Release Date: May 16th 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: CD/DD
CLAMFIGHT - Tracklisting
1.The Oar
2.Brodgar
3.Dragonhead
4.FRH
5.Drinking Tooth
6.Clamfight
7.Redtail
Members
Joel Harris: guitar
Louis Koble: bass
Andy Martin: drums/vocals
Sean McKee: guitar
Review
Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal veterans CLAMFIGHT return with their self-titled album which sees the band deliver a heavier, muscular and progressive sounding record. The band started making the album before the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns started to take hold which altered the course of the album completely with CLAMFIGHT focusing upon the challenging times they went through. However, the record allowed the band to focus upon the personal relationships they’ve established within their own lives and musical surroundings.
CLAMFIGHT recorded this album with longtime producer, friend and mentor Steve Poponi who sadly passed away in 2023. Despite the dark times and personal setbacks CLAMFIGHT went through making this album, there is a sense of hope and belonging that comes shining through the sublime vocals and emotionally charged lyrics. The sound itself is quite downbeat when the mood calls for this style of music with intense Sludge, Doom and Stoner Metal rhythms with a sense of Psychedelic urgency appearing within the flashier and progressive instrumental passages that CLAMFIGHT show right away on the excellent opening track of The Oar.
The Oar feels inspired by the likes of Mastodon, Neurosis, Goatsnake and Orange Goblin with CLAMFIGHT still being themselves with flashes of sheer brute force Sludge/Stoner Metal aggression. The sounds have the right balance of Classic Heavy Metal and free-flowing fast-paced technical ability which is perhaps some of the best sounds we’ve ever encountered from the guys. A great start to an epic album.
With CLAMFIGHT demonstrating a new found melodic approach with rich creative storytelling then I’m happy to say this is their best record to date with a high amount of trippy based grooves that sees the atmosphere transcend into areas of Blues Rock, Swamp Rock and Southern Metal without a care in the world. There’s some wicked Folk, Roots and Earth inspired lyrics appearing especially on Brodgar which also features wonderful guest vocals from Sam Marandola (Oldest Sea) which feels like Fleetwood Mac joining the NOLA METAL revolution.
CLAMFIGHT delves right back into THRASH METAL / PUNK ROCK territory on tracks such as Dragonhead and Drinking Tooth whilst keeping their WEEDIAN vision intact. The Fuzz and Psychedelic instrumental solos that transpires from these tracks are constantly evolving and allowing the record to have a hopeful and GRUNGE based attitude.
Most people will perhaps be drawn to the title track the most with CLAMFIGHT calling upon the vocals talents of Steve Murphy (Kings Destroy) and JJ Koczan (The Obelisk) who the band have known for years. There’s a wide mixture of different styles musically speaking with the vocals being quite different as well. The SPEED METAL grooves are quite refreshing to hear along this part of the album being the most HEAVY METAL obsessive track on the album with plenty of bone-crunching melodies being delivered throughout.
The final track Redtail allows CLAMFIGHT to end the record on a triumphant HIGH with a mixture of Classic Rock, Psych Rock and uplifting soundscapes which could easily be considered as a perfect and fitting tribute to Steve Poponi and the great work that he delivered with the band over the years.
CLAMFIGHT may have been gone a long time but it’s great to have them back and deliver an absolute masterful and MONSTER of a record that demands your undivided attention.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Earsplit PR and CLAMFIGHT for the promo.
CLAMFIGHT is available to buy now on CD/DD from all good stockists.
Links
Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram
