There can be few bands that have explored their inner demons quite as much as Eyehategod and still remain standing, let alone still producing music. From heroin addiction to jail time have all been part of the rich tapestry that makes up Eyehategod, and in particular Mike Williams. It should therefore come as little surprise that releases for the Eyehategod camp are sporadic at best and so to quell the riotous hordes yet another re-release finds its way onto the store shelves.

‘Confederacy Of Ruined Lives’ originally released back in 2000 is the latest in a long line of re-releases via Peaceville Records who are fast becoming the kings of Europe when it comes to reissues of long lost metal gems. While ‘Confederacy’ was officially the follow up to 1996’s ‘Dopesick’, the album is more in keeping with ‘Take As Needed For Pain’ having a more polished cleaner, dare I say sober sound. Well as clean a sound as you’ll find on any Eyehategod release.

The trademark bluesy down tuned Southern stoner rock riffs courtesy of Bowers’ and Patton still have the potency and sloth likes speed of the first three albums but with a little less suffocating oppressiveness. Not to say ‘Confederacy’ is an uplifting experience as the negativity, festering anger infused with the grim of the New Orleans streets that produced them remains the cornerstone of what makes Eyehategod who and what they are.

With as much Black Flag as Sabbath influencing the album, it is sure not to appeal to everyone and Doom puritans of the world best look away now as there is nothing here for you except pain, anguish and bourbon soaked spite. The bands influence in the past decade to all within the Stoner community despite the lack of new material is testimony to the calibre and longevity of such releases as ‘Confederacy Of Ruined Lives’. We can but hope that if and when Eyehategod re-emerge for another comeback the album has all the characteristics of offer here.