Bandcamp Friday is right around the corner, and I thought it would be a good opportunity to highlight some heavy bands in Louisiana that I love. This list is by no means exhaustive and merely represents my own, admittedly, limited view of heavy music in the state of Louisiana. There are some obvious omissions, such as the new banger by Brat, but I felt writers more skilled than myself have already covered those bases. I did not include any bands I’ve already mentioned, and I excluded screamo/skramz bands, as I intend to do a piece about Louisiana screamo in the future.

Like my month in review posts, I included a Spotify playlist at the end, but I highly encourage you to take the opportunity to purchase some of this music on Friday, April 5th.

Christworm – False Tongues

Released on July 25th, 2022

Calling Christworm a staple of Baton Rouge heavy music would be a massive understatement. For as long as I’ve been going to shows in Baton Rouge, Christworm has been playing their nauseatingly loud brand of blackened sludge in rooms big and small. During a Christworm set, I once needed to step outside the now defunct 524 because I was absolutely certain that, if I did not, I would projectile vomit everywhere entirely because of the volume. False Tongues, a four and a half minute brutal dirge, is the band’s latest single. While you should eagerly await a longer release from Christworm as a three piece, this single, with its abrasively pummeling riffs and vocals, should hold you over.

https://christworm.bandcamp.com/track/false-tongues

Fauns – Sucrease

Released on May 5th, 2023

We’re still stuck in the sludge, although with a much different vibe. Where Christworm is happy to pound you into the floor, Fauns is trying to swallow you whole in a sea of sludgy atmosphere. The stylistic thesis of Fauns is the juxtaposition of post-metal atmosphere and sludge riffs, and Sucrease, the most recent release by the New Orleans staple, is the band’s best example to date. Cronvich’s guitar creates a wall of ambience for Meyers and Gates to continuously punch holes in. Assuming an almost trance like quality at points, this has been in heavy rotation while crushing through more repetitive tasks at work.

https://faunsdoom.bandcamp.com/album/surcease

Phallic Laceration – Mosquito

Released on September 15th, 2023

Tape release April 5th, 2024

Pivoting back to Baton Rouge and away from sludge, Phallic Laceration’s Mosquito, the band’s first release, is three brief tracks of brutal death metal. If you’ve ever been to a heavy show in Baton Rouge, regardless of the genre, you’ve probably bumped into the members of Phallic Laceration, as these dudes seem to be at every show. The varied interest is evident by how rapidly and adeptly the band changes gears, most obviously in how fast the riffs pivot in the titular “Mosquito.” Somehow, I’ve never seen Phallic Laceration live, but that will change on April 15th when they provide local support, along with my screamo band, We Do Not Belong Here, for Infant Island at Mid City Ballroom.

https://phalliclaceration225.bandcamp.com/album/mosquito-2023-demo

Golgothan – Leech

Released on February 4th, 2022

Golgothan, the five piece brutal death metal powerhouse, is the only Lafayette representation on my list. While many highly technical bands can be accused of losing their heaviness, no one in their right mind would ever level such a claim at Golgothan. Leech is a tour de force in both technicality and brutality, stopping to take a breath only between tracks. “3 Teeth To Eat You” is my favorite on the ten track album, as the infectious closing riff will burrow into my brain for days. If you have yet to see Golgothan live, I highly recommend it, as they put on one of the best live shows by a non-major touring act I’ve seen.

https://golgothan.bandcamp.com/album/leech

Herakleion – Curse of Eternity

Released on February 18th, 2022

While Golgothan brings a modern, brutal edge to their technicality, Herakleion looks back to more classic vibes, particularly old school death metal and thrash, an aesthetic they are firmly rooted in both sonically and visually. That is not to imply Herakleion is simple nostalgia worship. On the contrary, like the best acts that draw heavily on older aesthetics, Herakleion amplifies and builds upon the past. The trio makes their technical prowess seem so easy that it is almost easy to overlook, but do not fall into that trap. Every member is ripping.

https://herakleion.bandcamp.com/album/curse-of-eternity-2

Faustian – Faustian

Released on October 28th, 2022

Made up of members of Barghest, Kavyk, and other long running death and black metal projects, Faustian wasted no time in establishing their identity, showcasing a mature and developed aesthetic on their self-titled debut. Faustian stands out amongst their blackened death peers because of their vocals. By utilizing both Smith and Bennett’s voices, the trio is able to create different textures and densities rather than relying on the same delivery throughout. My only complaint with Faustian’s self-titled EP is that it is too short. Luckily, I know more tunes are in the works.

https://faustianblacklion.bandcamp.com/album/faustian

Spotify Playlist – Intended to be Played in Order