“Cremate me without a name, a faded memory.”
Heavenward a a project is fronted by Kamtin Mohager, best known for his role in role in The Chain Gang of 1974 who are now likely best known for their Grand Theft Auto V soundtrack hit, “Sleepwalking“. Alongside this, the vocalist is the former frontman of Teenage Wrist, departing in 2019. Up to this point, Heavenward has been staggered in its approach, with singles dotted between 2020 and 2022. That how has now led to the group’s full-length debut, Pyrophonics, looking to set a foundation for Heavenward.
Opening with the title track “Heavenward” puts an unexpected curve entering Pyrophonics, a boldness that sets the starting point for the unit. Noisy drums blended with expansive vocals and precise riffs fill the sonic space, with no intent of a quiet opener to ease the listener into their sound. The pace is drawn back with “Gasoline”, which does admittedly fly a bit close to the sun on the Teenage Wrist sound. The tinge of reverb on the guitars and the vocal style makes it difficult not seem akin to “Earth Is A Black Hole“, even if recent Teenage Wrist material has left wanting.
Drifting through “Wish” and “Something Real” comes a soundscape that has a breadth, yet makes for an easily listen, with a note going to the precise riffs that blend in solos and overarching moments on the latter track. The intertwining of ’90s and early ’00s nostalgia atmospherically adds a nice little touch to Pyrophonics. “Be My Blues” draws the pace back, and it’s here where lyricism does come the focal point and it somewhat feels like an extended interlude.
It’s on the second half of the record where a sense of fatigue sets in with the sound. As good as tracks such as “Supernova” and “Planned Human Combustion” are, the shoegaze and dark pop infusion has been well explored over the years by the likes of Hundredth and Wayside. Even so, there is some enchanting to the slick reverb and encompassing vocals that are presented on “Pneumatic (Fly)“, even if closer “Choke” fails to offer much as a finale.
Pyrophonics is an odd one to digest, as sonically it is difficult to separate itself from Mohager‘s previous projects, even if Heavenward do an impressive job here. Once that has been moved beyond, Heavenward have put together a record that will draw in listeners with its reverb-drenched tones and vocal melodies, and with the potential shown, it will be intriguing to see what Mohager comes up with next.
7/10
Pyrophonics is out June 16th via Fear Ltd, and you can pre-order the record here.