The Belgian instrumental band Modder releases its third album, Destroying Ourselves for a Place in the Sun, on October 3, 2025. This new record combines sludge metal with electronica, creating a unique sound. The album marks a significant evolution for the Ghent-based quintet, moving into a territory that mixes heavy riffs with electronic rhythms. This fusion aims to deliver a powerful, immersive listening experience.
Key Takeaways
- Modder's new album, Destroying Ourselves for a Place in the Sun, blends sludge metal and electronica.
- The band has evolved its sound over three albums, moving from doom to a more electronic-infused style.
- The album features six tracks, totaling 42 minutes, with diverse influences from Korn to The Prodigy.
- Reviewers note the album's powerful sound but highlight issues with a crowded mix and sustained engagement.
- Released worldwide on October 3, 2025, via Consouling Sounds and Lay Bare Recordings.
Modder's Evolving Sound Journey
Modder has consistently explored new musical directions with each release. Their self-titled debut album focused on doom metal, characterized by heavy bass and significant fuzz. This early sound drew comparisons to bands like Sleep and Electric Wizard, establishing a foundation of deep, resonant tones.
The band's second album, The Great Liberation Through Hearing, introduced faster tempos and a wider range of textures. This release showed Modder experimenting with more intricate arrangements, moving beyond traditional doom. It offered a rich soundscape, often described as similar to Inter Arma but without vocals, hinting at the electronic elements that would later define their style.
Destroying Ourselves for a Place in the Sun continues this evolution. The album fully embraces electronic pulses and elements, occasionally reminiscent of Fear Factory's Remanufacture, particularly on tracks like "Chaoism." This new direction, while hinted at previously, is now fully developed and integrated into Modder's core sound.
Band Origin: Ghent, Belgium
Modder originates from Ghent, Belgium. Residents of Ghent are sometimes called 'Stroppendragers,' meaning 'noose-bearers.' This term comes from a 16th-century revolt against Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. After the city's surrender, citizens were paraded with nooses as punishment. While 'Ghentians' is also correct, 'Stroppendragers' offers a unique historical context.
Musical Fusion and Influences
The album successfully combines its diverse influences while maintaining Modder's distinct identity. From the opening of "Stone Eternal," which has a Korn-like feel, to the Gojira-influenced grooves of "In the Sun," the album showcases a broad spectrum of heavy music. Each of the six tracks features consistently heavy riffs, designed to create a powerful impact.
On "Mather," the track begins with an electronic flourish, similar to The Prodigy, before transitioning into a dense, heavy section. This shift creates a powerful, room-shaking effect, likened to a herd of mammoths. Guitars, bass, and electronic components intertwine, forming complex melodies and countermelodies. These elements combine to produce thick grooves, as heard in "Stone Eternal" and "Mutant Body Double."
"The unlikely pairing of sludge metal and electronica fits together in compelling and novel ways. Both styles embrace the bottom end, and in a live setting, I imagine Modder is unapologetically crushing."
The drumming on the album is dynamic, shifting between traditional and programmed drums. This allows for quick transitions between sludge and breakbeat rhythms, particularly evident in "Chaoism." The band's five members display technical skill, packaging their complex arrangements into a digestible format for listeners.
Production and Listening Experience
While the album offers an enjoyable experience, some aspects of its production prevent it from achieving its full potential. A notable issue is the crowded mix. The band likely aimed for a powerful, concussive sound, which it often achieves. However, this intensity sometimes leads to over-compressed audio artifacts, especially in tracks like "Stone Eternal" and "Mather."
Album Details
- Total Tracks: 6
- Album Length: 42 minutes
- Release Date: October 3, 2025
- Labels: Consouling Sounds / Lay Bare Recordings
- Dynamic Range (DR): 5
This compression issue might stem from the merger of electronic and acoustic styles. Electronic elements often do not require the same depth of auditory expression as acoustic drums or bass. When combined, the music can sound flat or jarring, losing some of its intended impact. This technical challenge affects the overall clarity and dynamic range of the album.
Engagement and Cohesion
Another point of consideration for Destroying Ourselves for a Place in the Sun is its long-term engagement. Both sludge and dance music styles often create a hypnotic effect, whether through towering, droning riffs or persistent electronic pulses. While this can be ideal background music, it sometimes struggles to hold a listener's full attention throughout the entire album.
For the album to move beyond its novelty, more cohesion might be necessary. Currently, the tracks often feel like a collection of strong moments rather than a unified whole. Removing or reordering songs does not significantly alter the overall listening experience, suggesting that the album's parts are greater than its sum. This indicates a potential for deeper thematic or musical integration in future releases.
Future Potential for Modder
Modder's latest album is a significant experiment in cross-genre music. It delivers an interesting blend that is worth exploring. However, further refinement could enhance its impact. A more dynamic mix, for example, would immediately improve listenability. This would allow the various layers of instrumentation and electronics to breathe, preventing the crowded sound.
Improving songwriting could also elevate Modder's unique electrosludge sound beyond novelty. Stronger thematic connections or more memorable structures might lead to greater active engagement and increased longevity for the music. Modder shows considerable potential in its innovative approach to blending genres, and with some adjustments, their unique sound could reach a wider audience and leave a more lasting impression.
According to the review, the album is rated as Mixed, with a Dynamic Range of 5. It was reviewed in 320 kpbs mp3 format. The band's official presence can be found on Bandcamp and Facebook for those interested in exploring their work further.