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Dead Hearts and Heavy Heavy Low Low…

Dead Hearts - Bitter VersesI've yet to be blown away by Dead Hearts, but "Bitter Verses", their first outing since joining the Ferret Music roster, is definitely the band's strongest effort to date—honing their brand of rocked out hardcore into a more focused and energetic attack. The songwriting is more cohesive this time out, so the "rocked out" elements of their riffing are less obvious (which is certainly a good thing in my book)—seamlessly blending in with explosive bursts of melodic hardcore chords, pounding midpaced rhythms loaded with intense layering, a few atmospheric/cinematic instrumental segments, and fervently sincere vocals that communicate the emotion of the lyrics well in a manner that basically amounts to all out yelling. I'd definitely say the overall vibe here (both musically and thematically) is somewhat comparable to Modern Life is War as a reference point, and the end result makes for 14 epic feeling yet generally concise tracks in barely over a half-hour. Awesome cover art by Jacob Bannon as well (though he didn't do the layout)—he's definitely doing some of his absolutely best work as of late. Nice. These guys are definitely moving forward, and I'm curious to see how their progression continues in the future...

Dead Hearts "Hollow"
Dead Hearts "Dusk"

Make the grab if you dig the tunes:

Ferret Music
RevHQ
@ Very Distribution

Heavy Heavy Low Low - Everything's Watched, Everyone's WatchingAlso new from Ferret Music is Heavy Heavy Low Low's "Everything's Watched, Everyone's Watching", which drops 11 generally quick and chaotic tracks in a mere 22 minutes. Like 'em or not, these guys must be doing something right on some level, because there's just something about this band where you kind of know what they're gonna sound like before even hearing their music. Granted you can't really get the full picture without listening for yourself, but it's not entirely surprising that you're greeted with a weird and quirky cacophony of grinding, churning, metalcore-ish madness with whacked out screamo tendencies and some totally oddball riffs more reminiscent of jazz or sludgy rock or something. There's plenty of tempo variation and quite a few riff changes as well, but I will say that—while not entirely my thing—the songwriting is much more developed and effective than most such bands. It's caustic and crazy, but it's not too far gone by any means. There are a lot of solid riffs in place, on occasion a hint of melody seeps in, the recording is very well executed, and despite mildly irritating moments/elements, the end result is actually quite listenable as compared to most of this particular style. Original? Not exactly, but they're not generic either, and it would seem that they have a good handle on what they're doing, so I can appreciate it.

Heavy Heavy Low Low "Kids, Kids, Kids"
Heavy Heavy Low Low "Eating the Porridge and Killing the Bears"

As always, purchase a copy for yourself if you're into it:

Ferret Music
RevHQ
@ Very Distribution

Comments

  1. Cool, I’m digging that Dead Hearts.  Amazing Bannon artwork, as usual, too!

    9.27.2006 | By Invisible Oranges

  2. ooooooh me likey Heavy Heavy Low Low.

    9.27.2006 | By Adrianoso

  3. heavy heavy low low are absoulte scum.

    9.27.2006 | By phil d

  4. Phil, what do you mean?

    9.27.2006 | By Andrew Aversionline

  5. andrew check you email

    9.27.2006 | By phil d

  6. what’s going on? can you explain phil?

    9.27.2006 | By Anonymous

  7. scum or not, these 2 tracks were awful. Dead Hearts may have a shitty name, but they sound pretty good

    9.27.2006 | By Eric

  8. > andrew check you email

    we wanna know too!

    9.27.2006 | By Anonymous

  9. i have been a fan of hhll for a while now and i dont think this is there best for the simple fact that half of this record are reworked songs songs from pervious discs. much rather have heard all new stuff but i wasnt disappointed by any means. dead hearts are not really my thing. althou i can certainly appreciate that style as well.

    9.27.2006 | By chris

  10. they’re scum. not only because they are heavy and low, but also because they’re heavy and low twice. ok, you can kill me now…

    9.27.2006 | By Anonymous

  11. this band is terrible

    9.27.2006 | By Anonymous

  12. i’ll take the new daughters over HHLL any time. the vocals are just too “wankery” (learned it on this blog).

    9.28.2006 | By chris

  13. oh god how i dont like daughters,i just saw them live yesterday,and to be honest they were awful,i dont know why hydrahead signed them,they were just not good at all, no offense to daughters fans,for HHLL im not really diggin it,DEAD HEARTs not impresive but good

    9.28.2006 | By Anonymous

  14. dont like either of these bands.

    and daughters epitomize “wankery”. hate that band so much

    9.28.2006 | By meh

  15. ok wtf? wats with all this hate on these guys? I mean if you don’t like the music then thats cool. I can respect that but scumbags?...(feeling a lil left out)

    9.28.2006 | By Adrianoso

  16. Some of the worst music i’ve ever heard.
    - Tom

    9.28.2006 | By Tom

  17. lol, “wankery” is the best word ever, to name the worst thing ever

    9.29.2006 | By Anonymous

  18. Jesus, this thread of comments has officially reached a Blabbermouth.net level of inanity.

    9.29.2006 | By Andrew Aversionline

  19. Someone sent me the HHLL disc.  Couldn’t do it.  Dead Hearts, however, slay.

    10.3.2006 | By Andy

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