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Germany's Burden are being billed as a heavy/stoner metal band, and this is their debut album A Hole in the Shell. Their sound is quite modern and fairly accessible, with a lot of cross-over appeal. I think fans of doom, straight up heavy and of course stoner/sludge will find enjoyment, not to mention those who enjoy the southern brand of whiskey-fuelled heavy metal.

The guitar tone is mighty and could topple a mountain, the riffs are genuinely good, being big, dirty and altogether agreeable. The vocals could be a sore point for some, as they teeter around the edge of "tough guy" style, that's not to say they don't fit the music to a tee though. The whole album speaks to me as fairly cool, with all the songs being heavy, almost bluesy slabs of 101 proof metal with some tracks boasting excellent hooks and choruses – see "Done with Denial", "The Slug. The Drag. The Misery" and "The Fool".

Altogether Burden have put out a solid album for their debut, I feel fans of the style are going to find a lot to like about A Hole in the Shell. Each of the songs on offer here feels natural and from the heart, and the band sound comfortable with their sound. Burden could make a good name for themselves, and I'd say they deserve it. Recommended.