Review
Consular
Don't Cross the Swine

Makeshift Origami/Abort the World (2006) Rene

Consular – Don't Cross the Swine cover artwork
Consular – Don't Cross the Swine — Makeshift Origami/Abort the World, 2006

South Florida is usually known for being the breeding ground for such bands as A New Found Glory and Dashboard Confessional. What many don't recognize is that the area also has a seedy underbelly of sludge, metal and generally heavy music. I guess living a couple miles from swamps and Jeb Bush can do that for you. For the past couple of years, Consular has been making a name for themselves as Miami's answer for a heavy sludge band. Before Don't Cross the Swine Consular released a demo CDR and a two song 7" that only hinted at their ability to write long winded destructive songs. With this release they are given the proper length to demonstrate to the listener what they can do, to essentially crush the listener's ear, but you know in a good way.

What gives Consular some unique touches within the sludge realm, are the vocals and the ability to groove. Unlike most bands that go for a typical doom approach of generally low-pitched vocal, the singer of Consular gives the listener something else. Instead the vocals on Don't Cross the Swine are high vocal assault. Many think that this vocal approach is a downside for Consular but I think they provide an interesting balance between the band's low-end sound and the singer's high-pitch screech. The best track on the record is a toss up between either "Open Your Mouth" or "Torn Face;" both exhibit Consular's ability to smash their way past the four-minute mark while providing one hell of headbanging trip along the way.

Consular's music should fall perfectly into the vernacular of fans of bands like Cavity, Floor, Electric Wizard and even Pantera. Fans of the aforementioned Chris Carrabba band should give this a couple listens too, because who knows what you might discover about your musical tastes.

7.5 / 10Rene • May 9, 2007

Consular – Don't Cross the Swine cover artwork
Consular – Don't Cross the Swine — Makeshift Origami/Abort the World, 2006

Recently-posted album reviews

Various Artists

Her Head's On Fire/Arms Like Roses - Split
Double Helix (2025)

Her Head’s On Fire (NY, NY) and Arms Like Roses (New Haven, CT) team up on this split 7” with two new tracks (one each band) of post-hardcore tunes that are both massive and melodic in their own distinct ways. "Universal" is the track from Her Head’s On Fire. Recorded by the band’s guitarist Jeff Dean, "Universal" came from the … Read more

Dead Bars

All Dead Bars Go To Heaven
Iodine (2025)

Dead Bars has a unique talent of taking the everyday, the experiences you see and live all the time, and shining a new light on them to make them personal and interesting. I've written about it before, yet it's my job to say this again and to make it interesting. It's what Dead Bars does, so it only seems fitting … Read more

Painkiller

The Great God Pan
Tzadik (2025)

Painkiller, the trio of John Zorn, Bill Laswell, and Mick Harris shows no signs of slowing down. The Great God Pan is their third full-length, since their reunion in 2024, and in many ways it is an unexpected offering. In keeping with their interests in the metaphysical realm, Painkiller find inspiration from the famed Arthur Machen horror novella. Here, the … Read more