The Heavens is a heavy metal/dark wave band that has been terrorizing the New York City music scene since 2018. The Brooklyn-based group has returned with two new singles, which were released on May 31st. “Shiver” and “Let Alone Me” are the names of the two tracks unleashed by The Heavens.
“Let Alone Me” has a gnarly doom riff with all the Sabbathian evil you could ask for. I dig this one the most, as it feels very much like a throw-back metal jam. “Shiver” brings a faster tempo as lead vocalist Jack Holloway sings, “I can’t catch a breath ‘cause I’m dying for you tonight.” Again, it’s another track that feels very much in the classic heavy metal tradition, which I appreciate.
While there may not be a wealth of information about The Heavens online, discovering them feels like being let in on a little Brooklyn metal underground secret. However, I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know the lead singer, Jack, a bit more. Jack wrote a book about the theology of Black Sabbath called Hands of Doom: The Apocalyptic Imagination of Black Sabbath.
It’s a fascinating read that I highly recommend. In addition to the book, Jack is a theologian who has been running what he calls Despair Sanctuary in Brooklyn, a drone metal vigil for all who are weary. The vigil lets attendees make space for negative emotions and hold together what is unbearable alone. It’s an excellent community-building idea that features a curated drone-metal playlist, poetry readings, and live performances from drone-metal bands.
I know Despair Sanctuary has become a bit of a semi-regular event, depending on various factors, so if you’re in the Brooklyn area, check it out. You may also get the chance to see The Heavens live. If you like the bands’ new singles, check out their previous work, including their 2019 LP Dream Reaper. Enjoy!
Check out “Shiver / Let Alone Me” by The Heavens on Bandcamp here.
You can support The Heavens by finding them on Bandcamp or social media (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube).
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