Circle Of Origin Unleash "Watching The Walls" Ahead of Upcoming "Gallows" EP

Doncaster-based alternative metal band Circle Of Origin released their single Watching The Walls on 17 April 2026, a track that continues to build anticipation for their sophomore EP Gallows, due for release on 12 June 2026 across all major digital platforms. The single marked an important step in the band’s ongoing evolution, offering an early glimpse into the sound and themes that define the forthcoming record.

Watching The Walls delivers a dense and forceful blend of metal-edged riffs, pulsing rhythms and tightly coiled dynamics. It carries a sense of pressure and momentum throughout, balancing aggression with melody in a way that reflects the band’s developing identity. The track brings together modern metal weight and classic rock influence, creating a large, immersive sound that feels both contemporary and rooted in familiar rock traditions. Lyrically, it focuses on internal conflict and emotional strain, exploring the experience of feeling trapped in a distorted version of reality where darkness begins to take hold and resentment grows increasingly overwhelming. Rather than straightforwardly presenting these ideas, the song builds its tension through atmosphere and intensity, mirroring the psychological themes at its core.

The line-up behind the release features founding members Danny Porter on vocals, Andy Wordsworth on guitar, Rick Williamson on guitar and Scott Emery on drums, now joined by John Heaver on bass, whose addition strengthens the low-end presence and overall depth of the band’s sound. This configuration adds further weight to the material and supports a more expansive approach to songwriting and arrangement.

Following the positive reception to their 2025 debut EP Guilty Til Proven Innocent, Circle Of Origin returned to Axis Recording Studios in the UK to work again with producer Matt Elliss. This continued collaboration has helped shape the five-track Gallows EP, reinforcing a sense of creative continuity while also pushing the band into a more refined and ambitious sonic space. The new material reflects a broader range of influence and a stronger focus on dynamic contrast, combining melodic alternative metal elements with a more stadium-sized rock sensibility.

Influences from bands such as Stone Sour, Foo Fighters, Shinedown and Aerosmith can be heard in the way the EP balances heaviness with melody and emotional directness. Across the record, the band emphasises dual-guitar interplay, structured yet impactful songwriting and vocal performances that carry both grit and emotion. The Gallows EP track listing is as follows: Watching The Walls, Nothing (At All), What Have I Become?, Life Without and Unto The Fire.