Sunrise on Slaughter Beach
| Clutch
Sunrise on Slaughter Beach
Sunrise on Slaughter Beach is the thirteenth studio album by American rock band Clutch. It was released on September 16, 2022, through the band's own label Weathermaker Music. It is Clutch's first studio album since Book of Bad Decisions in 2018. The album was originally intended as a positive counterpoint to the social volatility and divisiveness caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the lyrics eventually touched on a more diverse range of social topics. -Wikipedia
Critic Reviews
Show All-
Louder
Sunrise On Slaughter Beach proves that even after 30 years and 13 studio albums, Clutch are rock'n'roll's most reliable champions.
-
Kerrang!
So, 13 albums in, Clutch are still uniquely brilliant, master craftsmen of a form at once ingeniously simple and amazingly clever. And one that only they can properly do.
-
Sputnik Music
Sunrise On Slaughter Beach is far from a perfect effort, but it’s good to have the merry band from Maryland back again regardless.
-
Metal Sucks
For three decades, the Maryland rock quartet have managed to chisel themselves into the very foundation of rock. Their raucous swagger on display, Clutch have managed to remain consistent without ever feeling stagnant. Sunrise on Slaughter Beach further cements that fact and continues their status as one of rock’s most thought-provoking, fun, and masterful outfits today.
-
Rock N Load Magazine
‘Sunrise On Slaughter Beach’ is a grand entrance into newfound Clutch territory not seen before. Whilst still harnessing their iconic sound, the band have managed to widen their range and prove themselves once more pioneers; unafraid of throwing out a curveball. The excitement for and love of these life-long friends’ music seems simply unable to be foregone and as always, we as fans will continue to relish in Clutch for as long as we can.
-
Louder
Eloquent and amplified, Sunrise On Slaughter Beach is the best Clutch album yet.
-
Sputnik Music
While Sunrise on Slaughter Beach may not have the scope of Clutch’s absolute best albums, it’s a swell change of pace. I’m into the watery oceanside vibe on tracks like “Mercy Brown” and the production is considerably more leveled out compared to the brickwalling that defined 2018’s Book of Bad Decisions. It feels like the closest they’ve come to true stoner rock in some time yet still features all the wit, chemistry, and charisma that is unmistakably them. If it’s not the start of a new phase, then it’s at least an easygoing yet engaging breather.
-
gbhbl
The album is so much fun and that only continues into the dreamy and unnerving Skeletons on Mars. A track with a bit more bite, disconcerting effects and an echo that really enhances the spacey feel this track has. Whereas the penultimate track, Three Golden Horns, is riff-heaven and a little jammy, and the finale of Jackhammer Our Names mixes blues and rock, has some wonderful melodic guitar twangs and features some of the album’s finest lyrical content too. A stunning finish that feels very much like the setting of the sun. Perfect for an album closer. Clutch have done it again. They’ve released a banger album that is exciting, interesting and fun to listen to. What more can you ask for?
-
The Moshville Times
Sunrise on Slaughter Beach shows the four year gap between albums was completely worth it which adds some excellent songs to their massive repertoire. It may not hit the dizzying heights of its predecessor and frankly, it’s not fair on any album to have to follow something as excellent as Book of Bad Decisions. But it’s Clutch and they’re not a band in the business of making bad albums, simply some are better than others and this still manages to sit with some of their finest work, proving the adage once more: form is temporary, class is permanent.
-
Ghost Cult Magazine
With stoner, psychedelic, hard rock and atmospheric elements Clutch’s thirteenth album is a varied one that while short on run-time is not short on content. Once again the old adage is proven true, that there is no such thing as a bad Clutch record.
-
Punktastic
If you’re new to the band, you might be better off trying one of their classic records first such as ‘Blast Tyrant’ or ‘Psychic Warfare’. But even if you do decide to start with ‘Sunrise on Slaughter Beach’ you’ll hear the sound of a band that’s three decades into its career and showing no signs of slowing down or dipping in quality.
-
Distorted Sound Magazine
Throwing in new elements like the female backing vocals and theremin – as well as Gaster’s vibraphone contributions – is proof enough of a band still looking to move forward, even if this does tick all the boxes fans were hoping it would. This record sounds rich and warm, it flows swiftly and smoothly, and ultimately sees CLUTCH continue to nail their life-long pursuit of excellence.
-
Glide Magazine
Sunrise on Slaughter Beach by Clutch is both a celebration of what has made this such a great band and a venture into new territories. It is unmistakably a Clutch album that will have you pumping your fist and singing along. And yeah, it probably does sound better in a slightly rusty 70s muscle car, but that’s not necessary to enjoy the album.
-
Metal Injection
You could put your house on Clutch coming up with an album full of intensely interesting sound, creative lyricism and musical theatrics before even going into Sunrise On Slaughter Beach and win it all coming out of the other side. It's grand without pomposity, experimental without an inch of fat and underwritten with grooves so thick you could build a bridge out of them. It doesn't do much new, not new for this band anyway, but Clutch knows exactly how to get your heart pumping and your body moving. I'd ask a friend to check that you aren't clinically dead if you can't manage either.
-
The Sleeping Shaman
To some, the band may have reached AC/DC like levels of consistency, but it is impossible to argue that the last couple of albums sound alike if you more than scratch the surface and Sunrise On Slaughter Beach is no exception. Strangely focused and throwing you more than a few curveballs, they might not have made the album they expected to, but they have not remotely deviated from their ability to morph and engage with the world around them, creating vital music that cements their legacy as an incredibly vital band.
-
Blabbermouth
"Sunrise on Slaughter Beach" encompasses so much with regard to style and changeups within individual songs, and yet CLUTCH unleashes them in a focused, cohesive manner, which makes it all sound easy and straightforward. With "Sunrise on Slaughter Beach", CLUTCH continues marching to the beat of its own drum, while simply remaining one of the coolest heavy bands around.
-
The Razor's Edge
Clutch albums have a groove, a rhythm, a beat that provides the listener with that warm feeling inside. That sense of belonging, the sense of everything being just right. You can dance, nod you head and just had a good time getting lost in their music. In ‘Sunrise on Slaughter Beach’ that continues. This is a Clutch album and my god it’s good!
-
Metal Planet Music
The lyrical content is always interesting and the vocal delivery is stunning throughout. Anyone who loves the harder side of the Rock scene, especially music influenced by the likes of Sabbath, Blue Cheer, Motorhead, etc, will absolutely love this, as will fans of the heavier tracks by acts such as Shinedown, Alterbridge, Black Stone Cherry, etc. Clutch may have been in business for 31 years, but this album proves that they have lost none of their power or their edginess over that time. Very, very classy indeed!!
-
Good Call Live
Three Golden Horns is a trip. This song continues exploring the space introduced by the previous track. Hell, there is some straight up Primus guitar riffs midway through. The lyrics are catchy and compelling and bring together a hypnotic sound. The album rounds out with Jackhammer Our Names. This song is dark, and I love it. Still wading through a new sound space, there are feelings of a long journey coming to an end; a very fitting final track to a solid album.
-
Metal Wani
Clutch's ‘Sunrise on Slaughter Beach’ is an enjoyable listen and easy to recommend. While there's a lot of diversity and occasional experimental additions, it's still going to sound very familiar to anyone who's listened to Clutch before.
-
Markus' Heavy Music Blog
‘Sunrise at Slaughter Beach’ has become a versatile album, a record that holds a few little surprises. Nevertheless, Clutch remain true to themselves and their sound without standing still.
-
Devil's Gate Music
Clutch’s sound is pretty simple. Big riffs, solid rock drums with a strong emphasis on groove, and firey bluesman vocals. The band has been together for over thirty years without ever having a line-up change which may explain why they sound so tight and have perfected their craft. Like fine wine and cheese they have only got better with age morphing into the ultimate Dad Rock band.
-
Heavy Magazine
Sunrise On Slaughter Beach speaks for itself and how many worthy stars it deserves. Sunrise On Slaughter Beach is a typical and perfect Clutch record, written and performed at their middle aged finest with no peer and no compare period!
-
Everything is Noise
Clutch still have the capacity to shift into higher gears when they want, and that attitude makes Sunrise On Slaughter Beach one of their tightest efforts in a while, dare I say since Earth Rocker. Fans can’t go wrong and, really, if you’ve gone this long without checking Clutch out, now’s a good time. Have a blast.
-
Velvet Thunder
Clutch has still delivered an album that has all of their hallmarks but have added other elements, twists and new territory that ensures that the songs remain interesting and Sunrise On Slaughter Beach is an engaging and groovy experience which is unlikely to keep listeners still.
-
Rock Sins
There is patently lots more to explore and enjoy on this album – that drive-thru meal turned out to be more complex and harder to digest than originally thought. There has been a subtle elevation of the ambition in the songwriting, and yes, they are striving for excellence. Hey, it’s CLUTCH, they are still on a roll, but this time they’re rolling a little different.
-
Metal Digest
‘Slaughter Beach’ is a prime example of Clutch at their heavy best, saturated with satisfying riffs, full-throttle drumming, and catchy chorus lines that make you want to sing along in the streets, oblivious to the weird looks you’d get. Obviously.
-
AllMusic
Their shortest salvo to date, Sunrise on Slaughter Beach distills all that's good in late-era Clutch, providing a familiar hit of serotonin and physical release.
-
Loud Magazine
Clutch prove for the thirteenth time (!) that constantly evolving without upsetting the apple cart is possible as they continue to be the most reliable band in modern music hands down. It doesn’t matter if you are a life long fan, or new to the band, this album covers everything and adds more of their signature flair to everything.
-
My Global Mind
Clutch very much do their own thing. The music has a base from Led Zep and Black Sabbath, but they’ve put their own spin on it to make it unique to them. Can’t fault this in any way. It’s big, ballsy bruising heavy rock that you can dance to, get stoned to and headbang to all at the same time.
-
Metal Music Archives
This is an album I’ve been listening to on repeat, listening to every day since its release at time of writing, and which I will absolutely rinse for the next few years, if not forever. I couldn’t recommend it enough. Just put it on, get into the vibe, and repeat until in love with it. More highly recommended than water or oxygen!
Rate This Album and Leave Your Comments