photos by Dante Torrieri
Get ready, metal fans! CLAMFIGHT, the sludge/doom metal powerhouse from New Jersey and Philly, is gearing up to drop their self-titled fourth LP on May 16th. Brace yourself for an impactful listening experience with the album’s lead single, “The Oar,” now available for streaming.
Having played their first gig in Fall 2005, childhood friends and band members Louis Koble, Joel Harris, Sean McKee, and Andy Martin have kept their line-up intact for twenty years, sharing countless memories and emotions along the way. With previous albums released in 2010, 2013, and 2018, CLAMFIGHT is now ready to deliver their most poignant record yet.
The creation of their fourth album started just before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. With only the drum tracks laid down before lockdown, the band took advantage of the unexpected free time to expand their musical horizons. With Steve Poponi’s guidance, they enhanced their sound, incorporating dynamics and intricacies into seven new tracks.
Fueled by the pandemic’s influence, Clamfight evolved into a rich tapestry of lyrics resembling a memoir. Rather than focusing on pandemic-related themes, the lyrics highlight the unwavering love and friendship within the band during tough times. The central message emphasizes the fleeting and precious nature of life, underscoring the importance of the people we cherish.
Andy Martin shares, “To us, this is easily the most personal and important record that we’ve ever done. It was part of why we wanted to self-release it. We didn’t want to be beholden to anyone else on this one, and we wanted to push it as much or as little as we pleased without feeling like we were letting anyone down. We’ve got all the respect for Argonauta and some of the other folks we talked to about this one, but for a record that was so personal, going at it alone felt right.”
Recording at The Gradwell House in Haddon Heights, NJ, with Steve Poponi and Matt Weber, the album was mixed and mastered by Steve Poponi and Dave Downham, and its artwork created by Morgan E Russell. The record features guest vocals by Sam Marandola on “Brodgar,” and Stephen Murphy and JJ Koczan on “Clamfight.”
The lead single, “The Oar,” is a testament to the band’s collaborative spirit. Andy Martin explains, “In making this record we leaned on each other and our collaborators more than ever before. I never write lyrics until we’re in the studio, and as recording was happening, I found myself writing about where we were in our lives, the people we loved, the mistakes we made, and about how much I love these guys, so when it came time to name the record, the choice was obvious. This is the last record we were privileged to make with our brother Steve Poponi. You’ll hear him at the end of the track. Words fall short when it comes to expressing how much we miss him, so for now and always, we’ll just say Poponi Forever. Take care of yourselves, gang.”
Stream “The Oar” and immerse yourself in CLAMFIGHT’s sonic journey right here. Don’t forget to place your preorders for Clamfight on Bandcamp!
Clamfight Track Listing:
1. The Oar
2. Brodgar
3. Dragonhead
4. FRH
5. Drinking Tooth
6. Clamfight
7. Redtail
Stay tuned as CLAMFIGHT rolls out regional tour dates and live events showcasing their new album. Catch them in Brooklyn on June 20th and celebrate their friend Steve Poponi’s legacy with a benefit show in Philadelphia on June 21st. Keep an eye out for more updates on forthcoming shows and sneak peeks.
CLAMFIGHT Live:
5/31/2025 Kung Fu Necktie – Philadelphia, PA *record release show
6/20/2025 Goldsounds – Brooklyn, NY w/ Hollow Leg, Florist, End Of Hope
6/21/2025 Poponipalooza ’25: D.I.L.F. @ Underground Arts – Philadelphia, PA [tickets]
CLAMFIGHT:
Louis Koble – bass
Joel Harris – guitar
Sean McKee – guitar
Andy Martin – drums/vocals
CLAMFIGHT:
Earsplit PR:
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