These four UK Progressive Death Metal veterans are unleashing upon us their self-titled debut EP, combining technical precision with a strong focus on songwriting and dynamics.
Featuring four experienced musicians brought together by a shared desire to create new music, UK’s own Progressive Death Metal outfit Lifeswallower is unleashing upon us their self-titled debut EP, drawing from Progressive, Death, Thrash Metal and other corners of heavy music, combining technical precision with a strong focus on songwriting and dynamics. Recorded by each band member at their home studios (vocals, guitars, bass) and by Joe Clayton at No Studio (drums), mixed by Ben Ottridge and Benedict Harris-Hayes, and mastered by Benedict Harris-Hayes at Ethereal Tantrum Studios, the EP sees vocalist James Moffatt, guitarist Tom Humphrey, bassist Ben Ottridge and drummer Benedict Harris-Hayes move between blast-driven intensity, complex arrangements and heavier groove-based sections, allowing each song to develop its own identity while remaining part of a coherent whole.
James’ inhumane guttural is the main ingredient in the ruthless opening track Defy My World, with the Sludge and Doom Metal-infused riffs by Tom bringing even more insanity to their music. The Trees Hide Their Bodies is another hard hitting tune by those UK metallers, with the song’s haunting background sounds sending shivers down our spines while Benedict hammers his drums nonstop, followed by Abandon The Body Of Rot, presenting elements of Thrash and Groove Metal in their core Death Metal sounds, in special through Tom’s killer riffage, being therefore perfect for some action inside the pit (not to mention their clean vocals are also electrifying). And lastly, we face Compound Fears, with the band again blasting our faces with an overdose of progressiveness without forgetting to sound heavy and devilish. Furthermore, Tom and Ben make an amazing stringed duo with their cutting riffs and rumbling bass, respectively, adding even more adrenaline to their music.
Reflecting the chemistry of four musicians pushing each other creatively and exploring new musical territory together, the EP is highly recommended for admirers of the music blasted by renowned acts the likes of Burnt By The Sun, Gojira, Morbid Angel, The Black Dahlia Murder, Sikth, Tool, and Katatonia, among several others, and you can get to know more about those veterans via Facebook and Instagram, and of course, purchase a copy of their striking debut from their own BandCamp. Lifeswallower are setting the bar high with their debut EP, leaving us eager for their first ever full-length opus in a not-so-distant future, and I bet it will be even heavier and more dynamic for our absolute delight.
Best moments of the album: Abandon The Body Of Rot and Compound Fears.
Worst moments of the album: None.
Released in 2026 Prog On! Recordings
Track listing
1. Defy My World 6:30
2. The Trees Hide Their Bodies 5:59
3. Abandon The Body Of Rot 4:47
4. Compound Fears 6:09
Band members
James Moffatt – lead vocals
Tom Humphrey – guitar, vocals
Ben Ottridge – bass, vocals
Benedict Harris-Hayes – drums, vocals
THE HEADBANGING MOOSE 