I got this album as an early Christmas gift and I never really heard of them except for an introductory interview in a random metal zine.  Cannot remember which at the moment but I'm very glad I got a copy.  They just signed to Tee Pee Records and released this as their debut.  The band is from NYC and they are very difficult to label.  I don't know about you but I love bands like that because I've pretty much listened to every genre and it's getting more difficult to find something new.  While, they aren't exactly "new", they do bring some unique mix of sludge, punk, and rock.

I'm really impressed with the sound production of this album.  Usually underground bands aren't able to get quality mastering and the sound suffers due to this.  However, the sound is very crisp and well balanced.  None of the instruments take over the rest.  It's all very tight and blend together well.  The drums is very relentless and fast.  Best part is the bass is actually listenable!  The guitar riffs are excellent and the harmonies is crazy.  Very inventive solos as well.  The vocals is nothing special but it doesn't take away anything from the album either.  Overall the sound is sorta technical, yet sludge.  Very odd but you gotta listen to the album to know what I mean by that.

Recommended for anyone who dig sludge or at least "out there" rock music.

Score: 7.5/10



bandcamp: http://elksny.bandcamp.com/

Labels: american, baroness, elks, rock, sludge

Second full length by Baroness, a progressive Sludge Metal band who are famous for the masterpiece, "Red Album" and they definitely doesn't disappointed me with this album. To be honest, I'm absolutely thrilled they decide not to make the exact same album as "Red Album" because then that would be bit...stale. They change their style a bit in this album and become more fun and catchy.

This album is much more progressive and focus more on the song structure. There's some repetition throughout the album and that is a good thing. I liked the fact I'm able to hear some amazing riffs over again and again yet at same time it's not occurring so often because there is some variety as well. The vocals is not the best and when I first heard the vocals I was taken aback at first because I'm not used to that. However, I gotten used and start to really appreciate the style. It actually really fit the music really well. It's definitely not for everyone but if you either enjoy the style or can get past it then you will absolutely adore this stuff. One thing that I really dig a lot is that blues feeling hidden in there somewhere... It's there but not quite there at same time so if you kept listening to the album over and over again then you will detect it like I did.

Best Song: "A Horse Called Golgotha" such a killer song and my favorite Baroness song. Killer chorus and just amazing vocals, guitar riffs, drumming...heck it's nearly perfect song. I don't want to say it's perfect because perfection doesn't exit but this is pretty darn close!

Worst Song: none...I can't pick which is the worst because this is such a killer album and I can't bring myself to pick a song and call it "worst song" out of the tracklist.

Score:10/10- Yes I gave it a ten...it's definitely album of the year for me and quite possibly of the decade. It's up there on my top ten favorite album of all time....but I need to give it some time to see if it will pass the test of time which I am pretty sure it will.


www.myspace.com/yourbaroness

Labels: 80s metal, baroness, progressive metal, review, sludge metal