The sound of the Norwegian quintet OCTOHAWK is extremely interesting, diverse and not easy to listen to. Vocally, the atmosphere is reminiscent of Pantera or Gojira, the sound contains a variety of cool grooving, forward-pushing elements. These are joined by fine symphonic splashes of color that subtly underline Quantum Age. The stoically stomping rhythms are a wonderful contrast. At the beginning of Decode, the drummer is allowed to show off his progressive skills before bass-dominated grooves take over again. The rough yet melodic vocals convey a brute bite and velvety warmth thanks to the playfully gentle modulation. The musicians skillfully vary the tempo and the harmonious choral singing also sets wonderful accents. Playful, jazzy drum figures, sitar tones and psychedelic sounds allow the listener to float pleasantly before the aggressive vocals bring harshness back into play. The intensity of the tracks ebbs and flows - the spectrum ranges from meditative over hypnotic to ecstatic. The drive of Momentum is based on sawing guitar riffs accompanied by elegant vocal lines; the evocative, desperate vocals and the heavy metal solos are evidence of variable songwriting.
After the spherical, menacing interlude Earthrise, OCTOHAWK flex their progressive muscles once again and knot our auditory canals with complex rhythms and harsh changes of mood on Beyond Tomorrow, only to beguile us a little later with gentle lyrics and sustained melodies. Finally, the Gateways open the door to light-footed but sometimes complicated soundscapes, which are refined by orchestral bombast and intricate guitar arrangements. The symphonic, thunderous finale brings the album to a rousing close.
On Determinist, OCTOHAWK combine a dust-dry desert sound with progressive lightness, jazzy playfulness, groovy effectiveness and steamy solos. It's fun, but challenges the audience to pay close attention, especially to the vocals.