Drenched in a monsoon of dark sonic nuances, Leeds-based post-metal/doom outfit Helve is setting the stage to unveil their eagerly awaited full-length album “To Be Forgotten” on September 29th. The album’s 12-minute massive opener “Dark Clouds” is available for streaming, and you can check it out below.
Since the release of their debut EP “Faint Hope” in 2015, the five-piece ensemble has been sculpting their auditory identity, meticulously balancing the weight of sludge and doom genres with ethereal post-metal soundscapes reminiscent of Rosetta, Cult of Luna, and ISIS.
Helve’s forthcoming album is no mere collection of songs; it is a tapestry of resilience, vulnerability, and introspection. The band described the making of the album as a “proverbial rollercoaster,” with its fair share of lineup changes and existential battles. Having firmly established their live presence in the Leeds scene, Helve faced their own demons as individuals and as a collective.
“During the recording process we faced multiple adversities including personal mental health struggles, loss of loved ones, life, and the dreaded COVID. These elements have not only shaped our music, but also brought us closer together as a band,” said the band.
Despite the complexities, their friend and former bassist Joe assisted in capturing the album’s essence in their rehearsal space, staying true to their independent DIY ethos.
Frontman Jay expounds on the thematic gravitas of the album, drawing attention to the urgency of discussing men’s mental health. The album becomes a confessional space, particularly in tracks like “Dark Clouds” “Teeth,” where he lets his guard down, baring vulnerabilities in his lyrics.
“Masculinity in society is getting out of control. It’s not okay to tell someone to just ‘man up’ anymore. As men, we need to talk, open up, and be proactive in helping and listening to each other,” Jay emphasizes.
He expresses that therapy has improved his mental state considerably and hopes the album offers listeners a similar therapeutic essence.
Helve’s earnestness and sonic inventiveness haven’t gone unnoticed. A recent review on hookriffandbanger.net noted, “Helve really delved into their sound, drawing it out and savouring it in ways that you’d expect from Amenra, but with their own signature style.”
“We hope that people find something that resonates with them in these songs, whatever that may be for each individual,” the band shares.
Having supported an impressive roster of bands including Blanket, Hundred Year Old Man, Conjurer, and Torpor, Helve is well-positioned to scale new heights. “To Be Forgotten” not only marks their first full-length effort but encapsulates the depth and dynamics of a band that has learned to navigate its emotional and musical terrains with remarkable honesty and skill.
