Final Coil - 1994
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FINAL COIL – 1994 EP
LABEL: NYCTOPHOBIC RECORDS
RELEASE DATE: MARCH 27th 2026
“Sometimes you have to go back to go forward…”
…the words of Final Coil frontman Phil Stiles that can be found in the sleeve notes of the band’s latest creation, the 1994 EP. Over the last eight years Leicester-based band Final Coil have released a titanic conceptual trilogy of albums – Persistence Of Memory, The World We Left Behind For Others and The World We Inherited. Each one of these albums was an incredible, visionary piece of work, garnering critical acclaim from across the world and, with each release, Final Coil’s stature has grown. From humble beginnings in Leicester’s clubs they have moved on to major festivals, European headline shows, appearances with major artists and features in renowned print magazines. The band’s next grand endeavour is already well underway, their creative ambition never sated, but first, after years of meticulous work on nuanced, multifaceted conceptual pieces, with deeply personal yet universally relatable lyrical messages, it’s time for Final Coil to reconnect with those early days; to channel the sweat and volume that remain an integral part of their live performances into a new studio collection of raw power; to go back to go forward.
For Final Coil going back means looking back to a musical era which ignited the creative spirit of their youthful selves; a time when Alice In Chains were riding high in the Billboard charts with Jar Of Flies, Nine Inch Nails had just unveiled the harrowing Downward Spiral, Nirvana played their final gig, Pink Floyd embarked on their last world tour and Machine Head roared into life changing the metal scene forever with their Burn Your Eyes debut…1994.
1994 begins with the snarling, jagged riffs of ‘Instant Fix’ and you can instantly feel the energy, vibrancy and joy in this propulsive track. This is the sound of a band unleashed, with a kaleidoscope of influences and inspirations brought into brilliantly vivid focus – raw touches of Hawkwind’s space rock infused with the spirit of grunge and assailed by the fury of metal and punk. It’s exhilarating stuff and there’s no let up as the band charge on into ‘Narcissist’, a live favourite that could never quite find a suitable recorded home before now.
‘Playing Games’ is an irresistible fusion of melody, muscle and metallic riffs with an unforgettable chorus and ‘Woke’ is a hugely infectious climax, radiating attitude and effervescence, with a brilliant vocal performance from Phil Stiles. Performing all the drum tracks on the 1994 EP is Irish drummer Graham Hopkins, who recorded three albums with Therapy? - as well as being part of My Little Funhouse and touring with Snow Patrol - and his powerful, vivacious style helps to rekindle their early fire in Final Coil and infuse this set of songs with enthusiasm and electrifying adrenaline. Final Coil frontman Phil Stiles has revealed that Therapy?’s Semi-Detached album is a huge personal favourite and Hopkins’ performance on that record made him the absolute first choice behind the kit when plans for 1994 were hatched.
1994 is fun, but it’s not playing around. Even in this unshackled, raucous form, Final Coil’s sheer class shines through and there’s no hiding the song writing skills and musical dexterity of these pieces. Upon its March 27th release through Nyctophobic Records, 1994 is destined to become a watershed moment in Final Coil’s ever-evolving career.
Genre: Post Rock/Grunge
For fans of: Alice In Chains | Tool | NirvanaLine-up:
Phil Stiles - Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar and Lead Guitar
Richard Awdry - Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar and Vocals
Jola Stiles - Bass Guitar
Drums performed by Graham Hopkins
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