By Monk
Possessed of one of the most unique lines in heavy metal merchandise, Haint literally took the term “new blood”, grabbed it by the balls and shook it vigorously when they entered the 2022 iteration of the revived Bloodstock ‘Metal 2 The Masses’ competition, with the first heat also being their first ever live gig… not that they were exactly “new blood” in the truest sense of the term, as all three members are seasoned veterans of the Belfast metal scene, something which stood them in good stead as they went on to obliterate all of the opposition laid in their path and win the competition. Now, with the momentum built on their journey to south Derbyshire seemingly inexplicably stopped in its tracks, they have returned 15 months later with the long-overdue release of their debut EP… But, is it a case of their evolution being terminated?
They say that the secret of delivering a good recipe is in the preparation, and Haint certainly have had plenty of time to do that, slowly but surely gathering together and harvesting their ingredients, testing and trying their myriad combinations in the live arena and ultimately coming up with a truly delicious – or maybe that should be groovilicious (Susie Dent will soon need a whole dictionary for all the words we make up here at ÜRHQ) – recipe for success.
Opener ‘Ares’ kicks off with venomous intent, the lyrics virtually spat out over the strings of the opening riff, it’s ferocity continuing with an acerbic acidity that immediately captures your attention and draws you deep into the dense and dynamic grooves of what is to come. By complete contrast, ‘Hal’ begins with a very psyched-out proggy feel, almost ambient in its approach before a dense crunching riff winds its way into the heart of the proceedings, showing the diverse breadth of sound this compact unit are capable of producing as its thumping end section is guaranteed to get heads nodding and pits opening.
The EP’s almost ethereal flow pattern continues as the trio virtually drift into ‘Screaming At The Storm’, which possesses an initial lightness of touch which once again is deceiving as interjections of laconic primeval anger poke through its mysterious, meandering miens in a way which wouldn’t sound out of place on an Architects album. One of the strongest characteristics of the EP is the use of vocal harmonics and interplay, which beautifully counterpoint the density of the underpinning grooves, which in themselves possess deftly crafted touches of almost subliminal subtlety that reward the listener with repeated listens which reveal more and more dynamics with each auditory revelation.
Live, Haint are one of the heaviest bands I have encountered in recent years. This EP more than adequately proves that they possess multiple layers to their sound, and know how to integrate them to beautiful effect; yes, the heavy moments slam into you like being hit in the face by a cement truck, but the lighter moments are like being grazed by a dove’s feather. Truly sublime stuff.
I mentioned at the beginning of this piece that Haint possess one of the most unique lines in merch: it includes wooden spoons and spatulas, which have definitely proven to be a declaration of intent, as this power trio are certainly stirring and whipping things up in a way which would make most cordon bleu chefs blush with envy… if they could cook up as tasty a heavy metal delicacy such as this \m/ OK, enough of the the cookery analogies… just buy the damn thing and revel in its tasty delights (sorry… NOT!). Oh, and can someone make sure the guys at ArcTanGent get to hear this?
- ‘Terminally Evolved‘ is out now.
- Haint play the Siege Of Limerick on Sunday 29 October. They then support Iron Altar at Voodoo, Belfast, on Thursday 16 November.
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