Hanker
Nicolas Houle (nhoule@voir.ca)
(English translation by Michel Renaud)

Even though they are again without a record deal in Canada, Hanker are doing very well. Beside being still very popular abroad, the power metal masters' Snakes And Ladders album ranked high in the HMV top metal albums list in Toronto for several months. «We only got good reviews for this album, it's unbelievable!» says guitarist/singer Pascal Cliche. «And things are happening everywhere: In Greece, a record label is releasing our album on vinyl, and in Germany everyone want to hear from us!» The band is currently in talks with a production company and would also like to reissue their first two albums, release a live album, as well as a live video. As for the next album, they are currently working on it. We'll in fact get a preview of the new material at their gig at Le Kashmir on February 2nd. «The album is in the heavy metal-power metal vein» says Pascal. «Without being close-minded, this is what we like and we won't add a turntable just to sell more albums! We evolve our own way, within our genre.»

Source: Voir Quebec edition Vol. 11 no. 4 p. 20, Hanker, January 31st - February 6, 2002 edition