MAGGOT HEART "Mercy Machine" 2020

MAGGOT HEART is Linnéa Olsson's new "baby" born in 2016, after she collaborated with Johanna Sadonis (LUCIFER vocalist) & released two great releases with THE OATH in 2013/2014, and took part to BEASTMILK/GRAVE PLEASURES. A first album named "Dusk To Dusk" was released on CD in 2018 on an obscure japanese label named TOO CIRCLE RECORDS, which seems to be already really hard-to-find nowadays.. while a vinyl version was released on TERATOLOGY SOUND & VISION - and at the time of writing, it seems to be still available - so hurry up Fuckos !
In 2020, Linnéa decided to bring MAGGOT HEART's new album "Mercy Machine" on her own newly formed label RAPID EYE Records... We can notice a line-up change from the first album, since Gottfrid Ahman is replaced on Bass by Olivia Airey, however Uno Bruniusson (Ex-IN SOLITUDE) still stands behind the drum-kit..
What I first liked when I discovered this album, what we all see first, is its artwork .. This abstract feel immediately made me think that this record had something different, something more to offer that the countless - whatever you call it - dark-rock-stoner-doom-goth.. - nowadays formated and tasteless releases.. and i was not disappointed...
To describe MAGGOT HEART musical style or orientation, i'd say this is a mixture of 70's psyche-rock, post-industrial-punk, you can even feel some alternative/grunge/punk touches here and there.. Even if this may be hard to imagine, that's my feeling about it and best is that you give it a listen - Some songs like "Second Class" or "Justine" reminds me frankly of KILLING JOKE on their early albums (especially the first one with songs like "Wardance", "Tomorrow's World" or "S.O.36" for their cold and repetitive sides), while "Roses" (what a HIT !) or "Mercy Machine" have more of that alternative-rock feels, their mid-fast tempos & dissonant guitars (who said VOIVOD ???) will crush you for sure and leave you stunned ! "Gutter Feeling" and "Senseless" have more of those gloomy/doomy feelings - reminiscent of THE OATH, while "Modern Cruelty" closes the album with dissonant guitar riffs, very thrashy and progressive, close to VOIVOD again.. You know my admiration for VOIVOD, so this can't be something negative from me !
To sum up, I cannot recommend enough this "Mercy Machine", which really steps out of the ordinary and too conventional current releases.. and.. oh well ! I did not mention the production of that record.. it's raw, very organic, very "live".. nothing "too much" here - they we have been able to concentrate on what is essential : the music and its magic ... and it works quite well !



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