To all the people who think that New Orleans metal is Eyehategod and Soilent Green and Goatwhore and Crowbar and Down, to all the people who think that New Orleans hardcore is nonexistent, that it manifests every six months or never—here’s a big ol’ swinging set of balls dangling in your face. Frankenstein balls, to be precise. Resurrected from pieces broken off of Katrina-killed bands like Rat in a Bucket, Cancer Patient and Scrotesque come five of the nicest, hardest working, unrelenting brahs this side of The Parish. Drummer Keith Sierra and vocalist Shaun Emmons (of Rat in a Bucket) joined bassist Ryan Pomes and the dual axemen Grant Tom (Cancer Patient) and Jason Cook (Scrotesque) to form Haarp. They recently completed a self-titled EP that captures the perfect balance between the grit and organic tones of hardcore punk with the operatic arrangements and tight execution of heavy metal. Probing the pain of consciousness much like the monster who never asked to be created in the first place, Haarp relates each pang one blood-curdling riff, one tortured howl at a time. ANTIGRAVITY caught up with Haarp one evening to discuss former lives, metal voices and true audience terror. Head bangers and thrashers alike, prepare for the new era. (more…)