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Sludge metal

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Sludge metal
Stylistic originsDoom metal, Hardcore
Cultural originslate-1980s, United States
Typical instrumentsGuitar - Bass - Drums
Subgenres
Atmospheric Sludge Metal, Southern Sludgecore
Fusion genres
Post-metal, Sludge/Doom
Regional scenes
United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Finland, Sweden, Japan

Sludge metal is a form of heavy metal music that is generally regarded as a fusion between doom metal and hardcore punk, often with blues influences. It is generally regarded to have been invented by The Melvins, and some cite the second side of Black Flag's My War as influential, but was popularized chiefly by a number of New Orleans based bands, a scene and sound popularly referred to as NOLA. From there it traveled to many other areas in the South, creating a particular genre of stoner metal known as Southern Sludge. It also bears some musical and lyrical resemblance to crust punk (Dystopia), deriving its lyrical themes from crust's tendencies towards depression. The slow, extremely heavy rhythms of doom metal are combined with the shouting vocal delivery and occasional bursts of speed reminiscent of hardcore. There is often crossover between this genre and stoner metal, but sludge metal generally avoids the positive outlook on life that is common in stoner metal, and is usually far more atmospheric. Also, while, like stoner metal, most sludge metal bands do smoke marijuana, they oftentimes also do and sing about much harder drugs. One could probably make the argument that sludge metal has a stronger connection to drugs than any other form of music. There is a strong influence of southern rock and imagery in some sludge metal, particularly in the swampy sounds of the Louisiana bands, but also in Corrosion of Conformity (from North Carolina), and many of the Texas bands.

Guitars and bass are heavily distorted and often use large amounts of feedback to give a 'dirty' atmosphere. There is sometimes an absence of guitar solos in sludge metal, but not always. Drums are rooted in hardcore, with many hardcore beats and rhythms being present in the majority of sludge bands. It should be noted that these beats are extremely slowed from the original hardcore origins, however. The tempo usually falls somewhere between 50 and 80 beats per minute(bpm). Vocals are shouted as in hardcore, and lyrics are generally blue-collar in nature, reflecting on society, generally in a cynical or downtrodden manner.

Sludge metal has several loosely defined subgenres. Traditional sludge metal is the purest form of the genre, occupied by bands such as Crowbar. Southern Sludgecore is typified by extreme, almost noise-like distortion, blusier/southern rock-influenced melodies, even slower tempos, and generally hateful and controversial lyrics that revolve around subjects such as misogyny or drug addiction presented by bands such as Mugwart. Eyehategod is generally regarded as the founder of this genre. Next to Louisiana, the biggest sludge metal scene is in North Carolina. North Carolina bands usually have a large punk influence, and include bands such as Corrosion of Conformity, Antiseen, and Buzzov*en. The latter of the two take anger, misanthropy, and violence to the extreme.

Another genre growing as of late, musically and lyrically distinct from the other subgenres, is atmospheric sludge metal. This genre uses a very atmospheric, at times nearly ambient atmosphere, with sometimes less aggression and more philosophical and spiritual lyrics. Neurosis, Isis and Cult of Luna are considered the forerunners and the most important bands in this genre as described by various Rock Magazines. Atmospheric sludge bands take influences from bands like Earth, Neurosis and Godflesh and generally have nothing to do with the older sludge bands like Acid Bath. A lot of atmospheric sludge bands moved on from a very heavy sound to a more experimental, post-rock sound or incorporate it heavily into their sound. Mogwai in particular are a heavy influence, especially on Isis and Cult of Luna with Isis Guitarist/Vocalist Aaron Turner mentioning Mogwai as a major influence on the post-Oceanic albums such as Panopticon and In the Absence of Truth, whilst Cult of Luna Guitarist/Songwriter Johannes Perrson mentions Mogwai as a major influence on the post-The Beyond Albums Salvation and Somewhere Along the Highway. Mogwai's influence can be seen as the melodic guitar melodies and progressions and especially the atmospheric single note delayed-guitar riffs which are achieved using a Delay pedal. It can also be seen in bands like Pelican and Callisto, comparing their first and last albums. In one of their interviews, Pelican mentioned that the heaviness of their music is not the main priority for them any more like it used to be. That sound is now being referred to as post-metal by many fans. Terms like postcore have also been used. Some bands take primary influences from outside the genre, such as Nomea from Australia, who are sited as being inspired by the intrinsic avant-garde scene in Sydney.

It is important to note that not all Sludge is slow. The term Sludge/Doom is usually applied to that slow brand of Sludge. Sludge also is often fused with other genres, such as stoner metal (Electric Wizard), black metal (Unearthly Trance), death metal (Coffins), industrial music (Fudge Tunnel) or grindcore (Soilent Green).

Bands

Atmospheric sludge

Sludge/stoner metal

Southern Sludgecore

Traditional sludge/Sludgecore

Other Sludge


See also

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