Looking across the vast expanse of what the metal underground has to offer, it goes without saying that there are simply loads of names out there that are held in limbonic suspension. Whether it’s bands that are shelved for personal life reasons or the musicians in question seeking a different outlet for their creative drives, everyone has a list of select names that they’re constantly salivating to see return. It can be downright questionable as to whether or not some of these bands even return at all, but late can oftentimes be better than never at all. Eleven years is a hell of a long time for any band to go without releasing new material, yet that didn’t stop Trudger from coming back to us, viciously swinging along the entire way.

It goes without saying that many things can change over the course of eleven years, and that’s especially true for musicians. Such a span of time can be the difference in your craftsmanship, maturity, and general viewpoint from which you base your art, and the sheer prospect of Trudger’s resurrection was something that could have absolutely redefined Trudger’s presence and reputation in the intense realms of sludge. Without so much as a shred of mercy to be had in the absolute entirety of their return, it’s every beat of “Void Quest” that leaves you a simple puddle of emulsified flesh and drenched viscera waiting to be joined with an unfathomable darkness which Trudger holds complete dominion over. Riddled with subtle melodies but always making damn sure that the listener doesn’t have so much as a moment of reprieve as if to purposefully create a disorienting realm that’s as hostile as it is alluring, “Void Quest” is downright fanatic in its explorations of what has corrupted our society: greed, gluttony, war, and much more. Not even the light of the universe itself is spared from the overwhelming might and fury that Trudger wields with terrifying malice. There’s no salvation nor hope to be found throughout this record. Rather, “Void Quest” seeks something better with ultimate annihilation Trudger’s chosen tool to bring about such a glorious fate for the realm.

There’s something primal and raw about this record that makes it feel all the more authentic and all the more reason as to why Trudger has absolutely killed it with this effort. It’s obvious right away that eleven years has done little to diminish the very power of Trudger itself with “Void Quest” all the proof one could need as to what kind of talent we’re dealing with here. This is sludge metal of an unyielding sort, offering nothing but torment for all that this world has put upon us. These are nine tracks that are not likely to stop ringing in your skull any time soon.

LISTEN to “Void Quest” on Bandcamp here.

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