Album Details

• Artist: Heirs
• EP:
Hunter
• Label: Denovali
• Year of Release: 2011
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: patchen on 2011-12-04

Mellow, minimal Doom done well is pretty rare, at least at the pace with which Heirs works. "Hunter" is a three song EP that often sounds more like the Cure that Sunn O))), but there is a willingness to be as light as they are dark that makes Heirs a band to watch. While they lack the gritty take no prisoners approach of most of their Aussie countrymen, this Melbourne outfit knows how to create a mood-and think on their feet, can be just as satisfying.

The title track is essentially a moody guitar piece, with a single riff dominant, one that offers both noise and atmosphere at various times. The semi-operatic vocal moans are mercifully buried in the mix.
" Symptom," with its tribal drumming, some grinding guitars and a melody that threatens to come unglued in a sheet of massive power, is hypnotic and tasty, and easily the best of the three tracks. Here and there is a hint at what could make Heirs great; the ability to hear the colors their sound creates, and the daring to know when to let it rip or when to let it float.
Finally, "Never Land" is a further nod to some of their non-doom-y influences. This is a Sisters of Mercy cover, though with more crunchy guitars and effective bass than those 80s masters of the almost cool. At thirteen minutes, this allows Heirs to really explore their own sound, and the lingering sustained notes hint at a band enjoying the sounds they are making, and want to know more about what they are capable of.

"Hunter" packs a lot into three songs, and Heir has more than enough room in those three songs to impress with their power and subtlety. This will probably come cheap, so grab it and stay tuned for more. Heirs will deliver much more down the road, I'm sure.

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