The Preston bassheads treat us to a new record of rubber-faced post-punk psychedelia!
This is the band’s 5th album, and I’m happy to report that Evil Blizzard do not get any less interesting. The Preston, UK collective are known to wear disturbing rubber masks on stage, as well as having a penchant for creating bass-heavy psychedelic noise. At one point, they had no less than eight bass players in their ranks! The band states that their influences for ‘Death Songs & Lullabies‘ are Can, Public Image Ltd (Metal Box era) and maybe less obviously, Discharge. (J.J Janiak even supplies guest vocals on one of the songs on this album).
‘Death Songs & Lullabies‘ incorporates Dub, Krautrock and Post-Punk, with Gothic elements thrown into the mix. This release may also contain traces of sequencing, sampling and string instruments made out of bone (I would expect nothing less!) Evil Blizzard also have an element of mystery that surrounds them, so best I cut to the chase and review the album..
Recorded in 2025 at Rock Hard Studios in Blackpool, this recording is well produced and powerful. The first track is called ‘Off With Their Heads’, which begins with a hypnotic keyboard sequence complete with hushed vocals. They suddenly proclaim, “straight to the tower and off with their heads!,” before unleashing a hard-rocking chorus. There is a catchy, strangled guitar line within, with some wailing vocals to accompany it, on this space-rock behemoth of a tune. A furious ode to “the powers that be,” and a strong opening song. One of the album’s highlights for me.
‘Down Down Down’ owns a Killing Joke -style guitar riff with metally sounding vocals, which almost reminds me of ‘Voivod‘. Apparently, the band have a heavy metal background, and I would say that this is pretty evident throughout the album. “Break the chains, the ones that hold you” say Evil Blizzard, as a choral section brings this tune to a dramatic close:
‘Black Square‘ has an appropriately gothic/alternative rock feel, which has an absence of snare drum, until the song takes us on a space rock journey, amidst a sea of wah-wah pedal effects. ‘Wake The Dead In Bedlam‘ features Discharge’s J.J Janiak on vocals, and his style lends itself well to this song. This song reminds me of Ministry too, which can’t be a bad thing. The term ‘Industrial Metal’ springs to mind, and it’s a tune that even includes a mob chorus of chants, to end on.
‘Questions // Answers‘ is a lengthy song that ventures into the realms of prog rock. It also manages to sound like ‘Gong‘ in the process. The whispered vocals are mantra-like, building up to a trippy rock crescendo, best accompanied by a long cigarette, maybe.
‘Four Letter Words‘ is a quickfire number that does actually sound like Discharge sparring with Motorhead. ‘Hater Creator‘ goes down the doom metal route, with its metailic vocals in an almost Black Sabbath vein. “You’re a monster I can’t stop,” say the lyrics.
‘Warpaint‘ is the last song on the album, which has an atmospheric keyboard intro, showing that Hawkwind truly run through the band’s DNA. I can imagine this song accompanying some dark ritual around a campfire at night, as the vocalist warns us menacingly, “They are coming for you”.
‘Death Songs & Lullabies‘ is a quality listen from a band that are not scared to bend the rules. I have used many comparisons throughout this review, but Evil Blizzard most certainly inhabit their own space. They manage to keep their music both interesting and unpredictable, so long live the dark wizards of the bottom end!
Catch Evil Blizzard on tour:
‘Death Songs & Lullabies‘ comes out on March 26th, but you can pre-order your copy HERE
1. Off With Their Heads
2. Down Down Down
3. Black Square
4. Wake The Dead In Bedlam
5. Questions // Answers
6. Four Letter Words
7. Hater Creator
8. Warpaint
Follow Evil Blizzard on Their Socials:
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I have been writing reviews for Brighton & Hove News, and more recently Vive Le Rock magazine for a few years now. Previously, I could be spotted playing drums for many a band over the decades. A noisy habit developed whilst wearing short trousers at school, and one that has had me touring around the UK and Europe. Punk rock is my life, but I am also quite eclectic. I am an avid gig go-er and music devourer, and can feel out of sorts if a gig date is not on the horizon. I have also been known to put gigs on myself in order to fill those gaps.
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