Philadelphia, Pennsylvania based Psychedelic Doom fast-risers Heavy Temple published the second single “Extreme Indifference to Life” taken from upcoming album “Garden of Heathens” due out on April 12, 2024 via Magnetic Eye Records. Stream the track through the YouTube player below:
“The new record is rather personal, lyrically. It’s always the last thing to get done, but these nearly wrote themselves because they came from the darkest parts that I usually don’t want to confront. Coincidentally, the song is about imposter syndrome to the extreme… the anxiety of overthinking everything, wondering if you’re good enough, if you were even good to begin with.” – High Priestess Nighthawk
Heavy Temple are back. Back from touring across the United States as well as finding adventure and making new friends in Europe for the first time. Back from the rehearsal room where the making of new songs became far more of a group effort than on the debut album. And back from Animal Farm studio where John Forrestal gave the new album “Garden of Heathens” a rich and warm organic sound that is also crisp and crystalline.
Where the debut full-length “Lupi Amoris” charged forward like a roaring mastodon, “Garden of Heathens” comes across more diverse and sophisticated without losing punch or heaviness. And while the powerful vocals of frontwoman High Priestess Nighthawk provide a strong gravitational pull, Heavy Temple always remain a riff-first kind of band. Even so, the Heavy-touring Philadelphia, PA trio have expanded their range to encompass an even wider breadth of Rock and metal road stops, from Baroness to The Beatles and Black Sabbath to Fu Manchu – with many crossroads in between.
Wherever Heavy Temple are heading on this diverse and dynamic record, they always stay real with both feet on the ground. Except, that is, when it comes to the lyrics. With her words, the High Priestess admits to peddling a version of things that isn’t real – with a grim smile and quite deliberately so. In fact, that’s the theme running through “Garden of Heathens” as a red thread. From the American Dream to relationships, below the surface there is anxiety, betrayal, and doubt. And while some of the lyrical metaphors might at first glance seem to focus on religion, they are definitely not that literal. Rather, these are Nighthawk‘s most personal lyrics ever.
Heavy Temple came into existence on the 2012 winter solstice during a night filled with the pure enjoyment of creating and playing Heavy music. Once established, they drew a steadily growing flock to local shows in Philly, and soon gladly accepted invitations to tour alongside such notables as Ruby The hatchet, Mothership, Royal Thunder and Corrosion Of Conformity as well as performances at notable festivals such as The Maryland Doom Fest, Psycho Las Vegas and Decibel Metal & Beer, among many others.
Following the two EPs “Heavy Temple” (2014) and “Chassit” (2016) and a number of singles, Heavy Temple at last took a break from Heavy touring to record their first full-length. “Lupi Amoris” (“Wolves of Love”) was released in 2021 to strong applause from both critics and followers alike. This album opened new doors including more festival appearances, a US tour with The Obsessed and their first tour of Europe with friends and labelmates Howling Giant.
Heavy Temple are not just back, they are here to stay. “Garden of Heathens” gives strong testimony that the trio is pushing hard to broaden their spectrum and break through any preconceptions and obstacles in front of them. “Garden of Heathens” sheds new light and a wider perspective on Heavy and Desert Rock, Psychedelia and Doom Metal. Check this out!
Pre-Order the album on Bandcamp: https://heavytemple.bandcamp.com/album/garden-of-heathens
Tracklist:
1. Extreme Indifference to Life
2. Hiraeth
3. Divine Indiscretion
4. House of Warship
5. Snake Oil (and Other Remedies)
6. In the Garden of Heathens
7. Jesus Wept
8. Psychomanteum
Recording Lineup:
High Priestess Nighthawk / Vocals, Bass
Lord Paisley / Guitar
Baron Lycan / Drums
Guest Musician:
John Forrestal / Cello