Album Review

Hacktivist – EP+

• 11th Nov 2013

Perhaps Hacktivist are what The Hell had in mind when they were writing ‘Professor Grief’. With a combination of grime and ‘djent’, Hacktivist are just another example of how metal is branching out, evolving and reaching a wider audience than ever before. They have created the heaviest sound, merged this with atmospheric effects and then recruited the help of an MC who has absolutely no knowledge of the metal world. Most would assume, or would want to assume, that this wouldn’t work; but the multiple genres they’ve taken for aren’t actually worlds apart in terms of structure and tempo, so this bizarre mix somehow this works for them.

Their first self-titled EP was a prime example of all of the above. The opening track New Age pretty much sums up the band and sets a perfect example for what will follow. There are few vocals in this track in comparison to the rest of the album, but the heavy, chugging riffs and powerful straight-to-the-point lyrics, prove that, from the start, this band aren’t messing about. Blades, another stand out track, is a slightly slower track which experiments with clean vocals, electronics and dispersed rapping which gives the EP a bit of style variation. Unlike most debuts, Hacktivist manage to keep your attention channelled throughout, both lyrically and instrumentally. Their different sound no doubt helps this, as it’s as interesting as it is unpredictable.

Their self-titled EP proved their worth to the haters; however Hacktivist’s new release ‘EP+’ takes it to the next level and shows just how versatile this band can be. The main tracks remain the same; however there are 3 additional tracks – two of which are remixes and one live. The bonus tracks starts with Elevate (Shikari Sound System Remix). This has been not-so-strategically placed straight after the original; however, the original song is almost so unrecognisable that it doesn’t even matter. This remix is totally grime and dubstep, with absolutely no resemblance to the metal-influenced original – but it is still very much still a stand-alone track in its own right. This is followed by NDread MUD’s remix of Unlike Us which follows a very similar formula.

These additional tracks prove that the band is as legitimate as a metal band as they are an authentic grime band; they really don’t get as much credit as they deserve. Even if this doesn’t seem to be your ‘thing’, I strongly recommend that everyone at least gives them a listen. Even if they are loved or hated, Hacktivist really do define the new age of metal.

– Mercedes Brown

Venue: EP+
Support Band: PIAS Distro