maggotheart

Maggot Heart - 'City Girls' (EP Stream) (Ex-The Oath, Grave Pleasures)

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Who is Linnéa Olsson?

I’ve asked myself that question more than a few times. Olsson’s put in hours with bands like The Oath and Grave Pleasures (formerly Beastmilk), but in each project her personality has been overshadowed by other band members, usually charismatic vocalists like Johnna Sadonis and Mat McNerney respectively. Aside from an obvious interest in gothic rock and classic metal, not much about either project telegraphed the guitarist’s personal passions or ambitions.

Enter Maggot Heart, Olsson’s solo project, whose debut EP City Girls is streaming below. As a singer, Olsson delivers her lyrics in a despondant monotone. She sounds envenomed and jaded in equal measure, not as expressive as her guitar is but the singing absolutely suits her songwriting. Hints of snarling Detroit rock like The Stooges and The MC5 inform the wild guitar slashing that opens the title track. Later, on “No Light in You”, hints of classic metal chugging project through the reverb-heavy murk, thanks in no small part to Gottfrid Åhman and Uno Brunuisson, both veterans of occult traditional metal act In Solitude. The former bandmates play bass and drums on the lion’s share of City Girls.

City Girls is out on June 9 via Teratology Sound and Vision. Order it here.