Boss Keloid have slowly been infiltrating the higher echelons of UK sludge metal ever since their debut The Calming Influence Of Teeth in 2013. Following a highly praised second album, Herb Your Enthusiasm under their belt, the band moved to Holy Roar Records, now a byword for quality within the UK metal scene, and now we arrive at their third release Melted On The Inch.
Boss Keloid are a band entirely deserving of the Holy Roar stamp, and Melted On The Inch is the most fully-formed version of their sound. The pool of influences which they draw upon is ever expanding, blending the very best of doom, stoner, prog, and psych into a maelstrom of sounds. Whilst their last album focused more on pure heaviness and sludge, Melted On The Inch uses this expanding influence to create a more eclectic piece of work.
This is immediately obvious from the first single ‘Chronosiam’, which begins with a psychedelic intro before Alex Hurst’s thundering vocals punch straight through to lead the song into some monolithic riffing. Hurst’s vocals throughout Melted On The Inch show many sides, yet still, never lose their impact when he really let’s go.
On second track ‘Tarku Shavel’ sunny 70’s-tinged prog passages give way without warning to towering choruses, and the low-and-slow grooves of second single ‘Peykruve’ allow burgeoning melodies to flower on top before yet another sledgehammer blow breaks the trance and a huge, sludgy chorus comes in. The stark contrast between light and shade on many of the songs is what really elevates this above their previous work, and is present on every song on the album.
Despite this more eclectic sound, the songwriting is focused, and every instrument seems to have a purpose. The sheer breadth of instrumental textures on display is astonishing, and that Boss Keloid demonstrate such mastery of each one is not just proof of their technical abilities, but their genuine love for each of these styles.
This is simply a more complete package than previous releases, from the fantastic cover art to the quality of songwriting. It is yet another album on Holy Roar’s blistering run of form which shows no signs of stopping. Upcoming appearances at festivals such as ArcTanGent look set to cement Boss Keloid’s reputation as one of the best underground metal bands in the UK.
