By: Josh Drury
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Formally known as ‘Baby Godzilla’ the band came into a legal dispute with Toho Limited, the Japanese film company, who own the rights to the Godzilla franchise, insisted the band stop using the ‘Godzilla’ name immediately or suffer financially crippling consequences. The band agreed. Thus HECK was born.
Wanting to get away from ‘sanitised, pre-packaged, watered-down, radio-friendly nuggets as disposable as yesterday’s bubble-gum’ HECK decided the world needed something more ‘potent, tangible and palpably dangerous’ bringing to the scene. The band label themselves as ‘punk-rock’ but I personally believe they lean more towards the ‘mathcore’ side of things, similar to that of The Chariot and Dillinger Escape Plan. But then again, what do I know?
I just want to go on record and say Instructions sounds like a fucking riot!
It’s beautifully organised chaos throughout, from the opening track right through to the very. very, very, very, very long end.If you’re wanting to just get a feel for the album from one track I strongly recommend you listen to ‘The Great Hardcore Swindle’ as it sums up HECK perfectly! Chants, dry screams, dirty riffs and the ever sense of danger will keep you hooked.
Listening through ‘Instructions’ my ears pricked up to the track ‘Totem’. It took me by complete surprise due to it’s almost ‘spaghetti western hardcore’ feel. Imagine Quentin Tarantino joining Frank Carter’s Gallows.
To be honest, I was worried when I received the album to see the final track is a monumental SIXTEEN MINUTES long! It’s a combination of three parts ‘(i) See The Old Lady Decently, (ii) Buried Although, (iii) Amongst Those Left Are You’. Fortunately, I made it through alive without so much as a scratch. I can only recommend listening to this final track all the way through to truly witness a different, and somewhat melodic, side of the band you never expected to hear, especially on this album.
I almost wish I had something negative to say about this album but ‘mathcore’, ‘punk-rock’ or whatever buzz words you want to use has never sounded so fucking good!
Here’s my instructions for Instructions:
1) Buy this album.
2) Go to a live show.
3) Get angry and stay angry!
Make sure you catch HECK in Nottingham Rescue Rooms (11/03) playing ‘Instructions’ in full from start to finish for the first and possibly only time.
