Article By: Brian Halsey ‡ Edited By: Leanne Ridgeway
You’re driving your car, minding your own business, jamming to some tunes, and then all of a sudden, your brain is just like, “Jerk the wheel. Drive into oncoming traffic.”
It totally creeps you out, so you kind of fire back at your brain like, “Hey! What the shit was that all about?” But, as quickly as these evil thoughts consumed you, they disappear back into the void. Don’t make this weird for me. You and I both know what I’m talking about. Why does ugliness like this pop out from the depths of our subconscious? As far as I can tell, SIXES is as good an answer as any.
Filthy, loud, black, angry, sludge metal. Sacrificial nudity, demonic symbolism. SIXES made some noise in 2017, with their gruesome, ten-minute single, “A Cross To Burn”, and now they’re back to spill some more blood on the altar with ‘Methistopheles’.
Their first full length is exactly what you hoped for… if you’re filled with viciousness, drugs, and unholy thoughts. Front to back, ‘Methistopheles’ is a punishing brand of doom metal, with a notable dose of rage that separates it from the strictly ‘stoner rock’ pack. Crunchy riffs and furious vocals define this unrelenting monstrosity.
“Acid God” is a 14-minute opener that focuses primarily on instrumentation, in the form of a down-tuned attack that leaves you breathless before another behemoth, the familiar “A Cross To Burn”. Two songs in, you’re halfway through the album and half dead.
Then SIXES hit you with “Fogbreather”, the closest thing they offer to a state of sanity. It’s a more straightforward tune, channeling their inner Crowbar for what I would consider the album’s most approachable track. If you want something easily digestible, sample “Fogbreather”. Other than that, just mentally prepare yourself to get melted.
‘Methistopheles’ was released digitally upon the Earth in March, via Black Bow Records. Just last week, the vinyl format was let loose in multiple variants through Poisoned Mind Records.
You can grab either format via these links: Digital / Vinyl
The album was recorded by Brent Wisdom at 13 O’Clock Studios in Arrowbear, California, and mastered by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege in Portland, Oregon. SIXES can best be described by the namesake track of the album; ‘Methistopheles’ is a crusher that isn’t looking to get too fancy. There are some cool tempo changes and wild vocals, but overall this is just a very heavy band, completely unashamed about wielding their might.
If Hell had a house band that came on after the headliner to clear out all the drunks and whores, it would be fucking SIXES. When a band decides to roll with the motto, ‘Worship Amps, Drugs, and Satan’, they really don’t need help from an asshole like me vouching for them.
SIXES:
Stephen Cummings: vocals/guitars
Dustin Daniels: drums
Hannes Bogacs: guitars
Zander Reddis: bass
Bandcamp | Facebook | BigCartel | Instagram
The band is currently on a U.S. tour as of yesterday, check them out if they’re anywhere near you:
5/23 – Five Star Bar, Los Angeles CA
5/24 – The Golden Bull, Oakland CA
5/25 – Old Nick’s, Eugene OR
5/26 – El Corazon, Seattle WA
5/27 – The Shredder, Boise ID
5/28 – The Loading Dock, Salt Lake City UT
5/29 – Streets Of London Pub, Denver CO
5/30 – The Riot Room, Kansas City MO
5/31 – Left’s Live Music, Des Moines IA
6/02 – CHICAGO DOOMED & STONED FESTIVAL
6/04 – Indiana City Brewing Co, Indianapolis IN
6/05 – Mohawk Place, Buffalo NY
6/06 – Kung Fu Necktie, Philadelphia PA
6/07 – Alchemy, Providence RI
6/08 – Kingsland, Brooklyn NY
6/09 – Ground Zero, Spartanburg SC
6/10 – Jack Rabbits, Jacksonville FL
6/11 – Wills Pub, Orlando FL
6/13 – Twist Of Lime, Metaire, LA
6/14 – Satellite Bar, Houston TX
6/15 – AUSTIN TERROR FEST
6/18 – Boozerz Rock Bar, Corpus Christi, TX
6/19 – Fitzgerald’s, San Antonio TX
6/20 – Rockhouse Bar & Grill, El Paso TX
6/21 – Launchpad, Albuquerque NM
6/22 – Tempe Tavern, Tempe AZ
6/23 – Til Two Club, San Diego CA
6/24 – Slidebar, Fullerton CA
