EP review: SPREADING THE DISEASE – Purgatory Carnival

February 20th, 2026 by jason

Facebook [Release date 28.02.26]

Kent based Spreading the Disease are back and heavy as ever! The band’s current line-up consists of Steve Saunders (bass), Thorsten Giertsch (guitar), Donal McGee (drums), Daniel Stevenson (guitar) and Jonny P (vocals).

Spreading the Disease are certainly at the heavier end of the musical spectrum for this reviewer, however, when they pen songs like ‘Addicted’, you do become as the title suggests, addicted. The rumbling bass, relentless drums, riffing guitars and those growling vocals make for a potent mix.

Want more metal? Well the title track hits the listener like a rampaging bull! This was released as the lead single off the EP and is a fair musical taster of what the rest of the EP offers.

‘Fissure’ has a touch of Zakk Wylde in the riffing, whilst the vocals continue to assault the listener’s senses.

Got to love the passion and aggression on ‘Warblade’, which includes a rather fine guitar solo too. Shades of Slipknot on a good day.

Alongside this EP, a further EP is planned for release later this year. Until then we can enjoy and bang our heads at the ‘Purgatory Carnival’! ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

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Power Plays w/c 16 February 2026

THE ANCIENT UNKNOWN Separated (indie)
LIZZIE REID Sweet Relief (indie)
THE HARBOURS Wide Awake (indie)
ARGOVIA Ebb & Flow (Presagio Records)
XO SOUNDTRACK Talk About Me (indie)

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