World War Three Mark Debut Album Release with a Crushing Night at Dubrek Studios

Dubrek Studios has become a regular home for Derby’s heavier music scene, and on Friday 11 July it played host to a significant moment for one of the city’s own as World War Three celebrated the release of their debut album.

Supported by Dreor, and Spillout the evening brought together a strong mix of death metal and hardcore, with fans turning out to celebrate a release that has been a long time coming. Unfortunately, we didn’t make it in time to catch the support acts, arriving just as World War Three were preparing to take the stage, but judging by the atmosphere in the room it had already been a successful night before the headline set had even begun.

The band’s entrance was a memorable one. Rather than launching straight into the heaviness, they opened with the intro to Cypress Hill’s Dr. Greenthumb, an unexpected choice that raised a few smiles before giving way to the crushing guitars, relentless drumming and guttural vocals that have become synonymous with the band’s sound. It was a light-hearted nod to one of hip-hop’s classics before the evening quickly descended into organised chaos.

Not everything went perfectly. A handful of technical issues interrupted the performance, but rather than slowing the pace, the band took them in their stride and carried on without allowing them to affect the energy in the room. If anything, it reinforced the spirit of grassroots live music, where professionalism is often measured less by perfection and more by how performers respond when things don’t quite go to plan.

That energy was reflected by the audience throughout the set. The floor was rarely still, with windmills, two-stepping and a constantly moving pit providing the backdrop from the first song to the last. There was a genuine sense that this wasn’t simply another local gig but a celebration of a band reaching an important milestone, surrounded by a community that has supported them from the beginning.

The evening also doubled as a music video shoot, with cameras capturing both the performance and the reaction from the crowd. If the footage reflects even half of the atmosphere inside Dubrek that night, it should make for a fitting showcase of what the band are capable of in a live setting.

After the final song, we caught up briefly with frontman and promoter Joe, who hinted at an exciting project currently being planned for next year. While we’re keeping the details under wraps for now, it’s clear that this album release is far from the only thing World War Three have in store over the coming months.

For a debut album launch, the night felt less like a celebration of what has already been achieved and more like the start of a much bigger chapter for the band.

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