Review / 200 Words Or Less
Hawk
Tolerance’s Paradox

Independent (2020) Robert Miklos (Piro)

Hawk – Tolerance’s Paradox cover artwork
Hawk – Tolerance’s Paradox — Independent, 2020

Remember early/mid 00s metalcore? It was a great time for the genre. Among the plethora of bands that made some of their best stuff back then, we’ve got This or The Apocalypse, although arguably they stretched towards the end of the decade. So, what does that have to do with HAWK? Well, it’s one and the same band, basically. After roughly eight years of silence, the band decided to change their name, shift musical direction and drop a new record on us. All good, right? More or less.

Tolerance’s Paradox isn’t really reminiscent to the previous records. It’s obvious that the name change was warranted as we’re looking at an entirely different band from a sonic perspective. Tolerance’s Paradox is indeed rooted properly in a metalcore backbone, but it branches equally out into something of an alternative metal/post hardcore kind of sound as well. I don’t particularly mind this, I actually like this new direction, but it’s obviously not predominantly metalcore anymore.

For the sake of a comparison, I guess you could compare HAWK to Phinehas in terms of sound and delivery, although HAWK has an intensely nu-metal style of vocal delivery in certain parts, particularly throughout “CLVRMFKR”. If I have to spell it out, it’s that mix of heavy chugs, breakdowns alongside the clean and catchy choruses which are drenched in melodic phrasings. You know what I’m talking about.

Tolerance’s Paradox is pretty short for a record, but it gets the job done in its brisk runtime. It’s better if it’s shorter but proper instead of stretched out just for the sake of it, right? While it seems to be solid and consistent all around, it really doesn’t stand out in any other particular way. I wouldn’t dare say that it’s formulaic, because it isn’t, but it doesn’t go beyond the established genre borders. It’s definitely a must listen if you’re a fan of the genre.

Hawk – Tolerance’s Paradox cover artwork
Hawk – Tolerance’s Paradox — Independent, 2020

Related features

Trevor Dunn

One Question Interviews • October 29, 2013

Related news

Taylor Hawkins memorial shows announced

Posted in Shows on June 14, 2022

Taylor Hawkins passes away

Posted in Obituaries on March 27, 2022

The Warhawks' This Ain't Art EP

Posted in Records on January 30, 2022

Advertisement

DCxPC 2025

Recently-posted album reviews

Detention

Dead Rock ‘N’ Rollers
Left For Dead Records (2024)

Life ain’t so easy in the detention home- Dead Boys. Emerging from the underbelly of Jersey, made up primarily of three brethren. Raised on rock and roll and sipping from the chalice of early punk rock stalwarts like Da Bruddahs from Queens, Hey Ho! and the Pistoleros of Sexual Nature screaming banshees from across from the large pond. Thus forging … Read more

Nightfreak

Nightfreak
Big Neck Records (2024)

Semi-feral punk outfit NightFreak are back with a self-titled LP filled with breakneck riffs and 70s metal bombast. The Chicago group haven’t slowed down since 2022’s Speed Trials but they have filled out. NightFreak the album is lousy with warm back beats and melodic guitars; although, hardcore vocals and tight drums still reign supreme. Album opener “Blackout” is dead serious … Read more

Death By Unga Bunga

Raw Muscle Power
Jansen Records (2025)

I’m pretty sure I became aware of Mike Krol when The Whiffs posted about playing some shows with him. Krol is a bit of an anomaly. Not only is he on Merge and collaborates with Mac Superchunk- a dream scenario imo- but he’s also been elusive of my fan boy attempts at cold dm’ing him about stuff even tho we … Read more