"Early Frost" by Heiress is a grim and discordant artistic journey into the cold soul of the Pacific Northwest.
Recorded by renowned engineer Jack Endino (Nirvana, Seaweed, etc), "Early Frost" opens with the airy post-everything beast "All Ruins" and immediately sets an ominous tone (think Enslaved covering Slint). Wasting no time, Heiress then dive deep into the awe inducing title track "Early Frost". A beautifully haunting song filled with delicate melody and hair raising emotion. Songs like the unforgettable "Beyond Fevering" and eery "Splintering" continue this sonic exploration, experimenting with cryptic vocal stylings before unfurling true sonic power. All of first level observations aside, what is so refreshing is just how non-metal and unpredictable Heiress are, while they carry such a foreboding collective soul. Heiress melodiously twist when other artists would predictably turn up the volume. For example in the stunning track "Again, Before" Heiress masterfully introduce a pan flute, where other artists would inject a stereotypical guitar solo. After nine mesmerizing tracks, we are led through the darkness to the epic closer "Bolt and Tomb", a song which opens with thirty seconds of hypnotic percussion, building to a crescendo of truly glacial proportions. "Early Frost" from Heiress is an essential experience for those who are searching for substance in today's heavy music world.
Tracking Listing: 01. All Ruins 02. Early Frost 03. Damaged New Wind 04. Beyond Fevering 05. Thou Shall 06. Still Suffer Well 07. Splintering 08. Again, Before 09. Gamillion 10. Bolt and Tomb