We all know that metal with all of its different styles is constantly changing with there always being a very large number of acts at any given time creating something new that we haven’t quite heard of before. It’s from the realm of sludge that I feel we see that some of the most often with how well it can be applied to many other styles, but there aren’t very many bands that can do such an idea justice as effectively. I don’t know what I was expecting as I dove into Kevel’s second album, but it wasn’t this yet I can’t help but feel extremely satisfied by what’s been done.

I’ve found that it tends to be with the heavier styles that sludge is merged with more often than not, and that’s far from a bad thing but it does feel like people are subliminally pigeon-holding the style to something massively heavy. Sludge has its own heaviness, absolutely, but it can be so much more. Just taking a few steps in what Kevel has produced for the absolute entirety of “Mutatis Mutandis” can open the flood gates for anyone who’s not aware of what the style can sound like. All six tracks that are presented here are just as ambitious in its exploration as it is massive in its presence, and that’s just to keep things brief about what they all bring forth. Every single one of them does something interesting where the others take a different route for something comprising of an almost entirely fresh palette that lightens up the senses in a way that every truly good album does, and it’s “Mutatis Mutandis” that’s constantly firing on all cylinders to make that euphoria never-ending so long as you’re listening. And this record really does have close to everything you could ask for from such an explosive yet calculated mixture of black and post-metal elements that are fused ingeniously with this massive center of sludgy goodness. From the punishing slow burn of “Terraforming” to the intoxicating spells that are woven throughout the finale of “Utopia Planitia” to the ecstasy-riddled dreamscapes of “Cosmic Domination”, “Mutatis Mutandis” is a creation truly like few others and to let yourself fall into its depths is to find something that is overflowing with talent, quality, and raw spirit.

This is a record that I was not expecting in any capacity like I said, but to say that it blew me away is to downplay the quality that’s at play here a ridiculous amount because I can’t help but feel like Kevel has created something that should absolutely be considered one of the best products from the world of sludge this year. There’s so much personality and mastery around every corner throughout this release, and it’s after listening to “Mutatis Mutandis” for hours and hours made me realize just how spectacular this album is and I’ll be devastated to the core if this release doesn’t do as well as it deserves.

“Mutatis Mutandis” releases on October 23rd via I, Voidhanger Records!

LISTEN to advanced songs from “Mutatis Mutandis” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Kevel on Facebook here.