Excitement brewed in the H.O.U.N.D.S camp when a series of teaser videos popped up over a period of 7 days on social media. With very little accompanying these videos, the Isle of Wight-based hardcore outfit were the masters of secrecy. After all, who doesn’t love a good surprise? Especially when it comes in the form of blistering new single ‘Snakes’.
Their first release since signing to Kingside Records, and follow up to ‘Beast’, ‘Snakes’ is a sinister assault on the senses, fuelled by H.O.U.N.D.S’ trademark ferociousness. H.O.U.N.D.S' penchant for relishing in the unsettling once again shines through as they don’t jump straight into the fray and come out swinging. Low tuned guitars slither through the intro, a subtle rattle lying in wait beneath the brush. The imagery of a rattlesnake coiling itself as it waits to strike is devilishly chilling. With the strike of a single dark chord signals the unravelling of the coil, the fangs on full show, and heading straight for the jugular.
‘You bring me down, I will rise’ exclaims vocalist Ashley Hoy with a cold-blooded death growl. The battle for supremacy begins with in your face riffs and a bass line with such heavy vibration it may just blow a snake’s head clean off. ‘Snakes’ has a massive sound, doubling down on the brutality of the hardcore genre with its pounding double kick.
Though the song is slow in pace, don’t let that lull you into a false sense of security as it is slow like the constriction of a mussurana and those instrumentals were composed to crush. ‘You are the snake’ begins the final barrage of venomous statements to close out the song, shifting the perspective to both parties being a part of the viper pit. When there’s a snake in your circle you need to be rid of, there comes a time when you tap into your own venom production and strike back. Let ‘Snakes’ become the aural backdrop to your own fight for supremacy. However, don’t go full mussurana when you do so, cannibalism is still illegal, folks.
H.O.U.N.D.S sound as tight as ever, not allowing having to work on the single remotely to throw them off their game. Snakes aren’t apex predators but H.O.U.N.D.S are certainly creeping their way up the food chain.
‘Snakes’ is out now across all major streaming platforms. For the latest news from the H.O.U.N.D.S camp, including new releases and tour dates, you can visit their site here or
follow their social medias linked below.
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