‘Palimpseste’ by Haedrons
Many years ago, a good friend told me that prog is the real punk and I knew exactly what he meant. How else would you refer to a group of musicians that create music with no regard for its commercial impact. Their only concern would be the creative impact of the music itself. It does my heart good to know that there are still players that think in that way. Take for example the latest release from Haedrons.
Listening to ‘Palimpseste’ it’s hard to believe the bulk of this is the work of just two people (with the addition of a third on one track). The songs are solidly built on heavy layers of guitar, electronics, and drums that fill the sonic spectrum. Clearly forged under the influence of metal and progressive rock, guitarist Josh Vincent and drummer Jeff Gonzalez have created a distinct collection of loud, adventurous music.
There’s no polite introduction here but rather a percolating fierceness from the start. The guitar work is densely stacked but satisfyingly clear as it slowly builds. Each note, each chord stands firmly in the steps of the previous as they grow to a fervor. There’s an inventive dissonance in tone and intensity in rhythm throughout the recording.
The listener is jolted, moved, swayed, and spun around. The closing track is a grand smack to the head. Fiery, explosive, and joined by a wonderfully chaotic wailing of a saxophone courtesy of Joel McMinn-Reyna. From beginning to end the music doesn’t relax on style and technique, it builds on them. This is chock full of complexity and intricacy.
‘Palimpseste’ was recorded intermittently from 2020 – 2025 at studios as geographically disparate as Texas and Oregon. This extended production process added to the eclectic and unsettling nature of the music. It’s also impressive that over such a span of time and distance this recording is so well produced. Definitely check it out.
Cheers!
Stephen
Bandcamp → haedrons.bandcamp.com
Instagram → instagram.com/haedronsmusic
YouTube → youtube.com/@Haedrons
Bluesky → bsky.app/profile/haedrons.bandcamp.com
