Sludge is what happens when hardcore kids play doom metal. Bristol’s Sugar Horse might not replace all the Black Sabbath with Black Flag on their new EP Truth or Consequences, New Mexico (Fat Dracula Records), but their anger owes a debt of gratitude to the bands who did. This is felt on the volatile side of their good cop / bad cop formula.
We all enjoy surprises, don’t we? 2022 has begun stronger than 2021 at this point bringing at least ten new, exciting album releases and we’re just only about to enter the fourth week of the year. But no album has given me the chills as much as SOM’s The Shape Of Everything (Pelagic Records).
Despite an apparent reluctance to classify herself as a white witch Gwyn Strang, vocalist for Cleveland Doom / Post quintet Frayle, identifies as a spiritual being in touch with strong forces, and debut album 1692 (Aqualamb Records/Lay Bare Recordings) comes with a rather plush book explaining ancient magick among other things. It’s a daring opening gambit, complete with album title surely referring to the Salem witch trials, but does the accompanying music live up to this?
Ian Clement (Wallace Vanborn) and Michele De Feudis (formerly of Horses On Fire) have put their raw talent and imagination to deliver the outrageously fun, The Very Very Danger. Transforming into their own superheroes—Kitty taming the synths, Bunny behind the drums and Bear chugging away on the bass—they bring you Witness The Legitness (9000 Records/Consouling Sounds)Continue reading