Release Date: June 26th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl
The Meadow - Tracklisting
1.The Hermit of Druid's Temple
2.Trip Meadow
3.Knightingales
4.Mandragora
5.Descended from Giants
6.A Witches' Sabbath
7.The Forest Witch's Daughter
Members
Daniel Downing - Guitars, Saxophone
Shonagh Brown - Vocals / Bass
James Hill - Keyboards
Sam Armstrong - Drums
Review
Druidess have already built a fearsome and well deserved reputation supporting the likes of Castle Rat, Slomatics, Dopethrone, Margarita Witch Cult, Josiah and Saint Karloff over the years. They released their debut EP Hermits and Mandrakes back in 2024 which I rated quite highly. Fast forward to 2026 and Druidess have completely reworked their debut EP which makes up the crux of their album. However, this is no mere cash grab with Druidess re-working almost every aspect into a completely different sound with a clearer creative vision and heavier grooves being applied for the album.
Trip Meadow which only expands their heavy blend of Psychedelic, Doom and Stoner Metal. Druidess play areas of Blues Rock, Occult Rock, Proto-Metal and Prog Rock into their music with a slight Sludge Rock undercurrent coming from the excellent guitars supplied by Daniel Downing.
Front and centre of all the action is the highly talented and extremely versatile lead vocalist Shonagh Brown who brings a classic style of Doom Rock merged with a soulful Blues Rock attitude. The vocals are at the forefront of the record for the majority of the record with the rest of Druidess building an epic Doomed Out platform for Shonagh to perform on. The band play closely to the likes of Black Sabbath, Windhand, Hippie Death Cult, The Doors, Green Lung and Monolord.
Druidess aren’t afraid to go for an OVER THE TOP sound that allows other great instrumental sounds to appear such as Organs, Keyboards and Saxophone. I’ve said before but I’m not the biggest fan of Saxophones being included within Doom and Stoner Metal music. but Daniel Downing puts in a great performance which even I admired leaving me wanting to hear more.
Trip Meadow can be quite TRIPPY and SPACE ROCK heavy where Druidess leave their “Retro Rock” surroundings for a heavier modern day sound with that gloomy Post-Doom sound holding everything together. Though, the sounds of Seventies Proto-Doom and Hard Rock is never too far behind which allows the record to be so damn original throughout.
Shonagh also provides Bass which she puts in a commanding and aggressive performance with Sam Armstrong helping out on drumming duties where they combine for a massive rhythm section for Druidess to fully operate from. James Hill on keyboards feels like he’s been fed a steady diet of Seventies Prog Rock and Proto Doom albums with the amount of different directions his keyboards actually move into.
The lyrics have a great classic theme which fully sells the DOOMED OUT aspect of the record especially on tracks such as The Hermit Of Druid’s Temple, Trip Meadow, Knightingales and Witches Sabbath being the main highlights. With a neverending supply of gloomy sound effects and superbly played organs, Druidess have delivered a record that should easily allow them to receive widespread attention that the mighty Green Lung achieved with their first couple of albums.
Trip Meadow is a quality sounding album that is not afraid to move into the darker depths of Classic Doom and modern day Stoner Metal that will leave you completely satisfied when everything is said and done.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Palmer Turner Overdrive PR for the promo.
Trip Meadow is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl.
Links
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