Wikipedia

Devoured by the Mouth of Hell

Devoured by the Mouth of Hell is the debut studio album by British metalcore band Heriot, released on 25 September 2024 by Century Media Records. Bassist Jake Packer co-produced the album with Josh Middleton, whom began working with Heriot towards the end of its writing; he encouraged them to experiment with different sounds and techniques and helped orient their songwriting to work better in live settings. Thematically based around how "the idea of 'hell' [...] translates into your life",[1] the album expands upon the sound and experimentation of Heriot's previous release Profound Morality (2022).

Devoured by the Mouth of Hell
Studio album by
Heriot
Released25 September 2024
RecordedFebruary 2024
StudioCrescent Records (Swindon)
GenreMetalcore
Length33:58
LabelCentury Media
Producer
Heriot chronology
Profound Morality
(2022) 		Devoured by the Mouth of Hell
(2024)
Singles from Devoured by the Mouth of Hell
  1. "Siege Lord"
    Released: 2 May 2024
  2. "Foul Void"
    Released: 5 June 2024
  3. "At the Fortress Gate"
    Released: 14 August 2024

Critics praised Devoured by the Mouth of Hell for its improved songwriting and ability to balance melody with heavier elements. Heriot performed at festivals including Rock im Park and Rock Am Ring, Download, and Hellfest in the leadup to its release; they will embark on a tour with Sylosis and Fit for an Autopsy between November to December 2024.

Background and recording

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Devoured by the Mouth of Hell was co-produced by Sylosis frontman and former Architects guitarist Josh Middleton (pictured).

In 2022, Heriot released its third extended play, Profound Morality. According to Mia Hughes of Stereogum, the EP turned Heriot into "one of the [UK's] most hyped heavy exports",[2] and anticipation for the band's debut album was high.[8] In late 2022, the band began working on new material.[9] Guitarist Erhan Alman said that although the band did feel pressure to live up to their hype during the album's writing, it ultimately "became secondary to making something that we thought was wicked."[3] In February 2023, they released the non-album single "Demure", which they touted as the start of a "new era".[10] In March, Heriot wrote the "first iteration" of what would become Devoured by the Mouth of Hell before they toured Europe and performed at various festivals during the summer,[2][3] including three supporting dates with Architects in July and August.[11] In November 2023, Heriot resumed writing, scrapping the bulk of their material and reworking what they had left.[4][12] The band wrote five new songs in two days, one of which they fully completed.[4] Debbie Gough and Jake Packer both credited "Foul Void" with informing the direction of Devoured by the Mouth of Hell, although it was not the first song written for the album.[4] Around this time, Heriot announced their signing with Century Media Records with the release of the non-album single "Soul Chasm".[13]

In an interview with Stereogum in November 2023, Alman said that compared to when they first started writing material, Heriot had begun to focus less on themselves and more on how their songs would connect with other people and their audience.[2] Having found that Profound Morality's material did not translate well with the unfamiliar audiences they played to during its summer tours that year, the band sought to make their songs to work better in live settings.[3][14][15] "[We were] trying to find a good medium between being a bit more palatable, so more people can be drawn in by it, but not sacrificing the way we sound in any way", Alman told Distorted Sound in 2024.[15] Heriot began collaborating with Sylosis frontman and former Architects guitarist Josh Middleton towards the end of writing;[3][4] the band sent him a complete demo version of Devoured by the Mouth of Hell and reworked their material with his feedback in mind.[16] According to Alman, Heriot went with Middleton's advice "nine times out of ten" as he was "such a strong songwriter", but did not feel any pressure working with him.[3] Gough said that Middleton emphasized "how we [needed] to have bits to come back to that will stick with people live",[12] whilst Packer said he told the band to write riffs that would attract the attention of a passerby if they were performing at a festival.[3]

Heriot finished writing in January 2024,[17] and recorded Devoured by the Mouth of Hell in February of that year.[18][19] Packer and Middleton co-produced the album together,[20] whilst Justin Hill of Sikth helped engineer Julian Gage's drum tracks.[3] Recording sessions were held in Reading,[3] and at Crescent Records Studios in Swindon;[18] it marked the first time the members of Heriot had worked in a professional recording studio.[21] Gough and Gage respectively credited Middleton and Hill with getting Heriot to experiment with different sounds and getting the best performances out of the band;[3][22][23] Alman credited Middleton with improving his playing technique.[3] Packer spent weeks making notes regarding its tracklist, before reaching an agreed "final iteration" with Alman and Gough. In an interview with Rock Sound, he hoped that "people [would] pick up on the sequencing [...] When you listen to it, it sounds like a record, and it should be listened to in that order. Each track makes much more sense as part of the record."[3] Will Putney of Fit for an Autopsy and END mixed and mastered the album in March and April 2024.[19] Heriot discussed working with Putney after Gough collaborated with END on their 2023 single "Thaw".[1][24] Gough said that the band were impressed by Putney's early mixes,[9] and that it "really didn't take long on revisions [...] because [he] hit the nail on the head from the word go!".[23]

Composition

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Music

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Devoured By the Mouth of Hell is a metalcore album.[25][26] Featuring a heavy, atmospheric[27][28] and claustrophobic sound,[4][29][30] it expands on the sound and experimentation of Profound Morality,[30] incorporating elements of industrial music,[30][31] slowcore,[31] shoegaze,[29][30] thrash metal,[21] blackened metal,[31] doom metal and sludge metal.[25] James Hickie of Kerrang! considered the album to be "too broad in scope and dense in execution to be easily characterised".[4] Tracks such as "Foul Void" and "Siege Lord" rely on heavy riffing;[31][25] "Harm Sequence" and "Sentenced to the Blade" feature guitar solos reminiscient of Slayer and Dimebag Darrell.[27][28] "Opaline" and "Visage" saw Heriot expand on their sheogaze and electronica influences,[29] whilst also tapping into ambient music and progressive rock.[31] On "Lashed", they experimented with an electronic,[29] drumless sound.[3]

In an interview with Montreal Rocks, Gough said that Heriot aimed to potray a heavy sound and "overwhelming" feeling on Devoured By the Mouth of Hell, describing it as a "feel-bad album".[9] The band cited artists including Billie Eillish, Korn, Slayer, and Slipknot as influences on the album's sound and direction.[32] Gough cited Wand, specifically their second album Golem (2015), as a "huge source of inspiration in aiming to capture depth within our clean sections".[33] Packer cited industrial artists including Justin Broadrick, Scorn, Kahn & Neek and Kevin Martin (a.k.a. The Bug) as influences on the album's post-production and atmosphere, and the Silent Hill soundtrack on its ambience.[33] "Lashed" was inspired by the works of Sophie and Sara Landry.[14][33]

Lyrics

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'Hell' is a very interpretable concept. For us [Heriot], hell is everyday life and scenarios, real places that exist in this world. It's easy to imagine it as an underworld of fire and pain, but I think we see that in our lives and everyone faces a version of it in some form. I think that's a much more terrifying depiction.

— Debbie Gough[16]

Packer and Gough were jointly responsible for writing the album's lyrics,[30] which explore "themes of existential despair, societal decay, and personal torment", according to Matt Young of The Line of Best Fit.[31] They also incorporate medieval motifs, of Packer's influence.[30] According to Gough, each of the album's tracks revolve around how "the idea of 'hell' [...] translates into your life".[1] The overall presentation of the lyrics was deliberately kept vague to allow people to come up with their own views and interpretations.[16][1][15] "Foul Void" is about an individual's inner conflict and uncertainties about their faith.[34] "Opaline" concerns "the need to accept that sometimes you must sit with the truth alone, however isolating it may be, until others are ready to understand it."[35] "Siege Lord" is about "the fragility of soul searching."[36] NME described its lyrics as "almost medieval or pagan".[12] According to Gough, "Solvent Gaze" was intended to be an instrumental track and was named after its sonic and visual feel; " 'Solvent' stands for harmful and 'Gaze' for the twisted view that the harmful created."[16] "At the Fortress Gate" is about feeling powerless fighting against a regime and "reflecting on the immense suffering endured by humanity."[37] Young described the lyrics of "Mourn" as "a picture of suffocating inevitability".[31] The title was the last thing decided for the album; in an interview with Dork, Gough said it represented the album's themes and the idea of "being completely consumed by something".[30]

Release and promotion

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On 2 May 2024, Heriot released "Siege Lord".[36][38] On 5 June 2024, the band announced the release of Devoured by the Mouth of Hell and released its second single, "Foul Void".[34] Throughout June 2024, Heriot performed at the Rock im Park and Rock Am Ring,[39] Download,[40] Resurrection, Jera on Air and Hellfest festivals.[41] They also performed at the inaugural Bastard Fest in July.[42] On 14 August 2024, the band released "At the Fortress Gate" as the third single,[43] alongside a music video filmed by Harry Steel during their 2024 festival shows.[37][44] The album was first released on CD in Japan by Avalon on 25 September 2024;[45] Century Media released the album in all formats worldwide on 27 September 2024.[46] On the day of the album's release, Heriot released a music video for "Opaline",[35] and performed an "Album Release Show" at The Exchange in Bristol, supported by Cauldron, Urine Mask and Plague Pit.[47] Between 22 November and 21 December 2024, the band will support Sylosis and Fit for an Autopsy on their co-headlining tour of Europe.[48] In August 2025, they will perform on the main stage of Bloodstock Festival.[49]

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Distorted Sound9/10[50]
Kerrang!5/5[28]
The Line of Best Fit8/10[31]
Metal.de6/10[25]
Metal Hammer     [29]
Rock Hard6.5/10[51]

In a 5/5 review for Kerrang!, Nick Ruskell called Devoured by the Mouth of Hell a "perfect document of [Heriot's] powers", praising the band's improved songwriting and atmospherics.[28] Stereogum praised the album as "a bravura display that cements [Heriot] as one of the best young bands in their field."[27] Andrew Sacher of BrooklynVegan felt the album successfully balanced melody and brutality without compromise, highlighting the vocal performances of Packer and Gough, particularly towards the latter's greater use of clean singing.[26] Daanii Lievers of Metal Hammer considered the album the "confident work of a far more experienced band" and also praised Heriot for expanding on its melodic aspects "seamlessly sewing together textures and tones and creating full tracks from surprising influences" without being "disjointed".[29] Conversely, Metal.de reviewer Patrick Olbrich felt that album lacked cohesion between its combination of various elements.[25]

Track listing

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All tracks are written by Heriot.[20]

No.TitleLength
1."Foul Void"4:07
2."Harm Sequence"1:49
3."Opaline"3:21
4."Siege Lord"3:25
5."Sentenced to the Blade"2:45
6."Solvent Gaze"2:56
7."Lashed"3:30
8."At the Fortress Gate"3:46
9."Visage"3:44
10."Mourn"4:35
Total length:33:58

Personnel

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Adapted from liner notes.[20]

Charts

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Chart performance for Devoured by the Mouth of Hell
Chart (2024) Peak
position
UK Album Downloads (OCC)[52] 62
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)[53] 25

Release history

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Release history and formats for Devoured by the Mouth of Hell
Region Date Format Label Catalog # Ref.
Japan 25 September 2024 CD Avalon MICP-11918 [45]
Various 27 September 2024
Century Media 19802804692 [46]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Desgagné, Marc (25 September 2024). "Heriot - Entrevue avec la chanteuse/guitariste Debbie Gough à propos du premier album "Devoured by the Mouth of Hell"". MetalUniverse.net (in Canadian French and English). Archived from the original on 27 September 2024. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Hughes, Mia (15 November 2023). "Band To Watch: Heriot". Stereogum. Archived from the original on 18 November 2023. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Howell, Maddy (15 August 2024). "Interview: Heriot On Debut Album 'Devoured By The Mouth Of Hell'". Rock Sound. Archived from the original on 15 August 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g Hickie, James (25 September 2024). "Heriot: "I want us to bring a new style of metal, with the same values we started with, making heavy, abrasive, immersive music"". Kerrang!. Archived from the original on 25 September 2024. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  5. ^ Brannigan, Paul; Marshall, Will; Everley, Dave; Alderslade, Merlin; Travers, Paul (5 February 2024). "The 50 metal albums you need to hear in 2024". louder. Archived from the original on 30 June 2024. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  6. ^ "The 200 Most Anticipated Albums Of 2024". Stereogum. 26 December 2023. Archived from the original on 26 September 2024. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  7. ^ Sacher, Andrew (5 January 2024). "43 Metal Albums We're Anticipating in 2024". BrooklynVegan. Archived from the original on 12 July 2024. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  8. ^ Release hype
    • Album described as anticipated/hyped:[3][4]
    • Anticipated albums lists:[5][6][7]
  9. ^ a b c Gerrard, Steve (31 October 2024). "Heriot interview - "Heavy Is A Mood"". Montreal Rocks. Archived from the original on 11 November 2024. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  10. ^ DeVille, Chris (14 February 2023). "Heriot Share New Song "Demure": Listen". Stereogum. Archived from the original on 1 August 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  11. ^ "UK metal quartet Heriot announce Architects shows". Hold Tight. 7 June 2023. Archived from the original on 26 September 2024. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  12. ^ a b c Wilkes, Emma (30 September 2024). "Heriot are ready to raise hell | The Cover". NME. Archived from the original on 30 September 2024. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
  13. ^ Carter, Emily (15 November 2023). "Heriot sign to Century Media, drop new single Soul Chasm". Kerrang. Archived from the original on 15 November 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  14. ^ a b Marshall, Will (25 September 2024). "'We Were Confident In Ourselves': How Heriot Became The UK's Most Exciting New Metal Band". Stereoboard.com. Archived from the original on 26 September 2024. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  15. ^ a b c Press, Jack (28 October 2024). "Heriot: At The Fortress Gate". Distorted Sound Magazine. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
  16. ^ a b c d Rapp, Marcel (23 September 2024). "Heriot: Interview mit Debbie Gough". PowerMetal.de (in German). Archived from the original on 24 September 2024. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  17. ^ Wilson-Taylor, James (interviewer) (20 June 2024). Heriot, Download Festival 2024 | New Album 'Devoured By The Mouth Of Hell' | Interview (Video). Rock Sound. Event occurs at 1:08–1:49. Archived from the original on 9 July 2024. Retrieved 8 July 2024 – via YouTube.
  18. ^ a b @heriotmetal (23 July 2024). "Devoured by the Mouth of Hell studio sessions - Crescent Records Studios, February 2024". X (formerly Twitter). Archived from the original on 26 July 2024. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  19. ^ a b Anon. (4 October 2024). One Day... With Heriot in the Mouth of Hell (Video). Knotfest. Event occurs at 2:14–3:05. Archived from the original on 4 October 2024. Retrieved 5 October 2024 – via YouTube.
  20. ^ a b c Heriot (2024). Devoured by the Mouth of Hell (booklet). Century Media Records. 19802804692.
  21. ^ a b Leivers, Dannii (23 October 2024). ""Heavy doesn't have to start with guitars." How Heriot became UK metal's most exciting underground band". Metal Hammer. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  22. ^ Müller, Dennis (October–November 2024). "Heriot - Vom Newcomer ins Rampenlicht" [From newcomer to the spotlight]. Ox-Fanzine (in German). Archived from the original on 17 September 2024. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  23. ^ a b Gonzales, Ramon (2 October 2024). "Heriot Substantiates the Hype with Their Debut Full Length, 'Devoured". Knotfest. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  24. ^ Coward, Teddy (10 October 2023). "END Drop New Single 'Thaw' Featuring Heriot's Debbie Gough". Rock Sound. Archived from the original on 6 December 2023. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
  25. ^ a b c d e Olbrich, Patrick (21 September 2024). "Heriot - Devoured By The Mouth Of Hell". metal.de. Archived from the original on 21 September 2024. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  26. ^ a b Sacher, Andrew (27 September 2024). "Notable Releases of the Week (9/27)". BrooklynVegan. Archived from the original on 27 September 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  27. ^ a b c DeVille, Chris (27 September 2024). "Heriot Release Debut Album 'Devoured By The Mouth Of Hell': Listen". Stereogum. Archived from the original on 28 September 2024. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  28. ^ a b c d Ruskell, Nick (27 September 2024). "Album review: Heriot – Devoured By The Mouth Of Hell". Kerrang!. Archived from the original on 27 September 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  29. ^ a b c d e f Leivers, Dannii (26 September 2024). ""At their heaviest, they feel genuinely dangerous." Heriot live up to their potential as Britain's best new metal band on Devoured By The Mouth Of Hell". Metal Hammer. Archived from the original on 26 September 2024. Retrieved 26 September 2024 – via loudersound.
  30. ^ a b c d e f g Teggert, Linsey (27 September 2024). "Heriot: Welcome to the Hellmouth". Dork. Archived from the original on 27 September 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  31. ^ a b c d e f g h Young, Matt (25 September 2024). "Heriot: Devoured By The Mouth Of Hell Review - master debut | Metal". The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on 25 September 2024. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
  32. ^ Gwee, Karen (30 September 2024). "Heriot share album inspirations in exclusive playlist for The Cover". NME. Archived from the original on 8 October 2024. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  33. ^ a b c Leivers, Dannii (October 2024). "Heriot Are Here". Metal Hammer. No. 392. UK: Future plc. p. 72.
  34. ^ a b Weaver, James (5 June 2024). "Heriot announce debut album 'Devoured By The Mouth Of Hell'". Distorted Sound Magazine. Archived from the original on 7 June 2024. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  35. ^ a b Anon. (27 September 2024). "Heriot reveal music video for "Opaline" as new album is released". lambgoat.com. Archived from the original on 27 September 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  36. ^ a b Alderslade, Merlin (2 May 2024). "Please allow British metallers Heriot to turn your bowels inside out with their savagely heavy new single, Siege Lord". Metal Hammer. Archived from the original on 6 June 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2024 – via loudersound.
  37. ^ a b "Heriot To Release Debut Full Length Album, 'Devoured By the Mouth of H". Knotfest. 14 August 2024. Archived from the original on 26 September 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  38. ^ Gonzales, Ramon (2 May 2024). "Heriot Unload Hulking New Single, "Siege Lord"". Knotfest. Archived from the original on 9 June 2024. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  39. ^ Maryleen (19 June 2024). "Festival Review: Rock Am Ring 2024 – Day Three". Bring the Noise UK. Archived from the original on 26 September 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  40. ^ Ruskell, Nick; et al. (14 June 2024). "The big review: Download Festival 2024". Kerrang!. Archived from the original on 14 August 2024. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  41. ^ "UK metal quartet Heriot announce long-awaited debut album & stream new single". centurymedia.com. Archived from the original on 7 June 2024. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  42. ^ Kelly, Tyler Damara (18 June 2024). "Empire State Bastard announce the inaugural Bastard Fest with Heriot, Conjurer, Pupil Slicer and more". The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on 19 June 2024. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  43. ^ Mills, Matt (14 August 2024). ""It's been one of our favourite unreleased tracks to perform live": Up-and-coming metalcore heroes Heriot get groovy on new single At The Fortress Gate". Metal Hammer. Archived from the original on 14 August 2024. Retrieved 14 August 2024 – via loudersound.
  44. ^ "UK metal quartet Heriot release new single, 'At the Fortress Gate'". centurymedia.com. Archived from the original on 15 August 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  45. ^ a b "Devoured By The Mouth Of Hell – Avalon Label｜Tokyo Japan". Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  46. ^ a b Taylor, Sam (6 June 2024). "Metal upstarts Heriot have announced their long-awaited debut album, 'Devoured by the Mouth of Hell'". Dork. Archived from the original on 6 June 2024. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  47. ^ Carter, Emily (8 July 2024). "Heriot announce Devoured By The Mouth Of Hell album release show". Kerrang!. Archived from the original on 14 August 2024. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
  48. ^ "Sylosis and Fit For An Autopsy announce co-headline tour with…". Kerrang!. 26 April 2024. Archived from the original on 2 May 2024. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  49. ^ Carter, Emily (15 October 2024). "Heriot, Fear Factory, Ministry and more added to Bloodstock 2025 bill". Kerrang!. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
  50. ^ Heasley, Ellis (25 September 2024). "Album Review: Devoured By The Mouth Of Hell - Heriot". Distorted Sound Magazine. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  51. ^ "Heriot: Devoured By The Mouth Of Hell". Rock Hard (in German). Vol. 448. 25 September 2024. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  52. ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
  53. ^ "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 October 2024.

Further reading

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