MusicFreaks

Tag: Sludge Metal

  • Watch viral footage of System Of A Down’s wild crowds in France

    The roar of the crowd has been echoing across Europe, turning recent dates for System Of A Down into viral spectacles. As the band launched their European tour, the sheer energy displayed by fans pushed boundaries, turning massive venues into sonic cauldrons where the audience truly felt alive.

    The initial performances were characterized by a wild intensity; as the music thundered through the air, attendees formed endless circles of moshing and dancing, creating a visceral atmosphere that shook the very walls of the venues. This explosive energy was so infectious that it created scenes reminiscent of earlier shows, highlighting the raw, untamed nature of their performance.

    Beyond the physical spectacle of the mosh pits, the crowd expressed deep connection to the band’s message. At one French gig, fans took to waving Armenian flags, a powerful nod to frontman Serj Tankian’s heritage and the history he often addresses with unflinching honesty.

    This act of solidarity reflects the ongoing dialogue that SOAD frequently initiates, particularly regarding the mass killings of Armenians under the Ottoman Empire. Tankian has publicly spoken about the Armenian Genocide, even thanking former President Joe Biden for officially recognizing it in 2021, and has voiced strong criticism against political regimes accused of exploiting Armenian history.

    The band’s focus on historical pain is interwoven with their musical output. System Of A Down has recently shared new material, such as ‘Protect The Land’ and ‘Genocidal Humanoidz,’ reflecting a complex perspective on the world. While they have explored this heavy subject matter through music, internal discussions about new albums have also surfaced, with members noting that changes in creative direction are often driven by the friction of artistic collaboration.

    Despite these internal dynamics, the band continues to pursue their vision. Serj Tankian recently shared that he and his bandmates are currently “having the best time of our lives as a band”, suggesting that the creative energy remains potent even amidst the complexities of recording and touring.

    The European leg is poised to deliver an epic experience, bringing System Of A Down alongside other heavyweights. Supporting acts like Queens Of The Stone Age and the recently reformed Acid Bath are joining the lineup for these shows, promising a dynamic mix of sludge metal legends and high-octane alternative rock.

    The tour also marks a significant moment for the band, coinciding with celebrations surrounding their seminal album ‘Toxicity,’ which is now twenty-five years old. To commemorate this milestone, the band has announced plans to launch pop-up shops featuring exclusive merchandise and limited edition pressings of the classic record.

    Looking ahead, the metal icons are gearing up for a major European tour, including dates in Italy and Germany, alongside stops in London before heading into the UK. These shows offer fans another chance to witness the enduring power of System Of A Down’s unique brand of rock and roll, set against a backdrop of shared history and explosive energy.

    Credit: NME

  • Notable Releases of the Week (6/26)

    The indie music world delivered a week packed with seismic shifts and jaw-dropping releases, proving that creativity thrives in the collision of wildly different sounds. From major album announcements to incredibly curated lineups, the energy this week felt less like a trend and more like an explosion.

    Anticipation was high for some of the summer’s biggest indie albums, with updates from artists like Phoebe Bridgers and This Is Lorelei setting the stage for some serious musical momentum. Beyond the big names, the landscape was energized by incredibly thoughtful curation, bringing together acts like Olivia Rodrigo, Turnstile, and Deftones alongside a surprising country pivot from Brandon Flowers of The Killers.

    But the true story of this week lay in the deep cuts and genre-bending explorations happening across the scene. We saw potent developments from bands that manage to fuse the abrasive with the melodic, pushing boundaries with every note.

    Truck Violence is a prime example of this dynamic tension. This Canadian group’s debut LP, Violence, was a raw DIY hit, and their follow-up, The Weathervane Is My Body, manages to blend sludge metal, noise rock, and an unexpected banjo melody. Drawing from roots in small towns, the band’s sound is a genuinely dirty, gritty experience that finds perfect harmony in the space of genre-agnostic dark music.

    In a similarly defiant spirit, Downtown Boys continue their powerful run. Nine years after their last album release, they delivered Public Luxury, an LP that is as uncompromisingly political and bilingual as ever. It perfectly captures the idea that aggressive protest music doesn’t have to be confined to the underground; it can absolutely sound like a real party.

    Meanwhile, the ethereal side of the scene continues with artists pursuing haunting sounds. Amy Rose Mills has embraced the bare-bones intensity of slowcore-ish folk on her debut solo album, I Think We’ve Met Before. The production is stark yet ornate, allowing her voice and guitar work to float in a space that is both damaged and deeply entrancing.

    Another fascinating journey was charted by River Shook. Following the dissolution of alt-country giants Sarah Shook & the Disarmers, bandleader River Shook picked up the baton on his solo album, River Shook. This record showcases some of their most personal songwriting, maintaining the strong alt-country and country-rock magnetism that defined their decade-long run.

    The week also offered compelling snapshots from rap and experimental soundscapes. The Buffalo boom bap revivalist Benny the Butcher kept his commitment to dark, gritty ’90s New York rap alive with The Plugs I Met 2.5, a project focused purely on street rap devotion. On the more psychedelic end of the spectrum, UK rapper Jadasea delivered a hazy experience with his new project, Holly Grove, where sounds drenched in atmosphere and slurred lyricism create a truly alluring, psychedelic vibe.

    Even more unexpectedly, emerging artists are finding their footing. The post-hardcore group Fiddlehead released their shortest EP yet, Baby I’ll Change. Fueled by unexpected personal events, the resulting three songs carry immense emotional weight, settling into a majestic tone that feels earned and deeply resonant.

    And for those seeking pure sonic immersion, Maxo Kream offered a sweet, short dose of artistry with O.Y.N, a JPEGMAFIA-produced project featuring Denzel Curry, proving that sometimes the most powerful statements are delivered in brief, focused bursts.

    This week was a masterclass in musical diversity—a reminder that the indie landscape is not one single sound, but an infinite, exhilarating symphony of grit, poetry, and unexpected banjo riffs.

    Credit: BrooklynVegan