This lot from the SW of England but now based in London obviously like the EP format as they have been steadily releasing them once a year for the last 4 as well as building up interest with live shows with the likes of Slabdragger, Wizard Fight, Grifter and Snow Burial. What we have here is not despite the name any sort of ‘spare some change trampcore’ but what I can only describe as 4 tracks of burly man-sludge. The Chainscraper EP follows up from the intriguingly entitled Caramel Cigarette and we can only wonder if this lot are vape friendly or into something a little bit stronger? On the strength of this it’s probably the latter.

The title track heftily blows in with plenty of lumbering and groovy riffs as vocalist Charlie roars in giving it all a heavy ballast that is likely to appeal to those looking for more of an extreme than a mellow smoking experience. It’s thick, high tar and cloying stuff likely to clog the lungs up but has a strong sense of melody about it as it slowly rumbles away. There are some stoned NOLA sounding parts on it allowing some beard stroking amidst the head-banging and these develop further as the EP goes on. Also noticeable a bit of a warped psychedelic vibe from the guitar department and the quartet’s combined weight is definitely ticking the right boxes for me. ‘Take A Leaf’ skins up with an almost death-metal surge as the drums pound away furiously and some real jagged riffs fly out, vocals here are a bit terser and almost border into hardcore territory before things loosen up and the bud allows things to become a touch more fragrant. It’s more than cool to coast along as the instrumental section jams away and the vocals waft over the top in a cleaner fashion. I can imagine this going down very nicely live.

Shortest track ‘Our Good Name’ has some thunderous drumming patterns and an angry growl riding roughshod over it. It’s like a sledgehammer to the face as it bows you over and gives you a good thwacking. ‘Cryptid’ by comparison really gets more into the previously mentioned stoner groove and takes time developing its thick riffs and almost bluesy bass work. The vocals however prove that this is a stoning that’s definitely going to leave you with some serious contusions as they growl and bellow with a mean streak running right through them.

This Beggar is one that’s got a bit of a foul piss reeking stench about it but musically they hit the spot, club you over the head and rifle through your pockets whilst you are still in a stupor. All good in my book and hopefully next time we hear from them they may have got enough change together to come up with a full length album.

(7/10 Pete Woods)

https://www.facebook.com/beggarband

https://thusspokethebeggar.bandcamp.com/album/chainscraper-ep