Album Review

The Hickey Underworld – The Hickey Underworld

• 23rd Oct 2009

Inspired by the grotesque imagery and films of Brazillian horror legend Coffin Joe, this Belgian post-hardcore outfit have an idiosyncratic take on alternative rock. One only has to visit their website to be greeted by an inscrutable vista of druids, nudey women, stone circles and, er, beastiality.

Admittedly, this may not be to everyone’s taste, but don’t let it put you off this collection of no-nonsense, accessible rawk.

Although the band have been mentioned in the same breath as Dinosaur Jr and national treasures Muse, this album resembles something by prog-punk band The Mars Volta. The band’s knack for staging sonic assaults, then letting the listener pause for breath with a quieter, melodic passage before continuing with the punishment is evident. The lads don’t mess about, and display a knack for writing straightforward, tuneful hooks on Blue World Order and Blonde Fire but no more so than on Future Worlds, possibly the most chart friendly cut.

However, there’s the odd wobble – they drop the ball somewhat with Of Asteroids And Men/Plus Added Wizardry, and the vocals on Zorayda are a tad cloth-eared. Overall, though, they sound like a band headed in the right direction. Vocalist Younes Faltakh compares favourably to Matthew Bellamy even if there is some room for refinement, but this will come as surely as the rest of the band will develop their swagger.

Overall, they prove that when the call goes out for some hard riffing they’re not afraid to step up and deliver the goods.