On 8 November 2019, the many talented doom/stoner/blackmetal band Pist released their album, HAILZ, via APF Records.  The Bury, Lancashire natives had a different approach with this album.  As singer David Rowlands says, they wanted to "...step away from the stoner-doom..." label that has been placed upon them and return to a bit of the music they started out slogging away playing, with pleasure!

As Rowlands has said, "Musically I feel it's a step away from the 'stoner doom' label we found ourselves with, something we've never considered ourselves to be, in our eyes we're a heavy metal, rock n roll band who listen to a fair bit of Black Metal and Punk. This is really reflecting in the songs on this record from ferocious black metal kicking your head in to chilled psyched out bits that make you feel like you're fucking floating or something.” '. The band was formed in 2013, NOLA-influenced with Southern-tinged black/heavy metal.  They decided to release "Mind Rotter" as their first single from 'HAILZ'; Rowlands says about the raging tune - "Lyrically it’s about dealing with my utter contempt of the modern world. Hitting back at the absolute shite we’re fed on a daily basis and not accepting what the media, the government and people in positions of power tell us is the truth”.' And the song succeeds in doing exactly what Pist wanted it to do- beyond sending out a message, grabbing your attention and not letting go.

As a whole, the record deals with many different things and people but HAILZ had another purpose for the bands that is a sensitive topic but one of great importance.  "Lyrically the record deals with loss, a very close friend of ours committed suicide as we were writing the record so that has reflected heavily on this record. The name 'Hailz' is one of the ways he used to sign off when we'd talk. The lyrics also deal with hatred, personal circumstances, the state of the world around us, horror and disgust and a host of lovely shit like that." Rowlands emphasises.  He also emphatically says, "I finally feel like we’ve made a record that we can all be proud of." Listening to the album, its’ easy to see why HAILZ is certainly a viable source of pride.

The album begins with "Ex-Nihilo”, a deep, melodic tune that is a brilliant beginning to the album.  The softer melodic riff gives way to a heavy sound, hints of black metal, with a lightning-fast tempo.  The verses are unapologetically fast and intense; this song is an immense showcase of the talented drummer Andy Hunt- all the elements that make this song grab your attention from the beginning are front and center.

Leading to the next song, "Wreck" - a perfect example of controlled chaos; to the distortion on the lead guitar with a heavy bass line; to the tempo and sound change at the three minute mark, with the music becoming more florid while holding on to the guttural vocals that Rowlands is accustomed to; maintaining the black metal sound with a welcome interjection of a softer, fluid sound.

In "Mind Rotter", (the released single with a video on YouTube), the guitar intro is hypnotising - with its’ emotionally heavy sound, using those effects that seem to speak right to your musical soul, it incorporates the necessary ingredients to effect the listener emotionally without assaulting his or hers senses.  Heavy distortion on guitar, double bass from Hunt, remarkable bass line from Mike Collins- this gem was the perfect piece of music to unleash upon the world as an ‘introduction' to the album.

"Fools Gave Chase" has a hard job, following "Mind Rotter", but it certainly does not falter in its’ wake.  The tempo is a bit faster than the typical black metal tempo and in that whirlwind, Hunt validates his incredible bass playing with unique notes and fills that light up those parts of ear that derives pleasure from music.  The song slows down midway, with a 'comme il faut' guitar solo, which leads the band into a return to black metal roots that doesn’t at all sound forced; a natural progression that adds to the song’s fervor.

"If I Was You" is, most definitely, a 'fuck you' song and the Baan expresses this with such angry eloquence, you cannot NOT enjoy it!!  Rowlands is most definitely giving his all on the vocals, especially the "..if I were you, I’d fucking kill myself..".   Whomever this song is written for or about, I wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end!

The next song, "Strangle the Sun" ft. Elephant Tree, is by far, my absolute favourite of 'HAILZ'.  This song incorporates harmonising between Rowlands and Collins and their voice fit in an imperfectly perfect way.  It starts with a melancholy sound, leading to Rowlands screaming vocals, exuberant with emotion. This song takes on a more doom-ish sound, yet there is NOTHING wrong- considering the lyrical content and the sound emitting from the speakers.  This is a song you can lose yourself in and there is no better compliment than such an emotion; an absolutely radiant song. The guest vocalists from Elephant Tree were Jack Townley and Peter Holland.

The final song, "Skin your God", brings a fitting close to an impactful and imaginative album.  It has a fast tempo with a definitive black metal sound; they are certainly pulling away from their 'doom metal' label that has been impelled upon them.  There is a simplicity to the song which makes it a fitting "end" song- but they don’t shy away from what makes them a great band; a bass solo that slays; a particular cadence that is unique and creative on the drums; the abrasive yet soothing voice of Rowlands’

The song ends an album that ventures into different territories of metal effortlessly; no doubt that 'HAILZ' will be the success that Pist deserves.

To buy this album and more by Pist, head over to their BANDCAMP page NOW….

Review by Marisa Dymond 

Pist are: 

Dave Rowlands - Vocals

John Nicholson - Guitars

Mike Collins - Bass, & backing vocals

Andy Hunt - Drums

Find Pist online: 

Facebook: facebook.com/pistband

Twitter: www.twitter.com/PISTband

Instagram: http://Instagram.com/pist_68

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/pistband

Bandcamp: https://pist.bandcamp.com/

Label: apfrecords.co.uk