Album Review: Bodies of Heavenly Violence by Healing Wound
LP Artwork for “Bodies of Heavenly Violence” by Healing Wound
We’re currently living in a space where the wires of homage and imitation are crossing more so than ever especially in the wake of old head bands reforming, the return of Trustkill Records’ Hellfest and 90s/00s metalcore stylings becoming popular again. Time truly is a circle. For better or worse.
Brighton’s Healing Wound aren’t the UK’s answer to any particular band, stay with me here before you write off what I have to say like a clickbait headline where you’ve filled in the blanks of words you haven’t even read. I say this with the utmost kindness and sincerity as their debut LP, “Bodies of Heavenly Violence” is a refreshing outlier that wears its influences on its sleeve without biting heavily on those they share their lane with. Conveying their admiration for the likes of Cave In and Converge and modern phenoms The Body and Gulch; Healing Wound have put together a LP that stands on its own two feet with alarming confidence.
“Bodies of Heavenly Violence” requires work from the listener to truly be experienced. Though select moments shine through to more casual listeners like the marching beat of Obelisk of Grief or the sombreness that clings to you throughout Flesh Ridden, this LP is a cathartic journey that explores depression, vulnerability and self-reflection. Heavy subject matter on the surface that could ward away the few but will lure in those who choose to indulge inHealing Wound’s telling’s of personal struggle and tragedy.
The match is struck the moment the gates are opened with the first track, Purging Visions. A guitar tone reminiscent of machinery dredging the ocean floor, the band waste no time in getting to the crux of what they’re capable of as musicians as they blend death metal leads, crushing riffs and an overarching sense of dread that would see them more than welcome on lineups alongside Fuming Mouth and Primitive Man.
As previously mentioned the marching beat of Obelisk of Grief accompanied by infectious bass lines remind you that despite only being two tracks into the record, you’re in for a wild ride.
The Loss of Lightness shines the spotlight on drummer Max, as their mark on the band takes centerstage delivering chaotic drum patterns below some of Healing Wound’s more quiet and masked moments conveying the melancholy that takes place under the surface when gripped by grief in the wake and aftermath of tragedy.
Flesh Ridden, one of the longer tracks on the records, is my personal favourite. The fear within in the last 30 seconds as vocalist Harry dives headfirst into the feeling of losing yourself and having no choice but to live with that moment of realization for the first time is beautifully visualised lyrical imagery and nothing short of terrifyingly empowering.
Fear of Silence is Converge worship written in the vein of black metal. Shrill guitar highs, sludge-inspired later pacing akin to The Dusk In Us and bass arpeggios that keep your head nodding throughout. A track that would serve as a great introduction to the band.
Heavenly Violence, the most chaotic as put by the band themselves speaks more personally of loss of self and introspection with lines like “this is how I’ve always been” alluding to not knowing what life was like before this feeling and simulating life closing in with no way out. It’s a suffocating track that provides you with zero respite.
In The Shadow of Your Absence is crushing from start to finish. A desperate 3 minutes that acts as a turning point and introduction to the final stage of grief, acceptance. Cries of reluctance as you enter the latter stage begging for the end before being thrust into the final track Trail of Human Wreckage that acts as the summit where you look back at what you’ve been through before finally being able to shed the fear and despair that once held you and eerily made you feel comfortable.
You’ve reached the end of your journey and with nothing left to fear, you as the listener are handed the tools you needed to push through and fight what held you down. You always had these tools, you just didn’t believe they possessed the power you felt you needed to make it.
Blending early metalcore sensibilities with black metal and sludge elements has allowed Healing Wound to tell a story that’s worth its weight in gold. Although not totally accessible to wider audiences that enjoy the mere mention of metalcore or sludge, they’ve created a space that fans and those willing to invest time into their music will appreciate on every revisit.
Catch them on tour around Europe and the UK with Agriculture in June 2026.
FFO: Converge, Cave In, Unbroken, The Body, Fuming Mouth
SCORE: 7.5/10
“Bodies of Heavenly Violence” by Healing Wound is out Friday 29th May on all streaming platforms, released independently.
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