‘HGWK’ by Malkasian | New Album, ‘The Macabre’
Exclusive video premiere of ‘HGWK’ by Malkasian, taken from their latest album, ‘The Macabre’.
A culmination of 8 years of collaboration between high school friends. ‘The Macabre’ conveys the bleak outlook of many currently. A collection of songs reflecting on expectations, failures, meaning, death and love. Produced by Noiseheads frontman Nick Gray, this batch of tracks are soaked in mood, frustration and desperation. Having finally found some co-conspirators, these songs can be presented as intended. It’s the start of a heavier, more visceral journey. One that will be a mad dash to the apocalypse.
A blues album with an alternative twist. Lyrically inspired by life, failure and celtic mythology. ‘Jaded Bored Wasted and Sick’ opens with a Nick Cave style dirge about apathy leading to a psych rock jam. Out of this moves to ‘Headhunter,’ a swampy juke joint jam with allusions to Braveheart style story of invaders and protecting one’s space and home. ‘Macabre Times’ is a report on the way the world around me seems. ‘Witch is the Whip,’ a story of revenge, empowerment and taking back what w as stolen. ‘Angel of Death,’ a cover of the Hank Williams classic, is a theatrical take on a traditional song about living with yourself and the inevitable. ‘HGWK’ is a story that again alludes to Celtic Mythology. A story about a witch looking to bring hell to earth and an individual’s unfortunate encounter with the ”hell spawn.” If you find human remains without its jaw bone, it was removed to prevent them from hexing from the grave. Celise is a moody track about yearning and unrequited love. Album closes with ‘Pyre,’ a track about one coming into their own and growing at their own pace. At times it feels as though you are drowning or burning alive. As Sisyphus had to push the boulder we have to keep doing the work to thrive beyond surviving.
Drawing inspiration from Tito & Tarantula, All Them Witches and North Mississippi Allstars and writing with subjects of personal expectations and failures to explore the more pernicious and misunderstood that “lives in the shadows.” Malkasian is a dark, moody, rock and roll ensemble from Denver, Colorado. Compelled by the energy and subversive nature of heavier and alternative music like The Smashing Pumpkins, Danzig as well as alternative blues like The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Captain Beefheart and Morphine their self-titled debut was released through Dead Industry Records in 2014 and has since released one full-length and two EPs. Themes like expectations, depression, fear, yearning, love and frustration define these records and sound that channel their unique blend of heavy blues and dark alternative music.
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