Connecticut’s Outer Gloom originally brought together longtime friends and familiar faces, including bassist/vocalist Eric Dellon of Shai Hulud and Zombie Apocalypse, and With Honor drummer John Ross. Though the members have known each other for more than 20 years and crossed paths in various bands, Outer Gloom marks the first time they’ve all played together.
“There’s something to be said for being direct and to-the-point,” Dellon tells me. “We kept that approach in mind when creating the sound and identity for the band. In Outer Gloom, the chemistry feels right, and the familiarity with each other’s playing style is there.” Since forming, Ross had to drop out of the lineup due to other commitments, with Chris Barry now sitting in the drum throne.
Getting into the nuts and bolts behind their approach, Dellon keeps it blunt. “Outer Gloom is a straightforward, no-bullshit, heavy band. We just want to make you move and bang your fucking head. In that same approach, we love and draw influence from bands like Turmoil, Pantera, Bloodbath, Meshuggah, and Crowbar, to name a few.”
Outer Gloom just dropped Higher Vessel, their second three-song EP of 2026:
“Higher Vessel is the natural progression of the band from our first release, Outer Gloom. These songs are a bit less subtle. No less finessed — we spent plenty of time working things out to get them where we wanted and with intention — but these songs are a bit more sledgehammer. We sought to add a bit more heaviness, more aggression.
That harsher approach also carries into the EP's lyrics. “Thematically, Higher Vessel envelops the harshness reflected in the music: the inescapable consumption of and reliance on living things — for one to live, the other must die; the unavoidable, necessary violence within us all.”
With two EPs now under their belts, Outer Gloom are turning their attention to playing out. “Our immediate plans are to get out on the road and pound the pavement. We want to get out there and play while we amass material for a full-length release. We’re constantly writing new music, so we already have some things in the works.”
I asked Dellon which newer bands were on his radar, perhaps future gig mates? “Justifications is a newer band from New Hampshire who have Guy Kozowyk and Kevin Rampelberg from The Red Chord. They’re releasing new music soon, and we’re really excited. Hoping to rip some shows with these guys soon.
“Ousted — Baltimore-based hardcore with a crusty tinge. Features members of Ruiner/Pulling Teeth. Great live band. Newandyke — Connecticut mathgrind, weird, chaotic, and awesome. They kind of do their own unique thing that bounces around between organized chaos and control.”
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Outer Gloom on social media: Instagram
Tagged: outer gloom, shai hulud, with honor
