Hailing from Orlando, Florida, Burial Joy is a breath of fresh air in a very over saturated metal scene where every band sounds way too similar. So where does Burial Joy land? Somewhere at an intersection in the Bermuda triangle, if I’m being honest. The band’s sound is loosely defined with hints of popular 2000s post hardcore bands like Chiodos & Alesana and counterbalanced by a slightly blackened metal vibe with an Anthony Green esque vocal style.

Songs like “Prospect” & “God’s Teeth” remind me a lot of Chiodos in the Bone Palace Ballet era with the angelic, high range vocals and a very intoxicating theatrical sound that all comes with the added bonus of blastbeats, what more could you ask for?

Regardless of how you choose to classify or compare this band, Heirloom is truly a master class on how to maximize the use of dynamics and how to blend gorgeous melodies into unfiltered aggression. Heirloom goes from zero to a hundred in thirty seconds (or less) countless times throughout its journey. Jostling back and forth between serene moments of glossy vocals and pristine instrumentals before crashing through walls with enormous bursts of melodic chaos and enough trempicked scales with double bass for even the most veteran metalheads to risk a chiropractor visit from headbanging too much.

We recently had a chat with their vocalist, Lo, to discuss the bands influences, inspirations, and their plans for their future.

WHAT BANDS DO YOU CONSIDER INFLUENTIAL TO THIS RELEASE AND YOUR WRITING STYLE?

“I like a lot of the skramz / emo stuff. Bands like Ghost Spirit and Pianos Become the Teeth. Josh is influenced by Outlier a lot, he's more into the black metal side of things. Patrick loves folk punk and the Callous Daoboys. We both think of Hail the Sun and other experimental post hardcore bands as a heavy influence on us as well.”

WHAT WAS THE WRITING & RECORDING PROCESS FOR HEIRLOOM?

“Typically it'll be Josh and Patrick writing out ideas with a guitar in Patrick's hands and putting them on tabbing software. Often it’s lots of back and forth online. Then when the instrumentals get approved, Ian and I will work together to write lyrics and bass over it.

When we recorded Heirloom, we just tracked DI at Patrick's house, recorded vocals with Patrick Finster of Doghouse (also in the band Nailwound). We then got Loren Whitaker to do all the extra soundscape stuff.”

“FOR HEIRLOOM IT’S A LOT ABOUT GRIEF AND REMEMBRANCE. HOLDING THINGS YOU CARE ABOUT CLOSE, AND FINDING THE STRENGTH TO LOVE AND RESPECT THE THINGS THAT ARE GONE. CHALLENGING THINGS LIKE SELF ESTEEM, AND THE WAY YOU VIEW YOURSELF. I WANT TO SHARE THE GRIEF THAT I’VE EXPERIENCED AND HELP ANYONE WHO MAY RELATE.”

- LO @BURIALJOY

“We want to find this balance of hectic and soft. Electrifying and cathartic. Every show we have, we want you to feel our energy and enjoy our spectacle. We hope to act as a release for you, to have the faith in yourself to face the challenges you have in front of you.

Heirloom was a huge learning experience. To learn how the band likes to operate, and really see how we are received. Things like creating visuals for the music, our writing process overall, the amount of work it takes to be a presentable band & product. I cant wait to use everything we've learned in the next step of our journey.”

SO WHAT IS NEXT ON YOUR JOURNEY?

“Most of all we want more people to learn about us and stick around if they like it and to go as far as we can with our music, I want to meet everyone who shares the same love of music as we do.”

ANY CLOSING WORDS FOR THE READERS?

“We just hope to be a space where everyone feels comfortable and heard. We are vocal about trans rights and healthcare, vilifying those that attempt to infringe on the rights of the impoverished. Free Venezuela, Ukraine, and Palestine. We have a charity up for @EqualityFL at every show we play.”

Heirloom is the first offering from this Florida based act and the album spans a wide array of influences and genre bending expertise normally heard from bands who’ve had many years together spent honing their craft and style. Knowing this is only the first release leads me to believe that this group has untapped potential and that the sky is not the limit, hell there might not even be a limit anymore.