Album Review: The Hyena Kill - A Disconnect
Reviewed by Neil Bolton
An intrigued eyebrow was raised when play was pressed on The Hyena Kills album 'A Disconnect' A release should never be pre-judged just because of the record label they are signed to, a fact I am well aware of, but still a surprise changed my facial expression. I do not at all wish to suggest that APF Records are a one genre machine, just that this album was not what I was expecting.
A collection of digital sounds is the first thing to greet the listener until the music begins in earnest with 'Passive Disconnect'. The up tempo, skilled drum beat is followed soon by guitars that build, and then lessen when Steven Dobb takes to the microphone. His voice is something special and carries power and delivery similar to The Deftones. A style rarely attempted, and one even less often accomplished. Dobbs is the guitarist, vocalist, and lyricist of this Manchester band. A large amount of material was written while Steven was in a low point in his life, dealing with thoughts of claustrophobia, and finality. With past traumas and hospitalisation being an ideal subject matter for the type of music that The Hyena Kill provide.
The aforementioned subtle yet impressive drumming is delivered by the second original member Lorna Blundell. Her restrain and calmness matches and complements the powerfully dark voice on show. Blundell and Dobbs formed this alt-rock band back in 2012, and in 2019 they went on the recruit two new members Sam Jones and Charlie Seisay.
The emotion and soundscapes of their music is varied in many ways. The poppy sounding 'Witness' feels light and airy until the tone of the vocals expose the darker nuances of the song. An even more somber track called 'Thin' gives a chance for more sorrow to wash over the listener.
But beware, the band pounce out of the melancholy and land in crowd bouncing rock and roll. 'Bleached' is an excellent example of this band being able to turn on a sixpence. Sturdy vocals that are both beautiful and angry pepper this album, keeping up with a very talented band who have many tricks up their sleeves and most likely even more in the locker.
Just like APF Records themselves, The Hyena Kill refuse to be restrained by genre.
