When the drummer of this band half-jokingly pitched their new project as “Car Bomb meets The Killers”, I knew that was a combination I had to write about. “Executioner” is the first single from the upcoming EP All Your Shaking Hands by new Toronto “indie metal” band HealR, and we’re happy to premiere the expressive debut music video for it below. This project is a captivating new fusion of math, noise and indie-pop, composed of members from local mathy progressive metal/post-hardcore darlings Parliament Owls and Telomēre, bringing a strong foundation of bold sounds ready to be stretched into even more compelling territory. Central to that is the triumphantly passionate vocal delivery from guitarist and vocalist Devlin Flynn. Easing you in with his velvety tone, soft synth notes and fluttery percussion, the track eventually erupts into a frantic guitar-tapping tapestry of sound and textures as the vocals soar into stadium rocking cleans over frenetic, strobing rhythms. By the time this hypnotic barrage crescendos into cathartic gang vocals of "We gotta hide the bodies," I knew they had cooked something special here.
It’s not surprising that The Armed were referenced as a key influence, as listening to this takes me back to hearing their incredible breakout release (and my 2021 album of the year) ULTRAPOP for the first time, which yes, I was referencing with this title. The early drafts of this EP began before that album was even released however, as Devlin began crafting the initial electronic soundscapes and riff ideas in pandemic isolation in 2020. That solo endeavour would eventually grow into a full-band in the subsequent years, enlisting Marcus Sisk (Parliament Owls, Shipley Howl) on drums, Joseph Martel (Parliament Owls) on guitar, and Dylan Burrett (Telomēre) on bass.
Readers may draw lines to the likes of Blog favourite’s Snooze as well, in their frantic upbeat staccato rhythms, but it’s how these juxtapose with the moody ethereal elements that really make it stand out. HealR aims to explore “the horseshoe theory relationship between the extremes of musical dynamics”, and that is on display through their eclectic range and unique balance of catchy aggression.
Keep an eye out for the full EP All Your Shaking Hands, coming later this year, with 5 brilliant tracks spanning further influences from the energetic art pop of Everything Everything to the dreamy indie of Grizzly Bear, ebbing and flowing with chaotic waves of visceral mathcore into something violently beautiful.