Diaries of Doom

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...

London stoner/grunge quartet Okay You Win have barely been active for a year, but are surely starting to make their dent in the British heavy rock scene. In the last few weeks they've immortalised their first chapter of existence with Live From The Pit , a seven-track recording captured live from The Pit Studios in Kent by Paul 'Pablo' Annis in early November 2023. The Live From The Pit album takes you on a sonic ride that kicks off with Ten Year Trip 's climbing psych-rock riff, signaling the start of what immediately seems an epic, grungy adventure. This opener sets the tone, bringing chugs and guitar dissonance that pack a serious punch, all while channeling vocals reminiscent of the legendary Chris Cornell. These echoes of the Soundgarden frontman ooze a vintage sense of cool, and the instrumental/lead guitar break? We're only just getting started. It nicely encapsulates what's to come, with Ryan and Rodrigo's guitar and bass chemistry making itself ...

  Stoke-based quintet Era's End will round off a busy year with the release of Over Throne , due on 29th December. With the attitude of pop punk, the intensity of metalcore, and catchy hooks that bands of a much bigger size would be jealous of, will this give them the lift they deserve? Starting off with a thrashy riff and a full-throttle, driving rhythm, the instrumental work is great. A soaring, charismatic lead vocal from Amy directs the flow, and they waste no time setting the scene. The track is less than three minutes long, so they keep it short, sweet and snappy, with focused songwriting that doesn't try to cram too much in. The chorus packs a punch with its metalcore feel and layered screams, complementing Amy's soulful cleans. Beth's gloriously gritty bass tone in the mix gives the track a nice crunch. It has to be said that the production here is also really impressive. There's a noticeable sonic difference c ompared to their previous work . Over Throne...