The Heavy Eyes – Focus

by Mark 'Yeti' Richard · July 3, 2026

The Heavy Eyes is a four-piece heavy rock band from Memphis, Tennessee. The description on their Bandcamp page brilliantly describes their music as such: “psychedelic blues rock from the delta that sounds similar to a skeleton driving a speed boat on a flaming Mississippi River headed back to 1969.” I can’t really disagree with that statement because The Heavy Eyes are amazing! They consist of Tripp Shumake on guitar and vocals, Wally Anderson on bass, Eric Garcia on drums, and Matt Qualls on guitar and vocals. Active since 2010, they have released five full length albums including: 2011’s Self Titled, 2013’s Maera, 2015’s He Dreams of Lions, 2020’s Love Like Machines, and their latest, 2026’s Focus. Focus was released on June 12th 2026 on Magnetic Eye Records and Kozmik Artifactz. It contains eleven tracks at thirty seven minutes long.

The Heavy Eyes is a band that I have grown really fond of in the last couple of years or so. I was fortunate enough to have witnessed them live at Planet Desert Rock Weekend (review here) in Las Vegas, this past January. They were absolutely amazing live and further enhanced my love for the band. It has been over six years since their last album, 2020’s Love Like Machines came out and I am happy to say that The Heavy Eyes have returned with a huge statement. Focus is an exceptional comeback record that will steamroll everything in its path!

The opening track entitled “That Cold Goliath”, begins the album with a soft and striking number, armed with some acoustic guitar strumming and Tripp’s soothing and crooning vocals. The stripped down track has some foot tapping, guitar nuanced fills, and some layered vocal arrangements too. The choice opening track would be risky for most other bands but not for The Heavy Eyes. The three minute soother is a calm before the storm of heavy riffs and grooves. “Concrete Halloween” is an immediate scorcher! Kicking right into the heavy bass-centric grooves and pounding rhythms, the song is a total ass kicker! The prominent and growling bass and tight fuzzy guitars are greeted with some hammering hardcore drumming. Tripp’s voice is as powerful as ever and it’s hard not to be taken aback by how massive and impressive these tones are.

“It’s All Simone” starts with the heavy low end, as the drums and vocals join right in. The fuzzed-out guitar sound augments the song between the verses, with scorching leads injected into the mix also. The drums begin the next song “Sarissa” with a simple and celebrated beat. The bass and vocals come in together with a rocking groove driving throughout. The guitars blanket and enhance the song as the vocals solidify the catchiness with their undeniable charm. “Corporal Upham” has a dark and heavy sonic essence commanding the song. The psychedelic blues and hazy tones sound divine, as the track has a hypnotic flow from start to finish.

The sixth track called “Troublesome Priest” was the first single on the record. The distorted blues rock song is a banger! It has a catchy and captivating resonance that carries the hook. A warm and distorted effect is placed over the vocals on this one, giving the song a vibrant and vintage feel. The title track “Focus” crushes next with that smooth and trademark swagger that only The Heavy Eyes can truly capture. Massive blues soaked heavy rock at its finest, the catchy rhythms are plentiful on this recording! “Greener” is a heavy but restrained bass driven song with a more low-key feel. Tripp’s voice has a smooth and swank confidence that resonates deeply, incorporating clever lyrics in the mix also.

The ninth track called “Words”, is another great song! The sauntered and unhurried flow of the music connects powerfully with a heavy psychedelic atmosphere of cosmic tones and melodies. The Heavy Eyes revive the opening track with “That Cold Goliath (Might Return)”. It’s a sort of reprise but utilizes a heavier and distorted sound, this time around. It has the familiar melody with a fuzzy and bouncy texture enticing the listener with some sharp rhythms and hooks. The final song on Focus is called “Holy Envy”. The instrumental track is a riveting and introspective piece that floats and glides with a grace that is felt, rather than just heard. The low-funk/ psychedelic blues fusion is a transcendental display of layered instruments coloring a feel good formula. Lead bass lines and divine guitar playing collaborates expertly with the tight percussion and evocative harmonies.

The Heavy Eyes have successfully accomplished a practical and awe inspiring follow-up to Love Like Machines. Focus is the creative and mature step forward for the band to propel them into the next level in the heavy underground. Prior fans will thoroughly appreciate and enjoy Focus and I’m sure a plethora of new listeners will take notice after hearing these songs for the first time. The Heavy Eyes are the cream of the crop for hard rock bands emerging nowadays, but unlike most bands, they are swiftly rising to the top. The massive grooves and swagger of their sound is truly a beautiful thing to immerse myself with, especially when I’m in the mood for top quality, heavy psychedelic/ blues driven hard rock.