Outside the Box is an apt title for the debut album from UK five-piece Hacktivist. Whilst attempts to combine rap and rock have existed for 30 years or more, few bands have succeeded at melding hip hop with techy progressive metal. But here these guys break some new ground, and they do it rather well.
After releasing an EP a few years back, the long-playing format has allowed Hacktivist to really spread their wings. Not only are they charting new musical territory, but they’re exploring the limits of their own sound. The jagged riffing and off-kilter rhythms of technical metal are still there, as are the street-talking rhymes and staccato delivery of the vocals. They have also injected a touch of ambience into their sound, and there’s greater emphasis on actual melodic vocals to counterpoint the percussive rhymes. Against the odds, they blend all of these seemingly disparate elements into one seamless, cohesive whole.
This is a very strong album with broad appeal. People into tech metal will dig it, if they open their minds to a different vocal style. Hip hop aficionados will also appreciate it if they can get their heads around the more complex rhythmic structures. Anyone who’s ever been into Faith No More, Korn, Stuck Mojo and any other band who has fused these styles will find much to love here.
BY ROD WHITFIELD
