Meatwound: Addio

Meatwound’s Addio is a pleasant surprise, but I use the term “pleasant” really lightly; Addio is anything but quiet or kind—it is jarring, what I’d call “Sludgecore,” and sonically resembles –(16)-. If you’re familiar with those guys, you can infer that Addio is a harrowing ride.



Meatwound is a quartet of “old men failing to give up on music.” Thankfully, however, Meatwound has held onto their adolescence in attitude, which saves their sound from being anything that could be considered “Dadcore.” As a result, Addio plays with the same kind of fresh-from-the-streets insouciance that makes skate kids go graffiti and the artistic ones write dark poetry.

The six songs on Addio boast groove-oriented bass lines and searing guitars riffs, which resonate beneath raw-throat yells. Opening track, “In Toilet,” could be compared to a Sludgy Helmet, as a backbeat of percussion recalls a Meantime or Betty-style groove. “Goliath” wears a 90s Hardcore emblem well, as Meatwound swims in riff-driven chug and feedback for an imposing wall of sounds that simply works; a hue of Black Metal underscores the track’s most inspired moments mid-way through.

“Funeral State” in cadence sounds like what Justin Broadrick would do if he made Post Hardcore music, as the track spits and pummels with fuel and muscle. And while it’s hard to call “Hand of God” a “favorite” track, since all songs on Addio are enjoyable, it’s got its heavy wrapped in a coat of Doom, and opens to a driving tempo that simply feels freeing, feels good. The tune also pairs well with fellow Sludgecore ensemble Colombian Necktie and the tunes on their seminal Twilight Upon Us record. Suffice it to say, if my wet dream came true, these two bands would hook up and make tour magic.

“Meat Pack” follows suit, in calling up a Colombian Necktie-style groove, but with a darker bent, and closing track “I am Transgressor,” grinds the album to its satisfying close.

Overall, Addio is a surprisingly refreshing find, one that stands out and yet sits well among your favorite Helmet, Fudge Tunnel, and Big Black albums for the same reasons those albums are endearing to you—Addio offers a significant sum of enjoyable moments with enough creativity to remain in heavy rotation long after the band’s (fingers crossed) many follow-ups.






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Lindsay OConnor     May 27, 2017