by Rob Sperry-Fromm
Georgia sludge/thrash maniacs Black Tusk are readying their first album since 2011’s Set the Dial. Today they released the single “God’s On Vacation” from the upcoming Pillars of Ash, out January 29 via Relapse and produced by Toxic Holocaust’s Joel Grind. This is the first album since the tragic passing of bassist Johnathan Athon in 2014, and it contains some of Athon’s last recordings with the band.
The song’s a classic “swamp metal” jam, all brutal sludge guitars and hardcore tempos, with some of the most immediate hooks of their career. No word yet on tour dates, although Corey Barhorst (Niche, ex-Kylesa) has joined the fold as permanent bassist, and they’ve always been road warriors, so hopefully those will follow.
Stream “God’s On Vacation” below (via NPR)…
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