Release Date: 26th January 2024
Finding yourself hungry for some hard-hitting Norwegian Post-Punk? Fear not. Heave Blood & Die are here, unapologetically, to drag us ears first to the end of civilization with their upcoming album Burnout Codes (out January 26th via Fysisk Format Records).
If you’re not already familiar with this outfit, Heave Blood & Die have received much praise from across the Norwegian airwaves, delivered their signature sound to the mainland festival circuit and were even nominated for the Norwegian Grammy, Spellemann, for their previous effort Post People. This will be the fourth release from the post-punk quintet after forming in 2017 and, though it would be easy to let Grammy nominations go to their heads, it truly feels that they had a clear vision of what they wanted to create and have delivered it in spades with Burnout Codes.
Straight out the gate, you’ll quickly become acquainted with these catchy hooks instilled with a contagiousness comparable to chart acts such as Wet Leg but with a far more nuanced depth that has been nurtured over the band’s past 3 bodies of work. From the supercharged tracks such as ‘Dog Days’ and ‘Hits’, to the mentally stimulating world-building tracks like ‘Mjelle’, a certified boot-stomper. Be prepared to watch a band paint a picture of a dystopian future only to burn it down right before your very eyes, a feeling found chiefly in the angst-ridden finale of ‘Seen It All’. Is there any better way to round off a record than a clear and damning statement? The phrase “Everything Burns” is repeatedly drilled into the listener’s mind until all accompaniment dissolves away, leaving us with Pedersen’s vocals to stand bare.
You’ll find the album to be interwoven with tragedy and sadness; expressed both lyrically and sonically. This is only heightened by the tragic passing of the band’s bassist Eivind André Imingen following recording sessions; whom the band have since dedicated the record to.
After a glance at their back catalogue, it wouldn’t be far-fetched to suggest that an existing fan of the band might notice an absence of the grittier unclean vocals found in their earlier work (‘Krokodil’ comes to mind) however all 8 tracks are certainly fully-fleshed out and full of life with vocalist Karl Løftingsmo Pedersen trading just a little of that grit for a larger, more ethereal voice that is more than welcome amongst the distortion.
Evidence of the band’s evolution, Burnout Codes is a well-paced record that will keep you moving on a full play-through and undeniably has the potential to sound monstrously big in a live setting. It seems as if Heave Blood & Die are here to administer your daily dose of high-energy doom and gloom in the best way possible. Get your ears around them ASAP.
FFO: Smashing Pumpkins/IDLES/Silversun Pickups
Recommended Track: ‘Hits’ – this track practically demands audience participation. Once the lyrics have sunk in, it’s almost impossible not to hum along to that chanting vocal line.