Payasa Escapes from the Darkness in “The Haze Begins…”

By: Kimberly Kapela

Enter the nightmarish realm of hardcore band Payasa, where frontwoman Brittany Lane lures listeners into chasmic depths of darkness and decay. The lineup consists of Lane, Andrew Casher (drums), Jack Kelly (bass), and Xander Karry (guitar), and they have released their haunting EP, The Haze Begins… which conjures the sound of survival and endurance.

Bound in chains and reaching for the light from the ghastly abyss, The Haze Begins. Cover art sets the tone for Payasa’s voyage to attain clarity and peace from the “the haziness” that settles deep inside posed as a self-destructive entity thats described as “sinking in the quicksand of anxiety” and its feelings of isolation “triggering the venom.”

Lane tells a story of abominations haunting the earth and summons a monster having seven heads and ten horns in a cutthroat opening title track “Haze.” The songstress blends monstrous imagery with explorations of mental health struggles and overcoming self-doubt and destruction. Backed by cathartic guitars and a bewitching sound, “Haze” describes disease spreading inside oneself and the feelings of being trapped in one’s psyche – both tormenting and never-ending. The guitar’s droning, low ambiance further settles into a taunting riff that evokes an unsettling presence lurking.

Lethargic, lonely, and dejected is the bone-chilling mantra repeated throughout “Haze.” Lane sharpens her teeth and bites deeper into the feelings of being disoriented from the haziness in her head in the lyrics, “No comfort in my head / Lost in a self-conscious spiral / Why is it that I can’t stand my own thoughts / What is happiness? / How do I find it?”

After the haze dissipates, Lane longs for the warm embrace of comfort and peace within herself as she declares powerful affirmations for her future self, “I want to see her standing so tall, ignoring doubt / Breaking free from its hold / She needs to feel tranquility’s touch before the venom starts to kick in.”

“Blue Skies” is another intensifying, hardcore explosive that shrieks for the need for balance. Accompanied by unforgiving riffs and distorted, crunchy soundscaping, “Blue Skies” sees Lane overcoming mental destitution and manifesting brighter days ahead.

Beneath the sun, Lane finds balance and an escape from the haziness. “Seasons change and flowers die / New daisies will grow / The sun will start to finally shine / I may be able to feel the warmth,” she sings.

Reaching to find a higher power to surround her calls for help, Lane alludes to Catholic imagery in “The Haunting of Birch Street” with religious references to a crown of thorns, psalms, and lambs. The tale of darkness continues as Lane warns of a prince that comes as the angel of light to show empty vows and the distorted psalms of false prophets.

Lane secures her rebirth from corruption and depravity with the vocal prowess of a banshee that leaves listeners wanting more. “The sulfur that falls from his mouth will promise you a crown / That crown of thorns they placed on their lamb / An artificial martyr for their lost cause,” she sings.

“The Haunting of Birch Street” ends with the same evocative, dark mantra as “Haze” which references seven heads and ten horns, putting the spellbinding The Haze Begins… project to a close.

Payasa’s haunting tales of grotesque monsters and false prophets are disguised as subtle references to exploring the pitfalls of mental health and uncovering brutal feminine rage that is ever present in the three tracks. Through an unforgiving, sharp tongue, The Haze Begins… represents the culmination of Lane’s spiritual and artistic breakthroughs, as well as her evolution from darkness to reclaiming her light.

For upcoming music releases and updates, you can follow Payasa on Instagram. Stream The Haze Begins… out on all digital platforms.