Metalcatto
This is the section where we give brutal feedback to the underground bands and patrons that somehow still care about our opinions. Incredible, don’t you think?
This time is a bit different. You see, HKSPK‘s album isn’t out yet, so mostly I’m going to give you a few thoughts on what “Torture,” “In Despair,” and other tracks the band has put out. So see this more as a band article than an album article. Anyway, HKSPK had me fooled at first. I honestly thought it was just a rancid, harsh, and old school Black Metal project. But after a few moments of listening, I realized the band was more than just mindless shouting and primitive aggression.
Sure, the raw production and young fury are present in all of HKSPK‘s tracks, especially in “Torture.” But once you check out “In Despair,” you realize the band is willing to go to more complex places. There’s a lot of Post-Metal influence here, but before you roll your eyes hard and say, “Why is everything Post-Black now?” let me tell you that HKSPK doesn’t abuse the style’s tropes. It just takes maybe thirty seconds more than the average Black Metal band to set up the vibe, and honestly, it works extremely well. It sets the work apart and makes it more memorable than the usual blast-and-repeat formula. The atmosphere builds naturally, and when the aggression finally hits, it feels earned rather than forced.
So the work demands a bit of your patience—but like, a few seconds of it. I know that can be a lot for some of you who are used to instant gratification. None of the tracks is ridiculously long. If anything, HKSPK manages to balance atmosphere and pacing quite well. That’s not easy to do. So I think this Metal is kvlt enough for those of you who took a shower last Christmas, but also interesting enough for the ones who brush their teeth twice per day. It bridges a gap between the unwashed and the merely unhinged, and that’s a rare achievement.
Now, you people pay me—as in, you throw me breadcrumbs—to be honest. And there are certainly things HKSPK could work on to elevate its sound. The more contemplative and elaborate parts should stay. In fact, they should probably increase. However, the tracks I’ve listened to still wrestle with the drum production. I know it’s what gives the music part of its old school Black Metal charm. But since the album also takes Post and Death Metal ideas, the overall sound ends up being too muddy at times. You might dig that aesthetic. In my case, it does feel like the tracks are restrained by how messy things can become. Then again, this could be totally intentional. A stylistic choice rather than a limitation.
Either way, there’s only one way to find out if this is for you—click below, obviously. HKSPK isn’t my usual cup of tea, but I can’t deny the band is proposing something interesting that goes beyond simple stereotypes. I’m curious how the full album is going to turn out and whether these guys will manage to achieve a cohesive experience from start to finish. For now, we can dive into the few tracks we have and at least have a fun time. And sometimes, that’s enough. Not every underground band needs to change your life. Some just need to make you feel something—anything—other than the daily grind. HKSPK does that. I’ll be watching for the full release. You should too.
Metal Eclipse Reviews 