Toom - Behold The Basilisk

Back in 2007 three long-haired teenage stoner doom-fans (a rare creature in the area at that time) naturally drifted towards each other in the depths of rural Suffolk. Hoping to avoid drowning in the sea of mediocre-metalcore and emo-misery that surrounded them, Teddy-James Driscoll, Jus Smith and Jack Newnham formed TOOM. This band was a fairly short-lived and unproductive beast, but a beast none of the less; a heavy, growling, riff-laden beast.

Rehearsals took place amongst the machinery in a filthy, dingy metalworking factory in the middle of a Suffolk industrial estate. It was there TOOM drew influence from bands like Sleep, Iron Monkey, Mastodon, High on Fire, Acid King, Floor and obviously Black Sabbath to create an authentic heavy sound that they would take to some of their favourite bars and venues around London and the South East. These included the beautiful Colchester Arts Centre, The Gaff on Holloway Road and Soho's legendary Crobar, to name a few.

After releasing just one two-track demo and having only ever played a handful of shows, a personal feud between members caused them to split up and go their separate ways.

Following TOOMs messy divorce, Justin and Ted went on to form a band called Shrine 69 while Jack kept busy with his other project Meadows. Since then, the various members have joined or started a few other bands worthy of note. Ted went on to join Telepathy and has recently formed Cobra Lucha; Justin found fame with psych-rockers Purson and is currently a member of Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats whilst Jack went on to form Old Man Lizard and join the mighty Slabdragger.

In the months before TOOM parted ways, they entered SAE Studios, London with engineer Jason Aminian and in a single night recorded an entire EP of previously unreleased material. 11 years after it was recorded, APF Records is delighted to present it to you for the first time. Four massive tracks from the archives which have stood the test of time, and represent a time capsule of the nascent UK sludge / stoner / doom scene.

Behold The Basilisk. By Toom. Released by APF Records 1st October 2021.

1.       Snake Chalmers

2.       There’s Nothing Cute About Cobras

3.       Mandark

4.       DecapodiformesAll songs written and arranged by Toom.

Recorded in one night, on the 8^th January 2010, at SAE Studios, London.

Recorded, mixed and mastered by Jason Aminian.

Artwork by Tom Delaney.

Photography by Matt Morris.

Toom on Bandcamp: https://toomband.bandcamp.com/