The artwork for Held.‘s debut album, ‘Grey,’ is much like the colour; dull and uninteresting. The concrete multi-story photography suggests a record that is hardened yet monotonous. However, a few playthroughs of ‘Grey’ prove it is anything but that. Its members’ friendship stretches back over two decades, with Douglas Robinson and Sal Mignano (both of The Sleeping) and Josh Eppard (co-founding member of Coheed And Cambria) crossing paths, emerging out of New Jersey and New York. Considerably, it is this factor why Held.‘s first full-length sound like a unit who have played together for years.
The trio’s experience pays dividends with a sonically impressive collection of textured post-hardcore. They come punching out the gates with the pounding ‘Defending The Earth,’ brilliantly setting the tone for the 10-track outing. As it moves into their introductory single, ‘New You Anthem,’ Robinson’s reliable vocals shine, adding a cinematic tone to counter the rugged post-hardcore they collectively produce. It’s one of several thrilling moments that make you keep coming back to ‘Grey’.
Throughout, Eppard’s drum work is muscular, while Robinson proves his capability as a guitarist, having rarely played in other bands. On tracks such as ‘Waves of Fire’ and ‘Constant Tension,’ Robinson’s guitar leads the wall of sound, rising above the rhythmic anchor of Mignano and Eppard. Nevertheless, each member takes the spotlight. On the aforementioned ‘Constant Tension,’ Mignano’s bass lines are nuanced, while ‘Through The Cracks’ allows his bass to rumble with Eppard’s frenzied drums.
The opening half of ‘Grey’ is one of the strongest you’ll hear all year. Amongst it is ‘Knifepoint’. Sharply delivered, stabbing guitars and its overall steely coat are elevated by the addition of Graham Sayle. The High Vis vocalist’s gritty Scouse tongue is welcomed, adding to the track’s acute edge.
Lyrically, Robinson sounds like a man who is bruised, fighting through exhaustion, and ultimately trying to survive. On ‘New You Anthem’, he proclaims “I’m not falling apart right now,” but signs of defeat appear throughout, with the title track being the album’s emotional core. The repeated question of “who loves you this time?” shows signs of desperation. Aided by a slow-burning build and driving finale, it’s self-reflective and poignantly highlights ‘Grey’s narrative of endurance and survival.
This personal anguish peers its head on ‘Broken Spacesuit (Decay and Sand)’. Here, Robinson’s words weigh down murky atmospheric undertone, only for hefty guitars and the dense rhythmic pairing to pull it from the gutter, yet leave on an ominous note. Eventually, this distress gives way on the closing track, ‘Emptiness: A Side Effect’. Brooding instrumentation rises with clarity before descending with brittle destruction; “My Mind’s on fire, and Heaven is crashing into the ground”.
In short, there is a lot to like about Held. and ‘Grey’. From Robinson’s introspective (and at times abstract) songwriting to the handful of anthemic choruses, to the trio’s musical solid execution. This is a band with intent and a realised sound that doesn’t rely on its members’ other projects to find purpose.
‘Grey’ by Held. is released on May 15th through MNRK Heavy.
Find Held. on: Instagram | Spotify | Apple Music | Bandcamp | Website
