Review MAGGOT HEART ‘Hunger’

Hunger is never a good thing, but now there is an exception. ‘Hunger’ is the title of Maggot Heart‘s third album and what is offered here is amazing.

Maggot Heart was founded by Linnéa Olsson and is based in Berlin. With ‘Mercy Machine’ Maggot Heart released a very good sophomore album and three years later the trio returns with ‘Hunger’.
Maggot Heart have managed to create a very unique sound, which they continue to develop on the new longplayer.

The influences of the band are wide-ranging. On the one hand, there are the punk roots of Olsson, which are well reflected in the sound with its anarchic charisma to this day. In addition, it is the energy of noise rock and 70s influences, which give the album a proper drive and the fact that the band also uses a horn section in songs like ‘LBD’ shows the open mindedness of the band in terms of sound and music. At the same time, the three-piece always remains true to the fundamentals of their music and refine their output with unexpected moments.

With Olivia Airey and Uno Bruniusson Olasson has also this time the known teammates on board and it is this unit, which is the base for this very impressive release. The two provide the rhythmic platform on which Olsson can shine with guitar and vocals.

Both the guitars and especially the vocals make a difference here. Just listen to the expressiveness with which Olsson performs the opener ‘Scandinavian Hunger’ and it is the mesmerizing shouted out “You are what you eat” that resonates for a long time. ‘Scandinavian Hunger’ is a highlight on the album anyway. Twisted and yet catchy, the song shows right at the beginning where the musical journey is heading.

With ‘Archer’ Maggot Heart hits the calmer notes, without putting the dark basic mood of the album in danger. The groovy ‘Concrete Soup’ leads over to the last song of the album.

‘Parasite’ ends an intense and challenging album that captivates you right from the start. Emotions and non-conformity are writ large here. It is the anarchic and slightly destructive approach that gives the longplayer its very own atmosphere and certainly helps Maggot Heart to a growing fanbase.