After The Dead Ringer, Hanker got a little bit less complex, releasing albums like Snakes And Ladders that were good but conventional, without the kind of transcendental quality that their masterpiece had. Which is why it was such a surprise to hear this album. Folks, this is Conspiracy Of Mass Extinction, and I am very happy to say it is fucking awesome.

I mean it is impossible not to like this if you’re a fan of old school 80s style metal, as it gives you a heavy metal riff work-out like none you’ve seen in ages, since Slough Feg’s golden age perhaps. Every song is crammed chock full of crunchy, harmonized riffing so energized that it’s like they were on speed the whole time. These songs listen something like a more rough-and-tumble Iron Maiden or Judas Priest, with headstrong vocals and powerful, hooky songs that you will remember after one listen. There’s no secret as to why this album is good – it just pulls you in and keeps you on the edge of your seat with each exciting twist and turn.

Vocalist Pascal Cliche sings low, with a deep, quirky tone to his voice that will seem at home to fans of Manilla Road, Brocas Helm or the aforementioned Slough Feg, and he also plays guitar along with fellow axe-shredder Patrick Gravel – together these two pretty much rule the album unequivocally. Right from the first riffs of Beyond The Pale, they never let up on the guitar attack. Castaway, Battle Cries, the headstomping ownage of the awesome title track... there are simply no bad songs on here, just ones that you personally like better than others. You’ll like different songs on different days – there are many gems to choose from.

And it’s surprising just how engaging this is, as the band doesn’t change their mode of discourse at all throughout the entire album, barring The One Among Them, which is slower in tempo (and even that’s not a huge diversion from the usual fast tempo the rest of it keeps). These songs are simply excellently constructed; vast, epic tunes with a ton of dynamic and melody to them. Whenever one riff or idea gets old, they introduce another one right away, and the song never suffers. This is really some of the best true metal songwriting you’ll hear all year. A lot of bands will just play fast as a way to cover up the fact that they don’t have a whole lot of substance in their music. Not Hanker. This album is one of 2010’s finest, and any fan of true metal would do well to pick it up right away. Let’s hope it’s not too long before the next album.

Rating: 96/100 (Those RIFFS are just too good to be true!)

Empyreal

Source: The Metal Archives, Conspiracy Of Mass Extinction review, February 6, 2011

This is the fifth album of this killer Canadian power metal band! This is definitely one of the strongest comebacks for 2010 (along with SCORPIONS, HEATHEN, OVERKILL and ENFORCER)! Canada seems to be on top form these past few years and the releases of HANKER, EVIL SURVIVES, SKULLFIST and STRIKER are here to prove me right. The album is in the known style of HANKER: technical power metal which has its own identity! The album is definitely one of their best and for me it is in the top 5 releases of the year! The songs even though last long and are technical don't tire the listener at all! It isn't so easy to say which are the best songs but Beyond The Pale, Who's Crying Loud?, Feel It Again and the homonym track are among the top. The production is really good and the guitar work that has been done is tremendous! This is a must for the fans of power metal and a really good choice for the rest of the metal heads.

Rating: 8.5/10

Nick «Verkaim» Parastatidis

Source: Behind The Veil webzine, Conspiracy Of Mass Extinction review, December 26, 2010

This is another one of those oddly named veteran power metal bands (Not Fragile, anyone?) that is extremely talented, but mysteriously overlooked by all but the most ardent supporters of our music. Hanker are a French Canadian quartet who have been hammering away since 1985, with 5 CDs to their credit. Hanker perform something of a hybrid of the American and European power metal styles, fueled by the twin guitar magic of founding members Pascal Cliche (who also sings) and Patrick Gravel. The band are frequently and aptly compared to Jag Panzer, with the caveats that Harry «The Tyrant» Conklin is in another league vocally from Cliche and the Cliche/Gravel penchant for speedy harmony attacks lends a more European feel to Hanker's music than is the staid Coloradans wont. Unlike many bands who burn out after their first couple of outings, Hanker have enjoyed a slow, steady uptick in quality from one CD to the next, as they refine their styles and skills each time out. Their new CD, Conspiracy Of Mass Extinction, is noteworthy as it represents Hanker's first new CD since 2004. During that protracted layoff, the band has recruited a brand-new rhythm section, switched record labels (they're on Germany's consistently strong Hellion Records imprint now), and written a fantastic batch of tunes.

After multiple listens, I am convinced that Conspiracy Of Mass Extinction is Hanker's finest hour (well, 56 minutes) to date. Sure, the music is instantly recognizable as Hanker, but something has lit a fire under Cliche and Gravel this time. The songs feature more speed, more dynamics, more urgency, and more passion than I can ever recall in a previous Hanker recording. Whereas past Hanker CDs tended to suffer from occasional energy lulls and lapses, Conspiracy Of Mass Extinction feels more direct and focused, and it really never lets up from beginning to end. And the vocal lines seem better crafted and more memorable this time. Rest assured, however, that one key ingredient hasn't changed: The dual guitar work remains top-notch and uplifting, as always on Hanker CDs.

Although many of the tracks on display are outstanding, a song like track 4, Battle Cries, encapsulates everything that is wonderful about Hanker anno 2010. As the song begins, the guitars manage to tug at your heartstrings before they kick into high gear and savagely rip out your molars. The tempo ebbs and flows enough to keep things interesting, but mostly cruises along at high velocity. And Cliche squeezes every drop of power and emotion from his limited (but charismatic) voice as he begs, «Take me home / Cause I can hear no more battle cries». A shimmering harmony guitar part gives way to an Iron Maiden-influenced melodic theme as the speed drops down, before the whole damn thing explodes into a scorching solo and the chorus takes us all home. And all of this happens in a shade over 5 minutes. The coolest part is that Battle Cries isn't even the best song on the CD (that honour goes to the exhilarating galloping title track).

What Hanker have done here is really impressive. Just as their 2000 Snakes And Ladders CD marked an artistic watershed moment for the band, so too does Conspiracy Of Mass Extinction represent another bold, exciting step forward. Given that new bassist Laurent Imbeau is credited (along with Cliche and Gravel) for writing, arranging and producing this CD, I can't help but wonder if Imbeau is the «X factor» responsible for catapulting his bandmates to greater heights than they had achieved before. Whatever the explanation may be, Conspiracy Of Mass Extinction earns a hearty and enthusiastic recommendation for all fans of Hanker's past work, the time-honored Jag Panzer style, or speedy guitar-driven heartfelt true/traditional heavy metal in general. The main point of caution here is that, for the uninitiated, Cliche's distinctive voice may be a bit of an acquired taste (although I do think he suits the songs well and adds a lot through his emotional performance). Also, bear in mind that, while all of the lyrics are written in English, Hanker's native tongue is French. So expect the occasional awkward lyric that doesn't feel quite right in the translation. Other than that, Hanker's new opus is most worthy. Seek and destroy, my friends...

Rating: 4/5

Kit

Source: Metal CD Ratings, Conspiracy Of Mass Extinction review, December 1, 2010

Canadesi del Quebec, gli Hanker arrivano con Conspiracy Of Mass Extinction al loro quinto album e si confermano come una delle migliori realtà metal in arrivo dall'altra parte dell'Oceano. Storicamente accostati ai Jag Panzer(!), I nostril non si limitano a seguire le tracce dei carristi del Colorado, ma aggiungono influenze che vanno dai Maiden agli Helstar, senza mai dimenticare di dare la giusta veste melodica a tracce ben costruite e realizzate ancor meglio. Ascoltando le ritmiche galoppanti di Castaway, le chitarre taglienti di Battle Cries o I passaggi intricate di Ruins Of Generation, è davvero inconcepibile che una band di questo valore stia ancora lottando per emergere dall'anonimato, tanto più che I Quattro canadesi riescono pure a rendere melodici ed accattivanti I propri pezzi, complice un gusto davvero fuori dal commune. Segnatevi il nome, non è mai troppo tardi per scoprirli…

Rating: 8/10

Sandro Buti

Source: Metal Maniac magazine, December 2010

Banda Canadiense de Heavy Metal formada el año 1985 en Quebec City que presenta su quinto album Conspiracy Of Mass Extinction con el sonido poderoso que los ha caraterizado a lo largo de su carrera.

La potada de este disco es de David Faucher el cual es el responsable del arte del disco anterior de esta banda Web Of Faith.

Disco estremecedor que hará que no dejes de mover tu cabeza con fuerza.

Poderosas melodías, riffs llenos de energía, ejecución vocal de primera.

Disco muy recomendado si es que te gusta el metal de verdadero poder!!!

Erik Mardom

Source: Headbangers Mexico, Conspiracy Of Mass Extinction review, September 30, 2010

Here it is, the fifth album of Hanker! These Canadians are working hard since many years and to be honest they've never let me down. I'm still wondering why it took so long to release their first album - it was dated 1994 - while the band was formed in 1985. It was without any doubts incredibly difficult during the Eighties to maintain a contract but I'm convinced Hanker would have been bigger if their first album would have been released in that era. These lads always stayed under the surface but that doesn't mean they didn't release any good albums. Some of their songs are actually amazingly strong and made it easily on my I-pod, where only the strongest Metal songs ever deserve a few kilobits.

Since a few years also Germany is fond of Hanker, at least the fans of True Eighties Metal. Not only did Hanker appear at one of the editions of the Headbangers Open Air festival, Hellion Records offered them a contract as well. At least it proves that their hard working gets rewarded and Hanker is getting a name abroad Canada. With a pretty remarkable front cover they want to seduce Metal heads but be sure the music itself is even more interesting. This is one of those bands you can keep on listening to, no matter where, no matter when...

Why? Because they have the talent mixing Power and melody in a perfect balance. Not too raw, not too polished, not at all cheesy but melodic enough to have all of your attention and Hanker is dynamic all the way. The last albums were more well-balanced than the first ones but the Iron Maiden influences always were clearly available. This newbie isn't any different and as always Hanker puts that dark kind of energy into their music. Especially this effect makes them so addictive. A bit of Thrash, a bit US style of Power metal and for one hundred percent hard hitting Heavy Metal!

Hanker contains several trumps! First of all there's Pascal Cliche, the guitarist-vocalist. This guy contains the ideal voice for this kind of Metal. His voice is strong, clear and contains a special timbre which makes him very recognizable! He owns the talent to produce very original vocal lines and his high screams are overwhelming. It are these particular vocal lines that lifts the band up to a higher level, it are these vocal lines that are responsible for the fact that Hanker have always written songs that are incredibly strong. Believe me if I say that to me Hanker wrote some tracks that could have been 'classic ones', but the lack of knowledge about the band will prevent this status forever.

Another strong point is the guitars! This guitar driven kind of Heavy Metal is pure, just the way it should sound. Great solos, awesome double leads, strong riffs... The leads are often following the vocals in their lines and that sounds fantastic, for a big part it is a brand of this band. A few listens to their albums will make you understand what I mean.

Is this a better one than Web Of Faith? It is in my opinion and I can tell you this release is since I've purchased it regularly in my CD player. Songs like Beyond The Pale, Who's Crying Loud? and for example Ruins Of Generation are more than enjoyable! Fans of Jag Panzer, Attacker, Helstar etc. will be satisfied by hearing this one! Check them out at http://www.hankermetal.com.

Rating: 89/100

Officer Nice

Source: Metal To Infinity, Conspiracy Of Mass Extinction review, September 27, 2010

A pesar que probablemente a nadie le suene el nombre Hanker, estos canadienses llevan exactamente 25 años dando vueltas desde su formación. Sin embargo, su primer demo no fue lanzado sino hasta el año 1991 y de ahí en más han editado 5 álbumes, de los cuales cuento con Snakes And Ladders, el cual adquirí el año de su lanzamiento (2000) en pleno apogeo del power metal, tiempo en que en cualquier tienda del ramo las vitrinas estaban llenas de bandas que nadie conocía, por lo que había que comprar a ojos cerrados y rogar porque el disco fuera bueno. En esa oportunidad recuerdo que (para mi suerte) me sorprendieron bastante, porque se trata de un power que está justo en el medio entre las dos corrientes que tiene este estilo: la estadounidense y la europea. Lamentablemente, solo pude conseguir aquel disco y luego les perdí la pista hasta ahora, que me enteré que acaban de lanzar su última producción.

Escuchando placas como Snakes And Ladders y ahora ésta, Conspiracy Of Mass Extinction, es que no logro entender como es que bandas como Hanker pasan prácticamente desapercibidas y otras que no merecen una pizca de atención, logran contratos con disqueras que, a punta de una excelente promoción, le hacen creer al público que son buenas (no voy a nombrar ninguna para no herir susceptibilidades). Sin ir más lejos, esta obra está tan bien estructurada y ejecutada, y las canciones son tan potentes, que si estuviera firmada por, por ejemplo (y solo por tirar un nombre), Helloween, probablemente estaría en varias listas de fin de año considerada entre los mejores discos de power metal de 2010, pero claro, no es así, por lo que es probable que nuevamente el trabajo de estos canadienses quede en la memoria solo de aquellos afortunados que tuvieron el placer de oírlo con la atención que merece.

¿Estaré exagerando? Puede ser, no olvidemos que esto se trata simplemente de opiniones, pero de todas formas consigan el disco, escuchen con atención desde el track 1 hasta el 5 y denle otra vuelta a lo que les mencioné en el párrafo anterior. Conspiracy Of Mass Extinction es un álbum que de seguro cautivará sin mucha dificultad a los más puristas seguidores del heavy/power metal.

Tras una breve intro que la verdad no nos dice nada, la primera canción propiamente tal del álbum es Beyond The Pale y con ella lo que uno percibe de inmediato es la notable influencia de Helloween, tanto en los riffs, en los solos, como en el feeling de la canción en sí. Pero seamos claros, acá no se trata de un copy/paste (algo que podrían llegar a pensar al principio), se trata más bien de tener las mismas influencias y bases musicales que los germanos, algo que podrán notar a medida que vayan sucediéndose los temas.

Sea como sea, este primer corte sorprende de buenas a primeras por su potencia, la fuerza impresa en cada nota y la potente y natural voz de Pascal Cliche. La siguiente pista, Castaway, no se queda atrás, es un tema rápido, corto y preciso, que derrocha energía y power por doquier, y que no desperdicia un solo segundo en sutilezas impropias de una banda de heavy metal. Lo mismo aplica para el cuarto track del álbum, Battle Cries, en cuanto a velocidad y potencia, sin embargo sobrepasa en duración a su antecesor debido a la incorporación de algunos cambios de ritmo, que hacen del tema un verdadero placer oírlo.

Who's Crying Loud? y Conspiracy Of Mass Extinction disminuyen un poco las revoluciones, más no la fuerza con que la banda interpreta ambos cortes, consagrándose sobre todo el segundo de ellos en uno de los mejores temas del disco y créanme que eso es bastante decir, ya que en general toda la placa está llena de canciones realmente muy buenas y, por cierto, muy bien ejecutadas por parte de cada uno de los integrantes de la banda: Cliche se luce en las voces y además en las 6 cuerdas, y junto a Patrick Gravel interpretan notables pasajes de guitarras gemelas; las líneas de bajo de Laurent Imbeau se perciben potentes y clarísimas, y si a esto sumamos la más que destacable ejecución de Sylvain Trembley en la batería de Hanker, el resultado es un álbum de Heavy/Power metal de primer nivel, listo para competir con el trabajo de cualquier banda más conocida dentro del género.

La verdad es que creo, sinceramente, que continuar describiéndoles cada una de las pistas siguientes del disco pierde total sentido cuando se trata de un álbum como este, en donde el factor común es precisamente el «power», así de simple. Consíganlo y préstenle atención a los temas ya mencionados, así como también a cortes como Fire, Ruins Of Generations, First To Know o Feel It Again ¿recomendables? ¡Absolutamente!

Hanker es una banda que nació en los ochentas y que musicalmente permanece ahí, incólume ante el paso del tiempo, por lo mismo, lo que acá van a encontrar es heavy/power metal en su estado más puro, directo y de honestidad absoluta, no hay arreglos de estudio ni sobre producción alguna. Solo la banda exponiendo lo que mejor sabe hacer. Hemos de esperar que ahora que –por fin- firmaron contrato con un sello europeo importante, logren ser promocionados y distribuidos como se merecen. En su MySpace han colgado algunos temas de este trabajo, si les gustan, y como reza la canción de Iron Maiden, Be Quick Or Be Dead, ya que si ingresan a sitios de remates para buscar el disco en un tiempo más, ya verán lo que cuesta obtener un álbum de esta banda.

Rating: 9/10

Andrés «WatchTower» Martínez

Source: PowerMetal.cl, Conspiracy Of Mass Extinction review, September 27, 2010

US Metal wie er sein sollte.

HANKER sind sicher nicht vom Glück geküsst. Seit fast zwanzig Jahren krebsen sie im Metal-Unterholz herum, veröffentlichen ihre durch die Bank hochklassigen Alben als Eigenproduktion oder auf Kleinstlabels und schaffen es so natürlich nicht, zu vergleichbaren Genregrößen wie JAG PANZER aufzuschließen. Und selbst die sind ja noch immer weit davon entfernt, den Status zu haben, den sie haben sollten.

Woran das liegt, kann ich euch nicht beantworten. Klar ist aber, dass es an der Musik nicht liegen kann. Zwar ist der Einstieg, nach dem Intro Fear The End, mit den eher schlappen Beyond The Pale und Castaway etwas unglücklich gewählt, aber ab Battle Cries gibt es wieder standesgemäßen, traditionellen US Metal, der sowohl in punkto Songwriting als auch in punkto Gesang immer mal wieder Parallelen zu den bereits genannten JAG PANZER und (etwas weniger) IRON MAIDEN hervorruft. Das gilt insbesondere für das hervorragende Doppel Conspiracy Of Mass Extinction und The Infernal Depths Beneath. Der balladesk beginnende Titelsong überzeugt mit einem Aufbau, der sämtliches The Final Frontier-Nummern verblassen lässt und hat dazu auch noch einen überragend gesungenen Chorus, während The Infernal Depths Of Beneath sich auch auf Cast In Stones mehr als gut gemacht hätte. Auf diesem Niveau bewegt sich zwar nur noch das flotte und sehr eingängige First To Know, aber das bedeutet nicht, dass der Rest des Albums erheblich abfällt. Die sind von der Klasse alle klar näher am Titeltrack als an Beyond The Pale.

Zwar kann man in der Banddiskographie nicht ganz an die überragenden In Our World oder Snakes And Ladders anschließen, aber das sollte für keinen Freund von JAG PANZER, IRON MAIDEN, TITAN FORCE & co. ein Grund sein, sich diese Scheibe nicht in den Schrank zu stellen.

Rating: 8/10

Peter Kubaschk

Source: PowerMetal.de, Conspiracy Of Mass Extinction review, September 27, 2010

We simply LOVE this band. One of the most quality and consistent Canadian heavy/power metal bands ever, keeps putting out high quality stuff dedicated for the true metal listener. This album keeps on the road that they have already paved with their previous works. Let's hope for them the best to come!

Sonic Age Records

Source: Sonic Age Records, Conspiracy Of Mass Extinction review, September 26, 2010

Power Metal addicts better watch out for the fifth and new album from Quebec, Canada based Hanker. Their previously released efforts were excellent pieces to me - pure Power Metal with highly appreciating melodic lines and great vocals can be considered as the band's most important trump cards. Hanker - a band able to please since day one of existence!

For the very first time, Hanker signed a deal with German label Hellion Records... along with that deal, plans of working out a brand new effort became reality. Meanwhile, it's a done deal situation - entitled Conspiracy Of Mass Extinction, Hanker proves once again how good they really are. Original drummer Luc Guay left the ranks in 2005 but the good news is that the man took a wise decision and joined forces with Hanker again a while ago. You won't hear Luc on the new album - instead you'll hear Sylvain Trembley in charge for all drum works and yes, he delivered the goods as well! Make also notice of the fact there is a new bassist in the band named Laurent Imbeau. New record label and two new guys to check out - my curiosity was really highly stretched so I gave the new effort a few spins to made up my mind.

Intro Fear The End opens followed by Beyond The Pale and brings me in a comfortable Power Metal position right away. Frontman Pascal Cliche (who also plays guitars and keyboards) still in excellent form. His powerful throat in combination with high screams those who cut through flesh and bone allows me to say that this guy is a very good singer. This song brings some kind of an older Helloween feel due to some of the guitar lines. This first track gives me a good feel but I knew that the band could do better than this. Next Castaway starts to play and there we go - full speed ahead awesome Power Metal including thrashing elements, neckbreaking rhythms and brilliant vocals. This is what Hanker is all about so bring on some more please. It seemed like my wish is command and Hanker spoiled my ears once again with a song called Battle Cries... Power Metal as it should be!

It needs to be said that the new guys in the band offered a great job anyway. Both drum and bass lines to sound excellent! Who's Crying Loud? is another fantastic one - full melodic and the approach with US Metal is clear. Listening to the riffs and awesome vocal use of the titletrack to make this approach even stronger... US Power Metal fans are warned! Crawlers, Ruins Of Generations, The One Among Them, Feel It Again are very recommendable songs making the blood in your veins keep on running free in a pure and excellent Power Metal way.

Great Metal music and the eye catching artwork (by David Faucher) plus the full coloured, many pages thick booklet to make Hanker's Conspiracy Of Mass Extinction more than worth to check out. Stop by at: http://www.myspace.com/hankermetal or place an order via: http://www.hellionrecords.de/. For fans of Iron Maiden, Fifth Angel, Firewind.

Rating: 90/100

Stefan Sileghem

Source: Metal To Infinity, Conspiracy Of Mass Extinction review, September 8, 2010

Die Erste ist immer die Beste, das ist nichts Neues und trifft im Falle der kanadischen Power-Metaller HANKER auch durchaus zu: An In Our World (1994) kommt nix ran. Conspiracy Of Mass Extinction, die Album-Rückkehr nach sechs Jahren, ist trotzdem gut: Das gewohnte Variieren Maiden-typischer Harmonien (der Anfang des Titelsongs klingt sogar wie Bruce Dickinson solo), Jag-Panzer-mäßiger Hooks und Metal-Church-artiger Rhythmik wird diesmal mit einer stellenweise deutlicheren Euro-Festland-Schlagseite angereichert, bei Beyond The Pale oder diversen Soli grüßen Hansen/Weikath nicht nur aus der Ferne. Die etwas dumpfe Produktion geht alles in allem in Ordnung, weil sie zumindest niemals nach Pro-Tools-Kleisterei klingt, das Coverartwork ist wie immer bei dieser Band potthässlich, und zwei (mittelprächtige) Songs weniger hätten die zu lange Platte in ihrer Gänze homogener erscheinen lassen. Das Gekrittel muss man aber nicht überbewerten: Genrefans und Band-Intimi dürfen die Bestellmaske unter www.hellionrecords.de guten Gewissens ausfüllen.

Rating: 7.5/10

Boris Kaiser

Source: Rock Hard magazine #281, Conspiracy Of Mass Extinction review, September 2010

It seems that time was never a true factor for this band from Quebec. The long living HANKER is still stuck in the 80's, which is not a bad thing at all. Driving with the influences of IRON MAIDEN and old era of HELLOWEEN, their outcomes never seemed to be less than good. Conspiracy Of Mass Extinction is their new album for 2010 and it brings back the old sounds and feels of what is true melodic Heavy Metal.

Conspiracy Of Mass Extinction was provided with modern mechanisms to make it fit for the new millennia, yet, it doesn't have the distinctions of your average modern Metal release. As on some of the 80's productions, there is an addictive setting here, something that captured and plugged my ears even more to this release. Every instrument here that can be heard and felt properly. There is an order surrounding the release, which will help every listener to enjoy the flow.

As for their material, its old school, energetic, spreading an aura of nostalgia, melodic most of the way and sometimes even sends electrical charges of the known IRON MAIDEN-ish brand. After all those years, the band's vocalist / guitarist, Pascal Cliche, is still bound by the higher notes, although most of the time he sings in the vein of Harry Conklin of JAG PANZER. One of his best performances and the band's also, is on the band's best of hitters, self-titled - Conspiracy Of Mass Extinction. Through this particular track, this is what HANKER are all about, good Heavy Metal with the veins of the true gods of Metal.

As I noticed on other tracks, HANKER has a good drive, not mainly on their catchy like choruses, but also on their musical harmonies, especially between the bass and the twin guitars. Other nutcrackers are the solos. If you are a true fan of the old IRON MAIDEN solos of the 80's, you are in for a treat. As a proud MAIDEN fan, HANKER impressed me quite alot. Although they are not doing anything new, it is not that a big of an issue in their case, it is the quality here that served and their sense for being classy.

From Speed Metal to pure classic NWOBHM, there is everything here for the old schooler. HANKER's new release is one of the better examples of why it is so important to keep the old flame burning. Although if not handled with care, this flame could turn out into a mimic of something else bearing no interest at all, I am quite sure that here it is not happening with HANKER.

Highlights: Beyond The Pale, Conspiracy Of Mass Extinction, Fire, The Infernal Depths Beneath, Battle Cries, First To Know.

Rating: 9/10 (almost perfect)

Lior «Steinmetal» Stein

Source: Metal Temple, Conspiracy Of Mass Extinction review, July 29, 2010

Sechs Jahre hat es gedauert, bis eine der besten Heavy Metal-Bands unserer Tage ein neues Album veröffentlichte. Sechs Jahre, eine lange Zeit, in der sich manches verändern kann. Zum Glück jedoch nicht bei HANKER. Die Kanadier sind ihrem bekannten Stil absolut treu geblieben und haben dieser Tage endlich ihr neues Machtwerk rausgehämmert. Dreizehnmal feinsten Edelstahl mit jeder Menge Ohrwurmqualitäten bekommt der geneigte Fan um die Lauscher geklatscht. Zwölf Lieder (plus Intro), welche fast alle das Zeug zu höheren Weihen haben. Ein bisschen melodischer sind die neuen Songs geworden, was ja wohl wirklich nicht schleicht sein kann, solange man nicht in die Bombastschiene rutscht. Doch keine Angst, HANKER waren, sind und bleiben eine pure Heavy Metal-Truppe. So manche Passagen erinnern einen an uralte HELLOWEEN, als diese noch richtig heavy waren und erstklassiges Liedgut geschrieben haben. Hört euch hierzu unbedingt das großartige Beyond The Pale an! Und die teils mehrstimmigen Gesänge haben genau wie auf dem Vorgänger Web Of Faith einen gepflegten SAIGON KICK-Touch. Macht wirklich extrem Laune, dem fantastischen Sänger Pascal Cliche zuzuhören. Was soll ich sonst noch sagen? Den JAG PANZER-Stempel werden die Männer auch diesmal nicht los, doch gibt es sicherlich schlechtere Bands, mit denen man verglichen werden kann, oder? HANKER haben wieder ein Album in die Regale gewuchtet, welches sich neben den Klassikern der eben aufgeführten JAG PANZER, HEIR APPARENT, ARTCH, SWORD... locker behaupten kann und wird. Hört euch in Göttersongs wie Battle Cries, Who's Crying Loud?, Fire, The One Among Them... rein, lasst euch die superben Melodien munden und die tierischen Riffs und vorzüglichen Harmony-Leads auf euch einwirken. Nehmt euch tatsächlich die Zeit, welche der CD gebührt und vor allen Dingen KAUFT euch das Album!!! Und Diesmal ist auch der Klang in allen Bereichen sehr Stimmig. Kanada steht für hervorragenden Metal und HANKER sind ein weiter Beweis für dieses Prädikat. Nochmals: KAUFEN, nicht klauen, downloaden, kopieren, nein, KAUFEN.

Rating: 12/12

Falk

Source: Ancient Spirit Magazine, Conspiracy Of Mass Extinction review, July 25, 2010

How do you describe a masterpiece? How do you actually recognize a masterpiece when it comes your way in times of a hundred new releases each month, where you get overspoiled with at best average and always similar sounding records, even in the field of traditional metal? Well, it is quite easy, you can feel it. With the new, the fifth HANKER album you will always get right. What you get here are songs that are simply mindblowing. Crushing riff heaviness and raging, yet ultimately catchy melodies set your soul ablaze. These melodies the band combines with heavy guitars make sure that whatever melodic power metal used to be the last few years is now bound to vanish, as the real metal force takes over the reign. HANKER shoot out one anthem after the next, overpowered with big emotions in the vocal and lead guitar fields. It is pure steaming heavy metal, northern American style and it is just enchanting. Each song will stick to your mind after just a few spins in your player. Each track then has its own character and direction, while still maintaining the typical HANKER sound. So many bands would die for such an album. HANKER definitely prefer well composed songs with feeling and soul, basing on inspirations and passion, over innovative compositions that often give you a hard time trying to figure out what the musician tries to tell you. HANKER go straight for the soul. This is some of the most beautiful and yet strongest heavy power metal with awesome melodies I have heard in years. Even from HANKER themselves. Grab this piece of insanity!

Sir Lord Doom

Source: Headbangers Open Air, Conspiracy Of Mass Extinction review, July 2010

Gut Ding will ja bekanntlich Weile haben und das schließt auch schon mal eine sechsjährige Pause zwischen zwei Albumveröffentlichungen ein. HANKER, die frankokanadischen Powermetalspezialisten mit dem Hang zu emotional exaltierten Melodien der Spitzenklasse und betörendem Sirenengesang von Gitarrist Pascal Cliche (der sich entgegen seines Nachnamens allerdings auf Eigenständigkeit und charismatische Ausdrucksstärke verlegt hat), sind wieder da und was ich da höre ist von Gottes Gnaden (oder welchem imaginären großen Bruder man auch immer zuspricht). Der Bass schön prägnant und druckvoll im vorderen Bereich, darüber knallige Riffs, in die feurige Melodiemuster hineingewoben worden sind. Ein wuchtig donnerndes Schlagzeug noch dazu und als Sahnehäubchen eben dieser majestätische Gesang. Und das alles klingt so natürlich und leidenschaftlich, so wild und hungrig. Diese Band macht wirklich rein aus Freude am Heavy Metal Musik und ist dabei so erfüllt mit Inspiration, dass ein durchschnittlicher Geist zerplatzen würde. Der melodischen Seite des Metals wurde hier eine satte Gitarrenpower zugefügt, dass endlich jeder Headbanger unter der Sonne diesen gefühlsbetonten und dabei stets infernalischen Hymnen verfallen sollte. HANKER drosseln das Tempo natürlich auch gen mittelschnellem Stampfen oder walzenden Beats mit darüber schwebenden Gitarrenharmonien, hin und wieder lassen sie auch einen dezenten Gallopp einfließen. So bleiben die Stücke immer abwechslungsreich und halten das Aufmerksamkeitslevel des zunächst gebannt lauschenden, dann in willenloser Verzückung ausflippenden Metalmaniacs im oberen Bereich, auch über eine Spieldauer von 52 Minuten. HANKER bewegen sich von der Wildheit auf einem andere Level als ihre Landsleute STRIKER und SKULL FIST aus dem englischsprachigen Teil Kanadas, aber knallig und erfüllt mit positiver Wut sind sie dennoch und blasen alle trübseligen Gedanken schon mit der ersten Note hinfort. Nun, wir kennen die Band von den ersten vier Alben, sie ist sich selbst treu geblieben, nur mit frischen, wunderschönen Songs. Die Herren wagen sich auch gerne in balladesk versponnene Gefilde vor, nur wechseln sie rasch wieder zu herrlichen Heavy Metal Attacken, welche dem edlen Ritt der britischen Kavallerie im Feuer vor Sewastopol während des Krimkrieges gleicht. Ein Donnern und Grollen, wie vom Getrappel hunderter Hufe ist in den meisten Songs die rhythmische Grundlage. Sprechen wir aber mal von Innovationen. Ja, ich beliebe zu scherzen, da HANKER ganz eindeutig die traditionelle Lehre der Stahlschmiedekunst bevorzugen, ergänzt mit den ihnen von Natur aus gegebenen und aus Eigeninitiative erworbenen Fähigkeiten. Das reicht eindeutig aus, um Songs von immenser Frische und Schmissigkeit zu komponieren. Manch eine Harmonie ist derartig intensiv und ergreifend, dass mir die Knie weich werden und der Kloss im Halse mir die Luftröhre abzuschnüren droht. Nun bin ich es wohl, der in die oben bereits angesprochene willenlose Verzückung verfällt und jede Note eines jeden noch kommenden Songs mitfiebert. Ihre wahre Freude an diesem Album hätten u.a. JUDAS PRIEST, METAL CHURCH, AGENT STEEL, JAG PANZER, ICED EARTH und sicherlich hunderte von Bands aus der zweiten bis letzten Reihe. Die Gitarrensoli sprechen von einer Besessenheit, die nur selten einem Metalman der heutigen Zeit gegeben ist. Die technische Versiertheit der Band hält ein sehr hohes Level inne. Beides zusammen ist der Rammbock, mit dem sich spielend einfach die Tore der größten Festungen unserer heissgeliebten Musikindustrie knacken lassen. Der wuchtige, satte Klang ist immer für eine Überraschung gut, hat er doch ein sehr räumliches Feeling, welches Dich regelrecht in sich aufsaugt. Die Instrumente haben stets die Freiheit, sich je nach Bedarf des Stückes in den Vordergrund zu spielen oder sich zurückzunehmen. Hier saß ein Magier an den Reglern! Wer sich Metalhead nennt und dieser Scheibe schwächere Veröffentlichungen vorzieht, soll sich bereits jetzt des Spottes gewiss sein, der ihn von der Seite der Kenner aus erwartet.

Sir Lord Doom

Source: Headbangers Open Air, Conspiracy Of Mass Extinction review, July 2010