Slugdge
Esoteric Malacology


4.6
superb

Review

by Scuro EMERITUS
March 12th, 2018 | 1183 replies


Release Date: 2018 | Tracklist

Review Summary: EscarG.O.A.T.

Everyone's favourite invertebrate emissaries have once again brought glory to gastropods the world over, delivering what is perhaps their crowning achievement in the form of Esoteric Malacology. Packed to the brim with menacing Mollusca propaganda, the undisputed slime-lords have further refined their signature combination of terrific riffs, crushing percussion, vociferous vocals, and…uhh…spooky snails¿

If you haven't followed Slugdge’s slick and shiny path of progressive death metal dominance up to this point, allow me to briefly summarise; it’s been awesome and you've missed out big time. The U.K. based duo have followed a steady incline in quality since the project’s already impressive impetus. Truly, the correct equation for judging a new Slugdge album is “previous album + better”, and so far this complex formula hasn't been falsified. Some notable transformations have occurred since last we were visited by our cosmic Conch-dwelling overlords. Once swamped in a slightly obscuring muck, the mix is much clearer this time around, complementing the more melodic direction opted for on this outing. This isn't to say that previously the production was inferior, nor that it’s now pristine and polished - it's simply reflective of a sonic evolution for Slugdge matched with the correct presentation. As the album cover suggests, no longer must our mucus encrusted brethren inhabit only dank and dark domiciles; instead every note, every rhythmic threat, is unabashedly exposed.

Elsewhere, the band’s iconic vocal variety abounds, with everything from guttural gurgles and monastic chants, to shrieks and possessed cleans interacting deliciously. ‘The Spectral Burrows” is an especially potent concoction of diaphragm dancing, featuring a haunting chorus paired with extended chesty drones, not so distant from the realm of throat singing. The guitar, in all its forms, unequivocally commands the soundscape here, proving especially effective when pairing intimidating low-register licks with agile lead duties that weave spiderweb patterns up and down the fretboard. Similarly to my feelings following the release of Dim and Slimeridden Kingdoms roughly two years previous, I instinctually struggle to believe there will be a way for the pair to top Esoteric Malacology. However, since every new Slugdge album is consistently the best Slugdge album, I’ll instead pledge allegiance to the garden-munching dictators in their slow-slithering cause against heliciculture, and towards total domination.




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user ratings (729)
4.1
excellent


Comments:Add a Comment 
ScuroFantasma
Emeritus
March 12th 2018


12203 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

https://slugdge.bandcamp.com/album/esoteric-malacology



I have given into peer pressure and reviewed this beast of an album. They really (s)nailed it this time.

Digging: Blood Incantation - Absolute Elsewhere

Frippertronics
Emeritus
March 12th 2018


19569 Comments


dank sonic progressions and pod people

Digging: Geordie Greep - The New Sound

ScuroFantasma
Emeritus
March 12th 2018


12203 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Also turns out you can defeat the question mark bug if you just invert it.

Sniff
March 12th 2018


8185 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

The tracknames though

Demon of the Fall
March 12th 2018


35524 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

'Review Summary: EscarG.O.A.T.'



I thought you'd run out of slug puns, nice. Thanks Scuro, I was so excited to see this review & the 4.6 score I haven't even read it yet, give me a minute...

Digging: Nala Sinephro - Endlessness

Demon of the Fall
March 12th 2018


35524 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Review rules, love the last sentence especially. I need to give this more time, optimistically hoping it'll eventually surpass Gastro as best Slugdge.

MotokoKusanagi
March 12th 2018


4290 Comments


loving all these snail puns. will check now

Dewinged
Staff Reviewer
March 12th 2018


32179 Comments


Here. We. Go.

It had to be you Scuro. Brilliant review, I had a good laugh. The album is incredible, there is even early Mastodon on this thing. They (s)nailed it[2]

Digging: Kelly Lee Owens - Dreamstate

Gnocchi
Staff Reviewer
March 12th 2018


18262 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

I’m glad we pressured you into this, tell the truth - you’re glad too

Tundra
March 12th 2018


9921 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

That summary lmao

ScuroFantasma
Emeritus
March 12th 2018


12203 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Thanks guys, glad you like the write-up (:



"I thought you'd run out of slug puns, nice"



All I can say is they'd better not release anything for a while.



osteporosis
March 12th 2018


562 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

HAIL MOLLUSCA

Demon of the Fall
March 12th 2018


35524 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

That 1.0 on the ratings chart is making my eyes bleed

Orb
March 12th 2018


9493 Comments


Rips. Shame about how over-produced it is tho.

Digging: Mitochondrion - VITRISEPTOME

DDDeftoneDDD
March 12th 2018


22796 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0 | Sound Off

waaaaait!!!! Is this review real!? :D:D:D

Digging: Iotunn - Kinship

osteporosis
March 12th 2018


562 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

yeah if they got a real good production on this with like colin marston or something, all their stuff would be so much better

DDDeftoneDDD
March 12th 2018


22796 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0 | Sound Off

"interacting deliciously" awesome review! Congrats dude. Loving every second of this! HAIL THE SLUG.



@Dewinged: "there is even early Mastodon on this thing."



I read somewhere "Imagine Gojira, Mastodon and Napalm Death being eaten alive by a giant mollusc."

ScuroFantasma
Emeritus
March 12th 2018


12203 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Thanks man (:

DDDeftoneDDD
March 12th 2018


22796 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0 | Sound Off

btw 4.6 is a beautiful rating

TheSpirit
Emeritus
March 12th 2018


30304 Comments


THAT FUCKING SUMMARY THO



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