Mastiff
are a quintet from Hull, a self styled “miserable band from a miserable town”
playing a combination of doom, sludge and aggressive hardcore, this crazy bunch
of miscreants imbue hate. A sound in the key of malevolence, Mastiff are devastating, with their
blend of sludgey hardcore metal. Hell, I’m a dog lover myself, but this four
piece are more rabid that a rampaging packs of Rottweilers, an intimidating
proposition indeed. Is there a genre called sludge aggro-core? If
indeed there was, this band of merry bastards would be the antithesis of
that. Their music is just low end filth, the pace of hardcore, the
crush of Crowbar and venom of Converge.
In 2016 Mastiff
self released an eight track album entitled “Wrank”. Recorded and mixed in two days in February of that year it
was a ferocious DIY statement of intent which matched the rabid intensity of
their live shows. The group
continued to gig
relentlessly and started
to pick up
a following beyond
their hometown.
In July 2016 Mastiff
played a now legendary show at The Alma Inn in Bolton which is recognized as
the performance which took them to the next level. They opened a five band
lineup at 6pm and blew the venue apart, leaving jaws dropped and ears ringing.
In the audience that night were band members and reviewers from the growing UK
stoner / doom / sludge metal scene who went away stunned. Also in attendance
was Andrew Field, founder of APF Records,
who befriended the band and signed them to his label in February 2017.
Mastiff’s
second release, and first for APF Records,
is “BORK”. A six track, 25 minute EP
it was again recorded, mixed and mastered in a two day period at the beginning
of July 2017. Everything about “BORK”
puts debut album “Wrank” in the
shade. With the groundswell of
support and goodwill
felt towards Mastiff in
the UK metal
community, THE
SLUDGELORD is thrilled to be debuting
their debut video from the new EP in the form of “Nil By Mouth” which you can
check out below. This is very special EP from potentially one of the most exciting
bands in the UK today and we are excited to be able to introduce the band to a
wider audience. “BORK” will be available via APF Records on 31st
August.