Diaries of Doom

Back with their second album and a revitalised lineup, Bradford quartet Ironrat - consisting of members of Wolves In Winter, Lazarus Blackstar, Psychlona, Hollow Earth, and former members of Monolith Cult and Khang - have produced a real statement of intent with Beneath It All, their first record since 2015. My introduction to them was at Bloodstock Festival in 2017, with tracks like the low-tuned Weed Machine (which was re-recorded in 2023) sticking out in my memory. However, as circumstance would have it, Ironrat had a quieter spell for a few years, but the boys are firmly back in town with forty minutes of power, melody, riffs and groove. Kicking off with high octane rock and roll attitude, title track Beneath It All gets the record spinning with a simple guitar riff that sets the tone nicely. Its energy is clearly designed for live shows, before the song develops and drops into a slower stoner blues breakdown, given character with some vocal harmonisations, before the fist pumpi...

Hello! It's been a while since I've posted on here. I'd been thinking about how to bring this blog back for a while, doing a bit of strategising with others, and then after a confidence boost a few weeks ago I'm feeling more motivated to get back on here, writing about the music I'm hearing. Anyway, 2025 has started brightly and I've wrapped my ears around some good new music already. Here's three tracks that may have gone over your heads (and ears) if you like Sabbathy, riffy goodness, as many of this blog's followers do as well. Earl Of Hell - The Infernal Dream The first single from the Edinburgh-based quintet's upcoming album, due on April 25th via Copper Feast records, Earl Of Hell have opened their new chapter on a strong note. The Infernal Dream 's dissonant, chugging intro is reminiscent of early Mastodon, but with a much more laid back and stoned-out atmosphere than the frenetic hurtlings through the void found on Remission and the ...

Slump are a band very much in the ascendency right now (hopefully the cheque they gave me to write that will clear by the time this publishes) - with an ever increasing live presence across the UK and a burgeoning brand of distinctive Sludge Metal-tinged, Grunge-infused psychedelic rock, there has never been a better time to get fully behind a band who are working hard to make their way out of the murky backwaters of the UK Underground Doom scene. 2024 has seen the band going from strength to strength, playing sweaty, breathless shows in literally every single city across the entire country, to releasing the gnarly SP/LIT EP with the frighteningly heavy At War With the Sun. Given the band's somewhat frustrating past habit of having long gaps between releases, you'd have been forgiven for assuming that would be it from Noble, Kabu and co. for the year... fortunately, on this occasion, the band have proved us extremely wrong! Dust marks yet another step forward for Slump. Hav...

Groove metal quintet Empire Warning have been major players in the London heavy scene since the early 2010s, winning the city's Metal 2 The Masses finals in 2019 to earn a coveted spot on Bloodstock Festival's New Blood Stage shortly before the pandemic. The Unite & Die EP followed in early 2020, which was played in full over their Bloodstock set, though there's even a couple from their latest EP, Destiny , that were played back during their iconic performance. Destiny dropped at the end of last month, offering a blistering 25 minutes of aural assault, with shades of Machine Head, Lamb of God, Slipknot and other aggressive influences to stake their claim for bigger stages and wider recognition. Empire Warning - Bloodstock 2019 (full set) First up is the crushing Be My Victim , with a descending guitar line that introduces the EP, wasting no time in setting the tone in front of a fist-pumping groove and a verse riff that snaps your neck in time to its beat. Lyrically, ...

Lizard King Promotions ' head honcho Mike Linehan stopped by for a chat about Cvltfest Resurrected last week, discussing in detail almost all the bands on the bill later this month - with the exception of Battalions , who were announced yesterday as the last-minute replacement for Made of Teeth on the lineup. Cvltfest will take place on the 23rd and 24th of February at Rebellion, Manchester, hosted by Lizard King Promotions and Riffolution Promotions . All the bands loosely can be connected to their musical forefathers in Black Sabbath - but other than that, it's a massively varied lineup that really offers something for everyone. Listen to our interview for a very exclusive peek into what the day may entail, such as unreleased songs, collaborations and guest spots. I won't spoil the surprise... It's a stellar lineup and I'll see everyone there. Appearing at Cvltfest Resurrected will be Dvne , Pijn , Mastiff , Hundred Year Old Man , Conan , Boss Keloid...

PRESS RELEASE: After an eight-year hiatus, Birmingham's very own Blackened Death Metal powerhouse, Under Blackened Skies , is rising from the shadows with a vengeance. The band, known for their intense and captivating performances, is thrilled to announce their return to the metal scene, accompanied by a new member on bass, Dan Carter . Dan Carter , formerly of Left For Red , joins Under Blackened Skies with a wealth of experience and a shared passion for the band's unique sound. Carter expressed his excitement about joining the fold, stating, "I was thrilled to be asked to join Under Blackened Skies , they were a band that I admired when my old band used to perform with them. I love playing their songs, and I am excited to share the stage with them in 2024 and write new music." The band's blend of blackened atmospheres and death metal brutality has always set them apart, and their return promises to be nothing short of spectacular. Fans can expect an unforgettab...