In this feature we ask mainstays of the indie establishment who they think will be the next big act to break. 

This time we speak with noise rock innovators HEALTH.

Having cut their teeth in the famed Los Angeles DIY scene of 2005, HEALTH - now Jake Duzsik, John Famiglietti and BJ Miller - have gone on to achieve some pretty remarkable stuff together. They’ve dragged us kicking and screaming through 3 of the most sonically robust records of the century; they’ve released an equally commanding series of remixes; they’ve toured the world over (including several dates with industrial rock royalty Nine Inch Nails); they’ve even cultivated a career in left-field video game soundtracking (see their celebrated work on Rockstar Games’ action franchise Max Payne). To be perfectly honest, HEALTH have garnered startling levels of notoriety for a band that’s so sonically unapologetic, and with the release of their critically-acclaimed fourth record, VOL.4 :: SLAVES OF FEAR, this appears to be a trend that shows no signs of wavering.

Needless to say, VOL.4 :: SLAVES OF FEAR is not for the shy and demurring. Once again, the L.A. trio have teamed up with producer extraordinaire Lars Stalfors and, as might be expected, the resulting record has picked up where 2015’s genre-obliterating DEATH MAGIC left off. A corrosive, high-fidelity blend of black metal, industrial noise, and synth-pop noir, VOL.4 :: SLAVES OF FEAR leaves you utterly aghast with its blood-curdling power and grab-you-by-the-throat ferocity. Guitar shrapnel shreds above earth-quaking sub-bass, and punishingly cruel beat-patterns clash with down-right sadistic sound design, but it should be noted that there is also beauty to be found in this savage violence. Frontman Duzsik’s New Romantic vocal timbre and unexpectedly earnest lyrics are the most notable foil to the rest of the LP’s brute strength, deftly unpacking themes of isolation and desolation with an intimacy and vulnerability we simply haven’t heard from HEALTH until now.

At the height of their powers and currently on tour in the UK, we caught up with the inimitable three-piece to find out which emerging artists they’re enjoying at the moment. Here’s what they had to say…

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BLISS SIGNAL



A supergroup tag team of WIFE and MUMDANCE. BLISS SIGNAL is a legit Electronic-Black Metal-Shoegaze hybrid ready for the k-hole headlining slot. Euphoric rises of evil noise. They’ll be supporting us the whole UK tour save Brighton. Get wise.



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JPEGMAFIA 



The completely one man show of rapper/producer/mixer/master of JPEGMAFIA the hero of underground Los Angeles via Baltimore who seems right about to break BIG. A very unique voice not just in his lyrical voice and humor but also in his beats and production, incredible live performer as well. We teamed up for a song ‘HATE YOU’ that we just dropped recently. Do it up.



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CITY MORGUE



A heavy as fuck rap duo from Harlem who I see as a 2019 DMX. What I mean by that is how there was no Case Logic CD case in the late 90s filled with nu-Metal that didn’t also have a DMX CD in it. It’s aggressive as hell but v memorable and modern rap that could totally appeal to a metalhead. Put it on...it’ll get yr blood going.



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VOL. 4 :: SLAVES OF FEAR is out now via Loma Vista Recordings and catch HEALTH on tour through the UK and the USA right now!

-Karl Jawara