Decibel Magazine is holding an exclusive first look at South Jersey/Philadelphia-based sludge metal group Clamfight’s new single, “Clamfight”, from their upcoming album Clamfight. Listen to the single HERE.
Despite its 7-minute long runtime, “Clamfight” continuously keeps the listener hooked with haunting, heavy instrumentals and vocals. Clamfight was recorded by Steve Poponi and Matt Weber at The Gradwell House in Haddon Heights, NJ. The album was mixed by Poponi and Dave Downham, and was also mastered by Downham. The record features guest vocals from Sam Marandola on “Brodgar” and Stephen Murphy and JJ Koczan on “Clamfight”.
About the new track, drummer and vocalist Andy Martin shares: “The lyrics and theme for ‘Clamfight’ spun out of a night that Sean and I spent fishing in Jersey. Fishing was dead and since we’re both in our 40s, we ended up talking all night about our dads and how hard it is to watch your parents age. That conversation and the solace I found on the water became the starting point for the lyrics to ‘Clamfight’ but the overarching theme of the song became how lucky we are to still be playing together. We’ve gone from teens doing donuts and occasionally fighting outside of the 7-11 to guys with careers and families of our own. I wrote this song as a tribute to Joel, Louis, and Sean, because I love them, and am incredibly grateful for our thirty years of friendship. But because I can’t just be like ‘gosh I love my best friends,’ I managed to squeeze in some digs at our regrettable 1990s nu-metal fashion choices, like my cornrows and Louis’ tongue rings.”
“Despite ‘Clamfight’ being such a personal song, we want a broader sound, so we enlisted some good friends to expand the vocal palette. JJ Koczan of Maegashira and The Obelisk fame has supported us from our earliest days grinding it out in pre-gentrification Asbury Park and Steve Murphy from Kings Destroy and Uppercut is like our big brother. We played a million shows with Kings Destroy, and JJ facilitated that relationship and is also really close with them, so having the two of them on this song was really special for us.”
Clamfight will be released on CD and digitally on May 16. For preorders, visit HERE.
Catch Clamfight at one of their regional tour dates this summer! They will be performing an album release show in Philly on May 30, a show in Brooklyn on June 20, and a benefit show in Philly in honor of their late friend Steve Poponi on June 21, with more updates to be unveiled soon.
CLAMFIGHT Live:
5/31/2025 Kung Fu Necktie – Philadelphia, PA *record release show w/ God Called In Sick, Dirt Pile
6/20/2025 Goldsounds – Brooklyn, NY w/ Hollow Leg, Florist, End Of Hope
6/21/2025 Poponipalooza '25: D.I.L.F.@ Underground Arts – Philadelphia, PA [tickets]
