I discovered Hawk Eyes, formerly known as Chickenhawk, last year around the time they changed their name, or maybe a couple of months before. You see, I was sleuthing about, trying to find more and newer and better and louder music, following the untimely demise of the mighty Oceansize. (Maybe, to blaspheme a bit, the demise of one of the best bands in, well, forever, was really a timely musical blessing in disguise? Food for thought… now, back to Hawk Eyes.) While Hawk Eyes’ LP ‘Modern Bodies’ is not the subject of this review, I feel it’s important to note that that album is the album which made me a big fan of them. It is a must-own for lovers of post-thrash-punk-rock sonic goodness.
Their latest effort, and the subject of this review, is the ‘Mindhammers’ EP. It’s important to state right away that it is not a continuation or sequel of the nearly-flawless ‘Modern Bodies’, but a brilliantly loud and noisy (these are different, dear readers!) evolution of this band’s already substantial sound. I think that it’s a possibility that some Hawk Eyes diehards might find this EP less visceral and ballsy than ‘Bodies’, and it might even, possibly, turn some people off.
Let me qualify that bold assertion, since it reads a little on the negative side when I go back over it: I love this new EP, and I love all of the older material I have heard. But there is a definite style evolution that I perceive from these Leeds-based rockers, with seemingly more emphasis on song structure and tightness, as well as a strengthening of the lead vocal. Still frenetic and emotionally-charged, the vocals seem more mature somehow, with the same sing-shout as before, but with more singing, mixed in more melodically.
Is this evolution the product of all the touring and festival appearances that the Hawk Eyes lads have been doing over the past couple of years? I can’t say, but in my mind they have completely shed any vestige of amateur Garagia (which is not a bad thing, it’s where pretty much everyone starts!) and crossed into ‘Holy shit! These guys are GOOD!’ territory.
I hate the term with a passion, but I can hear a bit more of a ‘stoner rock’ vibe on these new tracks, especially on the kick-ass opener ‘Crack Another One’. The guitar on this track has a deeper growl, like it’s an octave down from the shredding shriek that grabbed me by the ears on ‘Scorpieau’. The lead guitar on this track is somehow more elegant, less fuzzy and wouldn’t sound out of place on a QotSA track. Maybe less distortion is being used? I am not sure, and the sound is still vintage Hawk Eyes.
My frontrunner for favorite track at the moment is track 3, ‘Dead Man’s Hand’, and that is mostly because I love the vocal structure, a staccato chorus and that familiar sound of a big voice played through a small speaker on the intervening verses. The towering, booming bass and crunchy lead guitar would sound perfectly at home on an Amplifier track (which I consider high praise!). Listen for the guitar playing along with the vocals on the verses, almost in the foreground, almost drowning the vocals out. It’s a great effect and some damn fine guitar playing.
The final two tracks, ‘Eleven Years’ and ‘Hidden Hound’ are more of the same, meaning listenable and enjoyable, but I am running low on word count, so I will just say this: ‘Hidden Hound’ could have been an Alice In Chains circa-1990 song with just a few tweaks. Again, the maturing vocals feature prominently, and the drummer gets to show his considerable chops on this one!
To recap, I believe that Hawk Eyes are a band on the move, and I expect more great things, sonically speaking, soon, and hopefully for a long time in the future, especially if they are able to incorporate their proven gut-punching rawness with the powerful melodic refinement that I feel is showcased on this EP. If you have the chance to see Hawk Eyes live, do so! I hear they are energetic to say the least! Check them out, and if you like them, buy their music.
Available now through Brew Records. [Download/10″vinyl]
Posted by Jake Gillen
