UK sludge metal juggernaut Battalions return with their new album ‘King of a Dead World’ via APF Records. The follow up to 2018’s 'Forever Marching Backwards’, this album is 8 tracks of colossal, towering, hook filled riffs, born out of a crumbling world.
Bassist Matt Dennett sheds more light on the meaning behind the album’s title,
"I was reading an article online about the decline of humanity, the battering of Earth's resources, the financial and human cost of war, global warming etc, and how the world's leaders are partly to blame. The article ended with "who wants to be the king of a dead world?". I read that and it was a light bulb moment, I thought that's a great song/album title, everyone agreed and it stuck straight away”.
Starting out way back in 2010 in the depths of Kingston upon Hull, Battalions have gradually become veterans of the ever growing underground UK metal scene with their own brand of groove riddled sludge metal. At its the core this is harsh and heavy music, packed with razor sharp guttural vocals and yet it’s hard not to find yourself nodding along addictively to each track on this record.
‘King of a Dead World’ is also an album of change for Battalions in band members, with production and artwork too. Vocalist Phil Wilkinson explains,
"During the covid lockdowns, we underwent a personnel change, namely welcoming drummer Simon into the Battalions fold, so with this we wanted to go for a whole new production process. We chose a brand new studio to us, Nø Studio in Manchester with producer Joe Clayton (Pijn), as we wanted a new sound after using Chris Fielding (Conan) for all our previous efforts. King of a Dead World is us returning to our roots, big groove rooted in a dirty DIY sludge and hardcore sound. In addition to this, we also chose a brand new artist for the album artwork - James Fenwick - to complete the 'new start' mentality we have all taken into the writing and recording of our 4th album."
WHAT THE PRESS ARE SAYING:
"Every punch they land is skilled and intentional, resisting the traditional urge to collapse into hateful feedback and rudderless rage. Heavy, angry and with a deep well of riffs, Battalions do this stuff very well." – Kerrang!
"This is the sound of a band reborn... groove after groove after full-soaked groove, they ultimately leave you wanting more. Dare I say that this is the best Battalions album yet?" - Diaries of Doom
"The band are certainly back bigger and beefier than ever thanks to a very sensible team up with producer Joe Clayton (Pijn, Mastiff, Tuskar). This record sounds huge in Clayton's steady hands, with Battalions' monolithic grooves hitting with the kind of power they've been deserving of since day one." - Distorted Sound
"Battalions are back and back with a bang. Any doubts about what this band could deliver in 2022 are completely blown away with the first few tracks. Battalions not just at their meanest sounding, but at their most venemous." -
gbhbl.com
"The thrusting, piledriving riffage is relentless, a huge juggernaut that once momentum has been achieved, appears unstoppable. This is one nasty piece of work." - Moshville Times
"This album is a wickedly entertaining release... Battalions and APF Records have released a fucking monster." - Outlaws Of The Sun
"Multiple times throughout listening, I found myself astonished at how the band had managed to one-up themselves partway through a song with a new, even cooler riff" – Invisible Oranges
“Injects an evergy and tempo that comes at you like a prize fighter looking to land a knockout blow” – The Sleeping Shaman
"The 8 songs hit like a tsunami, leaving behind nothing but devastation and destruction... it’s a triumphant addition to their catalogue” – Metal Epidemic
“A brutally realistic observation of the unprecedented disorder and disillusion that we are all living through and a damning statement on the state of the world. With this newer hardcore influence, the sky is the limit for Battalions’ brand of grimy, rage filled sludge.” - Noizze
"The innate sense of movement and groove that come through King Of A Dead World take Battalions to a place that’s at the farther reaches of their style. Funky sludge in all its glory, get on it! 8/10" - Musipedia of Metal
released October 21, 2022
Phil Wilkinson - Vocals
Pete Cross - Guitars
Matthew Dennett - Bass
Simon Harrison - Drums
Recorded and mixed by Joe Clayton at No Studio.
Mastered by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege.
Album artwork by James Fenwick.
C&P Battalions 2022. Released by APF Records under exclusive license.