El Sledge (+): Doom

Initially based round one man, Matthew Graboski, El Sledge have put out a pair of releases which have baffled, confused and amazed onlookers. Now expanded into a trio, hence the (+), Doom is the third offering from this outfit, recorded in 2011, but released this year and it follows on conceptually from its predecessors. Unfortunately, I haven't heard either Fletcher's Last Stand or The Baltimore Initiative 2010 (a various artists compilation album featuring El Sledge (+)), so I can neither compare nor contrast. However what I can do is say that what Graboski, his brother Jay and Steve Sroka have conjured up is genre blurring doom, prog, space rock/metal, that perfectly fits into the apocalyptic tale expounded here. Thankfully this act are hard to categorise or compare, but if I had to choose one band to liken El Sledge (+) to, it would be dooming stoner progsters Spiral. Both bands have a similar desolate edge to what they do and both see their primary aim as taking the listener on a musical and lyrical journey. ES(+) though are a tougher beast, the likes of "Primal Scream" introducing itself on a gargantuan riff, before off kilter vocals, screams and uncomfortably claustrophobic musical passages completely change the vision. It is a neat trick and one pulled off time and again on Doom, an album title which has more to do with the concept of this band's trio of releases than the music they house. Although a fair crack of doom and stoner influence does ooze from the gloom.

In general this is an intentionally dark, deep and unsettling release, the likes of "The Hour Glass" setting a sparse, yet intense tone which is used as a starting point for some more overtly melodic and almost catchy segues. However the intention here is not to have you singing along when the mood grabs you, rather El Sledge (+) would be happier to have you cowering in the corner babbling incoherently while their despair washes eagerly and relentlessly over you. Happy, feel good music this is not.

Far from being an album which could fit into any day or circumstance, Doom is isolated and concentrated listening fare and while more immediate sections do jump out, repeat visits really are required to make sense of the whole undertaking. Either way, if you have the patience and time to unravel its inner messages and meanings and to withstand an initial stand-off experience, then this is an album you'll enjoy being challenged by.

Track Listing
1. The Hour Glass
2. The Pentecost Broadcast
3. Golgotha
4. Primal Scream
5. Ancient Religion
6. The Eschaton

Added: July 30th 2018
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: El Sledge (+) on BandCamp
Hits: 1848
Language: english

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