Metalcore, often seen as a sanctuary for hard-hitting riffs and angst-filled lyrics, gets a fresh pulse with Birmingham-based quintet CAULDRON. They’ve been grinding away in the UK’s music scene, and are now stepping into the spotlight with a video for their new single, ‘Rejection Pact,’ released on August 30, 2023. What you’ll hear and see isn’t just another name on an overcrowded playlist but an enthralling blend of artistic vision and hard-core narrative.
“The album’s concept was conceived during the worst period of my life. The lyrics are ultra-personal, whilst being really story-focused,” states Frazer Cassling, the band’s vocalist.
The forthcoming album, titled Suicide In The City, is not merely a compilation of tracks but a concept album that unfolds around a group therapy session led by the character Tristram St. Claire. Frazer Cassling uses his struggles with mental health as a narrative arc, turning the album into an auditory tapestry laden with human affliction. The concept seems to infuse Cassling’s own experiences of navigating life with OCD and mental hurdles, providing the album with an emotional heft that goes beyond the typical metalcore offerings.
The album is not just a digital experience; it’s designed to be tangible. It is available for pre-order in multiple vinyl variants, cassette forms, and collector’s edition box sets. As an additional nuance, the band has released a limited-edition 7-inch through both The Coming Strife Records (UK/EU) and Ephyra Records (US). Such commitment to materiality reveals a band keen on providing an authentic experience for their listeners, showing respect for both the art and the medium it lives in.
The recording process itself, done at Lower Lane Studios, was overseen by producer Sam Bloor and later mastered by Grant Berry at Fader Mastering. Notable for mastering works like Ithaca, Static Dress, and Rolo Tomassi, Berry lends the tracks the final brushstrokes they require to step into the world confidently.
Post-release, CAULDRON isn’t pulling any punches. The band is set for a rigorous tour schedule, trekking across the UK and Europe from September to November. The road itinerary includes diverse venues, from intimate settings like The Little Buildings in Newcastle to energetic festivals like Burn It Down in Torquay.
CAULDRON Live Dates:
Mon 04 Sep – New Cross Inn, London w/ Kaonashi
Tue 05 Sep – Boom, Leeds w/ Kaonashi
Wed 06 Sep – The Classic Grand, Glasgow w/ Kaonashi
Thu 07 Sep – The Little Buildings, Newcastle w/ Kaonashi
Fri 08 Sep – Club Revenge, Brighton w/ Kaonashi
Sat 09 Sep – Burn It Down Festival, Torquay
Sat 15 Sep – JCHC Zine Hardcore All Dayer, Dundee
Sat 29 Sep – Castlefest, Luton
Sun 08 Oct – Till The Fest, London
Tue 24 Oct – Le Farmer, Lyon FR
Wed 25 Oct – Canadian Cafe, Tours FR
Thu 26 Oct – Trefpunt, Ghent BE
Fri 27 Oct – Sin City Mosh Fest, Hamburg DE
Sat 28 Oct – MK Bar, Belval LUX
Fri 17 Nov – Muthers Studio, Birmingham
