The Forum Basement

The third installment of The Sussex’s weekend of doom, sludge and everything noisy.

Witchorious is a doom metal band from Paris (France). Emerging from the shadows with their first double single in 2020, Antoine, Lucie, and Paul, blend influences from Black Sabbath to Electric Wizard, passing through Amenra. The trio creates dark, fuzzy atmospheres punctuated by bluesy vocals and screams. Witchorious’ debut LP was released on February 16, 2024, via the Italian label Argonauta Records. Since then, they’ve been performing in prestigious venues (Maroquinerie, Petit Bain, Le Ferrailleur) and festivals in the genre (Westill, Grand Paris Sludge, DesertFest), in France and abroad (UK, Switzerland, Italy).

HIGH Brighton/Tunbridge Wells based Sludgedelic quintet, playing blackened doom with a nod to 70s blues rock and 00s hardcore. Featuring: Jay – ex Breaking The Day Seb – ex Operation Kino, Tom – Anti-Nowhere League Rob – Unfunfair

FFO: Raging Speedhorn, Electric Wizard, Greenleaf, Weedeater, Down etc

A new cult emerges from the shadows of the seedy backstreets of London – formed in 2023, Lust Ritual invoke their clandestine ceremony of doom, featuring darkened riffs, bewitching (often blackened) vocals and the power of cult heavy metal. But be warned! – Lust Ritual are greedily drinking from the cup of the dark, evil and arcane atmosphere! For those tired of modern music, Lust Ritual will satisfy both your nostalgia and your thirst!

Mortuary ‘‘A melting pot of doomy, sludgey sound culminating into something weighty and bleak with bite. With pinches of Electric Wizard, Conan and Melvin’s – Mortuary is heavy on the bass and heavy on the riff.”

The third installment of The Sussex’s weekend of doom, sludge and everything noisy.

Black Groove have cemented themselves as one of the most visceral sludge bands in the UK after 5 years of relentless shows up and down the UK, sharing stages with Conan, Eyehategod and Bongzilla as well as headline tours and festivals. The live show is vile, cathartic, intense and almost disrespectful to their idols as they infuse walls of noise into monolithic low end riffs. Low end in your face sludge hate . Snot Noise.

Erronaut channel the analogue spirit of the late 60s space age through crushing riffs, deep low end and vast atmospheres.

The valve amps burn with the heat of launch, propelling their slow burning immersive sound through the atmosphere.

Countdown sequence initiated.

Four-pieced heavy rock band Okay You Win (OKYW) was forged in London in 2023 and has built a solid reputation in the UK underground heavy rock scene, bringing a double hit of heavy riffs and soaring vocals. Drawing heavily on influences from the Seattle Grunge scene, Californian Desert Rock, 90s alt-rock and classic British heavy metal, OKYW mixes psychedelic stoner rock and doomy breakdowns with driving rock riffs.

SHEENA Doom-grime-alt-smelly-punk duo from Medway, Kent.

Instagram: www.instagram.com/sheenaiscoming/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/sheenaiscoming

Qarqarot is a British-Armenian alternative music collaboration founded in May 2025. The band formed in London when Stuart Moir (bass) and Tirayr Mkhitarian (guitar) of the Vanadzor alternative band “An Gordonach!” started jamming with Edd Jones (drums) of UK punk band “Ipika”. The result was series of symphonic doom riffs that led to the formation of the band. Erik Khanoyan (guitar) of Vanadzor band “Clocker” was then added to the group to provide additional guitar layers and soundscapes. The band is another addition to the innovative alternative scene in northern Armenia and brings a completely new sound to the country. The word “qarqarot” in Armenian means “rocky/stony” and is descriptive of the mountainous geography surrounding the city of Vanadzor.

“Fever Rouge Are in a lane of their own” – CLASH

‘’Blends post-punk, indie, and alt-rock with gritty energy” – It’s Psychedelic Baby Magazine

The Brighton outfit Fever Rouge have built a glowing reputation for their high octane live shows with a string of sold-out headline shows. Drawing influences from the likes of King Krule, Fontaines DC, Bloc Party and Wunderhorse in a modern twist with introspective lyrics and unbridled energy which has seen the band quickly build a following across the UK. The band consists of vocalist, guitarist and songwriter Ollie Hughes, bass enthusiast Alain De Gouveia and the ‘how is he human’ metronome Oli Mooney and the royalty that is Kieran King.

Having garnered support across the likes of CLASH, DORK, Earmilk, It’s Psychedelic Baby Magazine, Ones To Watch, Louder than War, Notion and Amazing Radio, Fever Rouge have built a reputation for their explosive live performances, selling out Brighton’s Green Door Store and The Prince Albert, and securing slots at The Alternative Escape and Pub in the Park. The band have opened for the likes of The Molotovs, Humane The Moon, Pleasure Inc, Mouth Culture, Die Twice, and McFly to name just a few.

2025 sees the band tour extensively following the release of their new sprawling, genre bending, politically charged EP ‘Feed The Villain’ with standout tracks, ‘Wetherman, ‘The Mask, ‘You’ve Been Warned’.

Angered Kenneth are a four piece female-fronted punk rock band delivering sarcastic poet-punk lyrics over fierce guitar and punchy drum rhythms – it’s high energy, high voltage, high impact. You’ll walk out of their show ready to smash down the patriarchy, nick a mic and start your own riot grrrl band. Stomping boot-first through tired female stereotypes, with razor-sharp vocals that spit modern dating horror stories straight into the gutter – Nina makes an example of anyone who’s ever left you on read. They’re no one trick pony though, that’s for sure. Watching a set by AK, you’ll feel all the feelings. They’ll tug at your heartstrings with stories of love, loss and friendships too. A set by Angered Kenneth speaks to millennials, speaks to the gen Z, speaks to all of us.

Playing Alice are an all queer all female disco-punk 4-piece from Lewes/Worthing/Brighton/Horsham. Belting powerful vocals that glitter in harmonies, they mix catchy riffs and bass driven grooves to create their unique take on punk. Grab your dancing shoes and prepare to be blasted into a world where feminist and queer values reign supreme!

FFO: The Gossip, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Amyl and The Sniffers