Virginia's
Hopekiller's debut 'Children Of A Dead Future' dropped into my mailbox out of
the blue and it pretty much shook my foundations immediately. I knew something
was in the works by the band, but had no idea the debut was already finished.
Formed by Spiral Grave guitarist, Absent Sky main man and former Lord founder,
Willy Rivera, back in 2018, he quickly drafted Lord's last drummer, Tommy
Emmanuel. The last piece of the puzzle was bringing in his brother and former
Kaemon compadre, Wilsen Rivera, on vocals. And the rest, as the saying goes, is
history as this unholy trio has concocted a truly crushing debut.
Building their music on a blend of hardcore punk, crust and crossover with a dollop of blackened filth, Hopekiller are absolutely relentless. Holding nothing back, they go for the throat, the balls and everything in between as they assure that you, dear listener, pay attention. Raw, naked and candid no stone is left unturned over the course of the eight tracks Hopekiller unleashes on the blind public.
‘Children Of A Dead Future’ is fantastic through and through, no ifs and buts about it. Still, there are five songs which have become my personal highlights and stands out just a little bit more. ‘The Blind Leading The Blind’ is a ferocious beast almost akin to Black Metal in parts and full-on hardcore in others and that amalgamation is pretty badass, I have to say. ‘When is My Turn’ comes on like a mix of punk, metal and thrash (crossover?) and this unholy trinity completely annihilates. Just listen as Hopekiller crushes around the 2:05 mark. Fuck yeah! ‘The Truth Hurts’, is intense, claustrophobic and in your face. Giving you no chance to breath the band comes back again and again and again. And those riffs, man. Phenomenal! ‘I Can Fight’ is built up around a strong punk base but by adding hardcore and filthiness to it, the song is elevated in all its punishing glory. ‘Casting Stars’ follow in the footsteps of ‘I Can Fight’ but is a more “pure” punk song than anything. Still, those fitting and eloquent hardcore parts are present and I love every bit of it.
Wish more debuts, or any releases for that matter, could be this good, nay great! As a music lover the joy you feel when exposed to great music is almost impossible to put into words but if you, dear wave riders, are like me you know what I’m talking about. And that feeling oozes out of the speakers when I listen to Hopekiller. This trio has created something else, something which should not go unnoticed. So check them out, give them a chance. You won’t be sorry because ‘Children of A Dead Future’ is phenomenal.
-Swedebeast
