Sludge Metal as of 2007 finds itself in various extremities of heavy metal. From the Melvins school to the Mogwai influenced (Neurosis, Pelican, Isis, Cult of Luna, Callisto etc.,) ilk that's now evolved into its own style labeled "post-metal", to the more stoner/doom variety (as played by the likes of Electric Wizard and Bongzilla), getting southern fried on the way (by the likes of Eyehategod, Crowbar, Acid Bath, Down, Alabama Thunderpussy and COC) to have influenced bands in many other genres (Goatwhore, Soilent Green, Mastodon, Fudge Tunnel).

There's nothing in the world more effective than a power trio rocking their ass off. Well, this is a much heavier form of music but the idea remains the same. Weedeater tell us how classic sludge (or "weed metal" in their own terminology) is done to perfection as a power trio. Weedeater is no stranger to the scene. Dixie was in the band Buzzove*n that pioneered this style of music (also has a hand in Bongzilla) and also had some extremely violent live shows. Weedeater has now been around for over 10 years putting up equally brutal live shows and managing to release just two albums. I'd almost forgotten how good they were till very recently when I got to hear "...And Justice For All" again.

Southern Lord, with all the strange Black Metal they've been putting out in recent times have completely surprised me with the third Weedeater album.

Produced and Engineered by none other than Steve Albini (Neurosis, The Jesus Lizard, Mogwai, High On Fire etc.,) except the banjo and bass driven "Alone" that was done by Mike Dean (COC), Weedeater's aggression has finally been captured to full effect. "God Luck and Good Speed" is one of the grooviest, fuzziest, catchiest, heaviest, feedback-laden, bluesy, southern fried, down-tuned metal that you'll ever come across and with all the killer drumming, Dixie's rumbling distorted bass-lines that pretty much drives the music, heavy-as-fuck guitar work, and the unique growled vocals to boot. Also included is an absolutely smashing cover of "Gimme back my bullets"(Skynyrd). The fact that there's a lot of variety in the songwriting department and the killer production makes this a winner all the fucking way.

Weedeater hail from North Carolina in the US and are Dixie on Bass/Vocals, Shep on Guitars and Keko on Drums.

Year of Release: 2007
Label: Southern Lord