31 March 2015 (gig)
11 April 2015
Could this pokey pub in Camden be hosting one of the major bands of tomorrow? It’s not an original thought and it’s easy to get carried away after a blinding concert. But based on the evidence presented so far both live and recorded The Hyena Kill’s potential is enormous.
Despite having a pleasing stoner sound and a gifted guitarist it’s hard to see Wicked Snakes moving up into the larger Camden venues anytime soon. There was something that didn’t quite click and it’s never good when a vocalist turns his back on an audience between songs.
The Hyena Kill (Steven Dobb on guitar/vocal and Lorna Blundell on drums) have been performing and releasing material for a few years now. The recorded material hits hard but its onstage where their dynamics come into their own. There’s a kinetic energy governing here as the pair look at each other seemingly taunting to keep up.
Their take on heavy music draws on its traditional roots, blended with the likes of Deftones to create modern, granite hard rock with a nail gun delivery. This sets them apart from the other two pieces and most other bands for that matter. Dobb is a natural live performer engaging with the audience and playing guitar that combines today’s fetish for tech with the earthier tones of yesteryear. This is almost casually (very skilfully) interpreted by Blundell on the drums. And boy does she hit them! They are going to have to be replaced every other show if they get to tour regularly.
The Hyena Kill were very,very good and tonight they put down a marker. There's a ton of potential in this duo and sticking the neck out, it doesn’t look as if they are going away anytime soon. One thing to consider. The music, is, of course, the priority but whether rapper, hipster or rocker, bums hanging out of jeans are not a good look.
Photograph courtesy of Ed Jacobs Photography
