Chickenhawk - A Or Not?

by Adrian Huggins

published: 24 / 10 / 2009

Label: Brew Records
Format: CDS

First rate debut EP from completely uncompromising Leeds-based hardcore outfit, Chickenhawk

Review

A ferocious opening sees this band, despite their questionable name, burst into action with pummeling drums and guitars blazing right from the start. This is fantastic stuff from yet another band to hail from the ever fervent Leeds alternative scene. Like That Fucking Tank and Pulled Apart by Horses before them, Chickenhawk seem to have a brilliant knack for sounding completely heavy and off the wall yet instantly likeable. I would even go as far as to draw comparisons to Biffy Clyro due to the sheer size of some of the riffs on ‘I Hate This, Do you Like It?’. They waste no time at all and just completely blew me away with how much they manage to cram into one song. ‘Son of Cern’ really shows off the tightness of the band, who consist of Paul Astick on vocals and guitar, Robert James Stephens on guitar, Matthew Graham John Reid on drums and Ryan Thomas Clark on bass. It is mind blowing how they pack so much into such a short space of time. It is clear that this is a talented bunch of individuals who have a sound so many other bands would, and should, kill for. They already have the attention of some of the major press but what I really love about this band is that they are far too heavy to get weighed down in any of usual hype and trendiness that often comes with this territory. You could not see this band calming down for anything or anyone and quite rightly so. By far one of the best new bands I’ve heard in past few years, I seriously cannot wait to hear more. They seriously make me want to move to Leeds for their music alone, and for someone from Sheffield that is really saying something. All hail Chickenhawk. Fucking brilliant!