Pillars of Ash

Black Tusk’s first album following the death of bassist Jonathan Athon, <i>Pillars of Ash</i> finds the tried and tested outfit pushing their already-aggro mix of sludge metal and hardcore into entirely new dimensions of rage and intensity. “Damned in the Ground” and “Still Not Well” are primal expressions of grief that club the senses with pummelling rhythms and guitar riffs as heavy as anvils. When Black Tusk aren’t vomiting up dark emotions from deep inside, they’re unleashing viciously rousing anthems such as “Punkout” that rail against government and society.