Nibaak

Ottawa's punk scene is great (see the Sewer Rats if you can). Its metal scene leaves something to be desired, although the occasional good band does exist. It has basically one good black metal band, lots of boring death metal, some trad and thrash and a healthy little enclave of sludge. Along with Alaskan, Collider and the recently defunct Buried Inside, Biipiigwan fall into this category. Although this band, as well as Collider, are still in relatively early stages, they are both up and coming bands that fans of the genre should keep an eye out for.

Featuring a meaty sound, this band takes no prisoners. Grizzled barks compliment the downtrodden lamentations. Nibaak, meaning they sleep in Ojibway, is incredibly riffy. These riffs also contain a healthy amount of variety. The band has no qualms with frequent tempo changes - you can find slow brooding dirges, mid-paced beatings and hardcore scorchers all in the same song. The EP is produced by Topon Das of Fuck The Facts. The production is high quality, yet still retains a gritty kick. The tones are organic, and no doubt bolster the overall sound.

Unsurprisingly, given that they're a sludge band, these guys do have a hardcore side. These more uptempo sections give a welcome shift in speed and dynamics. The band allows itself ample room to breathe, and while atmosphere does play a part, this hardly has much in common with your common Neurisis sort of band. The drummer deserves mention. He can dole out a beating during hardcore passages, plod along menacingly during slower sections, but his best works comes in with the lighter sections. Here the extent of his ability makes itself known, especially in the snare work.

Although Ottawa's scene really could be a lot better, there are bands keeping the flame alive. Biipiigwan are one of those bands. Although as of now, Buried Inside produced the best sludge to come out of Ottawa, this is certainly a worthy inclusion. It has a solid backbone as well as meaty muscles. Their sound is a weighty one. They feel like a lingering monolith waiting to strike you down.