Barbarian Hermit at APF Records

Barbarian Hermit

Barbarian

Barbarian Hermit have been shaking the foundations of Manchester with their colossal riffage since 2013, slowly distilling their sound until it became as thick and satisfying as their beloved gravy. Built on a love of weighty grooves but unshackled from underground clichés, the band first announced themselves in 2016 with a demo that showcased their ability to churn out neck-snapping anthems like the infectious “Burn the Fire.”

It was with their debut full-length, Solitude and Savagery (2018, APF Records), that Barbarian Hermit truly found their voice. Recorded with Chris Fielding at Skyhammer Studio, the album married punishing heaviness with moments of nuance and ambition. From Hans Zimmer-inspired flourishes on “Reawaken” to the spacey, progressive sweep of closer “Laniakea,” and the commanding range of then-vocalist Ed Campbell, the record proved to be more than just another sludge offering. Widely praised by outlets as diverse as Ghost Cult and The Daily Sport, it remains a defining statement of intent.

In late 2020, Campbell departed and original frontman Si Scarlett returned, bringing the band full circle. Over the next three years, they crafted their sophomore album Mean Sugar, released on APF Records in August 2024. Written against a backdrop of global upheaval – pandemic, political strife, economic pressure, and war – the record is a cathartic outpouring of rage and resilience. At its core, Mean Sugar captures what Barbarian Hermit have always stood for: five friends in a room, channelling the chaos of the world into riffs as heavy as they come.

Live, Barbarian Hermit have cemented their reputation as a force to be reckoned with, gracing stages at Bloodstock Festival (twice), Doomlines, and Riffolution, and sharing bills with heavyweights including Green Lung, Crowbar, PIJN, Boss Keloid, and Raging Speedhorn.

In September 2025 the quintet released the Redux EP. The Redux project first came about because drummer Gaz Manning, currently studying music production at university, needed to record and mix a full track as part of his coursework. With “Burn The Fire” still a staple of their live set, it was the obvious choice: deeply ingrained in their playing and, coincidentally, celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2025.

Originally released as a single in 2015 with its infamous green-screen video featuring badgers in IKEA and flying cars, the track has now been re-recorded to mark the milestone. This updated version finally includes Gaz on drums and Rob “Bobby” Sutcliffe on bass – neither of whom played on the original – along with a few new flourishes, including a fresh solo from guitarist Mike Regan.

While in the studio, the band also tracked “Del Toro,” a song first written with Scarlett back in 2016. Though it evolved into “Beyond The Wall” on Solitude and Savagery with new lyrics from Campbell, the band revived Scarlett’s original version when he rejoined in 2021. Recording it for Redux gave them the chance to finally capture the song as it was first conceived.

Shortly after these sessions, Barbarian Hermit made the difficult decision to go on hiatus for personal reasons. This 2-track EP, released 12th September via APF Records, stands as both a celebration of their past and a powerful closing statement – for now – from one of Manchester’s heaviest outfits.

Barbarian Hermit will begin their extended hiatus after performing a final gig at Manchester’s The Bread Shed on 25^th October 2025. Support comes from 1968, Under and Rupcha Farms.