Dirt Eater - Broke Down

 

 

Dirt Eater - Broke Down
Self-released - 2021
Sludge, noise, post-punk, post- hardcore, stoner
Rated: ****

From my own swampy backyard, DC/Virginia sludgy noise rockers Dirt Eater have returned with their newest EP "Broke Down", and it's their heaviest yet. The trio's post-punk leanings and staccato rhythms are still well intact, but the low end is now even meatier, and there's a sludge heft to their pounding, enraged anthems. The opening title track starts things off with a driving Kyuss groove, and the grinding bass  soon joins with sparse, barked vocals to give the proceedings a raw and punky edge. The drums are tight and snappy, switching between swift rat-a-tats and thundering stomps with ease. Follow-up "Lament" dirties up the sound up even more, however, with gravelly bass pushing forward over an unrelenting kraut rock beat. The brakes are slightly pumped as a wall of distortion busts in to slow things down, and the call and response vocals become increasingly rough, creating a harsh and pummeling atmosphere. Dirt Eater's furious energy and forward thrust never let up on the remaining two tracks either, whether transitioning from the doomy opening crawl of "Notify" or the earworm, keening guitar in genre-hopping final cut "The One That Got Away". Eastern guitar melodies contrast with unhinged Primus-style bass to close out the EP, and Dirt Eater stand victorious. This is a band breaking molds and putting a fresh spin on heavy rock, melding sludge, stoner, post-punk, and more into a totally unique and furious sound.

(Written by Shasta Beast)

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