From Our Hands - Superheavy (2024)
by Flork
Every now and then, as someone with a penchant for uncovering hidden gems and who takes pleasure from seredipidous finds, I was lucky enough to stumble upon Matej Turcer quite by accident while reviewing an album for Prie100r. It was his mixing and mastering skills that had caught my attention and, after the higher-ups at Jablka mentioned that he had also worked on The Last Days of Jesus albums, I felt compelled to look a little deeper into his band From Our Hands. Little did I know that this chance encounter would lead me to the groups latest offering, which was released only last month after a nine-year hiatus and appropriately called Superheavy.
From Our Hands, has been in fact known on the scene for quite a while, playing big festivals in the past like Grape and Rock for the People, as well as alongside groups such as August Burns Red (who I actually saw in concert some time way back while living in Canada) and the ever popular Czech indie group Sunshine. Their unique fusion of punk, alternative, and post-hardcore, and their fourth studio album showcases their dedication to crafting their music and evolution both musically and thematically. I liked the album right from the get-go, with its infections hooks and rhythm, and upbeat energy.
The album opens with Heroin, setting the tone with its edgy guitar riffs and introspective lyrics. In fact, each track on Superheavy offers something distinct and original, from the gritty energy of Dark Roast to the catchy hooks of Sugar Pills. And although the entire album had been pretty much written by 2019, the delay in its recording caused by the covid-19 pandemic as well as other problems with logistics due their singer’s studies in Vienna may have been just what they needed to polish and tighten the tracklist. You can really hear their ability to blend raunchy melodies with thought-provoking lyrics throughout the album, and so, perhaps the 2020-2022 hiccup in our planet’s history was actually a blessing in disguise for them.
One of the standout tracks which I have altready briefly mentioned is Sugar Pills. This song serves as a commentary on information overload in today‘s society (Just give yourself away...). Singer Matej Hotka‘s introspective lyrics reflect his background in neuroscience, adding a unique layer of depth to the songwriting. The accompanying music video, edited by former band member Roman Kelemen, complements the track‘s themes with its visually striking imagery.
Superheavy is not just an auditory experience, but it's a visual one as well. The album‘s unconventional cover, created using artificial intelligence and children's scissors, perfectly encapsulates the band‘s DIY ethos. It's refreshing to find bands such as this one, whose creativity and willingness to push boundaries produce a finished product that is both musically and visually appealing.
Tracks like Take a Club, Sport, and Feather further showcase From Our Hands‘ versatility as musicians. As I mentioned above, each song offers something new and often unexpected. The album culminates with the title track Superheavy, which is a pretty powerful tune if you ask me, leaving a lasting and lingering impression.
Overall, I have to say that Superheavy is a welcome return for From Our Hands that will resonate with both longtime fans and newcomers alike. And the Florkster's prognosis? This is definitely a „level-up“ masterpiece for Slovakia’s rock and post-punk music scene. Although I love the majority of music that this country produces, Superheavy is certainly a diamond in the rough that‘s bound to make waves and solidify From Our Hands‘ place on the indie music scene at home and worldwide.
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