"you sit me down / I turn around / you cut me up / and never make a sound..."
The cagey massive tensions of "HEAVY EYES" from Hull, England's DEADSET simmer and explode. From the sonically rich guitar screams, the barrage drumming, the big bass anchors and absolutely brooding blood swallowing gritty vocals, the sensations is turmoil, feeling squashed, put upon and striking back at others and at oneself. I don't know why (really don't) but I thought of an amalgam of bands like The Velvet Underground, the Cult, Metz, Nirvana, The Jim Carroll Band. I know that is strange but for whatever reason I feel like Lou Reed would purge this kind of sonic poison if he was part of the grunge or gothic rock movements, part of other insular decades and Kurt Cobain with Jim Carroll, need I say more.
For me "Heavy Eyes" crushes together post punk, grunge, alt rock with equal parts self deprecation and revelatory epiphanies.
IMPORTANT LINER NOTES (bracketed):
[Deadset emerged from the creative synergy between guitarist James Massey and vocalist Sam Mellors. Their collaboration gave way to a sound which evolved into a darker, more intense direction when bassist Adam Arnold and drummer Rio Campbell joined the ranks. These additions formed a fully-fledged band and elevated the indie sensibilities of the original duo into rawer, grittier realms. Striving to avoid monotony and maintain a progressive sound, Deadset focus on fluctuating in genre. But are a post punk outfit at heart. Pulling influences from Joy Division, Fontaines DC and Interpol.]
[New single ‘Heavy Eyes’ is a raw, vulnerable evaluation of a battle against mental health and addiction and how that bleeds into relationships leaving a devastating and fatal aftermath. The song, which was mastered by Howie Weinberg (Nirvana, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Daft Punk), fluctuates between a morbid sadness and palpitating anger, a conscious decision made by Deadset to emphasise the unpredictable, unsteady impact birthed by poor mental health. ‘Heavy Eyes’ is a staple for Deadset existing in their set from day one. It’s the song that spawned the sound and feel of the band.]
[‘Heavy Eyes was the first song I came to Deadset with’, says Adam Arnold. I was listening to Spiderland by Slint on repeat at this point. I wanted to recreate that jarring juxtaposition of tempos and riffs that are synonymous with their sound. Obviously in a more commercial sense. At this point however James and Sam had a completely different direction in mind. Heavy Eyes was my attempt to change that. I’m sure they hated it at first and it took a lot of persuasion. But now it’s a cornerstone of our sound and a constant reference for me’, he further explains.]
I am loving the sound here, a collision of pain and swagger, the blood letting is part and parcel of rock and like the seeds of inspiration for the song, it kills.
[New single ‘Heavy Eyes’ is a raw, vulnerable evaluation of a battle against mental health and addiction and how that bleeds into relationships leaving a devastating and fatal aftermath. The song, which was mastered by Howie Weinberg (Nirvana, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Daft Punk), fluctuates between a morbid sadness and palpitating anger, a conscious decision made by Deadset to emphasise the unpredictable, unsteady impact birthed by poor mental health. ‘Heavy Eyes’ is a staple for Deadset existing in their set from day one. It’s the song that spawned the sound and feel of the band.]
[‘Heavy Eyes was the first song I came to Deadset with’, says Adam Arnold. I was listening to Spiderland by Slint on repeat at this point. I wanted to recreate that jarring juxtaposition of tempos and riffs that are synonymous with their sound. Obviously in a more commercial sense. At this point however James and Sam had a completely different direction in mind. Heavy Eyes was my attempt to change that. I’m sure they hated it at first and it took a lot of persuasion. But now it’s a cornerstone of our sound and a constant reference for me’, he further explains.]
I am loving the sound here, a collision of pain and swagger, the blood letting is part and parcel of rock and like the seeds of inspiration for the song, it kills.
-Robb Donker Curtius
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https://www.instagram.com/dddeadset/
https://www.facebook.com/itsdeadset
https://twitter.com/ddddeadset
Deadset was formed in 2022, originally a concept thought up by guitarist James Massey and Sam Mellors who discovered a genuine bond over writing music together. After their previous project, Girl Afraid came to an abrupt end.
The sound, however, was manufactured into a more morbid, gritty, and tense direction when bassist Adam Arnold and drummer Rio Campbell joined the project. Taking the classic indie sensibilities of the other two members into harsher new territories. Their influences heavily rely on alternative 80s and 90s bands such as Deftones and Joy Division. Deadset came to life when the band wrote as a group and embraced each other’s musical preferences.
Striving constantly to be more progressive and unique. Their live sound fluctuates between genres. Chorus laden, loaded with fuzz and grit. A band birthed trying to escape the monotony and boredom of life in Hull.
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THE FACTS AS WE KNOW THEM
https://www.instagram.com/dddeadset/
https://www.facebook.com/itsdeadset
https://twitter.com/ddddeadset
Deadset was formed in 2022, originally a concept thought up by guitarist James Massey and Sam Mellors who discovered a genuine bond over writing music together. After their previous project, Girl Afraid came to an abrupt end.
The sound, however, was manufactured into a more morbid, gritty, and tense direction when bassist Adam Arnold and drummer Rio Campbell joined the project. Taking the classic indie sensibilities of the other two members into harsher new territories. Their influences heavily rely on alternative 80s and 90s bands such as Deftones and Joy Division. Deadset came to life when the band wrote as a group and embraced each other’s musical preferences.
Striving constantly to be more progressive and unique. Their live sound fluctuates between genres. Chorus laden, loaded with fuzz and grit. A band birthed trying to escape the monotony and boredom of life in Hull.
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