### Switchblade: Switchblade [2012]

#### 22/01/13 || gk

Sweden’s Switchblade has been around for a long time now. Formed in 1997 as a trio focusing on droning sludge metal, the band has displayed a solid integrity towards their craft and a dislike for naming their albums. 2012 saw the 6th self-titled album from Switchblade and with one major change. Bass guitarist Anders Steen left after the 2009 album and guitarist Johan Folkesson and drummer Tim Bertilsson decided to carry on as a duo and not use the bass on this latest album.

The album is broken into 3 movements with each movement in turn being made up of various parts. “Movement I” starts proceedings and initially begins as a slow and plodding sludge instrumental but then breaks away into almost Khanate style minimalism before the duo swing and groove like nobody’s business in the final third of the song. The first guest appearances too happen here with a strange and almost muffled vocal spot by The Cuckoo from Terra Tenebrosa and Per Wiberg (Spiritual Beggars) on organ. The song has a terrific final act as the groove somehow manages to mutate but stay the same and Wiberg’s organ bathes the song in a strange, unearthly feel.

“Movement II” for me, is the real star of the show. Starting off with a sombre doom riff and measured, deliberate drumming, the song takes a while to gain momentum and it’s when Wiberg’s organ comes in to follow the guitars that things start to build. The second half of the song might hold special interest to Katatonia fans as Jonas Renkse turns up in a guest vocal spot but in his Lord Seth persona. His growls are effective and enhance the big fat grooves and sludged out vibe of the second half of the song. Again, Wiberg’s organ playing is creepily effective here and adds a texture to the music that is quite unique. The song reaches its epic conclusion in the third part with another guest vocal spot, this time from Kongh’s David Johansson who delivers a spaced out, clean style and “Movement II” ends in a bit of doom metal bliss.

“Movement III” is the final chapter and starts in a sparse and unhurried manner often sounding like the band want to stop midway through a riff and go home and after “Movement II” this approach really works in providing opposition to what’s gone before and providing tension for what’s to come. Renkse makes an appearance again sounding particularly tortured as does The Cuckoo with some strange whispers hidden in the mix as the song slowly starts to build a groove and once again gains momentum as Wiberg too makes his return with that organ.

This is some experimental sludge that works superbly. Folkesson and Bertilsson are veterans of this sound but on “Switchblade [2012]” the duo has pushed themselves to a new level. Also, Per Wiberg’s organ playing adds a whole new texture and sound to the band. He occupies the space that the bass used to occupy and adds to the heft of the bottom end but at the same time manages to be distinct and add an aura of creepy ambience to the music.

“Switchblade [2012]” is without doubt one of the more challenging sludge albums of 2012 and the duo has really set the bar high for themselves and the genre. This is brave, experimental and heavy music that is both powerful and captivating.

- Information
- Released: 2012
- Label: Trust No One Recordings
- Website: www.switchblade.se
- Band
- Johan Folkesson: guitars
- Tim Bertilsson: drums
- Guest musicians
- Per Wiberg: organ
- Jonas Renkse: vocals
- The Cuckoo: vocals
- David Johansson: vocals

- Tracklist
- 01. Movement I (Grave I/Dissonance I/Coda I)
- 02. Movement II (Nocturne/Mezzo/Coda II)
- 03. Movement II (Grave II/Dissonance II/Elegy/Finale)