Rapidly Aging - You're Not Yourself Lately (Album Review)

Release Date: October 02nd 2026. Record Label: Fig On West. Format: DD/Tape

You’re Not Yourself Lately - Tracklist

1. Distant Sirens Wailing (2:41)

2. Fleeting Moment (5:47)

3. The Negative Thought Loops (4:20)

4. Awoken From A Bad Dream To An Even Worse Reality (7:58)

5. How Quickly The Ground Falls Out Beneath You (5:13)

6. Unsaved (6:46)

7. To Keep From (7:48)

Members

Music by Shalor Howell

Guitar, Slide Guitar & Bass performed by Shalor Howell

Drums performed by Matt Hendler

Pedal Steel Guitar & Violin performed by Ethan Fogus

Review

You’re Not Yourself Lately is the debut album from Ambient/Post-Metal collective Rapidly Aging who brings a dense and progressive style to the Post-Metal world as Shalor Howell (the creative mastermind behind the project) explores a slow style of music that allows other areas of Post-Rock. Shoegaze and Sludge Metal to fully form. Rapidly Aging takes their time in building highly melodic Post-Rock structures that are firm and hold steady one moment before a towering force of Atmospheric Sludge destroys everything for a heavier style of ritualistic passage to form.

You can hear influences from the likes of Pelican, Neurosis, OM, Pink Floyd, Earth and Russian Circles which shows you the type of musical surroundings that Rapidly Aging aims for. The whole thing does take time to fully get moving along but it’s a deeply reflective journey that allows the Ambient and Post-Rock sounds to appear within the haunting opening tracks of Distant Sirens Wailing and Fleeting Moment. I would consider these tracks the most straightforward songs on the whole album as Shalor Howell moves along into some unexpected themes of music for the stunning third track The Negative Thought Loops. 

The Negative Thought Loops combines Post-Metal aesthetics with a gloomy Americana, Gothic and Southern Folk sound which is held together by a commanding Post-Metal presence. The instrumental passages are heavy for the most part but Rapidly Aging then aims for a subtle Alt Rock and Experimental based flow. The whole thing tries to strive for pure Post-Metal heaviness but settles for a great style of Post-Rock and Post-Doom aggression. Parts Neurosis and Pink Floyd combine for a sound that’s perhaps one of the most reflective moments on the whole album.

Fourth track Awoken From A Bad Dream To An Even Worse Reality never shies away from playing a monumental style of precise progressive melodies that have a certain Pelican (Australasia) vibe to them. The free-flowing “cinematic” journey of the track brings a low-key Psych Metal aspect into the mix. The song is equally spaced out and fuelled by tranquil Post-Rock themes that feel cautiously optimistic but quite content to remain in the darkness at the same time.

The level of music experimentation is excellent with some deft classical rock and jazzy scores starting to make themselves known on the second half of the album. All of the vocal samples that provide the main storyline for the album are taken from the classic 1974 French film “The Man Who Sleeps” with this album acting as the unofficial soundtrack. I haven’t seen the film but the samples used are magnificent where they are matched up to the music amazingly well especially within the Ambient sections of the whole record.

The final three tracks of the album allows Rapidly Aging to fully explore the heaviest and progressive moments on the album whilst keeping to a slight Orchestral delivery mostly on How Quickly The Ground Falls Out Beneath You and To Keep From. There’s a determined energy to how the music is delivered with intense Progressive musical beats becoming thicker and denser that allows the album to reach it’s emotionally charged conclusion.

You’re Not Yourself Lately is not an easy album to listen to but it’s the overall journey that Rapidly Aging takes you upon that’s the real highlight. For an instrumental record, Rapidly Aging have crafted a dark and mysterious record that offers no easy answers but you can’y deny how brilliantly powerful the record is when everything is said and done….

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Good Boy PR for the promo.

You’re Not Yourself Lately is available to buy now.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Doom/Sludge Heavyweights Sea Bastard Prepare To Release Cyclopean on Road To Masochist. Release New Song/Video For PROPHET FOR THE PEOPLE

Formed in 2011 by four musicians with a wealth of previous experience on the scene, Sea Bastard made rapid early progress. Their self-titled debut album appeared in 2012 and the follow up, Scabrous, was hot on its heels in 2013. The sheer weight and baleful intent of their malicious blend of suppurating sludge and decimating doom also saw them invited to tour with the likes of Witchsorrow and Primitive Man, as well as being selected to appear at high profile festivals like Desertfest, Damnation and Temples. 

However, after split releases with Keeper (2015) and Primitive Man (2016), Sea Bastard retreated into hibernation while the band members focussed on other projects dear to their decaying hearts. It took the request of a friend, diagnosed with a terminal illness, to reunite them in 2021 – something no one could refuse – and make them set sail on their polluted, poisoned waters once more. And now, after five long years, they are ready to invite us on another journey into their kingdom of torpid madness, with their third harrowing album…Cyclopean.

Nerve-shredding howls of feedback usher us into the subterranean rumble of Cyclopean’s first track, ‘Dark Altar’. You are carried onwards upon a thick, primal ocean of cloying darkness, the relentless earthshaking bass and gnarled, grizzled guitars bleeding your life from you like overzealous medieval physicians. Your desire to move, to think or even breath are all lost in the soporific, congealing tides. But Sea Bastard’s vast, sprawling tracks all cover a multitude of territories in their wanderings and an eruption of rage and spiralling chaos awaits, a razor’s edge of fear slicing into the dreamless slumber. 

Then, emerging from the residue of shadows, comes ’Entombed With The Pharaoh’, full of cavernous, malignant menace; the bass weaving threads of exotic atmosphere between the head-caving riffs and lich-like vocals. Nightmares lurk in this cunningly constructed maze-like mausoleum, even as it settles into a dark, rotten and mesmeric groove…and escape from the pyramid leads only to the arms of the ‘Prophet Of The People’, a song with an imperious swagger and untouchable, unquestionable power. It slides into a morass of wickedness, irresistible and heavier than God, dragging you down beneath the surface, where, far from the light a new sonic realm unfurls – bleak, broken and bereft of hope. 

Finally, crawling from an unnerving sense of emptiness, the formless beast of aggression and terror that is ‘Nameless Purgatory’…a last chapter that offers no return to the light, no respite from agony and confusion. Ungraspable, unknowable it stretches out before you like the plains of Hell and drags you, doomed and damned, past the limits of your endurance. Sea Bastard did not return to play around. This is doom and sludge operating in the farthest badlands of the genres and will leave you hollowed out and shellshocked.

Recorded, mixed and mastered by Paul 'Win' Winstanley (Code, Grave Lines, King Leviathan etc), every note of Cyclopean is imbued with an impossible, unbearable weight; while the artwork of guitarist Oliver 'Irongiant ' Hill channels all the madness and soul crushing desolation that informs this torturous work. Set to be released by Road To Masochist on October 30th, on Double Black 12" vinyl and CD, Cyclopean is the heaviest album you will hear this year, in many different ways. There is no coming back from this.

Line-up:

Steve Patton – Bass
Ian 'Monty' Montgomery - Vocals
Oliver 'Irongiant ' Hill – Guitars
George Leaver – Drums

Genre: Doom/Sludge Metal

For fans of: Primitive Man | Dead Existence | Dragged Into Sunlight | Rwake

Further Information:

https://www.facebook.com/seabastarddoom
https://www.instagram.com/seabastarddoom/
https://www.youtube.com/seabastarddoom
https://seabastard.bandcamp.com/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5bKWZ1zPK1bXb7j64jN02w

Thanks to Imperative PR for the details.

Shrineburner - Hymns Of Despair (Album Review)

Release Date: September 11th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Format: CD/DD

Hymns Of Despair - Tracklist

1.Void of Guilt

2.Spectral Cataclysm 10:48

3.Bodies Dragged to Sunlight 05:53

4.Slow Death Chant

5.An Ocean of Broken Hope

6.Hymn of Despair

Members

Peter Norman – guitar, vocals

Edward Hamel – drums

CJ Johnson – bass

Review

Hymns Of Despair is the massive debut album from Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metallers Shrineburner who have risen from the heavy metal wastelands of Chicago which is shown throughout the album. You can hear the creative DNA from bands from that scene that has come before Shrineburner where they apply their own great style of Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal folklore. 

The sound here is inspired by the likes of INDIAN, CONAN, BONGRIPPER, HIGH ON FIRE and MASTODON with Shrineburner applying a destructive cosmic energy which manifests into some epic Psychedelic down-tuned melodies with a fast paced Psychedelic quality. The added layer of Blackened Doom grooves adds a ferocious HEAVY METAL attitude which allows Peter Norman’s harsh vocals to put in a commanding performance within the stunning second track Spectral Cataclysm.

The whole environment is built upon violent areas of COSMIC DOOM with an intense THRASH METAL and SPEED METAL alliance forming when Shrineburner play an unstoppable style of HEAVY METAL before changing into an absorbing Post-Rock and Ambient Metal collective. Shades of YOB and PELICAN appear within these quieter moments which are some of my favourite parts of the album as it allows you to become emotionally attached to the whole album.

Even the darkest and bleakest moments of the album have a hopeful energy behind the scenes that gives Hymns Of Despair a multi-layered and progressive feel which the band play to their own great advantage on tracks such as: Bodies Dragged To Sunlight, An Ocean Of Broken Hope and Hymn Of Despair.

The Sludge Metal dynamic becomes the main weapon of choice for Shrineburner to build epic instrumental rhythms and melodies with that thumping bass line being another highlight of the album for me. There’s some great technical grooves being applied to the album which showcases how superbly talented the individual members of the band really are. The harsh atmospheric landscapes adds a true sense of despair with downbeat grooves being projected throughout the album though it’s deeply nuanced COSMIC and PSYCHEDELIC moments that holds everything together.

Shrineburner apply some great storytelling themes within the lyrics that remind me of MASTODON and HIGH ON FIRE but the band apply their own gritty attitude into the whole void with some brutally realistic themes emerging within the longer tracks contained on the album. There’s a great mix of down-tuned, low & slow and amplifier distorted instrumental passages that manage to both be quite old-school and superbly modern at the same time. 

The vocals maybe harsh and abrasive throughout but they’re quite easy to understand which allows the listener to be fully immersed with the whole musical journey at play here. Shrineburner are a fairly “new” band forming in 2023 but they feel like they’ve been around for decades with this record feeling like a greatest hits package than their debut album.

Hymns Of Despair is a masterful record and is one of the strongest debut albums I’ve had the pleasure to listen to. On this form alone, Shrineburner have what it takes to make a long lasting impact within the underground Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal scene and possibly beyond. 

This is an essential album to own. End Of.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Earsplit PR for the promo.

Hymns Of Despair is available to buy now on CD/Digital Download with a vinyl release planned at a later date.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

SILVERTOMB release new single and video for “Graves In The Sky” From Upcoming New Album

Doom Metal masters SILVERTOMB released their new single and video today. The song "Graves In The Sky" is also included on the upcoming studio album "The Interpretation Of Nightmares".

Guitar player and singer Kenny Hickey: "“Graves in the Sky” was a piece that was written from acoustic guitar and piano-a different creative approach for the band that yielded a new texture for the music, blending acoustic guitar, strings and distorted guitar along with piano. I felt I was coming close to death at the time of writing this song and the lyrics deal with that reality!" .

You can watch the video here:

You can watch the video for previous single "No Way To Live" here: https://youtu.be/36vA99eoufo

"The Interpretation Of Nightmares" will be released on November 13th, 2026 through Steamhammer worldwide in the following configurations:

=> CD DigiPak
=> LP, 140 g, black vinyl, padded inner sleeve, coloured insert
=> Exclusive LP Version and CD/LP Bundles with a shirt only at the Steamhammer shop
=> Download / Streaming

Pre-Order link for all configurations: https://silvertomb.lnk.to/Nightmares

Tracklisting:

 

1. Brain Matter / No God

2. Ascension

3. Graves In The Sky

4. You Know

5. Prayer For The Paranoid

6. Distorted

7. No Way To Live

8. When Will You Learn?

From left to right: Johnny Kelly (drums), Hank Hell (bass), Kenny Hickey (vocals, guitar), Joe James (guitar), Aaron Joos (guitar, keyboards, vocals

Links

https://www.facebook.com/silvertombmusic
https://www.instagram.com/silvertombmusic
https://www.facebook.com/steamhammer

Thanks to Palmer Turner Overdrive for the details.

Mechwar - Love Comes With A Knife (Single Review)

Release Date: September 01st 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Format: DD

Love Comes With A Knife - Tracklist

Love Comes With A Knife

Review

Love Comes With A Knife is the latest single from Sludge/Stoner Metallers Mechwar which continues the great work laid down on their 2025 debut release Hope // Mercy. The time round there’s a violent stripped back atmosphere which has some harsh vocals to match. The violent Post-Doom, Grunge and Noise Rock surroundings is powered by an aggressive bass line which feels like the real motorised engine that Mechwar builds everything around.

Perhaps not as riff heavy that you initially expect but a multitude of different progressive sounding melodies that is quite grimy but superbly melodic within its own unique. Mechwar are playing a less polished style of Sludge and Stoner Metal that’s packed full of menacing intent with the slow paced drumming adding a massive wall of sound into the track. With some cool Psychedelic and Amplifier trickery being added along the way, Mechwar employs a wealth of different LOW & SLOW and DISTORTED grooves which can be quite spaced out in the quieter moments.

Mechwar channels the likes of MELVINS, MONOLORD, SLEEP and SUNN 0))) on this track but still retain their own unique musical identity within the epic eleven and a half minutes runtime with ruthless precision. The raw sounding production values are quite abstract but serves the band amazingly well with the filthy and grimy attitude sealing the whole deal that makes Love Comes With A Knife such a thrilling experience. 

Words by Steve Howe

Links

BandCamp

Problem With Dragons - Permian (Album Review)

Release Date: September 11th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Permian - Tracklist

1.Deeply Divided 02:34

2.The Age of Sin

3.And All Are Anointed by God

4.Suspended

5.Lone Rider

6.Permian 06:32

7.Thine Right Eye

8.This Will Not End Peacefully

9.Reset The Future

Review

Problem With Dragons offer another warped slice of modern Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal with Prog Metal movements on their latest record Permian. This gives the band the freedom to do whatever they want as they continue that great run of developing slightly off-beat fractured songs that have a killer FAITH NO MORE influence to them. The band add a heavier downbeat style to their music with freaky psychedelic grooves that transform into a sublime Industrial Doomed Out theme which has been a major aspect of their music for the last decade or so.

Problem WIth Dragons adds free-flowing sonic and ambient beats along the way as Permian taps right into a classic Science Fiction feel compared to their previous albums. The sludgy sounds are quite anthemic with a frightening real life focus coming into play on tracks such as Deeply Divided, The Age Of Sin and And All Are Anointed by God setting the scene for a sudden shift into real Apocalyptic surroundings.

Some sections of the album once again sees Problem With Dragons merge Prog Metal ideology against the modern Sludge/Stoner Metal melodies where things feel quite disjointed and switched off from the modern day world. The whole thing is wonderfully fucking weird which isn’t a big shock to me but it’s how dark Problem With Dragons have become with some of the yrics contained on the album and also how experimental they are with certain sound effects.

There is a frenzied and pissed off approach with how the band deliver their music as well by applying a fuzz metal structure to the album with a violent COSMIC DOOM story line becoming more real with each passing moment. However, the guys always allow the listener to be fully part of the whole experience which becomes more powerful within the down-tuned, stripped back and droned out soundscapes that offer a trippy nightmarish presence to fully emerge from behind the scenes.

The ELECTRONIC and GLITCHY beats can be quite jarring and unsettling but that’s possibly the point why they’ve been included here as Problem With Dragons create a disturbing experience within the intense riff-centric Sludge/Stoner Metal grooves that appear here. There’s also some wicked DOOM-POP and RADIO FRIENDLY METAL sounding parts included on this record which is one of my favourite aspects on the whole album.

Permian feels like a message is being sent into the COSMOS from humanity after it’s completely destroyed itself with each song telling the listener what happened. The end result is very non-linear and is perhaps down to the listener’s imagination to fully piece everything together. If you’re only here for the music itself then Problem With Dragons never disappoint in that score especially if you’re a fan of the likes of MASTODON, BARONESS, SOUNDGARDEN, FAITH NO MORE and MONSTER MAGNET.

The record is an extraordinary “AUDIO” experience as there’s not many bands like Problem With Dragons who can create different PSYCHEDELIC and SPACED OUT frequencies that are set against a backdrop of classic WEEDIAN grooves. The lyrics and vocals are equally inventive which once again has been a major part of the band’s success over the years especially on tracks Suspended, Lone Rider, Permian, Thine Right Eye and Reset The Future.

Some folks may be put off by the sheer schizophrenic nature of how the music is delivered but that's a great thing about Problem With Dragons, as they're always thinking outside the box where not many bands can possibly create or fully touch.

Problem With Dragons have delivered the goods yet again with another first rate and classic sounding record that’s full of brilliant songs from start to finish that manages to bring something cool and unique to the party.

Words by Steve Howe

Permian is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl.

Links

Linktree | Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Sludge/Doom/Stoner Metallers CHIMPGRINDER Announce Upcoming New Album Chimpgrinder (Remixed & Remastered) To Be Released Via ANIMAL WING RECORDS

Animal Wing Records to share our debut release (AWR-001): a fully remixed and remastered reissue of the long-out-of-print demo from heavy sludge/stoner outfit Chimpgrinder, dropping October 2 for Bandcamp Friday.

The EP’s origins are as bleak as its sound. It was recorded inside an 11x11 concrete cell in the decommissioned animal testing wing of the Johnsville Naval Air Development Center. Practicing among floor tie-downs, an inactive incinerator, and abandoned cages, the band captured this foundational session through a spiderweb of ambient mics and unrefined DIY tracking.

Featuring vocalist Aaron Gerwer, the record delivers a dark, allegorical narrative voiced by "Oliver"—a figure whose plight mirrors real-world struggle and existential isolation, anchored by punishing riffs and raw noise. This new master restores the lost low-end weight while preserving the cold, claustrophobic atmosphere of the original room.

Release Details:

Artist: Chimpgrinder
Title: Chimpgrinder (Remixed & Remastered)
Release Date: October 2, 2026 (Lead single “Parachute Malfunction” drops Sept 4)
Formats: Ultra-limited Lathe-Cut Vinyl, Cassette, CD, Digital
FFO: Melvins, Acid Bath, EYEHATEGOD, '90s noise rock

Here's a short video for the excellent new single Parachute Malfunciton:

You can pre-order Chimpgrinder (Remixed & Remastered) now on CD, Cassette, Digital and Vinyl from Animal Wing Records

Chimpgrinder Links

Facebook | BandCamp

Thanks to Animal Wing Records and Chimpgrinder for the details.

STUIK - In Sanity (Album Review)

Release Date: August 28th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Format: CD/DD

In Sanity - Tracklist

All The Fuzz

Feel Alive

Foolishness

Roots

Stilted

Loosen The Noose

Laughter

In Sanity We Trust

Lucid Haze

Alone and Alive

Members

Jana Dutohlav on bass and vocals

Pieter Houben (ex-Splendidula) on guitar and vocals

David Vandegoor (ex-Moshlim, ex-Splendidula) on guitar

Patrick Vanderhenst (ex-Solenoid, ex-Splendidula) on drums.

Review

In Sanity is the debut album from Doom/Sludge Stoner Metallers STUIK who are formed with ex-members of Splendidula and Solenoid with the band influenced by the likes of Red Fang, Mastodon and KYUSS but with a gloomier Alt Rock sound. The mood is quite different to Splendidula and Solenoid but they do keep similar gloomier themes on their debut album but with more focus on a great way of delivering intense and stripped back riffs. 

STUIK employ similar Progressive melodies used by the likes of Mastodon and Baroness but break out into different Psychedelic passages with KYUSS being a great influence for the band to weave that gloomy Desert/Stoner Rock sound into the mix. The use of subtle Hard Rock, Punk and Sludge Rock dimensions is applied very early on within the album on tracks such as All The Fuzz, Feel Alive and Foolishness.

There are moments of DOOM & GLOOM and Shoegaze vibes emerging within the emotionally charged vocals that are delivered by Pieter Houben and Jana Dutohlav that form a winning combination when they both appear on the same track(s) contained on the album.

With a melodic backdrop of slow-paced grooves being used sparingly and to great effect before STUIK channel that modern day Progressive Sludge/Stoner Rock into a faster style of music that gives complete focus for the band to play heavier sounds and write emotionally charged vocals to match. The whole thing never feels forced and STUIK never outstay their welcome as they develop some intriguing and well-constructed songs throughout which allows them to play aggressive soundscapes with a thumping metallic energy.

STUIK becomes ever more confident with each passing track as the harsh Desert Rock environment allows the listener to front and centre of the action on tracks such as Roots, Stilted, Loosen The Noose, In Sanity We Trust and ‘Alone and Alive’. There’s a great style of Post-Doom and Psychedelic heaviness that appear within these tracks that makes you feel that STUIK have been around for yours and not delivering their debut album.

The later stages of In Sanity does have a distinct Grunge appearance that gives this album a seedy tone whilst elevating the FUZZIER and PUNK sounds to become the most soulful of the record. STUIK could have played some faster based grooves and melodies within the quieter moments of the album. However, I understand why they took this creative choice and it does perhaps give the album a more satisfying and emotional conclusion.

STUIK have still managed to deliver a superbly realized debut album that should no doubt allow them to make a great impression within the Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal scene. In Sanity is an unexpected sludgy and doomed out delight from beginning to end.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Official | Facebook | Spotify | Apple Music

Introduce Yourselves: FOREST HORSE

What Is the Name of Your Band?

Forest Horse

What Is the genre of music you play?

Stoner, doom, sludge

Can you give a brief history of the band of how it came together and where it is today?

Forest Horse is a solo project peddling sludgy, psychedelic doom from the swamps of West Michigan. It began in 2022 with the release of Keep Awake, which draped layers of doom and noise over a sprawling post-rock frame. Four years later, forged by personal upheavals and an ever-darkening world, Botany exchanges the shoegaze tendencies of the past for heavy, fuzzed-out riffs and dirty blues passages that examine strange flora, extraterrestrial murmurings, fruitless resistance, and inevitable decay.

What can people expect from your music?

Fuzzy, sludgy noise that you can groove to. Some screaming about plants and aliens.

What is the best release that folks should check out from your band?

Botany – out everywhere on October 28, 2026.

Where can people find you on Social Media?

https://foresthorse.bandcamp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/foresthorsemusic

Thanks to Forest Horse for the details. 

Boss Keloid release new single 'Landslide' and announce new album on Church Road Records

Boss Keloid seemingly achieves the impossible with each album they create, upholding familiarity in their sound whilst never remaining static. They are forever growing new limbs on their tree of creativity. Even after a decade in the game, this tree remains evergreen as these UK prog-rock mainstays find new and exciting ways to catch the listener’s intrigue. This is never more present than on their forthcoming LP ‘Float & Aperture’, poised to greet you like a good friend who's ready to lead you on a new adventure of sonic wonder.

Before undertaking this latest project, the band sought to find ways to unlock new methods of creativity, finding the best path was through collaboration.

“We wanted to challenge ourselves and each other more than ever during the writing process for this album, and developed a completely new way of working together as a result. Our writing process was more collaborative, experimental, and challenging than ever. We encouraged each other to tap into our musical and personal influences, as well as life experiences to generate ideas. We wanted more focus and enjoyment around the interplay and dynamics between melody and rhythm, and a better clarity and balance between our instruments and parts. We couldn't be happier with the result, and believe this is our strongest work to date” - Boss Keloid

Like the band's previous work, the lyrical content of each song on the album is drawn from personal experiences, difficulties, and life lessons. Vocalist Alex Hurst works to shape and describe these stories in a way which can be interpreted on a personal level by anyone, and hopefully align with their own lives. He sums up the overall theme of the album as follows:

"Embracing life, rolling with the punches and the waves of beauty, and not being afraid to channel and express those experiences through art, music, love, anger and wisdom. Experience tells a story if you don’t mind sharing it."

Boss Keloid has an impeccable release history, having already given flight to five critically acclaimed albums over the course of their career. Their last album ‘Family The Smiling Thrush’ made it into Metal Hammer’s top releases of 2021 and had Dom Lawson from Blabbermouth proclaiming “If it's a modern classic you want, look no further”. This sentiment is also shared for their live performances. Truly at home on the stage, the band ascends to even greater levels than their recorded output, delivering incredibly powerful and life-affirming performances.

The long and short of it is, where Boss Keloid goes, greatness follows and there’s no exception with this latest outing. This is another amazing chapter in the career of a band with an already glowing and rich history. Long standing fans will have their hunger satisfied, and for those joining the ride here, get ready to have your minds blown by ‘Float & Aperture’. Set for release on October 23rd via Church Road Records.

The band kick starts this next chapter with the lead single 'Landslide'. Out today and streaming everywhere! Digital, vinyl and CD pre-orders for the new album are also live.

Stream on DSPs HERE.
Watch the visualiser HERE.
Pre-order the record HERE.

"This song has many meanings throughout its lyrical content. The main story is about learning to accept that we are all our own worst enemy, and that when you realise this, life does get easier" - Boss Keloid

Track listing

1 - Breeze
2 - Pedestal
3 - Landslide
4 - Weight
5 - Aros
6 - Accord
7 - Sanguine

Members

Ste Arands - Drums and Percussion
Paul Swarbrick - Guitars
Alex Hurst - Vocals and Guitars
Liam Pendlebury-Green - Bass

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram | LinkTree

Thanks to Since Always Press for the details.

Vulture Neck - Vulture Neck (Album Review)

Release Date: September 04th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Format: DD

Vulture Neck - Tracklist

1. Höst (2:46)

2. Rat Riders (7:03)

3. Phantom Carriage (5:16)

4. Raining Fire, Raining Stones (3:44)

5. Bright Lights Descending (5:53)

6. Hand Of A Drowning Man (5:55)

7. Abyss Made Of Stone (7:06)

Members

Östen Jäderberg - drums

Magnus Öhrn - vocals and bass

Martin Sällström - vocals and guitar

Elin and Hanna Jäderberg - backing vocals on Bright Lights Descending

Review

Vulture Neck’s debut self-titled album continues with the rebellious Power-Trio attitude they brought on their acclaimed 2023 debut EP but on a more grander scale as they have more time to play with. This allows Vulture Neck to create heavier levels of sludgy surroundings which sees a Stoner Rock attitude develop with areas of Doom, Sludge, Psych sounds to converge on a mountain top of classic hard rock themes. 

The sound is quite raw sounding with a distinctive Garage Rock / Proto-metal attitude forming within the opening tracks of Host and Rat Riders which sees Vulture Neck bring a determined focus into their music. There are small elements of modern day Swedish Sludge/Stoner Metal forming that remind me of the likes of Dozer, Cities Of Mars and Firebreather. The sludgy sounds become quire progressive with Vulture Neck adding a gloomy atmosphere behind the scenes. 

The vocals are not the most refined but they perfectly match the music that Vulture Neck stunningly creates throughout the record. Shades of Doom & Gloom become more commonplace within the album as Vulture Neck bring an end of the world scenario into their music. The lyrics are quite bleak and get straight to the point on tracks such as Rat Riders, Phantom Carriage, “Raining Fire, Raining Stones” and Bright Lights Descending. 

There’s also some great melodic parts of the record which you only begin to notice on repeated listens with Vulture Neck applying some great musical mechanics within both the “HEAVIER” and “QUIETER” aspects of the album. The warped atmospherics constantly moves to the greyer areas of Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal but Vulture Neck always allow themselves and the listener to have some brief uplifting musical passages which allows the record to be transformed into a wicked Classic Hard Rock sound that remind me of Black Sabbath and Budgie at times. 

Vulture Neck always tries something different with each track and for the most part everything comes off superbly well with the record not afraid to take huge risks that allows the album to be refreshingly different and slightly offbeat at the same time. The instrumental parts are epic and superbly cinematic when they’re fully required to but Vulture Neck always have the balls to apply logical Proto-Metal decisions to disrupt the musical flow which leads to some of the most exciting sounds of the album to fully emerge.

One of the main standouts of the album is the Progressive attitude that Vulture Neck apply to their music that shows shades of the legendary RUSH in places and even Mastodon when the band fully transforms into Progressive Sludge Metal monsters. There’s something for everyone to seek out and fully explore with this excellent recorded and produced album. Vulture Neck delivers the goods with a great supply of grounded melodies and hard hitting grooves that will leave you mightily impressed from start to finish.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Good Boy PR for the promo.

Vulture Neck is available to buy now on Digital Download

Links:

Bandcamp | Instagram | Facebook | Spotify | Push.fm