IRON WALRUS · A Beast Within | BLACK LP

Black vinyl with download code.

Background information about 'A Beast Within'

Sometimes a record just grabs you by the throat from the very first riff and refuses to let go — A Beast Within is exactly that kind of album. Iron Walrus have been lurking in the murky waters of the German underground for a while now, but with this monster they've truly found their voice. The band channels pure, unadulterated sludge heaviness, but what sets them apart is how effortlessly they weave in elements of classic doom, a hefty dose of stoner groove, and even flashes of old-school heavy metal swagger. It's the kind of record that makes you want to crack open a cold one, crank the volume to unreasonable levels, and just let the riffs wash over you like a tidal wave of fuzz.

The opening salvo of tracks like Crawling and Take Care hits with the weight of a collapsing building — downtuned, filthy guitar work that owes as much to the swampy stomp of Crowbar as it does to the blues-drenched doom of Electric Wizard. But there's a surprising amount of melody buried beneath all that distortion, and vocalist Jan O. has a roar that's both menacing and strangely anthemic. Abyssal slows things down to a funeral march pace, all crushing chords and existential dread, before Control kicks the tempo back up with a riff so greasy you could fry an egg on it. The B-side doesn't let up either — No More Reason and Ghost showcase a band that understands dynamics, knowing exactly when to pummel and when to let the tension breathe. Fools might just be the secret weapon here, a track that burrows into your skull and sets up camp. The closing Drowning lives up to its name, pulling you under with wave after wave of colossal riffage. This is sludge done right: heavy as hell, but with enough hooks to keep you coming back for more.

For fans of:
Crowbar, High on Fire, Mastodon, Down, Red Fang

Other Versions

DIGIPAK CD · Sold out

Track listing

A1. Crawling
A2. Take Care
A3. Abyssal
A4. Control
B1. No More Reason
B2. Ghost
B3. Fools
B4. Drowning

Placer on the market according to GPSR: Four Flames GmbH & Co. KG, In der Garte 38, 49479 Ibbenbueren, Germany, Contact: fourflames.com