Release Date: January 30th 2026. Record Label: Majestic Mountain Records. Formats: CD/DD
Universal Heat Death - Tracklisting1. Universal Heat Death
2. The Raven
3. Bloodsands Pt I
4. The Slow Descent into Hell
5. Debt Ridden Blues
6. Bloodsands Pt II
7. So Low
Members
Tom Pilsworth – Guitar, Vocals
Lewis Batten – Guitar
Andrew Haines-Villalta – Bass
Rich Walker – Drums
Review
Doom/Stoner Metallers Indica Blues return after a five year absence with their new album Universal Heat Death and they’ve gone under a major transformation with their music. As they play a darker, heavier and progressive style of music compared to their previous records. There’s a more moodier atmosphere which draws a stunning SLEEP and HOWLING GIANT energy to their music. Last time round they were more closely associated with the likes of FU MANCHU and KYUSS which is still intact here but Indica Blues are quite adept at drawing up sonic passages fuelled by Sludge, Grunge and Post-Doom aggression which you can feel very early on within the opening tracks of Universal Heat Death and The Raven.
The music has a certain DOOM & GLOOM energy with a bleak stripped down atmosphere being played against Tom Pilsworth vocals. The band are joined by a new guitarist Lewis Batten for this release and he brings a different style of music on this record with a sullen and moody performance which adds to the nightmarish Blues Rock sound that cautiously develops on tracks such as Bloodsands Pt 1 and The Slow Descents Into Hell. With a gloomy message being contained within the whole album it’s good to hear Indica Blues developing a thrilling and distorted style of Heavy Psych and Post-Stoner energy which gives another level of heaviness to the record.
It can be wickedly dark and quite deceiving with the deft touches of Cinematic Rock appearing which transforms into a classic aura of Desert Rock, Fuzz and Stoner Metal with the excellent rhythm section of Rich Walker (Drums) and Andrew Haines-Villalta (Bass) once again combining forces for a wholly destructive mission.
The shift to Post-Metal dynamics was another great surprise with Indica Blues that reminded me of heavier artists in places but one that doesn't sacrifice their STONED OUT identity. However, when you have a record touching upon themes of war and revenge which perfectly matches the FUCKED UP feeling currently going on in the world then you can expect moments of darkness from time-to-time.
The final two tracks of Bloodsands Pt II and So Low is where the most hard-hitting, heaviest and socially aware messages appear with Indica Blues leaning heavily into the Post-Whatever environment the record beautifully contains with extended landscapes and trippy soundscapes you can’t but help lose yourself in.
Indica Blues have transformed into real storytellers with Universal Heat Death with the album offering a record with a cautionary musical vision whilst delivering some epic Doomed Out Stoner Metal grooves of the highest order. This is a sublime and superbly produced album throughout that’s topped off by a first rate musical performance from everyone involved.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Viral Propaganda PR for the promo.
Universal Heat Death is available to buy now on CD/DD via Majestic Mountain Records.
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