Single Review: Sludge

I have the pleasure of introducing THE new rock act hailing from Auckland, Crystalator. I’m listening to their debut single Sludge.

Having previously played together under a different moniker, Crystalator describe themselves as the product of years of learning, growth and finding a distinctive, creative voice. On my first listen through, I think they may well have achieved that.

Sludge has a synthed out start that chops into raucous guitars, which made for a very nice surprise and a good start. I adore a great drop of all instruments, perhaps just a lead line ringing out, and this song has a great drop before the verse and vocals kick in. Instantly I notice how well the track has been produced. They have a real mix of metal, hard rock and 90’s rock going on, I could hear a bunch of influences… some favourites of mine too!

I really dig the layered vocals, makes for a big sound which is exactly what this band is all about. Guitars left and right, there’s a chunk to the sound that I like. Dave’s drumming is killer, I found myself listening to him drive this tune.

Then I get to the bridge, which is an acid trip of weirdness that I hoped was going somewhere huge. It’s a kind of Pixies/Sonic Youth full noise affair that didn’t quite fit for me, perhaps I was just hoping for a ripping guitar solo? Then we’re back into that hooky chorus, I’m singing along, because Crystalator are smart enough to put the lyrics in their press kit, bonus points. It’s very well produced, did I mention that? It’s got a cool fuzzed out bass, highlighted as the last remaining instrument at the end of the track.

Suddenly, it’s over before it started (under 3min), I love that, it means it’s driving all the way and I wanna hit repeat. Straight out the gate with a song like this for their debut, very strong start. I had to check out the live version of this song on YouTube, you should do the same. I can’t wait to hear what’s next from Auckland’s new up and coming rockers, Crystalator.