Top 10 ESSENTIAL Sludge Metal Albums You NEED To Spin!

[@BenFortier]

A super overlooked subgenre.

[@PIZZAdayisback]

Definitely! More underrated than black metal!

[@joaquinlezcano2372]

Maybe, but their legacy sure is gigantic

[@BenFortier]

@@JamesJalapeno what?

[@RoryLynott]

In the 90s/early 2000s yes. I wouldn't say so much now.

[@Blundercat]

Melvins ‘87 to 00’ is masterpiece after masterpiece in sludge

[@orenom6704]

This are the best for me: Iron Monkey 1st Acid bath 1st Herem 2nd for doom sludge Cult of occult - five degrees of insanity Mastodon remission of course Primitive Man scorn Dragged into sunlight for death sludge Man is the Bastard Thoughtless has some of the best sludge moments Today is the Day - Sadness will prevail and In the Eyes of God Crowbar - Equilibrium Dystopia for sludge crust Moloch - a bad place Grief - dismal Thou - May our chambers be full Toadliquer as you mentioned

[@forgemastermetal]

Sick list.

[@ensabahnur4552]

Superb list!

[@RoryLynott]

MAN IS THE BASTARD. THANK YOU.

[@mindful2864]

Neurosis, Crowbar, Eyehategod, Thou, Acid Bath, Mastodon, Isis, Cult of Luna, and the Ocean are all great picks. Acid Bath only had two albums before their bassist Audre Pitre sadly passed away and the band broke up but they are some of the best and most creative in sludge metal. Sammy Duet after Acid Bath got to join Crowbar and form the blackened death/thrash band Goatwhore and his guitar work on that album Sonic Excess in Its Purest Form is amazing. He first joined on Odd Fellows Rest which is easily my favorite Crowbar album.

[@forgemastermetal]

Yeah it's a shame that Acid Bath never got to live up to their true potential. Another reason their albums are very special.

[@Misanthrope111]

The lead singer of Acid Bath, Daz Riggs also has a solo project, Agents of Oblivion & Deadboy and the Elephantmen

[@hamburgersandfuriousanger6820]

Abominable iron sloth immediately comes to mine. An underrated two hitter band of sludgy goodness. Their s/t is goated imo.

[@captainbeefheart176]

@@hamburgersandfuriousanger6820 I’ve never seen anyone mention them, but they’re one of my favorite. Incredible band!

[@hamburgersandfuriousanger6820]

@@captainbeefheart176 cheers 🍻 I liked captain beefheart too

[@ensabahnur4552]

Big facts!!

[@DJTLaRoss]

Having Isis, Cult of Luna, Ocean, and Mastodon on this list while not having Noothgrush, Iron Monkey, Burning Witch, Bongzilla or even the Melvins on here is a fk'n joke.

[@forgemastermetal]

You can just suggest more albums for people to check out dude. Chill. Be a bro.

[@goatforest9974]

Personal lists are personal, man.

[@ajawwwwn6933]

He right doe 😭🤣

[@joaquinlezcano2372]

Isis is top sludge metal, the fuck do you mean?

[@casetclarksin3505]

None of these bands would have ever existed had not been for Melvins.

[@kingdiamondscream]

I can't handle mastodon now but the first two including leviathan are delightful

[@goatforest9974]

Cool. Despite being fairly deep into sludge, I'd never heard of Toadliquor. Thanks for showing me something new!

[@forgemastermetal]

what's your top 3 in sludge?

[@goatforest9974]

​@forgemastermetal My top 3 are "Paegan Terrorism Tactics" by Acid Bath, "Take as Needed for Pain" by Eyehategod, and "NOLA" by Down. Kinda standard, but I imagine everybody's top three are gonna be classics. I'm a Louisiana boy myself, so I gotta represent. However, if we go into the top five, Weedeater's "...And Justice for Y'all" and, though it's newer, Gynoid's "The Hunger Artist Show" would round out the list.

[@sethklosowski]

Surprisingly no Melvins 🤔

[@forgemastermetal]

Great addition

[@mikecompagno8889]

I agree. No Melvins, why?

[@NateSmith87]

PRIMITIVE MAN

[@goatforest9974]

Yeah, Primitive Man rules.

[@jesseleavy5841]

Great picks! Good to see Grief on there. That's a band not a lot of people are aware of. I would throw in Human = Garbage from Dystopia.

[@stephengibbs6342]

Great to see Grief make it. I agree with all the picks on this list but you are right Human = Garbage is a straight up master-class in this genre. They were so good live as well.

[@JohnDoe-zp9jv]

Finally, a video that mentions Grief

[@forgemastermetal]

Finally a comment that’s happy about it lol

[@melvinramone2605]

Any essential Sludge list that doesn't include The Melvins is missing something. They, not Isis are the band that started it. I would say that you can't even correctly define the genre without discussing them. I would say that Post Metal/Atomospheric Sludge (like Neurosis, Isis, and Cult Of Luna) is a distinct thing from Sludge. Some other suggestions I would include: Kylesa - Static Tensions Baroness - Red Album Iron Monkey - s/t Fudge Tunnel - Hate Songs In E Minor Harvey Milk - Life... The Best Game In Town Buzzoven - To A Frown Weedeater - Jaosn The Dragon All that said, great video! This was a great list of albums, some of which I need to pull out and even one I need to hear! Thank you!

[@forgemastermetal]

As always, these lists are for starting discussion. You guys always kill it in the comments. Thanks bud!

[@Lycanthropy54or]

I agree Melvin’s do need a mention, they are really the godfathers, but this dude enjoys his sludge, much respect.

[@joaquinlezcano2372]

I agree in the "Atmospheric Sludge is different than normal Sludge" bit

[@DJTLaRoss]

It's funny you mention this, I'm old and saw Neurosis multiple times in the Souls At Zero/Through Silver era and would never have considered them sludge. At least not for what was labeled as sludge back then. Seems the parameters for what is consdered sludge have changed since then though. That being said, Isis was considered a bunch of wannabe scene hoppers back in the day so seeing them labeled as "essential" is hilarious.

[@MrEvilb666]

Duuuudes! What about Iron Monkey? I'm shocked!

[@forgemastermetal]

Ya can’t fit them all in the 10. That’s what the comment section is for.

[@MrEvilb666]

@@forgemastermetal, yeah... but... it's Iron Monkey. 😢

[@cbn6635]

I recommend the Weedeater - 'God Luck and Good Speed' album; sludge metal at it's best.. 👌

[@forgemastermetal]

Great addition!

[@Yeti_Boop]

Check out Meth Drinker and Noothgrush

[@pololife]

Awesome list. Big fan of Neurosis, Isis and EHG. Honorable mention for anyone reading: Boris - Amplifier Worship 🤘🏻

[@forgemastermetal]

Awesome addition!

[@DiamorphineDeath]

Eyehategod takes the cake for me; nothing comes near it, nothing channels it. This list should honestly just be that, then other albums lumped in if needed. But what a band

[@CoopersDescent]

Floor, Cavity, Burmese. 👍

[@michaelguidry1633]

I saw Acid Bath in Lafayette LA 4 times in the 90's and their 2 studio albums are still some of my favorites! FYI: They were from Houma not New Orleans

[@profitnadeem]

Crowbar has always captured the essence of sludge! Lyrics, pain, passion, and raw edge! I feel I'm dredging in sludge when I hear their albums

[@forgemastermetal]

Yesss. They're amazing.

[@profitnadeem]

@@forgemastermetal everytime I hear “fall back to zero” I am reminded how much ✊🏽😎🤘🏽

[@goatforest9974]

Louisiana is gonna clean house on this one.

[@forgemastermetal]

Sure are

[@dakotakoll-is3rg]

@@goatforest9974 🤘🤘 shitchea

[@doctajuice]

Hell yeah represent

[@Igornopolis]

Fuk yeah. Swamp is what swamp does. Some shit like that 🤘

[@rutbuck121]

COC and Down two Heavyweights IMO

[@getdrippy4416]

Good work. This is a genre that has been calling to me this past year in a big way.

[@cosmickeystomycreationandtimes]

Mistress is worth checking out. Sludge side project from the guys behind Anaal Nathrakh.

[@forgemastermetal]

oh nice! never heard of them

[@herremilkanter]

@@forgemastermetal An excellent recommendation. Good luck finding their albums online though. My favourite is "In disgust we trust".

[@davidmajor5393]

Mistress were a great band

[@NicolasAristizabal-rb3ju]

I’ve never been a big fan of Sludge, but damn it do I love that first Acid Bath record

[@forgemastermetal]

It’s lightning is a grimy bottle

[@rertoyui7349]

Thank you for bringing up Toadliquor. Discovered them pretty recently but they’ve become my favorite sludge band.

[@daynebrick3966]

Absent in Body. A must listen

[@forgemastermetal]

when we do a follow up video for "heaviest sludge albums" they will probably be on it

[@citizencat3515]

@@daynebrick3966 this is nowhere near sludge

[@KesoUbeYUM]

@@daynebrick3966 got a copy of it, but I think it’s more industrial doom metal

[@jonaymge]

Awesome video! Through Silver in Blood and Salvation are on my top metal albums ever, regardless of genre. Appreciated the early Isis’ pick, even though for me it would be Celestial. Never been too much into The Ocean but guess I should give them another chance. And I 100% agree with the early inclusion of Umbilical. IMHO, not only the best album ever by Thou, but also the best sludge album from the last few years. Keep it up, FMs!

[@forgemastermetal]

We gotta keep the sludge genre alive bud

[@jasonmacqueen1017]

Good picks. I'd check out these guys: Fange Will Haven Gawthrop are some good sludge bands to check out

[@RoeMega88]

Can’t believe people forget WH

[@Cherbookie]

I felt like yall treated this deeply beloved genre with the respect it deserves. I'm surprised that I didn't know about that Isis EP. It's killer!🔥Thanks!!🤘

[@forgemastermetal]

Thanks for the positive comment! Yeah, their early stuff is insanely good.

[@Slyness64209]

Feels crazy to me to not pick Take As Needed For Pain as EHG's essential album tbh but Dopesick is a good pick too

[@Babypapayaproductions]

Anything Neurosis works for me and Soilent Green

[@forgemastermetal]

hell yeah

[@kingdiamondscream]

Soilent green!!!! So overlooked

[@johngilljr8149]

I would add buzzoven and sourveign to the list. Another very great sludge band the band 13 even though they didn’t have much output what they did release wea stellar

[@miker5150]

Great vid once again. And great pick for Crowbar. I lose many a day to Sonic Excess. But for mastery of the genre, “Can’t turn an away from the Dying” and “Nothing” off of Broken Glass take the crown.

[@forgemastermetal]

its a masterful record for sure

[@davidmeyer1054]

Grew up on Neurosis. Absolutely love it. It’s too bad that Scott Kelly turned out to be an absolute pile of vulture excrement.

[@forgemastermetal]

True, we try not to think about that lol

[@NateSmith87]

Yeah, we don't talk about that. Ifykyk, but I agree.

[@njordmannen]

@@davidmeyer1054 same here man, when I heard, I stopped listening to music all together for well over a year. It was soulcrushing. Glad that has passed.

[@davidmeyer1054]

@@teamenemy. Wtf. He abused his wife and children. The fuck you on?

[@davidmeyer1054]

@@teamenemy. He abused his wife and kids. You okay?

[@citizencat3515]

No sludge list is complete without mentioning Dopethrone

[@forgemastermetal]

They’re stoner doom dude

[@OutdoorExperience-qb9tz]

when someone tells me that they want to start listening to sludge, my best picks that i suggest are MSW HELL, STOMACH *especially parasite*, CHRCH, Fister and Asphalt. All amazing and surprisinglly wnknown bands.

[@forgemastermetal]

Hell yeah!

[@chano1283]

Also, "burning cold" by DAMAD! Their singer was several months pregnant when the record was made. Classic!

[@NateSmith87]

NOLA SLUDGE

[@NateSmith87]

Sludge/doom is the best underrated genre.

[@forgemastermetal]

It birthed one of my faves which is post metal

[@DJTLaRoss]

Was scrolling through the comments and didn't see any mention of the following so figured I would mention them: Cavity's Human Abjection, Corrupted's Paso Inferior, Greenmachine's D.A.M.N. and Floor's 7"'s/Eps (pre-LP era/Torche band).

[@mikerophone235]

Yeah Floor fuckin rule. Good call 🤘

[@jaycianfrini77]

I totally agree with the classics you mention and yes that new Thou album is so fucking good. Instant classic. Crowbar and Neurosis are the best in my humble opinion.

[@doubleXnickel]

I think sludge can really separated in one of two ways, either based on the southern based sound (crowbar/eyehategod/down) or the progressive/atmospheric arena (isis/cult of luna/rosetta). While I dont like much of the former, I love the latter

[@goatforest9974]

I'm generally the opposite. I like my sludge Southern as hell.

[@joaquinlezcano2372]

I'm pretty Down is more stoner, but ok

[@kingdiamondscream]

Grief are truly a heartwarming band

[@forgemastermetal]

Only love and compassion

[@rudy679]

I must have clicked Subscribe when sleepy or something(🍺)because no recollection of it but good that I did. You two make me laugh. 🤘😁

[@forgemastermetal]

Welcome aboard!

[@deletado12]

Thanks for the video, great bands.

[@Antdevamp]

'Acid Bath' sounds like this Speed Metal band I followed in 94' named Voetek. Anyone remember them? Yeah, I dated myself, but it's worth it.

[@eversosleight]

Hell by MSW 🐐

[@Tonyturnips]

Sweet list my dudes! Love to see The Ocean included. Criminally underrated imo. I'd add either of Conjuror's albums as an honourable mention 🤘

[@forgemastermetal]

Awesome addition!!

[@NateSmith87]

PELICAN

[@TheBwee123]

Love Crowbar...Acid Bath kite string is one of the best metal.albums ever

[@ghevaer1]

For me numer one is "Amenra - Mass III", being West-Flemish myself I considered them as a local band back in the day. It was my introduction int this kind of music. I was quite into black metal at the time, I was quite amazed with the heavyness of the sound.

[@frightmikesart]

Seen most if not all of these bands several times, been a fan of the sub genre for decades, had my vinyl of Leiathan autographed by the band, strong agree with this list. I might have included Melvins, but solid awesome stuff, love Isis, love Neurosis, Mast, etc. 💙🤘

[@forgemastermetal]

Sludge is amazing live. You can FEEL that stuff.

[@darknessovmystery]

Hey man, I saw y’all mentioned Medicine Noose for EYEHATEGOD but it wasn’t on Dopesick. It was on their S/T album from 2014.

[@forgemastermetal]

Neato

[@warwicksworkshop9511]

In addition.......Primitive Man, Fudge Tunnel, Old Man Gloom........High on Fire?

[@goatforest9974]

Oh yeah, High on Fire...

[@forgemastermetal]

Fudge tunnel is such a strange band name lol

[@lukaskolisek2208]

@@forgemastermetal Ever herard about Butthole Surfers?

[@lovemetenderloin8880]

Leviathan was my introduction to Sludge 20 years ago in hs, also finally was able to see Mastodon earlier this week.

[@forgemastermetal]

How was it?

[@enferex]

I've never been much into sludge; however, I dig CoC and Down. Thanks for chucking some new sounds on my radar!

[@forgemastermetal]

is there something that puts you off about the genre?

[@enferex]

@@forgemastermetal Nothing against the music, it's just not something I've frequented nor really seek out; modulo CoC/Down. I certainly appreciate the talent and ingenuity.

[@joaquinlezcano2372]

You are digging stoner metal, my friend. A brother genre of sludge, just as amazing, but ultimately a different thing. Those two are stoner

[@plantdesigns7889]

I have always heard the term "sludge", but have never actually looked into what it is and what bands are included. I've never been been big on paying attention to genres, but had a sense of the sound. By the time you got to Crobar, I was thinking, I would put early Mastodon in this list. We'll, what do you know. 😂

[@matthewthomas3450]

I know you guys always have to put up with people telling you what you missed 😅 so to start, great list!....but I have to add 2 - Buzzov*en & Iron Monkey. The first time I heard Buzzov*en over 25 years ago I was like "duuuuuuuude." It was the most disturbing band I had ever heard at that point.

[@forgemastermetal]

We always miss things, that’s why you guys are the best to add to the heap!

[@Igornopolis]

Sludge is a badass genre. Crowbar and all of its sons from down south and beyond.. pure joy for the earz.

[@forgemastermetal]

Yeeep!

[@m0untainm0ney]

All you had to play from Neurosis was "Locust Star" from that Through Silver.." album. No explanation needed.

[@forgemastermetal]

Yesss

[@stevedixon9734]

He is Legend! Sludgy songs but maybe few or heavy fruit

[@Brando-Lee3725]

I cant even listen to Eyehategod anymore because it reminds of actually being dopesick ! A feeling I never want to ever feel again . By the grace of God I am 6 years clean . And whoah , I just noticed my sobriety date was yesterday the 17th !!!! That is crazy this video made me notice that fact haha !

[@forgemastermetal]

Dude you’re an animal. Congrats on that absolutely fantastic milestone. So glad you’re here. 🖤🤘

[@davidmcdonald3685]

Love me some eyehategod!

[@forgemastermetal]

So heavy

[@woodydeutsch]

Acid Bath!!!!!

[@rubif5797]

My recomendations: Baroness red and blue, and Torche harmonicraft.

[@forgemastermetal]

Torche is sooooo goddamn good

[@johnvon9268]

Black Flag - SIDE B (My War) 1984, The early Melvins , the first three EHG albums.

[@forgemastermetal]

OLD SCHOOL.

[@infectedgoat7775]

If you like Toadliquor try METH DRINKER especially the song DESPERATION.

[@NateSmith87]

Early mastodon is the best mastodon.

[@alexperry4691]

Love a bit of Sludge! I'd include Crowbar-Broken Glass, Mastodon -Remission and 16 -Lifespan Of A Moth

[@forgemastermetal]

Ooo great add with 16!

[@NateSmith87]

YOB

[@chrispatricola93]

Flipper and other side of it... goatsnake

[@Slyness64209]

Iron Monkey, Buzzoven, Melvins and Sourvein are huge misses imo, but still an amazing list with great bands I didn't know!

[@forgemastermetal]

Can't get to em all.

[@cowmark67]

I can't rightly call it essential, though it is somewhat unique, but one of my favorite sludge albums is Bloodmoon I by Converge & Chelsea Wolfe. The blend of gothic metal. sludge, and hardcore is just killer on this album. I'll have to check out the ones I'm not familiar with from this list.

[@forgemastermetal]

That record is AWESOME.

[@Antdevamp]

Mastodon reveals to me that I'm a wimp, who needs no power. My fave song of theirs is 'Curl of the Burl'. I KNOW. I've failed you!

[@ersc5669]

Throw in some fistula, rwake, dystopia

[@sams.4388]

I love Sludge, and I think it doesn't get much credibility with other metal fans because of it's molasses-esque qualities (thick and heavy), but it can be such a crushing genre. The only band I think you left off, and I know they aren't necessarily "Sludge" but they influenced many of these gands, especially those come out of New Orleans... Melvins. Going back to Gooey Porch Treatments and Lysol and Bull Head. Those really pioneered that slow and heavy sound that became known as Sludge. I'd love to see an essentials list of stoner as well. Sleep, Electric Wizard, etc. Thank you, gentleman.

[@joaquinlezcano2372]

Melvins, of course is sludge. I think metal fans would not like it because is a very open genre for different types of sounds in metal.

[@heretic75]

Acid Bath is the shit. I saw them in Knoxville in '96 in a tiny bar, still one of the best shows I've ever seen.

[@forgemastermetal]

Dude that’s insane. How blown away were you?

[@MrLando0]

Through Silver in Blood is classic. I prefer Isis Panopticon, though its more post-metal.

[@forgemastermetal]

We will do a post metal list at some point

[@bradcarter223]

Conspicuously absent: the Melvins’ Lysol or Bullhead. Those two are the sludge wellspring.

[@forgemastermetal]

We like to sometimes save spots for less obvious records on these lists. People in the comments usually have the prominent records of the genres covered.

[@mikerophone235]

Obviously any list is subjective. I think you did a pretty good job dudes. I agree with everyone else who says Iron Monkey, Melvins et al could be here too. Also imo, Buzz*oven are very underrated, and another group who i think never get as much attention as they maybe should is Abandon, check out " In Reality We Suffer", it's an awesome record. Thanks all 🤘

[@forgemastermetal]

Thanks for the comment!

[@goatman3057]

Man for Cult of Luna the Beyond is still my favorite! So heavy it’s insane!

[@forgemastermetal]

SO good.

[@chano1283]

No Burning Witch, Harvey Milk or Dystopia? Also, 1995's "mutilation makes identification difficult" by Brutal Juice is definitely one to check out! Great video, gentlemen

[@forgemastermetal]

I've never seen them roped into the sludge genre! Down, maybe? Pantera? I think they pulled in some sludge influences but were mainly a thrash / groove band.

[@butchvito]

No Soilent Green, no early High On Fire albums, or no Melvins on an "Essential Sludge Albums" list?? Eyehategod's 'Take As Needed For Pain' is by far one of the most influential albums in sludge. More so than 'Dopesick'... This list is more of a "personal favorite" list.

[@forgemastermetal]

How could it not be a personal list? WE picked them. All you had to do was add some bands to the mix instead of being a cool guy.

[@Brando-Lee3725]

Acid Bath is up there as an all time favorite for me. Such a shame they ended so soon . Dax and his other projects are awesome too though . But there will never be another Acid Bath . And Crowbar may be the heaviest band ever , damn I love those guys !

[@rudler242]

Wrake "Voices of Omens" still my favorite Sludge album, Acid Batch "When the kitty pops string" still my favorite metal album.

[@forgemastermetal]

So good.

[@AngusMacThrasherMetalReviews]

Great list! Just slow pissed off heavy stuff. That Toadliquor album would sound so good played live in some dark basement bar late at night whilst washed down with a few shots of Jack Daniels

[@forgemastermetal]

Yea that Toadliquor album is nuts.

[@Hardliner79]

This compiled list is what happens when 20 somethings give their take on what sludge is.

[@forgemastermetal]

So add more to it. It’s a community. Be part of it.

[@gonzaloprieto386]

HoF 🔥

[@ArcticonComp]

All great picks, but listening to this list in a historical context, I'm strongly reminded of the Slow, Deep and Hard era TypO. Obviously they took a very different direction but could have been a sludge band.

[@forgemastermetal]

Type O was ahead of their time!

[@Unitedfruitco]

EYEHATEGOD!!🤘🏼⚜️

[@forgemastermetal]

So good.

[@infinidominion]

Sludge, not to be confused with Crust

[@forgemastermetal]

Don't get confused.

[@TheRWJJ]

Jesus, Mastodon Remission. Dig

[@forgemastermetal]

🤙

[@jaffe28]

The Creepshow shirt is awesome.

[@Sadion666]

Before watching: you all need to hear HERDER if you haven't

[@nospam3327]

The Blue is one of the best metal songs ever

[@forgemastermetal]

Yeeep

[@borisbg]

Пацаны, половина вашего топ-10 это какие-то андеграундные группы, которые так же интересны многим людям, как содержимое моего желудка. Тем не менее, спасибо. 🤘🇷🇺

[@therrshow3238]

We all remember those 94 powerballads 😂😂

[@thessarether3546]

Hm. AMENRA?

[@JaredS-zf3hq]

BUZZOVEN AND IRON MONKEY