Mega Negative - Diary of Heart


Sup Oregafam! It’s been a minute, but we’re back and better than ever. Boy do I have a great article for you today!

I want to talk to you about a group that rocks so hard, their music will make you want to drink monster energy and and assault some sheetrock. A powerful unit with a refreshingly new take on a nostalgically golden sound. I’m talking about a little band called Mega Negative, based out of Austin Texas! But don’t take the word “little” too lightly, as their sound catalogue is surely massive. In a city where entertainment thrives, and has become an epicenter of live music for modern America, this new band is definitely grabbing a fast foothold in the Austin scene!

I recently had the privilege of listening to their new debut album, Diary of Heart, and I give the Orega-Stamp of approval that this is a rock socking release ripe for anyone’s pallet. A combination of grit, groove, and gusto sure to grab your ear and musically molest it. A rock rollercoaster full of high, low, fast, slow, stop, and go… Diary of Heart is everything rock music needs right now.

The album Kicks off on a bit of a somber note, with “Faithless“ -  a 6/8 swing ballad that begins with an eerie guitar intro, setting the mood for what’s to come. But as I mentioned before, this is a ROCK band… and soon enough, behind the beautiful swells and sultry harmonies is a gritty rock solid rhythm section to round out the sound. This song serves as a great intro because it builds up the dynamics throughout. And almost 3/4 into this first tune, we are boldly introduced to the big theme of the album: guitar solos! I’m locked in and ready for what’s next!

While the album starts on a more melancholy tone, the next couple of tracks ramp up into high gear, letting you know you’re in for the ride..so grab your energy drinks and brass knuckles baby!

The second track, “Down With Me” - is a punk rock inspired number with glistening, yet distorted guitars. The verse, however, changes theme a bit. The bass guitar says hello howdya do and thumbs out a steady rhythm while the guitar breaks. Then the strings briefly start picking just before the sound gets big and bold. One thing I love about this tune is the guitar solo in the bridge. The tone of that riff is a maniacal mixture of grunge and ghoul that evokes a surreal, ethereal mood. Not to mention, it cleverly supports the vocal melody from the chorus that Mega Negative has us all singing along to. As a guitar player myself, I’ve always been a fan of doing that. I’ve also always been a fan of pastry, and like powdered sugar on a fresh bundt cake, the song ends with a beautiful piano/guitar outro to coat the listener’s pallet.

“Cyanide” follows on the ones and two’s, with a totally trippy 2-stepping beat and an infectiously energetic guitar riff. Here we have a song that I think everyone can relate to - a love interest who made you crazy, and after the chase has given in and the tables have turned, you have lost all interest. An emotional carousel with a perfectly paired uptempo driving beat to seal the deal. The chorus is also super catchy and when the singer yells “CRAZY” it sends shivers down your spine enough to make you spill your soup!

Up next is “The Lurch” - the perfect middle song for this rock 'n roll sandwich. This track is all about dynamics, as it builds up in each new part. We begin with a smooth moving, swing style beat, then chunky chords with open strums behind, a wide open chorus that opens up the tightly held groove, and an even bigger second chorus into the bridge. The passion pours out on this one, and you can tell the singer definitely felt it as he repeats “If you don’t want me, let me go!” in the loudest part of the song. We can see a more diverse style of writing from the band at this point, and it effectively keeps the listener interested for the second half of the album.

Just when you thought the energy was subsiding, you might want to hold onto your chairs, because we are about to get angsty again. 

For track #5, we head on over to “Treatment” - a feel good, high energy, smack in the face hard rock jam. I just have to say, as a HUGE Dumb & Dumber fan, I was delightfully thrilled to hear the hilarious reference to “Pills are good! Pills are good!” In the intro just before the song starts kickin' ass and takin’ names.. And what do you know, it’s a song about DRUGS! A personal narrative about the singer’s life, with a refrain that really takes the message home. “I just don’t want to feel a thing!” opens the chorus and spells it right out. Don’t let the serious narrative fool you though, because this song has got quite the energy. If you haven’t cracked open your monster cans, now would be the time to do it! 

The latter half of the album is much like the first half with a nice blend of swing, smooth, and slam! Easy moving jams and fast hard rock numbers. I think we are starting to see a pattern now.

Song number 6, “Say Something” - is a play on multiple grooves. The song starts with some eery guitars, and then bounces from swing to rock and back again in the verse. The pre-chorus opens up, with more space in the chords leading to the the big and loud chorus. And of course, we can’t forget the absolutely smashing guitar solo in the bridge that shrink wraps this well rounded song package and sign, seal, delivers. Catchy lines, chord tension-resolution, alternating grooves, serious lyrics, guitar solos, all the necessary Mega Negative Ingredients… MegaNegaRedients?

The next track is provocative and exciting just from the title alone. “Sex and Violence” is a rock riffin’, rump rattlin’, no bullshit, shoot it straight song about living in the moment. The lead guitars really come out to play in this one too, with solos and riffs to melt the skin right off your lip. One thing I love about Sex and Violence is the way it builds up the dynamics (no pun intended), which has been a common theme so far in Mega Negative’s music. Once you arrive at the super wheel chorus and hop off the party bus verse, you’ll be taken for a big bumpy shouting ride that makes you want to jump and kick! Then we’re back at the verse for a quick breather before the climactic chorus takes us on the adventure wheel again. Oh, and we have yet another gut busting guitar solo in the bridge of this song. My socks, have definitely been rocked off fellers!

And finally, the album closes with “Save Us From The Lie” - a nice slow jam to bring you back down to earth. Don’t let the smoothness fool you again though, because the track still contains all the face melting solos, grit gushing guitars, and pocket tight drums that make up Mega Negative. Like mouth watering fennel after a big meal to help you digest, the song closes this exciting release with a refreshing impression that makes you want to go around the hole again and again.

Overall, I feel that this album has a beautiful blend of everything needed to make a well rounded release. Mega Negative has put their all into this project, and it definitely shines through. A conglomeration of excitement, misery, energy, swing and soul… Diary of Heart is sure to sweep the scene like Mr. Clean!

You can hear Mega Negative’s music, as well as follow them on their social links below: 


-Mike Oregano
Oregano Entertainment Network / Oregano Records 🌿

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