When Matt Heckler belts out his vocals, sometimes it is fused with the almost frenetic playing of stringed instruments, and sometimes he goes back to a simpler time as he expresses himself through the Irish Sean-nós style. He developed his own sound as he is inspired by his musical influences like Flogging Molly and The Pogues, standard bluegrass, various gypsy-influenced European folk musical styles, and from the traditional storytelling steeped in the great Appalachian land he has called home for a while now.

When listening to him share his art, it is incredible to know that he is self-taught. Watching him live is an exceptional experience, as he switches seamlessly between banjo, guitar and fiddle, selecting which one best accompanies the story he has written. He does the same on his second album, Blood, Water, Coal.

Following his debut album, After the Flood (2019), which was written during his personal journey toward sobriety and self-redemption, he highlights his incredible skill across many types of strings and brings us nine more tales of struggle and perseverance. It is a fully imagined sonic trip for the listener as he plays somber toned ballads of isolation, heartbreak and forgiveness, traditional ¾ time waltzes, and the more upbeat tunes with hopeful themes.

The synthesization of banjo and fiddle on the opening track, “Left for Dead” will draw you in immediately, and the harmonies will keep you listening through the entire song as the vocals scream about trying to make it back from rock bottom. Leading right to the title track, “Blood, Water, Coal” which is also a darker themed song where the vocals start slowly and then repeat with an almost Celtic like warble until the melody quietly fades.

There are two traditional waltzes with very different lyrical directions. “Jackalope Waltz” has images of frost turning to springtime and rivers who rock you to sleep. As the man pushes off into the water, he sings how he will “Dream of springtime where the poppies just start to blow / I look to the west dear, and hope to see you soon.” The peaceful notes toward the end are almost like a lullaby. “Widow Mountain Waltz” is a devastating story of an abandoned woman who was lied to and left alone to look out the window and “weep by the door with her 12 gauge in hand” and heard the train “whistle right through your skin.” It leaves you with an unsettled feeling, for sure.

“My Caroline” is a ballad filled with both sadness and hope that you can feel in the lyrics, as well as the melody. “In a better time, in a better place / I hope to see a smile cross your face.” The lament of the fiddle can be felt in your heart, and the loneliness is palpable. On the contrary, “Roses and Whiskey” has a rollicking banjo intro that merges with the fiddle and chronicles the story of a man who has “broken so many hearts including his own.”

“Katy Dear” and “St. Tomas” are two songs that burst through your speakers with upbeat tempos and burning fiddle that dominate. “Katy Dear” is one that will raise a crowd from any seat and have them dancing along as he plays. “St. Tomas” was featured by Gems on VHS and the single was a window into Matt’s ability to captivate with both his distinct voice and superb musicianship.

The album closes with “Forgive Me Mother” which is a song that means exactly what it says in the title. The lyrics follow someone asking for forgiveness for pain caused by transgressions. The gentle guitar helps with illustrating the sorrow, but also the new path taken by the protagonist. He still carries and feels the weight of his sins but he hopes he is forgiven. “I spend my time on the straight and narrow, but I’m barely holding on.” It is a feeling that many can relate to when asking for forgiveness, from their mother or from anyone they have wronged.

Matt has now given us two solo albums that he has written from deeply personal places, where he sings with the greatest emotion, and feels every note he plays. He has flourished as a solo artist over the past couple of years, and the release of Blood, Water, Coal by Anticorp Records has been highly anticipated. As of February 19, 2021, the album can be found on all streaming platforms and https://www.mattheckler.com/

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