Hiroe – Wield
Pelagic Records
8,0/10,0
Brief:
HIROE (pronounced hero-way), is a five-piece instrumental rock band from Philadelphia, PA, formed and led by guitarist and songwriter, Eric Kusanagi, in late 2020.
While Hiroe is a new band, its members are music veterans, with experience touring the United States, Canada, and Japan, in addition to supporting post-rock heavyweights Caspian, Rosetta, The Appleseed Cast, El Ten Eleven, and noise rock architects including Autolux, The Locust, Tera Melos, and Sleeping People.
Key members have also experienced past success from older projects (Japanese Sunday and Carved Up) including being nominated for best local recording through the San Diego Music Awards, and having signed to Chicago’s Grayscale Records, Crowquill Records of out of Texas, and Japan’s Zankyo Records (65daysofstatic, Te).
Drawing inspiration from Mogwai, Radiohead, My Bloody Valentine, Sunny Day Real Estate, Caspian, Isis, Pelican, and Deftones, they create heavy, heart-crushing soundscapes.
The quintet’s debut, “Wrought” was produced by Mario Quintero (Spotlights/Ipecac Artist), mixed by Matt Bayles (Caspian, Mono, Russian Circles, Isis, Pelican) and mastered by Will Yip (Caspian, Circa Survive), resulting in a crushing 5 song debut that showcases a heavy, yet nimble 3 guitar attack, with well-written arrangements, and strong songwriting.
[Edited Press Release]
Tracklist:
1 – The Calm
2 – Tides
3 – Collider
4 – Dancing at the End of the World
5 – The Crush
6 – I’ve Been Waiting For You All My Life
Main Focus Tracks:
- Tides
- Collider
Other Recommended Tracks:
- Dancing at the End of the World
- The Crush
Line-Up:
Eric Kusanagi – guitars
Jill Paslier – guitars
Brian Kong – guitars
Jon Seiler – bass
Dan Sagherian – drums
Comments:
Hiroe takes listeners on a dense, technical, and emotionally immersive instrumental journey, situated somewhere between post-rock, progressive, and metal. Wield is a true success, blending ferocious passages with delicate interludes.
Contact:
Video:
Selected Discography:
Wield – 2025
Wrought – 2022
Photo Credit: band