Human Industrial Wake - Hekate (EP Review)

This undefined band are from Stoke-On-Trent, and believe their band is a genre within itself, they have self-titled the genre as 'Human Industrial Wake', however the distinctive sound of Goth Rock/ Industrial Metal band 'Evanescence' breathes in and out of the EP through the vocals of lead singer, Sara, with her hauntingly gentle but dark voice. When listening to the songs, the band could be defined as Dark Alternative Rock/ Gothic Rock; as the deep guitar riffs, hard hitting drums and the high flimsy voice over the top with the odd synth indulgence, it is like a metal band has collaborated with Stevie Nicks (making it difficult to stick a label on).

Human Industrial Wake are releasing their five-track EP 'Hekate' on the 27th of October 2017, and to follow on they also have an EP release at the 'Pilgrims Pit' in, Stoke-on-Trent on the 28th of October. The opening track 'Witness On The Shore' sounds heavily like 'Evanescence' and its feels like something almost ritual. 'Another' has incurring tension at the beginning of the track and it is becoming a recurring factor within their songs; the music is very dark and I would say Human Industrial Wake are quite a niche and acquired taste.

'Dark Waters' is peculiarly vocally similar to Florence Welch's voice with the powerful belting of the vocal chords increasing in crescendo along with the tempo and intensity of the music. The country-twang of her voice is ever so indiscreetly seeping out through the tracks but it creates a distinctive sound about the band. 'Wonderland' is softer at first yet soon goes back into that slow, dark beat.  Finalising the EP is 'Strangers' - it is more uplifting with the backing vocals over the top of the song, it appears more Country Rock and less Gothic and reminds me somewhat of an eighties pop ballad, this is one of the shorter tracks on the EP,  and it is just under four minutes.

The EP reflects a Christian Rock feel whilst simultaneously creating quite a Dark and Gothic feel, you can hear the Industrial Metal sound also. Though an acquired taste, they have a strong voice in the band and strong musicians, they're also a distinctive niche and they know their sound. The addition of a softer song at the end of the EP was rather soothing and something of an anomaly in comparison to the rest of the tracks. 'Strangers' was very vocally powerful, and most of the songs are more on the five minute side of things so they allow themselves a lot of time to build tension and for you to focus on the bands side of things before the voice enters. Just to re-iterate the EP will be released on Friday the 27th of October, keep your eyes peeled and your ears open.