UK blackened sludge/hardcore outfit Praetorian announce new album »Pylon Cult« on APF Records and premiere music video for »Fear And Loathing In Stevenage«!

Hertfordshire, UK based blackened sludge/hardcore outfit Praetorian premiere a music video for the first single »Fear And Loathing In Stevenage« taken from their upcoming album, »Pylon Cult«, which will be released on January 31st, 2025 via APF Records.

Tracklist:
01. Fear And Loathing In Stevenage
02. Chain Of Dead Commad
03. Gutwrenching
04. Tombs Of The Blind Dregs
05. Dormant Psychosis
06. Remnants Of Head
07. Pylon Cult
08. Burly Haermorrhoid

Courtesy of PR Trail:

Emerging from the inner realms of North Hertfordshire – fondly dubbed “The Shire” – 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.

With a steady line-up since 2019, Praetorian have built a loyal fanbase through their incendiary live shows. Frontman Tom Clements is a topless whirlwind of energy, stalking the stage (and occasionally the crowd) while delivering his brutal, antisocial vocals with a side of chaos. Offstage, Tom might seem like a teddy bear, but in the heat of performance, he leads the band in a full-scale sonic assault.

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«, in early 2025.

Praetorian have shared stages with heavyweights such as Desert Storm, Old Horn Tooth, Grave Lines, Party Cannon, and Mastiff. Their festival appearances include a standout set at Bloodstock 2024 on the New Blood Stage, as well as appearances at Heavy Fest in Stevenage, Six Six Metal Fest in Cambridge, Doomlines in Sheffield, RiffsnBeerz Fest in Leicester, and Tone Henge in Rotherham.

Musically, Praetorian draw inspiration from sludge and extreme metal legends like Acid Bath, Iron Monkey, Soilent Green, Goatwhore, Darkthrone, EyeHateGod, Kylesa, and Crowbar. They are relentless in their pursuit of the riff, and their live shows are a cathartic release of sound and fury—where bones rattle, laundry bills skyrocket, and chaos reigns supreme.

»Pylon Cult« out on APF Records 31st January 2025. Buy it from: apfrecords.co.uk/albums/pylon-cult

All songs written and arranged by Praetorian.
Recorded, mixed and mastered by Wayne Adams at Bear Bites Horse Studios during June 2024.
Artwork by Mark Wilkie.

Praetorian is:
Tom Clements – Vocals
Mark Wilkie – Guitar
Richard Stevenson – Bass
Andrew Bisgrove – Drums

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