Got sludge?
Hello! Once again I've failed to update in a timely fashion, and for this I apologise. Again.
One of the many reasons for the big gap in between posts (other than the fact that I'm a lazy shit) is that I'm busy writing and jamming with my current band. We are called Vassals, and if you'd like to give us a listen you can do so here.
Seeing as this band is pretty doomy and heavy, I thought I'd use that as a theme and lay out some doomy and/or heavy shit in this entry. No metal, as there's plenty of other blogs that specialise in that area already, but rather sludge, doom, whatever you want to call it. There was a bit of this kind of stuff in my last post, but that was so long ago you're probably jonesing for more by now, right? Here goes.
The Gersch.
This is a band that ISIS guitarist Bryant Clifford Meyer was in from 1994-1999. They were the first band to release a record on Tortuga Recordings, which eventually became Hyrda Head records. They put out a 7" record with two songs on it, and other than a compilation appearance it is the only recorded output from The Gersch during their lifetime. Instead of getting a bass player, they opted to have three down-tuned guitarists, and the effect retains the heaviness that they were obviously going for, but the lack of bottom end (plus the low-fi production) really brings memories of early Black Sabbath records and other relics from back before they really learned how to record bottom-heavy bass. Don't let the lack of releases or the fact that Meyer's current band overshadows this little nugget of the past turn you away: this band fucking ruled, and they've gotten their due in the form of a discography record that backs up those three previously released songs with a slew of others which are just as good.
The Gersch - Discography (192 CBR MP3)
Noothgrush.
First impression everyone has when it comes to this band: "what's with their fucking name?" It's from a Dr. Seuss book, but don't let this stop you from listening. Kids literature references aside, this band is heavier than fourteen anvils stacked on top of your face. The vocal style is very reminiscent of Chuck Schuldiner on Death's first couple records, and while that's pretty cool it takes a back seat to the riffs and the tempos. This band knows how to trudge, plod, and eek out every last bit of pain from their music, and the overall effect is downright brutal. Last I heard they had reunited and were planning an Australian tour, but that was years and years ago and they've doubtlessly given up on that by now.
Noothgrush - Erode the Person (V0 VBR MP3)
Corrupted.
Most people know this band as those crazy Japanese guys who don't give interviews, speak Spanish and write songs that take up a full CD, but before they expanded their musical vision to this scale they were a straight-to-the-point sludge band. This old 10" EP they released showcases this side of the band perfectly, from the slow fade in of the tribal drum patterns to the last droning note, and all the dirty chaos in between. Three songs, over twenty-seven minutes, and guitars tuned to baritone tuning, what more could one ask for? Unless this record could "make pancakes and massage your balls for you," as George Carlin so eloquently put it, this has it all and takes the cake as my favourite release in its genre.
Corrupted - El Dios Queja (V0 VBR MP3)
