The latest from Heathen Hearts gives off a brutal and precise thrash soiree with ultra-tight riffs and drumming that just covers everything with destruction from start to finish.
The S/T EP is packed to the brim with twisted and darkened riffs that have tons of energy and are matched by the band at every turn from bass to drums, to vocals. This band is a screaming good time and there's enough changes, breakdowns, and epic anthemic sections that you may not be able to take it all.
Plenty of jump up and down riffs that make you slam your head, sing along, or just mosh yourself around the living room.
You hear that punk undertone in a lot of these tracks especially drum wise.
These guys have that attitude also. It's metal as hell but you get that punk rock fierceness.
The vocals are at shredding and jump right into character when they need to, and everything drives each other. It's like the entire band feeds off of each other's energies.
This EP is enthralling, crushing, super fun, and packs one hell of a sucker punch to the gut.
With the release of such a killer record, we wanted to have a chat with the band to talk shop.
Here's what happened.
BuzzSlayers: Okay so let's start with the S/T EP. This record was thrashing and packed a punch! Where did this record come from?
When we formed this band it all seemed to come together very easily. We just wanted to express ourselves and do the best music we could do without too many genre restrictions. This is our first attempt at it and much more is coming. Our style and sound is still forming but clearly we have found the core to our music and what we want to do.
BuzzSlayers: I'm hearing some great styles on this song. Who are some of your biggest musical influences?
There are a lot of influences in our band. Inspiration comes from different kinds of rock and metal styles.
Most of us are fans of melodic death metal and black metal so for sure some influences come from there. We would say that’s northern side in our ”northern hardcore” and the hardcore part should be quite obvious.
BuzzSlayers: So how did this all begin for you really? When did you fall in love with making music?
We have made music and played in different bands since our teens.
But we formed this band about a year ago. We were supposed to play a Turbonegro cover gig back in 2020 but Covid ruined that for us. So our drummer Ville came up with the idea that we could start to do our own music and play hardcore. Everyone got really excited and things started to happen really fast. We have been keeping the good vibe going and here we are.
BuzzSlayers: What's next for you as a band?
We are currently writing new stuff and planning to record another EP. We are also booking and doing some gigs in Finland.
Hoping to tour outside Finland as well soon.
BuzzSlayers: What inspires you to write a song?
Can be basically anything from music that I listen to a spontaneous rhythm, riff or melody in mind while, for example, doing laundry. Ideas and inspiration usually just pop up just like that and then I need to be close to my guitar and home studio or otherwise I forget the ideas. Sometimes I do a drum backing track and then start jamming on it, but usually ideas just pop up out of nowhere. -Jere
It may sound funny but a new piece of gear or equipment can inspire me a ton. But usually I just make a random drum loop to a desired tempo and jam the hell out of it. And when I am feeling like shit I am inspired to write the most. -Lauri
BuzzSlayers: What are you all doing when you're NOT working on music?
We all have day jobs and it seems that we have to keep working in them for now… ;) And probably the same things other people do. Everyone has their own hobbies etc.
BuzzSlayers: Who are you all listening to right now?
We all have different musical tastes so everyone can answer for themselves…
Lately I've been listening to really different kinds of stuff depending on the mood. Wardruna, Heilung, Kvelertak, Sheryl Crow, Enslaved, Behemoth, Emperor, Jinjer, Devin Townsend, Insomnium, Get The Shot and The Bridge City Sinners just to mention a few…
-Juhana
The Prodigy, Darkthrone, Harm's Way, Placebo, Viagra Boys, The Cult.
-Antti
Everything that sounds good, from pop music to black metal. I just found a new finnish band called “Plant my bones” that’s pretty damn dope and have been listening to it non stop for a while now. -Jere
Lately Maybeshewill, Cult of Luna, Perturbator, Carpenter Brut, In Flames and Comeback Kid have filled my playlist. -Lauri
Terror and Get the Shot. -Ville
BuzzSlayers: Are you doing live performances?
Yeah, we sure are! For now in Finland since we have no booking agency, we have booked shows ourselves and even have gotten requests to come and play live shows based on our EP. So things are going pretty nicely on that front as well.
BuzzSlayers: This EP seems like a big undertaking. What kind of advice might you have for other up and coming bands out there?
Find the right people to work with (recording, mixing and mastering). Be prepared to work hard and according to plans. Making music requires resources whether it is time or money or both. If you don’t have support from a label like we don’t, be prepared to spend those resources on doing your art and everything related to recording and releasing your music.
If you want to do things right from the start it requires a lot of work!
BuzzSlayers: Before we go, what would you like to say to fans of the music?
Support your favorite bands and artists! Go to live concerts and keep live music alive!
If you find something new and interesting, spread the word to others! You can do a huge favor to some new band and it does not cost you anything… :)