Gig Reviews

There's definitely been some strange goings on round here of late. These are weird, anachronistic times. For the people who spend their Friday nights lamenting the decline of rock music, it's safe to come outside. You can dust off your Metallica albums, rip off your t-shirt and start screaming. Yes, proper metal is has reared its ugly head above ground once more, and no longer do you have to shove off to a dark hole to see a band like Chickenhawk (well, maybe not as dark).

You can lay the blame squarely at the feet of Brew Records. The Leeds label deal in precisely whatever they like, but take heed - they like things twisted and bizarre, preferably with huge riffs strapped on. Which is why, no doubt, they have seen fit to take on Chickenhawk.

Chickenhawk have been around for nearly five years now, and what started out as a self-confessed experiment in making as much noise as possible seems to have become something much more resolute. Now with an album under their belts, an extra band member and an ever growing reputation, their hard work appears to be paying dividends, slowly but surely.

But have no fear that they've lost their fury, I wouldn't be applying either adjective to their live show in a hurry. No, tonight's gig brings a few other words to mind - most of them cannot be replicated here! They are an awe-inspiring combination of visceral noise and perfect timing, melody over glass chewing screams.

Drummer Matt Reid really keeps it tight and watching his facial expressions alone could be an evening's entertainment. They fly through their set, which includes a few tracks from the eponymous first album and some new songs, and finish on forthcoming single "I Hate This, Do You Love It?". The song is a good example of what the band are about: its nasty menace is offset by its strangely clever timing, leaving you unsure of whether you are scared or intrigued.

This unsteadiness and the strange thrill that goes along with it makes watching Chickenhawk a weird, unforgettable experience. With a live performance so gut-wrenchingly cathartic, their unholy racket will no doubt alienate as many people as it thrills. For us who like our music big and brutal, the former will be the case but one thing is for sure, with a band like Chickenhawk, there's definitely no room for the fence-sitters.

Natalie Kaye saw Chickenhawk at the Cockpit on Tuesday 7 July 2009.