Sciatica - Sciatica
Sciatica’s was born of pain and literally dealing with the condition sciatica, which deals with pain going down the sciatic nerve that can affect leg mobility and basically make one feel paralyzed from the waist down. Solos instrumentalist Cullen Wade dealt with this condition for some time, and instead of turning to drugs or animal beating to channel his frustration, he created Sciatica which translates his pain through a very gritty, old school black doom sound in the vein of groups like Eyehategod tinged with the raw grim tones of very early Dark Throne (think “Goatlord” era). Due to the sciatica episode the music here is quite basic and unfortunately a little underproduced, but for a demo and for what Wade was going for it will feel right at home for those who like music that just screams emotional catharsis with an ugly sound.
Tracks like ‘Youth, Ravager’ and ‘My Neighbor’s Garden’ feature distorted slow to mid paced riffs with snarled vocals and thumping, faded drums that almost feel like bass. The riffs are very repetitive but still catchy, but those who do not like simplistic music may be turned away by the rough sound. The vocals have that ‘black metal snarl’ tone to them that seems to compete with the chugging riffs of the guitar, but these seem to be the focus of the music. Other tracks like ‘Army of Amy’ feature more prominent drumming and a balanced sound with a more rock-doom pace so one can still enjoy the riffs with solidarity.
‘This Will Help You Sleep’ ups the distortion on the guitar, giving a more psychedelic doom feel to the music and expands Sciatica’s use of the doom genre. Still repetitive on the riffs, the ethereal tone certainly matches the lyrical content making one feel they are almost shifting to a dream haze. The closing ‘Sinus’ sheds grim distortion on the guitar for bass heavy rumbles and- dare it be… melody on the guitar? This is probably the best varied track on the album, even though the riffs may seem recycled. Still, while not the most original, “Sciatica” shows listeners what happens when those in torment constructively take their pain and channel something productive in the metal world. It may not be pretty, but it certainly gets its point across in sharp, short bursts.
2.5 / 5 STARS
Tracks like ‘Youth, Ravager’ and ‘My Neighbor’s Garden’ feature distorted slow to mid paced riffs with snarled vocals and thumping, faded drums that almost feel like bass. The riffs are very repetitive but still catchy, but those who do not like simplistic music may be turned away by the rough sound. The vocals have that ‘black metal snarl’ tone to them that seems to compete with the chugging riffs of the guitar, but these seem to be the focus of the music. Other tracks like ‘Army of Amy’ feature more prominent drumming and a balanced sound with a more rock-doom pace so one can still enjoy the riffs with solidarity.
‘This Will Help You Sleep’ ups the distortion on the guitar, giving a more psychedelic doom feel to the music and expands Sciatica’s use of the doom genre. Still repetitive on the riffs, the ethereal tone certainly matches the lyrical content making one feel they are almost shifting to a dream haze. The closing ‘Sinus’ sheds grim distortion on the guitar for bass heavy rumbles and- dare it be… melody on the guitar? This is probably the best varied track on the album, even though the riffs may seem recycled. Still, while not the most original, “Sciatica” shows listeners what happens when those in torment constructively take their pain and channel something productive in the metal world. It may not be pretty, but it certainly gets its point across in sharp, short bursts.
2.5 / 5 STARS
1. Youth, Ravager
2. My Neighbor’s Garden
3. Long Division
4. Army Of Amy
5. Render Unto Scissors
6. This Will Help You Sleep
7. Sinus
2. My Neighbor’s Garden
3. Long Division
4. Army Of Amy
5. Render Unto Scissors
6. This Will Help You Sleep
7. Sinus
Self released
Reviewer: Colin McNamara
Sep 20, 2020
Sep 20, 2020
Next review:
Somniate - The Meyrinkian Slumber
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