Writhing Madness...

Uroboros - Deiphagomega (2015)

Up 'til this point, Uroboros have put out a couple of EPs, a live session, and a split to keep listeners sated with their sludge, but the Argentinian duo has finally let loose a full album, clocking in at exactly 45 minutes of smashing drums, saw-blade guitar, and their voices (with guests on a few tracks to throw in some curve-balls).  The music shifts between heated assaults and wintry atmospherics, putting black metal rawness and spine-twitching thrashiness to work in near-equal measure, jabbing with the chords and stabbing with percussion before slipping in something down-tempo for a moment's peace.  The band's fluidity in sliding from one sort of crusty carver into another is impressive, and the incorporation of various musical modes (even if just for a quick switch-up) gives the album a well-rounded set of grooves on which to roll.
On top of that, there's clear care in making sure that the songs flow well from one into the next, no matter how drastically different their energies may be.  That fusion comes to fullest fruition with the closing track, "Mecanismo de Antikythera", in which rattling beats, subdued synths, spoken-word samples, and more come together in a twisting cornucopia to provide conclusion. Altogether, Deiphagomega is a fine album, worthy of the high standards set by Uroboros' earlier releases, with plenty of meat on its gnarled bones.
~ Gabriel

For Fans Of;    Narcosatanicos, Deuil, Rorcal, O.D.R.A., Joan's Diary

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Uroboros - Círculo Ártico (320 kbps)

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Into The Wastelands...

Uroboros - Herejía & Exilio (2013)

Last week, we delved into Uroboros' EP Misantropía & Blasfemia, and now we continue on into their second EP.  Herejía & Exilio begins with “K'Zulu”; whether that's a reference to Cthulhu or not is up to the listener's discretion, but it's a great starter track, beginning with a barrage of sound before slowing down a little into a mean sludge groove.  After some dirty thrash slips in, it's on to “Arcano Devorador”, which makes more use of the vocalist's ability to deliver loud, growling menace over a chunky riff that verges on death metal at times.

“Holocausto” follows, taking the prize for longest track on the EP at ~10 minutes as with "En Las Fauces de Uroboros" on the prior EP, and similarly making use of its expanded run-time to show off the band's skills in a variety of stylistic capacities.  From the slow, near-drone beginning into harder, faster sludge, a few dirge-like bridges from the drums and guitar, a tasty feedback stretch or two, and an atomic explosion (accompanied by sirens and a sample of Robert Oppenheimer) mid-way through the track, “Holocausto” is incredibly diverse, to the point of almost feeling like it could be its own EP.

While they could have cut off there and had a strong release, Uroboros takes the time to give Herejía & Exilio a proper closing track in the form of “Somos El Pueblo De Dios”, a much slower and somber piece which comes as a nice breather after the final high-speed assault of “Holocausto”.   It brings to life the wintry scene from the cover art, making excellent use of a wind instrument alongside the precise strumming of an acoustic guitar for a sound so chilly it'll bring goosebumps to your arms.

It's a strong EP, either solo or taken with Misantropía & Blasfemia, and between the two of them, the band has made an impressive debut for themselves.   It will be fascinating to hear how the Argentinian duo tops themselves once they're ready to release a full-length LP, but until then, fans of sludge and experimental metal can do themselves a favor by familiarizing themselves with what the band has already made available.

~ Gabriel

For Fans Of; Asilo, Forgotten Tomb, Abstracter, Zeppheroin, Bell Witch

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Uroboros - Holocausto (320 kbps)

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Beginning The Journey...

Uroboros - Misantropía & Blasfemia (2013)

Argentinian sludge band Uroboros released Misantropía & Blasfemia about a week and a half before their follow-up, Herejía & Exilio. The titles and proximity of release dates suggest more than a little connectivity between the two EPs, and with each of them adding up to somewhere around 20 minutes of material, it's easy to imagine it as a concept album separated by force and intentional isolation of the experiences on each.

The first of the EPs begins with sludge as you usually think of it, with force and aggression pouring out of the guitar, vocals, and drums while the bass lays down some thick and nasty resonance. The group has a solid grip on the spirit of sludge, some excellently violent riffs and bridges, and a willingness to go as long or short with the song as called for by the music and mood.  In the 10-minute closing track "En Las Fauces de Uroboros", the band shows that their song-writing is sharp enough to sustain stretching out that environment into big pieces with more room for experimentation.  They also do well at having the distinct sections flow naturally into each other, with some nice juggling of rhythms and crunch.  Their material on this first release is excellent on its own, no questions about that, but it's perhaps even more exciting as the first piece of their larger works.  Basically, if you like sludge of any sort, this group is one worth checking out.

~ Gabriel

For Fans Of; Hesperian Death Horse, Ksyatriya, Gilla Bruja, Meth Drinker, Fleshpress

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Uroboros - Ars Goetia (320 kbps)

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