INTRODUCING: Battalions

I had seen their t-shirts with a haunting hooded figure resting menacingly on them, something I found entertaining and intriguing. I then found out they would be playing at the APF Records Showcase I was about to cover in 2020, I decided to wait until that moment to check them out. I was not disappointed then and haven’t been since. I now proudly call myself a fan and owner of the above-mentioned t-shirt. 

Forming in 2010, their filthy tunes often called party sludge have reached out far from their hometown of Kingston Upon Hull, entertaining crowds up and down the land. I have witnessed their live shows numerous times, and have often fans dancing, and I mean really dancing. The person to the left may be banging their head, the person to the right may be stood there grinning in awe, but all are happy. They have an infectious groove and bounce to their tunes, but Phil’s vocals always keep the vibe firmly in the extreme side of music. First release in 2016 Nothing to Lose hinted at the doomy groove these boys could achieve, and there are some very good tunes on here. But for me, it’s 2017’s Moonburn where they really stepped into the world of groovy Clutch-type tunes, albeit with those harsh, abrasive vocals that keep one foot firmly in the extreme. 

In 2020 I dived into Forever Marching Backwards, suggesting and recommending this album to anyone who would listen. From here we move to their most recent release King of A Dead World. There are several live staples from this excellent and nasty bag of groove ridden riffage, with the vocals still sending fear into the uninitiated. It’s Phil’s abradant, screaming vocals which are a distinct point of this band, but by no means the only talent on show. Soggy Pete's laidback groove is essential to this band’s style. His riffs lay the path for the rest of the band to follow, while the strong drumming of Simon Harrison adds to the mix with his varied style which is always energetic and powerful, something required in this style of music. And then we have the big friendly man Matt Dennett on bass. A true force of nature. Live, he is often seen throwing shapes whilst standing, kneeling or crouching. It’s not often the bass player competes with the singer for the audience’s attention, but this man does. 

This heady combination delivers an aural assault that moves the body and swells the soul. The next guests on The Miserable Metal Mind Podcast coming to you on Monday 15th July – BATTALIONS.

Battalions are:

Phil Wilkinson - Vocals

Pete Cross - Guitar

Matt Dennett - Bass

Simon Harrison - Drums

Follow Battalions here