HEAVY TEMPLE

SUMPTUOUS SERMONS TO THE DARK TOWER

Philadelphia power trio Heavy Temple perform a refreshingly organic concoction of psychedelic doom-laden swagger, space rock exploration and rumbling 70s fuzz. With their new EP, Chassit, the band evoke the lysergic eccentricity of Stephen King’s Dark Tower sci-fi series, conjuring a heady atmosphere of cosmic hypnosis. Bassist, vocalist and mastermind, the enigmatic High Priestess nighthawk grants access to the fount of inspiration.

“The lyrical content is loosely based on the Dark Tower series,” she explains, “but the titles are certainly more of a reference to the actual books. I don’t know that the sound of this collection of songs will make anyone think of Mid World, but there are some intentional atmospheric accents that certainly were born there.”

In the time-honoured power trio tradition of elder gods Cream, Grand Funk Railroad and Blue Cheer, Heavy Temple’s music is played with a tight focus, the band’s masterful dexterity proving vital when forming a telepathic bond between its members. As nighthawk explains, it came about as a matter of necessity.

“I started writing for an unnamed project in 2012 that would end up becoming Heavy Temple. I did write for two guitars initially, but even keeping two members proved to be difficult, let alone three. After the first album, I had to start with a completely new lineup, and that’s when I started writing Chassit. While I’m the primary songwriter, we’re hoping now that we have a solid trio.”

Considering the immersive nature of their EP, do Heavy Temple require any extra stimuli in the live setting, and can we expect any theatrics?

“We like good lighting, and incense,” says nighthawk.

“Devil’s grass and fire water are part of our ritual, certainly.

I can say with confidence that our live show is something be experienced, we like to just get down to business. We take our shredding seriously, but we have a good goddamn time doing it.”