Heezer Stream Debut Album Sungrinder in Full; Out Friday
Posted in audiObelisk, Reviews on March 28th, 2023 by JJ Koczan
Finnish heavy rockers Heezer release their debut full-length, Sungrinder, this Friday, March 31, through Argonauta Records. From opener “Fourth Line” onward, the four-piece present a clearheaded melodic vision based around songwriting and tonal body, crafting a fuzz not overbearing but rich enough that if you got lost in it, you’d be alright by the time the next hook comes around. And it does come around. Even the penultimate “I the Sun,” which is the longest track at 5:23, has a memorable chorus before it departs into its steady-rolling instrumental second half of layered guitar solos. Guitarist Sami Kääriäinen has a touch of Elder in his vocals, but he, fellow guitarist Ville Räsänen, bassist Antti Vesikko (also of Argonauta denizens Lowburn) and drummer Ville Häsä aren’t up to anything so progressive.
Instead, with “Sunshine” and “Mother Rain” they tap into upbeat elements of grunge and traditionally structured songcraft, persistent ’90s vibes not so much in the guitar, bass or drums, but in the phrasing of the lyrics, the Filter-ish throatiness of the vocals, and the overarching push with which the weighted tones are delivered, the transition from the verse to the chorus in “Growing On,” etc. Meanwhile, in “Spacegod” — not to be confused with Monster Magnet‘s “Spacelord” similar to how the band are not to be confused with Geezer, or Weezer, or anyone else with whom they might collectively rhyme — “Red Giant” and “I the Sun,” the melodic aspects are bolstered by guest vocal contributions by Twilightning‘s Heikki Pöyhiä further emphasizing the focus with which Sungrinder is executed, as well as the confident approach Heezer take and an unassuming expanse that’s highlighted in three-and-a-half-minute cut “Growing On,” semi-psychedelic and atmospheric, but with that purposefulness of structure beneath it.
None of this is placed out of the listener’s reach. Though its sound and the band’s style more generally speaks of a history in heavy metal, Sungrinder makes it easy to get into what Heezer have here assembled in the collection of individual tunes that places a nostalgic lyric in “2009” over a start-stop riff with due largesse, the chorus’ last line, “Still we keep on keeping on,” calling to mind the approach of a generation that, as players and humans, has been through an awful lot of bullshit in the last 15 or so years (and, like so many before, will probably be intolerably full of itself as old people for having survived). From “Fourth Line” on through the piped-in-from-your-memory, sounds-like-a-Lennon-home-demo-from-1977 closer “Breathe,” the sentiment is put at the forefront and the roll of the prior “I the Sun” is dropped entirely in favor of 
acoustic guitar and quieter delivery.
That’s a departure but not out of place by any means with the preceding cuts, which are set up for an engaging flow and, despite the ample proportion of Häsä‘s drums, still able to convey a sense of airiness thanks to Kääriäinen‘s vocals amid the shove of “Sunshine” and the swing behind the subsequent “Red Giant,” and that balance is established early and toyed with across the span in such a way as to put the lie to Sungrinder as being anyone’s first time at the riffy rodeo; Heezer had an untitled EP out in 2021, but in addition to Vesikko in Lowburn, nobody here sounds like they’re doing guesswork in terms of aesthetic. Indeed, Räsänen and Häsä were in Cultic Jones Crew together and Kääriäinen may or may not have played bass there as well at some point, so maybe it’s less of a surprise that Heezer come across throughout their first record like they know what they’re aiming for. They probably do, whether it was a sit-down ‘this is the band we’re going to be’ mission-directive out-loud conversation or not.
Sungrinder isn’t necessarily revolutionary in stylistic terms, but neither does it sound like Heezer want it to be, as they instead celebrate the tenets of heavy rock and roll while digging out a niche for themselves within them, offering persona in the melodies and groove alike, and using the two to complement each other in the spirit of best-case genre scenarios. ‘Solid’ is the word. Solid debut, based around solidified craft, crisp performances and a production that sounds loud even when it isn’t. Whatever else you’d ask of a band’s first full-length will likely seem superfluous when you actually hear these songs.
To that end, you’ll find Sungrinder streaming in its entirety on the player below. There are some superficial clues as to what Heezer are about, whether it’s the three-fourths flannelized press photo above or the twice-over sunshine of the tracklisting (space and stars also represented in “Red Giant”), but it really is the material that speaks best for itself in construction and atmosphere, so whether you’re familiar or not, whether you heard the EP or not — for whatever it’s worth, I didn’t — the only thing you risk by hitting play is hearing something new you might actually like. Well, that and shelling out to buy it, I suppose, but come on, it’s not like you were saving that money anyhow.
PR wire info follows. Please enjoy:
Heezer, Sungrinder full album premiere
We are Heezer, a 4-piece stonerrock/grunge band from Lappeenranta/Imatra, Finland. Heezer was formed in late 2020 and began its journey as a feel-good jam project. That casual jamming mentality was very soon discarded as we noticed potential as a fulltime band. Songwriting varies from strict heavy riffs and memorable melodies as every member of the band contributes on the writing process. We each have our own unique playstyles and influences but when we come together as writers the music expands to another levels for which we are not afraid to explore.
In 2021 we released our debut EP consisting of 4 songs: Mellow, Pinky, End and Tired. Our new album is recorded, mixed and mastered waiting for a release. The album was recorded and mixed by Tommi Hämäläinen at Music-Bros studios. With this new album, we expanded our sound even further bringing the familiar heavy riffing complemented with flowing melodies.
Tracklisting:
1 – Fourth Line
2 – Spacegod
3 – 2009
4 – Dream Machine
5 – Sunshine
6 – Red Giant
7 – Mother Rain
8 – Growing On
9 – I The Sun
10 – Breathe
Recorded and mixed by Tommi Hämäläinen at Music-Bros studios. Vocals recorded with Kimmo Koskinen at Hauta studios. Additional guitar recording with Tomi Mykkänen at Barrow Studio. Digital master by Tommi Hämäläinen. Additional vocals in tracks 2,6 and 9 by Heikki Pöyhiä (Twilightning).
Heezer is:
Sami Kääriäinen – Guitar, vocals
Ville Räsänen – Guitar
Antti Vesikko – Bass
Ville Häsä – Drums
