A behind-the-scenes look at Southend’s groove-metal powerhouse Fallen Relic, and what’s next for the band in 2026.
Fallen Relic is shaking up Southend’s rock scene with their signature groove-laden metal and unrelenting live energy.
To me, their music belongs on a soundtrack or as a game backdrop, but that’s just my opinion. Their followers likely see them differently. That’s the point—their sound means many things to many people, and that drew our attention.
If you’ve ever been to a gig in Southend-on-Sea and felt the floor shake beneath your boots, chances are it was Fallen Relic at the helm. Since forming back in 2018, these lads have set out with one clear mission: to write rhythm-driven rock and metal anthems that make people move. And let’s be honest, if you’ve caught them live, you’ll know they absolutely deliver.
Evolution
Fallen Relic’s distinct combination of heavy metal, groove metal, and hard rock is a breath of fresh sea air on the Essex coast. Their sound pays homage to the legends, with nods to the grunge-laden tones of Alice in Chains and Jane’s Addiction, and the signature riffs of Pantera, Lamb of God, and Black Label Society. It’s a melting pot of influences, but Fallen Relic aren’t about imitation—they’re about evolution. Every riff, every breakdown, every shout from the stage is designed to get your head banging and your feet moving.
The band currently operates as a tight four-piece, with Matt on vocals, Mark and Dave laying down thunderous grooves, and—at least until recently—Richie Symons shredding on guitar. March 2026 brought a bit of a shake-up, with Richie parting ways with the band. But if you know anything about Fallen Relic, you know a line-up change is just another opportunity to crank things up a notch. Auditions for a new guitarist have been in full swing, and there’s real expectation in the air about who will step into those shoes.
Turning Point
This could be a turning point for the band as there will be a change in dynamic. Nothing wrong with that; there is a learning curve for development, and they are on it. Watching from the sidelines, I really don’t think that anything will be an obstacle for them as they have their sights firmly on success.
Not content to rest on their laurels, the band are also gearing up to drop their latest single, “Fistful of Hate.” Recorded at Crossed Bell Studios with producer Alex, early teasers suggest it’s set to be an absolute monster—groovy, aggressive, and unmistakably Fallen Relic. If previous releases are anything to go by, fans are in for a treat.
Whether you’ve been following Fallen Relic from their first rehearsal or are just discovering them, one thing’s for certain: they’re a band built on energy, honesty, and a love for their sound. Keep your eyes (and ears) peeled—2026 is shaping up to be a massive year for Southend’s finest. The Networking Magazine are proud to be part of their journey.
Fallen Relic – Playing Live
Your live shows are legendary for their energy—what’s your secret to keeping the crowd moving every time?
We love playing live & engaging with our audience and I would like to think that comes across and becomes infectious.
Going to see bands live is such a great experience and having the chance to interact with the artists on stage just enhances that.
Sound
How do you channel your varied influences into producing that signature Fallen Relic sound?
It’s a conscious thing that we do; we approach song writing quite systematically by pulling together riffs we feel sound good together initially then craft the full song from there, making sure every note and choice is a deliberate decision to enhance the final piece.
Process
Can you take us through the recording process for “Fistful of Hate”?
We had a real blast recording this track. We were at Crossedbell Studio near Ipswich with Alex Coombes running the desk; Mark kicked us off getting the drums down before Richie recorded the guitar parts. The next day I (Dave) recorded the bass before Matt finished off with his vocal tracks.
It was a great experience and the first step towards what we’re planning to be our first full length album!
Fallen Relic – Dynamic
With Richie’s recent departure, how has the band’s dynamic changed, and what are you looking for in the new guitarist?
We’re actually moving to a 2 guitar set up. Richie is an incredible guitarist and was able to fill out so much sound on his own; we didn’t want to just try and find a direct replacement so made a decision to try something new. We’ve been lucky enough the first role has been filled by our good friend Andy Belson-Margree and are holding auditions for the 2nd currently.
With Richie’s decision to leave the band we thought it was a good opportunity to grow as a band in both numbers & approach and make a difficult situation an evolutionary step.
Memorable Gig
What’s been the most memorable gig or moment you’ve shared together as a band so far?
A couple of years ago we were in the Metal to the Masses competition and got to the grand final. Whilst we were naturally upset to have fallen a little short, the experience of progressing through the rounds, playing in front of some great crowds and with great bands was amazing.
Connected
How do you stay connected with your fans, both at gigs and online?
To be honest it’s something we want to get better at. When we’re at gigs we’re always available for a chat and talk to anyone and everyone that wants to; but we find online engagement quite tricky. We try to post regularly and respond or react to as many comments as possible but we’re sure there’s more we could be doing!
Challenge
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a band—and how did you overcome it?
Probably what we’re going through now rebuilding as the new version of Fallen Felic with new guitarists.
We’re so determined to get back on stage as soon as possible and be even better than before and I really feel it’s that determination that will drive us to overcome this challenge.
Dream Line-up
If you could put together a dream line-up for a festival, who would share the bill with Fallen Relic?
It’s a great question & I’ll probably get in trouble for not including one of the guys favourite bands or influences!
The opener would be Staind, mainly because we sometimes jam a cover of Mudshovel but think they represent our rock side. We’ll play next followed by Pantera, one of our consistent influences. The final 2 bands would be Metallica and Iron Maiden – both are polarising to us with some loving them & others really not but undoubtedly influential!
New Music
For fans keenly awaiting new music, what can they expect from you in the coming months?
We’re looking to get Fistfull of Hate out across all streaming platforms as a huge priority so definitely keep an eye out for that.
Alongside releasing that our next priority is to get our lineup solidified and a live set ready to get back to doing what we do best: entertaining our audience!
Fallen Relic – Credits
Website homepage image – © Film Free Photography. www.filmfreephotography.co.uk
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