137
Product Of The Environment (EP) 2001 None
137, or "One-Thirty Seven" as it's pronounced, is perhaps one of the most menacing sludge/doom bands. This might be because the band has some hints of influences from early Pantera. Mixing this with an equal amount of early Black Sabbath influences has made the music pounding, heavy and mean. While the band has been active since 1997, this and the recent split with Elusive Travel are their only releases, except for appearances on different compilations. 20 minutes is not particularly long for an EP either. The band also seems to prefer to remain underground, but if all this means keeping the music of this quality, then I don't mind. I guess what makes this band so original is the combination of different elements in the music. It's dark, raw and filthy. Yet it's also bouncy and sort of stonerish. It's modern, yet would clearly appeal to fans of more rough old-school stuff. They incorporate a punk attitude in their stuff, making it sound somewhat pissed-off. Yet it retains its chugging heaviness. Clearly an original piece of music. I would recommend this album to fans of everything from Sloth's doom metal stuff (the one from Ohio) to the southern sludgecore of Eyehategod. Or if you're a fan of bad ass core in general, you might want to check this out.	1. Slug 2. 13 Shades Of Black 3. Parting Sabbath 4. Savior 5. One Too Many Approx. 21 minutes
Reviewed by: Arnstein H. Pettersen
Elusive Travel / 137 Split (7") 2005 None
In many ways this split gives us a pretty standard illustration of how it is done in the core/crust underground. Demo quality sound recording, no label at all, and of course it is pressed as a split 7". Actually the only untypical element is the high amount of melody in the music. That alone sets the bands slightly aside from the others, giving them identities of their own. Elusive Travel's identity is moody. Aggression as well as slight sadness and contemplation are all expressed at different points in the song. In terms of genres they would probably be called doomcore/crust, although it is quite hard to label them in any exact way. They are avantgarde in some way, but it's difficult to point out excactly where. The band has apparently made some doomy songs before, but there are none to be found here. The track by 137 has similar crusty tendencies, but pair it with sludgecore. It is also similarly moody. Though the music has a certain doominess, their effort on this release cannot be considered genuine doom metal. This time it seems that they have aimed towards grooving instead. Despite this, the style is much the same as can be heard on their debut demo 'Product Of The Environment'. Somehow I feel that this split lacks something. Whatever it is, it would be the thing that puts the excitement into the music. It's not tedious, nor is it bad in any way. It just lacks something to make it special. Especially since I know both bands are capable of doing better.	Elusive Travel: 1. Separation...The Fastest Way To The End 137: 2. In Vain Pt.1 (demo) Approx. 10 minutes
Reviewed by: Arnstein H. Pettersen
Force Controlled Culture (EP) 2005 Watchmen
Not much has changed in the music of 137 since their previous EP, 'Product Of The Environment'. The track 'Slug' is even a re-recording of the track that originally appeared on that EP. The 'In Vain (pt. 1 - Midnight)' track also has a demo version on the split with Elusive Travel. The major difference is that this time around they are signed and the recording has a slightly better sound. The cover art, with all it's critisism of society, reminds me more of something I'd expect from a punk band. However 137 seems to stand for many such opinions and write socially conscious lyrics. They just play them together with chugging sludge/doom instead. This creates another more savage and brutal context for the lyrics, enforcing their negativity. Expect mid paced sludge/doom with influences from both Grief and Eyehategod. You can also expect a certain fuzzy groove, which increases the headbang potential. I especially like the way that they have pushed the bass up front a bit as it gives the music more feeling. Overall they are quite accessible for their genre, rather than focusing on being extremely filthy like many other bands do. This release is somewhat short and that drags it down a bit. Still it doesn't cost much and you get decent music on it. One thumb up for this one.	1. Wrecking Ball 2. Force Controlled Culture (F.C.C.) 3. In Vain (pt. 1 - Midnight) 4. Slug Approx. 20 minutes
Reviewed by: Arnstein H. Pettersen