New Heavy Sounds are always on the lookout for new bands that are looking to push the boundaries of what is considered as inhabiting the ‘heavy’ or ‘metal’ spectrum’. Stuff that pricks up the ears, a bold new voice within a maelstrom of genres and sub-genres.
They believe they have found such a band. New York-based GUHTS (pronounced ‘guts’) declare themselves to be an ‘avant-garde post-metal project, delivering larger than life sounds through, deeply emotional music’. NHS are thrilled to be able to deliver that statement in the form of their debut album ‘Regeneration’, released on 26th January.
Pointers can be made of course. By their own admission, GUHTS’ musical style is influenced not only by iconic metal bands like Gojira, Cult of Luna, YOB and Deftones, but more unconventional acts like Bjork, Subrosa, Isis, Julie Christmas, and even PJ Harvey. It’s undoubtedly heavy, with a strong feminist streak, it’s cathartic and weighty, a formidable debut for such a new band as demonstrated with first single, ‘Til Death’.
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Perhaps a clue is in their background. Founded in 2020 as a passion project by Scott Prater (Witchkiss), and Amber Burns (Witchkiss) and then Dan Shaneyfelt (Black Mountain Hunger), GUHTS became its members’ main focus following the release of their first EP ‘Blood Feather’ which itself received rave reviews from the likes of Decibel Magazine, Invisible Oranges, The Obelisk, Cvlt Nation, and more.
Brian Clemens Sleaping Dreaming) & Daniel Martinez (Nefariant) joined GUHTS in 2022 and the band swiftly started booking tours and making plans to record ‘Regeneration’. Since then GUHTS have been steadily making a name for themselves with their powerful live performances., sharing stages with the likes of Yob, Cave in, Marissa Nadler, plus appearances at the Maryland Doom Fest, Crucial Fest and Ohio Doomed and Stoned Fest.
‘Regeneration’ is set to cement their status as one of the coolest and most interesting bands on the scene.
Of the album, vocalist Amber says.
“Regeneration” symbolizes the power of self-renewal, often overlooked. Embracing it means shedding old layers and welcoming new beginnings. Without this, life stagnates and is “sustaining”. Through regeneration, change becomes empowering, allowing new facets to emerge. It’s a courageous, transformative process, inspiring others to overcome fear and embrace change. The album embodies the human spirit’s resilience and capacity for growth.
I know the idea of everything can seem kind of big and I totally see how it can sound pretentious but I also think it gives other women the freedom to take up space and live big. I am well aware of how the world works and I’m OK with making people feel uncomfortable because I have had to grow through and still growing Through a whole shit ton of un-comfortability to get to this point”
Musically ‘Regeneration’ is a powerful and intense series of songs, topped off by some seriously powerhouse and expressive vocal performances. It’s slow-moving chords, moving like sheets through sludge. High guitar lines above, ranging from piercing and shimmering to nasty. Drums pound but not without groove. There are strings, pianos and synths widening the palette. Atmospheric sludge, Metalgaze, maybe, but there’s also that link to the New York Noise lineage from The Velvets and Sonic Youth, becoming a type of post-hardcore in the process, while gaining a connection to metal partly due to the sheer heaviness.
A raft of creative experimentation that pushes beyond the realm of post-metal. And then of course, the very first thing that hits you is Amber Gardner’s unbelievable, hypnotising vocals – as scary as a banshee while also intimate and persuasive. Amber means it for sure and almost dominates the proceedings.Her lyrics are eclectic, thoughtful. Immersed in women’s narratives frombooks like “Women Who Run With the Wolves” or works like “On Our Best Behavior” by Elise Loehnen. Amber advocates stepping beyond comfort zones, believing it’s transformative for individuals and vital for Earth’s future. Hokey occult rock it is not.
In short ‘Regeneration’ is a bold and startling debut, that will reward and enthral listeners the deeper they delve into its many layers.
Regeneration is released on January 26th 2024. Plus, New Heavy Sounds is delighted to be partnering once again with the awesome ‘Seeing Red Records’ who will be handling the North American end of things.
Available on vinyl in two colour variants, toxic yellow and shocking pink. With a full colour sleeve, lyric inner and download included. Also available on CD, worldwide.
Pre-order now:
Bandcamp: https://guhts.bandcamp.com/album/rege…
Cargo Records: https://cargorecordsdirect.co.uk/prod…
Digital: https://lnk.to/Guhts_Regeneration
