Upstate Records recently announced they had signed Heavy Is the Head to their growing roster. The metallic hardcore outfit was founded in Richmond, Virginia back in 2021.
"We all listen to and are influenced by a variety of music and come from different backgrounds, but the underlying thread is heavy—both musically and lyrically," vocalist Kendal Hall tells No Echo about Heavy Is the Head's influences. "Regarding lyrics specifically, I write mainly about what is going on around me and in the world. We have songs about everything from my grandfather losing his battle to dementia, to police brutality, to most recently about the loss of our bandmate and best friend, Nick."
That last point Kendal is referring to is the theme to "For Your Loss," Heavy Is the Head's debut single for their new label, and the title track from their forthcoming debut EP. "In the beginning of 2024, we lost our best friend and guitar player, Nick, to cancer. This song is a tribute to him.
"We refuse to let the art he helped create get lost and never heard again so we will continue to march forward with this band, we believe that’s what Nick would want us to do. The song deals with our memories of him being what carries us forward, the hopelessness that we all felt because we couldn’t 'fix' him, and the grief that we all felt (and still feel) when he passed."
Check out the Phillip Gibson-directed music video for "For Your Loss" below:
With For Your Loss hitting stores in March, Kendal offers up some more insight on the EP. "This EP helped to provide healing for the band after Nick’s passing and shows growth in our songwriting. The songs are also some of the first we have written with Travis Downey on guitar. He has been a breath of fresh air for the band and his riffs are impeccable.
"We will be playing a few shows around Virginia in March to celebrate the release, so check out our Instagram for all upcoming information. We’re also putting together a short run in June with a killer band called Earth Burial, but other than that, we will see where the year takes us!"
When No Echo asks Kendal for some local music recommendations in Richmond, here's what he hits us with: "Obviously, check out all the other Upstate bands, especially our brothers in Concrete and Chained. Jimmy (guitar) and Travis (guitar) are a part of a handful of other great bands as well: Dead Format, Glossing, Rough Age, PFFT, The Get Off, and Bananaslama.
"We also have friends in Contact, Dark Waters, Mean Jesus, Beggars, Clot, Bend The Knee, Fit Check, and Shy, Low. I’m sure I'm forgetting some, but that’s a great start."
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For Your Loss will be out March 21st digitally and on CD via Upstate Records.
Heavy Is the Head on social media: Instagram
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