Review: “Doombeaver” by Gloomweaver

Three years ago it looked like South Coast Slamming Beatdown Deathcore quintet Gloomweaver would be no more as despite their well received debut EP “Dragged Back to the Waking World” original vocalist Jordan Mewse, guitarist James Lane and bassist Josh Forrest all exited stage left. However drummer Joe Kaleth and guitarist Mike Simon had other ideas and quietly went about their business, recruiting bassist Mateusz Wiatr (Confronted), vocalist Sam Walley (Majin) and guitarist Pete Cook (Teazer, Karrier, Pissing Head Wound). Their first record together was EP “Rodeo Roadkill” recorded and mixed by Charlie Wilson (Detriment, Aggro, In God’s Way) at Monolith Studio in London. A little older, wiser and more aggressive, they’ve returned with “Doombeaver“, a five track affair produced, mixed and mastered by Jack Boulton (Majin) and conjoined to artwork by Anditya Dita (Dead Squad, False Visions, Diabology).

The self confessed South Coast scumbags waste no time in bringing the heat with the intensity of opening cut “F.T.P” a sandblasting for the ear drums in every sense of those words. Dense down tuned riffs create a wall of noise that obliterates everything in its path, the restless and relentless rhythmic pummelling enough to make a weak mind haemorrhage and what’s more its great fun. Add to the mix a guest vocal from Will Whyte of Bitterwood which contrasts Walley’s death growls nicely and you have a savage beating on your hands.

Larry Wang of Gorepot and Fatuous Rump fame then lends his throat to “Pissing Head Wound” as Gloomweaver bring both Downtempo Groove and Slam inspired vocal moments to the King’s table. A vicious little ditty with slick tempo shifts of seismic proportions, it has all the neck snapping brutality that you could possibly want, the low and slow finale a master stroke that shows great respect for the genre as a whole.

Having one of those song titles that makes you do a double take means that “Bong Water Biohazard Exposure” immediately has your attention, Harry Brown of Bodybox fame joining the party as the menacing and sinister riffs begin to pile up like bodies in the mortuary. The pig squeals in this one are insane, Walley reaching new depths of depravity with each vocal performance. A collection of samples add depth and texture to almost each and every song, the introduction to “Meat Grinder” which features Alexander Hall Kristensen of Guttural Slug setting the scene nicely. Staccato riff breaks and blast beats will bring out the two steppers when this one goes live, the blood and thunder approach the band have taken making for some monstrous sounds.

Title track “Doombeaver” is the only one not to feature a guest vocal appearance and in all fairness as fun as the guests are, Walley has more than enough in his locker to carry these songs on his own. He climbs from the black depths like a beast on this one, the beatdown style riffs flowing like blood from a freshly severed artery. It’s all violent chugs and sonic abrasions until someone loses their mind. Make no mistake, Gloomweaver aren’t reinventing the wheel here but what they are doing is so damn good it will knock you into next week [8/10]

Track Listing

1. F.T.P (ft. Will Whyte of Bitterwood)
2. Pissing Head Wound (ft. Larry Wang of Gorepot, Fatuous Rump)
3. Bong Water Biohazard Exposure (ft. Harry Brown of Bodybox)
4. Meat Grinder (ft. Alexander Hall Kristensen of Guttural Slug)
5. Doombeaver

“Doombeaver” by Gloomweaver is out 15th May 2026 and is available over at bandcamp.