REVIEW: Scratch One Grub - One
- Con Macadam
- Feb 27
- 3 min read
SCRATCH ONE GRUB’s debut album One arrives with the urgency and volatility of a band determined to establish its identity quickly and loudly. Hailing from Aberdare in South Wales, the six-piece operate within modern progressive and alt-influenced metal, but what defines One is not only its heaviness. Instead, the record thrives on contrast: between screamed and sung vocals, electronic textures and raw guitar tones, density and restraint. Across its eight tracks, the album introduces not just a sound, but a band testing the limits of what that sound can hold.
From the outset, One makes its intentions clear. Opening track Swamp Scum crashes in on heavy drums and distorted guitar and bass, establishing a thick, confrontational palette. The drumming is particularly striking, giving the track momentum that rarely lets up. Vocally, the song shifts between fast screams and cut-back spoken passages before accelerating again, creating a push-and-pull dynamic that keeps the listener engaged. It’s an effective opener: abrasive, energetic, and confident enough to let rhythm and tone carry much of the impact.
That momentum continues into Vagabond, which leans further into electronic distortion and layered textures. While still rooted in heaviness, the track introduces more space, allowing electronic elements to surface. Midway through, the instrumentation drops to a more exposed vocal section before swelling into a larger sound. The shift provides one of the album’s strongest structural moments and demonstrates the band’s ability to build tension rather than simply sustain volume.
Track three, GTFP, offers a recalibration. Its introduction is more melodic and spoken-led, stepping away from the aggression of the opening tracks. The tighter feel gives the album breathing room without sacrificing cohesion. This dynamic awareness becomes central to the record’s success, particularly in standout track Absolution. Opening with synth pads and atmosphere, it gradually expands into a fuller sound. Sung verses contrast with screamed choruses, and the return to synth-driven textures helps unify its shifting moods. It’s arguably the album’s most fully realised fusion of atmosphere and impact.
The middle section continues to explore tension between build and release. Bad Habit grows gradually before returning with heavier intensity. #1 follows with a more direct approach, driven by drums, guitar, and bass. While not as distinctive as surrounding tracks, its mix of screamed and sung vocals keeps the album’s energy consistent. Even where songs feel less memorable, rhythmic drive and tonal cohesion prevent any loss of momentum.
Later tracks bring renewed texture. Ysbryd opens with softer drums, synth pads, and shimmering guitar, creating a spacious environment before reintroducing weight. The balance between melody and aggression reinforces the band’s interest in mood as much as force. That carries into the closing track Planet Killer, which begins with announcement-style vocals and distant sirens that draw the listener in. Gravel-edged singing and harmonies build a dense soundscape, ending the album with a sense of scale rather than simple finality.
Production across One is clear, allowing each instrument to occupy its own space even in dense moments. Guitars are thick but defined, drums punch through without overpowering, and synths add depth without feeling ornamental. Sequencing also plays an important role: heavier tracks are offset by more atmospheric ones, preventing fatigue and helping the record feel more dimensional than its runtime suggests.
As a debut, One feels both raw and self-assured. SCRATCH ONE GRUB demonstrates a clear understanding of their strengths within rhythmic intensity, vocal contrast, and textural layering, while leaving room for refinement. The album doesn’t smooth out its rough edges entirely, and that works to its advantage. There is an instinctive immediacy that gives the record character, even when it leans on familiar genre tropes. Ultimately, One succeeds because it prioritises balance. It is heavy without being monotonous, atmospheric without losing impact, and varied without feeling scattered. For a band at the start of their trajectory, it’s a strong introduction that suggests a clear direction and potential for even greater cohesion as their sound evolves.
Score: 8/10
One was self released on 27th February 2026.
Words: Con Macadam
Photos: Scratch One Grub / SaN PR
Comments