18th December 2025

Review: “Feast Of The Serpent” by Verminthrone

Heavy. Dirty. Miserable. Put simply, that’s how Buckinghamshire based Sludgecore five piece Verminthrone self describe. As ever, that is just the tip of the iceberg as the band feature in their ranks members and former members of Karmalener, Sada and Word Bearer and have thus far demonstrated their commitment to the cause with 2022 debut EP “Kingdom Of Worms” followed by 2024 debut album “The Cull“. Both of those records were well received and have paved the way for play a myriad of shows with the last few months alone being exceptionally busy. Not only did they join Hammer in Edinburgh for their “Trapped” album release show and Raging Speedhorn on the 25th Anniversary of their debut album in Milton Keynes but were also part of what this years Desert Fest London so special. Recorded and produced at The Arch Recording Studio in Southport by Tom Dring (Evergrey, Ingested, Vower), mastered by Stephen Kerrison (Foul Body Autopsy, Old Mayor, Remote Viewing) and wrapped in artwork by Budapest Illustrator and Tattooist Sebo Krisztian aka Shape From Hell, their next burnt offering is “Feast Of The Serpent“…

Soaked in riffs with more than a hint of influence from the almighty Kirk Windstein “Pallor” roars out of the gate like a beast from the black depths seeking to burn everything in sight. A monstrous track that is as hard as a granite table top with flecks of early American Metalcore in it and bands like Zao, this one bulldozes everything in its path, leaving nothing but smoldering in ashes in its wake and is nothing short of a headbangers delight. Vocally savage “Swab” increases the intensity with the verve and swagger of groove, the band clearly having the upmost confidence in their material as they deliver it with the precision of a laser guided missile that blows up everything in a thirty foot radius of the target. You might not expect a solo from a core band but they have that in their armory as well like its some kind of antidote to their Hardcore infused riffs. Ranting and raving like a man possessed Dan Banshaw puts his soul into “When It Rains, It Pours“, the almost harsh spoken word moment in middle of the cut masterfully done. If you don’t find yourself screaming along with him “What’s the f***ing point?!” at the top of your lungs then you need to make an appointment with a therapist to ask them what the hell is wrong with you. The emotive quality of the vocal performance bleeds grit and integrity while telling you it means something so much more and under the crushing weight of the bands crushing rhythms its pure catharsis for those who are also weathering a storm. A solo sliding into a downtempo breakdown takes us back to bands like Throwdown and make no mistake Verminthrone have the power to pummel. There is a real punch to “Bloodletting” despite it having a bit of Down about it, the material executed with poise, passion and power before a intertwining solos feel like they’re delivered by Zakk Wylde. By the time “Event Horizon” comes around its as if the record has been purposefully put together to showcase the band going from strength to strength with the band starting out with an upper cut and finishing with a Dragon punch. The grooves are punishing, designed from the ground up for the mosh put with a razor sharp edge in mid tempo chugging power. Verminthrone perfectly execute a false ending on this one, bringing it back with a brutal roar followed by some Joey Jordison inspired drum fills and yet another earworm riff. A powerhouse of a record, this one is the kind that will find you waking up in the middle of the night just to listen to it once more [8.5/10]