaced-out sludge but they succeed by doing it bigger, better and heavier than most.  Sacred States” sees Ortega take their sound to the next level, delivering on the promise of previous releases and stretching out towards bold new horizons.

05). Call of the Void "A.Y.F.K.M." (508)

Call Of The Void’s sound is a potent cocktail of punk attitude and rock’n’roll swagger coated in a thick layer of sludge aggression. “AYFKM” is an intoxicating adrenaline rush that will keep you coming back for more.

04). 11Paranoias - "Reliquary for a Dreamed of World" (512)

What sets 11PARANOIAS apart from other bands operating in the realms of psychedelic heaviness is the otherworldly atmosphere they conjure. Every note is enshrouded in a hazy fog that lends their music a darkly unsettling feel.

03). Ghoul – “Dungeon Bastards” (828)

So many bands try to do what Ghoul is doing and just can't fucking get it right. This is a perfect storm. Superior song writing, technical prowess, and an awesome aesthetic.

02). Mother Mooch - "Nocturnes" (991)

Their blend of psychedelia with grunge and stoner rock/doom is a highly sought after formula and Mother Mooch are keeping the secret closely guarded - and rightfully so.  ‘Nocturnes’ is an astounding album from a band that have the potential to conquer the world.

1). Metallica - "Hardwired…To Self Destruct" (1565)

Metallica have rediscovered their mojo, brought the heavy and most importantly appear to be enjoying themselves. An album, of two halves, with a cracking opening salvo on side “A” and “B” side, marred only by one throwaway track.  If not perfect, it is the best music they have produced in over two decades and is the natural successor to the Black Album. 

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, Conor O’Dea, Jake Wallace, Eric Crowe, Rick Ahmed, Bobo Coen & Phil Weller

ALBUM REVIEW: The Judge - "The Judge"

By: Theron Moore

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 22/07/2016

Label: Ripple Music

This one is crazy good, and crazy Sabbath inspired too. Give this band a listen, you’ll dig it.

“The Judge” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1). The Witcher

2). Heepster

3). Evil Woman

4). Tartarus

5). Mivub’ and Groovin’

6). Planet Doom

7). Suite of Jam

8). Desire

9). Rock Kickin’ Blues

The Review:

You walk a fine line when you play the retro rock game.  Kadavaris a band that’s pulled it off seemlessly.  Radio Moscow too.  Wolfmother not so.  Kadavar’s music is truly music out of time, you wanna talk being born too late?  Kadavar is.  Radio Moscow is.  But if you cross that line you wind up in imitation land.  Just another sludge rock wannabe.  The previously mentioned Wolfmother occupy this no man’s land.  The Judge, I’m happy to say, has pulled off a real gem here with their self-titled record. 

This one is crazy good, and crazy Sabbathinspired too.  Dylan Jarrett’s guitar playing on “The Judge” is so close to Tony Iommi it’ll mess with your head on this record.  He’s got the technique and sound down to near perfection.  There’s gonna be a ton of comparisons to Sab but the question at the end of the day, is, did The Judge pull it off?  Hell yeah.  And then some.

“The Witcher” opens the record with a spot on take of early era Sabbath.  It’s crazy how close to Sabbaththis is, really makes you do a double take.  But the song works as a whole.  The guitar is so close to Tony Iommi’s sound it’s insane, the vocals sound so much like Ozzy, its nuts, but, you can’t stop listening to it.  It has an ebb and flow to it that works, though. 

“Heepster” keeps the fab Sab vibe moving forward but the vocals are starting to take shape.  I can hear less Ozzy and more Tyler Swope, that band’s singer, but the Oz man inspiration still flows through. 

Two things stand out about third song “Evil Woman.”  Tyler Swope’s vocals are sheer velvet, nothing but heavy cream that in turn allows Jarrett’s guitar playing to get showcased here.  Swope has a nice, bluesy aspect to his voice that carries this song. 

“Tartarus” finds me getting into the groove of the band as a whole.  Only because Swope and Jarrett are as good as they are, you tend to focus on those two and not the whole band but “Tartarus” brings The Judgeinto full perspective.

I won’t go through every song but you get the idea.  “The Judge” as a whole works for me.  It’s not Sabbath rehash, it’s four guys who know how to handle this type of sound and groove, they craft it, they shape it, in the end, they made this sound entirely their own.  Give this band a listen, you’ll dig it.

“The Judge” is available here

Band info: facebook || bandcamp