New Zealand label Elimination Records is putting out their new compilation “Endangered Species”, and today we’re pleased to give it a teaser with a proper bang! The above music video comes from the new NZ metallic hardcore punk band SEVERED BELIEFS, and it marks their first video, forerunning their debut release and more news, to be announced in the coming months.
The band are making a strong statement of their ethos and appreciation for the rich history of New Zealand hardcore with a release which references the critically acclaimed classics while adding a modern edge to their craft, drawing in old and new partakers in the scene alike.
“Eternal Grey” is available on all major streaming from 8 January 2020. “Endangered Species” is available on all major streaming platforms from 13 January 2020. Limited edition tapes are available from the Elimination Records Bandcamp HERE.
Asked about the meaning of the new track, the band offered the following:
“I guess what Eternal Grey was written about is my general dissatisfaction of the world currently. There are always terrible events that happen here and abroad constantly. You just become ‘grey’ having to deal with the presence of the past while having to face the future.” – Fergus Stratford, Vocalist of Severed Beliefs
“Aesthetically, we based our music video around a lot of aspects of horror movies. Personally both Jas (Guitar Player) and I grew up fascinated by films, especially the lasting impact that horror movie visuals had on us. So throughout the video we’ve made sure to homage some of our favorite films” – Ian Moore, Drummer
“Eternal Grey takes a step in a new direction for us sonically. Since the release of our demo, the songwriting process has become more collaborative. This has helped bring a larger variety of elements from our favourite aspects of heavy music. Eternal Grey was in a way a mission statement to write a good mosh track while setting the course for what the future of the band has to offer.” – Jas Taylor, Guitarist
Lyrics:
I feel an absence,
A longing
To feel the rain on my face
Knowing what it’s like to be real for once
Sometimes I want to feel cold againI carry this weight alone
The everlasting strain I feelSickened generations of past years will end
The oppressor illuminates the path
While the masses watch with glee
This putrid world will end
While I rejoice in hell with the ones I loveThe hands of time are tied to each other
A tyranny of suffering forever reigns
Others will wait for the deliverance that will never come
This is the eternal greyEveryday fades into another
Until the oceans boil and ravage my skin
Resentment lacerates my being
Injustice will forever flowThis flesh is hollow
This soul is thin
Credits: All Music & Lyrics written and performed by Severed Beliefs. Mixed & Mastered by Joram Adams (Supervillain Co.). Recorded by Joram Adams (Supervillain Co.). Filmed & Edited by Joram Adams (Supervillain Co.). Released by Elimination Records.
Formed in late 2018, Severed Beliefs began as the passion project of Fergus Stratford & Ian Moore who shared a mutual interest in the 90s metallic hardcore movement (7 Angels 7 Plagues, Poison the Well) with appreciation for history of New Zealand Hardcore both being regulars at shows since their mid teens. Recruiting long time friends Jas Taylor & Josh Ho, Severed Beliefs recorded and released their self titled EP teaming up with independent heavy label Elimination Records instantly gaining interest from old and new fans of hardcore music alike. With a strong debut release already gaining hype and interest from cult fans of the scene and a debut show vastly different and a step away from the expected show running routine, Severed Beliefs are a force in the scene not to be reckoned with and definitely an act not be overlooked.
As of the past year Severed Beliefs have played numerous shows around the country gaining an audience of fans with violent moshes and good turnouts in both Auckland and Wellington earning them a support spot opening for deathcore heavyweights “Depths”. SeveredBeliefs are yet to play their biggest yet, alongside Xile and NZ’s biggest hardcore acts on the saturday night of Elimination Record’s “Elimination Fest”.
Severed Beliefs is a breath of fresh air in the New Zealand hardcore scene. Taking a no frills approach to the genre, Severed Beliefs play a breed of heavy music reminiscent of their critically acclaimed predecessors with a modern twist digestible by an audience of any age. Severed Beliefs are becoming a strong staple in the history of New Zealand hardcore and their drive and determination will push them to change the scene forever.
Formed in late 2018, Severed Beliefs started as a passion project of Fergus Stratford & Ian Moore who shared a mutual interest in the 90s metallic hardcore movement (7 Angels 7 Plagues, Poison the Well). While admiring these american acts both shared appreciation for the history and culture of New Zealand Hardcore, both being regulars at shows since their mid teens. Recruiting long time friends Jas Taylor & Josh Ho, Severed Beliefs recorded and released their self titled 4 track EP teaming up with fresh independent heavy label Elimination Records instantly gaining interest from old and new fans of hardcore music alike.
With a debut release full of raw, introspective lyrics matched with teeth grinding production, Severed Beliefs stylistically throws their audience back into the era of bands which pushed the boundaries of the genre in the late 90s. With the old school sound in mind, the self titled EP manages to sit hand in hand with the genre’s fresh blood. With the release being packed full crushing beatdown sections and dissonant riffing reminiscent of hardcore’s current flag bearers being compared to such acts Jesus Piece, Vein and Knocked Loose. The band have created a strong cult following with the distribution of cassettes being sold all around New Zealand. The fans that they have gained respect their artistic vision and incentive to revive what once was a thriving scene consisting of groundbreaking bands and packed venues.
With coverage from hawaiian magazine “Choppa talk”, the band has sparked interest from overseas fans giving insight to New Zealand’s output of heavy music. While putting together DIY shows around the wellington area in community halls open to all ages of heavy music fans, the band have set a strong notion of what they want to achieve and a proactive push towards the New Zealand hardcore scene to bring it back to where it once was.
