Final Coil is a post-metal and progressive rock band hailing from Leicester, UK, formed in 2008.
On January 16, 2024, the band released their third album, The World We Inherited, through Sliptrick Records. The album was recorded at Parlour Studios under the expertise of renowned producer Russ Russell, known for his work with Amorphis, The Wildhearts, and Napalm Death. Russell was so enthusiastic about the project that he took on the roles of mixer and mastering engineer as well. The World We Inherited has garnered significant critical acclaim from music press worldwide. Prog Magazine featured an interview with the band and recognized the track "Wires" as one of their Tracks of the Week, alongside artists like Ihsahn and Chelsea Wolfe. Powerplay Rock & Metal Magazine awarded the album and its London launch show a 9/10 rating, praising its "devastating majesty" and the "burning energy and edge of danger" of the live performance. Final Coil has certainly evolved over the past decade.
The band began their journey amidst a whirlwind of feedback and chaos, performing in numerous small clubs as they gradually honed their sound. As their artistic vision crystallized, they aimed to create musical works that would endure and convey deeper meaning. Under the leadership of founding member Phil Stiles, the band's lineup evolved to reflect this new direction. A series of independently released EPs caught the attention of the Italian label WormHoleDeath, leading to their signing. In 2016, Final Coil dedicated themselves to developing their debut full-length album, which was released by their new label in 2017.
Titled Persistence of Memory, Final Coil's debut album is characterized by its vibrant colors and emotional depth, standing out amid the often monotonous backdrop of contemporary life. The album showcases a blend of musicianship, songwriting, and meticulous attention to detail, inviting listeners into a reflective experience. The accompanying artwork further enhances the music's vividness. To promote the album, the band collaborated with Imperative PR, marking the beginning of a fruitful relationship with the music media. Zero Tolerance Magazine highlighted Persistence of Memory for its "too much awesomeness to mention."
Following the successful promotional campaign for their debut, Final Coil entered into a long-term management agreement with Imperative PR, marking the start of a new chapter. In late summer 2018, the band traveled to Italy's Real Sound Studios to record their second full-length album for WormHoleDeath. Released on April 12, 2019, The World We Left Behind For Others represented a significant advancement in the band’s sound, showcasing a wide sonic palette and emotional depth. The Metal Mag described the album as “like flying on top of the clouds.”
2019 was also a landmark year for Final Coil as they performed some of their most exciting live shows, beginning with a notable appearance at the HRH Metal III: Metal Meltdown event at the O2 Academy in Birmingham, where they shared the stage with Decapitated, Devilment, and others to a large, appreciative audience. They also participated in the Fusion Festival 2019 at the Stourhead Civic Centre, featuring prog legends like Focus and IO Earth. Following these significant performances, the band played two prestigious London shows, first with the iconic Japanese punk band Shonen Knife at the Underworld, and later with Marky Ramone at The Garage.
Before shifting focus from The World We Left Behind For Others, Final Coil released the EP Convicted of the Right, which featured the title track from the album along with three live recordings of band classics from The Lab studios in London. Distorted Sound Magazine praised the EP for effectively capturing the essence of Final Coil's remarkable live sound.
Despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, the band adapted creatively, participating in Fusion's Online Christmas Cracker event in November alongside acts like Galahad and Pallas. Instead of a standard set, Final Coil reimagined songs from their catalog, transforming each track in a manner aligned with the festival's progressive ethos. The success of this project encouraged them to expand their efforts, culminating in the album Somnambulant II, which reinterpreted earlier works and was released through WormholeDeath on December 10, 2020. This new release was well-received, with The Razor’s Edge describing it as “something a bit special.”
As the world emerged from lockdown, Final Coil turned their focus back to their third album. Embracing a new beginning after seven successful years, the band decided to part ways with WormHoleDeath and sign with Sliptrick Records for the release of the final installment in the Persistence trilogy, The World We Inherited, continuing their journey in the evolving landscape of music.
