Review / 200 Words Or Less
Sadville
Make Ready the Cross

Inkblot (2006) Michael

Sadville – Make Ready the Cross cover artwork
Sadville – Make Ready the Cross — Inkblot, 2006

Tennessee natives Sadville without a doubt could be the biggest misnomer for a group. These dudes don't play sad bastard emo at all. Instead they play stoner metal with elements of doom and hardcore punk. You can only imagine the relief when I heard the music after looking at their name.

Make Ready the Cross is seven tracks long, but it flies by when you put it on your record player. A mixture of southern rock and speeding metal riffs fuels the songs. Most of the songs come off as the unwanted child of Black Sabbath, High on Fire, and Born Against. Sure, this sound has been tackled before, but what they lack in originality they make up for in politically oriented lyrics and in witty song titles. The best are "Your Zao Sticker Won't get you into Heaven Anymore" and "George Walker Bush, Texas Ranger."

Sadville delivered an unexpected LP of tunes that I can rock out to. If you're seeking some metal music that'll get your foot tapping as well as your brain thinking, grab a copy of this release.

7.0 / 10Michael • September 26, 2007

Sadville – Make Ready the Cross cover artwork
Sadville – Make Ready the Cross — Inkblot, 2006

Recently-posted album reviews

Rufio

From The Outside
Double Felix Records, Double Helix Records (2026)

“Rufio?! Like from back in the day Rufio?” Those were the words out of my mouth while claiming my next review. I wore out Perhaps, I Suppose as a teenager and my curiosity piqued. It has been 25 years since that album was released and 16 years since we have heard from Rufio at all. Regardless of these facts, we … Read more

Oddfellows

Oddfellows
Dirtnap, Wild Honey Records (2026)

The self-titled album from Oddfellows was a long time coming. As in, the band formed in 1994. Now in 2026, they return with founding members Chris Pulliam, Mark Ryan, and Mike Throneberry, plus new addition Peter Salisbury to release their debut album just 32 years later. This lineup means you're going to get a Marked Men reference right away, but … Read more

Cel Ray

Cel Rayzer
Exploding In Sound Records (2026)

I don’t remember how, but I stumbled across Chicago’s Cel Ray in 2023 on the heels of their debut EP, Cellular Raymond. I was immediately hooked. After another EP and a single, the band finally brings us their debut long player, Cel Rayzer. To no surprise, it’s excellent. Cel Ray plays a brand of post-punk that’s lo-fi and streamlined. Singer … Read more