Heave Blood and Die
Post People


3.8
excellent

Review

by Dewinged STAFF
February 10th, 2021 | 45 replies


Release Date: 2021 | Tracklist

Review Summary: Recycling post punk: an epiphany.

When Heave Blood & Die was formed, back in 2016, the band’s concept and its execution were something pretty different from what they have become on their last record, Post People. Hell, I don’t even know if that angry stoner post punk gang flying their instruments in the video of “Plague” are the same dudes chilling out and jamming on a coastal studio during the recording of this third album. The transformation the band has gone through is nothing short of impressive, specially because things have taken a very interesting turn for the Norwegians.

Post People exudes atmosphere, mainly stretching their original post punk roots into something that resembles post rock, but also exploring the hypnotic trails of kraut rock. What comes through the other side is a body of work that feels celestial and at the same time, diabolically attractive. Allow me this modest hyperbole: I have not heard anything like this in many years. The opening track, “Radio Silence” is extremely effective when it comes to pulling you into HB&D’s territory. The main riff is maddening, neck-twisting, and when that electric sitar comes in, one can only hold a deep breath, tighten up the gluteus and clench a fist while taking it all in. It’s one of the many moments where the group reaches a state of grace, a cathartic reaction to the common sound they are all sharing in the recording room, as it sends wave lengths shattering your spine.

The kraut ride of “Metropolitan Jam” leaves no doubt about the band’s intentions. How they went from… whatever they were doing to this is (I guess) a tale for another time, but there they go, followed by the explosive “True Believer”, and into the album’s equinox. “Everything is Now” is not pretty, and it somehow brings the album down a notch forcing the band out of the momentum gained so far with a slow-paced, grey tune. Fortunately, “Continental Drift” brings back the same cool, refreshing vibe that elevates the first half. Vocals are quite robotic, quasi-monotonal, acting more as a rhythmical pattern rather than providing a melodic vessel to navigate the track. That is, at least, until the last two tracks that close Post People wrap things up with a spice of dream pop thrown into the mix. But the band doesn’t rush or intent to go out quietly, as both tracks end with an ecstatic jam of noise, flangers, and warped synths which guarantee mighty live performances (whenever we get those back).

Heave Blood & Die seem like a completely new band in 2021, one that I wouldn’t have got into if they had insisted in lashing out their early stuff. The juvenile boiling violence of their first iteration leaves way to a smarter, more refined, and way more interesting version of their music. A recycled vinyl edition, lyrics that don’t flinch when denouncing the state of the world and a recording that sounds confident and invigorating can’t all be coincidence. This is a band with a plan, for all of you, Post People.




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user ratings (21)
3.5
great


Comments:Add a Comment 
Dewinged
Staff Reviewer
February 10th 2021


32179 Comments


Loving this record atm.

Buy / Support / Enjoy: https://heavebloodanddie.bandcamp.com/album/post-people

"Radio Silence": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTbxGUOU61c&ab_channel=HeaveBlood%26Die

MiloRuggles
Staff Reviewer
February 10th 2021


3139 Comments


That band name got me tensing my gluteus big time. Nice, succinct review, sounds like a fun mix of genres they've got under their belt

Dewinged
Staff Reviewer
February 10th 2021


32179 Comments


Check the video above Milo, I love the vibe they have going on the studio, kind of gives an angle to the album later. They look like a fun crew.

MiloRuggles
Staff Reviewer
February 10th 2021


3139 Comments


Yuhp, that was sweet, big groovez. I also want that studio in my life

Gnocchi
Staff Reviewer
February 10th 2021


18262 Comments


Dewi on a post-binge.

Dewinged
Staff Reviewer
February 10th 2021


32179 Comments


Post-everything.

"I also want that studio in my life"

You know it. I know it. He knows it. She knows it.

JesperL
Staff Reviewer
February 10th 2021


5664 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

one of those cases of 'why isn't the album title the band name and vice versa'

great rev, jamming it now and that electric sitar is sick indeed haha

JesperL
Staff Reviewer
February 10th 2021


5664 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

okay i rly love some songs (kavanishi, t/t) and the rest is just alright

Dewinged
Staff Reviewer
February 10th 2021


32179 Comments


Fair enough Jesp, tx for checking it out.

At least we agree on the opener being a hard bang

dedex
Staff Reviewer
February 10th 2021


12829 Comments


Post-pos'd

TheNotrap
Staff Reviewer
February 10th 2021


19009 Comments


This is probably not my thing, yet good writing as usual Dewinged.

Dewinged
Staff Reviewer
February 10th 2021


32179 Comments


Cheers dexbro. And yeah Notrap, this is slightly out of your realm, it has some prog influence, so I would check "Continental Drift" at least.

someone
Contributing Reviewer
February 10th 2021


6954 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

a stoner doom band channelling post-punk? this i gotta hear

DDDeftoneDDD
February 10th 2021


22796 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

checkin in

Dewinged
Staff Reviewer
February 10th 2021


32179 Comments


"a stoner doom band channelling post-punk? "

They used to! The stoner doom is gone now!

Dewinged
Staff Reviewer
February 11th 2021


32179 Comments


So not many post people these days...;/

Or people posting, so to speak.

jemaiseyeti
February 11th 2021


303 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Nice opener, will check the rest of the album

DDDeftoneDDD
February 11th 2021


22796 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

The opener slays. Eventualy you get a little watered along the way but still holds to really cool and even harsh moments.

DDDeftoneDDD
February 11th 2021


22796 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Rates distribution is telling us to fuck off



.!.

Sunnyvale
Staff Reviewer
February 11th 2021


6175 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

This was intriguing on first listen, I'm curious how it will hold up



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