Doomed Confessionary: Mark Wilkie (Praetorian)
Emerging from the inner realms of North Hertfordshire, Praetorian are a four-piece wrecking crew obsessed with angry, bowel-imploding riffs and chaos-infused soundscapes. Since their formation in 2015, the quartet has perfected a ruthless blend of blackened sludge metal, doom-laden heaviness, and noise rock, creating a sonic onslaught that melts faces and rattles bones. Their music is ferocious yet oddly comforting, with moments of tranquil post-metal beauty peeking through the chaos.
Praetorian’s journey has been one of evolution. While initially inspired by death metal titans like Entombed and Celtic Frost, their sound has morphed into something meatier and more hook-laden, with a foundation of sludge metal at its core. Influences from across the heavy music spectrum – black metal, doom, post-metal – create a dynamic that is as diverse as it is destructive. Their signature sound takes listeners on a wild ride through fast, slow, and devastatingly heavy sections, punctuated by rare moments of subdued calm that lure you in just before the storm returns.
Praetorian first caught the attention of APF Records with their »A Deluge Of Bad Faith« EP – a three-track release packed with sugary-sweet sludge riffs, bowel-wrenching tempos, and demented shrieks. Now signed to APF, the band is set to release their highly anticipated debut album »Pylon Cult« on January 31st, 2025.
Praetorian are Tom Clements on vocals, Mark Wilkie on guitar, Richard Stevenson on bass and Andrew Bisgrove on drums.
Can you say a few words about your band?
We’re too fast for doom and too slow for grind, but we meet somewhere in the middle.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Settling on a name! I guess that’s the same for most bands.
What can you be most proud of so far?
Playing Bloodstock, getting signed and still being a band after numerous lineup changes early on.
What was your biggest regret?
No regrets here! I guess not starting this band earlier?
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
Bloodstock and also our M2TM Final gig in Hitchin back in 2022. The room was a-rockin.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
Not too sure how to answer this one? I guess our local venue Club 85 closing down in 2025 as it seemed immovable. Although it might still be saved…
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Chat Pile, Crippling Alcoholism, Thou, Black Curse, EyeHateGod, Vision Of Disorder…always changing.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Never buy stuff brand new! Only in exceptional circumstances.
What are your guilty pleasures?
I love cheesy 90s dance music. Although that’s not really guilty is it?
Can you say something more about current music scene in Hertfordshire?
It’s host to all sorts of genres and we’re like an extended family. Meaning we go to local shows and we have fights followed by cuddles.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
Only more show this year which is next weekend in Cambridge, but got a few shows to announce for 2025 soon.
What are your plans for the future as a band?
To headline Bloodstock and release the best neo classical sludge album ever made.
Do you have any special plans for New Year’s Eve?
Laughing, drinking, eating, singing, and shouting. Like any other weekend really.
How can people best support your band?
Go to our shows, buy merch and spread the word on social media. We like a good mention as it perks up our day.
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Sorry our answers weren’t very exciting! Preorder the new album here: praetorianuk.bandcamp.com.
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well