Hawk Eyes, The Cluny, Newcastle
- Written by Lee Hammond
Tonight sees four incredibly noisy bands take to the stage in the Cluny’s main venue; we arrive slightly late but in time for main tour support God Damn.
From the off their brooding ferocity is made quite clear and we’re certain we are going to be deaf come the curfew.
Ploughing through a breathtaking set, we’re left aghast at the sheer power and strain that the PA is being put through, and it comes as little surprise that all of the bands can be heard as clear as day outside the venue. ‘Silver Spoon’ is a highlight of God Damn's set; brilliant lyrics coupled with relentless riffs and huge drums.
With ears sufficiently ringing, we prepare for the Hawk Eyes onslaught we're about to be subjected to. We know we’re in for a treat tonight, and as the four-piece take to the stage, the crowd draws in ever closer, the opening riffs ringing out through the venue, the volume even louder than before.
Yet we quickly settle into this barrage of heavy riffs and shouted vocals, the sharp bursts of power are mind blowing. Not only that, but they seem like genuinely approachable people. What’s often lacking now is decent stage banter, yet Hawk Eyes seem to have honed theirs perfectly, their patter full of daft stories and prime numbers.
Tracks off the new album go down incredibly well, and though there's little deviation from tried and tested format of earlier material, it proves that their own trademarked brand of intricate metal is alive and well. Tonight is testament to both that, and to writing phenomenal songs; musically they’re unbelievable. so few bands are this tight.
‘Die Trying’ is a huge highlight this evening, it's ferocious, it's hard, it's riff-laden and it's just breathtaking. And, like so many other tracks n their set, it tears the roof off the venue. It's been a long while since The Cluny experienced a pummelling like this.
As Hawk Eyes close out their set we exit the venue, our faces suitably melted and our hearing hanging on by a whisker. We cannot commend Hawk Eyes enough. Metal and hardcore at its best.