ALBUM REVIEW: Ten Ton Slug - Colossal Oppressor

The artwork for this album depicts a huge, weighty, monstrous creature, crushing all in its wake. It’s terrifying, destructive but impressive form is on show for all to see. A perfect metaphor for the music contained inside. Ten Ton Slug have already carved out a successful fan base large enough to cause the sell-out of vinyl copies of this album before its release date. This was also long before reviews began to surface, demonstrating the faith and loyalty this band create. 

 The two singles released have already hinted at the calibre of the album Colossal Oppressor, and I am happy to report the first few minutes of this album will settle any nerves fans may have had revolving round it’s quality. The acoustic sounding guitar leads into the weighty riff of the first track The Ooze. It’s slow, sludgy, and powerful. All the components that invoke The Slug’s earlier work is still here. This is essential as the EPs the band have released, along with their live shows, have created the buzz around this band that is perfectly acceptable. I am one who is buzzing. The clout and strength does not subside as we go through the album. Top shelf death/sludge metal vocals both smooth and pummel. Rónán Ó hArrachtáin’s vocals are impressive once more but are by no means the only stand out on the album. Killer punishing riffs pepper this album, while the drum work is exemplary. The bass handiwork adds to the weightiness of their sound. 

And while we talk of sound the production is beautiful, and the word beautiful is one I would never have reasoned I would use while writing about this band; but it’s true. Ten Ton Slug’s song writing skills allow tracks to speed up, but never attain thrash metal speed, and slow down to cause the head to bob but never drop in boredom. Each track has individual properties while always being a Ten Ton Slug track. We have a guest appearance of Karl Willets on the track Brutus which I know will at least have made vocalist Rónán very happy, as I was talking to him at the Bloodstock festival a few years ago, and he told me about his love of Memoriam's music. I hope this is seen as another stamp of approval. I have long since stopped listening to this album for review purposes; I am several listens in now, just for the sheer bloody pleasure of it.

Colossal Oppressor is released on 1st May and dedicated to the memory of Dessie Harrington. 

Review by Neil 'Thrashtash' Bolton