Old Corpse Road are British folkloric black metal from the North of England.
Formed in 2007, the Darlington-based band take the myths, legends, ghosts and forgotten tales of Britain and forge them into dark, atmospheric and fiercely theatrical black metal. Named after the ancient corpse road leading from Haweswater to Mardale in the Lake District, the band have made British folklore and the landscapes from which those stories emerged central to their music.
Combining fierce black metal with powerful melodies, haunting atmospheric passages, folk instrumentation, keyboards, chanting, spoken word and multiple vocal styles, Old Corpse Road create music that is as evocative and cinematic as it is aggressive. Every song tells a story, drawing on the folklore, history and supernatural traditions of Britain.
Since their formation, Old Corpse Road have released a series of acclaimed recordings, including 'Tis Witching Hour... As Spectres We Haunt This Kingdom, Of Campfires and Evening Mists and On Ghastly Shores Lays the Wreckage of Our Lore, working with labels including Godreah Records, Cacophonous Records and Trollzorn Records.
The band have built a strong reputation as a live act, appearing twice at Bloodstock Open Air, including the Sophie Lancaster Stage in 2014, as well as Hammerfest, Warhorns and numerous UK festivals and headline shows. They have toured as main support to Heidevolk and Skyforger, and have shared bills with Alcest, A Forest of Stars, Esoteric, Hecate Enthroned, Winterfylleth, Anaal Nathrakh and many others.
The band's distinctive approach has been recognised throughout their career. Metal Hammer described Old Corpse Road as “consummate storytellers” whose music is “uniquely English.” Sonic Abuse called them “one of the most original black metal acts to surface in some time,” while Distorted Sound Magazine described them as “one of the most impressive, and certainly one of the most intriguing, black metal acts in the UK,” awarding On Ghastly Shores Lays the Wreckage of Our Lore 9/10.
In 2025, Sputnikmusic revisited 'Tis Witching Hour..., awarding it 4/5 and describing Old Corpse Road as “one of the most unique bands I’ve stumbled across.” In 2026, At The Barrier praised the band's distinctive use of keys and effects, gothic atmosphere and energetic live performance.
Old Corpse Road don't simply play black metal — they tell the forgotten stories of Britain through it.
The corpse road is open. Walk it if you dare.