(16) – ‘Forgeries Vol 1, 1972-1984’

Posted on by Jace Media Music

Sludge Metal

Heavy Psych Sounds Records

Released – May 1st 2026

The title of this had me kind of panicking. Never heard of 16 so I thought they were a 70’s mob who passed me by. Not so, they’re from L.A and were formed in 1991 until they split in 2004 only to return again in 2007 and here, they remain. This release is a covers album with some real surprises. I would assume that the songs they cover are their personal faves and a damn good fist of them make too.

Opening with ‘Can’t Get Enough’ (Scorpions) they bring a heavy weight life to a superb song before ‘Nausea’ (X) a song I’m unfamiliar with but I’m sure it wasn’t this heavy. ‘Cities On Flame With Rock N Roll’ is given a right old kick up the arse and sounds like it should sound rather the lightweight B.O.C original. ‘Rotten To The Core’ (Rudimentary Peni) another I don’t know but whatever, I like this one just fine. They give the sludge treatment to ‘Mother Mary’ (UFO) which had me scratching my head then after a few listens I got it. The fills played by Alex Shuster are superb and they’ve made it super heavy. Stand by for a major surprise – ‘Tragedy’ (Bee Gees) do not expect the falsetto! They’ve down tuned it into some serious doom! If you remember the lyrics, it’s a sad song and perfect for some introspection. ‘Bloodstains’ (Agent Orange) and ‘Beat My Against The Wall’ (Black Flag) are both foreign to me but come across well then we get ‘St Vitus Dance’ (Black Sabbath) which they’ve slowed down and beefed up. ‘Foreign Policy’ (Fear) brings some punk before a superb ‘Rocket Ride’ (Kiss) which is another that gets a monumental kick up the jacksie – all down tuned and heavy as fuck.

I do like a cover version mainly to see what the band does with it. These are done superbly well and given a sludge makeover that brings new life to the songs. Can’t wait for volume 2!!

Track list –

Can’t Get Enough

Nausea

Cities On Flame With Rock n Roll

Rotten To The Core

Mother Mary

Tragedy

Bloodstains

Beat My Head Against The Wall

St Vitus Dance

Foreign Policy

Rocket Ride

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