Doomed Confessionary: Rob Lewis (Rustorm)

UK ethereal doom metal trio Rustorm was founded by ex-members of 90’s alt-metal band Pulkas, Rob Lewis (guitar, vocals and programming) and Jules McBride (bass and programming). After having made a serious mark on the metal scene with the Pulkas album »Greed« (released through Earache Records), they ended up in Metal Hammer’s top ten list of bands that made a killer album and then split up.

Having subsequently played separately for many different bands, Rob and Jules formed Rustorm together in 2020 to release a debut EP, »Death Valley Speed Trap«. This four-song blitz was followed by the debut album, »Razed To The Ground« in 2022, which developed the band’s unique sound and set the scene for what was to come.

Late 2024 and early 2025 saw the release of two brand new singles, both taken from their second album, »Gravity«, out on March 7th, 2025. Built on the solid foundations laid down by their previous releases, it arrived loaded with frequency defying low-end guitars, gravel filled vocals and hypnotic bass lines – occasionally rounded off with string, piano and atmospheric samples – to create an ultra-heavy sound that crosses genres.

To take the Rustorm sound out on the road, powerhouse drummer Dave Nato Hazlewood (Anti-Nowhere League, Angelspit) has joined Rob and Jules to create a formidable threepiece live unit delivering an even more ferocious sound capable of moving mountains.

Can you say a few words about your band?
We are an alternative stoner doom metal band formed in 2020. Jules and I used to play in a band called Pulkas in London in the late 1990s. We lost touch until we coincidentally met when we both moved to the same small town of St Leonards-on-Sea on the south coast of England. I’d started some new songs and then asked Jules to join on bass and Rustorm was formed. After the first EP and album »Razed To The Ground« we recruited drummer Dave Nato Hazlewood from Anti-nowhere league & Anglespit and then played some UK shows. We’ve just released a new album Gravity on the 7th march 2025.

What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Getting the whole thing together to be able to play our songs live, it was a challenge to incorporate all the backing tracks into a live set.

What can you be most proud of so far?
Definitely the new album »Gravity« and getting the band on the stage to play live shows.

What was your biggest regret?
Not getting the band on the live stage sooner.

What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
For me I think it was playing in our local independent record shop https://toughlove.shop during the day and selling a shit loads of vinyl albums & t-shirts, it was a great experience.

What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
The scene has changed so much since the late 90’s the internet has chanced everything and makes it so easy to communicate to our fan base.

What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Acid King, Bell Witch, Sleep.

What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Never sign your merchandise away and don’t take reviews personally.

What are your guilty pleasures?
Pizza, dark chocolate & the band Candlemass.

Can you say something more about current music scene in St Leonards-on-Sea?
In our town of Hastings & St Leonadrs-on-sea the music scene is very healthy with loads of venues to play.

Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
We only have shows in England at the moment starting in June, we would love to tour Europe soon and are currently looking for a new agent. If you’d like us to play at your local venue please get in touch and we’ll see if we can work it out.

What are your plans for the future as a band?
To tour and do as many live shows as possible plus start writing the new album.

How can people best support your band?
Our music and be listened to or purchased at rustorm.bandcamp.com.

Do you have any message for your listeners?
Please check out our music and subscribe to YouTube, follow on Facebook, cheers and hopefully see you all at our shows.

Links:
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp | Spotify | YouTube

Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well