Release Date June 5th, 2026
Format Digital
Genre Post/Sludge/Doom Metal
Origin United Kingdom
Chullachaqui is the solo project of Matt Cooper, known as vocalist and bassist of Vulgaris. Created as an outlet for material that did not belong within the framework of his main band, Chullachaqui explores a broader and more experimental direction. Drawing from post-metal, sludge, doom, drone and progressive influences, the project allows Cooper to build longer, darker and more introspective compositions. Debut album "Epiphanic Perdition" gathers ideas written across several years, including a new version of "Oblivion", originally released in 2023.
"Epiphanic Perdition" is a decent, unpretentious dose of heavy music that positions itself directly between sluggish hostility and structured atmospheric progression. It avoids mainstream modern metal traps, choosing a raw, self-produced approach that sounds like a product of a dedicated home setup. The production handles the low-end frequencies decently, keeping the bass and guitars sufficiently low and muddy, matching the aesthetic of classic sludge. The vocal performance is aggressive, providing a harsh vocal presence over the changing tempos.
The songwriting is built on long arrangements. The tracks take time to transition between monolithic doom riffs and the rhythmic pacing of post-metal. The ideas behind the multi-part "Futility" tracks and the older track "Oblivion" demonstrate a clear vision for long-form arrangements, but the execution sometimes lags. The drum programming and live tracking provide a functional rhythm, though a few segments become static, lacking the natural dynamics a fully organic rhythm section creates in this style of music. The longer tracks could benefit from tighter arrangement choices to prevent the riffs from losing their initial impact before the transition occurs.
Musically, the inclusion of progressive elements and drone sections adds some depth to the simple sludge foundations. The guitars layer standard heavy chords with simpler, atmospheric leads, creating a dark backdrop. The shorter songs act as transitions within the tracklist, keeping the concepts connected. "Epiphanic Perdition" represents a respectable debut effort. It is a reasonable underground release for listeners who demand raw, slow tempos and traditional underground metal aesthetics without modern studio polishing, even if it requires a bit more refinement to truly command attention.
|6.5
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