“The Dead Ringer” is the follow up to Hankers’s debut, “In
Our World”. As with their previous release, the sound is similar in that it
combines elements of power and progressive metal, while tying it altogether
with a vintage 80’s and NWOBHM vibe.
The guitars, (twin attack I might add) create a plethora of
riffs and harmonies with one another that Maiden fans should be able to
appreciate the amount of energy and sound they bring to the table. The drums do
an excellent job of always being in the foreground of the sound, but never at
the cost of sounding overbearing or out of rhythm with the other instruments.
Their blend of sound is easily recognized on the opening
track, “Unsung Hero”. Things start off with a simple into, then the interesting
riff kicks in and you think you’re about to listen to a more thrashy style of a
song, but then Pascal Cliché’s vocals enter the fray and you find yourself at
an impasse. You’re banging your head with heavy metal fury, but suddenly the
vocals hit and the mood is suddenly calmer. And that’s the best part about
Hanker. The band’s knack of blending styles together has the uncanny ability to
hook you into a song via one style, but then keep you engaged as they switch to
another. It’s not as though that hasn’t been done before, but what makes Hanker
so good at it is that, you don’t’ even realize the shift in sounds as they are
so subtle. Take “No More War” for instance. The song begins with an almost
ballad-esque tone, then before you realize it, you greeted with an amazing riff
and pounding drums before shifting once more into a peaceful, yet emotional
chorus.
This sound, or blend of sounds I should say, carries on
throughout the album. On more than one occasion, you’ll find yourself hooked by
an opening of a song, then by the time you’re almost through that song, only
then do you realize that the sound has shifted and the atmosphere has changed
entirely. It sounds like it might be off putting, but it really helps keep the
songs fresh and is a unique trait, one that I feel is held together mainly by
Cliché’s vocals. They, in and of themselves, have the ability to change tempo,
pitch and sound so seamlessly, that the band made sure to build their sound
around such talents.
There are a few songs, which I must admit, did nothing for
me personally, but that’s not to say they were not well do by any stretch.
Songs like, “The Clown” and “F.A.T.E.” are more on the ballad side of things
and are built on a lot of emotion. I can appreciate the concept and the final
result of the songs, but they didn’t seem to resonate with me.
Personally, I enjoyed “In Our World” more (but not by much) from
a pure enjoyably standpoint however, “The Dead Ringer” is a more mature release
with more in depth song writing. Either way, if you enjoyed the debut, there’s
no reason to miss out on the follow up.
Highlights: “Unsung Hero” “No More War” “Holy Screen”
Rating: 4
