Album Details

• Artist: Whitehorse
• Album: Progression
• Label: At A Loss
• Year of Release: 2011
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: patchen on 2011-06-27

Melbourne's Whitehorse has been testing the limits of sludge for over seven years, blending in classic rock and bluesy expansions to their doom-y brew. "Progression" keeps it heavy and nasty, but adds surprising sonic touches that reveal a band willing to take risks without compromising their basic sound.

"Mechanical Disintegration" features echoing, metallic drums that give the intro an industrial feel, and which supports the main riff throughout-a haunting and often creepy effect. The song flirts with minimalism at the end, and it rings true.

The title track is pure sludge, but it grinds along with hypnotic and minimal power, not unlike their countrymen  feedtime.  Here, as throughout, the vocals are deep and croaky, either among the best or most clichéd given the style, your call. In any event, for all their bluster, it is the music that carries this set beyond its limits.

Sandwiched between a short thrash track and a ten minute plus finale, the core track here is the epic "Time Worn Regression." Here the band delivers brutal sludge with inventive riffs and chord progressions that add depth and emotional power.

Whitehorse are confident, hardcore and, like many an Aussie band, all about the volume. "Progression" is a solid introduction to a band that, with seven years of live work behind them, are tight and ready to realize some of their bigger ideas. This record hints at what is to come.

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