Lower Slaughter

A lineup shuffle heralds the arrival of the first record from these South Coast heroes in 6 years and, boy, was it worth the wait! Gargantuan riffs and slamming rhythms combine with those new Wakefield vox to slam home belter after ruddy belter.

Buckle up cos your new fave band just invited you along for a ride. Since their last full-length release back in 2019, Sussex noise-makers Lower Slaughter have spent several years quietly simmering and regrouping behind closed doors, plowing through a reshuffle of personnel, but always keeping a constant eye on the future; working sporadically on new material and focusing towards the next phase of the group’s existence. Following the departure of long-time vocalist Sinead Young, their surprise return in 2024 saw the remaining former members unveil a new line-up, welcoming James Gardiner to the fold on bass, and with previous bass player, Barney Wakefield, switching over to vocal duties. Upon Gardiner’s addition, a considerably more expansive sound has emerged, bringing the band’s now recognised output of what the Quietus once referred to as ‘lurching noise-rock’ to new exciting heights, all the while set against an equally more confident and expansive dynamic, reinforced by the chemistry of Graham Hebson and Jon Wood, who remain tighter than ever on drums and guitar respectively.

‘Deep Living’, recorded and mixed by long- time collaborator and prolific music engineer, Wayne Adams (Petbrick/Big Lad), and mastered by Sam Grant (Pigsx7/Rubber Oh), sees the group firing on all cylinders and kicking the door open with new business to set! Along with taking over on vocal duties, Barney has taken the helm of sole lyric writer - a role he’s eagerly grabbed with both hands, drawing inspiration from personal experiences and trauma as an initial canvas to explore other themes and emotions, so as to reflect a broader universal state of mind, rather than an inner monologue or self-referential journey. Subsequently, the album’s overall lyrical arc is of navigating one’s path from fear and unknowing towards light and comfort, revealing the complexities of life in both it’s darkness and it’s beauty, whilst also separately touching upon historical events, pastime folk-lore, ancient prophecies and political unrest.