Release date: September 23, 2025
These British lads came together in the early ’90s—right when traditional heavy metal was wilting and glam had run out of screaming fangirls. Nikki Sixx nailed it: in the ’80s it was packed halls and lines of girls by the dressing room; in the ’90s, a free gig drew a hundred weirdos. I’ll admit it: Slander had slipped past me until now, and that’s despite a phase where I dug through every corner of YouTube hunting for bands that never made it past a single LP. Well—no girls, no glory.
Slander originally ran for just three years (1990–1993). In that short sprint they cranked out a handful of demos and one LP, bankrolled by guitarist Andy Saxon-Lamb’s parents. He’s still here, alongside fellow guitarist Greg Gregson. The lineup spun a bit in the early days, but those two were the engine. The worst years for heavy have blown over, and with the new wave of interest the band leaned back in: in 2017 they dropped “Resolution Defiance,” and now we’ve got their third record, “Take It to the Grave” (2025).
Review
From the first notes, “Terrified” screams Judas Priest—the opener’s got the “Electric Eye” surge, and it’s an instant signal these guys mean metal for real, not some poser act à la Greta Van Fleet (sorry to all the girls who adore those boys).
The band leans into a darker vibe, and it works. Lines like “Capture the essence of the night / As I take your soul” and “Speed is my weapon, surprise is no balm in the passage of time” cut like a razor. “Requiem” stays the course. It’s here I first clock the biting lead guitar; it is clear the guitarist has practiced diligently over the years. “Scream for the voiceless / Unleash the storm” and “With hearts like thunder, we’ll break the norm” hit with proper anthemic punch.
“In the Twilight” doesn’t bring anything you didn’t already hear in the first two tracks, but it keeps the bar high and the record’s momentum rolling. The eponymous “Take It to the Grave”—this is the make-or-break moment. The chorus—“I’ll take you to the grave, my love! I’ll take you to the grave!”—has exactly the emotional kick that earns an album its title.
“Rust in My Bones” kicks off with sweet twin guitars before singer Steve “Witty” Wittington cuts in—he’s a 2021 addition and fits like the missing puzzle piece. In “Soul Reaper,” forget parties with groupies; it’s darkness, graves, and a waltz with the Grim Reaper (“A dance with a reaper / In a world that is fear”). In this mode Slander are at their best: straddling heavy and power metal, with atmosphere, riff, and chorus all pulling their weight.
Conclusion
Bottom line: Slander ride the heavy/power border without cheap clichés and with a real go-for-the-throat drive. They reminded everyone at Keep It True 2023, now they’re back with a third record, making it clear they’re one of those bands time’s headwinds couldn’t knock down. Thumbs up from me—and here’s hoping I catch these dudes live soon.
TheNwothm Score: 7/10
Links
Bandcamp:https://slanderuk.bandcamp.com
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064098671046
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/slander_uk_band/
Label: Stormspell Records
The Nwothm 
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