It would be an understatement to say that the Polish hardcore scene has been missing the visceral beats and piercing lyrics of HEATSEEKER. Five years since their last release, ‘Infected Society,’ the rumor mill was abuzz with speculations of their dissolution. But if you’re one of those who thought the band was down for the count, let’s just say—prepare to eat your words.
The half-decade hiatus wasn’t a stagnant period for the band but rather one of evolution. They’ve gone through lineup changes, including the exit of second guitarist Domino. Replacing him is Paweł, a familiar face in the hardcore realm from bands like Drip of Lies and The Fight.
New drummer Mike, also of Life Scars and Social Crisis, has stepped in, and the changes have infused the band with a fresh energy, poised to place them not just at the apex of homegrown hardcore but also in the European leagues.
“We’ve had personnel changes… All signs point to the album being available at the upcoming 30th-anniversary celebrations of Refuse in Warsaw. These are six completely new tracks, and we are very satisfied with the final outcome.”
Recorded by Michal Scibior at Multitrack Studio and polished to a gleam by Will Killingsworth at Dead Air Studios, the new fierce 3-tracker is streaming now on Bandcamp and Spotify.
The track “Mind’s Eye” is a complex critique of existential suffering and human tendencies towards manipulation and territoriality. Inspired by Ernest Becker’s “The Denial of Death,” the song explores how each of us has the potential for good, tolerance, and empathy, pending some introspection and overcoming our destructive tendencies.
“Mind’s Eye” Lyrics:
hating, fighting, dividing
thinking you’re so smart
searching, praying, failing
tearing this world apart
you’ll never be able to reach
potential that lays in your grasp
you’ll never know what you could find
at the darkest depths of your mind
hating, fighting, dividing
thinking you’re so smart
tearing this world apart
you’ll never be able to reach
potential that lies in your grasp
you’ll never know what you could find
at the darkest depths of your mind
how many heads you need to cut
to stop suffering
how much more you need to suffer
till you find your peace
find your peace
“Rest In Peace”, on the other hand, is an anthem for the future self—a premonition of the day when the hardcore scene will no longer resonate. It’s an honest acknowledgment that sometimes it’s necessary to let go, to let something die, in order to find peace.
“Rest In Peace” lyrics:
no coming back from your grave
there’s no going back
to the rules we once lived
the truth we believed
the teenager’s dreams
you’re not on the edge,
you’re on the far end
hiding in the corner
just wanting to blend
into the crowd, looking for peace
but finding just nothing
just nothing to ease
you’re out of the step,
cutting you roots
cunning in circles
spoiling the crops
there’s no way to repeat
or replicate your past success
there’s no overtime
no happy end
nor even close
heading down into the ground
no coming back from your grave
you had your time to make it work
but you’ve failed
maybe it’s time to realize
you’re offside
and just let it all
just let it all go
Regarding the hardcore scene in Poland, the band doesn’t mince words. “There are not too many new bands at the moment; the scene is just waking up after the COVID lethargy.”
Asked for some under the radar names, the band shared us some recommendations to check out:
“There’s Hollowman from Silesia, who have just released a few tracks online. There’s Negative Impact, an inter-city all-star lineup, who have just launched pre-orders for their album on Enigmatic Records. If someone is into crust, there’s Urbicide from Wroclaw; there’s also the post-punk band Träume. From what I’ve heard, there are also a few projects that haven’t made it out of the rehearsal room yet, so there’s still something to live for.”
HEATSEEKER’s latest release might be just a two-track commentary, but it speaks volumes. Be sure to give it a listen and follow the band via Bandcamp.
