EP REVIEW: Profound Morality – Heriot

The UK’s metal scene is in rude health at the moment; even just a peek at certain corners of Twitter will herald a slew of bands making interesting, forward thinking music. One of the bands generating the most buzz at the moment – and deservedly so – are the industrial tinged metalcore bruisers HERIOT, who blew the doors off with a smattering of singles including a raging cover of MACHINE HEAD’s Ten Ton Hammer alongside incendiary live performances with the likes of SVALBARD, RAGING SPEEDHORN and more. With their debut EP, Profound Morality, the band have the chance to prove they’re a force to be reckoned with in the scene, and prove it they do. 

Opening with the menacing, industrial Abaddon, it lulls us into a false sense of security before Coalescence opens with gunshot snares and rabid howls. The first 30 seconds fly in a whirlwind of violence but there’s more than one string to HERIOT’s bow; after this, a short respite is earned, though is no less foreboding, as the band introduce one of the first cleanly sung moments of the EP.

The vice grip continues with the one-two punch of Carmine (Fills The Hollow) and Near Vision, neither of which allow their feet off the throttle for more than a few seconds; when they’re not at breakneck speeds, there’s riffs that could crack planets, all backed by noise and industrial elements lending a distinctly oppressive, bleak atmosphere. In particular, the latter’s breakdown in its final 30 seconds is gargantuan, offering the kind of neck-snapping fury bands like NAILS produce. 

As previously indicated, Profound Morality isn’t mindlessly violent; outbursts are carefully controlled, and the band show their command of atmospherics as well with tracks like opener Abaddon or interlude Mutagen. By leaning into the more industrial, noise-influenced areas of their own tastes, they introduce something fresh to the formula. Genre boundaries are swept aside by the untethered rage brought to bear with songs like Enter The Flesh and they weaponise sludge into a far more potent weapon with the title track, a song that eschews the more breakneck pace for gloomy atmospherics, eerie melodies and tectonic riffs. 

Their love of HM-2 is evident, and comparisons to KNOCKED LOOSE or CODE ORANGE – especially the latter in the industrial tendencies – aren’t off the mark at all, but make no mistake, HERIOT are their own beast entirely. Their sound is already expansive, touching on a myriad of influences while crafting something fresh and unflinchingly experimental. With that and their relentless work ethic, the future of British metal is in both safe and incredibly capable hands. 

Rating: 9/10

Profound Morality is set for release on April 29th via Church Road Records.

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