Album Review: Blasted Heath – Vela (Wise Blood Records)

Wise Blood Records presents ‘Vela’ the debut LP from Indianapolis black metal/thrash cosmonauts Blasted Hearth. Due to be released on August 12th, 2022.

 

 

A blackened ball of celestial fury, Blasted Heath might be a blackened thrash metal band at their core but with the exceptionally strong debut that is Vela, they show that there is so much more to them than meets the eye.

Vela is an album that has a surprising amount of detail layered throughout, helped by lyrical concepts that surround outer space phenomena mixed with a certain existential dread. Elements that come through strongly across the seven tracks, even if first impressions will have the mind focusing on the raw and rough blackened thrash sound the band employ.

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The dissonant vocal performance, the grimy punk-infused ferocity, the eerie psychedelic touches… this is the stuff that moves Vela out of the good category and into the great. It’s surprisingly infectious, helped by the speed that Blasted Heath come at the listener. The seven tracks, even the longer finale, feel concise and tight.

There’s no wasted motion, no pointless meandering, no dampening of the fire or lack of otherworldly grandness. Blasted Heath have strapped a rocket to themselves and the fireworks that come is spectacular in all their grim glory.

There are many highlights. From the brash and straight-forward smash of Big Chill to the post-tinged and psych-infused Neutron Star to the monolithic and disconcerting heaviness of Strange Matter. Blasted Heath deliver something special on this debut.

Blasted Heath – Vela Full Track Listing:

1. Big Chill
2. Ape
3. Europa
4. Dark Energy
5. Neutron Star
6. The Wind in Vela
7. Strange Matter




Links

Bandcamp | Facebook | Wise Blood Records

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Blasted Heath - Vela (Wise Blood Records)
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