Beloved Stevenage based progressive sludge metallers Everest Queen have sadly announced they will be taking an “indefinite hiatus” after twelve years of being active as a band. This decision was announced by founding guitarist and vocalist Adam C Taylor across the band’s social media platforms.

“Everest Queen started naturally. We all shared the same ambition: to start a heavy band where we could express ourselves, nothing more, nothing less. And I think we achieved that,” wrote Taylor; “over the years, we’ve had some amazing successes — playing some incredible shows and festivals, opening for incredible bands, and receiving glowing reviews in magazines and online blogs, including Zero Tolerance and Kerrang! But just as naturally as it began, it feels like Everest Queen has reached a natural conclusion. Over the past couple of years, we’ve all moved on to different things, both personally and musically, and now feels like the right time to bring it to a close.”

Everest Queen were the linchpin of the UK’s heavy Hertfordshire scene. The band leave behind two superb studio albums, 2019’s self-released Dead Eden, and 2022’s Murmurations, which was joint released by Surviving Sounds and Trepanation Recordings. Everest Queen were originally formed by guitarist and vocalist Adam C Taylor, bassist Jimmy Long, and drummer Brad Cook. They were later joined by additional guitarist and synth player Tom Clements, and bassist Simon Marston. Their last show took place on August 30th 2024, playing a charity fundraiser event to help save local rock venue Club 85.

Their statement left fans with a slight glimmer of hope as Taylor wrote, “Maybe we’ll pick Everest Queen up again one day… maybe we won’t. As it started naturally, perhaps, someday, it will pick up again just as naturally. Thank you all so much for the last 12 years. We may see you again…”

Everest Queen’s individual band members will remain active in various other music projects. Jimmy Long and Tom Clements perform in drone metal trio Orme, whilst Brad Cook now plays drums in Trippy Wicked & The Cosmic Children Of The Knight. Clements is also the lead vocalist of Praetorian, whilst Simon Marston continues to play in Denali. Adam C Taylor was most recently active with solo projects Skytower and Black Cloud Harbour.

Listen to Everest Queen on Bandcamp.

EVEREST QUEEN //  Bandcamp – Facebook – Instagram