To describe “Precinct 3” as a solid return for Power Trip would be a phenomenal understatement. The band was clearly aware of the burdens not just of expectation, being expected to follow their masterpiece Nightmare Logic, but also to live up to the legacy of their late vocalist Riley Gale. They were being asked to appease not just a real history of the band but also a hypothetical future none of us got to see; that the process to feel comfortable taking a swing took nine years is no surprise really. Thankfully, the band strikes hot with the fevered “Precinct 3,” a song that sees the band still holding their twin inspirations of hardcore and animalistic thrash.
Power Trip tap into their inner Slayer, delivering riffs worthy of Hanneman and King with their fevered intensity. Then suddenly the band shifts into a mode closer to Voivod or Coroner for the closer, bringing in a subtle progressive shaping to the riff. There is a heft and violence to new singer Seth Gilmore’s vocal performance, along with a production approach that sounds closer to the bite of contemporary Metallica records or the more extreme end of Exodus.
Honorable Mentions
Cult of Luna – “The Rift”
Cult of Luna continue to demonstrate why they are one of the few post-metal bands of the 2000s not just to endure but to continue to thrive. “The Rift” showcases a rare side of the band featuring up sections that wouldn’t be out of place on an Umea hardcore record, fitting given that was the scene the band originally grew out of. It’s easy to forget the direct ties post-metal has to hardcore and crust punk, the brilliant magic that can happen when punks are handed psychedelic and progressive records, but Cult of Luna have always worn their history proudly on their sleeve. Their singles are often more emotionally transparent than this. “The Rift” remains elusive, teasing at an emotional context we don’t receive with it as a standalone track. But, like a great single, it makes you hungry to know how it fits in rather than merely feeling incomplete on its own. It desires completion.
Deafheaven – “Hunter”
If anything will make you begin to agree with kvlt types who hate when Deafheaven weaves beautiful melodies into their work, its hearing how great they are at black metal in its more direct form. The attentive can hear all kinds of sonic touch points here, from the subtle majesty of a group like Beherit to the rotten castle grandeur of Emperor to the mad wolf howl of Watain. “Hunter” joins “Black Brick” as one of the greatest pieces the band has ever made, an artifact from another world where they pursued the icy wastes of true black metal over the sun-warmed emotional richness of their current body of work. That they can do both is a rare gift.
Hypno5e – “Trame Noire”
We are blessed currently to experience a duality. The Ocean, having shed their previous full lineup and reconstituted a new one, are exploring a new and brilliant new sonic direction with their superb Solaris. Meanwhile, Hypno5e seems to have gotten the memo, turning in a track with “Trame Noire” that would not have been out of place on the past few records by The Ocean to keep that itch scratched as well. That is, of course, until the heavier portions really unfurl their wings, bringing a sense of menace and darkness that The Ocean typically erred away from. Hypno5e may be known in some circles as a djent band, but they’re better understood as sitting in the space between post-metal and the more cinematic wing of progressive metal, wielding their skills toward complex arrangements rather than fiddly technicality. “Trame Noire” is emotionally exhausting in the best way, the kind of blank-brained catharsis you can only get by one extended feral scream.
In conclusion, this week’s Heavy Song of the Week is a testament to the power and versatility of metal music. With Power Trip‘s return and the impressive releases from Cult of Luna, Deafheaven, and Hypno5e, fans of the genre have a lot to look forward to. Each of these bands brings their unique sound and style to the table, showcasing the diversity and creativity that metal has to offer. Whether you’re a fan of hardcore, thrash, post-metal, or black metal, there’s something for everyone in this week’s selection of heavy songs.
Pixel P. Snarkbyte, widely regarded as the “Shakespeare of Sh*tposts,” is a video game expert with a unique knack for turning pixels into punchlines.
Born in the small town of Respawn, Pennsylvania, Pixel grew up mashing buttons on an ancient NES controller, firmly believing that “blowing into the cartridge” was a sacred ritual passed down through generations.
Pixel P. Snarkbyte: proving that life, much like a buggy open-world game, is better with a little lag-induced chaos.
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