Release
date: February 12th 2016. Label: Magnetic Eye Records. Format:
CD/DD/Vinyl
Kōfuku
– Tracklisting
1.Kōfuku
2.Now,
Apocalypse
3.Seafloor
Fathoms
4.Fading
Sun
5.White
Temple
6.Kokkai
7.Ruins
8.Wolves
Within Wolves
9.Till
the Night Meets the Light
10.Destruction
Complete
Band
Members:
EHA
- Guitar, Bass, Lead Vocals
AAL
- Guitar, Bass, Additional Vocals
Trevor
Dunn - Bass
Dale
Crover - Drums
Review:
Low
Flying Hawks consists of two members called EHA (Guitar, Bass and
Lead Vocals) and AAL (Guitar, Bass and Additional Vocals) who have
been classed as Heavygaze. I don’t know what that term actually
means but their debut album – Kōfuku – is loud, brash, and
chaotic with an almost violent unpredictable nature. The band blend
Doom, Noise, Sludge, Post-Metal, Post-Rock, Ambient Noise and
Industrial sounds for one complex sounding album.
The
album has been produced and engineered by Toshi Kasai (Big Business
and The Melvins) and has guest appearances from Trevor Dunn (Mr
Bungle) and Dale Crower (The Melvins). So you know the album is going
to at least sound good and be heavy especially in the drumming and
bass department.
The
album starts off bleak and stays that way for the whole duration of
the album. Distorted guitars, ambient noises and depressing vocals
make this an album that will haunt you for a very long time. Opening
track – Kōfuku – is a fifty second ambient track warning you of
the upcoming dangers of the album. It sets up the scene with a
slightly depressing outlook on life.
Second
track – Now, Apocalypse – takes the industrial sounds of early
NIN and adds a cold sludge/post-metal exterior with nightmarish
noises and sounds merged into the background. The drumming adds a
slightly claustrophobic vibe with the guitars being played at a slow
pace.
Third
track – Seafloor Fathoms – carries on the doom and gloom vibe as
the music becomes ever more distorted and drowning in ambient noises.
It’s a complex affair as the song has a lot going on especially
with the vocals and almost industrial style sludge based riffs. Low
Flying Hawks opt for a more psychedelic style of sounds near the end
of the song. However distortion is the main weapon of choice for the
band as the music is buried under a ton of it.
Fourth
track – Fading Sun – is a more upbeat and hopeful song compared
to the opening tracks as the band create an uplifting environment
where the sludge/post-metal noises are matched with upbeat post-rock
sounds and subtle vocals to match. It’s played at a deliberate slow
pace which allows the band to create the albums finest riffs.
The
remainder of the album carries on the same dark and twisted path with
Low Flying Hawks creating many more great moments of distorted
“Heavygaze” where the volume becomes ever so louder and darker as
a result. Songs such as White Temple, Ruins and Destruction Complete
are perhaps the standout songs on the album as these contain perhaps
the heaviest and finest sounds on the album.
Low
Flying Hawks have created an unsettling and nightmarish masterpiece
that will appeal to fans of Neurosis, Pelican, Russian Circles, The
Melvins and Nine Inch Nails. Kudos to Magnetic Eye Records for
signing this band to their roster.
Whatever
you do, buy this album when it’s released on CD/DD/Vinyl on Feb
12th 2016 via Magnetic Eye Records. You need this record in your
life. No question…
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks
to Richard Jones at Sheltered Life PR for the promo.
Links:
