French occult doom/sludge trio Azken Auzi just dropped Infernua on Argonauta. These Toulon guys, coming off Maniac and Tom Is Fat, kicked things off rough in '21 with that killer "I Hate You" single, laid down the debut, then toured like hell nonstop. That road pounding clearly paid dividends: this record dives way deeper into suffocating darkness, cranks the crush factor, and feels way more locked-in and personal while holding onto the raw sludge rot.
The whole thing grinds with hypnotic, dragging riffs, thick oppressive grooves, and harsh vocals that spit misery and occult vibes - no cheese, just straight burial. It leans hard into the heavy side, split of sludge and atmosphere, piling on weight with sharper dynamics and tighter songwriting from all those live miles.
Production keeps it filthy and breathing, no total fuzz swamp, letting the evil hit clean. Six tracks, no weak links, nothing revolutionary if you're deep in the doom/sludge trenches (think Electric Wizard's dark evil mixed with Crowbar-style groove stomp, plus their French occult twist), but it's raw, immersive, and hits like they've finally nailed their ugly sound.
If you want doom/sludge that slowly smashes your ribs, fucks with your head, and leaves you wrecked in the best way, this is mandatory listening. Azken Auzi showed up pissed, heavy, and no bullshit. Solid 8/10 for the underground crew who live for this shit.
https://www.facebook.com/azkenauzi
Thanks to Grand Sounds PR.
