Genre: Sludge/doom metal
Origin: USA
Released: 2008
Website: Fistula
Label: Plague Island Records
Uploaded: 15.01.09

If you don’t know the band you might get the impression it’s another horror-flick loving goregrind act out on Razorback Records, but you would be oh-so-wrong. The wicked and brutal cover artwork aside, this has little in common with said genre. It’s quite honestly almost the opposite. Not that’s it’s like cuddling with a furry animal listening to Fistula. It’s more like the slowest jackhammer ever, slowly penetrating your skull, reaching your brain and fiddling around with your nerves and emotions.
It’s so extremely heavy and brutal, but seriously slow (and almost drone-like at times). The slow, repetitive riffing you’ll get acquainted with in Burn the ladder is sure to bury itself in your mind, and slowly start to peel away your inner defense. And before you know it you’ll claw yourself to bits, trying to peel off your own skin to climb out of yourself. ‘Cause to tell you the truth, this is almost hurtful to hear, but in an oh-so-marvelous manner.
But enough with the artsy fartsy euphemisms and let’s get down to business. I’m seriously impressed by these lads, and how they manage to create music that’s so minimalistic and agonized, but yet filled with nuance and melody. It’s a slow, heavy pounding rhythm that lurks within these tunes. And I’m not sure whether to call it drone, sludge, funeral doom, or what… There are even hints of some old school 70ies doom… It can be laden with such an extreme weight of brutality, brought forth by the masterful drumming and distorted riffing. And it can become almost unbearable (of course in a good way, invoking stress and agony in you), yet still you just want more. There’s something truly mesmerizing about their sound. The sound is truly powerful, and fits the music perfectly. But I’ve still left out the vocals, ‘cause I’m not really sure what to say here either. It just fits, perfectly. Harsh, torn screaming enhancing all the emotions you’re without a doubt feeling.
I guess it doesn’t matter if you just love slow and brutal music, if you’re a pothead who wants something to get stoned to or if you just want some truly powerful and marvelous metal; I can highly recommend this.

Tracklist:
01. Burn the ladder
02. Destroying the masters house (with the masters tools) 03. Vomit black
04. Sweet revenge
05. Isolation reward
06. Cat skulls are thick
07. The butcher
08. Monkey astronaut