Blending crushing sludge, punk aggression and bleak lyrical themes, Teesside outfit The Larches’ latest EP, ‘Nihilistic Majesties’, is an uncompromising exploration of despair, anger and modern existence. Ahead of taking the new material on the road, Lee Allcock caught up with them to speak about the record’s origins, working with producer Martin Trolloppe, and the balance between honouring their influences and forging their own sound.
‘Nihilistic Majesties’ is described as five tracks of “relentless sludge and existential fury”. What themes or experiences shaped the writing of this EP?
The overwhelmingly pessimistic mood of the EP reflects the current state of where we live, but also the wider sense of unease that seems to exist across the world at the moment. The music isn’t necessarily trying to communicate one specific message, but those feelings inevitably shaped the raw anger and emotional intensity that run throughout the record. Rather than offering answers, the songs capture the frustration, hopelessness and uncertainty that many people are experiencing today.
You’ve called the record “a sermon from the void”. How does that idea translate into the music itself, both lyrically and sonically?
In many ways, it ties directly into the themes we’ve already mentioned. That nihilistic outlook bleeds through every aspect of the record, from the lyrics to Noah’s haunting vocal delivery. Songs such as ‘Dopeslut’ and ‘Drought’ explore complex themes including addiction, personal struggle and the pressures imposed by modern society. Sonically, we wanted the music to feel oppressive and immersive, creating an atmosphere that matches the bleakness of the lyrics.
The EP was recorded at Harbourmaster Studios in South Shields with Martin Trolloppe. How did that environment and collaboration influence the final sound?
Martin is fantastic to work with. He really understands our sound, and there’s always a genuinely collaborative atmosphere whenever we’re in the studio with him. Whether it’s his instinctive understanding of our musical ideas or simply the intimate recording environment, he creates a space where we’re comfortable experimenting while remaining true to the band’s identity. That trust played a huge part in shaping the finished record.
Tracks like ‘Raxidermy’ and ‘Dopeslut’ suggest a wide dynamic range, from relentless intensity to more meditative passages. How intentional was that contrast when structuring the record?
Dynamics are absolutely essential to our songwriting, and they’re a huge part of sludge music in general. Those quieter, slower moments give the songs room to breathe before we bring back the faster, more aggressive punk-inspired sections. That contrast makes the heavier breakdowns in songs like ‘Raxidermy’ feel even more powerful. On ‘Dopeslut’, we leaned further into the blues and melodic side of our writing, drawing on Sonny’s blues background alongside Noah’s more melodic influences to create something with greater emotional depth.
You’ve cited influences such as Acid Bath, Eyehategod and Crowbar, while also embracing textured noise and slow-motion chaos. How do you balance paying homage with creating something distinctly your own?
We love those bands because each of them has a unique approach to heavy songwriting, particularly Acid Bath. Their ability to move effortlessly between punk-driven passages, crushing riffs and melodic sections has always inspired us. At the same time, we’re careful not to imitate them. We maintain our own identity by experimenting with unusual time signatures, unconventional song structures and dissonant arrangements, allowing our influences to inform our sound without defining it.
You’ve built a reputation for intense, immersive live performances. How are you planning to bring the weight and atmosphere of ‘Nihilistic Majesties’ to your upcoming UK dates?
The aim is to become as musically tight as we possibly can while preserving the raw energy that defines the EP. We’re working hard to ensure these songs hit even harder in a live setting, while also introducing newer material that pushes our sound even further. We want every performance to feel intense, immersive and emotionally overwhelming from beginning to end.
You can listen to ‘Nihilistic Majesties’ now on all major streaming platforms.
