Heriot have been flying the flag for the UK’s underground Metal scene over the last few years. Really coming to prominence in the post-pandemic era, as they’ve toured relentlessly across the UK and Europe with bands such as Zeal & Ardor, Rolo Tomassi and Architects, while also gracing the stages of festivals such as Download, Bloodstock, Rock Am Ring and Hellfest.
Catton Park, United kingdom, 14 Aug 2022, Heriot performing on the Sophie Lancaster Stage at Bloodstock Open Air Festival Credit: Rich Price/Ghost Cult Magazine
They’re a band who have become accustomed to receiving strong support from the UK’s Metal press, featuring regularly in the likes of Metal Hammer, Kerrang and NME, while also crafting themselves a strong online presence with a succession of single releases, accompanied by memorably artistic videos.
Following the release of Profound Morality on Church Road Records in 2023, their first EP with vocalist / guitarist Debbie Gough – the band have signed with Century Media to release their long-awaited debut LP Devoured By The Mouth Of Hell … and it absolutely hits the spot.
They’ve already dropped the singles “Foul Void” and “Siege Lord” on the world, and it is the former which kicks this record off in some fashion with its dark and pounding groove, while the opposing vocals of Gough and bassist Jake Packer trade off. Gough brings a blackened vocal style which she contrasts with serene moments of clean singing – drawing comparison with Caro Tanghe of Oathbreaker. While Packer provides a deep guttural bark, in more of a Death-Doom style.
Across the ten songs, there are moments which are ridiculously heavy, “Siege Lord” being a case in point, while other tracks such as “Harm Sequence,” “Sentenced To The Blade” and “At The Fortress Gate” convey an old-school influence. Merging elements of Death, Thrash and Groove Metal, with a number of mind-bending shreddy guitar solos, and a succession of absolutely sick riffs.
But Heriot show that they are no one-trick pony, and mix their out-right aggression with a myriad of other influences. A darkly melancholic isolated guitar opens “Opaline,” before a sumptuous bassline drops alongside Gough’s intoxicating clean-singing. When the distortion arrives, there is an eighties-style tone to the guitar.
Heriot experiment further with creaking soundscapes and a melodic lead hook on “Solvent Gaze,” a thumping Industrial beat on “Lashed,” and Electronica with another delectable and deep bass tone on “Visage.”
The record closes with “Mourn” – a song that delivers a little bit of everything that Heriot purvey in one. Dropping with an instant clanking, juddering rhythm, while showcasing all of their imposing vocal styles once again.
On Devoured By The Mouth Of Hell, a clear maturity and growth in the songwriting of the band is evident. The arrangement ebbs and flows, while the production (from ex-Architects guitarist and Sylosis frontman Josh Middleton) is absolutely on-point throughout, as each instrument crunches perfectly. Heriot don’t write long meandering songs, but this suits their style.
The album is perfectly paced, and a thoroughly cohesive listening experience because of it.
Buy the album here:
https://heriotmetal.bandcamp.com/album/devoured-by-the-mouth-of-hell-24-bit-hd-audio
9 / 10
ABSTRAKT_SOUL