When Urzah’s debut album landed in my submissions inbox I was certainly compelled by their ambitious and progressive sound. The Bristolian quartet soon sent me a follow up email to tell me they had landed a label deal with APF Records, and now I was double excited and knew I had to work with them and my old pal Andrew Field – boss at APF. Listening to the album further revealed intricate new layers and I am so impressed with how Urzah weave together influences of post-metal, sludge, metalcore and progressive arrangements all so seamlessly. I could hear little bits of Converge, Elder, Cult Leader, Gojira and Cave In – a bunch of bands who aren’t too alike.

I was so glad to see that the positive reviews kept coming one after the other. I don’t think anyone disliked this record. From Metal Hammer to Echoes & Dust to GBHBL to Distorted Sound and more, we really saw a domino effect of so many amazing writers and publications getting involved and putting their unique stamp on what The Scorching Gaze meant to them. A superb sight considering this is Urzah’s debut full length release and they are still relative newcomers on the scene. Yet again I’m left blown away by the high quality and versatility of so any incredible music writers who keep the heart of the heavy underground scene beating.

ACCOLADES
“Urzah have crafted a weighty, accessible debut that is equal parts experimentation and gut-punch gratification.”
~ Metal Hammer 387

“A constantly surprising, immensely satisfying listen that somehow manages to combine genre-pushing experimentation with real classic metal sensibilities. Urzah are destined for great things.”
~ Distorted Sound – 10/10

“Urzah are here to rattle your eardrums, and have utterly succeeded with The Scorching Gaze. This band has all the force of an atomic bomb, no matter if it’s faster and frenetic, or strong and epic. Absolutely one of the debuts you need to check out this year.”
~ The Razor’s Edge

FROM THE PRESS KIT
From the second you hit play, opening track and leading single ‘I, Empyrean’ entices the listener and grabs them by the throat, kick starting a sprawling web of chugging guitars, soaring leads, stabbing bass and commanding powerhouse drumming. Progressive and lengthy cuts such as riff workout ‘Immateria Noir’ sit comfortably alongside the sheer face-melting gut-punch attack ‘Of Decay’. The Scorching Gaze isn’t without brilliant and daring curveballs, including the sweetly nested ballad ‘The Aesthetic’, lead by contemplative clean guitars and guest vocalist Eleanor Tinlin’s expressive singing. The Scorching Gaze is a record guided by thought-provoking lyrics and titles, inspired strongly by both the cosmic horror writings of HP Lovecraft and more directly, the late Cormac McCarthy’s novel The Crossing. Akin to these works, Urzah’s songs channel a narrative of inward cerebral odyssey – life’s cycles through desolation and joy, triumph and pain, violence and beauty, as well as the permanency of choice and consequence. All of this culminates in Urzah’s grand finale, the fifteen minute two-part ‘Thera’ suite, where the quartet go balls to the wall, slowing down to a sensational sludgy pace and confronting us with their heaviest and most crushing onslaught of all.

In order to capture more density, texture and sonic space in their sound, Urzah recorded The Scorching Gaze with producer, engineer and Phoxjaw guitarist Josh Gallop at his own Stage 2 Studios in Bath. This has resulted in a thickened and balanced soundscape across these winding and complex songs that are always evolving and changing. The quartet have brought in key additional players into the studio space, with Eleanor Tinlin of Choir Noir (who have performed live and recorded with Bring Me The Horizon and Frank Turner) providing dreamy clean vocals, as well as cellist (and bassist of stoner metallers Froglord) Luke Clemenger to lay down sorrowful strings. Topping everything off is the vibrant cover art by the talented Indonesian gig poster and album cover illustrator Putra Satria Nugraha, expertly evoking the tapestry of layers, depths and mysteries that this album holds. The Scorching Gaze is a brightly ambitious and rewarding listen that reveals new layers and intricacies through repeat listens, boldly striding its maze of blistering riffs, dynamic song structures and flaming intensity. 

Released on May 3rd 2024 on CD, Cassette and Digital by APF Records. 

Photo Credit: Naomi Jane (1) // Maciek Mastalerz (2)
URZAH – Bandcamp – Facebook – Instagram