Time To Kill - S.B.A.H

Labels: Sliptrick Records

Formats: CD/Digital

Release Date: 01 Nov 2022

Tracklist:

1. Slut Bag Ass Hammer

2. Horses Of Men

3. WTF

4. I'm Outta Here

5. Set Free

6. Time (Again)

7. I've Got Nothing (Still)

8. Pissed Off

9. Key Party

10. Sugar Cookies

I've been lucky enough to get a sneak pre-listen to the newest album from Wisconsin, US metal/thrash/punk band Time To Kill. They weren't a name familiar to me until recently and in fact, they've been a (semi) functioning band since 2007. S.B.A.H was supposed to have been released back in 2017 but various hurdles and the Covid pandemic prevented that from happening. Fast-forward to 2022 and it's now seeing a release on cd, and digitally via Sliptrick Records in November. It was originally supposed to mark the ten-year anniversary of the band, and does that while now also marking ten years since their first album.

The excellently titled opening track ‘Slut Bag Ass Hammer’ is actually the album’s title-track and it’s a great mix of thrash, punk and sludge. Kinda like Municipal Waste musically, especially with the faster tempos and gang vocals. The lead vocals aren’t what I was expecting. I guess I was expecting more grit and rasp, but this is only the first song. ‘Horses Of Men’ starts with some proper sludge riffs before the band pushes things up to the next level with more sick thrash. The vocals are definitely grittier now too. There’s no hanging around either. Time To Kill’s modus operandi seems to be to get in, smash things up and leave.

There are hints of GWAR on ‘WTF’, which is the heaviest song so far and also the most urgent, coming in at under two minutes in length. Really enjoyable from start to finish. The production, mastering, etc sounds super clean, which helps TTK, though their fifteen years of experience help a bit too! At this point I should add the these tracks were in a very different order on the electronic promo I received, to the order that’s on the Sliptrick Records bandcamp page (I re-ordered them to match bandcamp). If the listing order above is wrong, please shout up and let me know!

‘I’m Outta Here’ is, much like all of TTK’s songs so far, a hard hitting and expletive filled thrash track (and there’s nothing wrong with that!). There’s a truly frenetic pace to this album and when ’Set Free’ kicks in, there’s a really satisfying punk influence flowing through the music. The vocals are great here and the whole song wouldn’t be out of place on a Tony Hawk Pro Skater game. The further that TTK gets into S.B.A.H, the heavier and more gnarly they become. ‘Time (Again)’ starts in just that fashion before a slight retreat during the verse. There’s no room for rest though as Time To Kill bring out intricate guitar work and a mix of influences that make this record what it is.

There are not-so-subtle grunge influences flowing through ‘I’ve Got Nothing (Still)’ and it all sounds spot on. Yes, they ratchet up the thrash later on but it still retains it’s moodier refrain. ‘Pissed Off’ is an apt song filled with fantastic sludge riffs and atmosphere. It’s not long but it doesn’t need to be. It’s always hard to keep momentum going during the latter half of an album but TTK manage it perfectly with the rabid ‘Key Party’. It’s both intense and knuckle-dragging at the same time, and it benefits from some great blues-rock/jazz towards then end. TTK really know their instruments and it shows. It’s not even Halloween yet I know but it’s never the wrong time for a Christmas song right? That’s where ’Sugar Cookies’ comes in, albeit with it’s rather sinister lyrics. 

Overall this was a surprise for me. I really wasn’t sure I’d like it after hearing the opener but the further I went, the more enjoyable I found it. Time To Kill are cleary a very talented band musically and vocals are delivered really confidently, as you’d expect. Give this your time when it’s released on November 1st. You could do a lot worse, trust me.

You can stream second track 'Horses Of Men' and pre-order the album digitally below:-

Time To Kill - https://www.facebook.com/TTK2007

Keep an eye on the Sliptrick Records Facebook page below for more news on the release:-

Sliptrick Records - https://www.facebook.com/sliptrickrecords

Bless The Dead - Overdue Lies EP

Labels: Sliptrick Records

Formats: Digital

Release Date: 26 Jan 2021

Tracklist:

1. White Lies Dark Whiskey

2. Overdue

Today's meant to be hot and sunny, so I thought it'd be a good time to check out some new music with a southern metal/groove flavour before I head out later. This little two-song digital EP was released back in January by Bless The Dead from Atlanta, Georgia (USA), with the help of Sliptrick Records. Since forming back in 2013, they've released a self-titled EP in 2015, followed by another EP called Vulva in 2016 and then they came to the attention of Sliptrick Records, who helped them release their debut full-length The Boar's Nest in 2019. Bless The Dead were due to tour in Ukraine, Poland and the Baltic states last year but the pandemic put pay to that. With influences including Clutch, High On Fire and Sevendust, there's bound to be plenty to enjoy amongst these two songs.

In my late teens/early twenties, I’d spend many an hour listening to Pantera, Down, FFDP and others on road trips with mates. I’ve grown a little out of touch with the whole groove/southern metal sub-genre in recent years, owing to the fact that I just like lots of different varieties of metal, but I have to say that Bless The Dead are a nice surprise here. The opening song on Overdue Lies, ‘White Lies Dark Whiskey’, is a proper groove metal song. Instrumentally it’s heavy and rhythmic, as you’d expect. The semi-harsh vocals match the sound well and the solo towards the end is really well executed. Bless The Dead take their craft seriously instead of just merely copying their influences.

The thrash is strong on this release too, but it doesn’t overpower things on ‘Overdue’. It’s exhilarating when Bless The Dead hit full stride. The riffs, while familiar in delivery are really melodic and the whole song-writing effort from the band is excellent. I know there’s a bit of a stigma attached to bands of this ilk and indeed their fans, but there’s no need to overlook these guys. Comparisons aside, this EP is great fun and a really good listen, especially if you’re looking for an introduction to the band.

Overdue Lies is available via all major digital outlets and you can purchase the band's previous releases digitally via their website here - https://www.blessthedead.com.

Bless The Dead - https://www.facebook.com/BlessTheDead

Sliptrick Records - https://www.facebook.com/sliptrickrecords

Swallowing The Weak - Devourer Of Souls

Labels: Sliptrick Records

Formats: CD/Digital

Release Date: 06 Nov 2018

Tracklist:

1. Devourer Of Souls

2. Equal In Death

3. Salvation

4. No Gods No Masters

5. Blade Of Hate

Every day there are new solo bands springing up across all sub-genres of extreme metal, but this may be the first time I've come across a solo deathcore band. From Sligo in Ireland, Swallowing The Weak has joined forces with the ever growing Sliptrick Records to release this debut EP "Devourer Of Souls" on both cd and digitally. The self-professed "deathcore one man army" is currently an online/studio project.

Creepy electronic and vocal effects kick off the opening title-track, which is filled with programmed drums and electronic effect as well as deep vocal bellows and occasional shrieks. The guitars sit within the mix, taking away some of the music’s power especially with the vocals taking centre stage. That being said, it’s still engaging and when the guitars do get more space in the mix, they definitely add a lot of atmosphere and (sole-member) Tomek’s playing is very accomplished. This release does highlight the limitations of self-recording/producing on a budget and you get a sense of that during Equal In Death; however, if the volume of the instrumentation was increased it would certainly sit comfortably alongside many modern death metal bands, especially those of the technical variety.

Salvation is an amusing title for a song on “Devourer Of Souls” because you won’t find much of it here. It’s heavy and despite the electronic touches here and there, there’s no real moments for rest. Also, for a project that aligns itself to deathcore, there aren’t many breakdowns present. The bass on No Gods No Masters adds great heft to the music and indeed a more progressive/bluesy edge. It’s a brutal song, but in a restrained way. Swallowing The Weak hits it’s true stride with closing song Blade of Hate. Sure, the volume of the instrumentation could be higher but that’s a minor thing when the music is well-written and performed. Sometimes you have to see past things to appreciate it. Swallowing The Weak has a long way to go to in terms of the projects maturity, but Tomek has laid solid foundations here. Throw him some support and check this out for yourselves. 

You can stream the EP's title-track below via Swallowing The Weak's bandcamp page:-

Swallowing The Weak - https://www.facebook.com/swallowingtheweak/

You can purchase the full EP on cd or digitally from Sliptrick Records below - 

https://deadpulse.com/product/swallowing-the-weak-devourer-of-souls/

Sliptrick Records - https://www.facebook.com/sliptrickrecords/