Tomb Slab – Tomb Slab
Release Date: 17th July 2026
Label: ROAD TO MASOCHIST
Bandcamp
Genre: Doom, Sludge Metal.
FFO: Eyehategod, Acid Bath, Iron Monkey, Carcass, Grief.
Review By: Paul Cairney
Tomb Slab is the eponymous debut album from Nottingham based doom/sludge outfit Tomb Slab. Released through Road to Masochist, the quartet have set about pummelling you with heavy riffs and unfettered aggression in each and every track.
The fact that this is a mere ‘debut’ is astounding. There is a sense of professionalism and dedication that is normally found in more established bands. Tracks such as, ‘Kingdom of Tyranny’ display a high level of aggression, particularly vocally, that isn’t often present in sludge albums, particularly in the opening song on their debut.
Speaking of vocals, Dean Lettice, despite having a rather non-metal name, delivers a performance that is simply outstanding. His delivery is reminiscent of Jeff Walker, he of the unrivalled Carcass, and if ever Jeff was to have laryngitis and a loss of voice, Dean could step in and deliver an admiral job.
But Tomb Slab are the sum of the parts. Kaz Whelan thumps his drum like Anthony Joshua, hard and accurate. They are primal and help control the controlled chaos provided by James Caygill on guitar and John Hunter on bass. The band combine to deliver a tight, heavy and thoroughly enjoyable sludge-fuelled album.
Tomb Slab (album, not band) is a strong debut. With no weak songs, you are just hit with riff after riff. They just don’t let up, and so the fact that they cram all this into 6 songs across just over 30 minutes means that the album doesn’t outstay its welcome.
Tomb Slab have arrived, and they intend to stay!
(4 / 5)
