Callus – A Breath Of Flesh Air
Trepanation Recordings
Release Date: 29/10/2021
Running Time: 30:44
Review by Beth Jones
9.5/10
I always feel proud when a band we’ve seen grow put out a new release, and even prouder when that release is damn fine. And today’s subject doesn’t buck that trend. We first came across Callus a few years back, and were absolutely blown away by their massive sound, and their superior stage presence, and that was the start of a beautiful friendship. Now, after a small line-up change, and a bit of a shift in direction in terms of sound, they’re back with a new album, “A Breath Of Flesh Air”. And you should definitely get your big boy pants ready for this one, because it’s an absolute feast of Sludgy, Fuzzy, Stoner/Thrash proportions!
Opening with ‘Molar Crown’, the new direction is apparent from the get-go. Gravelly growling vocals provided by bassist Ben Wormwell, downtuned, fuzzed out guitars and bass, and riffs chunkier than a KitKat Chunky factory, are now the name of the game. The sound has got down and dirty, and then some.
‘Ka-tet’ follows suit, and then we get our heads smashed in by ‘Cinderstella’, which is predominantly Thrash, but has a hellish, sludgy sound to it. Imagine Metallica and Cannibal Corpse had a baby band, taught them to play fuzzy things, and then got them completely fucked up on booze, fags, and weed, and kicked them out on stage, and you’re somewhere near the sound of this song.
‘Sorrow Bane’ has a fair amount of groove going on, as does ‘Toadfish’, although they’re both still hellishly sludgy, and fairly doomy, too. We’re then thrown into a 10-minute behemoth next, in the shape of ‘Fatberg’. I won’t say too much about it, but I will say it’s groovy as hell, and full of some massively phat bass and licks, and some serious druuuuuuuums – Sam Kelly has done a brilliant job of stepping into previous drummer, Ryan’s, shoes. I think this is my favourite track on the album, because there’s just so much in it, and so much of it!
‘Sludge Guzzler’ closes the album, and by Jove does it guzzle some sludge, chew it around a bit, then vomit it back out at you in brilliant fashion! Another stonking album from one of the most exciting young bands around. Cannot wait to see them live again, and would highly recommend this album to anyone who fancies a dirty, sludgy aural pummelling!!
TRACKLISING:
01. Molar Crown
02. Ka-tet
03. Cinderstella
04. Sorrows Bane
05. Toadfish
06. Fatberg
07. Sludge Guzzler
LINE-UP:
Louis Clark – Vocals/Guitar
Ben Wormwell – Vocals/Bass
Sam Kelly – Drums
Guest backing vocals on Molar Crown – Chris Fielding
LINKS:
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