This is some pretty hate-filled sludge right here from the UK that lives somewhere in-between the styles and sounds of Grief, Buzzoven, Eyehategod, Iron Monkey, Negative Reaction, Crowbar and High On Fire but also reminded me a little of Cough even though that band isn’t listed as an influence. Wizard’s Beard was formed from the ashes of Solitary Mass and Agent Of The Morai. Their bio on their Official Website reads – “We got together over the love of all sounds sleazy, sexy and filthy. With influences from all genres and styles of music, from Mississippi John Hurt & William Elliott Whitmore to Iron Monkey & Emperor; we have enough inspiration to keep us going for a long time.” Damn right, this band is the real deal and would be right at home if they lived down south of the USA as they sound more American than British. The ‘Pure Filth’ EP is short but starts and ends with two monster tracks of slime-incrusted sludge in ‘Paint The Skies’ and ‘The Albatross’.
These two tunes are both highlights and sum up the bands vicious sonic assault. With headache-inducing heaviness and screaming, ugly vocals, they create very dissonant and abrasive sludge while keeping it incredibly catchy. Vocals range from nihilistic growls to violent yelp’s but what impressed me the most is the raw intensity of the riffing. It is slightly repetitive but this only makes this an even more intense, relentless listening experience. ‘Paint The Skies’ and ‘The Albatross’ both sound predictable and recycled from somewhere or maybe it is ‘Wizard’s Beard’ proudly displaying their influences, whatever the motive, these two tracks have an engaging sneer of belligerence and infectiously groovy riffs. It must be said the band hasn’t exactly got a plethora of riffs but they must be picky about which ones they use because only the most brutal, audio atrocities are used to get their incessant sludge-metal across to the listener. It is a great way to start and finish the album but the dirges in-between are equally as sick and unforgiving.
One of those titled ‘Hemorrhage’ is quick, straight-forward and more direct than the other tunes but blink and you might miss it, I know I have a few times. ‘Parasite’ is another ugly vicious attack on the senses and is kind of like the musical equivalent of pouring acid on open wound seepage and I appreciate how the band don’t plod along too often, tracks groove, move and twist with a good dose of energy. The other track on here is named after the band themselves, ‘Wizard’s Beard’ and is another straight-forward caustic sludge assault. While ‘Paint The Skies’ and ‘The Albatross’ tend to overshadow the other tracks on ‘Pure Filth,’ the EP as a whole is excellent with not a second wasted. The production is excellent and thick, front cover-art is kind of cool and it is being released by one of my favorite labels, ‘Psychedoomelic’ so if that is not enough incentive to buy, I don’t know what is. One of the best debut releases in recent years and a EP that will rank highly on play-lists by the end of the year. I can’t wait to hear what this band does next, this thing kills………..9.5/10
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