Track Premiere: “Hammer and Nail” from Widows New EP Ten’Yer

Nottingham-based stoner/sludge outfit Widows have been steadily building buzz over the course of their three albums to date, and regardless of whether or not you’re familiar with the band it’s easy to see why: they’re just fucking fun.

“Hammer and Nail,” one of two tracks from Widows’ new EP Ten’Yer, starts off with a furious High on Fire-ian, lockstep drum and guitar onslaught. The frenetic pace then gives way to a giant-sized burl of doom, and things just get slower and sludgier from thereon out — it’s almost as if the band is using the song as an allegory for life, starting off with fervent energy before the weight of the world brings us down into its sad, depressive morass. And yet it still manages to be a fun ride in spite of everything. How’s that for irony?

The band explains:

“Ten’Yer is a bit of a progression from what we did with Oh Deer God and expands on the nastiness of that record. There’s still that same vibe there but the focus was on trying to make it darker and more aggressive than ODG on all fronts. If you liked the last record, you’ll love what we’ve got in store for you come January 28th!”

Ten’Yer marks the final studio release with long time drummer Ze-Big. New skinsman Adam Sharrocks will join the band at their launch shows in February 2019, posted underneath the embed. The EP comes out today, January 28th, via APF Records and can be ordered here.

1st Feb – Albert’s, Nottingham, w/Ritual King, Mastiff, Barbarian Hermit
2nd Feb – Bread Factory, Manchester, w/APF Records Showcase
23rd Feb – The Freebird, Stoke, w/Mastiff and Silverchild
14th March – The Maze, Nottingham, Metal 2 the Masses Heat 5
June -Black Heart, London All dayer, main support
5th Oct – Bannerman’s, Edinburgh Barbarian Hermit weekender
6th Oct – Trillian’s, Newcastle, all dayer, Barbarian Hermit weekender