Sadgiqacea / Grass - Split 12" Album ...

Here we have a great split album from two of the best bands in the Philadelphia area. Both bands are supposed to be very hard-working bands that have built up a solid following but both bands are new names to me in the sludge metal scene. Both bands treat the listener to heavy doom, stoner and sludge-metal grooves and for once there is no clear winner between these two bands, both are excellent. I will start with the Sadgiqacea side of the split. They kick things off with 'The Great Divide' which starts off slow and a little meandering before it builds up some steam and launches into a series of killer, infectious heavy grooves that are slightly experimental and complex. The only band I can compare this to is early Mastodon but that is a little unfair as they have their own sound and style happening as this sounds very fresh. The musicianship is tight as a duck's ass and powerful. The drumming is especially punishing.

The next track of theirs, 'Avianizer' is less sludge and higher on the psychedelic scale. It starts off mellow enough before becoming an aggressive barrage of pummeling riffs and again, the drumming is intense. This track is epic at over 10 minutes and they sure do pack a lot into its playing time. They keep it interesting with different guitar variations and moods and after this one is over with, it leaves the listener exhausted. I challenge anyone to keep the neck muscles still during this track. Like I said, these bands are new to me but jesus fuckin christ, what a find! You should find the two tracks from Sadgiqacea totally captivating.

The Grass side of the split kicks off with a tune titled 'Future Ruins' which is an 11 minute pock-rockish, doom meets sludge hybrid of a tune that gives Neurosis a run for their money. The influence of that band seems to be all over this but I am only guessing on that one, I have no idea if Neurosis are an influence or not but it sure sounds like it. Like Sadgiqacea, Grass are big on grooves and layered instrumentation and vocals and it is those vocals that really drive this piece. Out of the four tracks on this split album, this one is perhaps the hardest track to get through but it is still a totally engaging track that you won't want to turn off.

The next track 'Chasing Demons Out The Holler' features some fine psychedelic guitar playing and they really stretch themselves on this tune. This is still a lot of killer riffage to satisfy the riff lovers out there but there is also experimentation to please the more open-minded metal fan. The track also features some cool studio psychedelic wizardry like sounds bouncing from left to right speakers that really adds something to the track instead of being a cheap studio effect. Grass are on the one hand, a straight-forward sludge, psychedelic metal act but they also have enough twists in their songwriting to keep the listener guessing.....great band.

This is an almost perfect split album that is available from Bandcamp and as a limited edition 12” vinyl. Whatever format you decide on, you won't be disappointed. The production on this split is also amazing so I can't find any real flaws with this at all. Two bands with incredible potential - check it out....9.5/10




Grass @ Myspace
Sadgiqacea @ Facebook
Sadgiqacea @ Bandcamp