It seems that this popular flavor of southern sludge isn’t restricted to south of the mason Dixon anymore. Providence Rhode Island sludge metallers, Howl, shoved their southern fried riffs into my ears from north of the mason Dixon with extreme prejudice. Whether lyrical topics include “Jezebels” or “Horns of Steel” one true fact cannot be ignored: Howl have loud amps dripping in that southern syrup style riffage. Full of Hell was released by Relapse Records on May 11th, 2010. Coincidentally this was also my 22nd birthday. Fans of Black Tusk, Kylesa, High on Fire will bathe in this album’s filthy walls of monolithic volume and steady grooves. There is a recognizable face in Howl’s lineup as well. Guitarist Andrea has been managing bands and doing merch/roadie duties for Torche for some time now.
One interesting facet of this record is the constant evolution of riffs progressing into sluggish sludgy breakdowns that crawl desperately before exploding into the next groove. The interesting feature of this structure is that riffs don’t always get slower and slower, and that climactic build up can be a powerful finishing move for a band like Howl. No doubt about the production either, while it has a familiar resemblance to their debut EP this record is loud as fuck. No bullshit drummer triggering, no pitch correction, just raw anger and metallic thickness. Just how I like it.
8/10 baying hungry curs for Howl.
This record is an awesome debut LP, some sludge bands don’t put out a record this mature their entire careers. Order the LP, or LP package complete with shirt, here: http://shop.relapse.com/artist/artist.aspx?ArtistID=10208
Favorite Tracks: Day of Rest/Jezebel
Catch them on tour!
May 29 ....Baltimore.., ..MD.... Sonar (as part of Maryland Deathfest)....
June 13 ....Providence.., ..RI.... Club Hell (w/ EYEHATEGOD)....
June 14 ....Milford.., ..CT.... ....Daniel Street.... (w/ EYEHATEGOD)....
June 15 ....Manchester.., ..NH.... Rocko’s (w/ EYEHATEGOD)....
***All dates from June 18 thru 25 w/ PENTAGRAM***....
June 18 ....Chicago.., ..IL.... Reggies ....
June 19 ....Akron.., ..OH.... Backstage Concert Club....
June 22 ....Columbus.., ..OH.... Skully’s ....
June 23 ....Philadelphia.., ..PA.... The Blockley ....
June 25 ....Providence.., ..RI.... Club Hell....
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