Review Summary: Because everybody needs their sludge packed by a Black Cobra.
Ignore this perverted summary and focus people. Black Cobra have been kicking around the circuit since 2002 and you could almost swear they’ve been doing this longer after one listen to the groovy sludgefest that is
Chronomega. Releasing their self-titled in 2004 to very little recognition, it wasn’t until the band signed with the ultra black metal label Southern Lord Records in 2009 that *** began streaming. Once more people catch onto this album, I predict good things for the new kings of the throne that Mastodon have already been sitting on, four years too many.
Speaking of Mastodon, if you absolutely adore
Leviathan as much as the rest of the metal community, go out right now and buy yourself some depends before engaging in
Chronomega. One listen to this monster will reveal a heavily influenced
Leviathan, minus all the dweedly-dee, dweedly-doo and pointless filler. Black Cobra take everything from modern sludge bands and packs this *** tighter into a nine song juggernaut that condenses a crushing array of huge riffs and pounding drums into the best thirty-eight minutes any metalhead could ask for. It’s not just about the riff for these guys too, competent and neatly woven Kyuss-like melodies are intrepidly placed over these fast, groovy licks, reminding us of the good old days of when sand-blasted melodies ruled. Diving more into the meat of this album (the riffs that is), the listener will be pleased that the riffs come across with rubbery elasticity, syncing with the rhythm patterns in a vortex of suffocating claustrophobia and beating the living hell out of anything that moves. Complementing this slick ***-storm are the vocals of Jason Landrian who gives Brent Hinds are run for his money with his gruff-yelling style and mind altering lyrics. One final note should draw attention to the song “Catalyst” for its immense chugging riffs that lead into a bridge that annihilates with an atmospheric blow; definitely the highlight song on this stellar album.
It’s hard not to compare this band to the slew of modern sludge bands that play with speed and finesse, but there’s just something satisfying and refreshing about Black Cobra that will indeed call for repeat listens. Silently creeping into the last breath of 2009,
Chronomega will be one of many final testaments to 2009 as a year that wasn’t until the final quarter approached with a roaring number of great metal releases. Add this one to your list and prepare to have your sludge packed by that big Black Cobra.
