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Sludge metal

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Sludge metal
Stylistic originsDoom metal
Hardcore punk
Cultural originsSouthern United States, late 1980s
Typical instrumentsElectric guitar - Bass guitar - Drum kit - Vocals
Derivative formsGrunge
Subgenres
Atmospheric sludge - Southern sludge - Stoner sludge
Regional scenes
Southern United States (particularly Louisiana)

Sludge metal is a form of heavy metal music that is generally regarded as a fusion of the doom metal and hardcore punk genres, often displaying southern rock influence. Sludge metal is typically aggressive and abrasive; most often featuring shouted vocals, heavily distorted instruments and sharply contrasting tempos. It originated in the American state of Louisiana during the late 1980s.

Characteristics

Sludge metal generally combines the slow tempos, heavy rhythms and dark, pessimistic atmosphere of doom metal with the aggressive style, shouted vocals and fast tempos of hardcore punk. The string instruments (electric guitar and bass guitar) are heavily distorted and often use a large amount of audio feedback to produce an abrasive, sludgy sound. Guitar solos are often absent. Drumming is more often in the form of d-beat and double bass drumming. However the beats may be slowed considerably, with the tempo usually falling somewhere between 50 and 80 beats per minute (bpm). Vocals are usually shouted or screamed, and lyrics are generally blue-collar in nature; reflecting on society, generally in a depressive, cynical or downtrodden manner.

Many sludge metal bands from the Southern United States incorporate southern rock influences and imagery, although it should be noted that not all sludge metal bands share this style. Due to the similarities with stoner metal, there is often a crossover between the two genres, but sludge metal generally avoids stoner metal's positive atmosphere and its usage of psychedelia. Sludge metal also bears some musical and lyrical resemblance to crust punk (for example Dystopia).

Stylistic divisions

Sludge metal has several loosely defined subgenres. Traditional sludge metal is the "purest" form of the genre, typified by bands such as Crowbar,[1] which come from New Orleans' metal scene. Southern Sludgecore is typified by strong blues and southern rock influences, extreme levels of distortion, extremely slow tempos, and generally hateful and controversial lyrics concerning misogyny or drug addiction. Eyehategod is generally regarded as the founder of this genre[2]. Aside from Louisiana, the biggest sludge metal scene is in North Carolina. North Carolina bands usually have a stronger punk influence, which includes bands such as Corrosion of Conformity, Antiseen, Weedeater and Buzzov*en. It is important to note that not all sludge metal is slow. The term Sludge/Doom is usually applied to sludge metal bands that emphasize slow-tempos.

Atmospheric sludge metal aims to produce an ambient atmosphere with reduced aggression, more philosophical lyrics and an experimental style. Neurosis, Isis and Cult of Luna are considered the forerunners and the most important bands in this subgenre. Atmospheric sludge bands draws influences from bands such as Earth, Neurosis and Godflesh instead of the earliest sludge metal bands. Mogwai in particular are a strong influence, especially on Isis, Cult of Luna, Pelican and Callisto. Mogwai's influence is particularly demonstrated by the use of single-note delayed guitar riffs which are achieved using a delay pedal. In an interview, Pelican mentioned that the heaviness of their music is no longer their main priority. Their sound is now being referred to as post-metal or "postcore" by many fans.

Sludge metal is often fused with other genres, such as stoner metal (Electric Wizard), black metal (Unearthly Trance), death metal (Soilent Green), or industrial music (Fudge Tunnel).

History

Sludge metal is generally regarded to have been invented by the Melvins,[3] a band from the state of Washington. Their earliest releases, Six Songs (1986) and Gluey Porch Treatments (1987) were a major influence on both sludge metal and the Washington grunge scene. Some also cite the band Flipper and the second side of Black Flag's album My War (1984) as influential.

During the late 1980s, a number of bands from New Orleans, Louisiana took these influences and developed the style that would be known as sludge metal. This music scene was popularly referred to as "NOLA". From there, the style spread to many other areas throughout the Southern United States.

During the early 2000s many sludge bands began to incorporate post-rock elements into their music. This new sound was greatly inspired by the experimental style of Neurosis, and is performed by prominent bands such as Isis, Cult of Luna and Pelican.

Sludge metal bands by style

Traditional/Southern sludge metal

These bands are the pioneers of the genre or are strongly influenced by those bands. Many are from the Southern United States.

Stoner sludge metal

These bands have mixed typical stoner metal traits with typical sludge metal traits, and may be considered a part of both genres.

Atmospheric sludge metal

Many of these bands are also considered to be a part of the closely-related post-metal genre.

Other sludge metal styles

See also

References

  1. ^ Crowbar MP3 Downloads - Crowbar Music Downloads - Crowbar Music Videos - Crowbar Pictures - MP3.com
  2. ^ Eyehategod MP3 Downloads - Eyehategod Music Downloads - Eyehategod Music Videos - Eyehategod Pictures - MP3.com
  3. ^ Post-Rock, Post-Metal, Sludge Metal, and Avant Garde Metal - L9IAnime Forums
  4. ^ York, William. "Acid Bath". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-06-10.
  5. ^ York, William. "Buzzov-en". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
  6. ^ Huey, Steve. "Corrosion of Conformity". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-06-03.
  7. ^ Huey, Steve. "Crowbar". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
  8. ^ a b Prato, Greg. "Down". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
  9. ^ "Dystopia". Encyclopaedia Metallum. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
  10. ^ Huey, Steve. "Eyehategod". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
  11. ^ Kott, Paul. "Iron Monkey". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
  12. ^ Raggett, Ned. "Melvins - Gluey Porch Treatments". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
  13. ^ Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Bongzilla". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
  14. ^ Rivadavia, Eduardo and Koets, Tara. "Electric Wizard". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-05-19.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  15. ^ Rockdetector: High on Fire biography
  16. ^ Mason, Stewart. "Kylesa". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
  17. ^ Heaney, Greg. "Torche". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-06-10.
  18. ^ Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Weedeater". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
  19. ^ Downey, Ryan J. "Isis". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
  20. ^ Huey, Steve. "Neurosis". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
  21. ^ Deming, Mark. "Baroness". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-05-21.
  22. ^ Prato, Greg. "Baroness - Red Album". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-05-21.
  23. ^ Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Fudge Tunnel". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
  24. ^ "Fudge Tunnel". Encyclopaedia Metallum. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
  25. ^ True, Chris. "Kingdom of Sorrow". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-05-21.
  26. ^ Prato, Greg. "Kingdom of Sorrow - Kingdom of Sorrow". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-05-21.
  27. ^ York, William. "Mastodon". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
  28. ^ Huey, Steve. "Pantera - Vulgar Display of Power". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
  29. ^ York, William. "Soilent Green". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
  30. ^ York, William. "Soilent Green - Pussysoul". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
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