The modern shape of indie rock maybe too cool-conscious for its own good right now, becoming more so an aesthetics of mid-tempo riffs, dreamy folkwork, or the kind of ornately designed sound you’d have to have rich parents in order to be able to afford to make rather than any that individually stands on its own. Heaven’s Gate, the second album from former Speedy Ortiz guitarist Mike Falcone’s band Hellrazor, isn’t really taking any trends into account, which in turn already sets it as an outlier on the scene’s current landscape. Now joined by bassist Kate Meizner, former touring member of the belated Potty Mouth as well as Snail Mail, alongside drummer Michael Henss of HEELE, the dream of ‘90s grunge and noise rock lives on in nightmarish form. You’ll hear gristle of early Nirvana, Hum, and Unwound rattling through the Justin Pizzoferrato polish, though its weird turns make it known Hellrazor are more than just descendants of ancient astronauts.

Highlights: “Globbed”, “Jello Stars”, “Party Slasher”

Hellrazor’s Heaven’s Gate is available now.

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