REVIEW: Three singles you might have missed in early 2025

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 like. Instead, Earl Of Hell's soothing, falsetto dual-vocal layering give off a warm, retro vibe throughout the whole track, and its descending chorus oozes a sense of cool. An energetic, punk-ish middle section along with a ripping guitar solo injects a real bite into the track as it progresses, keeping the song interesting as it goes. The ugly guitar chords synergise with the laid back feel in an interesting way, almost like it could soundtrack the classiest horror film you've ever seen. On their recent tour with Brant Bjork, they opened their sets with this number - at least, they did in Birmingham. A track like this sets the bar very high for such setlists as much as it does this new album cycle. You can catch them later this year on tour with Alain Johannes and Masters Of Reality up and down the UK.

Haeze - Window In Time

Haeze are a newly formed rock band from Southampton, who have begun to play their first shows, with their debut single dropping at the start of the month. Their bass-heavy sound is definitely rooted in doom, but they mix grunge and heavy psych influences into their sound in a really cool way, which are more than evident on this first step into the abyss. The song has a droning, hypnotic main riff along with tribal drumming that lulls you into a haze (into a Haeze?) before it kicks in properly, introducing Haeze with a swaggering, groovy verse. As the song keeps going, they launch into a thunderous breakdown with some really cool guitar fills leading into an Iommic solo. As the guitars take centre stage, the strength of the bass tone is also showcased, as it powerfully holds down the heavy low end. Here the strength of the production is also evident, and with Haeze recording a couple of other tracks at the same time at Under The Bridge Studios in Brighton, they have the potential to turn a few heads with these first singles. Overall, the catchy vocal hooks and strong sense of melody are worth mentioning, and truly elevate this impactful track. The future looks bright for Haeze and I look forward to hopefully catching them live for the first time in April at Dorset Doomsday.

This Summit Fever - Hooks

Shropshire fuzz rock power duo This Summit Fever have a strong year ahead. Already announced for the Desertfest London bill, they unveiled the news that they'd been signed to Majestic Mountain Records for the release of their first full-length last month, along with a string of dates up and down the country to push the new release. The first single Hooks was unleashed on 31st January to usher in the new era, with a classic four count introducing the song's bombastic, swaggering intro riff. It's got the dark fuzziness that we've all come to know from This Summit Fever over the years they've been active, but they've clearly saved one of the best in their riff banks for the big label release. A pounding, heavy verse leads into a catchy chorus, which cleverly uses delay on the vocals. This Summit Fever's use of musical effects has always been one of their strengths and most interesting elements. The hazy lead guitar break displays this in the most apparent way on Hooks, though still keeping a live feel and showing the full extent of what can be done with a single guitar. The drums, in turn, are powerful and pounding, bringing the heaviness and groove in a way that can go under the radar on the first few listens. This is just the start of an exciting new chapter for This Summit Fever and the countdown is on for the full album. One for your playlist.

MN