I always found it interesting how so many Sludge Metal bands can have the same foundation for a sound but then branch out to sound completely unique from each other. WOORMS has done just that with their latest release, Slake (Hospital/Sludgelord). A ten-track journey a bit over 30 minutes felt just like the right amount of material to quench my Sludge thirst but not be overkill. Meanwhile the emotions on the album span pretty wide between depressing and almost psychedelic sound sample intros to aggressive guitar riffs and song lyrics. Both of which made this album stand out early on in 2019.

‘Find A Meal, Find A Bed, Find A God’ is the second track in but the first with vocals. This song really sets the tone for what to expect on Slake with excruciating vocals and slow and heavy guitar riffs with a southern rock touch. Not having heard a single track from WOORMS previously really allowed for a great first impression. ‘Mouth Is A Wound’ is one of the biggest standout tracks as it is the doomiest of the tracks on the album.

That and it is the second most uncomfortable song (the following track ‘Our Lady Perpetually Shitfaced’ easily wins that title) with a sample in the middle of the song which sounds like a holy roller talking about how he was almost stabbed in his home one night by Satanists. The song itself is crushing and may be my favorite on this release. And what would a Sludge Metal album be without a punky song? ‘Racist Kevin’ is a quick 80-second track that provides a short but sweet landmark on the album as you roll into the last couple tracks which really act as the whipped cream and cherry topping.

All in all, I was not sure how Sludge with Noise elements would work after doing a bit of research on WOORMS upon receiving this album to listen to. Having said that, Slake completely blew past my expectations after just a couple trips through the album. If you are someone like me who did not give these guys a listen it is about time you do. It may be only January but the bar has been set high early on.

7 / 10

TIM LEDIN