Stalemate of Wills Announce Debut LP ‘Existence Denied’

Pittsburgh’s own Stalemate of Wills are set to drop their debut full-length album, Existence Denied, on April 26. The stoner/sludge metal trio will release the 8-track record via FFTC Records.

Formed in 2023 by guitarist/vocalist Derek Kovacs as a solo studio project, Stalemate of Wills quickly expanded with the addition of scene veterans Jake Morris on bass and Bob McSherry on drums. The band’s sound, true to their mantra of “heavy riffs for a withering world,” pulls together elements of doom metal, hardcore, and New Orleans-style sludge, with hints of ’90s death metal.

Expect plenty of down-tuned, groove-heavy riffing and drumming that can shift into more unsettling or mellow moments. Lyrically, the band focuses on the frustrations and hopelessness of life, and the struggle to survive it all without being able to change much.

Check out the album’s first single, “Two Worlds,” here:

Existence Denied Tracklist:

• 1) Visibility
• 2) Maximum Amounts of Woe
• 3) Existence Denied
• 4) Two Worlds
• 5) Let It Be Known
• 6) High Above
• 7) Unusual Character Profile
• 8) Light the Way

STALEMATE OF WILLS is:

• Derek Kovcas – guitar / vocals
• Jake Morris – bass
• Bob McSherry – drums

For more information, visit www.stalemateofwills.com.