2010 was the year that catalysed the Norwegian Hardcore punk outfit Exploding Head Syndrome, a band as fervently aware and critical of their surroundings as they are fascinated by the unstable path the world is walking.
From 2011’s self-titled debut onward to 2019’s Aristocratical Tendencies, Exploding Head Syndrome have offered two full-length albums and three EPs. Consider the likes of Gallows, Comeback Kid combined with a healthy dose of ‘90s Skate Punk and you’ll bear witness to them cathartically expressing their musings, observantly, with an intelligent yet brooding demeanour. This expression is driven by a considered yet unrestricted barrage of naturally-occurring Punk. Pulling as much from abrasive, old school Hardcore as they are a more modern, rhythmic and heavy-set arsenal, the five-piece contrast their leviathan with bursts of breakneck tempo and carefully curated melodic hooks.
Exploding Head Syndrome seamlessly transition between their unhindered power, a force organically comprised of sharp chord progressions and huge, soaring choruses, leaving you little choice but to acclimate to their dynamic and shamelessly slick stylistic shifts. This is the process so honed on 2016’s World Crashes Down and 2019’s Aristocratical Tendencies, with each weighted swing and each soaring hook standing as large and imposing together as they do so apart.
From acclaim in their Norwegian homeland to appearances across European festivals such as Punk Rock Holiday to name a few, the five-piece are stood facing immovably forward. Now, armed with the forthcoming Victims, 2023 is set to be the year that twelve years of refinement will showcase Exploding Head Syndrome in their prime.
