HOKUM – No Escape
 
Label: Demo
Release: March 17,  2006
By: Psycho
Rating: -/-
Time: 27:37
Style: Death/Thrash Metal
URL: Hokum
 

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!