By: Dave Allan Guzda
The Black Heart Rebellion | website | facebook | bandcamp | soundcloud |
Released on October 23, 2015 via 9000 Records
The Black Heart Rebellion take their new album title from the death poem of Baika, a 19th century Zen Monk. Baika wrote ‘People, when you see the smoke, do not think it is the fields they’re burning‘. The monk was referring to his cremation. Baika’s words are grim and solemn much like the album People, when you see the smoke, do not think it is the fields they’re burning is. The Black Hearts add another shard to their discography of dark, haunting music with another phenomenal musical journey, which is as unique as the album title.
TBHR’s music is not easily defined or categorised. It is an experience drenched in foreboding atmospheres that possess a remarkable ubiquitous intensity. The band calls themselves punk and independent and their unwavering creativity thoroughly epitomises the spirit of these genres. TBHR don’t appear to compromise anything when it comes to their sound.
The songs often feeling like they reach something more significant than being mere songs. The beauty, passion and tension of the music is eerily reminiscent of ancient rituals or clandestine ceremonies. This is partially due to the commanding tribal drumming by Tim Bryon and the Eastern flavoured instrumentation that permeates the album. The opening track ‘Body Breakers’ exemplifies this. The song feels like the unraveling of a blackened soul. The vocals express gut wrenching anguish with fantastic clarity by Pieter Uyttenhove. Whether he is crying out lyrics or muttering in a fast paced vocal chant, the impact is wholly harrowing. The song feels like it’s in a constant exhaustive crescendo as unnerving guitar and tense drums drive the song forward for its duration.
‘Dorsem’ exudes a similar feeling. The track opens with drowsy and ponderous Middle Eastern toned strumming as a prickly din swells in the background. Again… the sum of the tones has a tormented and gripping impact. Droning guitars howl, unhindered drums clatter and bass notes drop dramatically into the seething mix of sonic agitation. ‘Flower Bone Ornaments’ shows where TBHR excels. The band creates phenomenally dark and expansive atmospheres that ooze charisma as they glitter with captivating rhythms. Uyttenhove seems to have found the perfect delivery for his vocals as they exhibit a sincere ache and fervor without ever resorting to screams or guttural articulations.
People, when you see the smoke, do not think it is the fields they’re burning enhances the structure, tones and musical direction introduced by Har Nevo. One of the new additions to TBHR’s sound is the addition of guest vocalist Annelies Van Dinter. The results are astonishing as showcased in ‘Near to the Fire for Bricks’. The song is grim and plodding with a massive mournful atmosphere that sinks its talons deep into your heart. Then the languished breathtaking vocal duet drops and it is simply awe inspiring. It conjured to my mind a stage setup with a single dim white light on the singers as smoke gently wafts in, clouding the scene in a shadowy fog, the rest of the stage in darkness. A remarkable and alluring track that will surely feed on your memories. Van Dinter appears again on ‘Violent Love’. A song filled with sharp, scratchy guitar and frantic drum accents one moment then low rumbling bass the next. ‘Love’ sounds like a tumultuous place as the track ends with Van Dinter’s distressed wails paired with soaring phantom ambiance.
The balance of tracks on People, when you see the smoke, do not think it is the fields they’re burning are equally strong and interesting. Long sweeping waves of guitar bubble with fury on ‘Rust’. ‘Bow and Silk Arrow’ is catchy with an intoxicating, exotic groove. The most challenging track would be the creepy ‘Om Benza Satto Hung’. It opens with long forlorn notes from, what sounds like, a bamboo flute. It may make the hairs on your neck stand up. The flute is joined by a bluster of cymbals and whimsical guitar which loses its grin and becomes increasing distressed as the song careens into layers of chaotic sounds.
The quality of People, when you see the smoke, do not think it is the fields they’re burning reveals itself after multiple listens. It may seem complex and overwhelming at first, but it’s an album that is well worth investing your time into. The stunning atmospheres are unparalleled at conjuring vivid and bleak places in your mind. The album is profoundly moving and unquestionably stands out as a singular creation. The album’s unconventional song structure may put off a few listeners, but I believe many more will be willingly engulfed in its inspired textures, tones and rampant musical delirium. People, when you see the smoke, do not think it is the fields they’re burning is simultaneously chilling, brash, mesmerising and majestic.
I found People, when you see the smoke, do not think it is the fields they’re burning highly enjoyable and highly recommend it.
