Monday 4 April 2016

Heiress - "Made Wrong" (Album Review)

By: Charlie Butler

Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 18/03/2016
Label: The Mylene Sheath


Over the course of their 10 year existence, Seattle’s Heiress have crafted a sound that fuses the mathematical approach of Harkonen, the weighty post-hardcore of These Arms Are Snakes and hints of metallic hardcore bruisers, Earth Crisis. All of these elements are still present on new LP “Made Wrong” but new, quieter influences are now also making their presence felt.  “Made Wrong” is a real progression for Heiress and definitely their strongest showing to date. It sees the band tighten their songwriting prowess and widen their sonic palette without losing sight of what made them great in the first place.  
“Made Wrong” CD//DD//LP track listing:
1. “Clearing”
2. “Remains”
3. “Lasts”
4. “Skinning”
5. “Made Wrong”
6. “Cruel Calm”
7. “Endure”
The Review:
Dialling back the heaviness is a risky move that can often yield powerful results. Over the course of their 10 year existence, Seattle’s Heiress have crafted a sound that fuses the mathematical approach of Harkonen, the weighty post-hardcore of These Arms Are Snakes and hints of metallic hardcore bruisers, Earth Crisis. All of these elements are still present on new LP “Made Wrong” but new, quieter influences are now also making their presence felt.
Brisk opener “Clearing” provides an effective reminder of the band’s capabilities before events take a different course over the rest of the album. Heiress’ aggressive approach is still evident throughout, but tempered by sections of intricate melody. This takes the form of spiky, Slint-style guitar lines in the menacing “Lasts” or taut post-punk/emo figures, reminiscent of Self Defense Family, in “Remains” and “Skinning”. The post-rock influences, hinted at on previous releases, are allowed free reign on the title track, widening the scope of the band’s attack without dulling the edges.
Most unexpected is closing track “Endure”. Slowly unfurling over 8 minutes, Heiress craft a restrained epic. John Pettibone’s vocals barely rise above a whisper yet still remain commanding over the band’s hazy, intoxicating backdrop. The overall effect is strangely entrancing, like Deftones and Bardo Pond trapped in a cave, shorn of distortion.
This more considered approach has not come at the detriment of riffs. True, there may be less present than expected but their blunt impact is now enhanced due to tactical deployment, providing violent contrast with the periods of calm.
Made Wrong” is a real progression for Heiress and definitely their strongest showing to date. It sees the band tighten their songwriting prowess and widen their sonic palette without losing sight of what made them great in the first place. Hopefully this album will bring them some much deserved attention, after 10 years of being an underappreciated gem, it’s time for people to sit up and take notice.

Made Wrong” is available here

Band info: bandcamp || facebook