Richard HolmesPriapism are on the rise! The Tyneside trio emerged last year and they’re already rampaging across North East England’s live scene. Here are five reasons why Priapsim could be your next favourite band…
A name that goes hard
Priapism: “Prolonged painful erection of the penis, caused by neurological disorders, obstruction of the penile blood vessels, etc” (Collins English Dictionary).
Yep, and it also sounds like an 80s thrash band, or a 2010s deathcore outfit. It’s pretty metal, however you look at it.
And those fan tattoos are going to be fun. Maybe a little painful too.
Tunes that go even harder
The released of Priapism’s debut album, Rock Hard, is just around the corner. We’ve had sneak preview and… well imagine Primus, Godflesh and Danzig cooking up some serious sonic sizzle. In Newcastle.
Semi-industrialised but fully rocking, the trio’s tracks throb with pulsing basslines and pumping beats: Incarnate is unnerving and intense, the heavy grooving Brandling Strangler gets you in a chokehold and Season Of The Witch is dark, doomy and devilish. Plenty of variety, plenty of rock hard action…
Pedigree chums
Vocalist Craig Relf has fronted a slew of North East bands, including d-beaters Faceshredder and party rockers High Force. And he does a spot of burlesque on the side too.
In Priapism, he’s been reunited with guitarist Scott Payne: the pair served time together in Newcastle riff mongers Druganaut, and as anyone who witnessed the ‘naut back in the 2010s will admit, it’s a formidable combo.
Add bass generator Matt Henderson to the mix, and you have one hell of a power trio.
A hairy, scary fourth member
Maiden have Eddie. Megadeth have Vic. The Happy Mondays have Bez. And Priapism have the Byker Bigfoot.
When he’s not rocking out with the boys on stage, this hirsute cryptid is said to perch on top of the Tyne Bridge, scratching his undercarriage while howling into the Newcastle night. Other sightings have placed him round the back of the Greggs factory, where he apparently lurks, sniffing out defective steak bakes to slake his lust for meat slurry.
He even has his own theme tune, the imaginatively titled Theme For A Bigfoot.
They bring the party
The boys have spent 2025 honing their live shows and it’s fair to say that, with wrestling nut Relf as their semi-naked focal point, they’ll be in your face, wherever you catch them.
And you can expect some sasquatchian shenanigans at their album launch on September 6 at Newcastle’s Little Buildings, where they’ll be supported by Arachnarok and Culloden. Tickets are here.
You’ll also be able to witness Priapism for free, alongside Druidess and Bad Smell at Trillians in Newcastle on October 26.
