Release Date: January 30th 2026. Record Label: Majestic Mountain Records. Formats: CD/DD
Universal Heat Death - Tracklisting
1. 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.
We play a mix of stoner, psychedelic fuzz, blues-tinged hard rock and doom.
Can you give a brief history of the band of how it came together and where it is today?
We formed in 2014 in Oxford, UK. We’ve released four records - two of which placed in the Doom Charts - and have gigged across the UK, including with bands like Elder and Samsara Blues Experiment. But our most recent highlight is that we are now signed to APF records for our latest album, ‘We Are Doomed.’
What can people expect from your music?
We hope that you will find intelligent lyrics with meaningful performance, original riffs, psychedelic dueling lead guitars and a hypnotic groove that can compete with most of the bands of the same genres.
What is the best release that folks should check out from your band?
Our latest album called ‘We Are Doomed’ released on APF records February 12th 2021.
Release date: February 12th 2021. Label: APF Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
We Are Doomed – Tracklisting
1.Inhale 2.We Are Doomed 3.Demagogue
4.Soul Embers 5.The End Is Calling 6.Cosmic Nihilism 7.Scarred For Life
Members
Andrew Haines-Villalta - Bass
Tom Pilsworth - Guitar, Vocals John Slaymaker - Guitar Rich Walker – Drums
Review
UK Doom/Stoner Metallers Indica Blues make a welcome return with their new album We Are Doomed and is perhaps the perfect album title to use especially with all the stuff currently going on in the world. However, this album is a mighty fine superb album with Indica Blues focusing upon bringing their own classic style of Doom Metal, Stoner Metal with the band even bringing elements of Classic Desert Rock and Psychedelic Rock to this album.
Opening song – Inhale – has a “KYUSS” based mentality with the Desert/Stoner moments but the band add a more Doomier element but this is perhaps KYUSS would sound like if they were still kicking around today. Indica Blues add a world-weary Blues/Psych Rock vibe to the song. Tom’s vocals are superb on this track which suits the heavy grooves the band play on this song and the entire album. The “DOOMED” part of this album can be felt this early on and the song does have a slight “Apocalyptic” feel hinted at within the stunning album cover.
Second song – We Are Doomed – opens with a gloomy and catastrophic soundclip showing the end of the world is nigh so Indica Blues are fully on board with the end of the world with this record. A long distorted noises appears before a heavy sludgy guitar riff takes control and Indica Blues get straight down to business playing an almost “SABBATH” riff with distorted drone guitars moving onto a more standard style of Doom/Stoner Metal whilst keeping with the gloomy themes the band have written for this record.
Third song – Demagogue – sees Indica Blues play a classic style of Psych Stoner Metal with threatening intent with the heavy bass and guitars slowly easing to heavier levels of volume. The switching of different styles of music is quite good with Tom’s vocals allowing the listener to fully on get board with this dark and slightly Psychedelic slab of Stoner Metal.
Indica Blues carry on their dark and twisted journey with other great songs such as: Soul Embers, The End Is Calling and Cosmic Nihilism which sees the band play to their absolute creative strengths by writing great lyrics and music to match. The album can be quite cynical but when an album is called WE ARE DOOMED what do you expect. The music moves effortlessly between Doom, Psych and Stoner Metal with relevant ease and there is a high volume of great riffs to impress long-time listeners of the band and attract a few more along the way.
If you miss the good old days of Doom/Stoner Metal where bands such as Black Sabbath, KYUSS and Fu Manchu ruled the roost well Indica Blues are here to answer that call.
We Are Doomed is Indica Blues best record to date and offers another great band from the UK Doom/Stoner Metal scene for people to take notice of.
Words by Steve Howe
We Are Doomed can be pre-ordered on CD/DD/Vinyl via APF Records now.
UK Doom/Stoner Metallers INDICA BLUES will be releasing their excellent upcoming new album WE ARE DOOMED on February 12th 2021 via APF Records.
The album builds upon their previous record but with a more serious theme running throughout the album. Though the band still play a lot of fantastic HEAVY RIFFS on the album which will keep their fans extremely happy.
I caught up with Tom Pilsworth (Guitar/Vocals) and John Slaymaker (Guitar) from the band to discuss the making of the album, signing to APF Records and the potential future state of the UK Music Scene.
Read on for more info.
The band have gone slightly heavier and more groovier on your new album We Are Doomed compared to your last album. Do you feel this is the natural progression for the band or did you want to try something different compared to your previous releases.
John: Yes definitely a natural progression where groove is concerned. As for heavier, I think that’s down to our engineer Steve ‘Geezer’ Watkins and his recording techniques. He knows how to get the best performance out of a band.
What is the new album all about and why did you call the album WE ARE DOOMED.
Tom: When we started writing this album, the ‘We Are Doomed’ concept was inspired by the chemical weapons attack in Sailsbury, UK. For a very short period of time - about 2 or 3 days - it really felt as though anything could happen. Would there be more attacks? Could the UK retaliate? Were we heading for war with Russia? So the idea for ‘We Are Doomed’ was to imagine the worst possible outcome of those massive global events between 2016-18 and then answer the question of how it got there.
When we went to record the album, the pandemic struck about halfway through. And then we really were doomed.
What influenced you all when writing and recording this album.
John: In the two years since we recorded ‘Hymns for a Dying Realm’ each of us have gone through life changes of some sort or another but we always continue with our joint passion to further the progression of Indica Blues. Those lived experiences greatly influence our music.
You’ve signed to APF Records for this album. How did you hook-up with Andy over at APF. As I know he’s a huge FAN of yours. So I know it’s top fan-boy moment for him signing you guys to his awesome label.
Tom: This all came about because we met a photographer called Matt Peake, who had moved from Manchester Oxford. We hung out at gigs and he took some awesome photos for us. As it happened Matt was a good friend of Andy at APF. He told us he was badgering Andy to sign us. At first we thought ‘pff… never happen.’
But Matt was persistent. And eventually we sent our last album to Andy and he really liked it, but said now wasn’t the right time, so send us your next one. Which is exactly what we did. But really, most of the credit goes to Matt Peake, he really did make it happen! We’re absolutely delighted to on the APF roster - Andy is a legend in the scene for a reason, he really loves the music he signs and spends a huge amount of time and energy getting everything right.
Did you have any other labels interested in releasing the album.
John: We never found out as Andy heard it first and asked us to sign that very same day.
Was this a hard album to write and record for compared to your previous albums.
John: This album is our third recording as a team so we have established our writing methods, so in that sense it was easier.
Tom: I reckon the recording was actually harder though. Geezer spends way more time on each element than other engineers - usually solos and vocals are a bit of an afterthought. I got through a hell of a lot honey trying not to go horse when it came to vocals. But it paid off, I think.
What comes first for you when recording new music. Lyrics or Music.
Tom: Always the music. Usually John or Andy will bring in a riff and we’ll just jam it out for a few sessions till we’re confident it’s a goer. Then I’ll take it home and write lyrics and put together a structure for it.
The album cover for the upcoming new album is freaking awesome. Who designed the cover and how much input did you have into the overall design of the cover.
Tom: That was done by Cristiano Suarez, a very talented Brazillian graphic artist who also designed our cover for ‘Ruins on the Shore.’
We gave him a detailed brief but he has the visual mind to work our ideas into reality. It’s not easy making a great cover - especially for a CD, you have to fit these grand ideas into a very small square. But it’s Cristiano’s eye for colours that make the difference - they grab your attention.
There is a very simple message behind it - the world is doomed and you are strapped in for the ride.
COVID-19 has pretty much put a stop to all life as we know it for the time being. How big of an impact has it affected the band. And how are you surviving in this stressful time.
John: Luckily none of us have been furloughed from work and left to fester, we’ve all been either working from home or continuing our normal routines in that respect. Thankfully the album was recorded just before the original lockdown and Geezer mixed it alone in the studio. Rehearsals have been minimal this past year and we had to cancel our shows that we had booked but we did manage to record two videos so that kept our spirits up.
After everything is back to some sort of normality. What does the future hold for Indica Blues. Will you be touring the record in the UK or In Europe.
John: We would absolutely love to tour the album definitely in the UK and our dream would also be to play such festivals as Roadburn and Desertfest in Europe, having the backing from APF has given us the confidence to believe that this could now be a reality.
Another thing that has messed things up big-time for musicians wanting to tour the UK and for UK Bands to tour Europe is BREXIT. There’s a ton of different information out there outlining what’s happening to musicians . How will this affect yourselves personally. And can you see any way out of this. As the UK Music Scene could face a deadly threat to it’s actual existence.
Tom: The UK government was offered visa free touring for musicians by the EU during negotiations but turned it down, because they didn’t want to reciprocate it. Which tells you all you need to know: they don’t give a shit about music. I think the real damage won’t be clear until covid passes, and band’s start trying to tour again. They’ll be costs and paperwork we never had before. This might sound a minor hindrance to some people, but let’s face it - those small issues can make the difference between going on tour or staying at home. Is there a way out? Things can change very quickly in politics, but people need to engage with the system and demand that change.
Thanks for doing this interview. Before you go, do you have any words of wisdom that you want to say to your fans.
John: Yes, follow your heart follow your passion and do not let procrastination ruin your dreams.
Words by Steve Howe and Indica Blues
Thanks to Tom and John for doing this interview and Simon at For The Lost for arranging the interview.
We Are Doomed can be pre-ordered on CD/DD via APF Records now.
Release
date: April 21st
2018.
Label: Self
Released.
Format: CD/DD
Hymns
For A Dying Realm
– Tracklisting
1.Cosmic
Flare 05:05
2.Knight's
Return
3.Reigns
End
4.Scum
River
5.Pearls
in the Ash
6.Island
of Hate
7.Psychedelic
Haze
Members
Andrew
Haines-Villalta - Bass
Tom
Pilsworth - Guitar, Vocals
John
Slaymaker - Guitar
Rich
Walker - Drums
Review
Indica
Blues new album - Hymns For A Dying Realm - is an album that took
me a long time to fully appreciate. There were parts that I enjoyed
immensely and some that left me feeling rather cold. Not that I
thought it was a bad record. Far from it. It's quite a groovy and
heavy doom based album. Maybe I was listening to the album at the
wrong time. However as I now rate this album very highly indeed.
Opening
track - Cosmic Flare - is a groove laiden song with the band playing
a vintage Psychedelic Doom/Stoner Metal sound with elements of
Classic Rock being added just for the fun of it.
Second
track - Knights Return - offers a more complex and heavier sound with
the band adding a gloomy feel especially with the lyrics and vocals.
The whole atmosphere and tone of the album feels inspired by the
classic Doom/Heavy Metal bands of the last forty years or so. Lead
vocalist - Tom - sounds like a doomier version of Robert Smith from
The Cure. Even some parts of the album have a certain Post-Punk feel.
The guitars are what keep the whole album within the Doom/Stoner
Metal world. There is definitely an air of intelligence around Indica
Blues music and the album is quite serious for a Doom/Stoner Metal
album. That's a good thing as Indica Blues have their own unique way
of creating slightly depressing heavy Doom/Stoner based sounds.
Third
song - Reigns End - has quite a poetic and historic feel to it. This
allows the album to have a more personal sound and even becomes way
too real at times.
The
next few songs - Sum River, Pearls In The Ash and Island Of Hate -
sees Indica Blues play a familiar style of Psychedelic driven
Doom/Stoner Metal sound. The songs easily match the quality of the
opening three songs with Island Of Hate being one of the best songs
on the album.
Indica
Blues write some hard-hitting lyrics on the album and the band
deserve credit for writing highly imaginative complex and progressive
sounding riffs. The final song - Psychedelic Haze - is aptly named
with Indica Blues leaving you in a heavy whirlwind of Psychedelic and
Hazy sounds. The song runs past the nine minute mark and Indica Blues
prove their worth giving a damn about with the eerie Doom/Stoner
Metal sounds leaving you wanting more.
Hymns
For A Dying Realm may take a few listens to fully enjoy and
appreciate. However this is a journey worth taking as you'll be
rewarded with an off-beat and brilliantly heavy doom/stoner metal
odyssey.
