This toad liquor might need to crawl back into its hole for a bit, as this album still has a long way to go before it’s ready. The doom/sludge elements here are loaded with eerie, off-kilter musical choices that occasionally add a unique flavor to the experience. But more often than not, these oddities end up feeling disjointed and distracting rather than enhancing the overall atmosphere. The songs tend to start off with a heavy, crushing sound, only to abruptly shift gears, leaving listeners struggling to keep up. While I appreciate the band's ambition to push boundaries and experiment within such a limited genre, their efforts often miss the mark, with more failures than successes.
Aside from the opening, middle, and closing tracks—which offer a bit more cohesion and depth—the majority of the album feels like a chaotic jumble. When the band does manage to find a solid groove, the results are far more effective, blending dark, sludgy heaviness with just the right amount of eerie weirdness. But sadly, these moments are few and far between.
A more glaring issue, though, is that when the band sticks to basic doom/sludge structures, things quickly veer into monotony. I found myself drifting off multiple times while listening, which is never a good sign for an album. It's tough to stay engaged when the music becomes so repetitive and uninspired that it literally lulls you to sleep.
That said, there are a few standout tracks here that save the album from total mediocrity. These better tracks help pull the overall listening experience into somewhat positive territory, but unfortunately, the album as a whole is a mixed bag that might not be worth revisiting unless you're deeply invested in the genre.
RATING: 6/10
NOTIABLE TRACKS:
First Crush
In Gold
Back In The Hole