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Laters

Savannah’s Sludge Supremacy

Pop est: 134, 000

Bands: Baroness, Black Tusk, Kylesa

So over the past 6 months or so I have been to many a live show, some were metal, a couple were jazz and one straight up Hardcore gig, no frills, in an industrial town in the middle of the Yorkshire dales, 30 people were in attendance. Yet only 3 have really stood out and they comprise the big three of Savannah’s rapidly growing sludge scene.

I can’t claim to know all that much about Savannah, Georgia apart from that over the past 5 years or so it has produced some fine music that is resolute and uncompromising in its nature. Heavy, melodic and true to their roots Baroness, Black Tusk and Kylesa had stormed onto the metal scene with their efforts Red Album (2007), Taste the Sin (2010) and Static Tensions (2009) respectively. And now they are really gathering pace.

Although each band has a unique sound and have evolved and matured in their own way their connections lay deeper than merely hailing from the same city. The prolific and quite brilliant John Baizley (Baroness) has produced distinctive artwork that has featured on albums by all three bands and has also featured as album art for Pig Destroyer (US) and Kvlertak (NO) amongst others.

Good starting points for each band are:

Baroness – Red Album

Black Tusk – Taste The Sin

Kylesa – Static Tensions

All artwork by John Baizley

Useful Links:

Baroness Last.fm
Black Tusk Last.fm
Kylesa Last.fm

Spotify Playist

Yo, here’s treat no 1: a playlist of some of our favourite tracks, featuring Corrosion of Conformity, Eyehategod, Kyuss, Nile, Down and many, many more. Just to give you an idea of what we’re all about at WW. Follow the link below to open in your Spotify player.
Enjoy

White Whale - Favourites: Free Playlist

Whalecome

Sup ppl? To mark the conception of White Whale I thought I’d post some of the best albums knocking about that feature our oceanic mammalian friends on their covers. Here are two heavy bastard albums well worth your attention, both happen to represent something of a milestone for each band. Break your backs, crack your oars and prepare for a life aquatic.

Mastodon – Leviathan (2004, Relapse Records)

Mastodon’s breakthrough album and my personal favourite (or maybe Remission, screw it they’re all good!) feature’s artwork from the prolific Paul Romano. The Band’s Moby Dick concept calls for the white whale to be the centerpiece in a savage and desperate scene. On this disk the Atlanta quartet excel themselves. Musically riveting, lyrically inspiring and fiercely heavy Leviathan is a must own release.


Highlight: Neil Fallon's verse on 'Blood & Thunder'/Intro to 'Iron Tusk'.


Buy Now
Last.fm

Gojira – From Mars To Sirius (2005, Prosthetic)

Relentlessly brutal riffs and meticulous musicianship helped catapult Gojira into the higher echelons of the heavy metal elite, where they remain. From Mars To Sirius was the means. This is the French outfit’s third studio release and a good starting point for those new to the band, the ferocious double bass and pinch harmonics make it very appealing to all metal fans. The underlying ecological message of the music is still, six years after release, something new and refreshing. The whale depicted is thought to be inspired by the Sea Shepherd logo, one of the numerous charities that the band are involved with.


Highlight: The unrelenting 'From The Sky'.

Buy Now
Last.fm

George