Album Review: Careful Gaze - WRATH LIKE FLOWERS UPON MY BROW // Haze Gazer - You Are In My Heart
New content coming in hot with a double feature highlighting two of my favorite local Minneapolis bands discovered in 2022. That would be Careful Gaze and Haze Gazer, both coincidentally sharing a word and releasing fantastic albums in 2022.
Careful Gaze - WRATH LIKE FLOWERS UPON MY BROW
Release Date: July 15, 2022
Runtime: 38 min 18 sec
Rating: 91/100
High Tracks: Gemini Split, TEACH, Default Days, But I Can Carry You
Low Tracks: Not Tunneled
WRATH LIKE FLOWERS UPON MY BROW is a beautiful and dense album, jam-packed with huge moments of hard rock and raw emotional vulnerability. Careful Gaze does a fantastic job of blending subgenres, falling anywhere from midwest emo to metalcore while slipping in and out of styles with practiced ease. During this experimentation of styles, lead singer Gabriel Reasoner unpacks heavy childhood trauma while simultaneously building a safe space of acceptance. The juxtaposition of hardcore music and tough emotional lyrics makes for a well-polished piece of art, showcasing a wealth of talent from the Minneapolis based group.
WLFUMB starts with the (partial) titular track, "WRATH," consisting of a mellow intro, and a history of heavy medication used to combat intrusive feelings of self-harm. At roughly the halfway mark, a punctuated snare hit opens the space for a guttural roar, delivering a small sample of this band's capabilities. Drums crash and guitars soar above an uncharacteristic 3/4 time signature before ending the song with the beautifully simple line "We both deserve more." Quickly moving away from metalcore, "Gemini Split," enters on a midwest emo note, mixed with a lighter, poppy sound that's almost reminiscent of early 2000s Yellowcard. This continues into an inspiring chorus, ending with "Raise a glass to the moments in which we//Build a new dream and nobody has hands on it." After entering and exiting a heavier bridge, the song moves into a dance-able post-hardcore breakdown, neatly tying up this tune with a bow.
Going through song by song leaves little left for the listener, so we'll skip over "Made From Windows," and "TEACH," (although TEACH is one of the more stand-out tracks). Moving onto the swaying lyrical piece "Sisterwraith," we see Careful Gaze showing off even more musical diversity. Softer, but not slow, musical passages only emphasize the emotional lyrics of remembering a friend no longer present. And now, at the halfway point in the album, comes another (partially) titular track, "FLOWERS." While not especially musical, the poetic interlude leaves impressions of exhaustion, apathy, and fleeting hope. The final line, "Wrath like flowers upon my brow," leaves the question of whether this poem was written for the album, or if the album was formed around the poem.
Entering back into some classic punk is "Default Days," which also features a fun little punk rap that works well with the overall tone. The next three songs are the lyrical heavy-hitters of the album, laying out direct references to trauma and emotion. "The Park," is a reference to that one spot everybody goes to when emotions get too heavy to handle. Maybe that spot is a particular late-night walk, or possibly an overlook on a lake. In this case, The Park sees only stripped-down versions of the soul and discussions too real to happen in the daylight. With nary a moment to process, the crushing weight of "The House You're Raised In," comes in with a tale of an abusive household and how depleting it can be. The final passage of this song leaves little to the imagination, particularly the single line "Child ripped from play." The full context is outlined through a chant-like sequence:
When he walked into the room
And you said "Dad! How are you"
And he pushed you to the wall
He said "You're in my way"
You would feel that way for life
That's not something you forget
Just a few words he'd regret
Child ripped from play
If a house could be alive
Then it was that summer night
When you got all of your things
Out of his way
As the road comes to an end
So do words of broken men
They can’t keep you in the house
You’re raised in
The tipping point is unveiled over a pulsing metalcore background, as "But I Can Carry You," describes the admission of not being able to carry on. After "idolizing novels of sacrifice," for so long, it comes as a shock that walking away from the pain is an option. For Gabe, this means walking away from a household of weaponized religion. The latter half of this song is chock full of scorned biblical references before coming to terms and roaring out "It is finished, I am free."
"Not Tunneled," is a musical respite from the emotional onslaught of the previous songs. While calm in tempo and rhythm it may be, the depressive subject stays the same. Although now, there seems to be a tone of apathetic acceptance that brings a new layer of sadness to the mix. In this sadness exists the knowledge of pain and unhappiness, but without the means to escape. While this is not the neat and happy ending a listener might hope for, it is incredibly honest and real. The imagery and emotion created here are the perfect anchor for the album: a somber tone over a captivating sonic backdrop.
In WRATH LIKE FLOWERS UPON MY BROW, Careful Gaze has captured a rare beauty found in tragedy. I cannot recommend this album enough to any fan of hardcore music or anyone feeling just a little alone in this world.
Haze Gazer - You Are In My Heart
Release Date: August 10, 2022
Runtime: 23 min 37 sec
Rating: 84/100
High Tracks: Mortal Wombat, Termination Station, Solitary Confinement
Low Tracks: Cognitive Dissonance
Haze Gazer. Space laser. Drink water. The band's unofficial motto speaks volumes of their chaotic energy and nonchalant attitude. Written descriptions try to label Haze Gazer as anywhere from sludge to doom to gloom metal, but picking just one doesn't seem fair. Similar to a haze, the nuances are a little bit harder to capture. Regardless of which alloyed genre they belong to, Haze Gazer is pushing boundaries and will only continue to rise within (and soon out of) the Minneapolis metal scene. If you live near the Twin Cities, do yourself a favor by finding the next Haze Gazer live show and immediately buying a ticket.
While You Are In My Heart is technically only 7 a track EP, it's got everything you need and more. It features plenty of primal energy, rebellious spirit, and even some downtempo & softly crooned passages for those unwilling to rage for the full 23 minutes. For those who like a little motion in their music, look no further than the first track, "Mortal Wombat," which comes in like it's looking for the money you stole from it. Sonic chemistry is immediately apparent with a trio of solid guitar riffs, outstanding backing drums, and a bassline that just won't quit. Pair that with the 4-line verses separated by arm-swinging breakdowns, and you've got yourself a party. And that only continues into the next track, "Termination Station." This one may start at a slightly lower energy level, but by the last 30 seconds, it's filled with roars and volume that easily reach a new peak on the power meter. Only two songs in and Haze Gazer is already creating a huge presence.
The next three songs show off a bit more cohesive style, creating an atmosphere for those just looking to vibe. "Cognitive Dissonance," "Dream Thief," and the obligatory "Interlude," showcase incredible bass work and complementary drums that propel everything forward. Narrowing in on "Dream Thief," this 6-minute song starts with a chunky & relaxed bassline that smoothly transitions into a faster and pluckier groove for each chorus. The tempo contrast feels very natural and works very well to keep the whole sound feeling fresh.
As the album moves into its final phase with "Bleach," and "Solitary Confinement," the intensity reaches unmatched heights. At just under 2 minutes, "Bleach," is the perfect mosh-pit-creating tune. It's got a faster tempo, easy shout choruses, and a groove to make you stomp and shove your way through a crowd of people. For the final track of the album, we get more split styles. The first half is a lurching sludge metal tune that holds down the fort without being too adventurous. However, everything changes about 2 minutes in as crashing drums launch over a galloping guitar riff. Vocals change from a gentle croon into a shouted cacophony, leading into the politically charged bridge that repeats "No more white politicians//No more Republicans." This final burst of energy from Haze Gazer cements what they're all about and allows You Are In My Heart to end on an impassioned note.
You Are In My Heart is a short and sweet album that is too easy to love. Let loose and give it a listen, you will not regret it. Additionally, check out the short Haze Gazer music-documentary created by Noise Horse.