[photo (c) Rasmus Sejersen]
Danish hardcore quintet EYES is set to release its first album ‘Underperformer’ through Indisciplinarian on September 25th 2020, a little over two years since the band’s self titled debut EP saw the light of day. This coming Friday August 7th, EYES will release the album’s first single ‘Distance’, but now the band premieres a brand new video for the track, directed by Ausrine Kurgonaite and Chey Long-Andersen.
EYES lead singer Victor Kaas says about ‘Distance’:
'Distance' is the shortest and most aggressive track on the record (by a small margin as the whole record is pretty fucking aggressive). It was also one of the first songs we wrote for the album and it ended up being the song that really shaped the sound of 'Underperformer'. Lyrically the song is about discovering when something isn't as it should be in your life. The feeling of reaching out, only to be met with dismissal and misunderstanding. If you're depressed; don't stop reaching out. Not everyone will understand - someone will.”
Watch EYES’ video for ‘Distance’ here:
EYES is made up by five young veterans from the Danish metal and hardcore scene, and ‘Underperformer’ reflects a combo, that does not worry one bit about what fans, scene or people in general might think. One senses an artistic kinship with bands such as Daughters, Pissed Jeans and Converge - all bands who started out with a particular sound and have changed and developed their musical vision significantly; something EYES aims for as well - and succeeds in.
EYES formed in 2017, and after a hefty initial time as a band with a hyped debut 2018 EP and a series of explosive shows in Denmark and Europe, the urge to redirect themselves arose, as new songs began to take shape. The band quickly decided to make a shift from the debut’s “blackened” expression towards a more punk rocking and experimental sound with focus on grooves and hooks - a less “brutal”, more minimalistic aesthetic and an underplayed expression in both auditive, lyrical and visual aspects.
This has resulted in ‘Underperformer’ and its ten songs showcasing a unique talent for injecting new life into hardcore with a disregardful (mis)use of the genres many strains and traits through a focused, original songwriting. In its essence, ‘Underperformer’ is a narrative about becoming an adult and having a hard time adjusting to the role it implies. About feeling discontent with one self and where one is in life; Feeling like you're always busy and have your hands full, but never actually accomplishing anything - feeling like an ‘Underperformer’.
‘Underperformer’ is produced by Tobias Munk Tønder (Église, Drukner), mastered by Jacob Bredahl (Lifesick, I Am Bones) - who also contributes guest vocals on the record - and Jon Gotlev/No Heroes has created the notable artwork. The album will be released September 25th 2020 on vinyl (400 black and 100 white copies), tape (100 copies) and digital formats and physical versions are up for pre-ordering via Indisciplinarian HERE!
‘Underperformer’ Tracklisting:
EYES Online:
www.instagram.com/eyesbandcph
EYES live 2020:
Sept 5th - Generator Festival, Odense (DK)
Sept 26th - Release & listening party, TBA, Copenhagen (DK)
More shows TBA
