When I first undertook the task of writing the review for Dancing, I wanted to make sure I did the job right the first time. I own Shake Harder Boy, but something about this album was different to me. After a few listens to the album, I was able to establish that there was more experimentation this time around. While the main blueprint of playing metalcore was there, Harkonen took time to dabble in other forms of expression, which is a refreshing relief to a stagnant genre.
The album opens with "In Tow," mixing aggressive guitar work, heavy hitting drums, and deep-throated screams. Right off the bat you can tell it wasn't a coincidence that the band has previously released material on Hydrahead Records. Midway though the opening track we get a little taste of the band trying new things with the unique choice of using the xylophone. As things move along with "The Yolk" you might begin to notice a familiarity in the music. It is possible this is due to the numerous comparisons that have been made to Seattle brethren Botch. In fact, Botch vocalist David Verellen's brother Ben is the bassist/vocalist for Harkonen. And who knows, maybe the two share trade secrets while they're off touring together in indie/folk project Roy. But I am transgressing, back to the review. Harkonen, like Botch did, plays a unique variation of technical metalcore, but stray from being held to a label. For the most part, Verellen, sounds like a cross of his kinfolk and Clutch vocalist Neil Fallon, which would make him a distant relative to Scissorfight vocalist Iron Lung. "I'm Taking the Hydroplane to Bellingham" coincidentally brings to mind the closing track from the These Arms Are Snakes (another ex-Botch project) EP, "Drinking From the Necks of the Ones You Love." I hate to make that comparison, however, the song structures are sort of similar. But toward the end of the track, Harkonen diverges into a fury of guitar-effect laden noise, which I found to be very cool. "But, It's My Noise" closes out as the marriage of technical metalcore and heavy stoner/sludge, which reminded me a lot of Keelhaul and Craw. So the bottom-line is, some will see Harkonen as a Botch Jr., while others will find the music to be nothing new. But I say a Botch Jr. is better than another From Autumn to Ashes.
So is it really a surprise that I liked this EP? Not really. It's not secret that I have been and will always be a huge Botch fan, not to mention a junky for pretty much anything that Hydrahead touches. But despite having these key items in common, Harkonen still has some learning to do. They can start by releasing another full-length instead of an EP next time.
