When it comes to doom and sludge metal, the West Coast of the United States seems to have the market for those styles covered.  Bands like Earth, Witch Mountain, High on Fire, and Yob have all gained some level of following in those genres.  So, it should come as no surprise that another band has signed onto a record label, this time in the form of the Portland sludge metal act Rabbits.  Recently signed to Relapse Records, they break onto a larger stage with their debut Lower Forms.

Rabbits is obviously in an unenviable position, as they are a sludge band whose debut album is available to most of the world.  Seemingly, one would think the lack of an established fan base would hurt the band, but there also has to be a reason for the band to have been signed to a record label in the first place.  Despite being labeled as a sludge band, Rabbits isn’t distortion heavy in its sound, and the vocals are reminiscent of Matt Pike from High on Fire.  There are elements of doom incorporated into the sound, but for the most part, sludge rules the day in the Rabbits sound.  The guitars are surprisingly solid, and are not reliant on distortion to carry the day.  The vocals have some life in it, as evidenced on songs such as “We Beat” and “Weight Here.”  “No Depth” is a decent song that manages to cram everything into a minute while “Rot” is a more traditional sludge song.  Rabbits shows some diversity in their sound, but while they do play all styles fairly well, they don’t excel in one particular style.  Originality is also lacking, but you could say that for most bands nowadays. 

Relapse has had its share of bands that play some of the dirtiest (in sound) music in metal music.  It looks like the tradition continues with Rabbits, whose style of sludge is not spectacular, but as evidenced on Lower Forms, worth a few listens.  Recommended for fans of Buzzov-en and High on Fire, Rabbits should have a good future if they can just find something in which to excel.

TRACK LISTING

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*Comments:

1.  Burn, Sun, Burn
2.  A Tale of Tales
3.  We Beat
4.  Noise to Share
5.  Duck, the Pigs
6.  Invisibugs
7.  The Flow Below
8.  Weight Here
9.  No Depth
10.  Rot

Total playing time:  41:33

Release Date: February 15, 2011
Label: Relapse Records

Rabbits - Lower Forms

Reviewer: Peter

June 4, 2011