04/11/2025
Featuring Sidmouth guitarist and songwriter Tom Ryder, Apathy UK's EP, A Dark Night for the Soul, reviews as ‘an impressive, consistently evolving release’ with "blazing technicality" Chosen as EP of the week by Breakdowns&more.��On Friday, Apathy UK play at the Scala, in Kings Cross, London
https://open.spotify.com/album/43r7iUVTZ3nc259QOrvY1p?si=KbgBXrjMRdmpR5ACkj5UrA
Review: APATHY UK - ‘A Dark Night For The Soul’ EP
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‘It is only fitting that an EP with the name ‘A Dark Night For The Soul’ is unleashed on Halloween, an aesthetic and tonal choice from Apathy UK who are pretty widely known at this point for producing some of the most eerie sounding heavy metal to come out of Devon in recent years. This EP takes what the band explored in their debut full length ‘Phasing Through The Layers’ (2024) and turns up the intensity tenfold, resulting in a record that displays maturity, control, and experimentation in spades.
They open with ‘Root’, the leading single and first look at the next chapter since bringing in Eros for bass duties - something that has been noticeably darker and heavier. While there is a full review on ‘Root’ alone where I go into full detail about the track - go check it out - it’s worth noting here how well this track sets in motion this new era and has almost given the band permission to lean fully into the brutal sound that they’ve been toying with for a while. Here, they have fully opened the door and let it in - embracing a wide range of metal adjacent styles to create this wonderfully abrasive fusion and push the boundaries that many others might find safety in. ‘Dredge’ takes it a step further again, living up to its gloomy title and pummelling the listener with elaborate and unwaveringly brutal riffing reminiscent of classic death metal and thrashing goodness that is not only tight as all hell, but just as abrasive too. Even within this technical showcase leading the way there is defiance from the band to make it their own sound; the experimental edge continues to slice through and bring energetic songwriting to be just as much a part of the sound as the shredding is. Whilst I am much a fan of Apathy UK going full chaotic mode, it’s obvious that they have just as measured success even when sticking to a structured track style too; what is great is that there is space for both of those aspects of the band to coexist and thrive here.
‘Web’ settles in with a clean and glassy break, almost an interlude feel, and at this point in the record it feels suitably ethereal and just as grandiose. If we take a record as this akin to a story, this is the part at which it gets real, and the protagonist sees the real horror within - or, how far the web has been spun? Whichever way you look into it and however you like to enjoy music, there’s much to be said for these tracks for providing a rich tapestry of sound to really get lost in, building these worlds that spark the imagination and thrill the listener around every corner. Even now, when I think I know where this might be going, Apathy UK turn on their heels and break into this down-tuned and aggressive monster of a track that brings in that nu-metal and classic metal influenced power, intertwining soaring riffs and thudding lower frequencies with prophetic mastery. I particularly admire the groove employed with those harmonics and pinches dotted within for good measure, and then when the breakdown hits it feels like we’re tangled up in something dangerous and must hang on for dear life, riding it out and facing it head on. Besides anything else, it’s so incredibly fun to experience this fusion of sound.
Within the first few moments of ‘Corrosion of Self’ there’s this suggestion of a more sombre outlook - hypnotic, dot delayed cleans, and an introspective (bordering on eerie) tone, like we’re hearing everything from under the surface. It soon breaks into a sprint however, and in doing so carves itself as one of the heaviest tracks on the record, and that’s saying something considering what’s come to pass. The relentless pulsing of pure low end power locks in with the steady flow of energy to deliver a cyclic pattern of downtuned riffs on one hand, and mesmerising leads to enthrall on the other. Before you know it, you’re caught up in the brutality, headbanging along and hanging onto every guttural yell that pierces the mix. It is unyielding in its energy levels and it leaves minimal empty space, which would perhaps give us a moment to settle, to recalibrate our senses. While this is an overwhelming listen, it is precisely how you’d expect the very notion of the title to feel; regardless of how abstract or literal you may take it, it's a horrifying idea that many would have nightmares about. While the very acceptance of this existential thought would probably be enough to propel the track on its own, Apathy UK still unleash a colossal track that hones in on that deathcore/ nu-metal fusion with intense determination. The ending 45 seconds or so are so incredibly powerful, pairing low and slow riff patterns with such a visceral vocal performance that you wonder if they actually gave a part of themselves to an eldritch entity somewhere along the way in order to recount the tale.
Final track ‘Cascade’ is without doubt an assault on the senses worthy of being a closing statement on this record. With an unyielding barrage of rhythms, and a positively primal level of strength in the performance the band employs elements of previous tracks and combine them here for what becomes a melting pot of heavy metal wizardry. Since ‘Gravewalker’ I have much enjoyed how they bring a sense of mystery into their tone, and while the EP as a whole is very cohesive, it seems like ‘Cascade’ leans into it with the most vigour of the lot. There’s an excellent balance of dynamics threaded within the outwardly heavy hitting visage, and this even comes to the surface with the layering of clean vocals in the chorus, something that richens the depth of the world building even further. It is progressive at times too, elevating the experience beyond just linear motions, yet still keeping it firmly in the metal sphere. Let’s be real, Apathy UK have never really been afraid to try something out and see if it works because seemingly everything they put their hand to seems to take on the same compelling aura - and as we approach what seems like an early bridge break, they strip it right back again and lure us into the darkness for a final burst of life. The shredding that follows is not only a showcase of pure technical ability, but retains emotional weight and structural power, sending us into an impressive final hurrah for this impressive record. It’s a mind-bending ending, a potent spiral of intricacies that doesn’t wane for a moment, and if anything it is kept in perpetual amplification with the vicious bombardment of sound gripping on right until the final soothing notes.
With every release that Apathy UK unleash, there's a definite level of absurdity that comes with it, not in terms of silliness of course, but more in our collective disbelief. Blazing technicality aside, the songs themselves take on a life of their own through mature, radical songwriting and conscious production choices, and not only this, the transitions between the songs themselves feel organic and part of the narrative of the EP. As mentioned throughout, the merging together of genres is exceptionally well done, cleverly balancing elements of each effectively and refusing to settle for second best in their content. There’s not a massive amount that can be said against Apathy UK here as they are constantly evolving in their sound enough that everyone can find something to take away from their music. Where in previous releases I have potentially found myself wondering how they would sound if they kept it a lot more structured, they went ahead here and proved they can do that too, and it still sounds awesome. In all, Apathy UK just don’t miss.’
Written by Evan @ Casual State Audio
