Mastiff - BORK

When BORK dropped on 31 August 2017, it hit like a filthy thunderclap — Mastiff’s first EP for APF Records, and a brutal cry from Hull’s most miserable band. Over six tracks and around 25 minutes, the EP isn’t content to simply grind; it rages, it mourns, it punishes.

From the opening assault of Agony through to the final damning chords of Eternal Regret, BORK moves with restless force. Nil By Mouth drags the listener into sludge territory, Everything Equals Death is pure doomist decay, Threats snarls with more volatile hardcore energy, Tumour sloughs off everything but bone, and Eternal Regret lingers with anguish-soaked atmosphere. There’s no respite; there’s no polished safety net — just visceral power bruised into every moment.

The production is raw, recorded live at Fruit Trade Music by Mike Scott in July 2017, and mastered by Mike Scott & Dan Dolby. That live-edge gives BORK its brutality and honesty — the guitars buzz with distortion and bitterness, the drums crash like bodies falling, the vocals are a mixture of venom, roar, and torment.

Visually, BORK reinforces its audio cruelty: Jim Hodge’s artwork, sleeve layout by Dan Dolby, inner and outer design drenched in bleakness. Available as 180gsm colour vinyl, also digipak CD, and digital formats — each format feels right for this kind of heavy medicine.

BORK doesn’t just introduce you to Mastiff under APF Records — it forces you to face them. It’s one of those EPs that doesn’t let you walk away unchanged. Brutal, raw, unflinching.

A1: Agony
A2: Nil By Mouth
A3: Everything Equals Death

B1: Threats
B2: Tumour
B3: Eternal regret

Recorded live at Fruit Trade Music by Mike Scott in July 2017.
Mastered by Mike Scott and Dan Dolby.
Artwork by Jim Hodge.

Mastiff:
Jim Hodge - growls
Michael Shepherd - drums
Phil Johnson - guitar
James Andrew Lee - guitar
Dan Dolby - bass