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. The album was recorded by Josh Middleton and mixed by Will Putney.[4]

Devoured by the Mouth of Hell
Studio album by
Heriot
Released25 September 2024[1]
RecordedFebruary 2024
StudioCrescent Records (Swindon)
GenreMetalcore[2][3]
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

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. In February 2023, they released the non-album single "Demure", which they touted as the start of a "new era".[5] In March 2023, the band 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,[6][7] including three supporting dates with Architects in July and August.[8] According to Mia Hughes of Stereogum, the Profound Morality EP turned Heriot into "one of the [UK's] most hyped heavy exports",[6] and anticipation for the band's debut album was high.[9][10][11] Guitarist Erhan Alman said that although the band did feel pressure to live up to their hype during the writing of Devoured by the Mouth of Hell, it ultimately "became secondary to making something that we thought was wicked."[7] He nevertheless noted that the band had begun to approach writing "thinking about how you're connecting to other people; how you're writing every song off an album potentially to be someone's favorite song. You don't just think, oh, that song's a filler song."[6] Heriot also credited their summer tours with changing their perspective on writing, as they found that some of Profound Morality's material did not translate well with audiences unfamiliar with the band,[7] such as those they played to supporting Architects.[12]

In November 2023, Heriot resumed writing, scrapping the bulk of their material and reworking what they had left.[13][14] The band wrote five new songs in two days, one of which they fully completed.[13] 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.[13] Around this time, the band announced their signing with Century Media Records with the release of the non-album single "Soul Chasm".[15] Towards the end of writing, Heriot began collaborating with Sylosis frontman and former Architects guitarist Josh Middleton, who—in a first for the band—provided Heriot with an "outside perspective" towards their material and performances.[7][13] Prior to recording, the band sent Middleton 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.[7] Middelton helped orient Heriot's songwriting for live performances;[14] Packer said that he told the band to write riffs that would attract the attention of a passerby if they were performing at a festival.[7]

Heriot finished writing in January 2024,[17] and recorded Devoured by the Mouth of Hell at Crescent Records Studios, Swindon, in February of that year.[18][19] The recording marked the first time the members of Heriot had worked in a professional recording studio.[20] The album was co-produced by Packer and Middleton;[21] Will Putney of Fit For an Autopsy handled mixing and mastering,[22] whilst Justin Hill of Sikth was responsible for the engineering of Julian Gage's drum tracks.[7] According to Gage, Middleton "really pushed Deb and Jake [Packer, bass] out of their comfort zones", whilst Hill "got me to do loads of stuff I wouldn't normally do."[7] Gough said that he "pushed [the band] to try new techniques and tones [...] that we'd never really delved into before";[23] Alman also credited him for improving his playing technique.[7] Packer spent weeks making notes regarding its tracklist, before reaching an agreed "final iteration" with Alman and Gough. 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."[7]

Release and promotion

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Distorted Sound9/10[24]
Kerrang!5/5[25]
The Line of Best Fit8/10[26]
Metal.de6/10[2]
Metal Hammer     [27]
Rock Hard6.5/10[28]

On 2 May 2024, Heriot released "Siege Lord".[29][30] On 5 June 2024, the band announced the release of Devoured by the Mouth of Hell and released its second single, "Foul Void".[22] Throughout June 2024, Heriot performed at the Rock im Park and Rock Am Ring,[31] Download,[32] Resurrection, Jera on Air and Hellfest festivals.[33] They also performed at the inaugural Bastard Fest in July.[34] On 14 August 2024, the band released "At the Fortress Gate" as the third single,[35] alongside a music video filmed by Harry Steel during their 2024 festival shows.[36][37] The album was first released on CD in Japan by Avalon on 25 September 2024;[1] Century Media released the album in all formats worldwide on 27 September 2024.[4] On the day of the album's release, Heriot released a music video for "Opaline",[38] and performed an "Album Release Show" at The Exchange in Bristol, supported by Cauldron.[39] Between 22 November and 21 December 2024, the band will support Sylosis and Fit for an Autopsy on their co-headlining tour of Europe.[40]

Track listing

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All tracks are written by Heriot.[21]

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.[21]

Release history

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Region Date Format Label Catalog # Ref.
Japan 25 September 2024 CD Avalon MICP-11918 [1]
Various 27 September 2024
Century Media 19802804692 [4]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Devoured By The Mouth Of Hell – Avalon Label｜Tokyo Japan". Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  2. ^ a b 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.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ a b c 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.
  5. ^ DeVille, Chris (14 February 2023). "Heriot Share New Song "Demure": Listen". Stereogum. Archived from the original on 1 August 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j 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.
  8. ^ "UK metal quartet HERIOT announce Architects shows". Hold Tight. 7 June 2023. Archived from the original on 26 September 2024. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ "The 200 Most Anticipated Albums Of 2024". Stereogum. 26 December 2023. Archived from the original on 26 September 2024. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ a b c d 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.
  14. ^ a b 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.
  15. ^ 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.
  16. ^ 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. ^ @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. ^ falber (19 August 2024). "Heriot". Source Webzine. Archived from the original on 31 August 2024. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  20. ^ Leivers, Dannii (October 2024). "Heriot Are Here". Metal Hammer. No. 392. UK: Future plc. pp. 70, 72–73.
  21. ^ a b c Heriot (2024). Devoured by the Mouth of Hell (booklet). Century Media Records. 19802804692.
  22. ^ 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.
  23. ^ 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.
  24. ^ Heasley, Ellis (25 September 2024). "Album Review: Devoured By The Mouth Of Hell - Heriot". Distorted Sound Magazine. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  25. ^ 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.
  26. ^ 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.
  27. ^ 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.
  28. ^ "Heriot: Devoured By The Mouth Of Hell". Rock Hard (in German). Vol. 448. 25 September 2024. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  29. ^ 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.
  30. ^ 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.
  31. ^ Maryleen (19 June 2024). "Festival Review: Rock Am Ring 2024 – Day Three". Bring the Noise UK. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  32. ^ 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.
  33. ^ "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.
  34. ^ 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.
  35. ^ 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.
  36. ^ "Heriot To Release Debut Full Length Album, 'Devoured By the Mouth of H". Knotfest. 14 August 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  37. ^ "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.
  38. ^ Anon. (27 September 2024). "Heriot reveal music video for "Opaline" as new album is released". lambgoat.com. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  39. ^ 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.
  40. ^ "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.
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