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Los Angeles-based metallic hardcore trio MATRIARCHS has recorded a stunning cover of the Florence + the Machine track “Heavy in Your Arms” that retains the beauty of the original combined with a heaviness equal to its lyrical theme.
“Vocalist, K, says that they grew up loving “Heavy in Your Arms” and had never thought of covering it, but when Ben asked them if they wanted to do it, K immediately said yes and got to work. K says this song brings them a lot of nostalgia and is honoured to have been able to record vocals on it and hopes the fans receive it with open arms so the band can one day perform it on stage.”
“A friend of mine introduced me to ‘Heavy In Your Arms’ and it spoke to me on many levels in regards to mental health, vulnerability, and the idea that emotions can weigh so heavily on us that we may feel too much of a burden for others, as well as ourselves,” says MATRIARCHS founder Ben Levi. “The themes of the song are pretty powerful and heavy, and I honestly felt compelled to make a heavy version of the song without losing the melodic elements that make the song so beautiful.”
While covering a song by Florence + the Machine may be out of the norm for a heavier band, Levi notes that the British group’s punk rock edge has always been a draw for him. “Florence + the Machine has always been one of my favorites,” he says. “‘Kiss With A Fist’ was my first introduction to them and I was immediately drawn in by its punk attitude. The tongue-in-cheek, self-aware and honest nature of the songwriting connected with me.”
Vocalist K also grew up loving “Heavy in Your Arms” but had never thought of covering it. When Levi suggested covering the song, K immediately said yes and got to work. “This song brings me a lot of nostalgia and I am honored to have been able to record vocals on it,” K says. “I hope the fans receive it with open arms and the band can one day perform it on stage.”
Formed in 2014, MATRIARCHS, began strictly as Levi’s studio project. The project was inspired by the guitarist’s affinity for modern European Beat Down and ‘90s New York metallic hardcore. Levi had played with drummer Alfred Santa Cruz, bassist Miguel Vasquez and guitarist Marty Cole in several other projects throughout the previous decade, making them obvious choices when recruiting a lineup to join his creative process. After playing their first show to a packed house, the boys never looked back.
An ambitious release produced by Nick Jett of Terror and mastered by Matt Hyde (Lionheart, Hatebreed, Deftones), Scandalous Jointz fuses together the visual aesthetic and presentation of more thought-provoking heavy acts with the sonic ferocity and energy of hardcore.
Following a few national festivals and two tours later, the band went on hiatus to reflect the general direction and purpose of the band. In 2018 MATRIARCHS parted ways with vocalist Richard Barthel.
After teaming up with veteran guitarist Carlos Pagan and powerhouse vocalist K Enagonio mid-pandemic, MATRIARCHS found the fire it needed. In K, the band finds its truest voice. The band’s second album, Year of the Rat, was written and recorded during quarantine, and released via KnucklehedzINC/Upstate Records in the fall of last year.
MATRIARCHS is:
Carlos Pagan
K Enagonio
Ben Levi
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