EP REVIEW: Spun – The Hyena Kill

THE HYENA KILL are a duo from Manchester who are currently tearing up their local scene. With Steven Dobb on guitar and vocals, and Lorna Blundell on the drums, these two seem to make enough noise for a full ensemble, when listening to their music you’ll be surprised that it’s only two people. And with their latest EP, Spun, it marks the duo was one to definitely pay attention to.

After just one listen to the opening salvo that is Exit Mask, there was a sense that somehow the feelings of power and intensity within this one song would be carried on throughout the EP. This was certainly the right way to feel, with Panic Womb picking up with what the previous song was lacking, and that was more THE HYENA KILL, and faster. The track is short, lasting only a mere 1:21, however, this shows the talent of the band. Drums, guitar and vocals cram themselves into this short time span harmoniously yet the aforementioned power and intensity are right at home. It’s definitely one to watch out for if you ever get the chance to see the duo live.

Spun has really given the band a chance to show what they’re worth and the range of styles they can produce, this is down to Steven Dobb‘s vocal range with pure talent showcased in the beginning of Ribbons. Slightly psychedelic vocals contrast to the hardcore vibe of the track and it is for this reason why the EP is a great jumping off point to dive into the band’s sound. However, one of the downsides to Spun is that there’s not enough songs like Panic Womb, where the talent of the band as a whole shine through. Sometimes the drums feel like they’re being under used, which is unfortunate because of the sheer talent at Lorna Blundell‘s disposal. However, Pound of Flesh is another perfect example of the sheer diversity at the heart of the duo’s sound yet maintaining their unique cutting edge.

With a diversity of styles swirling in their sound, there seems to be an experimental air present on each track of Spun. Dare To Swim and Cells, both build upon the foundations of Dobb‘s psychedelic vocals and whilst Dare To Swim lacks on the hardcore side, it still packs a punch when the breakdowns creep in. Cells quickly makes up for what the previous track may have been lacking, hitting oh so harder when the breakdowns hit. A strong way to end the EP.

Overall, Spun is a brilliant EP from THE HYENA KILL. Bringing so much variety to the table that may have been lacking in their previous work ensures that the Mancunian duo sound fresh, exciting and ultimately, kick off their new chapter in the best possible way. Whilst the fast and explosive tracks may be lacking, there is more than enough quality on show with Spun.

Rating: 8/10

Spun is out now via APF Records.

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