Dark, Heavy, Grimy Rock Hailing from the Central Valley of California, HÖG’s founding member Daniel moved to Portland in 2018 and formed the group, releasing an EP with the initial lineup in 2022. In early 2024 it was announced that Portland locals and friends Adam and Bobcat would join ranks, and they went to work playing shows and developing their upcoming debut album, BLACKHOLE. While HÖG aligns with the familiar tones and rhythm of heavy rock n roll of the 1970s, this group is by no means derivative. Their collective influences and backgrounds of punk and metal that encourage steady experimentation, along with what Daniel identified as “the dirty bleakness that Portland embodies most of the year” allows the sound of BLACKHOLE to stand on its own. It is dark and grimy, and best played loud. Daniel’s writing occurred over two timelines, and while the lyrical content has shifted from “optimistically defiant and lighthearted” in the early work to more serious subject matter influenced by “the state of the world, depression, and sex” in newer songs, the execution in both live performance and studio sound does not feel disjointed. This stands as a testament to the band’s membership and unity. Adam’s swift cadence on the kit with Bobcat’s bassline moving in waves, the low end allows Daniel to wail through every fret on his guitar while performing his lyrics in an equally wide vocal range. Recorded in the summer of 2024 in the back of Trevor Labovitz amp repair store named Arcane Amps in Portland Oregon, entirely on 2” reel tape and spanned about 2 months recording after hours when the shop was closed. Mixed by Matt Williams, known for his band HELL from here in Oregon. Mastered by Amy Dragon at Telegraph Studios.
