SANHEDRIN has spent the last decade at the forefront of the American heavy metal scene blending traditional metal and hard rock sounds with a fresh modern energy and perspective. With 2022‘s critically lauded Lights On full-length, the band had created their most complete work to date. With their follow-up, Heat Lightning, the band delivers a diverse collection of songs that wholly captures their wide array of influences with an elevated level of production.
“Sonically, there‘s no comparison,” notes drummer Nathan Honor when asked how Heat Lightning compares to the band‘s previous efforts. “Heat Lightning is the fullest representation of the power of this band. When you take three seasoned musicians with their favorite handpicked instruments, put them in front of two brilliant producer/engineers in a studio stacked with incredible equipment and no outside distractions, this is what you get.”
Unlike the previous three albums, which were all tracked and mixed by Colin Marston, for Heat Lightning SANHEDRIN opted to work with a fresh set of ears in a new environment. In doing so, the band landed at the legendary Utopia Bearsville studio in Woodstock, New York. At the helm for recording and co-producing were Matt Brown (Life of Agony, A Pale Horse Named Death) and Jerry Farley (Sick Of It All, Madball).
Heat Lightning gets its title from the second track of the same name. “’Heat lightning‘ is a flash of lightning from very far away, sometimes seen in a clear sky,” says vocalist/bassist Erica Stoltz. “It is used as a metaphor for where we see ourselves at the moment in relation to climate change. Collectively we have moved further away from our direct relationship to nature and have adopted a paternal relationship with the natural world, as if we have control.” It was one of the first songs written for the album, and one of the most dynamic tracks the band has ever written. Elsewhere, “The Fight Of Your Life” is a tribute to those we call “lifers” in the music business. “It‘s about the compulsion to play music no matter what. When you get the bug and you have it for life, it is your north star, your reason to be,” says Stoltz. “Franklin County Line” is the fastest song on the record, and inspired guitarist Jeremy Sosville‘s hometown and surrounding area in northern New York state. Sosville recounts, “Erica and Nathan came up to visit me and work on new music. In the process, we wrote a song inspired by the local Amish population but with a naughty twist.”
The record commences with “Blind Wolf,” a hard-rocking, heavy metal stomper and the record‘s lead single. Lyrically, the song is inspired by the band‘s shared fascination with cults. According to Stoltz, “The blind wolf symbolizes losing your animal instincts as a result of adopting someone else’s belief system.” The song is straightforward, pounding, and delivered with ill intent. “We knew as soon as the song was complete that it should open the record,” says Sosville. “It really sets the tone for the journey the listener is about to take with this album.”
Watch SANHEDRIN‘s video for “Blind Wolf” HERE:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3MSOij84R4
