 | Tracklist:
1. Brewing The Storm
2. Bring Me Darkness
3. Ender Of All
4. Mass Devotion
5. Carved In Stone
6. Set The Dial To Your Doom
7. Resistor
8. This Time Is Divine
9. Growing Horns
10. Crossroads And Thunder
Release Date: 10/25/2011 | |
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On 17 Lists
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| Summary: An admirably fierce, genre-bending sludge metal album that perfectly reflects the hell-raising attitude of its creators. |
13 of 13 thought this review was well written
Crawling out of Georgia's highly acclaimed sludge metal scene, Black Tusk continue to explore their distinct take on sludge metal on their second Relapse Records album, "Set The Dial." While such qualities as massive riffs, booming vocals and an overall gritty sound have been all inherited from such acts as Mastodon, Kylesa and Baroness, the Savannah power trio crafts their very own blend of sludge metal unconventionally fusing it with hardcore and technical trash tendencies. In fact, what distinguishes Black Tusk is the inclination to write high-energy, fierce music that perfectly reflects their hell-raising attitude. Granted, they don't reinvent the wheel, nor do they try, yet their unapologetic, no-holds-barred approach comes as a welcome change when compared to a frequently self-indulgent presentation of their peers.
“Set The Dial” can be defined not only by its frequently manic pace, but also adventurous dynamics that make for the quality that's hardly disposable. The outfit steers clear of employing the traditional verse-chorus-bridge song structure in order to make room for diverse passages that revolve around smoky, yet always tight riffs, bouncy bass lines and highly technical drumming. This is all coupled with mid-tempo dominance and furious, serrated vocal outbursts being delivered by every member of the band. Additionally, the formidable Jack Endino (TAD, Soundgarden, Valis) coats the record with uncommonly clean production that makes every instrument perfectly audible. This approach works surprisingly well putting an emphasis on the act's ultra-technicality.
Aside from being genre-bending, the album's also resoundingly familiar in places. Some guitar play feels just too strongly reminiscent of countless stoner rock acts as does the leading southern rock riff in “Ender Of All.” Elsewhere, Black Tusk sound overly similar to their peer Georgia-based formations. For instance, “This Time Is Divine” shares the same vocal approach and sensibilities with “Leviathan”-era Mastodon. In contrast, there are some way more creative tracks that provide diversity that was nowhere to be found on the act's previous releases. Instrumental “Resistor” is shrewdly conceived and immediate finding the band exploring new musical territories, while “Crossroads And Thunder” finishes the album with an infectious, groovy bass line that emerges on the top of low-tuned, distorted guitar work. Besides, there's a certain level of intricacy involved in nearly every single moment on the disc, whether it's stomping aggressiveness of “Bring Me Darkness” or plodding doom of “Mass Devotion.”
With its sparse 34-minute running time, “Set The Dial” happens to be admirably relentless and focused to the point it's really difficult to pick out any standout songs. In case of another similar act this methodical approach might have cut short the spontaneity, but Black Tusk just thrive on it adding plenty of various influences and, in the process, recording a sludge metal album with a crossover appeal. The fans of the genre won't be disappointed either as “Set The Dial” is sufficiently fierce, intense and technical to make their heads nod in approval.
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| Recent reviews by this author | | | |
Album Rating: 4
"Bring Me Darkness":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieE2XEGfLHk
"Set The Dial To Your Doom":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFesKVrKYus
Hell yeah!
Digging: Hawk Eyes - Ideas Digging: Hawk Eyes - Ideas | | | Album Rating: 3.5
Hmm, I never checked these guys out cause Baroness and the like usually bore me, but this sounds more interesting.
Digging: Challenges - We Ruined The Neighborhood Digging: Challenges - We Ruined The Neighborhood | | | Album Rating: 4
They bring a lot of hardcore to the table. That's why they're so interesting. I'm quite surprised how much I like this actually. Thanks for the comment.
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Great review as usual, pos'd. Not sure if this will appeal to me that much.
Digging: Cressida - Asylum Digging: Cressida - Asylum
| | | Album Rating: 4
If you like ballsy, no-holds-barred metal, this will definitely appeal to you.
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I will definitely give it a listen then. I'm not much of hardcore fan, which is why I wasn't sure if I'd like it.
| | | Album Rating: 4
I was sold out as soon as I heard 6...6...6... chanting at the beginning of "Bring Me Darkness" The album's sick. Pitchfork will give this at least an 8... given their previous one got 7-something.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Pretty decent band. I definitely enjoyed this more than their previous album.
Digging: The Walkmen - Heaven Digging: The Walkmen - Heaven | | | Album Rating: 4.5
Bring me Darkness fucking owns hard
Digging: Guns N' Roses - Appetite For Destruction | | | Album Rating: 4.5
Set Your Dial to Doom doesnt rape quite as hard but its still awesome m/
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the Savannah power trio crafts their very own blend of sludge metal unconventionally fusing it with hardcore and technical trash tendencies
You have certainly caught my attention, especially about the tech thrash elements.
Granted, they don't reinvent the wheel, nor do they try
That's exactly what i read in a review for the Hellenic Metal Hammer, that gave this a 5/10.
I believe your convictions about this, tbh.
fantastic review, pos.
Will definitely check this.
Digging: Vauxdvihl - To Dimension Logic
| | | Album Rating: 4
@AliW1993: Yes. It's much better than their last album imo.
@BigHans: This album's sick. And yeah, Bring Me Darkness is better out of these two.
@Voivod: Thanks man. Congrats on your promotion. Hellenic MH is crazy for giving this less than a 7. It's true that some parts of it are overly familiar, but the whole album is intricate enough to make up for it imo.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Ive listened to most of this on You Tube so Ill just 4.5 it for now hard fist m/
| | | Album Rating: 4
Awesome. You must give Lionize a spin too (my previous review). Tim Sult plays on that album.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Yeah you showed me a few of those I didnt like those nearly as much as this.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
This didn't have as much of a hardcore vibe as I was expecting, but it's still pretty good.
| | | Album Rating: 4
@Hans: Ah. I slightly prefer new Lionize to this. But, to each his own. These albums aren't very alike so it's no use comparing them.
@accomplice: Glad you like it.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Good review Greg, these guys have been rather hit-or-miss with me so I'm glad to hear this turned out well and I will be giving this a shot.
Digging: Rosetta - The Galilean Satellites Digging: Rosetta - The Galilean Satellites | | | Album Rating: 4
Thanks. They were hit-or-miss. Now they're only hit. Haha.
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Yet another Greg's review to read. Jeez you're on your way for a 50th before 2012!! Good good!
Digging: Taal - Skymind Digging: Taal - Skymind
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