A scorching EP from a band going places in a hurry.
KNIFE BRIDE are Mollie Clack (lead vocals), Sean Windle (guitar, backing vocals), Sean Millsopp (drums, extra production), and Craig Glynn (bass, screams). They site influences including Spiritbox, Kate Bush, Bring Me The Horizon and Karnivool. I can’t say I see where the Kate Bush influences come in, and describing themselves as “nu-gothika” feels a bit twee. They are thoroughly fresh though and there is very much a 2026 scene forming around this sort of slightly poppier heavy rock/metal sound.
The EP smashes out of the gate with ‘alone at the alter.’ There is some utterly ferocious drumming and sharp guitar play. Mollie says, “‘alone at the altar’ marks both the first edition and the first invitation to meet the bride herself. The vision behind this single was to truly bring her to life in all her chaotic glory – flawed, unhinged, yet undeniably vulnerable. She’s narcissistic, nihilistic, sensational, and shamelessly braggadocious… possessed by desire, by destruction, by the need to hurt others and herself. It’s a visceral exploration of self, told through the eyes of a merciless yet hopelessly romantic bride.”
‘crucify’ manges to take it up a notch with an almost breakbeat opening and some fierce screams courtesy of Craig. You can see why it earned a BBC Radio 1 Introducing Rock Track of The Week. It powers along with a real swagger.
Most recent single ‘lilies’ slows things down a little. Molly says, “lilies explores a complicated relationship with antidepressants – the trade-off between emotional numbness and an overwhelming darkness.” The track still has teeth in the guitar sound.
‘porcelain’ and ‘poisoned by god’ complete matters without any drop in quality. Despite enjoying it a lot it almost left me feeling short changed. This is halfway to an awesome album – I am greedy for the other half of it. They have been releasing singles since 2022 and have now established quite a presence. This EP is soooo much more evolved than their lyrically slightly cringey debut ‘Tits and Teeth.’ Hopefully next time they are back it will be with a full collection of tracks this good.
Knife Bride are on tour supporting Calva Louise:
- Sun 26 Apr, Bristol, Rough Trade
- Tue 28 Apr, Southampton, The Joiners
- Thu 30 Apr, Newcastle, Anarchy Brew co
- Fri 01 May, Glasgow, The Garage (Attic Bar)
- Sun 03 May, Manchester, Yes (Pink Room)
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