Album Review: GHOLD – Bludgeoning Simulations (Human Worth)

Revered stalwarts of the UK heavy underground GHOLD make their long-awaited return with brand new full length studio album ‘Bludgeoning Simulations’, to be released on November 14th 2025 via rising DIY label Human Worth.

These days, it’s fair to say that if you really want to leave an impression on the listener, you’re going to have to work extra hard for it. Genre-bending is the norm, experimentation is expected, and attentions need to be grabbed almost immediately. It’s such a challenge for bands to stay true to themselves and give the listener something to grab onto. Unless your name is GHOLD and you can guarantee something akin to madness. Now that’s attention grabbing.

Unsurprisingly for a band on Human Worth, GHOLD are an eccentric listen, sitting uncomfortably in the doom, sludge, and noise genres, but not exclusively sticking to any of them either. The epitome of experimentation, their soundscapes are enigmatic and hypnotic, even if you’re left feeling unsure if you really enjoyed what you heard or not.

I like being challenged, and GHOLD really freaking challenged me here. Where genre-bending takes on a whole new form and I was hit with a myriad of emotions throughout. Genius or madness? I’m still not sure, but I am constantly compelled to hit play and see if I can finally make up my mind, this time.

Starting the album off in horror-induced fashion, then giving way to a noisy collection of instruments, before unleashing downright ritualistic rhythm and harmonised vocals, Cauterise is an impressive, but menacing, listen. Whereas Lowest is all about the riffs, heavy and intense, showing off a simpler, but satisfying side of GHOLD.

Drink that in because the album is about to go off the deep end with the immersive Place to Bless A Shadow. A track of two halves, the first is downright haunting, in a disconcerting drone/noise way. Whereas the second takes on a more notable doom-infused form, riffs and all. It is exceptionally challenging, but it also leaves such an impression. A good one? Well, I like it.

I also like Fallen Debris, but for different reasons. I get to bang my head, and then some. Hell, it’s a track with some groove, and tons of vigour! GHOLD really can do anything, and as if to hammer that point home, along comes Leaves and Rude, Awaken to upend things in fascinating fashion.

The former is a gargantuan effort that creates a miasma of haunting effects and dark noise. As weird as it is horrifying, and trust me, it’s really freaking weird. It’s anxiety inducing, nightmarish stuff, and the album’s most eccentric effort of all. Whereas the latter, and the closing track, has weight. It is damn heavy. Oh, so heavy. Tinged with industrial elements, it’s a chaotic experience and a powerful full stop on one of 2025’s most eccentric listens.

GHOLD – Bludgeoning Simulations Track Listing:

1. Cauterise
2. Lowest
3. Place to Bless A Shadow
4. Fallen Debris
5. Leaves
6. Rude, Awaken

Links

Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram | Spotify | Human Worth