Mastiff is a doom/sludge band from the UK who formed in 2013. “Deprecipice” is their fourth full-length album, they have also released two EPs, a demo, and a live album.
“Deprecipice” is an album that truly blends doom, sludge and hardcore. A lot of so-called sludge bands are just ultra-abrasive doom. There isn't anything wrong with that but it seems most have forgotten that true sludge combines doom metal and hardcore.
Mastiff definitely understands this and have nailed down a true doom/sludge style.
“Bite Radius” opens with fast paced, hardcore influences that are just straight up vicious. Jim Hodge's vocals are insane—he sounds like his throat is going to fall out of his body at any moment.
Guitarists Phil and James suddenly switch gears and go for a melodic/Gothic doom passage. It is a surprisingly effective moment of atmospheric tinged mood but comes off in a smooth, natural way. Daniel and Michael, bass and drums respectively, are equally as adept at switching between various styles and tempo.
“Void” is such a great song—it is enthralling how the song is instantly a banger, full speed ahead from the very first second. The rhythms have the subtlety of a machine gun that fires out hammers. From the halfway point to the end, the song just doesn’t quit. A pummeling riff fest hits first then before slowing down and letting the pain sink in. Beautiful. The bass drop after the three minute mark could level a mountain—this is how doom and sludge should be.
The sludge/hardcore influences are deadly on the minute and a half long slaughter fest that is “Skin Stripper,” which could be the soundtrack for that very thing happening to a body. This song is so brutal, I’ve heard death metal that can’t even hold a candle against this. A special kind of punishment, which is indicative of the album as a whole as well.
“Worship,” begins with a sneaky tempo and an atmosphere that builds up so well that it’s nearly palpable. I was almost nervous listening to this because, even though I knew the dam was about to break, I wasn’t sure how hard the rest of the song would hit.
It flattened me like a big ol steam roller that also has chainsaws welded to it. After the two minute mark, the drums and bass kick it up a notch (how is that even possible?) and my broken, cut up, flat body was basically reduced to atoms. The final thirty seconds or so is a massive fist of doomed out pain.
The final song is “Thorn Trauma,” and destroyed what little was left of my existence it. This is the best song on the album for me, a perfect send off, a fitting end, and a prime example of just how powerful this type of music can be.
All in all, “Deprecipice,” is one of the most heavy and uncompromising albums I have ever in the first three months of this year. That’s saying a lot because, as a reviewer and Doom Charts contributor, I have already listened to well over a hundred albums. This one makes the bulk of them sound like an after school special.
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