Since their formation in 2021, Aussie thrash metal band Decimator have gone through a variety of line-up changes, but this potential instability only seems to have made frontman (and only original member) Lance even more determined to make his band a success. Decimator’s 2025 release ‘Downfallen’ features material that, prior to its release, had been pitched as having “more fire and ferocity” but also “a more refined approach to songwriting”.
In October 2024, Pale Horse Ritual released the ‘Enchantress’ EP, a brilliant four song slab of metal that blended doom, stoner and deep psych to create something that sounded like the missing link between ‘Volume 4’ era Sabbath, the heavier moments of Monster Magnet’s best jams and Goat Ritual. It may have only been short, but for lovers of a fuzzy stoner riff, it proved to be an essential listen, and one that stoked up excitement for a follow up.
In 1977, the foundations of Black Sabbath were shaken when Ozzy Osbourne quit the band. Undettered, guitarist Tony Iommi called upon a vocalist he knew from his pre-fame days. Enter Dave Walker.
Walker, previously with The Idle Race and Savoy Brown, will likely be best remembered to most for his brief stint with Fleetwood Mac, contributing some great vocals to their underrated 1973 LP ‘Penguin’.
By opening with an absolutely thunderous drum part, ‘The Grave Vacation’ by Mourning Wood instantly grabs the attention. Then, with the addition of a jagged rhythm guitar, the band powers forth with a huge sound that places the best aspects of 80s metal into a slightly more contemporary arrangement that shows off their sense of force with some instantly classic riffs.
On their previous single ‘Cobweb’, Bristol based rock band Chasing Dolls managed to blend indie guitar lines with a post hardcore aggressiveness resulting in something that, although rather angular, served up an interesting arrangement. The track came with a very abrasive vocal that mightn’t be to everyone’s tastes, but it certainly marked out the band as one to keep an ear for in future.