Rising from the underground scene to become one of British metal's most exciting bands, Heriot's debut album is a tour de force. Check out our new Upset cover story.

Words: Linsey Teggert.
Photos: Harry Steel.

With the amount of hype that has surrounded metal four-piece Heriot over the past four years, it's hard to believe they're only now releasing their debut album, 'Devoured by the Mouth of Hell'. The release of their official first single with guitarist and vocalist Debbie Gough - who joined drummer Julian Gage, bassist and vocalist Jake Packer and guitarist Erhan Alman in 2019 - 'Cleansed Existence', pricked up the ears of the heavy music press. Before long, with the release of 2022's 'Profound Morality' EP, the newcomers were being championed as one of British metal's most exciting prospects.

With a whole host of impressive credentials already under their belt, including two appearances at Download, support slots with the likes of Rolo Tomassi, Zeal & Ardor, and Architects, and a record deal with legendary metal label Century Media, it's safe to say Heriot had already cemented their status as metal's newest rising stars even before the release of their first full-length.

Though the pressure was still on, it felt like they'd already proven their metal chops, so the band knew they needed to take more time to expand their sound and hone the influences they had hinted at with 'Profound Morality'.

"With the album, we've definitely expanded on the bits that we'd only given a glimpse of with the EP," explains Debb