Interview with Heathen Hearts

Hello and welcome to Metal Music Midwest. Our readers are excited to get to know you and your band. Could you give us a brief description of the group and where is the band from?

• Heathen Hearts is a five piece metallic hardcore band based in Kotka, Finland formed in fall 2021.

"No Light Left to Chase" is the band's new EP. How long did it take to compose and record?

• All in all the composing process was going on from the recording of the first EP in 2022. The frames did not take too long to write, but of course arranging all the nuances in the songs did take its time. We had a demo session two weeks before we started the actual recordings, to finalize all the songs. We recorded everything except the drums ourselves, and have to say it wasn’t probably the smoothest journey to take, and through trials and errors and also some unexpected events, we have to be happy to finally have this ready.

What musical influences inspire the band's compositions?

• We have a hardcore and metal background, so most of the influences come from those scenes. Each individual also has their own personal influences which gives nuances to the writing and arrangements.

Can you tell us how did the members all meet?

• Long story short - we were originally formed to play a turbonegro cover gig, but due to Covid obviously that didn't happen. Then after maybe a year we decided to start a band and start writing our own songs. Kotka is a pretty small city and its musical scene is even smaller, so everyone knows each other's faces. But all of us had never been in the same place together before we met in our rehearsal space for the first time in 2021.

The new album title is "No Light Left to Chase". Tell us the details about the content and a more in-depth meaning to this title?

• Oppression. Frustration. Coping with grief and loss .The title is actually part of the lyrics from The Wound, last song on the EP. It kinda represents the state of the world we live in.

   No f*cks left to give, no light left to chase. As the late great Charles Bukowski wrote:

  • "We're all going to die, all of us, what a circus! That alone should make us love each other but it doesn't. We are terrorized and flattened by trivialities, we are eaten up by nothing."

Are the current members of this band part of another band or project? Or is everyone dedicated solely to the group? How do you maintain a good balance working together?

• Most of us are playing in other bands / projects also. Some of them being more serious and some of them being more just and only for fun without any pressure to any direction, and some solo things also. It's all about moderation in life to make use of the time you have.

Have you performed any shows in your area? If so, how receptive and supportive are the people of your music?

• We have played a couple shows in our hometown. The venues have been pretty packed and full of sweat and the feedback has been very positive.

Are there any upcoming shows or tours you can tell us about?

• Nothing we can talk about yet!

Thanks for your participation. Finally, what is the best way to get a hold of the group just in case someone wants to book or promote the band?

• Via email heathenheartshc@gmail.com or DM on socials.

Any final words?

• Keep supporting bands, buy merch, go to live shows. Music if a gift we all should embrace.