Diaries of Doom

Formed in 2014, The Miser , based in London, have forged their dark and gloomy sound for around a decade. The name is taken from 14th century painter Hieronymus Bosch, and his painting Death and the Miser', a reminder that death does come for us all. Their upcoming EP 'Memento Mori' - which of course means that no one can escape the ultimate fate of death - will look at themes of horror, mental illness and loss within its lyrics. With that said, there's still an element of fun and entertainment within The Miser and what they do. Their newest single, 'House on the Hill', kicks off with a punky, Misfits-style vibe - appropriate considering that the track openly pays homage to B-movie horror films! There's some killer, groovy old-school doom/stoner metal riffing (think Church of Misery or Trouble) supporting a soulful vocal from Sean Crocker. The chorus is super catchy and sticks around in your head after the song finishes and his subtle harmonies illustrate th...

  The first edition of Slaughterhouse Festival has been announced in full for April 2023, presented by Counterstrike Promotions . To be held on April 29th and 30th at the Castle and Falcon in Balsall Heath, Birmingham, the main attractions are Red Method and Divine Chaos on Saturday and Sunday respectively. Wired THC, Hands of Attrition, Chaplain, Spawned from Hate, Embodiment and Second Cities are also high up the bill. Ticket link  (£10/day or £16/weekend) / Spotify playlist / FB event The Saturday afterparty will be at Subside from 11pm-6am, with half-price entry with a festival wristband. Devils Playground, Straight for the Sun, Dead Mob, The Mighty Wraith, Callous Hands, Kensei, Tumanduumband, Voidlurker, Thrashatouille, Monastery, Appocaholics, Black Water Fiend, Below The Stones, Born Zero, Senescent, Nameless, Solars, The Bloodthirsters, Hated by Design, Desecrator, Slump, Dead Mans Hollow, Inflictions and Bullhead complete the lineup. MN

  My first encounter with an early incarnation of Epimetheus was back in 2015, when at a university open mic night, a trio of musicians were playing amped-up classic rock covers and catchy twelve-bar-blues numbers, by far the loudest and heaviest band on the bill. Eventually, an 'originals' set began to materialise, and the band would unveil Mandalorian , a riff-heavy stoner rock outfit, at a show in the university student village. Still with an unapologetic classic rock flair, but with bigger riffs, catchy choruses and (even) more volume, it was a natural forward step from their covers act, finally with a firm lineup in place as groove-meister general James Jackson would take permanent residence on the drum stool.  The Machetezilla EP would drop in 2018. Led by emotive, bluesy guitar work from Cillian Breathnach, Jackson's jazzy stylings and a screeching, soulful heart from Ben Price's vocal performance, it now appears - purely in hindsight - to be the sound of a band ...