I was familiar with The Holy Warheads’ singer Joseph Henry through his involvement with one of my favorite local hardcore bands, Westside Rebellion. (He’s a fixture in the Grand Rapids scene and also has a solo act called American Zombie Inquisition.) When I finally saw his ‘main’ band this Summer, it was not at all what I expected. While Westside Rebellion is an exercise in pure aggression, The Holy Warheads are much more cerebral. The band’s second EP, Gravity, just dropped in December. It has many layers and takes some time to wrap your head around.

I struggle to find a well know band to compare The Holy Warheads to. My mind keeps going back to Tool and A Perfect Circle. (Singer Maynard James Keenan was a one time Grand Rapids resident, and his bands are very popular here.) Musically, this has a lot more in common with grunge or heavy alternative than punk or hardcore. There is an undeniable 90’s influence, and there might be a little goth flavor like Bauhaus or Sisters of Mercy too. The bass is both foundational and prominent. The drumming features bursts of speed but is mostly mid-tempo. The guitar alternates between crunchy riffs and shimmering leads.

Gravity is an appropriate name for this EP, as the lyrics have a significant weight and depth. Opener “Blood” seems to take aim at the patriarchy, while “Salt” describes the pain of loss. “Monsters” has its sights set on the evils of modern government and society. Henry delivers the words through actual, full throated singing. There is no barking, yelling or screaming. The vocals soar over the top of the mix. Closer “Gravity” is the last of the five tracks, and starts with a long intro that includes a funky, discordant bass line. It ends up being the most optimistic thing on the EP, and is a nice contrast to the other darker imagery.

I don’t listen to the radio very much, so I might not be the best judge of this, but The Holy Warheads seem like a band that could be right at home on a modern rock station. “Gallows” is as catchy as anything I’ve heard recently on the FM dial. The sci-fi influenced artwork is also a nice touch. It features a man with a single diagonal eye, and makes me think there’s a prog rog influence here too. It also makes me suspect that it will take more time to fully absorb the mysteries of these sometimes bleak songs. If you’re looking for something a little different, check out The Holy Warheads and Gravity.