Review: 16 – Forgeries, Vol.1: 1972-1984

Review by Sandre the Giant Released: 1st May 2026 Originally published: https://thesleepingshaman.com/reviews/16-forgeries-vol-1-1972-1984/ A covers album can be one of two things: an easy cash-in record to fill time between studio releases or, if handled well and given the appropriate level of respect, a time honoured tradition of paying tribute to your forebears in this world of heavy metal. Californian sludge legends 16 have always seemed like a band much more in line with the latter, so I think that ‘Forgeries Vol.1, 1972 – 1984’ is probably going to be full of hidden gems and, especially given the vintage of these tracks being forty plus years old, I’d expect the very embryonic nature of 16’s journey to be brought to life. ‘Forgeries Vol.1, 1972-1984’ is out now through Heavy Psych Sounds Records. As you progress through the album, you can see each element of the bands covered here coming into focus as a sliver of 16’s inspiration and sound. Many of these covers make total sense…