February 2025 Featured Release - The Sphere Edition

So just like that we find that a new month is upon us which of course means that we’ll be nominating a brand new monthly feature release for each clan. This essentially means that we’re asking you to rate, review & discuss our chosen features for no other reason than because we enjoy the process & banter. We’re really looking forward to hearing your thoughts on our chosen releases so don’t be shy.

This month's feature release for The Sphere, nominated by me (Shadowdoom9 (Andi)), is the 2013 debut album by post-sludge/industrial metal supergroup Corrections House, Last City Zero. Scott Kelly's abuse history aside, I still think this offering made by members from bands Neurosis, Eyehategod, Minsk, and Yakuza, reaches a solid level of greatness. With some of the darkest, heaviest, most apocalyptic this genre has to offer, this shall please any Metal Academy members who are into that sort of thing.

https://metal.academy/releases/3298

Here's my review summary:

The debut album from this sludgy industrial metal supergroup doesn't reach the perfection of Greymachine, but it still reaches a solid level of greatness. You can practically hear what the members have in store from their respective bands including apocalyptic heaviness and nihilistic themes. The industrial side of the sound stems from the guitar distortion, drum programming, and keyboard usage. The vocals range from the deep gloom of Scott Kelly to the raging shouts of main vocalist Mike Williams. The poetic lyrics fit like a glove with this heavy doomy industrial metal music, along with some eerie sax. Last City Zero allows you to experience destruction and withering hope pleasantly from the comfort of your home. The experimentation blended with steel-strong heaviness is not something you would find in every supergroup. It fits well for if the world is reduced to ruin by climate change and carbon footprints....

4/5

Recommended tracks: "Serve of Survive", "Party Leg and Three Fingers", "Dirt Poor and Mentally Ill", "Drapes Hung by Jesus"

For fans of: Eyehategod, Neurosis, Godflesh

Nice choice, Andi. I hadn't heard of this project before, but a single playthrough while I was out this morning found me enjoying it very much. Hopefully I will be able to spend a bit more time with it during the month and work up a review.