Heriot – Devoured by the Mouth of Hell (Review)

This is the debut album from UK metal act Heriot.

I enjoyed 2022’s Profound Morality, so have been looking forward to Heriot unleashing a full album. I’ll tell you what too, they haven’t disappointed me. Quite the opposite in fact.

Devoured by the Mouth of Hell finds Heriot more focused a less experimental than they were on Profound Morality, while still benefitting from the fruits of that experimentation. In essence, this means that this album is heavy and abrasive, but also boasts creative flourishes and textured sounds. Heriot are crushingly harsh, yet also offer the listener a depth of sound to explore that belies their brutal nature.

Despite its contemporary veneer, there’s an old-school heart beating molten steel beneath this. Think a 90s blend of Machine Head, Napalm Death, Lamb of God, Misery Loves Co. and Godflesh – even the album artwork is reminiscent of the era. Heriot are skilled enough to put their own spin on this though, and have also picked up some other tricks from the decades since.

The Heriot sound is designed for the live environment, but has enough songwriting smarts to avoid becoming a one-dimensional pit-friendly curiosity. There’s decent variety to satisfy, but an overarching framework that is devoted to portraying the band’s mammoth sound in the best light possible. Also, it’s a rare album indeed where the bass plays an important part in its success, and this is just one of the reasons among many that Devoured by the Mouth of Hell is a notable record.

The songs are well-crafted and engaging. They deliver Heriot’s vision for devastating heaviness with a focused intensity, showcasing the band’s ability to blend punishing hostility with immersive atmospheric enhancements. Devoured by the Mouth of Hell is a feast of blunt brutality, driven by sludgy metallic hardcore and cold industrial punishment, but softened and textured in key places with mood-rich creativity and detailing. Basically, this is heavy heavy heavy, but with an industrial pulse, an electronic edge, and an emotive core.

The EP promised, the album delivered. Devoured by the Mouth of Hell is a thoroughly enjoyable record. Heriot have exceeded expectations.

Very highly recommended.