Oh, just look!
Hailing from Munich, Germany HOKUM released their
debut demo First Blood in the beginning
of 2005 that suffered from – at best – an average
sound. Now, one year later the Southern Germans won a band contest
with a professional recording session as first prize, using it
to eliminate successfully all these flaws on the follower No
Escape.
But that’s not the only reason to certify them a formidable
progression, they also significantly improved their songwriting,
now offering a varied and harmonious CD, displaying much more
potential and ambitions.
HOKUM manage the rare feat to skillfully combine
musical demand with catchy melodies without acting too progressive
on one site or commercial and/or one-dimensional on the other
side. In doing so they also conspicuously display approaches of
an own and recognizable style, which turns out to be more and
more difficult and rare.
Musically speaking, HOKUM range between Thrash,
Death and classic (Power) metal influences. Riffing is every minute
and speed powerful and driving, already a trademark of the debut
CD. Generally I have to confess that HOKUM technically
don’t leave anything scorched and convince with skillfully
realized ideas and hooks. Growls are distinctive and professional,
just the clean singing sounds a bit unsteady, but it’s still
ok.
Major plus on No Escape is the fact
that all of six tracks know how to convince. So, no bummer on
this record. Opening track Manticore might firstly act
a little cumbersome but wins with its variety and unusual ideas,
while Silent Assassin is one of my faves and convinces
with catchy melodies, without losing any heaviness. Almost the
same I can tell about the more mid-tempo-paced Face The End
and The God Within before HOKUM again
pull out all stops with the quieter The Loving Father
and the heavy The Beloved Ones, two separated sequels
of the old song Goats. What potential! Great! A must-have!