This might alienate some of our softer friends, but our interest in harder stuff is well-documented through what we’ve shared in the past. Bay Area guitar/drums duo Black Cobra is another one of them sludgy power trios and stoner duos like Om, Big Business, Weedeater & High on Fire. Chronomega, their third and the first one on Southern Lord since their inception in 2002, sees them perfect their “bulldozer” metal at last.

First off, the gigantic sound is undoubtedly due, at least in part, to the production on “Chronomega”, which is exceedingly thick. So thick, in fact, that Black Cobra are still able to deliver a devastatingly heavy album without a bassist. Metal flows in my veins

Experienced sludgeroos and born critics may not like the straightforward nonstop crush of Chronomega, but personally I think it’s an obvious step forward for the guys. Herein lies the soundtrack for a harsh madmaxian future, an era of war with machines etc. with thunderous drive and perpetual bonebreaking riffs. With the absence of a new High on Fire album and a relatively weaker Big Business album, Black Cobra reigns supreme in this department. Punishing & one of the best metal albums this year. 4/5

Black Cobra

-dave | MySpace Video