ninehertz

With storied histories running through the Leeds underground lore of hardcore, doom, death metal and more, Pleb was always likely to be an excellent proposition (here proven), but also perhaps a chance to deliver something direct and uncomplicated, through a two-piece sludge-for-punks approach.

Its effectiveness is already evidenced in the live setting, a gloriously chaotic and deafening experience, but now, with the help of the reinvigorated Human Worth label, we have recorded music from them for the first time, a record that it is of no surprise to find is bursting with blunt sludge excellence.

Their stated references are from the truly ugly and desperate end of the sound – Meth Drinker, Gawthrop, Corrupted and the likes – and its obvious early on that they’re not kidding. The opening Clods of Shit and Bone lives up to its title with a deadened, black-souled contamination smattered all over, with a head-nodding contagious riff worryingly worming into your brain, setting a tone of submission to its affront immediately.

The combination of murky sludge and blasts of hardcore, punk or occasional grind runs through the release, locking into irresistible tar-lined grooves or clammily wallowing in place to really focus and direct its dull-thud anger as it sees fit. Put it Back is a personal highlight, with a beginning that fondly recalls the mighty Secret Cutter, before heading into denser Indian-styled worlds of nihilistic doom.

Grease Trap is a marvel, an absolute success – particularly in its translation of such a feral form usually suited best in the flesh to tape, allowing for you to immerse yourself within Pleb’s blackened sludge wonder from the comforts of your own home.