Labels: Sound Devastation
Review by: Kunal Nandi
The much-delayed debut album from this Leeds band finally plops onto my doormat, and it’s a rollicking rollercoaster of delight, unashamedly willing to rock out in a totally shallow manner, which is fine with me. For your money, you get hefty drums, rumbling bass and angular guitar, together with tasteful use of keyboards and effects. The vocals are mostly shouted but every so often they belt out some hoarse but in-tune singing. So just like a bazillion other bands then? WRONG (sort of)! Chickenhawk write varied, killer, melodic riffs that you won’t be able to argue with first and foremost, and they rarely overplay them, moving onto the next cool bit long before interest wanes. While the Melvins meets At The Drive-In schtick doesn’t really feel like they truly have engine oil running through their veins, it’s just about sleazy and scum-caked enough to warrant a thumbs up from me. It sounds and looks the business too.