Fleshwork, the crushing new full-length from UK mathcore trio PUPIL SLICER, is out now and streaming on Prosthetic Records!
Describing Fleshwork as “conceptual” but specifically not a concept album, PUPIL SLICER leans into creating an all-encompassing industrial hellscape; a perfect setting to explore the societal machinations that dehumanize and devalue the poor, disabled, queer, and people of color for political and financial gain. Drawing on personal experience, vocalist and guitarist Kate Davies details the disconnect and discomfort of navigating this life, and the substantial human, day-to-day cost of doing so.
Louder Sound crowns Fleshwork, “…one of the most diverse, engrossing and essential heavy albums of 2025.” Stereogum gushes of the title track alone, “The production is thick and colossal, the riffs sound like tidal waves coming down on your head, and the little bits of melody only make the attack that much sweeter.” Devolution Magazine champions, “…some of the widest, most forceful and satisfying grooves of 2025,” while Female Fronted Power notes, “PUPIL SLICER once again proves why they are at the top of the modern mathcore pyramid. They made another album that fills you with energy while avoiding clichés.”
Order on vinyl, CD and cassette here, digital here.
The 2025 iteration of PUPIL SLICER ushers in new talent in the form of bass player, Luke Booth, whose contributions rounded out the writing process neatly. This rejuvenated lineup sought to retain the melodic elements of the band’s sophomore album Blossom while simultaneously pushing their sonic boundaries to the extreme. The result is a more organic sound, energized by incandescent fury that embraces imperfections as a sign of life. Recording and mixing took place in early 2025 at Nø Studio in Manchester with producer Joe Clayton at the helm. Grant Berry handled mastering.
Atop a solid rhythmic foundation courtesy of drummer Josh Andrews, PUPIL SLICER has crafted a primal yet intricate display of aggression. Relentless industrial sounds give way to melody and earworm-worthy hooks that endure. While the band continues to draw influence from the likes of Nine Inch Nails and Oathbreaker, as well as lyrical and tonal inspiration from film, anime and video games (specifically Chainsaw Man, Mouthwashing and NieR among others), on Fleshwork they’ve created a monster entirely of their own design. This beast could only have been formed by the minds and bodies of those who have already walked the treacherous, dystopian path that they are now illuminating for others.