Staff picks

Khanate returned with a new album after 14 years. A return to the stage has been promised and the label announced re-issues for the first two albums. The stars aligned themselves perfectly so that you, Metalstormer, can ruin your whole weekend with what I think it’s the band’s masterpiece. I’m talking about their sophomore record, Things Viral, which turns 20 years today. This is when the drone super-group deconstructed the foundations of sludge metal from their debut, in order to transport the listener to a far more surreal landscape of horror. Some of these viral things include minimalistic song structures, waves of feedback, ultra-low bass, unpredictable drumming, unnerving electronic effects, and a terrifying vocal performance. Khanate mastered the concept of torture music from the start. No one came close enough to touch them. No one dared to.