REVIEW: The Trapdoor Spiders light a fuse with debut EP ‘Connection To The Underworld’

The UK’s rock resurgence just got a serious jolt of electricity, courtesy of Brighton’s newest grunge disciples, The Trapdoor Spiders. Their debut EP ‘Connection To The Underworld’ taps into the spirit of ‘90s distortion and angst, and it throttles it back into relevance with the swagger and bite of a band far beyond their years.

From the opening riff of ‘Heartstruck’, it’s clear these four aren’t playing dress-up in their parents’ flannel. Instead, they’re channelling that old-school scuzz through a thoroughly modern lens, melding raw emotion, snarling guitar lines, and unexpectedly tight vocal layering that elevates each track beyond the standard alt-rock fare.

What sets The Trapdoor Spiders apart is their ability to harness the immediacy of garage-born rock without losing sight of songwriting. There’s edge, but also structure. There’s grit, but also purpose. And above all, there’s an infectious energy—a sort of “kick the doors down and let’s play already” urgency—that bleeds through every second of this release.

Fresh off their breakthrough debut single ‘Dododo’, which is notably absent from this release, the EP is a true statement of intent for the four-piece. There’s defiance here, a challenge to the gatekeepers, and a celebration of DIY spirit that feels earned. Whether it’s the pounding rhythms that drive each song forward or the way the band’s individual influences stretch and collide, ‘Connection To The Underworld’ feels like a fuse being lit.

And this is just side A.

With part two set to drop in June, it’s obvious The Trapdoor Spiders are only getting started. If this EP is their introduction, we’re more than ready for the next phase in their evolution to date.

For fans of gritty grooves, anthemic riffs, and the unfiltered roar of a band with something to say—and the chops to say it loud—’Connection To The Underworld’ is essential listening.