Trudger are back, and Void Quest is the perfect sequel to their 2014 debut album. More riffs, more tech, more heavy, and with a leaner running time. Void Quest is the final boss of riffs; a riff banquet if you will. Sadly I never really caught on to Trudger in their first leg as a band, even though I caught a few shows and all-dayers in Manchester which fellow COF Records acts would play on. The Barnsley neo-sludge-death quartet have put out this sophomore beast through their producer Joe Clayton’s new label Floodlit Recordings. It was great to work with Joe once again, and this album really turned some heads, with Trudger’s technicality, sound and performances being praised by critics. Trudger have no plans to perform live, but I so hope they do as I feel like these songs are just begging to be played in front of crowds, and I know they will be most welcomed. Let’s keep our fingers and toes crossed.
ACCOLADES
“An absolute riff-fest, at different times bruising, slick, groovy, or just straight epic.”
~ Metal Storm
“A little bit older, and a little bit wiser they may be, but the Trudger of today is also arguably even more aggressive than they were last time around.”
~ No Clean Singing
“Void Quest is a much more urgent and momentous release than its predecessor, with each of its spiralling compositions confined to a consistent and compact length.”
~ Heavy Blog Is Heavy
FROM THE PRESS KIT
Self-described as “neo-crust sci-fi death sludge”, Trudger have always harnessed a progressive slant to their songs, boasting rhythms that won’t sit still, soaring across beastly syncopated drums. For Void Quest, the quartet still harness a progressive approach to their songwriting, building riffs upon riffs that often change and switch up without looking back. The quartet command a frantic existential urgency, introducing many unique riffs and ideas into every song. These are their most distilled and immediate compositions to date, packing in all the crunch with none of the flab, resulting in a lean 35 minute all killer, no filler album that easily invites repeat listens. Trudger settled right back into recording with producer and engineer Joe Clayton (Pijn, Floodlit Recordings) who helmed their previous album, now taking advantage of much improved facilities at Manchester’s fabled No Studio. A stones throw from Strangeways Prison, this intimate basement dwelling sonic altar has hosted the likes of Bossk, Mastiff, Still, Wallowing, Underdark, Tuskar, Mountain Caller, and many more revered heavy UK bands. In an unconventional approach for both the band and producer, drummer Chris Leak recorded his parts last, encouraging meticulous attention to the syncopation and interplay between the vocals and guitars.
Released on August 29th on Vinyl, CD, Cassette and Digital formats via Floodlit Recordings.
PR TRAIL 