In recent months it’s become difficult to not know who Heriot are, whether it’s the glowing coverage in media outlets or a touring schedule that has seem them support the likes of Napalm Death, Witch Fever. Not to mention a show supporting END on the horizon. “It’s all happened so quickly,” comments drummer Julian Gage. “Especially the last six months, it’s gotten even more elevated. I think as soon as we started going out and playing shows and meeting people that were into the music, I think from that point onwards it felt real.” With each show putting them in front of a new audience, many are just experiencing what Heriot’s haunting and abrasive style has to offer. Commenting on the Napalm Death show, Julian later added, “They probably wouldn’t have heard of us otherwise if we didn’t play that show. People dig it and that makes me happy.“.
With Gage and two of his fellow members, Packer (Bass and vocals), Alman (guitar) originally from Swindon, and Gough (Guitar and vocals) further north in Birmingham, the group practice together in the vibrant city of Bristol. It is where, come April 29th—the day of release of their debut EP Profound Morality—Heriot will perform their first headline show. “I feel we pull the best crowds in Bristol and Birmingham, so Bristol seemed like the best place to do it.” Selling out in quick time (twice), the response has given the confidence that a full headline tour of their own is possible: “A few months ago, it would’ve not been a thought, but now we’re ready for it. We’ll see how the 29th goes.“
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Heriot are at the forefront of a rapidly changing UK scene, joining the ranks of bands such as Graphic Nature, Ithaca, Static Dress and Pupil Slicer who are bringing a refreshing new aesthetic to the scene with their sound and visuals. “When I was younger, I remember a lot of new bands were doing something that sounded all the same to me, so it’s nice that isn’t happening now. There’s a lot of different stuff going on.” The rich diversity that is now present will no doubt ensure the longevity and vibrancy of the UK’s evolving scene. Julian points to this year’s Heavy Music Awards “Best Breakthrough Category“, which Heriot are nominated for, as evidence for this. “The people we’re up against in the category in the HMA‘s are nuts. It’s got Static Dress, Cassyette, us, Witch Fever. None of us really sound alike, so it’s really cool.” In what is arguably the strongest category on the selection, it will be noteworthy to see who leaves Kentish Town with the award.
Pushing Heriot’s visual aesthetic is Harry Steel, who has worked with the likes of Loathe and The Hunna, whom they dub “the unofficial 5th member of the band.” Bassist Jake Packer is the other creative force when it comes to the visuals, ever present across the singles of Profound Morality. “We all have a say and obviously it’s not just those guys, but they do work really well together.” Drenched in a murky orange glow and frantic camera shots, the music videos further invoke the audio-spectres that Heriot conjure with their lucid sound.
Influenced by 90s metalcore and industrial, Profound Morality was put together in a five day span. “We went to our rehearsal space in Bristol and stayed in a hotel room corner and wrote songs. And what we came out with that week was the EP. There was no thought behind it. It sounds dumb but that was literally how it happened.” Heriot were blessed with the beautiful simplicity of walking into the studio and walking out five days with what is set to be one of the best EPs of 2022. “We didn’t have any writers block or anything like that. It’s not gonna be that easy forever, but it was nice and easy.“.
The eight tracks of Profound Mortality flow masterfully between Gough’s ambient-style vocals on its interludes and crushing riffs on its deeper cuts, all with a deliberate grace. “I think all of the ordering and how it flows as one piece came the day after when Jake was piecing it together in one file thinking on wanting to make it flow through 20 minutes with no silence,” Gage discusses. “When we were writing, we didn’t think of that. It was the plan, but we didn’t try for it since it wouldn’t come out as good being rushed/on the spot. The only bits that were built upon after were how it flows in between tracks.” Capping off the fifth day of recording, the band rounded off their studio time with a little party for their drummer’s birthday.
With the EP set for release on the 29th and a string of tours and festivals ahead of them, Heriot will aim to enjoy the moment but still have one eye on what will follow on from their breakout EP. “Then I think we’re just gonna go into writing an album is the plan. Similar kind of approach. Get together for a chunk of time and see what comes out.” With the possibility of new material towards the end of 2022, there is a determination and wisdom within the group that will put them in good stead for the future. “There is pressure on us, so now we got to keep consistent. Music has a short shelf life these days, and the EP is gonna be old news shortly. We’re itching to get into the studio. There’s some cool ideas flowing, so looking forward to hopefully playing some new stuff live towards the end of the year. We’ll see.”
Profound Morality will release on April 29th via Church Road Records, pre-orders can be found here. For a full review of the record, check back with Boolin Tunes in the coming days.