Broadslab Delivers at Chapel of Bones
Saturday night at Chapel of Bones in Raleigh belonged to Broadslab.
The hometown crew celebrated the release of their new record, The Fifth Essence, and if there was ever a band that deserved to pack a room for an album release, it’s these guys.
I’ve listened to The Fifth Essence several times since it dropped on the 26th and I’ll keep it simple. This album is a must hear from beginning to end.
People love to throw the term “stoner rock” around, but that almost undersells what Broadslab is doing. At its core, this is groove driven American hard rock with weight behind every riff. Heavy without trying too hard. Psychedelic when it makes sense. Bluesy in spots. It all comes together naturally instead of feeling like a checklist of influences.
If Widespread Panic and Clutch somehow had a kid, maybe you’d get something in the neighborhood of Broadslab. Then again, maybe not.
As you work through their catalog you’ll hear little reminders of bands that came before them. Their early recording of “Medicine Cabinet” always gave me a bit of an Uriah Heep “Stealin’” feel. Other moments lean into the atmosphere and swagger that Black Sabbath mastered decades ago. But those comparisons only go so far. After a while they stop mattering because Broadslab has carved out its own identity. They’re simply a damn good American hard rock band.
Live, that’s even more obvious.
These guys don’t just stand there staring at their pedalboards while nodding their heads. The guitar players cover every inch of the stage, feeding off each other’s energy. Behind them, Peter Lemieux turns the drum kit into its own show, driving every song while making it look like he’s having the time of his life. It never feels rehearsed or forced. It feels like six guys who genuinely love playing together, and the crowd feeds off that energy.
Frontman Johnny Jernigan brings a presence that’s hard to teach. His vocal style isn’t trying to copy anyone else. It fits the music perfectly and gives Broadslab another piece of the identity they’ve built over the years.
Tracks like “Leslie” and “Alienation” hit with authority, while “Keep On Rollin’” is the kind of song that immediately gets your head moving. But for me, the standout is “Constellations.”
That song is something special.
About three minutes in, everything shifts. The band takes a hard left turn and suddenly you’re somewhere else entirely. It reminded me of those long musical journeys I’d catch during Allman Brothers or Widespread Panic shows, where the song stops being a song and becomes an experience. Broadslab pulled that transition off flawlessly on stage. It wasn’t forced. It wasn’t overindulgent. It was exactly where it needed to go.
And yes, I highly recommend a little fungal recreation before throwing that one on.
The Fifth Essence isn’t an album where you skip around looking for singles. Hit play on “Animal Divinity” and let the record finish. That’s how it was written and that’s how it deserves to be heard.
Broadslab has been one of North Carolina’s hidden gems for years. Hopefully this record changes that.
If you’re into heavy riffs, big grooves, and bands that actually look like they’re having fun on stage, don’t sleep on this one.
Band Members
Johnny Jernigan – vocals
Cody Patrick – guitar, vocals
Eddie Watkins – guitar, vocals
Robby Rodwell – bass
Peter Lemieux - drums
Jason Stanley – studio drums on The Fifth Essence
Keith Davis – organ, piano, additional sounds on The Fifth Essence
Discography
Ritual Movement (2014)
The Fifth Essence (2026).
