2.5/5 stars
One of the key features of Heads.’s self-titled debut is the touting of noise-rock/sludge act Young Widows as a main influence – a detectable feature in its structure and delivery. Despite doing many things right on this record, inspirations included, making a six-track album with stylistic similarities to Young Widows is a gamble that didn’t pay off.
Outside of the mastering techniques of Magnus Lindberg from revered act Cult of Luna, the most impressive part is the strong, sludgy bass tone, driving the music as it dominates on a track by track basis (featuring some flashy and unexpected descending riff work). Unfortunately, the guitar is rarely exciting, taking a noticable influence from Lindberg’s Cult of Luna, but there are occasional blowout moments where the guitar is either dark and haunting or the key part of a cacophonic harmony.
Trying to draw out a narrative but seldom coming close to anything other than dull, the lyrics on the album damage it – the attempts to sound brooding and tortured don’t succeed, although there are plenty of hooks and a heavy sludgy feel to the music that incites head-banging.
It’s hard to shake off the idea that Heads.’s debut is a watered down copy of Young Widow’s amazing Easy Pain, which should be thrown on instead.
Heads. Self-titled is out through Heart of the Rat Records.
