‘I took the road less travelled, now I don’t know where the fuck I am’.
So today I have the latest release from Stitched Up Heart, leading from the front with singer Alecia ‘Mixi’ Demner, they bring songs that are spirited and cordial, inviting and entertaining, the imagery evoking all the razzmatazz of radio- friendly rock. There is drama by the truckload, in the compositions and in the visual impact. The video for the title track reminds me of AFI in sound and vision, a throwback to ‘Love Like Winter’ and of course Davey Havok, sigh…. swoon….
Stitched Up Heart are completed by James Decker- drums and backing vocals, Merritt Goodwin – lead guitar and Randy Mathias – bass and backing vocals, a line up that came together in 2016 when the band signed to Century Media Records.
Featuring the esteemed vocals of that Dead Rabbit, Craig Mabbitt, on title track ‘To The Wolves’ you get the instant buzz of wanting to singalong and launch yourself high up into the air. Alecia reminds me of Addie Amick of Halocene and also Lacey Sturm of Flyleaf, pained, and emotive and accursed all rolled into one beautiful Gothic mystery. Talons at the ready so come and ‘Possess Me’ a stylishly presented tale, dark with a sinister figure lurking, lights and shadows help create the mood of this guitar-driven piece.
The riffs on ‘Immortal’ have a Static -X vibe, technically tack sharp, the strobe imagery adding to the polished effect and as for those growls, they fit neatly against the hard rock, fast-pace of this track.
The heart is indeed an organ of excellence, sturdy and dependable, the essence of our circulatory system, able to withstand many tensions and repair itself over time. The video for ‘Conquer and Divide’ sees the band giving it some welly as they attack from all sides to bring the track to life, a slower track, still feisty, calling to you from the centre of a firestorm. The rhythm section thrashes around wildly, as the voice traverses from the smooth to the rough and the super snarl, a seismic concoction that tastes as untamed as it sounds.
Putting myself in the hands of ‘The Architect’ who designed the ‘Part Of Me’ that is ‘Dead Inside’ what a surprise for anyone wanting to throw back the covers here and take a peek. Gloriously glossy cover art, depicting our heroine, the look says everything yet gives nothing away. For a first time outing with this band, I quite like what I have heard, slap it on and pour yourself a long, cool drink, we’re gonna be here for a while.
Azra Pathan
Stitched Up Heart – To The Wolves out now