Here’s some proper sludge: hefty, atonal and apparently inconsolable. Each riff feels like it’s been dredged up from the deep, lightless sea; vocals take the form of parched grunts and Dystopia-level samples are shaken out like once-treasured mementos tumbling into the bin from a tatty old carrier bag. Early Corrupted or Noothgrush at their most grooveless serve as decent reference points, with Bile Caster sounding so consumed by their own misfortune that, when they do occasionally raise the pace beyond a mangled trudge, you just want them to stop and have a lie down for everyone’s sake. If I was being picky I’d say things could sound a bit more grotty – we’re not quite in vintage Pessimiser or Bovine territory here – but this is nevertheless a strong release from a band who clearly want their music to reflect all the pained ugliness of the lives we’re forced to live.