Club 85, Hitchin.

4th of July, 2026.

If ever you needed proof of how a music venue benefits its area, Club 85, in the north Hertfordshire town of Hitchin is one of the most shining examples.

After being faced with the chopping block of redevelopment, a hard and costly battle ensured its survival. Although not fully guaranteed, with enough people playing and attending enough shows, this is but a small obstacle.

Not only is club 85 a venue for a myriad of musical forms, Bar 85 serves as a watering hole for its down to earth clientele.
This, I have written about plenty. What is important is the evening of sludge, stoner and doom metal that is being brought to us from Locust Furnace Promotions.

It is not the first time seeing KUSHTHULHU this year, but this time,things feel more exciting.
Seeing a band in a bar or pub has its more personal merits and it is something I’ll never tire of, but when you see them on a proper stage, with a proper soundsystem, lighting set up and mix desk, it all feels right. It’s where you wished your favourite underground bands would reach and here they are.

The London two piece weren’t phased, nor did it hold them back. If anything, the clearer view and a drum riser allowed us to see how KUSHTHULHU work.
With drummer and vocalist George holding court centre stage, his vocals were visceral and his loose hi-hat hypnotic.
Meanwhile, guitarist Daniel fired off down tuned slugs of psych/sludge riffs and chugs like a general in chief.
While the majority of the set was from their 2023 EP, THE SWAMP, the jam style of delivery was excellent. A pleasant surprise came with the return of Ed of SPIRITUAL SLABS for the song, ED SONG. I tell you, it never gets old.
A KUSHTHULHU gig is always a pleasure, never a chore.

After being juiced up by that offering, KOBA came down from Norwich with their take on a post metal, stoner vibe.

If I’m to be honest, I don’t usually gel well with instrumental bands. A bit strange as lyrics aren’t what I listen closely to in metal.
It happens that these four lads don’t need singers or lyrics, KOBA are all about atmosphere and is something they do extremely well.
Lead guitars are played with a haunting, almost vocal set of effects that capture your sense of intrigue.

With a sludge mentality toward cinematic expression, they kept a raptured attention from the audience.
A spellbinding set that makes me hunger for more.
If you like bands like Erronaut, Witchsorrow or Kal-El, this is a band to watch, without argument.

Everything was going lovely so far, until things got lively, and I mean that in the nicest way.
All the way from Manchester, NXMAD (formerly NOMAD) came onstage to let us know how they sludge up north.
Not only that, but this groove infested beast dropped their second album, titled THE SECOND FALL, the day before this gig.

I didn’t hear it by the time of the gig but, rest assured, a review is forthcoming.
Vocalist, Drian and his three cohorts of chaos Lewis (guitar), John (bass) and Liam (drums) give short shrift to any of that fancy stuff. What you get is stripped back, groove and gritty fuzz.

With a telltale Manc charm, Drian had tales and stage patter that turned every stink face into a grin.
Diabolical, dirty and devilish, NXMAD are worth tracking down.

There is one undeniable facet of sludge and that is, underneath the filth and glorious aggression, a sense of fun is always present.
Clearly evident with the London based headliners, GURT, who are a self proclaimed ‘cat friendly’ sludge act. I’m sure this has been verified and that no tabby was harmed gaining this information.

Gurt are a by the book UK sludge act. Not a bad thing by any means. The London foursome have nailed how good sludge should sound. With a mix of doom, stoner and hardcore, none of their music fully falls into any of those categories, and live it is even more intense than an orgy at a campsite.

Singer Gareth is a tornado of nervous energy. Wrapped in his own mic lead, he was hard to keep track of. At one point off stage and screaming in my face during DOI OF THE DOID (scared the shit outta me), but he has charisma for miles so all was smiles.
It wasn’t all the Gareth show, mind. Bassist Dave made the most of his “new toy” by giving his wireless system a thorough range test. Seriously. The lad was putting in more steps than Frodo Baggins. Meanwhile, Richard and Dave were the closest we could hope for if you wanted normality.

With asm set that encompassed and encapsulated GURT’s strong sense of groove and keen eye for a pun or two, the songs like KNIFE FEVER, WEED IT AND WEEP and closer ROLLING STONED were given some serious welly. Special attention was given to a new song from their latest EP, SURVIVAL OF THE SHITTEST where the song LIVE NATION DEAD SCENE was dedicated to those corperate types that ransom concert ticket prices and venues. Unfortunately, my call for their cover of 2 Unlimited’s, No Limits came to nought, but overall, GURT put on a real argy bargy belter of a set.

I cannot say this enough. Metal is genuinely good… and when stuff like sludge is played in its purist, impure, messed up way, you get one of the most honest, warm and chilled out evenings of aggression.
Sometimes, you can sod your mosh pit, give me this stuff anyday…