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Jan 7, 2009 - Cough is a local sludge metal band from Richmond, VA. If you haven't. Listen here or buy their second album, Sigillum Luciferi, here.
I never realised before just a second ago that Cough remind me of a combination of three bands I already enjoy and have liked for some time now; Corrupted from Japan, Electric Wizard from England and Ancestors from America, just like Cough. When I first discovered this band, I was attracted by some of the song titles and even the intriguing record name, ‘Sigillum Luciferi’, which sounds like some sort of black metal incantation. Of course, the leap from black metal to this is a long and diverse way that will have many of us lost along the transition. Comparing the two genres is like comparing the countryside of England, with its luscious rolling hills and endless fields, with the stunning landscapes of places like America and even obscured lands like Australia, that essentially has it all in terms of landscapes - from dense rain forests to scarcely populated deserts - these lands are able to provide the tourist with a package deal that contains almost everything.
Everything except subtle beauty. I once read in a novel entitled ‘The Remains of the Day’ by Kazuo Ishiguro that although the countryside of England may not be as outstanding as the mountains of America, or canyons that seemingly drop to the depths of hell, but is subtle beauty is worth more than what it first appears and, given that, it achieves a much more pleasurable feelings in the voyeur than places like America who’s beauty is artificial in comparison to the subtleties of the colourful and rolling hills that are inhabited by some of the most timid animals you’re likely to come across. Like England’s subtle appeal, Cough offer much the same feeling as their subtle comparisons and possible influences weave their ways around the soundscapes with dramatic affects and in much the same way we first saw on the creation of films like Donnie Darko, where Donnie’s soul is transported out of his body and guides him to mischief. These subtle occurrences within the songs show us that we should judge the record based on the inner workings, the base, the core, rather than resting our opinions on the outside where shallow perceptions are created and thus ending our affiliation with the bands we’re judging.
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Although it is difficult to do so, judging a band with a clean and concise mind is essential, especially when you’re dealing with bands who play within styles you’re either A) not entirely comfortable with or B) know very little about. In terms of this three piece hybrid, I am a little surprised at a number of things going on within the record and that are taking place on the impacting outside. First, there is only one guitarist contributing to this piece. This surprising me. Not only is doom a particularly heavy genre, but when interspersed with sludge, another heavy genre itself in differing ways, I would have expected two guitarists to be laying down the foundations, as opposed to one and the bassist.
However, the soundscapes produce heavy atmospheres that entrance the listener as they evolve with the record at slow speeds. Cough consist of musicians who are capable of achieving their goals in one movement, without the use of more musicians on top of the already significant soundscapes that deserves superlatives of the highest order. Back to a previous point on comparisons.
The liner notes for Sigillum Luciferi are emblazoned with the phase tune down, smoke up, which really ought to be the motto for any self-respecting stoner/doom/sludge band. Cough definitely fits that sound to a 't,' and the packaging of the album, adorned with naked chicks, occult symbols, and pot leaves, does as well.
But how does Cough stack up with all the other bands of a similar ilk? Id place them right at the top of the Sabbath-worshiping heap, along with Electric Wizard and Sleep. Sigillum Luciferi has a sound as dense and psyched-out as Electric Wizards magnum opus Dopethrone, but with more feedback and more sinister vocals, while bringing more of a sludge influence to the table (a la Eyehategod) and an all-around ominous, uncomfortable atmosphere. Theres nothing too unique going on here, but the production and riffs more than make up for it. This is one of those examples of stoner/doom being done right.
Cough produces a surprisingly dense sound for a trio.The guitar and bass sound on this album is an infinitely meaty slab of square-wave bliss, but not to the extent where chords are indistinguishable from one another; the ultimate sludgy tone has a certain degree of clarity despite all the fuzz. The only album that really rivals this one in its production is the aforementioned Dopethrone. The drums are placed at just the right level in the mix and are just as vital to the wicked grooves as the guitars.
The vocals range from Khanate-worthy screams to soaring yelps, bathed in a deep, echoey ambiance. Clocking in at nearly an hour and comprised of only six tracks, Sigillum Luciferi makes use of one of my favorite musical formats: the extended psychedelic jam. There is a bit of repetitous filler, but most of the material is quality handbang-worthy goodness.
The standout tracks here are 288 Years of Sin and Shallow Grave because the grooves are simply untouchable. And therein lies a near-perfect synthesis of the warm and fuzzy stoner elements of the doom genre, and the ugly, blackened side of the genre.
This album proves that the almighty riff still reigns supreme and reassures us that there are still bands pushing the power chord to its slowest, heaviest, most cannabis-fueled extremes. Sigillum Luciferi is a pretty killer first full-length for the band and easily stands up to the title of Lucifers Sigil. 9.0 / 10 —.