Article By: Pat ‘Riot’ Whitaker ‡ Edited By: Leanne Ridgeway
Australia’s The Black Swamp recently released their 4-song ‘Witches‘ EP, a record that is reminiscent of an era in music before metal “got all dicky about the genre divides” as they put it.
Now, I am not exactly sure how Luke Hosking (Vocals), Brendan Woodley (Drums), Rohan Downs (Bass), and guitarists Grant Scott & Jesse Kenny would further expound on that. But, I think I’m on the right track by just saying the quintet play crushing sludge with an undeniable southern taint to it.
The guys seem rather clearly influenced by many of the sounds generated from the NOLA region of the U.S., yet with their very own much further “down under’ stamp branding. The four cuts here, “Headless“, “Event Horizon“, “1487 C.E.” and “Witches” are riff-driven behemoths with massive groove.
Aggressive vocals, adrenaline-fueled drums, and shuddering rhythms permeate each number, all while a solid blues undercurrent is ever-present. You’ve heard that term “the power of the riff compels you“, right? Get overpowered and submit to it right here then.
