Sludge Metal – Metal Eclipse Reviews

The Larches – Nihilistic Majesties

Thechopstickdrummer

I treasure observing the development of young bands. By “young”, I mean the duration of the band’s existence and the youthfulness of its members. The Larches, an English take on sludge metal-meets-alternative rock, is one of these projects yet to break free from the shackles of their hometown, and I love that. Forming in 2021 near Middlesbrough, The Larches hooked me in with a name inspired by a genus of Northern conifers and a sludgy yet passionate attitude present in their upcoming EP, Nihilistic Majesties. This sophomore release exhibits the band’s gradual shift towards a more industry-ready visual aesthetic, while still recording charming homemade music videos, and while part of me never wants The Larches to leave that amateur aesthetic behind, it’s time to give the band a bigger spotlight. However, in the spotlight comes major criticism.

Trve kvlt #24

Metalcatto

Shout-outs…

Verdun- Abyssal Womb

Metalcatto

A band with a name referencing a place where millions of lives were pointlessly lost? It can’t be a relaxing one, right? Well, Verdun is exactly that: Sludge and Death Metal that creeps into you like some chronic pain you can’t shake. Even the album’s title, Abyssal Womb, prepares you for something that has to be nothing but dreadful. Because the label is Transcending Obscurity, I was expecting something incredibly technical or brutally fast, but that wasn’t exactly the case. Or well, it depends on how you see it. Let’s go.

Tooms – Karst

Metalcatto

It’s not every day we see something that claims to blend Post, Sludge, and even Prog elements to a level that makes me think Tooms – Karst (short words, I love it) is going to bring us excellent work or just something that will give us a depressing realization that nothing really matters in this cruel world devoid of mercy or fairness. Maybe I took that last part too far and ended up projecting some stuff, but let’s return to the Metal then. Shall we begin?

True kvlt: HKSPK, Vox Hexterna, Butch Against the Machine, Jeff, Octohawk, & Zoltar

Metalcatto

I’m later to this than an airplane with two engines on fire, so let’s dive right in!

Primitive Man – Observance

Metalcatto

Anyone who’s been following this blog since its start might remember our fan-requested retro-review of Primitive Man’s Scorn. Even more than a decade later, the band remains one of the most brutal, heavy, and grotesque forces in Doom/Sludge Metal. Before diving into Observance, I’d genuinely recommend you to hold on tight — especially if a) you’re already severely depressed, or b) you’ve recently killed your goldfish out of neglect. Expectations are high, but let’s see if, for once, that makes sense with what we’ve got here!

Ghold – Bludgeoning Simulations

Metalcatto

Sludge Metal sometimes doesn’t even feel like Metal. Maybe it’s because the fanbase seems so far removed from the usual extreme lore that I often forget these releases even exist. However, Ghold looked like a band that deserved some attention, and with a title like Bludgeoning Simulations, I was left wondering if it was going to be ultra-violent or just a parody of the normal beatdown our ears get at MER Industries. There was only one way to find out — by clicking that shady link!

Trudger – Void Quest

Metalcatto

Sometimes you miss the decadence of urban life—the filth that makes you feel alienated, and yet, it’s the only home you know. Why am I starting this so seriously? Where are all the jokes? You see, when Trudger came to us with Void Quest, I quickly realized this band shares members with Dvne (one of my top Prog albums of 2024). The promise was that this would be even darker and heavier, so obviously, I’m more excited than a drunkard in a liquor store (stop it! Get some help!). So let’s go!

Matraque – Nature Morte

Metalcatto

I’ve been a reviewer long enough to understand one thing: I’m not easily intimidated by album promos. So when Matraque’s Nature Morte came in claiming to be full of aggression, depression, and despair, I felt like saying, “Yeah, right—I’ve heard it all before. Start playing and then we talk.” However, there were a few signs this album was going to be something else in terms of horror. One: the sober and yet sinister artwork. Two: the small number of tracks. But let’s see if I was right after all.

Kiritsis-Kiritsis

Pegah

Kiritsis (meaning “small master” in Greek) is a U.S.-based band that thrives at the volatile crossroads of Doom, Sludge, and Hardcore. Their sound is defined by harsh, shouted vocals, crushing low-end guitars, and a raw, unrelenting emotional intensity that mirrors the gravity of their themes. That tension isn’t just audible—it’s woven into the album’s visuals and symbolism. The cover features a stark, medieval-style etching: a crowned figure seated on a throne, confronted by a peasant or servant raising a hand (and possibly a weapon). This imagery reflects the infamous Tony Kiritsis hostage situation, which the band explicitly references. It’s a symbolic clash of power and desperation, of the oppressed seizing control by force—a perfect visual prelude to the chaos that erupts in the music.