Black Tusk may be excited for their upcoming LP, but I’m not entirely convinced it’s the right direction for them. This album marks my first encounter with the sludge metal veterans, and honestly, I'm torn between whether they are masters of their craft or simply coasting by. The overall vibe of their sludge-infused hard rock can, at times, come across as genuinely impressive, but other moments feel a bit lackluster or uninspired. 

The riffs fluctuate between sounding hard and tough, to being disappointingly flat, and I can’t help but wonder if that’s an intentional part of their sludge aesthetic or if it’s just a misstep in execution. This inconsistency leaves me questioning whether their songwriting is as polished as it could be. At times, I found myself waiting for something more, something that would make the riffs truly stand out and captivate the listener.

The vocal performance, too, feels like it’s trying to be something it’s not. While some of the huskier, deeper vocals fit well with the overall atmosphere of the music, the cleaner, more screeched screams seemed out of place and didn't always match the tone of the songs. It almost felt like there were two different vocalists trying to serve different musical identities, which made the overall sound feel a bit disjointed. This back-and-forth left me unsure about what direction the band was really trying to go in, as the vocals didn’t always mesh with the energy of the music.

On the other hand, the rhythm section really stood out. The drumming was dynamic and provided a constant source of interest. The drummer brought a style of playing that kept things fresh and engaging, adding variety throughout the album. As for the bass, it was thick, heavy, and downright powerful—cutting through the mix and adding a sense of depth and heaviness that really anchored the sound. The bass player’s relentless energy was evident in every track, delivering a weight that gave the album much-needed substance.

Maybe I’m just not yet familiar enough with Black Tusk’s style to fully appreciate what they’re going for. As it stands, this album doesn’t feel groundbreaking or particularly memorable, but it’s not a disaster either. It’s somewhere in the middle—solid, but not spectacular. It’s as if the band is stuck in neutral, not really pushing the boundaries or evolving their sound, just cruising along without a clear sense of direction. Given their pedigree, I’m sure they have more in the tank, but this release didn’t quite leave the lasting impact I was hoping for.