This Munich (Germany) quartet is certainly unique in that they've had the same line-up (singer/ rhythm guitarist Benjamin Geppert, lead guitarist Michael Vogl, bassist/ backing vocalist Jonas Fischer, and drummer Peter Reiter)since their formation in 2000. Playing a hybrid of Heavy, Death, and Thrash Metal, the band already got heads turning their way during their first live appearances in 2003, which made Hokum grow to be one of the more important bands in their region. They even triumphed over mainstream oriented bands at the Kulturalarm Band Contest 2005 in Freisburg, taking away first place. Their first demo, 2005 released "First Blood", already got the band favourable reviews, but the newly recorded (and privately released) mini-CD is certainly gonna put the foursome on the map!

Recorded by RPWL mastermind Yogi Lang, you can imagine there's indeed nice things goin' on here, and there áre, because the crystal clearness of the recordings really brings out all the qualities of the band. Great twin guitar build-ups with really though-out solos (even a touch of Progressive there, but that shouldn't be a surprise, with Lang agreeing to be at the helm), thumping bass lines with an occasional (and very discernable) melody line of their own, drum patterns that simply drive the music on, and vocals that are not only characterised by real good Death growls, but with the occasional "clean" (or rather "normal") bit as well (opening of "Goats – The Loving Father"), as well as a more Thrash geared one ("The God Within"). With only 6 tracks (5, if you count the 2-part "Goats" as only one), the album is over after less than 28 minutes, and leaves one gasping for more! I'm sure we're gonna hear móre of these guys pretty soon...at least I hópe so!

And...this 4-some proves that things in the record business are often drawn out too much! Recorded mid-January, they already have the CD out with a very nice booklet (artwork done by Fischer) mid-March! Take an example to that! I'm not giving the album tóp rating (which would've put 'em into my "Best Albums Of 2006" list), but it's a close second!

95/100

Tony.