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Straight from the first few seconds of 'Crisis', I knew something BIG is coming, amidst the chaos of 2020. As much as I would have love this album to be called Firebreather (and their previous to be Waterbender instead of Arc, for that matter...), I can hardly imagine a more fitting conclusuon to In Hearts Wake' conceptual elemental saga. It has been several well-paced years of growth and experimentation to reach Kaliyuga, their fifth studio record and a grand finale that does not contain a single moment of weakness or hesitation, and was easily my personal album of the year.
It was the beginning of the mass lockdown when In Hearts Wake dropped the bonecrushing 'Worldwide Suicide' (cleverly introduced with the bouncy 'Crisis' in that video masterpiece) and the world stood still in the face of a doomy tirade revealing the full scope of the issue. The following singles probably revealed too much of the album in advance, but served as the definitve statement of just how versatile these boys are. Pure Aussie contemporary metalcore with hints of funky nu metal beats, the chunkiest breakdowns and just a pinch of industrial madness to underline the dominant post-apocalyptic tone of the record. It raised the band's and Australia's (if that was even possible) international profile, delivered yet another UNFD classic, and most of all, was backed by decisive actions.
'Worldwide Suicide' premiered as the world was preparing to face its biggest modern challenge in hospital meltdowns, spiking death rates, and regional lockdowns. It was a time when disastrous bushfires were just about calming down, having tormented In Hearts Wake's stunning homeland for months. It is somewhat surreal that at the time of writing, it was California burning one year earlier to inspire the track, and yet the album's release coincided with another environmental catastrophe, this time closer to their hearts and further cementing the sense of urgency. It was, and still is, a time of critical levels of water and air polution. And it was againts that gloomy background that Jake asked the rhetorical "So whats it gonna be, 2033?". All that is left for all of us is to sit down, listen carefully and better come with an answer soon.
Disturbingly prophetic, the album depicted events that hadn't even started in the time of actual recording, only making In Hearts Wake's warning louder. These guys have been amongst the true flagmen of the "environmentalists" in the heavy scene (shoutout to all of them), and always seem to be one step ahead of the pack. The very fact that they released Kaliyuga 100% carbon-free and planted trees in India for every record sold in the first week speaks volumes. It is not just about screaming in the face of ignorance, its also about taking a step and leading by example, hopefully inspiring more and more band to join, as we've seen in recent years.
In Hearts Wake are no stranger to first-class metalcore bangers but the fine nuances on Kaliyuga put the bar so high that I doubt even they will be able to reach it again. The meticulous production and fury of 'Worldwide Suicide'; the raw rock & roll energy and brilliant vocal duel with Jamie Hails from Polaris in 'Hellbrinber';, the hauntingly beautiful 'Crossroads'; the bone-chilling "I'm the sound of a witch you failed to burn" in 'Son Of A Witch'; the clockwork precision in 'Force of Life'; Randy' skreams in 'Iron Dice'; the stunning video for 'Dystopia', and most of all, the absolute masterpiece of a conclusion that is '2033' which demands its own paragraph.
For me, it is crucial how an album opens and ends, and Kaliyuga's introduction is an energetic Prodigy-infused madness that seemlessly blends with the thunderous 'Worldwide Suicide'. However, it is '2033' that delivers that final blow of excellence with its stunning composition. The sudden switches from somber melodies to furious tirades, the menacing undertones becoming the hourglass of our lives, the mournful vocal tracks during the constant instrumental brimstone, the petrifying scream "the light of the bleeding stars"...It is the lyrical and musical embodiment of Kalyuga, the last cycle of life in Indian mythology, and an epic track that could easily turn into yet another prophecy should we fail to take actions soon.
I have said plenty on why this record is essential and topped my End of 2020 chart with no competition. In Hearts Wake are huge and somewhat underrated for the consistently brilliant records they produce. I have been captivated by their sound ever since that iconic "life of the thousand.. Earthwalkers whajdijsksowkekjesAAAAGH", but It was Skydancer that really got my attention (I mean, 'Intrepid'...), and now it is time for Kaliyuga to righfuly cements their place in the pantheon of modern metalcore greats, even in the unfair role of the genre's unsung heroes.
In Hearts Wake - 'Kaliyuga'
Country: Australia
Released: 7 August 2020
Label: UNFD
Tracklisting:
1. "Crisis"
2. "Worldwide Suicide"
3. "Hellbringer" (featuring Jamie Hails of Polaris)
4. "Moving On"
5. "Timebomb"
6. "Son of a Witch"
7. "Crossroads" (featuring Georgia Flood)
8. "Husk"
9. "Nãgá"
10 "Force of Life"
11. "Iron Dice" (featuring Randy Reimann of Massappeal)
12. "Dystopia"
13. "2033"
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