Album Review: Suffer/Wallow – Suffer/Wallow (Self Released)

Following on from their previously released single, Wraith released back in July of this year, Scottish Sludge-influenced hardcore band, Suffer/Wallow will finally release their self titled debut album on August 31st 2018.

The theme of sleep paralysis and its effect on the human mind is an interesting concept to explore and one that lends itself to a metal sound. Suffer/Wallow brings that theme to the forefront of their release making you feel as though you’re in your own personal nightmare.

A horrifying intro of haunted noises and static (reminded me of Silent Hill) leads into Arrival where the hardcore steps forward to make its presence known. There are no vocals, just chugging heaviness. One that drops into the spoken word of someone describing what sleep paralysis is like for them.

The single Wraith follows (read our review here) delivering a short but maddening hardcore heavy track before Asphyxiation settles things down a little with its intense guitar/vocal combo. This is hardcore at its most raw but with sludge elements layered throughout. Most noticeable in the dirty guitar riffing of Dead Weight.

Still, this is an album that is weighted towards an energetic and uncultured hardcore sound as Incubus and Succubus batter away at the senses.

It’s hard-hitting and uncompromising but Suffer/Wallow have plenty more in the tank as Misgiving shows with its slow melodious first half before erupting into mind-melting heaviness. The roar of vocals that announce the change is fantastic.

It’s not a long album at all which is great as this is a style of music that needs to get in, smash the place up then leave with a middle finger to all. The best is left to last though as Deprivation absolutely kills it. Before Noir’s soft melody and shouted vocals leaves you gobsmacked. What a fantastic double header to see out a hell of an album.

Suffer/Wallow – Suffer/Wallow Full Track Listing:

1. Forbode
2. Arrival
3. Wraith
4. Asphyxiation
5. Dead Weight
6. Incubus
7. Misgiving
8. Misgiving (Interlude)
9. Succubus
10. Deprivation
11. Noir

You can pick up Suffer/Wallow’s music over on Bandcamp and keep up to date with news by liking their Facebook Page.