It’s sometimes difficult to remember that grunge and sludge were smelted in similar swamps. The down-tuned volcanic crawl of sludge bears little resemblance to bands like Puddle of Mudd, Creed, and that one from Canada that seem to have inherited grunge from Pearl Jam and Stone Temple Pilots. But on the darker side of grunge, bands like Alice in Chains, Fantastic Planet, and Soundgarden offered up thick riffs that would pave the way for doom’s stickier cousin. The Melvins even occupied a faithful center point between the two.

And while sludge bands have been reclaiming grunge for their own sonic palettes (specifically Thou, with their numerous tributes to Alice in Chains and Nirvana), that heritage still sometimes feels like an afterthought.

Sunburster’s new EP, Trudging to Extinction, feels like a call to repentance for their fellow sludgers who have forsaken the grungey roots of their scene.

Trudging to Extinction makes no effort to say anything revolutionary. The promo materials use terms like “neolithic” and “knuckle-dragging” to describe them. And this is unga-bunga as guitar music can get. Guitars are tuned so far down that the strings sound like they might fall off, except for the 90s Seattle fret-shredding solos that occasionally erupt. The bass, played through a thick fuzz, is often too low to be distinguishable beyond an earth-shattering rumble. Drums are straightforward and commanding, reappropriating garage rock minimalism to a slower, heavier purpose. The screamed vocals are feral, howling and barking over the caveman riffs. As soon as “Halfway Crook” kicks in, you know exactly what you’re getting, and they don’t stray from that—nor should they.

It’s a simple sonic palette, but they use it to great effect. Their sound is so cohesive that you might entirely miss that the last two songs are covers unless it’s pointed out. Their faithful take on Melvins’ “Night Goat” fits right in with the three original tracks that I didn’t realize it was the cover I knew was coming until the vocalist emulated King Buzzo’s unmistakable sneer. On the other hand, Nine Inch Nails’ “Last” is played at full tilt, its bouncing riff played through dimed distortion pedals, punk drums, and screamed vocals.

At only twenty-two minutes, it’s a little bit of a tease. But this is the sort of Neanderthalic rock and roll that functions best in short bursts. It’s certainly no less explosive for its shorter runtime. But more than anything, it’s a reminder that heavy music doesn’t need to offer up some convention-shattering experiment to be interesting. Sometimes, rock and roll is a satisfying end in itself.

Trudging to Extinction is out now through Knife Hits Records.

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