REVIEW: ỤBỤRỤ - ỤBỤRỤ

Doom metal trio ỤBỤRỤ are on track to release their debut self-titled album. A relatively unknown Leeds-based group, they’re looking to prove themselves with this record following gigs over the past couple years. Several songs on this album have made live appearances previously, uploaded to their YouTube channel, although they don’t feature anywhere near the level of polish as the studio versions - particularly what would become the monolithic closer to the album, Shaman.

But let’s start with the first standalone single, opener Butchered. As a first impression, it’s a decent taste of what this band is aiming to achieve. A monstrous opening riff, reminiscent of early BLACK SABBATH, over pounding drums that, while they could be louder in the mix, by the time the guitar squalls and the vocals come in, you don’t notice it all that much - lead vocalist Joe’s growls have the perfect level of bite to accompany the sludginess of the riff here. However, when they go into double time the production noticeably begins to feel muddier. It’s slightly distracting, especially when it goes back into the verse and the guitar sounds much clearer again. That being said, the effect still works, with the faster section shaking the pacing of the song up a lot. At six minutes, it certainly needs some variation and this first song manages to do so, even ending on an unexpected solo, which doesn’t feel out of place at all, and adds a little bit of extra dimension to the song before ending on a sustained chord.

So there’s a few hang-ups with the first song, but it still does a good job of setting the stage. Thankfully, the second single and also second track on the album, In Tatters, is certainly an improvement. Instantly starting with a roar from both the guitars and vocals, you get this caustic riff that feels ready to melt your ears off. It keeps this up for about three minutes before introducing some time signature trickery, and while somewhat disorientating, the drums help the rhythm feel anchored. It’s hard to notice unless you’re looking for it, but nonetheless impressive at how seamless it feels.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLICXvVg9IM

Throughout the album we get more mind-bending riffs and dynamic builds and switches, notably on fifth track Shaman, but it’d be a disservice to talk about this album without mentioning the closing track Oblivion in detail. By far the longest song on here, nearly reaching nine minutes, it manages to carry the momentum from the rest of the album. It feels like there’s a real driving force to this song, the moments where it goes into double time, the tempo shifts, the sheer intensity of the riffs throughout and Joe’s vocals permeating through all of this once again. It’s not uncommon for a closing track to feel like the thesis statement of an album, and especially one as long as this, but it’s thrilling nonetheless. The section from four and a half to five minutes in where you hear these grinding, endless-feeling sustained guitar chords is unbelievable. And that comes before an instrumental section that swaps between chugging guitars and as fast-paced of a riff as you’re going to get on an album like this. Even with all that, it still manages to pick up the pace with another extended instrumental section that might even fit the definition of stoner metal, going on for several minutes before a few more growls before some sustain, and abrupt end.

Unbelievably heavy and a hell of an effort for a debut album, ỤBỤRỤ manage to alleviate reservations we may have had with the production on the first track and excite with some wonderful pieces of doom and sludge on the remaining seven tracks. Keep an eye out for these guys - they’d surely be a treat to witness live, and this album is proof of that.

Score: 8/10

ỤBỤRỤ will be self released on 15th May 2026.

Words: Jake Leonard

Photos: ỤBỤRỤ