Now, I don’t think that “sludge pop” is actually a thing, although I might have seen that term used in a Torche review or two. It could also possibly apply to ASG, a Carolina outfit that often mixes catchy hooks with heavy, distorted riffs. It’s been five years since their last album, Blood Drive, which landed somewhere on my top list for 2013, and I only caught a brief glimpse of ‘em in Vegas two years ago, so at this point, I’m ready to give that sludge pop another lick, erm, listen…
They do try to make up for lost time by packing 13 tracks into 50 minutes here, including one “digital bonus” track at the end. The title track starts us off with a nice melodic guitar run, before a wave of distortion comes in along with the high-pitched vocals. Kylesa might be the first name that comes to mind—though they’re not really derivative, they do share a certain melodic sensibility. The vocals and chugging riffs of “Execution Thirst” actually made me think of Billy Talent, but these guys do throw in a couple post-chorus breakdowns to cleanse the palate. And there’s nothing melodic or pop-punky about the black-metal wails that appear throughout “Up From My Dreams.” I’m digging the slow, doomy section around the two-minute mark, too!
“Lightning Song” is a solid slice of southern doom à la King Giant, while “Hawks on the Run” intersperses a mellow verse with some heavy, doomy breakdowns. And the opening riff to “The Heaven Moon” simply crushes. On the more melodic side, the chorus of “God Knows We (Don’t Mean Well)” is soaring and uplifting, in spite of its message—ditto the incredibly catchy chorus of “Heavy Scars.” And “Lamb Song” shows that light, airy breakdowns can be a thing. And that digital bonus track “Tied Tongues” makes seeking out this album in a digital format worthwhile.
asgnation.bandcamp.com/album/survive-sunrise
Tour Dates:
Jun 15 Wilmington, NC Reggies (ASG Only)
Jun 19 Raleigh, NC Pour House
Jun 20 Baltimore, MD Metro Gallery
Jun 21 Columbus, OH Ace of Cups
Jun 22 Pittsburgh, PA Cattivo
Jun 23 Kent, OH Outpost Bar
Jun 24 Chicago, IL Reggies Rock Club
Jun 26 Philadelphia, PA Kung Fu Necktie
Jun 27 Brooklyn, NY Saint Vitus
Jun 28 Washington DC DC9
Jun 29 Chesapeake, VA Riffhouse
Jun 30 Asheville, NC Mothlight
Jul 01 Chapel Hill, NC Local 506
— All Dates June 19 – Jul 01 w/ Lo Pan & Beitthemeans
