This is by far my favorite Hanker CD, and is really very different from their more recent output. This album was their second full-length effort, and is made from a mold and a style that the band has never returned to, and more is the pity.

The Dead Ringer is far more idiosyncratic, progressive, and weird than anything the band has recorded since. On Snakes And Ladders and Web Of Faith, Hanker have moved into a more accessible, Gamma Ray kind of style, with more anthemic choruses and simpler riffing. But The Dead Ringer sparkles with unique and oddball riffing and complex song structures that more strongly recall great US Metal of the past like Fates Warning or Sacred Oath. That said, this is certainly a more involved and inaccessible album than fans of later works may favor, and in fact is one of the hardest albums to get into I have encountered. This is an album you have to really listen to. Just playing it in the background will not do, you have to turn it up and pay close attention to it and not do anything else. If you do, you will find yourself smiling with delight, wondering how you missed this band. I would liken The Dead Ringer to other cult masterpieces like Awaken The Guardian or Manilla Road's Mystification. It really takes work to appreciate it, but once you do, there is nothing finer.

Hanker do not get the credit for being good lyricists that they deserve, but if you doubt it, just check this album out. The Dead Ringer is a sort of concept album about a hunchback-type character. It's very bleak and depressing actually, but it uses a simple storyline to comment on bigger questions of life with brilliant effect. This is a dense, intelligent album that is just one of those accidents of genius: nobody else will ever sound like this, and even the band themselves will never return to this particular well. It just happened, and lucky for us it happened in a studio. Any fan of odd underground metal should get this, as this is an unappreciated classic. Singular, affecting, strange, and entertaining. Highly Recommended.

Rating: 5/5

Sargon the Terrible

Source: The Metal Crypt, The Dead Ringer review, November 10, 2004

Nachdem das erste (In Our World) und das dritte (Snakes And Ladders) Album des kanadischen Power Metal-Kommandos Hanker ja bereits schon vor einiger Zeit von Cult Metal Classics auf Vinyl wieder veröffentlicht wurde, ist nun also endlich The Dead Ringer, das zweite Werk der Band, an der Reihe! Diesmal jedoch haben sich nicht die Griechen den Rerelease zur Hand genommen, sondern Jürgen von Hellion Records Germany... und der hat dabei ungelogen mehr als fantastische Arbeit geleistet, denn eine derart hochwertige Qualität und solch eine super Aufmachung wie bei dieser LP kriegt man wirklich nicht alle Nas' lang zu sehen! Das super Artwork wurde noch um das Logo und den Album-Titel ergänzt, das feste Cover entpuppt sich als liebevoll gestalteter Gatefold mit Fotos, Texten und richtig dickem Rücken, die schweren LPs (250 in gelben und 250 in rotem Vinyl) schlummern in stimmigen schwarzen Papiertaschen und mit dem '91er Demo Recording des balladesken Staring At The Rain gibt's als i-Tüpfelchen sogar noch 'nen exklusiven Bonussong dazu! Besser geht's doch nun wirklich nicht mehr, selbst im Vergleich zu absoluten Referenzen wie Monster Records' «Mark of the Beast» Doppel-LP (Manilla Road) oder Black Widow Records's «Masters of Magic» Doppel-LP (Northwinds) brauchen sich Hanker mit diesem Wahnsinnsrelease nicht zu verstecken! Und das weder präsentations-technisch noch musikalisch... und da dürfte mir wohl wirklich so ziemlich jeder zustimmen, der den Heavy Metal-Underground in den letzten Jahren auch nur ein bisschen verfolgt hat: Hanker sind eine absolute Macht, wenn es darum geht, gekonnt Melodie und Eingängigkeit mit Heavyness und Power zu verknüpfen! Irgendwo in der Schnittmenge von Bands wie Jag Panzer, Liege Lord, Metal Church, Iron Maiden oder Savatage haben sie über die Jahre ihre ganz eigene Nische gefunden, in der sie sich pudelwohl zu fühlen scheinen, was man unmissverständlich an Weltklasse-Songs wie dem bombigen Opener und Titeltrack The Dead Ringer, dem hymnischen You Won't Live Eternally oder dem fixen United We Stand, Divided We Fall hören kann!

Wer sich Power Metal-Fan nennt und dieses Teil nicht auf der Stelle ordert, der hat in Bezug auf seine «Lieblingsmusik» wohl irgendwas nicht so ganz richtig kapiert... denn das hier ist ein absolutes Muss, an dem es schlichtweg kein Vorbei gibt! Und jetzt komm mir keiner mit Ausreden ala «Ich hab doch aber gar keinen Plattenspielen!»... na und? Dann kauft Euch halt einen! Hauptsache ihr könnt den The Dead Ringer Rerelease hören!

Homepage: www.hankermetal.com (Band); www.hellionrecords.de (Label);
Email: juergen@hellionrecords.de (Label)

Punkte: 96%

Tobi

Source: Metal Provider, The Dead Ringer review, October 7, 2003

Nun ist es schon mehr als ein halbes Jahrzehnt her, daß die kanadischen Powermetaller ihre zweite Scheibe in Eigenregie über den Teich schickten. Auch hier waren sehr intensive, in die brodelnden Riffs eingeflochtene Gitarrenharmonien, voluminöser Gesang und insgesamt ein mitreißendes, einprägsames Songwriting zu vermelden, vielleicht etwas unzugänglicher auf den ersten Blick, als es noch beim Debüt der Fall gewesen ist. Nichts desto trotz kann man auch dieses Album zu den absoluten Highlights des 90er Powermetals zählen, wobei das «90er» nur für die Phase der Veröffentlichung, nicht aber für den Stil stehen soll. Der lebte von den Kennzeichen, die diese Musik zehn bis zwölf Jahre zuvor so beliebt gemacht haben. Die Stücke waren zwar komplex arrangiert, dennoch recht geradlinig in der Wirkung, einzig der Sound machte ein wenig Sorgen, war etwas verwaschen, nicht schlecht allerdings. Hanker machten sich auf, sämtlichen Trends die Totenglocke zu läuten, so wild und entschlossen klang ihr Powermetal. Keine Kompromisse, dafür umso mehr Wucht. Nun, dieses Album war stets nur als Import zu haben, daher auch nur in recht geringer Stückzahl. Ihren guten Ruf konnten die Kanadier zementieren, mehr leider nicht. Seit einiger Zeit gänzlich vom Markt verschwunden, wird es nun langsam Zeit, diese Wuchtbrumme nochmals aufzulegen, diesmal als Vinyl. Kamen ja schon das erste und dritte Album auf dem griechischen CMC Label LP – technisch raus, wurde The Dead Ringer von den Gyrosliebhabern immer abgelehnt, weiß der Schinder wieso. Es ist aber doch noch Gerechtigkeit in dieser Welt existent und so bekommt auch die zweite Scheibe der Kanadier ihre verdiente LP Veröffentlichung. 250 Stück in gelbem, 250 in rotem Vinyl, jeweils 180 g schwer. Das eine dunkle Stimmung verbreitende Cover wird im Großformat sicherlich noch Eindrucksvoller wirken, die kraftvollen Weisen auf der Scheibe durch den warmen, lebendigen Vinylklang nur umso magischer erscheinen. Zusätzlich gibt es als Kaufanreiz den Song Staring At The Rain, welcher vom Debüt zwar schon bekannt ist, hier aber in der Version des 91er Demos doch noch einen ganz eigenen Reiz besitzt. Diesem Album «nur» das Prädikat «KILLER» zu verpassen wäre pure Blasphemie, genau wie sein Vorgänger und sein Nachfolger ist auch The Dead Ringer eine dieser Scheiben, die man nie wieder los wird. Die Stücke brennen sich in die Seele des Metalmaniacs ein. Dieses Vinyl werdet Ihr nicht verpassen wollen, mein Wort drauf.

Dr. Faust - Bayer

Source: Hellion Records (Germany), September 2003

Follow-up of their quite interesting debut In Our World, The Dead Ringer is without any doubt a very good as well. Although the couple of opening songs aren't the album's strongest moments, the following songs are absolutely great inverting the initial feeling. Songs like You Won't Live Eternally, The Age Of The Quick Fix, United We Stand, Divided We Fall and the mid-tempo epic-fed The Clown, They Are Gone, Dead As The Night, F.A.T.E. are definitely worth checking. HANKER sounds like a US version of IRON MAIDEN with lots of mid-tempo, atmospheric epic-fed sections. Bands like HANKER shows that Canada isn't simply RUSH and ANVIL but still something even more. Watch out for the band's brand-new third album.

Source: Experience The Power #8, July 2001

I still remember the shock I've felt when I first heard their debut; and I still love to hear this follow-up! Once again, HANKER released another Power / Speed Metal CD that can really give us the ultimate satisfaction! Their style reveals its influences from JAG PANZER (even though the band hadn't heard the name JAG PANZER when they started to compose their tracks) and their songs are again exceptional! In The Dead Ringer, there are also two awesome melancholic and melodic tracks that are the trademark of HANKER. I'm talking about They Are Gone and F.A.T.E. What are you waiting for? Order this CD immediately! The band is ready to release its brand-new CD. The Dead Ringer costs 20$ from: Official Hanker Fan Club, 22 Assomption, C.P. 178 Beaupré, Québec, Canada, G0A 1E0

Dimitris Starakis

Source: Temples Of Eternity (Greece) #6 p. 76, July 2000

If you are searching for some new Power Metal to feast your Metal hungry ears on then you have come to the right place. Hanker, the Power Metal legend from Quebec Canada prove Metal is not dead, but that it is still alive and thriving on their 1997 album The Dead Ringer. It's somewhat of a conceptual album that tells the story of a lonely church bell ringer who no one ever cared for what he did or felt. The album starts out slow and gloomy with The Dead Ringer telling his horrid tale in his voice of sadness. Some of the album highlights are You Won't Live Eternally which blasts you with classic bass playing similar to Iron Maiden. The sound was so similar I had to check the albums liner notes to see if there was any guest appearances. The Clown features some very moody organ playing that leaves the listener breathless on the floor in a frenzied mess of Metalized flesh. The song writing is superb and the guitars are also played with precision throughout Hankers opus of The Dead Ringer. Vocalist Pascal Cliche pours his heart and soul into every word as he sings with the true heart of Heavy Metal on almost every song. They Are Gone is a fine slower song if you like ballads, while Dead As The Night showcases some mood that sounds reminiscent of Iron Maidens classic track Strange World. The band is currently getting ready to release their third effort titled Snakes And Ladders, which will feature a new bass player Denis Cossette who has replaced Martin Jones. It will be interesting to see if Snakes And Ladders still features the classic bass clanging that help make the Dead Ringer so great. Anyone who says Metal is dead or dying needs to pull their head out of the grave it's lying in and take a look around. There is an abundance of unsigned Metal bands that deserve some major recognition and Hanker is one of them. It's about time for the underground to explode with Hanker metal fans if the world will just give them a chance. The album is not perfect, but it is dang close. I enjoy it more and more with every listen. Check out the Hanker website for info on where this album is available to the mass of Metal fans everywhere.

Rating: 8/10

Alan Christensen

Source: Heavy Metal Lives, The Dead Ringer review, December 1999

I was all ready to rip into this album. I am not a fan of power metal, because there is a certain line that power metal, as a subgenre, crosses. If the band isn't hard enough, the band falls into the abyss that is pop-metal, and no band ever wants to do that, unless they're Mötley Crüe or something. Conversely, if the sound is formulaic, a power-metal band can easily Iron Maiden itself to death.

Good news: this release doesn't fall into either category. Best described as a metal concept album, this release combines early-Iron Maiden melody with early-Metallica-esque riffing. Sound dumb? Well, it could if it fell into typical metal territory (Satan, black magic, war, etc.), but the rub here is that these guys have turned away from the metal formula, writing in the process this story about a man who, after making a few friends in his early life, sells out and betrays everyone he knows. He becomes disgusted with his life after a while and becomes a journeyman, discovering in the process that the world is generally an abysmal, cruel place. He comes back to his hometown and becomes the church's bell-ringer, where he is once again alone. On his deathbed he writes these songs. This could all turn into an art-rock assterpiece at any moment, but the songs are well-written, the lyrics are intelligent, and the power metal chords are actually powerful, which puts this concept album far and above what most of the metal concept albums released in the last ten years have sounded like.

There are some problems with this band, of course: Pascal Cliche's vocals, while varied, are strained in bits, and his voice is generally a little too thin. The sound quality of this album is not on the up and up. And what's up with the name? Hanker is a dumb name for a metal band. I keep thinking Hank Kingsley off of The Larry Sanders Show...

...but hey now! If I'm giving a power metal band a seven, then these guys obviously must be good.

Rating: 7/10

Cameron Archer

Source: The UnBulova Ripoff, The Dead Ringer review, September 10, 1999

Wow. Three words: Get this album!!! Now if you need the actual review... This is my first Hanker album and I was hooked after a couple of minutes into the first song, Unsung Hero.

This is a concept album revolving around the life of a church's bell ringer. I have to admit that at first I had a hard time imagining how this could probably be interesting. After only one of what I call an «attentive listening session», I was impressed by the lyrical contents, and how well they match with the music (which is not always the case with some bands...)

More on the lyrics. Some of those touched me personally. I have found that songs such as They Are Gone, The Age Of The Quick Fix and F.A.T.E. were at least in part related to direct or remote events of my life. I actually think everyone will se a bit of themselves somewhere in The Dead Ringer. This is the kind of material that make you stop and think about some facts of life.

Lead vocalist Pascal Cliche is excellent throughout this album, I just don't have the words to describe it. This is one of the best power metal singers I have heard. Musically, the album is also great, sometimes taking an unexpected turn that will catch the listener's attention. The bassist has changed since the recording of this album, but I've seen the new bassist in his first live performance and I think Hanker has made the right choice. I can't wait for their third album, Snakes And Ladders, which should be released sometime in November.

I urge you to buy this album. Somehow this excellent band is still not very well know, so let's help them get to where they belong: at the top! Rush to your record store to order The Dead Ringer.

Rating: 5/5

Michel Renaud

Source: The Metal Crypt, The Dead Ringer review, September 1999

«All those years, I used to ring the death bell. Since my maker has come back for me, I now stand here before you, to tell you all straight reflections from the life and times of the dead ringer.» And so you are greeted with the introduction to this concept CD - Hanker's second release. These French Canadians really have surprised me! To my knowledge there are basically no power metal bands in Canada especially in Quebec which is notorious for it's abundance of death/grind bands. Hanker clearly owe a lot to 80's giants like Maiden (you can really hear the maiden influence on the bass guitar...godly), Metal Church, old Metallica, early Helloween as well as bands like Blind Guardian! They have little to no 90's influences in them which doesn't hinder the band at all.

The more memorable songs on the CD are Unsung Hero, You Won't Live Eternally, The Age Of The Quick Fix and No More War. Great classic power metal 80's style is what this band are about. Up-tempo songs galloping riffs and melodic vocals are Hanker's strengths. For those of you who pay attention to a band's lyrics you will be interested to know that this is a concept CD. In a nutshell it tells that story of The Bell Ringer who now near the end of his life reflects back on what was and what has become. There's loads of regret and a sense of loss in opportunities missed and a general despair with the way things have turned out. After all his travels this guy has returned «home» and becomes a church bell ringer. Like the life of the Bell Ringer so Hanker's music follows. You will find aggression and you will find more introspective mellower styles - either way it's all thoughtfully played and very well written!

I'm VERY surprised that these guys are not more well known. This stuff is new material but when I'm listening to it I'm thinking it's already a classic. For more information on this very promising band visit their official webpage at http://www.hankermetal.com now!!

Rating: 4/5 (Something every metal fan should own)

EvilG

Source: Metal-Rules.com, The Dead Ringer review, August 1999

Ceci est le deuxième album de Hanker, un groupe de Beaupré, dans la région de Québec. Ce groupe existe depuis 1985, et, étonnamment, ne sont pas beaucoup connus dans la région montréalaise, sûrement en partie dû au fait qu'ils n'ont pas joués ici depuis 1993, mais le fait que la scène local à Montréal est 95% death n'aide pas non plus. Ce groupe de power metal nous donne une musique inspirée des années 80, à la Iron Maiden mais plus rapide et punchées, et, malgré ses fortes inspirations de cette époque, ne sonne pas du tout vieux ou réchauffé. Les musiciens sont très bons, et le chanteur qui est aussi guitariste et principal compositeur, Pascal Cliche, a une voix qui surprend au départ, mais qui, après quelques écoutes, s'avère très bonne pour le genre, quoi que selon moi, il y a beaucoup plus de puissance vocale qui se cache au fond de lui. The Dead Ringer est un album concept, racontant les mémoires d'un sonneur de cloche d'église, qui les a écrit sur son lit de mort. 10 pièces, pour environ 55 minutes, et ça s'écoute très bien. Unsung Hero ouvre l'album, une introduction lente, mais rapidement les guitares embarquent et nous voilà partis, Très bonne pièce, bien rythmée, Holy Screen sonne un peu plus hard rock, mais toujours heavy à souhait. You Won't Live Eternally est une de mes préférées de l'album, le refrain est vraiment accrocheur, et musicalement bien exécuté. The Clown, The Age Of The Quick Fix et No More War sont des bonnes pièces rapides et entraînantes, tandis que des tounes comme They Are Gone, Dead As The Night et F.A.T.E. sont beaucoup plus lentes, mais ça se mélange bien dans le tout, et pas d'overdose de quétainerie ici, ne vous en faites pas! L'album se clôture avec United We Stand, Divided We Fall, qui complète bien le tout, une bonne fin. Un bon album pour tout fan du genre, surtout ceux qui se demande si il y a des bons groupes québécois de power! Un nouvel album est a paraître bientôt.

Simon Girard

Source: Sang Frais #4 page 26, Été 1999

HANKER is a Heavy/Power metal band from Quebec, Canada. After their first tremendous release In Our World, here comes their second CD The Dead Ringer. I must make clear from the beginning that I was really surprised and amazed at the same time when I first listened this CD. I couldn't believe that a band could play this old-fashioned type of metal and still sound so damn fresh. Their music is a mix of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Omen, Heavy Load and finally Warlord! Could you imagine the outcome? Furious, aggressive, melodic, solid Power Metal. Heavy, melodic and catchy riffs, gloriously clear vocals, thunderous drums, and an insane bass player are what this CD is all about. The CD opens with the killer Unsung Hero and continuous with the excellent Holy Screen. But then it is time for some classics. Just listen the third track of this CD. You Won't Live Eternally is what every power metal fan could ask for. For me it's already a classic. Killing riff, tremendous vocals and drums straight from hell! And oh my God, what a guitar solo, an absolute orgasm of pure Power Metal madness. I just can't stop singing along this chorus. Then, the dark The Clown follows. Another diamond in this CD, so dark and so powerful. The riff is really a killing one, straight to your heart. Dead As The Night and The Age Of The Quick Fix are another couple of tracks that make this CD so unique. The CD closes with three unbelievable songs. F.A.T.E. is for me the best track of this CD. When you listen to this song you think that you listen to Warlord (with a better singer). So melodic and powerful, with the best guitar work that I've hear for some time. The last two tracks are simply what I define as TOP CLASS Power Metal. This CD is so perfect that it's hard to believe that it's true. But it is. HANKER have produced one of the greatest Power Metal CDs of all time. Absolutely essential for every serious Heavy/Power Metal fan. They are simply the best Power Metal band around. ALL HAIL HANKER! Get in touch with HANKER at http://www.hankermetal.com.

Rating: 10/10

Chris «The Lord» Condos

Source: Sweet Suffering e-zine, The Dead Ringer review, May 1999

Originari del Quebec, una dei più bei paesi del Canada gli Hanker sono un quartetto che ci offre su un vassoio d'oro quasi un'ora di puro power metal sostenuto da un guitar working portentoso. Non mancano accenni a momenti più melodici che ben si, intrecciano tra dieci brani. Un grande disco molto legato, gelosamente con il passato pieno di contaminazioni anni ottanta. E se questa band non diventerà la rivelazione dell'anno sono pronto a strapparmi i capelli dalla testa e mangiarmi le dita! Arrghh!!!! Un album esplosivo, al fulmicotone ... per veri metal kids. Fidatevi. Per contatti: Hanker, 22 Assomption C.P. 178, Beaupré, Québec, Canada, G0A 1E0

Sabotti Luigi

Source: Rock In Access, April 1999

What ever happened to EXCITER and POWERMAD. Well it seems to me that they formed this great band. Which is not true but this band is one of the best unsigned bands in the market. Unrelenting power and aggression shows that they are ready for the big time. The first track Unsung Hero starts off with melodic scenery and comes in with a punch. Punishing Riffs brings this song into one of my all-time favorite list. Another great track is The Clown, this song has a lot of great mixes of slow motion rock to (old) Metallica pounding riffs. To me it was a privilege to review this classic Metal album.

Rating: 5/5 - Outstanding

John McGovern

Source: Metal World, The Dead Ringer review, March 1999

Kanada war schon immer ein Land, daß qualitativ gut- bis hochklassige Bands hervorbrachte (Rush, Bryan Adams, Lee Aaron, Helix, Voivod, Exciter). Ein weiteres positives Beispiel sind Hanker, die mit The Dead Ringer ihr zweites Album vorlegen. Soundmäßig zwar nicht das «Gelbe vom Ei» (aber immer noch gut genug), dafür musikalisch umso besser. Man könnte den Stil grob mit «wuchtiger Power Metal mit leicht progressivem Einschlag» umschreiben. Dieser bewegt sich auf einem hohen technischen Standard, wurde sehr abwechslungsreich gestaltet (die Band versteht es wirklich, Spannungsbögen innerhalb der Songs aufzubauen) und lebt u.a. vom sehr guten Gesang eines Pascal Cliche. Man sollte diesem Album jedoch für mehrere Durchläufe sein Gehör schenken. Ungelogen, dieses Album wird von Mal zu Mal besser. Meldet Euch bei Hanker, 22, Rue Assomption, C.P. 178, Beaupre (Quebec), Canada, G0A 1EO

Source: Animalize #21, 1998

It is fantastic to see some quality Metal once again come from Canada. Top notch stuff based on the classic stock of the 1980's but without the glam over. Great stuff reminiscent of Iron Maiden and Dream Theatre with a whole bunch of other stuff thrown in giving it an almost, but not quite, thrash quality to it. Professional musicianship with great melody, the type of metal I grew up with. Many critics slam the record as being too slow or non-anthemic, this point of view is narrow minded, in my opinion as I found the lyrics sensible and the CD professional. The only slow bit was perhaps The Clown, which, like other reviewers I failed to understand. To me, it was an artsy fartsy song that had no business in the middle of the record.

Nonetheless, if artsy is what they wanted on this piece, then that's exactly what they got and they did do the song well, even if it didn't fit in with the record - this is more a mixing fault then musicianship. My favourite piece is one most overlooked, You Won't Live Eternally. Perhaps a A- for this record but I think time will be kind to it so I'll give it two thumbs up with an A. Hanker have been selected for the ALLIANCE compilation. You can find out more about them in the Gramophone at this Web site.

Grade: 9/10 (A)

Derek McDonald

Source: RRCA (The Rock Record Collectors Association), The Dead Ringer review, 1998

Now, what a pleasant surprise this band is! Playing a brand of Heavy Metal with a late 80's Thrash feel, their general sound reminds me a bit of a thrashy version of IRON MAIDEN... It's not easy to write this kind of music and not make it sound corny... Well, they managed to put it together effectively! Mixing larger heavy riffs with faster rotative riffs, they also embellished their music with some guitar harmonies, slower clean acoustic guitars and even some synths here and there to fill the background in the smoother parts. The musicianship is very high and precise, with a strong rhythm section on bass and drums... The bass technique is in the Steve Harris vein! the guitars are clean and intricate but somewhat thin, which is one of the only complaint I would have of this great album. The vocals are also very strong, with a rougher edge and cleaner singing, always on key. There are even some nicely knitted vocal harmonies, which brings a larger than life feel to the music. Like I said, the song writing is intelligent and harmonious. The general sound is just a bit thin, mainly because of the previously mentioned guitars... Great stuff! Get it!

Rating: 5/6 (Great stuff! Above average...)

Stéphane Bélanger

Source: Soundscape Magazine, October 1998

Are you morbid? No this is not a band that sounds anything like the almighty Celtic Frost, but their use of pipe organs on a track here really darkens this album up. No real new sound here, but this album is growing on me like a barnacle. Everything is pretty much straight forward. Vocals are good, not glossed over. No pretty boy stuff here though. I am really impressed with the guitarist though. Although I do not care for his regular distortion tone, the dude can play. One of his solos really just blew me away. I do not have a bio on these guys so I am not sure if there are 2 soloists or just one. Either way, not run of the mill soling. The song They Are Gone has a brief Piece of Mind Maiden-esque solo in it, which is why I really am starting to like these guys. I hear some old Maiden influence here. Do not look for a Malmsteen or Hammerfall or anything like that, just some good straight forward heavy metal. It's kinda groovy. 6 out of 10. Hail.

Rating: 6/10

Sean Weingartner

Source: Swedish Metal Inquisition, August 1998

Jawoll, das isses!! Hanker aus Quebec, Kanada, legen mit ihrem Zweitling The Dead Ringer mal eben das beste Power-Metal-Album der letzten 24 Monate vor! Das Debüt In Our World liegt mir leider nicht vor (man kann ja nicht alles haben...), doch Gerüchten zufolge soll man darauf noch vereinzelte Jag Panzer-Parallelen zu Gehör bekommen haben. Wenn ich nun The Dead Ringer einsauge (wie oft in den vergangenen Tagen habe ich dieses Album gehört!), so sind eventuelle Vergleiche mit der kürzlich reformierten Legende völlig aus der Luft gegriffen. Begeisternde Riffs, wahnsinniger Gesang (erinnert teilweise etwas an den verrückten Anacrusis-Shouter und Songaufbauten, die packender, progressiver und perfekter nicht sein können sind die Trademarks der vier Kanadier um Sänger/Gitarrist Pascal Cliche (welch' ein Name!!). Schon der Opener Unsung Hero ist der Killer schlechthin, ein Hammerriff jagt das nächste, einprägsame Gesangsmelodien, ungezügelte, wilde Härte, dabei immer melodiös bleibend ---> besser geht's nicht! Und es geht so weiter: das nachfolgende Holy Screen überzeugt mit den gleichen Eigenschaften, You Won't Live Eternally ist ein absoluter Ohrwurm mit Klassiker-Potential (würd' ich gerne mal live sehen!), The Clown ist dann wieder der sich langsam aufbauende Wahnwitz pur (mit passenden Psycho-Text), The Age Of The Quick Fix lässt meinen Kopf ob der GENIALEN Gitarrenarbeit nicht mehr still stehen und F.A.T.E. ist ebenfalls ein siebenminütiger potentieller O(h)rgasmus. Alles in allem vergebe ich die imaginäre Höchstnote für diesen Meilenstein abwechslungsreichen, anspruchsvollen und frischen Power-Metals mit 10 Juwelen des Heavy-Metals. Angenehmer kann man 54 Minuten nicht verbringen (zumindest nicht mit Musik...)

Rating: 15/15

Michael Kohsiek

Source: Michael Kohsiek's Sacred Metal-Page, The Dead Ringer review, 1998

Get a load of this; this is the real McCoy! The Canadian band Hanker from Québec has just released its second album The Dead Ringer - definitely the best Power Metal album of the last two years. While I don't actually have a copy of the debut album (you can't have everything), rumours suggest that similarities to Jag Panzer can be recognised here and there. But when I soak up The Dead Ringer (how often have I listened to the album over the last few days!), any comparisons with the recently reformed legend must be sheer invention. The thrilling riffs and crazy singing, sometimes reminiscent of the mad Anacrusis shouter and song build-ups which couldn't be more gripping, more progressive and more perfect, are the trademarks of the four Canadians around singer/guitarist Pascal Cliche (what a name!). The album opens with Unsung Hero, a real killer with one superb riff after another, catchy tunes and unrestrained, wild strength, yet melodious throughout. In short, it couldn't be better. But it doesn't stop there. The next track, Holy Screen, has the same persuasive qualities. You Won't Live Eternally is a real catchy number with the potential of becoming a classic (I'd like to see that one live!), The Clown, on the other hand, is a slow build-up of utter craziness (with psycho lyrics to match). The AMAZING guitar work in The Age Of The Quick Fix just won't leave my head alone and F.A.T.E. is just as much a seven-minute potential «eargasm» (pun: ear & orgasm; German humour). All in all I'm giving the imaginary top score to this milestone in varied, sophisticated and fresh Power Metal with its 10 jewels of Heavy Metal. I couldn't imagine a more enjoyable 54 minutes (at least not with music...)

Rating: 15/15

Michael Kohsiek

Source: Michael Kohsiek's Sacred Metal-Page, The Dead Ringer review, 1998

Not all Canadian metal is AOR. Hanker is from Canada and they play melodic traditional metal, the closest comparisons I can think of are Iron Maiden of the DiAnno era and also some of the old Helloween material. In the vocal section Hanker has but clichés to offer, for their vocalist's name is Pascal Cliche. Pascal's voice is strong and dark in the same sort of way Candlemass' Messiah Marcolin's voice, but thank God Pascal doesn't sing with similar pathos. Cliche's voice isn't the most colourful there is, but with some more singing lessons he could really become a convincing metal voice. Hanker's power metal riffing is well executed and the drummer's playing style reminds me of the old Maiden skinsman Clive Burr. Basically, all the basics are okay in Hanker, but there's yet some work for the guys to even the rough edges in their sound. In toto, Hanker's metal pays hommage to the great old bands of the traditional and power metal genres, but their songs are a wee bit too predictable.

Rating: 7/10

Mape

Source: SFP Magazine (Finland), August 1998

«I could live without my mother, I could live without my father, But how can I live without my clown? Often I ask him in my mirror, He always gives me the same answer, You cannot live without your clown...» - The Clown, Hanker

Hanker. Strange name for a band such as this. A strange album as well. The Dead Ringer. Their second full-length, I believe. One word that may suit it? Brilliant. Yeah, that would be the word. Progressive power metal, maybe compared to Iron Maiden at their best. Not to say that this sounds dated at all. Let's say that if Iron Maiden didn't suck now, they may sound a touch like Hanker. This is impressive on so many levels. First off, the music is powerful, heavy, melodic, and catchy. Quite a lot of time changes and lots of different stuff going on throughout all the songs. Very interesting song structures. The vocals are very strong, maybe not great, but they are good. Quite a range. This is a very moving creation, and not just because of the music. Take for example, the above lyric from The Clown. What is the Clown? Ego? The bringer of great unhappiness? You decide. If I understand what they are doing here with the lyrics, this is a concept album about someone, called The Dead Ringer, who goes off into the world and falls victim to fame and glory, betraying all that he knew. Then, realizing that he is lost, tries to go back to where he came from, in the process seeing many things that give him wisdom about life and people's blindness to the things that are really important. Very intelligent, wisdom filled lyrics. Very well written. Ten songs grace this CD, none of them even slightly weak, but the highlights for me are You Won't Live Eternally, No More War, and Unsung Hero. This 4 piece hails from Canada, and are well worth checking out. You can contact them through their webpage, located at http://www.hankermetal.com. I highly recommend that anyone into 'intelligent' metal (read: not stuff like Pantera or KoRn) like Iced Earth, Iron Maiden, Fates Warning (especially old Fates Warning), old Queensryche, etc, get their hands on this CD, for it will be a good fix for you.

«Good things, they say, happen to those who wait... You want to climb higher and higher, You've got to be the star, For you it's only fair, Glory might taste that much better, If you would only share! You wouldn't care, But now you find, Those shades you wear, have made you blind. Don't forget your friends, before you regret, Because you'll regret, One day you'll regret...» - The Age Of The Quick Fix, Hanker

The Demon Azkath

Source: Aethyric Productions, July 1998

If you like traditional heavy metal à la Jag Panzer, Iron Maiden, etc. Check out this awesome release. This Canadian outfit has a lot of promise. Record labels should take notice to this incredible band. Go to their webpage at: http://www.hankermetal.com.

Mark Parry

Source: Audio Aggression/Neckbreaker, July 1998

Hanker are from Canada and they are playing something between classic Metal and Power Metal, but what's more important is that they play it well. Excellent songs with Heavy rhythms and a very good job at the guitars are what you will find in this CD. The only thing that needs improvement is the vocal lines. Their singer has a good voice but his singing certainly needs improvement. The production is very good and it certainly helps the band. I haven't heard their first CD, this is their second, but if it is half as good as this one then just go out and buy them both. This band is a killer and they have whatever it needs to become a very big name in the Metal scene. All classic Heavy Metal fans should check them out. If you want more info about Hanker then check out their official page at http://www.hankermetal.com

Rating: 9/10

Agelos Kanarelis

Source: Tombstone Fanzine (Athens, Greece) #9, The Dead Ringer review, July 1998

This is the second CD of this 4-member Canadian band that follows the tremendous release In Our World. What we have here is tightly played heavy metal with mid-tempo moments and speed outbursts. In parts they really remind me of Jag Panzer! Pascal Cliche has an excellent voice and he's a very good guitarist too. The machine of the band is Luc Guay, while Patrick Gravel handles with great dexterity his six-string instrument and Martin Jones contributes to the whole result with his stunning bass playing! The CD features ten compositions, with only one disappointing track the ballad, The Clown. The CD begins with a heavy speed anthem entitled Unsung Hero. The third track You Won't Live Eternally has a majestic chorus and the mid-tempo They Are Gone compensates for the awful The Clown. A metallic storm invades when the CD display indicates track 7! Battle intro, galloping bass and oriental guitar theme make for one heavy metal hymn that will cause irreparable damage to your spine (The Age Of The Quick Fix). Track 8, F.A.T.E. is a very sentimental song that is for sure the «Stairway To Heaven» of this CD. The guitar is crying and the vocals gently mourn while accepting the caress of the keyboards. No commercial stuff here! If you think only Metallica write good ballad, then I suggest you listen to the rest of your life to «Unforgiven II» and leave Hanker (us) in their (our) beautiful world. For the end of the CD, two more tracks (No More War and United We Stand, Divided We Fall) come to convince even the most demanding power metal fan that heavy metal will never die!!!!! Especially, the latter should not be heard by sensitive persons as the danger of heart attack is lurking!!!! I won't tell you which of the two CDs of Hanker is better but I assure you that if you don't send 30DM to Hellion Records, then the «Dead Ringer» will come knocking at your door!

Manos Koufakis

Source: Steel Conjuring #1 (Athens, Greece), April 1998

Hanker are sharp-edged and rough, thus, should be ascribed to power metal. Yes, Canada has its own true metal bands, though, in a contrast to many original or even weird bands (like Voivod, Noisefloor, Heaven's Cry), Hanker are quite predictable. They have been compared to Jag Panzer and their power metal is actually POWER metal, faithful to the roots and indirectly blaming cheesy so-called power metal bands that we hear nowadays. The singer did a good job ranking Hanker among those heavy/thrash bands with expressive and diverse vocals, which is rarely the case when we have in mind 'rough' metal. Hanker stick to the cannons, but put their own uneven yet quite tasteful touch.

Rating: 3 ¼/5

Giedrius Slivinskas

Source: Edge Of Time, progressive metal magazine #13, The Dead Ringer review, November 1999

I liked these Canadians debut, and this one is more or less like their first. Hanker is not a typical Canadian band, this is definitely not AOR. Hanker has heavy metal on the menu, and sometimes they do remind me a bit of Iron Maiden. The songs are hard, catchy and always with a good melody. There's not a weak song on the album, but there is no definite killer tracks either. Maybe that's just what the album needed.

Rating: 4/6 (Good)

Frode Øien

Source: Scream #39, The Dead Ringer review, February/March 1998

Hanker are a traditional heavy metal band from Québec, Canada. The Dead Ringer is their second album, the first was entitled In Our World. Hanker are Pascal Cliche on Lead Vocals, Guitar and Keyboards, Patrick Gravel on Guitar and Backing Vocals, Martin Jones on Bass and Luc Guay on Drums.

Narration by Réjean Garon.

The Dead Ringer was recorded at Studio Séquence, Québec (Canada). Produced by Pascal Cliche.

Engineered by Yves Drolet. Mixed by Yves Drolet. Re-mastered by Jean-François Chicoine at Studio SNB, Montréal (Canada).

The tracks are: Unsung Hero, Holy Screen, You Won't Live Eternally, The Clown, They Are Gone, Dead As The Night, The Age Of The Quick Fix, F.A.T.E., No More War, United We Stand, Divided We Fall. The Dead Ringer is a concept album, telling the life of a church bell ringer and his reflection on life.

The album starts with Unsung Hero, a great track, starts with a short narrated passage followed by a heavy riff. The vocals are good from Pascal who has a powerful voice, there's a nice melody with some nice changes in tempo and direction. With some great guitar.

Holy Screen is an excellent track with some nice changes in tempo and direction and again some excellent guitar work.

Track 3 is You Won't Live Eternally great track again with some nice changes in tempo and direction.

The Clown is a ballad, it has a brilliant intro and one of my favourite tracks. the vocals are superb, again some nice changes in direction and tempo and there's some excellent guitar solo's.

Next is They Are Gone another ballad, but again a very good one. Again the vocals are spot on, the tracks starts off fairly quiet and builds up as the track moves on. Great Solo's.

Dead As The Night, is a great track with a great melody, nice changes in tempo and direction and some great guitar.

Track seven is The Age Of The Quick Fix, an excellent track with a great intro, again nice changes in tempo and direction within the song and some great guitar.

F.A.T.E., is another great ballad.

Track nine is No More War another excellent track with some great guitar.

And to finish United We Stand, Divided We Fall another great track.

The Dead Ringer is an excellent metal album. It does remind me a bit of Iron Maiden , Judas Priest and I'm sure it would appeal to fans of these bands. Buy and Enjoy!!

The Official HANKER Web Site: http://www.hankermetal.com

Official Hanker Fan Club: 22 Assomption, C.P. 178, Beaupre, Quebec, Canada. G0A 1E0

Derek Daniel

Source: Strombringer Webzine, The Dead Ringer review, February 1998

Schon seit längerem im Kosten ist der Nachfolger des fulminanten Debuts In Our World der Kanadier HANKER. Nach kurzem Intermezzo beim Kleinstlabel Art Of Music stehen die Jungs aus Quebec nun wieder mal ohne Deal da, was echt eine Schande ist. HANKER existieren bereits seit Mitte der Achtziger, was man dem ausgereiften Songmaterial in allen Belangen anmerkt. Ja, sie sind nicht mehr so heavy und speedig wie aufihrem Erstling, aber dafür ist die enorme Ähnlichkeit zu JAG PANZER auch mehr in den Hintergrund getreten. Es benötigt sicherlich einiger Durchläufe, um die neuen Songs in ihrer gesamten Pracht zu ergründen. Insgesamt klingt die Platte düsterer, atmosphärischer und damit auch intensiver als In Our World. Gerade sich ruhig aufbauende Tracks wie You Won't Live Eternally oder das alles überragende F.A.T.E. mit seiner dramatischen und leicht progressiven Struktur gehören zu den Sahnestücken auf The Dead Ringer Dach auch straighte Headbanger wie The Clown oder das mit Killerriffing ausgestattete schnelle Stück The Age Of The Quick Fix rulen. HANKER sind einfach abwechslungsreicher geworden und stehen für hackklassigen, puren Power Metal mit überragenden technischen Fertigkeiten sowie einem Gespür für ebensolche Songs. Ein weiteres Qualitätsmerkmal ist die abermals grandiose Leistung von Sänger Pascal Cliche, der zu den Ausnahmkönnem seiner Garde gehät. Unbedingt DM 30. - an Hellion Records.

Punkte: 11/12

Detlef Dengler

Source: Heavy, Oder Was!? mag. Vol. 1/2 1998, January/February 1998

The follow up album to the Canadian band HANKER’s thundering debut In Our World was completed a while ago. Following a short stint with the mini-label Art Of Music, the guys from Quebec are once again without a deal, which is an outright shame. HANKER have been around since the mid-eighties, which is perceptible in all respects, in the more mature song material. Indeed, they’re not as heavy and speeding as in their first album, but the very close resemblance to JAG PANZER is no longer as predominant either. You have to listen to it a few times to discover the splendour of the new songs. Overall, the album sounds more sombre, more atmospheric and much more intense than In Our World. The best tracks on The Dead Ringer are those which gradually build up like You Won't Live Eternally or the outstanding F.A.T.E. with its dramatic and slightly progressive structure. But it's the straight headbangers like The Clown or the fast song with remarkable killer-riffing The Age Of The Quick Fix which rule. HANKER have simply become more varied and represent classic, pure power metal with outstanding technical skills as well as a feeling for songs of the same calibre. A further distinction of quality is the once again grandiose performance of singer Pascal Cliche, who is one of the most exceptional talents in his genre. Don’t miss it! DM 30. - from Hellion Records.

Rating: 11/12

Detlef Dengler

Source: Heavy, Oder Was!? mag. Vol. 1/2 1998, January/February 1998

Hanker are four very ambitious individuals who have delivered a well written concept album; a heavy metal opera if you will. The story goes something like this: a lonely, frustrated man (The Dead Ringer) leaves home to travel and discover life. His journeys bring him to the realization that the world is a cold and cruel place. Eventually he returns home to work in the church as a bell ringer. On his death bed he writes the words that vocalist Pascal Cliche sings throughout the ten songs. Musically, Hanker sound like a mix of Iron Maiden and Megadeth. For full appreciation one must sit down and really listen. This album flows like an everchanging river. There are rough currents and gentle trickles, sharp turns and smooth curves. The production and playing are both excellent but unfortunately this sort of project usually has great difficulty securing a fan base.

Aaron Small

Source: BW&BK (Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles) #20, December 1997

Favorite Songs: They Are Gone, F.A.T.E., You Won't Live Eternally

Hanker is a power/classic metal band from Quebec city, Quebec, Canada! There are the only band (to my knowledge) to still play this kind of music in Quebec, and for that I will always be a great supporter. But let's get to the album. The Dead Ringer is a concept album, telling the life of a church ringer and his reflection about life. The music is a great mix of classical 80's style metal and modern power metal. I hear influences from all the great of metal, from Iron Maiden (of course) to even old Fates Warning (especially in the epic F.A.T.E.) to Helloween (speed and neoclassical-sounding dual leads). The riffs and solos are of high quality, showing that Hanker is a band that might become big in the future, they have the talent, they have the power, they have the songs! And most of all, they have their own style, as the vocals don't really sound like your typical power metal vocals (and I love them for that). The real surprise for me on this album is the ballad They Are Gone. I was pretty tired of hearing a lot of boring power ballads in almost every power metal CD I own, and at first I though: «oh no, not another boring ballad». WRONG. This one is a real emotional masterpiece! I had rarely heard such a convincing melancholic song, it brought tears to my eyes. It's rare that a ballad is a highlight of a power metal CD, but this time it is the case. Pascal Cliche's vocals are really powerful, it gives chills! But still, the force of this CD is the power metal songs and the lengthy epics. My only complaint is that the production is bit thin sounding (probably because Hanker is still an independent band). I'm proud of you guys, we can make great music in Quebec too! Well done!

Rating: 86/100 - Very good

Jean-Phillipe Morin

Source: Trooper's Metal Page, October 14, 1997

O novo trabalho do Hanker vêm para comprovar, mais do que nunca, que a atual safra do power/heavy metal tradicional realmente está com tudo e não tem conversa!  The Dead Ringer é um album conceitual e bastante variado.  Consegue ser ainda melhor que o anterior, In Our World, que já era espetacular. Unsung Hero, Holy Screen, e United We Stand, Divided We Fall são os momentos em que o grupo consegue conjugar peso e pesodia com maestria absoluta. Quando chega a hora das baladas, The Clown (com uma genial introdução, bastante sombria), They Are Gone e F.A.T.E., podemos observar que atualmente o Hanker é a banda que faz as melhores baladas metálicas da atualidade. Mas ainda tem mais: Dead As The Night tem um andamento cadenciado e uma melodia contagiante. Mas o grande arrasa-quarteirão é a faixa The Age Of The Quick Fix, com uma introdução inacreditável, múltiplas variações rítmicas e uma riqueza melódica que nos faz lembrar de clássicos do metal, como «Hallowed Be Thy Name», do Iron Maiden, e «Beyond The Realms Of Death», do Judas Priest. Dez canções de puro metal, músicos espetaculares (veja o trampo de guitarras), talvez o disco do ano!

Rating: ***** - obra-prima (5/5)

Carlos A. M. Afonso

Source: Renegade #1, August/September 1997

The new Hanker's work is here to proof that the actual team of traditional heavy metal/power metal is stronger than ever! There are no more doubts about that! The Dead Ringer is a concept album and has much variation between the songs. The play is even better than the first Hanker record, In Our World, that, by its time, was an amazing sample of pure metal too. Unsung Hero, Holy Screen and United We Stand, Divided We Fall are the moments in which the group join weight and melody with absolute majesty. When the time of the ballads has come - The Clown (with a brilliant intro, very dark), They Are Gone and F.A.T.E., - we can watch that, in the actuality, Hanker is the band that does the best metallic ballads in all the world. But it still has more: Dead As The Night has a compassed rhythm and a contagious melody. But the great blockbuster is the track The Age Of The Quick Fix, with an unbelievable introduction, multiple rhythm variations and a richness melodic that make us remember classics of metal, like «Hallowed Be Thy Name», from Iron Maiden, and «Beyond The Realms Of Death», from Judas Priest. Ten songs of pure metal, fantastic musicians (watch the double guitars solos and intros), maybe the record of the year!

Rating: ***** - masterpiece (5/5)

Carlos A. M. Afonso

Source: Renegade #1, August/September 1997

«All those years, I used to ring the death bell. Since my maker has come back for me, I now stand here before you, to tell you all straight reflections from the life and times of the dead ringer.» Welcome to the world of The Dead Ringer.

The Dead Ringer? Yes, The Dead Ringer. The Dead Ringer is the second self-produced album for Hanker, a phenomenal Metal band from Quebec. Now, I know what you're thinking, «If these guys are so great, why haven't I heard of them before?» Just a matter of politics, as always. But that doesn't seem to be keeping Hanker from pushing forward with a clear vision of where'd they like to take their sound and their band. On The Dead Ringer, Hanker prove that they are a band as adept at what they do as any other band with worldwide recognition, and that the only thing separating them from recognition in the worldwide music community is time.

What would be the best way to describe Hanker on The Dead Ringer? Well, for starters, sharp as the Grim Reaper's sickle. Hanker hits every note with precision, knocking out 10 tight mini-epics that take you from Gnome to Timbuktu and back again. We're not talking thumpa-thumpa-plunk and some goofy lyrics, here. Hanker is all about intriguing, challenging compositions carefully arranged and played with passion and precision. High quality originals, and not cheap reproductions.

How about the lyrics? The lyrics of The Dead Ringer are one of it's strongest points. The Dead Ringer is a concept album based on the life and times of church bell ringer after his death. He looks back and shares his experiences with the listener, opening the listener to his observations and warning the listener of injustices in this world gone awry. The tale of the ringer takes the listener on a ride through another man's experiences, running the gamut from zenith to nadir and lodging itself into the mind of all who hear it. Well thought out, and, just like the music, tight flowing from one thought to the next without skipping a beat.

Speaking of the music, how do they sound? Based on the previous description, Hanker sounds exactly how you might imagine. The guitar work is sharp, and always in the right spot. There isn't a single misplaced note on The Dead Ringer. The bass and drums are perfectly matched to the mood of each song. Whether they are heavy and driving, epic sounding, or melancholy and sinking, they set the mood perfectly for the entire composition. The music truly sets the stage for excellence. Still, it is the vocals that are the real x-factor on The Dead Ringer. The vocals are sung with a passion hard to match in this age of insincerity. The lyrics flow from the heart of the writer and penetrate deep into all who hear it, leaving an impression that is hard to top. Heavy, fast, slow, soft, indignant, or warning, Hanker hits every conceivable level of human emotion and opens them up for the whole world to see.

In The Dead Ringer, Hanker have an album as strong as any that will be released this year. The music is original and challenging true Metal played with an honesty and ability that is rare in this lukewarm society of today. You owe it to yourself to give Hanker a listen. Forget the hype of the mainstream, open you mind, and enter the world of The Dead Ringer.

Matt Barber

Source: Heavy Metal - About.com, The Dead Ringer review, September 5, 1997