Heaven’s Gate - High Riser

Brooklynite five-piece Heaven’s Gate have managed to fit seven tracks on a single seven-inch record. While audiophiles might wince at this – these aren’t a bunch of thirty-second punk whirlwinds we’re talking about – we’re impressed. Both at the decision to just go for it, and the band’s frugality. Vinyl is almost prohibitively expensive; they’re just making the most of things.

It takes a while listening to ‘High Riser’ before it kicks in just what’s noticeably differnent, nay, refreshing about what’s on offer. The grungey, slacker-esque sound is, at a guess, interchangeable with approximately eighty percent of the bands living within a three-mile radius of them. The longest song here hits a massive two-and-a-half minutes. None of them are immediate, sort of merging in to one long lo-fi fuzz.

It’s the vocals. While wanting to do just about anything other than shout “IT’S A GIRL!” while pointing at her general direction, it’s impossible to not notice that most of Jess Paps’ contemporaries – that is, vocalists in scuzzy indie troupes – are male. And, of those of who are female, most tend to play up the softer aspects of their voices. Jess’ no-holds-barred snarl is precisely what elevates ‘High Riser’ above the rest. It matches the amplified guitars for ferocity, and works perfectly with the lo-fi recording, weaving its way in and out of the noisy mess.

To pick one of the seven songs on show, make it ‘Pogo’ – not quite as upbeat and visceral as the title may suggest, the longest effort is also the most discernible.