The South Englishmen's debut EP was too typical stoner/sludge metal, as far as I can say, because that genre isn't very familiar to me. I like sludge and stoner, if the music's good, hah. A year later these Hampshire fellows returned with their sophomore EP 'Split Tongue Cloven Hoof', and by its title alone, I dared to wait something more wicked.

And yes, the band have grown as musicians, and as composers too. While they sounded very North American on their debut, now there are clear English tones to be experienced. However, fastish 'Smokin' Bones' starts with typical sludge riff before entering into this Entombed-sounding part, due to the vocals, which are similar to L-G Petrov's beer-soaked voice on more rocking Entombed releases (it's about varying semi-shouts all around the EP). The song has more heavy metal in it than previous XB songs. 'Hellspeed Viper' strengthens the heavy metal portion with some double kick drumming and general feel, even that far that it gets to 50/50. And when it gets slower, evil fog of doom wafts in. The bluesy guitar solos are abound.

'Slamhound' is a straighter, rolling sludge metal piece, but it's bloody nasty at that. It doesn't sound of desert and a highway, but of dirty local pub and a skanky whore. 'Triclops' is my favourite song on offer. It packs certain Cathedral vibe, and not only horror movie lyrics-wise: "He's got three eyes, but he's blind to the wretched one, and he calls out to the blackest of sons. He will destroy your children's lives, engulfing towns with each of his strides. Trampled under heavy cloven hoof, Tricloptic gaze and a granite tooth." The pace varies from slow to mid-paced, but the song is still groovy.

If it was the stench of cheap beer and cigarettes that rose from the previous EP, then it's same thing with this one, but only the aroma is much stronger. The compositions do not feel forced, as on the debut. This simply flows, even though there are a lot of parts and bits in most of the songs. The musical variety is wider, but also heavier. There is much, much more meat on bones now. I still feel that some riffs are a bit too familiar, but this is not a problem here. There's no problem here!

The band's performance is tighter and forceful now, and also more versatile. As the production is heavier than last time around, without losing the airiness, the guys sound like they mean business. The guitar tone is warm yet ripping. The rhythm section is punchy. Generally, the sound is organic, and the vibe is live.

It shouldn't take too long for the band to get a record deal, if their display is this kind of high-level noise. Let's hope they get down the torrential road, metaphorically meaning, and shake of most of that desert dust. Let's slam!!!

Rating: 8- (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
01/09/2013 11:45