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