Album Review: Lowdown – Alpha Omega (Damage Records)

‘Alpha Omega’ is the debut album from Hertfordshire heavy groovers Lowdown, due out on July 25th, 2025, via Damage Records.

Limber up those neck muscles, stretch the legs, and work out some of the kinks in your arms and shoulders because you’re going to need all of them, and more, while listening to this record and you don’t want to hurt yourself. Let Lowdown deliver the smackdown via a cacophony of heavy riffs, thick groove, soaring melody, and punchy metal intensity.

I’m telling you; it takes less than five seconds for the head to be banging as the hefty riffs and potent drums of Set Fire arrive. It’s such a meaty start (following the short melodic intro of Alpha) and when the vocals arrive, clean and powerful, it just gets even better. It’s one of the album’s highlights, and a real bar setter, but Lowdown have really pushed their creative abilities here resulting in album that has no low points.

Grind the Axe is next, featuring a rawer instrumental sound that comes with chaotic tone shifts, an epically sung chorus, and a powerful guitar solo. Followed by the soaring M.O.A.B., a personal favourite as the rockier edge this one has is so stylish, but when it’s time to let loose, it comes with force. Before Tell Me More and I Am King take us past the halfway point of the record. The pair, riffy to the point of hilarity, but in such a positive way.

Talk about a band going the ‘all killer, no filler’ route and delivering an unforgettable debut record. That’s Lowdown for you, brimming with confidence and defiantly creative. They clearly understood their sound but also weren’t afraid to experiment when it was called for. All of this, and the unrelenting forward momentum that the album has, ensures that it’s as listenable in the latter half as it was the former.

Melody and metal combine in extravagant style on the thrilling Wretched Town, before the heart rate ups significantly because of Collateral Damage’s vigorous heaviness. Amazing stuff, but how about the methodical guitar-driven pacing of Bleed? It makes this one sound heavier, especially when you take into account the vocal screams. Then there is the incredible Sleep, with its shades of Mastodon (seriously, it’s not just me, right?) and relentless head banging inducing heavy ways. As far as finales go, it kicks so much ass. Although technically Omega is the actual finale, but this is a minute-long piece of atmosphere that bookends the album alongside Alpha. It’s very cool.

A debut album to take note of, Lowdown have delivered something truly remarkable here, and chances are, you’ll be aching all over come the end.

Lowdown – Alpha Omega Track Listing:

1. Alpha
2. Set Fire
3. Grind The Axe
4. M.O.A.B.
5. Tell Me More
6. I Am King
7. Wretched Town
8. Collateral Damage
9. Bleed
10. Sleep
11. Omega

Links

LinkTree | Facebook | Instagram