Scotland Rocks "Forged In Scotland" 17th July 2026

Live Review

Here I am inside Scotland's most haunted pub, to shoot the Scotland Rocks "Forged In Scotland" night featuring Earl of Hell, Buzzards of Babylon, and Fuz Caldrin'.

So before I even begin, the venue itself sets its own ominous scene as I descend into the venue's dark, 250-year-old subterranean tunnels noting the acoustic energy of heavy riffs bouncing off low, historic brick arches creating an incredibly intense, intimate, and moody vibe.

To begin Fuz Caldrin: Setting the tone for the night, they bring deep, fuzz-drenched stoner grooves and heavy, chugging rhythms to lock the crowd in early. Their set is built on pure stoner-rock grooves and thick, hypnotic rhythms. It’s the kind of heavy, rhythmic chug that locks the room into a collective nod, setting a dark, solid foundation for what's coming next, its 

exactly what you want from an opening act—an absolute powerhouse that matches a chaotic, space-horror vibe with massive, hooky melodies. 

Next up we have Buzzards of Babylon. When Buzzards take over, the tempo slows down, but the physical weight doubles. They bring a gritty, low-tuned blend of stoner blues and psychedelic doom. Songs are driven by massive, dragging basslines and monolithic riffs that feel heavy enough to vibrate the historic brickwork. It is dark, bluesy, and unrelenting—the kind of pure, heavy groove that forces you to dig in, leave everything on the floor, and absolutely wrecks your neck by the time they hit the final chord.

We kick off with Scrawl - a gritty, high-contrast energy, perfectly setting a dark, uncompromising mood before the heavier sonic weight of the album drops.

Then onto "Space Vulture" and "Interplanetary convulsion" - delivers exactly what fans of the genre crave: massive, down-tuned guitar riffs and a crushing wall of sound that feels absolutely monolithic.

Moving onto "Left Hand Path" -- driven by massive, dragging basslines and monolithic riffs that feel heavy enough to vibrate the historic masonry. We finish with "Doomus and Ancient Machine" --  a monolithic slab of low-tuned, fuzz-drenched riffage that moves with the crushing speed of a glacier and leaves a wake of pure, amplifier-melting destruction in its path.

Ultimately, this evening with Buzzards of Babylon live delivered an uncompromising, head-caving experience that lingers long after the final wave of feedback fades out. It is essential listening for anyone who appreciates their riffs slow, heavy, and completely unyielding. Go catch em live if you can !!

Earl of Hell is up next. I have seen these guys before in Legends and never forgot that experience!! They are pure, unadulterated live power, bringing a dark, explosive energy to the stage that completely commands the room. If you've ever witnessed their live set, you know exactly why they leave such a massive, permanent impression—tonight is going to be absolute carnage.

From the second they step into the lights, you realise they don't just play to the room; they completely take it over, weaponizing a gritty, groove-heavy swagger that cuts right through the thickest wall of sound. 

Full of unpredictable momentum and a menacing, theatrical intensity that forces your eyes right to the center of the floor. It is heavy, untamed, and completely relentless—exactly what live music is supposed to feel like.

I honestly can't take away anything from any of the bands tonight, it has been absolutely awesome from start to finish. Every single lineup brought their absolute A-game, delivering pure, unadulterated live energy that left everything on the floor. The crowd was locked in, the volume was punishing, and the sheer talent on display made it one of those nights you just don't forget.