Bristol’s Progressive Sludge Quartet URZAH announce Sophomore Album ‘A Tranquil Void’. Released 5th June 2026 on APF Records

‘A Tranquil Void’ Cover Art (Credit: Putra Satria Nugraha)

Formed in 2020, just before the pandemic hit, Urzah’s intensely collaborative and productive writing process was immediately evident, leading to the quick release of self-titled EPs ‘I’ (2020) and ‘II’ (2022). These laid the foundation for Urzah’s unique brand of ‘progressive sludge’. Inviting comparisons to Neurosis, DVNE, Mastodon and Elder, their forward-looking sound combines the abrasive elements of punk and post-hardcore with atmospheric post-metal passages and soaring melodies.

Urzah’s vision of ‘Earthen Heaviness’, combining oppressive darkness with moments of transcendence and cosmic awe, was realised on their critically acclaimed debut LP ‘The Scorching Gaze’ (2024, APF Records). The band’s sonic world draws on both the intensely personal – rage, loss, grief and self-doubt – and a profound awe and vulnerability in the face of the celestial and natural worlds, framing visceral human struggle within vast cycles of death, decay and rebirth.

Since their debut, Urzah has refined their live shows across the UK, playing festivals and headline shows, and sharing stages with a diverse roster of heavy bands including Bongzilla, Tuskar, Mastiff, Greenleaf, OHHMS and Dopelord, as well as progressive atmospheric bands such as Hidden Mothers, Underdark and Nadja, demonstrating their strong cross-genre appeal.

Now the band are set to release new LP ‘A Tranquil Void on 5th June 2026 via APF Records. The record marks a defining moment for the band, following up their critically acclaimed debut ‘A Scorching Gaze’ (2024, APF) with an even more assured, mature and ambitious full-length. Conceptually, ‘The Scorching Gaze’ and ‘A Tranquil Void’ function as a visual, musical and thematic diptych; where their debut burned brightly with the rage and destruction of an erupting volcano, their new LP captures the cathartic, contemplative still that follows.

‘A Tranquil Void’ draws inspiration from both personal introspection and awe in the face of the vast cosmos. Lead single ‘Infernal Star I’ reflects on the power of memory and connection to cast light in the darkness of a vast and uncharted universe. Listen to the track now:

https://lnkfi.re/teVrV8bO or below

‘In the Mouth of the Wolf’ examines forgiveness and personal healing, while ‘Hunter in the Veil’ explores cycles of death and renewal through grand elemental imagery, while other tracks grapple with overcoming grief (‘The Call Beneath’), rejecting apathy for aspiration (‘At the Mouth of the Cave’) and creating art and meaning in spite of adversity (‘Bark & Branches’).

Across 8 tracks, ‘A Tranquil Void’ pushes Urzah’s sound even further, combining brutal riffs, complicated meter and searing guitar tone with deeper explorations of space, dynamics and atmosphere, incorporating folk influences and drones built from cello and guitar. 13-minute album closer ‘Entwined, Twisted Roots of Chaos’ sees Urzah at their most ambitious; across multiple interlocking sections, enriched by guest vocals from friends in the Bristol scene, the song builds from a haunting whisper to a planet-obliterating roar.

Credit Naomi Jane Photography

ALBUM TRACK LIST

1. At the Mouth of the Cave
2. The Call Beneath
3. Infernal Star I [Lead single]
4. Infernal Star II
5. Bark & Branches
6. In the Mouth of the Wolf
7. Hunter in the Veil [2nd single]
8. Entwined, Twisted Roots of Chaos

Recorded at Stage 2 Studios, Bath, in November 2025, the LP was produced, mixed and mastered by Josh Gallop. Cello was provided by Luke Clemenger, with additional vocals from Dave Cook (Empire of Dust), Chris Wilson (Row of Ashes) and Victoria Bourne (The Spark’s Desire). The album artwork was created by Indonesian artist Putra Satria Nugraha.

ALBUM LAUNCH PARTY, EXCHANGE BRISTOL – 25th July 2026

To celebrate the release of their new album, Urzah are hosting a launch party at Exchange Bristol (main room) on Saturday 25th July with special guests HUNDRED YEAR OLD MAN, MOUNTAINSCAPE and DEAD SPACE CHAMBER MUSIC.

Urzah are proud to be part of Bristol’s thriving and diverse music scene, so this specially curated line-up is intended to showcase the best cutting-edge, genre-defying and progressive heavy music.

This immersive, atmospheric and crushingly heavy night will feature experimental gothic doom from Dead Space Chamber Music (Bristol), soaring cinematic post-metal from Mountainscape (Reading), crushing atmospheric post-metal from Hundred Year Old Man (Leeds), and brand-new material from Urzah’s long-awaited sophomore album ‘A Tranquil Void’.

LIMITED EDITION ‘SUPERNOVA’ VINYL VARIANT – https://apfrecords.co.uk/albums/a-tranquil-void

To celebrate Urzah’s new album, APF Records will be offering a limited-edition vinyl. The ‘Supernova’ variant features a blue and white burst, evoking the celestial vortex of the LP artwork.

Please note: Pre-orders from 3rd March via the APF Records website and from 6th March via Bandcamp.

URZAH LIVE:

Saturday 28th March - Hitchin, Club 85
Saturday 23rd May - Bristol, Loco Klub (Temple of Doom festival)
Friday 29th May - Bath, The Bell
Wednesday 10th June - Portsmouth, Edge of the Wedge
Thursday 11th June - Brighton, The Pipeline
Friday 12th June - Kent, Poco Loco, Chatham
Saturday 13th June - London, The Devonshire Arms, Camden
Friday June 26th - Newport, McCann's Rock N Ale Bar
Sunday June 28th - Torquay, Arena
Saturday 25th July - Bristol Album Launch Party, Exchange
Saturday 1st August - Chelmsford - Bay Days Festival

URZAH ARE:

Ed Fairman - Vocals / Guitar
Tom McElveen - Vocals / Guitar
Dan Bradley - Bass
James Brown – Drums

Links

Urzah website and socials
APF band profile

Thanks to For The Lost PR for the details.

Struck/Down - Queue For The Cure (Album Review)

Release Date: February 20th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Queue For The Cure - Tracklisting

1. "One Last Drag"

2. "Keep Your Chin Held Why"

3. "The Slog"

4. "Don't Be Like That"

5. "A Queue for the Cure"

6. "This Tall to Ride"

7. "Who Stole The Sun?"

8. "Low"

9. "Leach"

10. "Eat the Fear, Drink The Worry"

Members

Linden Twyman: vocals

Pete McLarney: lead guitar

Ian Spurrett: rhythm guitar

Will Mihr: bass

Tommy Rogers: drums

Review

Queue For The Cure is the second full length album from Groove/Stoner/Thrash Metallers Struck/Down who fuse modern sounding metallic elements against a classic style of Thrash and Groove Metal. The band are influenced by the likes of Mastodon, Metallica, Lamb Of God and GOJIRA though there’s some Grunge based movements appearing amongst the HEAVY METAL carnage. The album still finds the time to lay down the STONER METAL groundwork with epic flash beats and thrash grooves that soon transform into areas of Progressive Metal and Classic Hard Rock.

With the band emerging from the UK Underground scene there’s some added extra levels of “STEEL” and “PURE GRIT” that develops within the opening tracks of One Last Drag, Keep Your Chin Held Why and The Slog which aims for maximum HEAVY METAL DEDICATION. The vocals from Linden Twyman feel inspired by the classic style of metal vocalists with nods to James Hetfield being the most common place. However, there’s some vocal changes channelling areas of the Alt-Metal and Southern Metal scenes. This may be myself going way off base but I'm sure I detected even a COHEED & CAMBRIA vibe developing within the more dramatic parts of the record and if I’m completely wrong then I apologise to the band for that oversight.

The record is quite punishing with how fast Struck/Down actually play with the ferocious beat-downs and thrash grooves that’s heard throughout Queue For The Cure. However, they excel the most within the progressive sounding aspects which allows the band to play even more technical musical passages which leads up to some of the stunning and barnstorming melodies and rhythms the record has to offer.

Queue For The Cure has an excellent and highly welcoming style of “OLD SCHOOL METAL” whilst allowing Struck/Down to further embrace their modern sounding influences on tracks such as Don’t Be Like That, A Queue For The Cure, Who Stole The Sun and “Eat The Fear, Drink The Worry”. Struck/Down show a fine eye for musical detail when they start using Psychedelic and Post-Whatever musical effects which was a welcome surprise. 

This isn’t perhaps the most original “HEAVY METAL” album you’ll likely hear but Struck/Down know what works for them and they deliver a record that should be considered every “HEADBANGER’S” dream album with almost every style of Groove, Thrash, Stoner and Prog Metal aspect wonderfully covered throughout. The album is superbly intense with an epic style of melody which will have you rocking out to in full agreement. 

Overall, Struck/Down have released a superbly produced record that allows them to play to their absolute musical strengths whilst punishing the listener with an intense musical workout. 

Words by Steve Howe

Queue For The Cure is available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl now.

Links 

Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Spotify

Polish Stoner/Groove Metallers MUDSLINGER releases brand new song and video for "WAY DOWN"

MUDSLINGER is a breath of fresh air on the Polish metal scene. The group was formed by the Sacharczuk brothers (Cezary – vocals/guitar, Jakub – drums) based in the Warmian-Masurian town of Susz. The duo was completed by Michał Kwaśniak (guitar) and Łukasz Kleszczyński (bass). From the very beginning, the band had a clear goal: powerful sound, honest songs, and playing live without regard for current trends. They combine massive riffs, expressive rhythm, and uncompromising energy, creating music that works equally well on stage and in speakers.

Cezary "Czarol" Sacharczuk is an endorser of the Fryta Guitars brand, while Michał "Kwahu" Kwaśniak collaborates with Merlinka Pickups.

Following the release of the EP "Rogue" (2024), the singles "Wide Awake" and "Bleed," the band confidently enters 2026, presenting another powerful hit in the form of the single "Way Down". Łukasz "Dzvon" Cyndzer (Truism, ex-Acid Drinkers) produced the track, showcasing a more mature, heavier, and even more conscious side of the band. An atmospheric music video inspired by the raw aesthetic of Polish gangster cinema from the early 2000s—in the vein of films by Maciej Ślesicki and Olaf Lubaszenko—was produced by Adrian "Klama" Meissner (IT Follows, Shadohm, Patriarkh).

The band comments new song: "Way Down is our new beginning. A new lineup, a new sound, higher quality – and the start of a story we want to tell until the end. The music video for the new composition will open our second EP consisting of four songs. But it's more than just music. We want you to not only listen, but also soak in the atmosphere of our story. Each clip is a new chapter – dark, dense, and sultry, like a good Netflix crime drama that you binge in one go… and suddenly you realize it's 3 a.m. 'Way Down' is episode one. There are three more to come".

Watch the new single for Way Down below:

Links

Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Spotify | WWW

Thanks to Solid Rock PR for the details.

Verminthrone - Feast Of The Serpent (EP Review)

Release Date: December 19th 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Feast Of The Serpent  - Tracklisting

Pallor

Swab

When It Rains, It Pours

Bloodletting

Event Horizon

Review

Crossover/Groove/Thrash Metallers Verminthrone return with their latest EP - Feast Of The Serpent. The EP offers five tracks running for around twenty six minutes in length. This is a similar vibe to their celebrated 2024 debut album The Cull with its great mix of fast-paced and brutally filthy sounds. The music is once again very fast-paced with a certain modern day Sludge/Stoner Metal pedigree shining through with Verminthrone keeping true to their core Thrash/Groove based melodies. The vocals are quite intense with a vicious Death Growl being used for the most part.

The opening song of Pallor leaves you gasping for breath with the multitude of different beatdowns and breakdowns Verminthrone delivers with supreme confidence. The sound is uplifted or amplified by a sudden rush of Crust Punk and Hardcore metallic elements which is used quite sparingly at first before the band decides to throw a TON of muscular weight for that particular sound being one of the most dominant themes on the whole EP.

The next batch of tracks of Swab and When It Rains, It Pours continues with the Crossover movement with an epic sideline of HIGH ON FIRE, METALLICA and MOTORHEAD delivered musical moments that allows Verminthrone to operate with a clearer and riff-driven mandate. The mood is still BLEAK and aggressively violent but at least there’s some demented THRASH paced fun to be had along the way. You can hear shades of Classic Heavy Metal guitar shredding being delivered with both tracks that’s played at breakneck speed. 

Feast Of The Serpent never loses its monumental style of extreme heaviness with Verminthrone perhaps delivering darker and heavier moments of Sludge Metal grooves with great vocals and some epic lyrics selling the whole package right through to the very end. The final two songs of Bloodletting and Event Horizon both offer a more daring and violent creative theme with Verminthrone playing the heaviest and gloomiest sounds on the whole EP.

Verminthrone never waiver from delivering an action packed and violent style of filth driven Sludge Metal sounds. There are brief moments of Post-Doom and Psych Stoner Metal surroundings appearing on the later stages but the band still true to their HEAVY METAL beliefs that results in another standout release from Verminthrone to enhance their reputation with. 

Words by Steve Howe

Links 

Linktree | BandCamp

Neverseer - Neverseer (EP Review)

Release Date: December 05th 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: CD/DD

Neverseer - Tracklisting

1.Between Worlds 06:05

2.Disintegrate 04:36

3.Ouroborean 03:25

4.Prism 04:05

5.To No Return 03:37

Lineup

DAN DREVER

ALI LAUDER

Review

Neverseer is a Progressive Sludge Metal band from Edinburgh, Scotland who focus solely on a modern blend of heavy music that draws elements of Doom, Thrash, Groove and Sludge into a ferocious mix of fast-paced beatdowns, harsh growls and outbursts of grounded melodies. Inspired by the likes of Mastodon, High On Fire, Gojira and Lamb Of God though with Neverseer creating their own vivid style of Progressive musical foundations to build their own music upon.

Their debut self-titled EP is a highly confident and surprisingly technical affair with the music being quite powerful set against Ali Lauder’s dominant vocals. Ali who has also been part of other acts such as Ageless Summoning and Of Spire And Throne knows how to whip the audience into a mighty frenzy with his aggressive vocal style that demands your full attention. The music is written by Dan Drever of Iron Altar fame now branching out into something quite different with Neverseer.

The music here is always grounded and honest with Neverseer keeping to their Groove Metal and Prog Sludge Metal roots. There’s a burgeoning intensity to Neverseer’s music which develops very early on within the outstanding opening track Between Worlds. The song feels twice as long with Neverseer developing a classic narrative that feels inspired by the legendary artists of the modern day Heavy Metal scene.

Second track Disintegrate has a more cautionary effect with Neverseer tapping into areas of Post-Doom authority with the music being dominated by GOJIRA aquatic landscapes and progressive sludge grooves with a passing resemblance to Mastodon but still of their own making. The song is quite violent and beautifully melodic when the epic cinematic Psychedelic surroundings appear on the later stages of the track.

The next batch of tracks of Ouroborean and Prism allows Neverseer to become more influenced by a more outlandish musical style with a classic HEAVY METAL appetite developing with Neverseer still keeping close to their Progressive Sludge Metal surroundings with flashes of pure tech metal appearing throughout both tracks. There is subtle Post-Metal energy that develops along the way which allows Neverseer to play the heaviest moments on this EP.

The final track To No Return allows Neverseer to end the EP the way it started with more grounded THUGGISH melodies that are played at such an intense and emotionally charged pace. The EP delivers a thrilling and action packed finish that Neverseer delivers with supreme authority that you're majorly impressed from start to finish in what the band have brilliantly created here.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

 

Words by Steve Howe

Links 

BandCamp | Instagram

Stone Nomads - Empires Of Stone (Album Review)

Release Date: November 21st 2025. Record Label: Ripple Music. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Empires Of Stone - Tracklisting

1.Lost in the Storm 06:03

2.Eyehatesociety 05:24

3.Valley of Souls 01:01

4.Empires of Stone 06:37

5.Mount Aras 05:18

6.Desolate Sands 06:58

7.Death Adder 03:51

8.The Devil Lives in Texas 05:40

Lineup

Jon Cosky - Guitar/Vocals

Jude Sisk - Bass/Vocals

Ben Wozniak - Drums

Review

Doom/Stoner Metallers Stone Nomads return with their triumphant third full length album Empires Of Stone which continues the same creative journey heard on their 2024 EP - Beyond The Gates. I would say the band have moved even further into the Groove, NOLA and Thrash Metal arena especially when you hear the dark and grimy tone of the excellent opening tracks of Lost In The Storm and Eyehatesociety.

The music is brutally dark with some classic shades of Heavy Metal intertwined with their brooding Doom and Stoner Metal framework. Everything is played at a ridiculously fast pace with Stone Nomads adding great musical instrumental solos along the way that screams EIGHTIES HEAVY METAL RIFF-FEST.

Though, expect moments of music inspired by the likes of Thin Lizzy, The Obsessed, Saint Vitus and Motorhead. There’s some sudden flashes of OCCULT METAL imagery appearing with certain sound effects appearing throughout which gives this record a gloomier sound. Stone Nomads impress the most when they venture fully into the NOLA and SWAMPEDELIC sound as a vast Psychedelic awareness appears. 

The vocals from Jon Cosky and Jude SIsk offer a similar contrast to each other but own delivering their great melodic style. With a vast array of different vocal styles that feels inspired by Phil Anselmo the best of time. Stone Nomads have developed into first-rate storytellers by adding some great lyrics into their mix that manages to avoid the usual cliches of Doom and Stoner Metal with some hard-hitting themes being drawn into the mix.

Empires Of Stone may have an aggressive and muscular delivery but Stone Nomads aren’t afraid to show delicate moments of instrumental music with the excellent third track Valley Of Souls being an instrumental number lasting around one minute with a cool sounding semi-acoustic Doomed out track. 

The band return to their usual HEAVY METAL guise with the thundering fourth track Empires Of Stone which combines Post-Doom and Post-Stoner exploration with good old fashioned HEAVY METAL grooves forming at the very heart of the song. There’s a deceptive identity to this song with Stone Nomads showing outbursts of Groove, Thrash and Sludge Metal for one of the catchiest and standout tracks on the album.

Stone Nomads continue their creative journey with even more thrilling and warped moments of Psychedelic insanity merged with heavier instances of Doom, Sludge, Groove and Classic Rock with other standout moments appearing on tracks such as Mount Aras, Desolate Sands and The Devil Lies In Texas. 

The second half of the album proves without a doubt how masterful Stone Nomads have become making first-rate modern day Doom/Stoner Metal sounds of the highest order with great songwriting skills to match. The album offers the perfect balance of classic HEAVY METAL sounds that are matched against a brilliant modern day Psychedelic Doom/Stoner Metal landscape. 

Yeah, I absolutely adored this record and I can see this only enhancing Stone Nomads reputation even further within the global Doom/Stoner Metal scene. With the power and backing of the mighty Ripple Music behind them, Stone Nomads deserve all the plaudits an rewards hopefully coming their way.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Purple Sage PR and Stone Nomads for the promo.

Empires Of Stone is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Ripple Music

Links

Official | Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Thorndale - Spiritual Chains (EP Review)

Release Date: September 12th 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Spiritual Chains - Tracklisting

1 - Veins of the Phoenix

2 - Battles Fought in Vain

3 - Gods of Pain

4 - Twenty Thousand Souls

5 - Spiritual Chains

6 - Exiles and Masters

Members

Gustavo Valderrama - Vocals

Peter Shannon - Guitars

Maarten Jungschläger - Guitars

Zigor Munoz - Bass

Guest musician: Rob Stone - Drums

Review

Doom/Stoner Metallers Thorndale latest EP Spiritual Chains focuses primarily within the boundaries of modern day Doom/Stoner Metal but that doesn’t stop the band playing areas of Grunge, Heavy Metal, Thrash Metal and Speed Metal. The EP is full of groove laden meldoies and subtle NOLA based vocals that should appeal to fans such as DOWN, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY and CROWBAR with the odd appearance of Soundgarden and Motorhead at times.

Spiritual Chains doesn’t waste a single second or opportunity for Thorndale showing a riff-fuelled musical adventure where the trappings of Progressive attitudes are kept to a minimum which comes across the opening tracks of Veins Of The Phoenix, Battles Thought In Vain and Gods Of Pain. With a subtle charge of METALLICA thrash based grooves that are never in short supply, Thorndale keeps the atmosphere dominated by classic fast paced guitars and melodic vocals that show the right amount of depth and aggression when the heavier parts appear. 

The switching of psychedelic surroundings allows Thorndale to become part of the vibrant underground scene before venturing straight back to the old school of Classic Heavy Metal which is quite refreshing change of pace at times. The second half of the EP perhaps leans into NOLA and Groove Metal with the lyrics being defined by a certain Doom Metal swagger. The second batch of tracks that Thorndale power through are equally as impressive as the first half with Twenty Thousand Souls and Spiritual Chains being the standout moments with sludgy rhythms and screeching guitars have an ethereal Classic Hard Rock attitude.

The EP isn’t perhaps the most original sounding currently out there but what Thorndale do brilliantly well is amplify that great sound and give it a heavy DOOMED OUT makeover with aggressive Stoner Metal melodies that make a massive and mighty impression where I’m hopeful the next release is a longer record. As twenty two minutes isn’t enough time to spend with this great band.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Clawhammer PR for the promo.

Links

Official | BandCamp

LOMMI - 667788 (Album Review)

Release Date: August 01st 2025. Record Label: Majestic Mountain Records. Formats: DD

667788 - Tracklisting

1.Sayonara

2.Down 

3.Blood Moon

4.Rather

5.Children

6.Electric 

7.Wish

8.Fight

Members

Jens Florén – Vocals, Guitar

Dennis Österdal – Bass

Jörgen Tjusling – Drums

Review

667788 is my first exposure to the Swedish Doom/Stoner Metal powerhouse that is known as LOMMI. I believe this is their third full length album after a lengthy hiatus and with their previous album being released back in 2014. What you have here is a mix of CLUTCH, High On Fire, Black Sabbath, Motorhead and Mastodon based grooves wrapped up in a lovingly THRASH METAL / GROOVE METAL laced package. The sound has a muscular and classic HEAVY RAWK sound running through its veins.

There’s also that classic Swedish Doom/Stoner Metal underground energy that the scene is well known and respected for. The music is direct and very straight to the point with LOMMI using their classic POWER TRIO stance to great effect which generates in some turbo-charged grooves and intense melodies on the superb batch of opening tracks of Sayonara, Down and Blood Moon. 

The vocals from Jens Florén are mostly Groove and Stoner Rock orientated with him selling LOMMI’s classic style of bombastic music which has an air of destructive 1980’s Heavy Metal running throughout whilst keeping with that essential modern day vibe. The lyrics are easy to remember where you can sing along to your heart's content. The record does see a sudden shift into Progressive textures on the longer tracks such as Blood Moon and Children which never loses its melodic focus.

667788 may refer to the hexadecimal colour code for a light greyish blue tone but maybe the band can elaborate on that further though this record is quite a moody, sombre and gritty experience which is boosted by LOMMI’s diversion into areas of Classic Heavy Metal and modern day Doom/Stoner Metal attitude on other tracks such as Rather, Electric, Children and Fight. 

LOMMI have a distinctive sound hiding within the production values of the record as the sound is aggressive and has a sublime PROTO-METAL and PUNK ROCK aesthetic which allows Jens (Guitar/Vocals), Jens (Bass) and Jörgen (Drums) to play to the best of their technical abilities. The album allows LOMMI to have a vital HEAVY METAL presence to them which gives 667788 a more authentic sound, quality and attitude than you can possibly imagine.

CRANK this bad-boy up to the HIGHEST VOLUME possible and PREPARE TO RAWK THE FUCK OUT!!!

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Viral Propaganda PR for the promo.

667788 is available to buy digitally now via all good digital stockists by Majestic Mountain Records.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram