SLUDKO
“CONSUMED BY DARKNESS”
E.P. Review By Iron Mathew

8/10

Sludko are a female fronted heavy metal band from Tasmania formed in 2015, releasing the ‘Consumed By Darkness’ E.P. in 2017.

Influenced by the traditional and classic, eighties sound of heavy metal, Tasmanian based heavy metal outfit Sludko deliver five songs heavily influenced by the NWOBHM movement. Their debut release gets underway with the very heavy and pulsating ‘Warning Bells’, with its mix of throaty rasp and clean and clear vocals, courtesy of singer Barbara Slad. ‘Warning Bells’ is a cracking slab of heavy metal, the classic twin guitar lead in all its glory.

The heavier and more thunderous ‘I Believed’ is a mean and mildly aggressive mid tempo foot stomp. Introducing elements of the doom metal style riffing that Black Sabbath evolved, ‘I Believed’ is a moody romp that will stomp all over you if you’re foolish enough to stand in its way. Intensity levels rise high as ‘Creatures Of The Shadows’ thunders into sight and bustles on its way. Heavy and bold, ‘Creatures Of The Shadows’ is a hard hitting thump that will have you nodding your head hard in appreciation. Subtle leanings towards the early sound of Venom sneaks its way in to the mix too.

The guitar sound throughout the E.P. is very much steeped in the NWOBHM genre, and whilst there is no galloping pace that bands such as Iron Maiden and Raven brought to the NWOBHM movement, Sludko offer a much heavier style of heavy metal. ‘In My Fantasy’ builds on the heaviness and the thundering throb that is becoming the bands signature sound. With so many British influences across five songs, it comes as no surprise why I found this E.P. so addictive…the NWOBHM a favourite genre of mine. Ending the E.P. is the infectious and high intensity ‘Dark Angels’. Delivered at a higher pace than the other four songs, ‘Dark Angels’ also borders on the thrash metal genre.

Overall, heavy and pounding, Sludko deliver a NWOBHM influenced E.P. mixing elements of Black Sabbath and Venom to great effect.

TRACKLIST

Warning Bells
I Believed
Creatures Of The Shadows
In My Fantasy
Dark Angels

https://sludko.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/sludko/
https://twitter.com/sludko

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