False Gods - Lost in Darkness and Distance

False Gods is a doom/sludge band from New York, who formed in 2015.  Their latest release, “Lost in Darkness and Distance,” is their third full-length album; they have also released three EPs. 

I love the energy in this album–it is pervasive, raucous, and feels unlimited.  It isn’t often that anything under the doom and sludge pantheon has such boundless exuberance, but this album is infectious as hell in terms of its flow.  There is a hardcore/punk energy to the music and vocals, which makes sense because, well, sludge.  The doomy, despondent atmosphere is always present though, so it makes for a very engaging and interesting listen.  This album is both sullen and explosive.

The tempo varies quite a bit, the album rolling freely between fast parts and slower paced passages but always bringing with it massive riffs and strong rhythms.  The production is pretty tight, capturing the low tones and bringing them to the ears without any strain or difficulty.

The album opens with “Voice of Treason,” and the build-up is fantastic.  That opening scream is disgusting, hitting right before the band settles into a deadly groove.  This isn’t a comforting song, nor is the album as a whole, but it’s very creative.  I can hear some post elements as well and it’s a little dissonant.  I appreciate how audible the bass is too. 

“Enemy That Never Was,” spends a brief few seconds with clean tones but then throws them in the mix with heavier guitars.  The drums are fanfuckintastic, creating a massive climax that pays off with doomed sludge riffs that are low as dirt.  The wild vocals compliment the music, adding a two punch to the face to every passage.  The song grows darker but more emotive as it pushes forward.  

“Suffering In a Strange Land,” is one of my favorites on the album.  The opening bass groove has attitude, swagger, and staggering confidence.  The drums back it up perfectly, opening the pathway that follows to be trampled by the riffs and vocals, both of which are intense as hell.  The atmosphere is fantastic, bolstered by the bass.  The pace picks up as the song hits a passage after the 4-minute mark that just straight up crushes with riffs for days.

The final song, “Death Is Listening,” is an 8-minute-long banger that brings out the best elements of the album and showcases what the album is all about.  It wastes little time in getting the ball rolling, by the time the first minute is reached chaos is already in full motion.  This song grapes at the straws of chaos even while being emotive.  After the halfway mark, the riffs work their magic and everything becomes like a rushing river, unstoppable and indiscriminate with its path of destruction.

False Gods is a band I had not heard of before but they are definitely on my radar now.  If you like doom/sludge that isn’t afraid to embrace other elements, then "Lost in Darkness and Distance" is for you.  And what wouldn’t it be?  It has massive riffs and a lot of power and emotion to back it all up.  

Rating: Great