out August 7: Yanomamö

Once upon a time a Prince declared: Dearly beloved/We are gathered here today/To get through this thing called life. Electric word life/It means forever and that's a mighty long time/But I'm here to tell you/There's something else/The afterworld." To which the prince of the cynics responded, "The snake which cannot cast its skin has to die. As well the minds which are prevented from changing their opinions; they cease to be mind." When facing such contradictory views on the human animal's roundabout romp in the universe, it is reported by the greatest race car driver of all time that Colonel Sanders simply said, "I'm too drunk to taste this chicken." Enter the Australian sludge team by the name of Yanomamö. On the 7th of August, 2020 they will settle the score with Prince, Nietzsche, and the Colonel by launching new offensive of sludgestonerist barbecue named Sympathy for a Rat. They love the 1970s stoner foundation of Black Sabbath, but they are also substantially angrier and they curse like furious pirates at the local moonshine speakeasy taking turns between fighting each other, hugging each other, and telling stories about the time that a storm stranded them on the island on Hispaniola and they had to survive by learning to communicate with the Great Wise Turtle that ruled the island since the beginning of the circle of time.

It seems like this publication right now is unable to show you any of the new music, but if you listen to 2017's Neither Man nor Beast, you'll have a good idea of what to expect. Anyway, here is the official propaganda that the powers that be would like you to memorize ahead of the album.

It’s well established that pretty much everything in Australia is trying to kill you. So too, apparently, are their heavy metal bands. This particular specimen, roaming the streets of Sydney, are dealers in pitch-black sludge metal. The name is Yanomamö, named after an indigenous Amazonian group known for ritual endocannibalism (which itself is metal enough), and after nine years of existence their sound has only expanded further into new territory, this is self-evident on their new release, No Sympathy for a Rat (proceeding one album, two singles, and three EPs).

A lot is packed in for a half-hour record. The four tracks drip with whiskey-soaked swagger and somehow blends the collective wisdom of Sabbath, Corrosion of Conformity, and Kylesa - the latter especially in the title track, where crushing heaviness collides with psychedelic groove. The bass filters through like treacle, especially on the Evil Dead 3-inspired “Miasma” (“I can smell your filthy soul!”, we are reminded), and gets a real workout as it thunders through the speakers. The riffs are similarly inspired, with an instant memorability that sets each song apart.

Jack Thomas makes his presence felt with every punch and kick in the crisp and organic drumming. As well as this, cymbal abuse riddles mid-paced thrasher “The Offering” - and the monstrous crashes that happen in the latter third of the song. Whatever is being offered as a sacrifice appears to satiate the recipient. Meanwhile, Scott Tabone roars and shrieks in layers, echoing strains of Neurosis’ rawness, highlighting the troubles of war on “Iron Crown” in one of the record’s most potent moments that - unfortunately - brings the whole thing to a close.

Australia may not be first on people’s minds for ear-decimating metal, but based on the strength of this kind of release it should be. If you aren’t listening to No Sympathy for a Rat, then where the bloody hell are you?

Yanomamö are: Jason Higson: guitar; Clarence Wandren Albatross: bass; Jack Thomas: drums; Scott Tabone: vocals.

Recorded & mixed by Adrian Griffin, mastered in New York by Alan Douches at Westside Mastering.

track listing:

1. No Sympathy for a Rat

2. The Offering

3. Miasma

4. Iron Crown

Neither Man Nor Beast by Yanomamö