Bakken
The chaps in Northern Irish based band Bakken recently dropped us a line, asking whether we might be able to check out their record Death Of A Hero to see what we thought. Described as offering up a sound which ‘combines the visceral edge, gruff vocals and choppy riffing of early thrash metal with melodic sensibilities and complex song structures of German power metal and NWOBHM’, the guys have already received seriously positive press and a loyal live following thanks to their energetic live performances. I figured that it was about time we checked things out for ourselves to see what was going on with these guys, so sat back, hit play and prepared myself for what I was about to hear!
Opening with Darkest Day an air raid siren signals the beginning of the record, leading us slowly into synth effects and gun fire, the mix growing ever more ominous as it builds around you. As the intensity of the sound effects grows, so does the anticipation until finally a soaring lead line signals the beginning of things properly, offering up a line which wouldn’t have sounded out of place on Top Gun, yet here sounding like the most heavenly guitar tone to emerge in years. Launching from the soaring heights of the lead line into a pummelling melee of hammering drums, rumbling bass rhythms and more riffs than you can shake a stick at we’re shown how Bakken form their sound, combining a sense of NWOBHM with a thrash like pace which hammers their message home. The opening moments here show off how able a band we’re dealing with, every element of the band working in unison and balance to ensure that the final mix is one which allows you to hear everything that’s going on – a solid start to the record for sure.
Following on with Mystic Mogul the raw power continues, once again offering up some seriously distorted riffery before kicking in with that intricate lead guitar work once again. Chunky riffs abound as the track kicks in fully, once again showing off the bands thrash roots whilst elevating their mix to a more complex level through the little intricacies included throughout. Sure this is heavy, but there’s also a real sense of catchy accessibility going on throughout the track, the sort of thing which is going to secure Bakken a slot amongst the must see bands on the live scene. Fading back for the entrance of The Cursed we’re once again greeted by that lead guitar, this time using a tone that Herman Lee would be proud of combined with an intricacy akin to some of Devin Townsends more melodic work. Soon leaving the melodies and returning to their more hammering sound, this is another track which sounds like it will absolutely kill on the live scene, the sort of thing that’s sure to get pits moving as soon as it kicks in before getting everyone singing along with the chorus. This track was one of my personal favourites from the record, there’s a real mix of old school thrash combined with stadium like power metal going on but also a hint of progressive metal in the background, something which will appeal to a range of audiences.
Sasquatch and Back To The Future both continue the heavy assed approach to things but it’s when Get Back To Your Feet comes about that a slightly different side of the band is revealed. Opening with Spanish style guitar work before once again propelling you into a hammering melee of guitar, bass and drums, this track manages to combine intricacy with straight forward, in your face power. Spat vocals level out over a rolling double bass backing, forming a sound which will get circles moving, people chanting and you reaching for that volume up button on the home stereo, another high point on the record for sure.
Moving onto the dramatic moments of Fortress Of Evil the theme of heavy and powerful guitar led metal continues, offering up a sound which is bass heavy to the point of almost being funky. Slower than some of the previous tracks, the chunkiness of this track is what really hammers it home, not using any over the top technicalities to get their message across and instead, relying on the power found within the band, and it works damned well! It’s only then left to Voyage OF Aodh to close things, finishing with the crescendo of the album in the form of a straight up power metal track packed with catchy riffs, hammering rhythm lines and more of those hard hitting vocals. As a closing moment to an album this does what it should, leaving you wanting more but safe in the knowledge that you’ve just found a new band that you’re going to come back to time and time again.
I really didn’t know what to expect from Bakken when I read their press release, but the music on offer is beyond anything I expected. It’s no secret that I love a bit of guitar work, and what we’ve got on this album is plenty of lead lines, plenty of riffs, and enough power to level a town as well as a venue. If you’re looking for a band with an album that’s going to reignite your passion for straight up heavy metal then look no further, Bakken are here and ready to take over.
To find out more about Bakken, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Opening with Darkest Day an air raid siren signals the beginning of the record, leading us slowly into synth effects and gun fire, the mix growing ever more ominous as it builds around you. As the intensity of the sound effects grows, so does the anticipation until finally a soaring lead line signals the beginning of things properly, offering up a line which wouldn’t have sounded out of place on Top Gun, yet here sounding like the most heavenly guitar tone to emerge in years. Launching from the soaring heights of the lead line into a pummelling melee of hammering drums, rumbling bass rhythms and more riffs than you can shake a stick at we’re shown how Bakken form their sound, combining a sense of NWOBHM with a thrash like pace which hammers their message home. The opening moments here show off how able a band we’re dealing with, every element of the band working in unison and balance to ensure that the final mix is one which allows you to hear everything that’s going on – a solid start to the record for sure.
Following on with Mystic Mogul the raw power continues, once again offering up some seriously distorted riffery before kicking in with that intricate lead guitar work once again. Chunky riffs abound as the track kicks in fully, once again showing off the bands thrash roots whilst elevating their mix to a more complex level through the little intricacies included throughout. Sure this is heavy, but there’s also a real sense of catchy accessibility going on throughout the track, the sort of thing which is going to secure Bakken a slot amongst the must see bands on the live scene. Fading back for the entrance of The Cursed we’re once again greeted by that lead guitar, this time using a tone that Herman Lee would be proud of combined with an intricacy akin to some of Devin Townsends more melodic work. Soon leaving the melodies and returning to their more hammering sound, this is another track which sounds like it will absolutely kill on the live scene, the sort of thing that’s sure to get pits moving as soon as it kicks in before getting everyone singing along with the chorus. This track was one of my personal favourites from the record, there’s a real mix of old school thrash combined with stadium like power metal going on but also a hint of progressive metal in the background, something which will appeal to a range of audiences.
Sasquatch and Back To The Future both continue the heavy assed approach to things but it’s when Get Back To Your Feet comes about that a slightly different side of the band is revealed. Opening with Spanish style guitar work before once again propelling you into a hammering melee of guitar, bass and drums, this track manages to combine intricacy with straight forward, in your face power. Spat vocals level out over a rolling double bass backing, forming a sound which will get circles moving, people chanting and you reaching for that volume up button on the home stereo, another high point on the record for sure.
Moving onto the dramatic moments of Fortress Of Evil the theme of heavy and powerful guitar led metal continues, offering up a sound which is bass heavy to the point of almost being funky. Slower than some of the previous tracks, the chunkiness of this track is what really hammers it home, not using any over the top technicalities to get their message across and instead, relying on the power found within the band, and it works damned well! It’s only then left to Voyage OF Aodh to close things, finishing with the crescendo of the album in the form of a straight up power metal track packed with catchy riffs, hammering rhythm lines and more of those hard hitting vocals. As a closing moment to an album this does what it should, leaving you wanting more but safe in the knowledge that you’ve just found a new band that you’re going to come back to time and time again.
I really didn’t know what to expect from Bakken when I read their press release, but the music on offer is beyond anything I expected. It’s no secret that I love a bit of guitar work, and what we’ve got on this album is plenty of lead lines, plenty of riffs, and enough power to level a town as well as a venue. If you’re looking for a band with an album that’s going to reignite your passion for straight up heavy metal then look no further, Bakken are here and ready to take over.
To find out more about Bakken, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls