Ol Scratch - The Sunless Citadel
Virginia’s Ol’ Scratch has had its fair share of line up changes over the years but this band seems to get better and better. The latest album proves that point more than anything else, this is a powerhouse monster of a recording that left pinned against the wall when i first heard it. Ever been to a live show where everything is so loud and heavy you felt like you wanted to vomit? That's what this CD can do to you if you cranked it up, the bass sound on this is the driving force. I have to say its the best bass sound i have heard in years. Ol Scratch are know for being a loud band but on this album they pushed their sound to a new level of power especially in the bass department. The album kicks off a intro piece before unleashing some Sabbath inspired Sludge that pummels your brain in the form of a track called “Infernal Judgement”. This is like Buzzoven but with a even more viscous attack, i mention the bass sound before and i must warned you i hope your stereo can handle this. My sub-woofer shit itself not long after listening to this album, i am not blaming Ol Scratch for it but it wouldn't surprise me if they are ones that did the damage. While the bass sound is so thick, you have a guitar sound that compliments the bass perfectly. It cuts, slices and tears its way through most of the tracks while the bass simply bulldozer's its way through. Most of the riffs on this album combine two things, cranked to the max Sludge Metal and dirty Doomed Out Southern Rock. There hasn't been a album released this year so far in my opinion that combines these elements and manages to keep it interesting for a entire album. Tracks like “Draconian March and Bottom Basement” which blend together like most of the tracks do on this album have a filthy groove about them. Guitarists Steve and Willy trade licks and split up solo's with demented abandon and the vocals howl and growl. One thing that comes shining through is you can tell the guys have worked their butts off on this, slightly ambitious and a totally complete album. “Brink of the Maelstrom” is another major highlight, a twisted riff monster that leave you hitting the repeat button over and over again. There is also “Redneck Deity” where the band becomes slightly (shock-horror) a little catchy and heads more towards a Doomed out C.O.C sound. There is a couple of quieter moments where the band moves into Swamp-Blues Mood but they pull that off so well it just add another dimension to the album. The closing 17+ minutes of “Wizard Smoke and Goatbridge”, the band manages to combine everything the band has played on the album so far and construct into a epic piece of Sludge/Doom Heaven. It has the Electric Wizard drugged up riffage but also with some psychedelic breaks before ending with a wall of noise effect. There is also the Sludged Up Boogie of “Last Charge of a Dying Race”, yes the band covers a lot of ground on this album. If there is any weak point at all its the drum sound which seems to get buried a little at times under the monstrous bass sound. Normally that would hurt the rating but with the songs being so good and solid it doesn't affect the overall listening experience of this CD. Conclusion - this is my favorite CD of the year so far, a release so good that i don't know if this band will ever top it. Its out on Oppresive Sound System and the artwork and package is pretty damn good also. I hope everyone into Sludge and Doom check this mutha out. Essential.
- The Sunless Citadel
- Infernal Judgement
- Redneck Deity
- Draconian March
- Bottom Basement
- Tree of Woe
- Last Charge of a Dying Race
- Brink of the Maelstrom
- Wizard Smoke
- The Goatbridge
