BlackHawkDown - Prefix

​BlackHawkDown

​Prefix
self-released; 2017

​3.8 out of 5

By Jamie Funk

BlackHawkDown is a band from the UK that brings high energy metal on their release Prefix. Let me make this easy for you. Are you a fan of bands like Pantera and Alice In Chains? If you are a fan  of these bands and other like-minded acts then Prefix is a no brainer. The production is great, the band is tight and brings with it the cathartic release you hope to hear when listening to this type of music. 

Up first is “Falling” which has a very inventive buildup that anyone who has tuned a guitar from dropped D or lower back to E will recognize. It’s an effective buildup that enhances the verse. The band thrashes ruthlessly through a number of technically savvy riffs. On top of that the vocalist changes his approach which sounds more exaggerated at times. Don’t forget the standard guitar solo. Great opener.

You won't be surprised by the remaining four tracks. “Vision Up” is another heavy hitting song that was somewhere between Marilyn Manson and Motörhead. The anthemic chorus is a hype machine of adrenaline. The Alice In Chains influence is a little more apparent on “Annie Who” where the band embraces the heavier side of grunge. 

The band keeps the energy up on “Freeman” which on the verse sounds closer to death metal while the chorus has a bit of ’80s hard rock feel. Along with that was an unexpected atmospheric breakdown. Don’t worry - they don’t stay there too long before rocking your socks off again.

“2L84U” is simply the cherry on top. It is too late for you because BlackHawkDown melted your faces off with this track. See ya.

BlackHawkDown isn’t reinventing this genre and in fact isn't adding anything I haven't heard before. That being said they do it justice. There aren't many cracks in their game and they are an essential band for fans of metal, hard rock, grunge, etc.

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