Doom/Stoner Metallers Son Of Boar release new single 'In The Eyes Of Hatred' ahead of their second album 'The Hand That Reigns'

Bradford-based stoner/doom five-piece Son Of Boar return with their second studio album ‘The Hand That Reigns’, which arrives on November 20th 2026 via Pale Wizard Records.

Formed in 2018, Son Of Boar quickly became an integral part of the UK’s heavy underground scene, carving out a reputation as a formidable live act. Their powerful, groove-laden, riff-heavy sound has seen them share stages with the likes of Conjurer, Sergeant Thunderhoof, Desert Storm, Nebula, Conan and Fatso Jetson while appearances at Bloodstock, Riffolution, Ruination, Hard Rock Hell Fest, Hammerfest, SOPHIE Fest and Masters Of The Riff have firmly established the band within the UK heavy-music circuit.

Drawing influence from NOLA sludge pioneers Crowbar and DOWN, stoner-rock legends Kyuss, and UK heavyweights Black Sabbath and Paradise Lost, Son Of Boar combine slumberous riffs, harmonised twin guitars and vocalist Luke Oliver’s gravelly, roaring vocals. The band epitomise the ‘Grim North’ from which they emerged. Whether it is the green fields and rolling hills, or the harsh cold stone of their surroundings, Son Of Boar channel their landscape through groove, atmosphere and crushing heaviness, creating a soundtrack to their city and a reflection of the world that surrounds them.

Their self-titled debut album arrived in 2021, showcasing a band unwilling to be confined to a single corner of heavy music. The Hand That Reigns takes that approach further, pushing their sound into a darker, heavier and more aggressive territory.

Their forthcoming second studio album ‘The Hand That Reigns’, recorded at Corner House Studios in Yorkshire with Kurt Wood and mastered by Dave Draper (Ginger Wildheart) emerged during a period in which each member was collectively navigating difficult times. As riffs developed into songs, it became clear that those experiences were influencing the writing, and something darker was taking shape. Each track is infused with a personal honesty that moves fluidly from groove-metal to blasted desert rock and the deepest, darkest doom, showcasing the wide range to the band’s sound.

Watch the video for their new single IN THE EYES OF HATRED below:

Reflecting on the creation of the album, vocalist Luke Oliver says, “At the time of writing the album, everyone seemed to be going through a dark time. It quickly became apparent that this batch was darker, heavier, and more aggressive than the previous set. There was no conscious push towards that - we just wanted to write better songs. They came out with all the previous aspects of our sound amplified. We’ve always worked in a cauldron of influences, mixing groove-led desert sounds with grim, heavy riffs and moving tonally from dark to light and back again. On these songs, the heavy sections got heavier, the slow sections got slower, but at the same time the groove got deeper, while the melodies and atmosphere became more developed.”

Across The Hand That Reigns, Son Of Boar draw together the elements that have defined their sound while pushing each one further: groove-metal weight, psychedelic desert-rock passages, deep sludge and the slow pull of doom.

Lyrically the album explores themes of alienation, judgement, personal struggles and resilience, examining the barriers people encounter, the frustration and anger that can emerge from them, and the strength required to move beyond them.

“Lyrically the album covers themes of being an outcast in various forms. Drawing on inspiration from world events, personal experiences, documentaries, and life in a band, the songs talk to the barriers we hit in life, how people judge each other, and the frustration and anger that can come from that, but also about drawing on personal strength and inner belief to get past that and try to live a better life,” Oliver adds.

Ahead of the release of the album comes its final single ‘In The Eyes Of Hatred’, released today, October 30th 2026, a song for the ‘misfits’, the track serves as a call for unity and understanding in a divided world.

Discussing the single, the band state, “‘In The Eyes Of Hatred’ is a mix of stoner groove and heavy doom that makes our brand of northern fuzz. It is a call to arms for all the misfits and people who ever felt like they don't fit in, in a divided world it's a call for unity and understanding."

SON OF BOAR ARE:

Luke Oliver - Vocals
Gareth Bates - Bass, Backing Vocals
Adam Waddell - Guitar, Backing Vocals
Lyndon Birchall - Guitar
Luke Doran - Drums

ONLINE:

Website: https://sonofboar.bandcamp.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SonOBoar
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/son_of_boar
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3MvIo59LEuFXrQ7U6AnuoO?si=pdeJaMjlQmOdqJneZJKtPw
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/gb/artist/son-of-boar/1490688507
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/artists/B082K9NRW1

Thanks to Memphia Music PR for the details.

Laser Dracul - Hin Håle Blues (Album Review)

Release Date: October 30th 2026. Record Label: Majestic Mountain Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Hin Håle Blues - Tracklist 

1.Our King is Forever

2.Bringer of Light

3.Walking the Left Hand Path 

4.The End of Time

5.Hornæus

6.Come to me Witches 

Review

Doom/Stoner Metallers Laser Dracul return after a six year absence with their second album Hin Håle Blues which sees the band offer a heavier, darker and menacing sound compared to their acclaimed 2020 debut album. The band have aligned themselves more closely to the likes of Electric Wizard with their bleakly distorted vision having a classic OCCULT DOOM METAL energy appearing within the lyrics and music written for the album.

Hin Håle Blues means “The Devil’s Blues” in English, well according to GOOGLE but I’m happy to be corrected on that score. Laser Dracul employs a seedy Seventies Metal delivery within the early stages of the record that branches out into areas of Fuzz, Psych Rock and Stoner Metal with a record that never feels OLD or completely out of fashion. The songs are wonderfully constructed with Laser Dracul adding some classic OCCULT and HALLOWEEN themes into their music with a grizzled sludgy atmosphere allowing the music to perhaps be more modern within tracks Our King Is Forever and Bringer Of Light. 

The pounding rhythm section has that classic SABBATHIAN energy that emits a ton of amplified distortion that lurks silently in the background before aiming for a complete control within the heaviest sounds of the album. Laser Dracul never play over the top, flashy or progressive grooves as they fully commit themselves into developing a great style of vintage Doom/Stoner Metal with superb modern psychedelic touches adding a real sense of urgency to everything. 

The lyrics are superbly rooted within the Doom Metal and Occult folklore but offer a grounded take that allows Laser Dracul to deliver some violent harsh growls on certain stages of the record. The majority of the vocals are clean based but be prepared for a certain Blackened Doom approach to develop. 

The main bulk of the music is powered through a gloomy mix of distorted sounds and down-tuned instrumental passages that can be quite isolated and solitary on tracks such as Bringer Of Light, Walking The Left Hand Path and Hornæus being my favourite tracks on the album. The level of Blues Rock/Metal is another highlight of Hin Håle Blues with the whole musical atmosphere dripping in menacing Blues Rock that allows the SLOW-TO-MID played music develop naturally but still with a menacing presence.

The sound can be quite deafening at times which surprised me greatly as Laser Dracul aren’t afraid to play some violently LOUD rhythms, melodies and occult soundscapes that left me turning the volume down on my designated player at times. I mean that as a compliment and not showing my advancing years of reviewing music.

Hin Håle Blues is a delightfully sinister record with Laser Dracul firing on all cylinders throughout and perhaps releasing one of the best Occult Doom Metal albums I’ve heard this year.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Viral Propaganda PR for the promo.

Hin Håle Blues is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Majestic Mountain Records.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

GOATMILKER - Gods & Monsters (EP Review)

Release Date: October 30th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Format: DD

Gods & Monsters - Tracklist 

The Approaching

Cancerlung

Continuum Broken

Don Of Time

Members

Lars Godal – Guitar

Mathias Lieberknecht– Bass/vocals

Petter Ramberg – Drums

Vegard Lindtveit – Guitar/lead vocals

Review

Progressive Doom Metallers GOATMILKER return with their latest EP - Gods & Monsters. The EP follows a similar style to last year’s self-titled debut album with the band being influenced by the likes of MASTODON, Black Sabbath, VOIVOD, CAVE IN and SLAYER. Sometimes the EP can be overloaded with different musical themes and creative ideas but GOATMILKER has this great ability to make everything make sense.

The music is brilliantly deranged and highly melodic with some epic sounds having a certain KVELERTAK energy to them. The Progressive Metal part of the record even allows GOATMILKER to add a certain COMMERCIAL ROCK/POP aspect into their music especially on tracks Cancerlung and Continuum Broken. There’s some fast-paced beatdowns and breakdowns that the band play with a determined EIGHTIES HEAVY METAL approach with some classic guitar shredding appearing out of nowhere. 

The lyrics are quite darker and very conceptual compared to their debut album as GOATMILKER perfectly bridges the gap between the underground metal sounds and the commercial rock based themes that Gods & Monsters superbly contains. However, Gods & Monster really thrives when GOATMILKER aim for that highly experimental style of music that made their debut album such a standout as everything becomes completely FUCKED UP but with a fast-paced riff-centric delivery emerging on tracks Continuum Broken and Don Of Time.

Gods & Monsters is an excellent record with a real warped sense of identity holding everything together and allowing GOATMILKER to release another superb record to really stand out from the crowd and make themselves more known within the underground scene.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Facebook | Instagram | BandCamp

Forest Horse - Botany (Album Review)

Release Date: October 28th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Format: DD

Botany - Tracklist 

A Stirring

Spore Lord

Elixir

The Fallen Limb

Ploughman’s Prayer

Ritual Reckoning

Unspeakable

First Light

Review

Botany is the second full length album by Forest Horse who specialise in a fuzzed up style of Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal with some scorched earth Desert Rock soundscapes being added into the mix. The record is an interesting take on the standard Sludge/Stoner Metal sound with this project inspired by the likes of SLEEP, KYUSS, Electric Wizard and Truckfighters. The music itself is played at a cool mid pace that allows the amplified heaviness to aim for a commanding performance throughout.

The vocals are mostly clean based but they’re some vicious growls along the way which gives Botany an unexpected area of GLOOM & DOOM to appear. The album is quite riff-centric that branches out into areas of Americana, Psych Rock and Post-Metal on different stages of the album. Forest Horse even applies to some Droned Out surroundings that reminds me of SLEEP before the album takes a darker and vicious turn. 

The later stages of Botany sees Forest Horse create Post-Rock elements that allows the layers of Droned Out Doom to bring a more apocalyptic sound to the whole album. The use of soundclips and certain trippy effects gives Botany a more primal and destructive feeling that really sells that down-tuned level of heaviness to a wider cinematic scope on tracks such as: Spore Lord, Elixir, The Fallen Limb, Ritual Reckoning and First Light. 

There are certain sections that may play it safe against the classic template and folklore of Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal but Forest Horse won’t be the first band to apply that creative logic into their music. However, it’s the band’s clever use of violent vocals and intense lyrics that makes the album really standout especially when the FUZZED OUT atmospherics results with some epic instrumental solos appearing out of nowhere and leaving you in a hypnotic trance.

This is an album that relies on BRAINS and BRAWN in equal measure which becomes one of Forest Horse’s greatest strengths to help deliver a record that’s superbly produced and brilliantly put together from start to finish. The WEEDIAN effect on Botany is quite grounded but don’t be surprised when the album does go for that classic “OVER THE TOP” feeling that will definitely appeal to fans of BONGZILLA and WEEDEATER.

Botany is a superb album and one that can easily become a cult favourite within the underground scene. I’m excited to see what comes next from Forest Horse as Botany is a dark, delicious and twisted journey worth taking over and over again.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

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

Hempire - Sealed By The Sea (EP Review)

Release Date: October 23rd 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Format: CD/DD

Sealed By The Sea - Tracklist 

1. Amity (Reprise) (0:40)

2. Indianapolis (4:41)

3. Price To Pay (4:52)

4. Blue Water, White Death (3:58)

5. Death By Secrecy (4:20)

Members

Joey Shaw - Vox, Guitar

Jon Andre - Drums

Jason Watson - Bass

Review

Doom/Stoner/Thrash Metallers Hempire latest EP Sealed By The Sea is a brutally heavy mix of aggressive sounds that have a deceiving psychedelic flavour behind everything with certain ambient grooves to fully form behind the scenes. The vocals are quite vicious at times moving from clean vocals to indecipherable harsh growls that gives Hempire a violent creative persona when they fully transform into a completely different HEAVY METAL BEAST altogether.

Hempire deliver punishing grooves inspired by the likes of HIGH ON FIRE, CONAN and MELVINS but they’re also open to exploring subtle Post-Stoner Metal themes that gives Sealed By The Sea a more humbling and emotionally charged sound. Though, for the most part Hempire deals in fast paced Thrash Metal grooves that have that early HIGH ON FIRE attitude fully realized and deconstructed within their own musical image on tracks such as Indianapolis, Price To Pay and Blue Water, White Death.

The EP has a distinctive DIY PUNK attitude appearing within the production values that allows Sealed By The Sea to have a sublime and seedy aesthetic. The sound is quite stripped back but allows Hempire to put maximum effort into their music with some highly frantic grooves forming a dominant Doom/Thrash melody with screeching Sludge/Stoner Metal surroundings. You can also expect to hear intense Appalachian / Mountain Rock musical structures to appear which isn’t surprising with the band coming from Asheville, North Carolina. 

Sealed By The Sea is fast-paced and sees Hempire offer no apologies for powering through from start to finish and not applying any slowly played uplifting soundscapes or instrumental passages. Hempire are a band on a mission which they fully succeed in delivering an intense and first rate record that’s packed full of great grooves and subtle hooks throughout. It would have been great if there was another song as Hempire is absolutely on fire and then the EP suddenly ends but it's always great leaving the audience wanting more.

Hempire have all the hallmarks of being a band we’ll be talking a lot more about in the years to come if they keep releasing great records such as this.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Good Boy PR for the promo.

Links

Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram |  Spotify | YouTube 

Godzilla In The Kitchen - Termination Sequence (Album Review)

Release Date: October 23rd 2026. Record Label: Tonzonen Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Termination Sequence - Tracklist

1.Nothing For None 04:15

2.Humility 04:54

3.Birdsong 04:59

4.Empty Cribs 05:45

5.Everyday People 05:26

6.No Sign Of Life 03:57.

7.Wonder 06:04

8.Termination Sequence 06:12

Members

Simon Ulm (vocals, bass)

Eric Patzschke (guitar)

Thiago Presto (drums)

Review

Termination Sequence is the latest album from Godzilla In The Kitchen where the band have transformed from an Instrumental Post-Rock/Stoner Rock outfit into a fully fledged destructive Post-Metal unit. This is the band’s most complex, daring and aggressive work to date but there are still moments of Post-Rock and Stoner Rock melodies that appear from time-to-time. Godzilla In The Kitchen even experimented with areas of Post-Punk, Prog Metal, Sludge Rock and Electronic themes for a record that always manages to be quite forward thinking and slightly unconventional throughout.

You can feel influences from the likes of Neurosis, ISIS, TOOL and PELICAN within the heavier moments with the band applying an epic QUIET vs LOUD dynamic for the majority of the tracks. Though, it’s always good to hear Godzilla In The Kitchen touching upon sounds they delivered in their previous albums for Termination Sequence more quieter aspects. 

Another thing that has changed is the band have added vocals for the first time with Simon Ulm taking on the mantle of lead vocalist and it’s a role he absolutely relishes with a commanding performance. There’s a certain Alternative Metal and Post-Metal delivery to Simon’s vocals that allow him to include a sullen Eighties Pop/Rock attitude along the way. 

However, this album is mostly about bringing some troublesome modern day socially aware problems into the mix with Godzilla In The Kitchen never offering any answers either. That’s left upto the listener to fully decide what’s being said and that’s one of the great strengths for this album. As it treats the listener with respect and intelligence to allow them to make up their own mind about what's truly going on in the world.

Sometimes the songs don’t flow naturally as they should the first time you listen to this especially on tracks Nothing For None, Humility and Bird Song which opens up the whole album. However, after a few listens you begin to fully understand everything a bit more within the complex melodies that the band have applied here. The music shifts constantly from different musical tones and intense progressive melodies where the band feel perhaps too closely inspired by the likes of TOOL and DEFTONES.

However, Godzilla In The Kitchen deserves credit for trying something different for their third album which for the most part is an exciting and action packed record that is beautifully dark and expertly aggressive in the best possible moments. The sudden transformation into different musical genres will leave you on the edge of your seat on tracks such as Birdsong, Empty Cribs, Wonder and Termination Sequence. 

Termination Sequence is superbly produced with Godzilla In The Kitchen undergoing a major musical transformation which should serve the band well in the long term. It may take their established fanbase sometime to fully appreciate their heavier sound and musical direction but it’s a risk that’s worth taking as Godzilla in The Kitchen have become a better band because of this superbly bleak album.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Godzilla In The Kitchen, Sheltered LIfe PR and Broken Music for the promo.

Termination Sequence is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Tonzonen Records.

Links

https://www.godzillainthekitchen.de
https://linktr.ee/godzillainthekitchen

Rickshaw Billie's Burger Patrol - Ca$h Grab (Album Review)

Release Date: October 23rd 2026. Record Label: Permanent Teeth. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Ca$h Grab - Tracklist

1.Freakshow 03:22

2.I Doubt It 02:07

3.Peaches 02:14

4.Fate Is 02:33

5.Punisher 02:30

6.Follow Through 03:11

7.Bury Me in Denver 02:24

8.Ca$h Grab 02:46

9.The Disappearing Man 02:16

10.No Juice 02:33

11.Bough Down 02:15

12.Talking To You 02:03

13.Couple Skate 01:59

14.Lush 02:13

Members

Vocals, 8-string guitar: Leo Lydon

Bass, vocals: Aaron Metzdorf

Drums: Sean St. Germain

Review

One of the most originally named bands within the Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal scene who don’t have the name BONG, WIZARD, WITCH or WEED in their name return with their explosive new album Ca$h Grab. I’m talking about Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol who have released their most explosive and personal record to date. This is the band’s fourth album and they have a more serious tone to their music compared to previous albums. However, they still have a great sense of demented fun on this record which is offset against a more progressive, commercial and melodic sound.

The previous records of Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol were inspired by the likes of The Melvins, Primus, Dinosaur Jr and even Pantera. This record has a kooky poppy attitude that reminds me of the WEEER and The Smashing Pumpkins being added to great effect which comes across superbly well within the opening tracks of Freakshow, J Doubt It and Peaches. There’s a manic schizophrenic musical energy being demonstrated which allows the creative glue of the Sludge/Stoner Metal grooves expand into areas of Heavy Psych, Punk, Grunge, Doom and Alt Metal.

The majority of the tracks last around two to three minutes in length but Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol manage to convey a lot of different musical energy within these tracks as the music can be quite disjointed and superbly distorted. The excellent rhythm section of Aaron Metzdorf (Bass) and Sean St. Germain (Drums) form a winning combination where the heaviest sounds appear that allows the massive 8 String Guitar work by Leo Lydon to add a layer of down-tuned heaviness to the party.

There’s a manic DOOM-POP energy that reminds me of TORCHE in certain stages but with a darker fucked-up perspective appearing within the lyrics on tracks such as Fate Is, Punisher, Follow Through, Ca$h Grab, The Disappearing Man and Talking To You being my favourite tracks on the album.

Ca$h Grab is bound to be the album that allows Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol to finally gain some real recognition within the Heavy Rock scene as it’s their most accomplished record to date with some intense and first rate production values allowing the band to achieve this mission. I adore the many big risks that the band have taken with this album as it’s quite different to what has come before it but still retains the great sound the guys are known for.

Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol flirts with classic Nineties based Grunge, Alt-Metal and Stoner Metal heaviness whilst still applying that great modern Psychedelic sound that can be quite quirky and off-beat the best of times. This gives Ca$h Grab a wonderfully subversive quality for a record that’s packed full of great sounds that will leave you with a huge smile on your face.

My final thoughts is that Ca$h Grab is brilliantly inventive and showcases why Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol could become your next favourite band to really give a damn about!!!

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to US/THEM PR Group for the promo.

Ca$h Grab is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Permanent Teeth.

Links

Official | Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Inferous - Mueran Todos (Album Review)

Release Date: October 13th 2026. Record Label: Psycho Records. Format: DD

Mueran Todos - Tracklist 

1.Weed hunter 03:13

2.Al borde del abismo 06:47

3.Espada negra 08:17

4.Ritual ciego 07:41

5.Brutal conciencia 02:39

Members

Belisario Gronda (guitar, vocals)

Seba Castro (drums)

El Bocha (bass)

Review

Mueran Todos is the latest album from Doom/Stoner Metallers inferous where the band blends Doom, Stoner, Fuzz, Psych and other trippy elements of the wider WEEDIAN Heavy Rock scene. With the band originating from Argentina, the vocals are sung in Spanish throughout but they only appear when they’re really needed. Inferous develop a brooding style of slow and down-tuned Fuzzed Out Doom Metal that overlaps with areas of Sludge/Stoner Metal. 

There’s some great amplified and sonic based delivery being added to the band’s music with the album having intense lo-fi sounding moments that’s perfected by a great style of seedy production themes holding everything together. Inferous are influenced by the likes of Black Sabbath, Electric Wizard, Monolord and Dopelord but that doesn’t stop them doing their own thing especially when they let their darker Psychedelic and WEEDIAN creative instincts run free on tracks such as Weed Hunter, Al borde del abisimo and Espada negra.

The band even started adding small elements of distorted electronic sounds along the way with a trippy and violent style of Sludge Rock being quite riff-centric especially on Espada negra and Ritual Ciego. The lo-fi production values allows Inferous to bring a claustrophobic element into play which isn’t surprising since they tracked everything over two days. 

The music is quite cautious but also sees Inferous play a great style of fast-paced grooves and slow-to-mid paced surroundings. The vocals have that classic Doom Metal delivery that’s perfectly inspired by the likes of BLACK SABBATH and SLEEP but with a lean and mean gruff exterior. The album lasts around twenty eight minutes in length but that feels like the perfect length for this record. As Inferous are very straight to the point with their music that allows this be classed as ALL KILLER AND NO FILLER. 

The fuzzed out momentum is one of the best things about the album. As it moves across many different styles of WEEDIAN METAL whilst keeping it’s true DOOMED OUT feeling quite grounded and offering some great distorted and amplified instrumental passages at the same time. 

If you want an album that stays true to the classic core of modern day Doom/Stoner Metal then Mueran Todos is the album for you. Inferous have released a record that showcases another great band to check out from the South American Doom/Stoner Metal underground scene which should allow them to build a loyal dedicated following once more.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

LinkTree | BandCamp | Instagram

Exclusive Premiere Of Doom/Stoner/Thrash Metallers HEMPIRE Excellent New Release - SEALED BY THE SEA

We're beyond happy to premiere the excellent new release from Doom/Sludge/Stoner/Thrash Metallers HEMPIRE new record Sealed By The Sea which you can hear below.

The Lowdown

Sealed By The Sea offers a progressive take on stoner rock with elements of hardcore, thrash, and death metal following their debut release The Weight (2025). Inspired by historical tragedy, Sealed By The Sea is an empirical and intense elaboration of the previous album’s themes of life and death.

Accompanying Sealed By The Sea is the short documentary Count Your Days, filmed by the band and including behind the scenes footage on the recording process & tour, band member interviews, and more.

Hempire has been a part of the DIY music scene in the southern Appalachian region since 2022, opening for Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol, Whores, and Bongripper, along with repeat appearances at Lily’s Snack Bar’s Doomerang Fest and Kentucky’s Holler of Doom.

FALL 26 /WINTER 27 TOUR:

Hempire will be hitting the road this Fall/Winter with fellow North Carolina heavies Mean Green in October/December and Broadslab in January.

Hempire - Sealed By The Sea

EP out October 24th, 2026
Self-released (Digital, CD)
Asheville, North Carolina, US
FFO: High on Fire • Melvins • CoC • Howling Giant • Conan
Recorded in Asheville at
Roundtable Studios by Reilly Appert (Fliora)

Hempire is:

Joey Shaw - Vox, Guitar
Jon Andre - Drums
Jason Watson - Bass

Tracklist:

1. Indianapolis (4:41)
2. Price To Pay (4:52)
3. Blue Water, White Death (3:58)
4. Death By Secrecy (4:20)

Links:

Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram |  Spotify | YouTube 

Thanks to Good Boy PR for the details.

Boss Keloid - Float & Aperture (Album Review)

Release Date: October 23rd 2026. Record Label: Church Road Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Float & Aperture - Tracklist

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

Review

Progressive Sludge/Stoner Metallers Boss Keloid awakened from a five year absence with Float & Aperture with the band taking upon an understated delivery compared to their trademark style of music they achieved with their classic last records. Truth be told I thought the band were done and dusted with their last album being released back in 2021. However, Boss Keloid always returns when the musical world needs them most.

Float & Aperture is perhaps their least heavy record yet but still offers a different style of progressive melody with the band channeling the likes of King Crimson, RUSH and Mastodon with TOOL-esque progressive melodies. The sound is quite grounded compared to their landmark 2018 album Melted On The Inch. The album is more personal which allows every member to channel their inner personal thoughts throughout the album without skimping on the Sludge Rock/Metal melodies. 

Lead vocalist Alex Hurst is the centre point of everything coming from a highly constructive narrative with some deeply personal lyrics emerging from the very start. Sometimes you want a heavy groove to change the musical direction though that allows Paul Swabrick (Guitars), Ste Arands (Drums and Percussion) and Liam Pendleburry-Green (Bass) to develop their own great musical style to run wild and expand into a classic style of Sludge/Stoner Metal exploration.

Boss Keloid keeps with their stop/start delivery throughout this record that allows their expansive musical attitude to develop within a true experimental approach. There’s a wicked style of Seventies Experimental sound that lends itself to a greater knowledge of creative narrative that fully develops early on between tracks Breeze, Pedestal and Weight that allows Boss Keloid to re-introduce their long terms fans to complex melody that saw the band upped their creative game within their last few albums

When things get heavy and brutally familiar then Boss Keloid are in magnificent form where they prove to the world why they’re one of the most unique bands within the underground Sludge/Stoner Metal scene. Everything feels quite different and superbly restrained but it’s Alex’s vocals which allows the rest of the band to construct a familiar destructive approach from start to finish.

I know some folks will say I’m talking ABSOLUTE BOLLOCKS with this review but Boss Keloid don’t play by the standard rules of Sludge/Stoner Metal and that’s an amazing thing to achieve once more but the guys have always been about a hundred steps of the competition. The way they blend Post-Rock, Psych, Prog, Grunge, Hard Rock and Stadium Rock anthems is simply breathtaking especially within the outstanding tracks of Weighted, Accord and Sanguine that left me thinking  - WHAT THE FUCK DID I JUST LISTEN TO.

The production values off the scale with Boss Keloid exploring a level of “KITCHEN SINK” drama that allows them to have a refreshingly new grounded approach to their music. The stripped back attitude once again allows BOSS KELOID to demonstrate once again why they’re one of the most important Progressive Rock/Metal bands of our current musical landscape.

This is another simply incredible record from BOSS KELOID who are proving why they're absolute masters of their craft and perhaps influencing future musical generations. Yeah, I said that. The evidence is there for every future musician to discover and expand upon.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Since Always Press for the details.

Float & Aperture is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Church Road Records.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram | LinkTree